Disney Princess Half Marathon Recap – Part 2
7 Mar
When I left off, my sister and I were just reaching mile 3 and had been weaving in and out of people for the beginning of the race.
Around this time, the course began to narrow and it became more difficult to get around walkers. Eventually, we stopped for a walking break ourselves, and continue to walk up a pretty decent incline that was just before the entrance to Magic Kingdom.
Upon entering the park, we veered off the course for a bathroom stop. I loved the fact that we were able to use the park restrooms… so much better than using port-o-potties (I only had to use one once, before the start!)
Running up Main Street in Magic Kingdom was awesome. Looking back, I wish we would’ve stopped for a few photos, but by this point – yes, still pretty early on in the race – we just wanted to stay focused on the task at hand. We actually didn’t stop at any of the photo ops (which is why this post is virtually picture-less).
Magic Kingdom was where things really went downhill for me. After running through the castle (awesome!) my stomach started cramping up really bad. I stopped at another bathroom in the park, and when I met up with my sister, she could tell I wasn’t feeling well.
I’m not sure if it was the Grand Floridian burger not sitting well, the heat and humidity, or race-related nerves (I’m guessing a combination of all three!) but this was the first time that I doubted I would be able to finish. I definitely felt discouraged because we hadn’t even reached the halfway point.
Luckily, I started to feel a little bit better as we continued on.
Our least favorite part of the course was after we left Magic Kingdom. It was great being able to run through the park with spectators cheering, but after that it was a long stretch before we entered Epcot… like, a good 5 miles.
One of the things that we found most frustrating during the race was the volume of walkers. If you’re choosing to walk the race, hey, that’s great! But that wasn’t our intention and it seemed that every time we got going again, we’d hit a group of people walking. We’d try to keep running but we’d realize we could be walking at the pace we were “running,” and eventually gave into the crowds. (I’m sure this was not a problem for runners in corrals A-C, but being towards the back really worked against us.)
This made it even more difficult to start up again when the path became less crowded. Our feet were aching. (I ended up with a black toenail when all was said and done! TMI? Sorry!)
During this stretch, we stopped at nearly every water station and my sister stopped at the food station as well (I skipped it since my stomach was hating me).
There were quite a few hills throughout the last few miles. I knew these would be coming – I had read many recaps of people who had run the race previously – but knowing they were coming and actually tackling them were two different things.
Around mile 11, we became determined to finish… ASAP. We started running – and of course, weaving! – and didn’t stop until we crossed the finish line.
Just like with Magic Kingdom, I loved running through Epcot. Seeing the spectators was one of my favorite parts of the entire race. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy as I was to see the finish line though!
My sister and I were in a daze after completing the race, and barely spoke to each other! We got our medals, grabbed our goodie box of food provided by Disney, and immediately jumped in line for a bus back to the hotel. I didn’t even stretch afterwards, which seems so ridiculous/unbelievable to me now!
I can’t believe I actually did it. Despite being relatively active, I’m not even a little bit athletic and up until about 3 years ago, I was virtually sedentary. To know that I have the ability to complete 13.1 miles blows my mind (even if I did take a lot of walking breaks)!
I plan to do one more post on the race… some final thoughts on the experience and what’s next for my running “career” (ha!). Stay tuned! 
Have you ever run a race? Would you classify yourself as “active” or “athletic”? I fail at all sports.
Congrats on finishing! It was really refreshing to hear that running 13.1 wasn’t a cake walk (because it’s a huge accomplishment!). You deserve major props for dealing with a crazy crowded run. Hope your toe heals up!
Ang @ Nutty for Life recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday #3
Thanks Ang! My toe hurt sooo bad for a few days after the race. Now, it’s just ugly.
I’ve been failing hard at running lately! I am so proud you stuck it out even with the stomach issues and all! Now you can say you’ve done it!
Nikki recently posted..Catch-Up Day
Ugh, running with a stomachache was NOT fun but after putting so much time/effort into training and spending so much money for this race, I realized I had no other option but to keep going!
Love the recaps! I think running through the castle would be so much fun. I can definitely see how the walkers would get annoying though if you are there to run!
Danielle @ It’s A Harleyyy Life recently posted..Get Those Kettlebells Out!
Running through the castle was awesome! It was also probably the most congested spot of the entire race!
I think its awesome that you finished the race! I have my first half at the end of the month and I have already decided that i will be okay with the fact that I have to take walk breaks, or at least I keep telling myself I will be okay with it. It sounds like parts of the run were really fun and exciting! I hope that you can remember those parts even though you didn’t stop to take pictures.
Nicole @ Fruit ‘N’ Fitness recently posted..Sideways Snow
I was a little disappointed that we took so MANY walking breaks, but regardless finishing 13.1 miles is an accomplishment! Good luck with your upcoming race!
congrats! so proud! Def. weren’t crowds in corral A but it was my first time in that corral, so I know what you mean!
Congrats on the race! Sounds like one I need to add to my bucket list of races
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily recently posted..An “Off” Day
Way to push through to the end, heat can rob you of your energy. Were the walkers mixed in with the runners in the corral?
Good for you for finishing! I have never run a race before. I’ve been considering signing up for one just to push myself. I have NEVER considered myself athletic, cardio is as far as it goes for me!
Chelsie recently posted..Ten Thing Tuesday: Disney!
I love your recap! Congrats…you are awesome!
Amanda recently posted..Thoughts on a Monday…
Thanks Amanda!
Good for you for pushing through the stomach cramps, and not letting the walkers discourage you or your sister from continuing and ending the race strong!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
..and that’s so great to hear that you can use the park restrooms, thanks for sharing so many details! i’m so, so excited for next year – i’ve never run a race, so it’s this big thing i’m working up to all year 
i’m surprised so many people were walking, i wouldn’t have expected that! how do they determine if you’re in A, B, C, etc?
Jessica @ Prayers and Apples recently posted..Can There Be Human Rights Without God?
It was such a fun experience, you’ll love it! I wish I could do it again, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to justify the cost to years in a row! When you register for the race online, they will ask for a finishing time of a previous race. Since my sister and I hadn’t raced before, we had to estimate how long it would take us to finish, which is how we ended up in corral F. If you’ve got proof of time for another race, chances are you’ll be in one of the earlier corrals.
I’ve never done a race, but Disney races def. look like the most fun!
Ashley @ Life and Fitness recently posted..It’s Been Awhile….
Congratulations! I’ve never run a race before, and I’m in the same exact boat as you when it comes to sports. However, it’s my goal to run a 5K in the spring!
Olivia @ Liv Lives Life recently posted..A Photo A Day: Catching Up
Good luck! I’m SURE you can do it!
Wow congrats! It’s so fun to read about your race and “run vicariously” lol, because I’m not sure I could ever run 13 miles in one go. THe most i’ve ever done is a 5K, haha. I was proud of it none the less
Danielle recently posted..Little Nelson’s Fiber-Filled Biscuits!
To me, ANY and EVERY run is a challenge! So yes, a 5K is definitely something to be proud of!
Congratulations girl – I am so proud! What an amazing accomplishment!
Sarah @ Blonde Bostonian recently posted..Home, Sweet Home
Thanks Sarah!