On Sunday I completed the "Tiarathon" - otherwise known as the Disney Princess Half-Marathon. I must admit I'm in shock a bit that it is over.
After all, it was about a year ago that I started the 30-Day-Shred with the Shredheads community, and about a month and a half later that I reluctantly decided to climb on board to the whole "let's run a 5K" madness. As I looked for a race that would be fun and magical, I came across Disneyland's September race, but also noticed Disney World's Princess Half-Marathon. "Hey, maybe we'll be ready for a half-marathon in March 2010!?" I somewhat joked to my fellow newbie runners. After all, March 2010 seemed soooooo far away.
And now it is over.
It really was amazing. It was easier for me than the half-marathon I did at the start of February. My reason for doing that first one was to psychologically prepare myself for the Disney half, and it worked. I went into the Disney race knowing that I'd finish, and finish well before the "golf cart of shame" sent for people who fail to maintain a 16min/mile pace.
Sure, the 20 minute walk to the start line was freezing, and my foot fell asleep halfway through the race, which presented a challenge, but overall the race was pure magic. Disney characters cheered us on (or drunkenly fell into us, like Captain Jack Sparrow; or yelled at us to get moving, like the Toy Story green army men.) Running through the Magic Kingdom was... magic, naturally, and bounding through Cinderella's Castle would have been a great photo if the photographer wasn't pointing his lens elsewhere.
The miles really melted by. Certain songs prompted me to run faster, and certain sights made me tear up happily. Indeed, Disney is the happiest place on earth. The spectators were terrific, cheering everyone on. Fellow runners complimented each other, too, usually for costume items. (My rhinestone tights were a big hit! I personally loved the men dressed up as partners for their running princesses.)
At the mile 13 sign, a gospel choir made me grin - I sprinted (or what I think approximates a sprint after 13 miles!) the final .1 mile to the finish line. It was such an incredible feeling to cross that line.
And then... the medal:
I wore it for several days afterward. (I wore it under my sweater. My aim was to be proud of myself, not to boast to the rest of the world.)
And yesterday, I ran for the first time again.
I knew there would be a let-down after such an incredible experience, so I've already signed up for a bunch more races. I don't want to just quit running just because I conquered the Princess Half. There are many other races to run, yet I hope I can run like a princess next year (and the following year, and the following year...)
Less than a year from wheezing after ninety seconds to running a half-marathon. If I can do it, so can you!
Comments (3)
Congratulations - this is truly inspirational!
Posted by mayberry | March 11, 2010 7:30 PM
Posted on March 11, 2010 19:30
Congratulations! And GREAT job! It sounds like it was such a great time!
Posted by emily | March 12, 2010 7:24 AM
Posted on March 12, 2010 07:24
yet my aim was to boast while wearing my medal. i ran a freakin' half marathon and i am freakin' old(er) than you so why not boast. LOL
in all seriousness, thank you Kari, for inspiring us to run this. you were right. we could and DID do this and it was amazing. i can't wait to run the next half with you oh and yes, i signed up for the one on Labor Day too.
miss you already!
hugs!
Posted by Laura Scarborough | March 13, 2010 12:17 AM
Posted on March 13, 2010 00:17