Race you to the Castle...
We did it! We finished the 2014 Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World. Disney Princess Half Marathon is a 13.1 mile course through the most magical place on earth including Disney's Magic Kingdom® Park and Epcot® Park. Along the course you can stop and take photos with your favorite Disney characters. There was also bands, high school cheering squads, DJs, dancers, and lots of volunteers/entertainment along the course to distract you from the miles. We started training for the Half Marathon in the summer of 2013 and ran our first 5K together in August of 2013. We tried to run every 5K and 10K in the area to get ready for the Half Marathon. As sisters and best friends we encourage and motivate each other to run that extra mile.
Training & Tips for the magic miles...
We were not prepared for this half marathon. Knowing what I know now, I would have incorporated more inclines and ran more outside. Yes, some of the course was through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot but most of the course was on the highway and the off/on ramps on the highway. Last year we ran 5Ks and 10Ks every chance we got and added in fitness classes and weight training. Music is a good way to keep you motivated during workouts, but during a half marathon like Disney I would not suggest listening to music unless it was very low volume because there is so many announcements during the race. Our goal was a 16 minute per mile pace but Disney recommends your training should be at a 15 minute per mile pace. If you are not able to maintain the pace you may be picked up at any point along the course and transported to the finish line area. You do not want that to happen after all of your hard work. I suggest you submit a proof of time so that you are placed in a corral closer to the start line. We did not submit a proof of time and had been placed in corral O, and this was one of the last corrals at the end. Click below for more Disney Princess Weekend Tips.
Be Inspired...
Never give up on yourself. If you fall, get back up and start again. You are always going to have weak moments when you eat that piece of cake or treat yourself to a Frappuccino. That’s OK! Just make eating healthier a lifelong change, and make the treats an exception to the rule and not the norm. In addition to exercise you can change your eating habits to healthier choices. Try replacing soda with water, and add fruit and raw vegetables as midday snacks. Never skip a meal, and don’t eat a late dinner. It is important to set new goals for yourself to achieve continually. Little extra steps in your day can make a big difference in the end. Take those stairs at work - or even on vacation - instead of the elevator. When you feel like quitting, ask yourself why you started. Remember, God has given us one body to last us during our lifetime. We need to exercise and keep it healthy! Hebrews 12:1, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Disney Princess Half Marathon - We Did It!
