I wanted to do another February Favorites post, however time got away from me and I did not get to finish it.
However, since this month is Princess Half Marathon month I thought I would share our first experience with that race.
The day prior (Saturday) we had to get up early for the 5k and this day we had to get up by 3:30 am again. These were the days before the Glass Slipper Challenge and the 10K. This was my sister's first Disney Half marathon. I think I was just as excited as she was even though I was only going to be a spectator. I grabbed my “designer” sign that I made for my sister Lacey and we all headed for the “event” bus at our resort. I have since learned to make signs that are much easier to pack and transport.
I actually made this sign in three pieces and assembled it once I got to the resort. I even packed my own stapler. I was a little hesitant that I might not be able to bring a loaded stapler
on the plane, but it didn’t seem to be a problem. ( in reality, the tape dispenser that I brought with me had a sharper edge on it than the stapler).
I have to admit that I didn’t get as good of pictures of my sister running through the MK as I hoped I would. Fortunately, my sister is a fast runner, but unfortunately that means that when she runs through the Magic Kingdom and the castle it is still dark out. Because we were some of the first people in MK, I could have got closer to the castle, but I opted to stay on Main Street at first, just in case I missed her. They had a space roped off in front of the castle, so you couldn’t get that close, but I found that a good spot was on the bridge on the left hand side as the runners are running out of the castle.
on the plane, but it didn’t seem to be a problem. ( in reality, the tape dispenser that I brought with me had a sharper edge on it than the stapler).
We got off the bus and walked my sister half way through the parking lot at Epcot and then decided it was more important for us to watch her run through the Magic Kingdom than it would be for us to watch her at the starting line (which we probably wouldn’t be able to see her anyway). We waited in line for the monorail to start operating. We were amongst the first groups of people to arrive at the Magic Kingdom. We all ran in with our signs like we were the ones in the race! The cast members were happy to see us. They were waving with their white Mickey glove hands and many of them commented or gave me a thumbs up on my sign! As we entered, the castle was glowing and the music was playing. I started to get teary eyed just knowing that we were allowed in the MK in the wee hours of the morning (us and several hundred other people, but still it felt like such a secret magical experience).
After their runner came through the MK, many spectators went to other sighting points but we decided to go straight to the finish line and wait there. The finish line was back at Epcot, so we got back on the monorail. We signed up for Runner tracking, so this helpful in letting us know when to get our cameras ready!
Her goal was to finish in less than 2 hours .
I was so proud of her for meeting that goal!
-M
Great recap! I have thought of doing a Disney race, but have not made it happen. Your sign looked great!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun race. My sister is pretty creative with signs.
DeleteLooks a lot like my WDW half experience!
ReplyDeleteA great race.
DeleteIsn't it so exciting? I too was a half marathon spectator before I took the leap and ran one myself.
ReplyDeleteI think her spectating made her want to run one.
DeleteMr. Judy would agree that it’s really hard to get great photos of a specific runner. He tries to get me at the start but i’m so short i’m often invisible! I think you AND Lacey did great!
ReplyDeleteI bet that is a great race to spectate! The main thing that stops me from doing a Disney race are the logistics. I think it's ridiculous to have to board the buses so early
ReplyDeleteWhat year was this? I think I ran my first Princess that year, too! (the shirt and bib look familiar) How fun! I love that you got to see her in the MK. I bet it was so neat being there so early in the morning!!
ReplyDeleteWhat year was this? I've never done a Disney race - do you know how many you guys have done?
ReplyDeleteI think this was around 2012. We both have done around 20 Disney races ( if you include all the races of different distances).
DeleteWhoa! You have to get up EARLY for those Disney races. Sounds like you had a lot of fun! How many Disney races have you done since this first one?
ReplyDeleteThat is the only bad thing about Disney races, they start so darn early. I have done Princess 4 times. The Disney full once and Goofy Challenge twice.
ReplyDelete2012 Princess was my first half, and the weekend has always felt special. I' m finally heading back this year!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed you were able to catch Lacey - spectating is challenging!
ReplyDeleteomg how cute is Lacy!??!
ReplyDeletespectating is a sport unto itself! I'm getting pretty seasoned at it since my husband insists on running a ridiculous amount of marathons a year. I can't do that so I spectate instead. I've yet to make a sign though, except in Chicago but it was pretty small. It's hard to hold signage AND take photos though!