Disney Princess Half Marathon - Race Day!

I DID IT!!  I crossed the finish line at the 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon.  Now, I am truly a princess. I got my beautiful medal and the satisfaction of knowing that I am a half marathoner.  I ran 13.1 miles!!

But, let's back up a little....

The morning started VERY early. Mickey called our room at 2:15am...that's in the morning.  Luckily I had fallen asleep at about 10, so I got about 4 hours of sleep.  Everything was laid out on the bed, so all I had to do was get dressed and eat.  I wasn't going to break the second cardinal rule of race day (Don't eat something new the morning of the race), so I ate the bagel that I had brought from home and left the bagel from the runner's box for my husband.  I brought my own peanut butter too.  I did eat the banana out of the box.   At a minute or 2 before 3:00 (again, that's AM....as in the bars are just closing....), I walked outside to meet my other princesses.

We kissed our husbands good bye and walked to the front of the resort to catch the bus.  One bus came by, but it was full and kept going.  After a minute or two, an empty bus came and we all piled on.  (Even though it was early, it was good to be on one of the first buses.  The girls who got there later spent about an hour on the bus.)  We got to the Epcot parking lot at about 3:30.  We made our way through the masses to the starting area.  Natalie found herself a table and ate her breakfast while Elizabeth and I hit the porta potties (for the first stop of the morning).  At 4:00, Elizabeth and I found our Princess Posse group from Facebook. These girls have been SO supportive throughout all of the months of training.  There were new runners and people who have run the race before.  We got a quick picture and then made our way toward the corrals.

The walk to the corrals was FOREVER.  It took about 20 minutes....past the water treatment plant, which is not such a welcome smell at 4:00 in the morning.  But, we finally got to the end where this sign greeted us and then directed us where to go.

Since I was in C and the other girls were in E, we got to stay together for a little bit longer.  After a bit more walking, we got to the point where we had to split off.  There were more porta potties there, so we made our second stop of the morning.  Then, I headed to C and the girls headed to E.

We got to the corrals early enough that I was right at the front of C.  It was only about 4:45, so I found a place to sit and did some stretching while I was waiting.  I also talked to the people around me and then, all of a sudden, it was time to stand up and get ready because Corral A was starting.  Every corral at the Princess gets a magical start with the Fairy Godmother's bibbidi bobbidi boo and fireworks.  After about 15 minutes, it was our turn.

Time to go!!  I was this close to the start.

These were the fireworks for Corral A, but they happened for every corral, so you get the idea.

I crossed the starting line and I was running a half marathon. It was a warm and humid morning that felt good while we were all hanging around waiting to start.  It didn't feel nearly as good once my body was in motion.  I had a poncho that I was holding onto in case the forecasted  rain started.  I tucked it into my iFitness belt to try and keep it for as long as I could.  That lasted about 2 minutes.  It was making me hot, so I saw a man picking up the ditched clothes and threw my $8 poncho into his bag.  (It was $8 well spent to ward off the rain.) As soon as I started running, I could tell that I wasn't running in the winter any more.

The first couple of miles were pretty rough.  My left knee was taped because of the IT band and my right foot was taped because I had worn the wrong shoes the day before.  So, what started to hurt?  Why, my RIGHT KNEE, of course.  It felt like sandpaper rubbing and was not a comfortable feeling.  It also started at about mile 2.  But, the first couple of miles of a long run are usually rough.  Once my body realizes that we are going to do it until we are finished, it stops fighting me.  It was pretty dark for the first couple of miles, so I didn't stop for any character pictures.  All of a sudden, though, we were coming up on the Magic Kingdom.

Mile Marker 1.  It took me a couple of miles to figure out that I needed to wait for the girls to move before i took my picture.

Mile Marker 2.  The clock doesn't show it, but I am still making pretty good time.

All of sudden, we were headed through the gates to the Magic Kingdom!

Mile Marker 3....the sun is finally starting to join us for the fun!

From mile 3 to mile 5, we were running around the Richard Petty Driving Experience and through the Ticket and Transportation Center, and up the hill toward the Contemporary  Resort.  There was a little dip going into the TTC.  It was barely noticeable.  In fact, after what will come later, it was nothing.  The TTC was our first encounter with our adoring fans....also known as the spectators.  They had signs and were yelling and cheering for their runners and all of the other runners.  After a long, dark 4 miles, it was great to have some cheerleaders!  There were also some real bathrooms that some of the princesses were taking advantage of.  I didn't stop...I was headed for the Magic Kingdom!!

Lightning McQueen outside the Richard Petty Driving Experience

Mile 4....Beauty and the Beast and cheerleaders to keep up going!!  Only 2/3 of a half marathon to go!!

Photo Credit to Maryanne from the Princess Posse....somehow I completely missed the Mile 5 mile marker.  

Things got a little hectic as we left the TTC and made our way to the Magic Kingdom.  The road went down to one lane with traffic on the other side of the median.  I tried to stay to the right so I could do my run-walk intervals, but people were trying to pass me on my right side and had to go outside of the cones to do it.  It was crowded and crazy....not my favorite part of the race course at all.  Added to all of that chaos was a pretty substantial hill.  I have been to Walt Disney World many times in my life.  I have ridden on  Disney bus to the Magic Kingdom many times in my life....in fact, I had done it just the day before.  Somehow, that hill never even crossed my mind.  It wasn't a hill like an up and down.  Oh no....it was a down and up.  Disney did a great job of having music and lights and a man with giant Mickey hands clapping and encouraging us along.  All I could think was that what goes down, has to go back up.   There was a treat waiting for us at the top of the hill.

You can see the bus stops for the Magic Kingdom in the background!  We are almost there!!

From the top of this hill, we ran through the employee entrance to the Magic Kingdom and came onto Main Street through a gate right by the Fastpass Machine for Mickey and the Princesses!  We came around the corner and there was the castle!!!!  There were people lined up and down the street yelling and waving and cheering.  The castle was beautiful!  Girls were crying and stopping to take pictures and just taking in the moment.  We had been training for months for this mile.

We ran up Main Street and turned into Tomorrowland.  Buzz Lightyear was just making his way out for pictures.  The line was short, so I stopped.

We ran through Tomorrowland and past the Tea Cups.  Of course, Alice and the Mad Hatter were waiting for pictures.

We started through Fantasyland and it was time to run through the Castle.  Belle and Beast were to the right and Mickey and Minnie were to the left.  Both sets of lines were RIDICULOUS, so I settled for a passing picture.

The entrance to the castle was just past Mickey and Minnie.  I took a quick stop to get my picture taken.

Cinderella's Royal Trumpeters were standing over the entrance and starting playing the Rocky theme as I was going through.  Pretty cool!

I don't remember much about actually running through the castle.  It was loud in there.  Rumor has it that fairies were sprinkling pixie dust on the princesses as they ran past.  I missed all of that.  Luckily, I was able to run through the castle.  As the morning went on, the girls in the later corrals were only able to walk because there were so many people.

As much as I don't remember about the inside of the castle, I remember coming out.  

My Prince Charming found me through all of the people to snap this picture!

I made sure to find the photographer to capture the moment.  I kept reminding myself to go left while everyone else went right.  I had to get my picture in front of the castle.  That's why I ran a Disney race.  That was the moment that made me a princess.

Russ was right in front of the castle and after my picture, I ran over to get a quick kiss.  I remember telling him how hot I was and off I went through Liberty Square.

I got a wave from Tiana as soon as that Tinker Bell got out of the way!

After Liberty Square, we entered Tomorrowland, where we saw Jessie from Toy Story and mile 6!

Our little run through the Magic Kingdom was coming to an end.  On the way out through a gate into the parade staging area, the train was waiting for us! 

My husband and boys are train obsessed!  This picture was as much for them as for me.

As we left the Magic Kingdom, another princess and her prince were waiting for us.  It was Princess Aurora and Prince Philip when I went by, but, apparently Cinderella would make an appearance there too!

Reedy Creek Emergency Services brought us into the halfway point with music and firemen.  Again, I have boys, so I couldn't pass up a picture of a firetruck.

This guy totally photo bombed me.  He thought he was funny, so I thanked him and told hi it would be my favorite picture of the day.   I lied.

From there, it was the Halfway Point of the race!  Princesses got to vote on the halfway song.  There were some good choices, but Alicia Keys' "Girl on Fire" won out and was playing at the halfway point.  Nope, it's not the best running song in the world.  There were other songs on the list that would have been better.  But I can't think of a better song to motivate us!  I paused my iPod to take it all in.

The next 3 miles were the most boring miles on the course.  We were on a long road between resorts and golf courses.  There were spectators in front of the resorts and Disney did a good job with character placement and entertainment to help the miles pass, but miles 7, 8, and 9 were pretty tedious.  (It couldn't have been that we had already run 6.5 miles, still had 6.5 to go AND it was yucky hot.....)

These handsome fellows were in front of the Wedding Pavilion (which I didn't even know that I passed.) I didn't even try to bring my foot up to the pillow.  

Who can pass up the Mickey golf cart????

He ain't never had a friend like me.

Out in front of the Polynesian Resort.  BEST.RACE.SIGN.EVER!!!!

After the Polynesian,  we went past the Cliff Shots.  There were some porta potties just before the Cliff Shot station, so I ran over to get in line.  After about 5 minutes of waiting, I decided that I didn't need to go that badly.  Then it was back to the main road that had taken us past the Magic Kingdom gate earlier that morning.  The characters that were there in the dark on the way in were still there, but now it was light.  The lines weren't any shorter, but at least now I could see them.

The Princes!!  After a girl would finish her picture, they would look over and pose for everyone NOT standing in line before the next girl got in for her picture.

These might have been the most popular guys on the course

Just before that water stop at mile 10, there was another group of porta potties...with NO line.  I decided that I would stop because I knew that the overpass that I had been reading about for MONTHS was coming up.  In fact, the porta potties were in the shadow of the overpass.  So, I did a quick (well, not really all that quick....it's hard to get a tutu and water belt back together when you are a hot and sweaty mess) third stop of the morning and then I was ready to tackle the dreaded overpass.

Proof that we were headed in the right direction.

This overpass wasn't really all that bad.  It wasn't steep, but it was LONG....it felt like we were going up and around for ever.  The road was very banked.  I tried to stay to the right (and the lower side of the road) so I could stick with my intervals....and because it was shorter down there.  About halfway up, we got a little more motivation

Recruits, take that hill!

He kept telling us that mile 11 was just at the end of the hill.  He lied.  Once we finally got to the top of the overpass, it was amazing to look at how far we had come.  It was also pretty amazing to see how many people were behind me.  I looked down to see a sea of people who had no idea what was about to come!

All of a sudden, there was another hill.  This one was a little shorter, but a little steeper.  It was hard.  Mile 11 was at the top of that one.  Also at the top of that hill was the first look at Epcot.  Epcot was the finish line!!  I had almost made it.

When I first saw this picture, I asked myself why I took a picture of a bus.....then I remembered!

There was one more hill to conquer before mile 12.  Just before the hill, we could see ourselves running on a big screen.  Two women with microphones were cheering us on!

I got over that next overpass and two more character stops were waiting on the other side!

I got to see my husband just before I went into Epcot.  I wasn't expecting to see him until the finish so he was  a welcome and wonderful sight!  After I waved to him, I turned the corner and started into the Epcot.  This was it!  I only had a mile left!!

That last mile was HARD.  I was hot.  I was tired.  I was hungry.  I wanted to be done.  We ran past the ball and towards the World Showcase Lagoon where we turned around and headed back to the ball.  There were a couple of photo stops along the way.

As I left Epcot and headed toward the finish, I started looking for the Gospel Choir that I had heard so much about.  I paused my iPod again so I could hear their beautiful singing.  They didn't let me down.

I couldn't finish the race without one last stop.

I turned one more corner and I could see the finish line!!  I found a little tiny burst of energy that got me across the finish.  I found my husband in the stands, got my finisher smile on, and ran across the finish line.  Goofy and Donald were on hand for high fives!!

After I crossed the finish line, I got my medal, a bottle of water, and then got in line for my official finisher picture.  Then it was off to find my husband in the family reunion area.  (We met at D for DONE!)  He wasn't there, so I went and did a little shopping at the official merchandise tent (there wasn't much left, but I did get a shirt....not an I Did It! shirt, but a shirt just the same!), got my runner box full of seeds and stuff that I wouldn't eat, and then went back where my Prince Charming was waiting for me with a rose.

Today's Stats:

13.1 miles (official!) and 13.52 by the Garmin

3:53:50 clock time

3:39:17 net time (official finishing time)

3:39:23 (Garmin time)

Not fast, but not last!  And, I ran a half marathon!!

Disney Princess Half Marathon - Day 3

We went on a sneak peek of the castle today.  It was Magic Kingdom day!!  Of course, no Disney day is complete without this:

After breakfast, we got on the bus and made our way to the Magic Kingdom.  We got there in more than enough time to see the opening show. As soon as it was over, we raced to the new Fantasyland.  Our first stop was Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid.  It was AMAZING!  All of the characters looked so real.  Since we were coming back to eat dinner at Be Our Guest, we left to go do more rides.  We did all of the rides in the old Fantasyland (yep, even Small World) and then made our way to the Haunted Mansion,  Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Pirates of the Caribbean.  We took a quick break for lunch and then did the Jungle Cruise.  On our way to Tomorrowland, we met a Princess from one of our Facebook groups. Of course we had to get a picture.

We stood in line for Buzz Lightyear and got fast passes for Space Mountain.  Check out my determined face.....too bad I didn't win.

When we were riding the People Mover to kill some time, we realized that Space Mountain was broken.  We gave up on waiting and took the train back to Main Street, got our Fastpasses to see the Princesses, and did a little shopping.  My friend Elizabeth and I went to stake out a spot for the parade while our Prince Charmings went back to check out the situation at Space Mountain.  

As usual, the parade was fantastic.  I love the music and the characters and the floats!  I love to see the faces of the little people when Mickey comes around the corner or their favorite princess waves to them.   

After the parade, we got in line to see Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel.  We got pictures with all of them!  We also found Snow White hiding in the corner right at the front of the park.  She couldn't hide from us!!

From the Princesses, we went to find the next most important thing at the Magic Kingdom....the DOLE WHIP.  We waited about a half an hour for its delicious goodness.  Somehow I had never experienced a Dole Whip before and I was determined to do it this time.  (I tried twice already this day, but the lines were too long!)  When it was finally our turn at the window, we decided on a Dole Whip float.  I couldn't decide on the pineapple whip or the vanilla, but the cast member at the register suggested a swirl.  It was perfect!!  I had a vanilla-pineapple Dole Whip swirl with pineapple juice....it was heavenly.  That is now a MUST DO every single time I go to Disney.  Next time it will be a mid morning snack!

Then we just killed some time and moseyed around until our reservation at the new restaurant Be Our Guest.    What a beautiful place to eat!  As soon as we walked through the heavy wooden doors, we stepped into Beast's castle.  We ate in the ballroom.  It looked exactly like the ballroom in the movie.  I expected Belle to come walking down the stairs and the dancing to start.  The back "window" looked outside and it was snowing.  Just off the ballroom was the West Wing.  It was dark - low lighting, dark fabrics.  The pictures were slashed.  The rose was in the corner, just like it was when Belle found it.  It was beautiful.  We sat down at our table and a red napkin was waiting for us.

The menu has a French flair to it, which means rich sauces.  I tried to make a good choice on half marathon eve and picked pork tenderloin with au gratin macaroni and vegetables.  Because I was breaking one of the cardinal rules of racing (nothing new and exciting for dinner the night before a race), I ate all of the au gratin macaroni (yep, that's a really fancy term for macaroni and cheese....it was DELICIOUS!), some of the pork and none of the vegetables.  I drank water.  Dinner was great, but I didn't want to take any chances.

Dessert is served from a cart that comes to the table.  The choices are mostly cupcakes and mousses.  We didn't get dessert from the cart because my dear friend, Elizabeth had a surprise for us!

We enjoyed the cake and then headed out (past the Castle light show and fireworks) to head back to the resort to go to bed.  We got back to the room at about 8:30 and I was in bed by 9.  All of my stuff was set out and all I had to do was fall asleep.  Of course, I had to get up 50 times to go to the bathroom, but I finally fell asleep at about 10:00.  

Next up.....RACE DAY!!

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend - Day 2

I can't believe that this weekend is finally here!!  After a scrumptious Mickey waffle for breakfast, we got on the bus to go to the Coronado Springs resort and conference center for the Expo.  We got there just before 9:00 and there was a HUGE line.  Once the doors opened at 9:00, we got in very quickly.  Cinderella's footmen were waiting for us right inside the door.

I actually got this picture on the way out....I had some other priorities.

As soon as I walked in the door, I went to the KT tape booth.  Glad I did.  The line got 10 people deep while I was standing there.  While I was in line, my own Prince Charming went to the Raw Threads booth to pick up my new Belle shirt.  Costume complete!!  After about a 10 minute wait, I got taped up and was ready to pick up my bib.

I waited right here to pickup my bib.  Here's what the rest of the area looked like.  All I could think was that ALL of those people will be starting after me at the race.  

Unfortunately, this was the last part of the expo that was organized and easy.   Disney lost a little bit of the magic at this expo.  From bib pick up, we went to the other side of the room to get our shirts.  It was crowded and unorganized.  They ran out of pre-made bags, so there was a lot of waiting and standing around while they figured out what to do next.  My friend Elizabeth stayed in the shirt line while I went to get the Dooney and Bourke purse that I had preordered.  Thank goodness I preordered it because there was a 45 minute wait to get into the Run Disney merchandise corner and a 2 hour wait to get to the registers.  As much as I wanted my "I Did It!' shirt, I didn't want to spend 3 hours of my day to get it.  After I picked up my purse, I headed back to find Elizabeth.  The other princesses that were standing around us were courteous and fun to talk to, but there was some pushing nudging as people were trying to swim upstream or across the current to try and get to where they needed to be.  It was crazy and I really just wanted to leave to Expo.  I didn't care to see the vendors, I just wanted out of there.  (Luckily, my Prince Charming did some shopping while I did some waiting and bought me a green Sparkle Skirt for the Shamrock.)

On my way out of the Expo, I ran across these guys:

This is Sean Astin.  You may know him from Goonies, Lord of the Rings, 50 First Dates, or, my personal favorite, RUDY! RUDY!!  RUDY!!

This is Jeff Galloway.....of the Galloway Method.  If it weren't for his Run/Walk/Run method, I never would  have been able to finish 13.1 miles.

From the Expo, we headed back to the resort to drop off our stuff and got right back on a bus to Disney's Hollywood Studios!  We didn't get to do a lot of the rides because we got there later in the day and the lines were pretty long.   We did our carbo loading at Mama Melrose's and met the mouse himself....

...and the characters from Wreck it Ralph and the Incredibles.  (Mr. Incredible wanted me to put on my superhero mask so I looked like him.)

We ended the day watching the amazing Fantasmic show and then went back for an early night.  I laid out my flat Jessica so I would be ready on race day.  

Today's Stats:
EXCITED!!  No run, but I walked around Hollywood Studios all day.

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend - Day 1

It's finally here!!!  This morning we said goodbye to our babies and got on the plane to head to Florida.  It was a quiet and peaceful plane ride.  I took a nap, did some reading, and looked out the window.  After a short layover in Atlanta, we got to Florida.

We spent some time in the Disney Store at the airport while we waited for the other Newport Princesses to join us.  Once we were all together again, the magic began!  We got on the Magical Express and it delivered us to our beautiful resort - Port Orleans Riverside.  Our travel agent (and friend and fellow Princess) had checked us in online, so we only had a wait a minute before we were show to our ROYAL ROOM!  What a wonderful idea for Princess Weekend.  Everything is rich and gold.  There is a fireworks show that appears with the push of a button on the headboards.  Princess Tiana left a note on the table.  The bathroom sink looks like Mrs. Potts.  It's beautiful.

After we got settled, we took the water taxi to Downtown Disney for some dinner and shopping before we started our adventure.  Once we got back to the room, I crashed.  Had to get my Princess beauty sleep so I would be ready for the Expo!!

4 Days Left

I'm really bad at this....really bad.  But for the last few weeks, my body has been telling me to take it easy.  So, I rested it.  I didn't run on the road.  I stretched and iced and rolled.   Then, when I needed to race, my body let me.  It carried me the 8.68 miles that I needed to go.  After the race, it told me, rather insistently, to rest again.

Let's recap:

• I was diagnosed with early IT Band Syndrome.  I was told to put some ice on it and take some Motrin.
• That didn't work.
• I did everything that I said up there, but then it was time for a race and I had to run on it.
• I got taped up with KT tape.
• The leg held up through the race.

Then I took the tape off.  Ever since I took the tape off (2 days after the race, when it was pretty much falling off anyway) my knee has been achy.  I went back to the elliptical and my weight training.  Then I went to Zumba.   I LOVE the teacher for the class I went to.  She's different that the Monday night girl.  This girl is in love with the cumbia.  Cumbia is pretty easy...EXCEPT when your leg is sore because of IT band syndrome.  You put a lot of weight on one leg during the cumbia.  That made the leg hurt all the worse.  So, instead of a nice easy run on this last Sunday before race day, I rested.  The leg doesn't ache so much today.  Before bed, I will stretch and roll.  I am going to baby my leg this week.  I'll get on the elliptical on Tuesday and Thursday (running days), but I'm not going to kill myself.

By this time next week, I will be a half marathoner, having crossed the finish line at the Disney Princess Half Marathon.  I can't wait!  I've been training for 222 days so far.  I have 3 days until I leave for Florida and 6 until the actual race.  I've turned into a runner in those 222 days.  

Stay tuned for a packing update and a final race excitement update this week!!

Today's Stats:

Finalized my costume!!!

12 Days Until the Disney Princess Half Marathon

You are probably wondering where I have been.  I didn't think we all needed to read about my runs on the elliptical.  It's not that exciting.  I have been keeping up with my training, it has just been on the elliptical because of the IT band issues.

Today was my first "real" run in two weeks.  It was my first race since the IT band started giving me trouble. Today was the Virginia is For Lovers 14K.  (How far is 14K, you ask?  Well, it's 8.68 miles.)  I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to finish or that I would have to walk all or most of it because of my leg.  I wasn't quite sure what would happen when I tried to run.

Yesterday we went to the expo.  It was pretty small compared to some of the other J&A Expos.  BUT, the very first booth after packet pick up was a chiropractor who was taping (using KT Tape) for free.  I asked him if I could use KT tape for my IT band and he asked me to roll up my pants.  I crossed my left leg over my right and he taped me up with some festive red tape.  He told me that I could leave it on for 5 days to help with recovery and wished me luck on the race.

When I got to the Virginia Beach Field House (a new venue for me) for the race this morning, I made my way inside to meet up with my MRTT ladies.  We were supposed to meet outside, but it was COLD this morning....and WINDY....and cold.  We ended up taking our pictures inside and heading out at the last minute to get into our corrals.

It was a cold and windy wait for the first two corrals to start.  Once the gun went off for corral three, I started running.  It didn't hurt.  As usual, the beginning of the race was really congested so it was hard to start my intervals, so I ran.  In fact, I ran pretty fast.  I ran the first two miles and only slowed down for the water stop.  It wasn't a terribly exciting two miles - we ran through a soccer complex and up a road.  There were some jokes to get us through this pretty boring stretch.  (What did the boy lightbulb say to the girl lightbulb?    I love you watts and watts.)  But, mile 2 took us through the Farm Bureau Live - Virginia Beach amphitheater.  We left the amphitheater to the 5K split clock.  I looked at the clock and looked at my watch to see I had the fastest 5K time ever!  Too bad I can't use it as a 5K PR!!   After the split,  it was back to roads and soccer complexes.  There was a row of cheesy pick up lines between miles 4 and 5.  (Hello, my name is Mr. Right.  I heard you were looking for me.)  On the way back through the very first soccer complex, we came across a candy stop.  Just and FYI, trying to eat M&Ms in 36 degree temperatures is not an easy feat.  Chocolate is hard to eat while you are running.  Just after the candy stop, J&A Racing had set up Lovers Lane.  People could buy signs for their runners.  My dear, sweet husband bought one for me.  Nothing like seeing a sign at mile 7 that says "You're doing great, Mommy" and the names of my three little men to get me through the next two-ish miles.  The last two miles were around and through a parking lot to get us to the back of the Field House for an inside finish.  It was a red carpet finish complete with red wicking hats (which I totally could have used at the BEGINNING of the race.....my bright yellow hat didn't match my outfit, so my ears were cold), carnations for the female finishers from firefighters, and a wine glass that we got yesterday.  The best part of the finish was the tomato and cheese soup in a bread bowl from the Baker's Crust.  It really is my favorite soup.  I couldn't find any of my people, so I found a spot on the floor and made a new friend.

All in all, it was a great race.  My legs got tired and sore near the end and I slowed down a lot, but I was still faster in those "slow" miles than I have been in weeks.  Bring it on Disney.  I am ready for you!!

Today's Stats:

8.68 miles (14K....but the Garmin said 8.62 miles) in 1:47:49 (12:24 minute mile)

1995/2355 overall finishers

205/250 in my age group

1176/1465 female finishers

From the Garmin:

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	1:47:49.8	8.62	12:31
1	10:38.0	1.00	10:38
2	10:57.4	1.00	10:57
3	12:01.0	1.00	12:01
4	12:31.3	1.00	12:31
5	12:40.1	1.00	12:40
6	13:08.9	1.00	13:09
7	13:43.0	1.00	13:43
8	13:53.1	1.00	13:53
9	8:17.1	0.62	13:20

And, all I could think of for the first 2 miles....until I warmed up was this:

In 2 weeks, I will be in Florida and it will be warm!!!  My next long run will be in short sleeves!!!

19 Days Until the Disney Princess Half Marathon

I know I have put the work in.  I know I have done all of the running that I need to do to get across the finish line.   I know that resting for a few weeks isn't going to erase all of that work.  I know that rest is what is best right now.  (Well, rest and stretching and rolling and Motrin and ice.) 

But, I am still frustrated.  I have been working for almost 7 months to get here.  I ran when it was hot.  I ran when I was tired.  I ran before the sun.  I ran when it was cold.  I ran when it was raining for goodness sake.  And now, after hundreds of miles and even more hours - with 19 days to go - I can't run.  I am afraid to run.  Even more, I am afraid that I am not going to be able to run when I need to.  It makes me angry.

But, I am determined to keep training.  I can't run.  Okay - I am trying to accept that.  I can get on the elliptical machine.  That is my plan for the next 19 days (and then 3 weeks and then 5 weeks if this doesn't start to feel better.)  I will get my miles in on the elliptical.  I can go to Zumba classes.  I might even join the old folks for water aerobics.  When I have a Saturday free, I am going to try out a Beginner's Yoga class.  

One of my Navy/Bunco/random associations friends talked to me about IT Band Syndrome.  She had it.  Hers flared up at mile 10 of a Disney half marathon.  She couldn't walk up and downs stairs so easily for a long time.  She told me that ice and Motrin will help mask the symptoms, but they won't fix the problem.   She gave me some suggestions.  Basically, I probably didn't cross train enough.  There are also some muscle groups that are probably week.  In order to keep the IT band from getting inflamed, I have to cross train and get stronger.  For the next 19 days, I am going to do that like it is my job.  I am not going to turn into the Hulk in the next 19 days, but hopefully I will get strong enough that I can run 13.1 miles and then walk the next day.

On other news, I bought a Yoga for Runners book.  I think that I look pretty ridiculous when I am running.....but I guarantee that I look even more ridiculous trying to do yoga.

Today's Stats:

3.1 miles 35:04 (11.3 minute mile)   So, the elliptical makes me fast.   Yes, please.