Disney's Princess Half Marathon

It's finally here! My review of the Disney's Princess Half Marathon but I warn you now it's not a good review so BEWARE! Let me first start by saying that I had been on cloud nine for months prior to this race. I was soooooo excited to run the most magical and fun race ever. I had seen so many fun pictures and videos, I couldn't wait to run this race.

Well Saturday afternoon I started to feel really sick. Saturday night I had a fever and chills and hot flashes, it was TERRIBLE :( I did manage to get to bed early because my alarm was set for 3:00am Sunday morning, WOW EARLY! I got up and told my husband I don't think I can do this. I felt soooo sick. I still had a fever and my body ached all over. My husband told me he knew I could do it, just go and finish the race. He knows I am not a quiter and I would be very disappointed with myself if I didn't atleast try to do this race. So I got dressed and we headed to Epcot. The whole way there I just kept thinking that I wasn't sure I could do this. We got to the parking lot and wow there were alot of people there, it was crazy. It was a gorgeous morning and most people were in their tutus, skirts or shorts but I was dressed for the Canadian winter....I was freezing.....it was the fever talking. Here I am before leaving my family for the very long walk to the start. I am in my warm throw away clothes that I thought I wasn't going to use because the Florida weather had been so nice. Don't I look so thrilled?

So I left my family and took the long walk to the start line. They said it was a 20 minute walk but it felt like and hour. Then I was going to Corral A (hahaha.....so not a corral A day) and that was all the way in the front, even more walking, I was already exhausted and I hadn't started running yet :( I got into corral with 15 minutes to spare. I went off to one side and really just wanted to be alone. I had no emotions at that point what so ever and all I could hear around me is excitement and joy I just wanted to roll into a ball and cry.

Here I was at this race that I thought I would probably never run, the most fun and magical race ever, surrounded by all these amazing women and I could not enjoy it or even appreciate it. It was a very depressing situation. I could not wait to get this fuckin race over with....sorry but that was my exact feeling at that moment.

A few minutes before the race was to start, the Fairy Godmother did a little speech and then the fireworks went off.

Oh crap, it was the start of the race and I was ready for a long nap and some warm tea to help my aching throat which at this point I am feeling the loss of my voice starting.

So corral A is off, including sick me. I started off way to fast, I should have gone to a different corral but I didn't. After mile 1, I was completely exhausted and wanted to grab a cab to the finish line. I was also looking for the porta potty and this was a reaccuring event every half a mile, oh yes it was a terrible experience.

So I knew I would have the worst race of my life and I said I would start stopping for pictures with the characters. Here is the first character on the course:


The pirates were actually a bit scary so when I saw these set of characters I was quite happy, the princes:

We ran through the Magic Kingdom gates and I honestly thought I would be so joyous when I ran through them because when I drive through them to get to the park I always giggle, well that day I didn't even care too much. So utterly sad :(

So we got to Magic Kingdom and all I could think of was, crap I am not even half way done. I was dreading the second half because the first half consisted of running, walking, porta potty stops at EVERY one I saw, every water stop and I drank 2 cups, sweating from fever, chills from the fever and me telling myself I just can't do this. I thought I would be soooo happy to see the castle, nope I wasn't :(

Saw a few more characters at Magic Kingdom and right after seeing Chip n Dale, I ran through the course and straight to a real washroom. OMG I was soooo happy to get into a real washroom and not a porta potty. I actually sat there for about 5 minutes, yes I know bad for a race but I was soooo tired.

At this time I had absolutely NO voice. I signalled to one lady in line behind me if she could take a picture of me behind the castle, she must have thought I was nuts.

I was a bit excited here to see Mickey and Minnie dressed in these gorgeous outfits!

The cast member at this character stop looked at me and asked if I was okay and when I couldn't talk she asked again if I was okay! I must have looked horrible but I did try to smile for the camera.

Leaving Magic Kingdom I was thrilled and we were half way and heading back.

I stopped taking character photos here because at this point I didn't think I could make it back. I had originally calculated that I would hit the finish line right around the time the sun would be out so I didn't bring my sunglasses and my eyes are overly sensitive....I have atleast 2 pairs of sunglasses in the car at all times because if I don't have sunglasses and its sunny, I can't drive. Well since I was sooooo slow on this race, the sun had come up at half way and it was really bugging me and my eyes. At about mile 9 I stopped at a medics table, had a seat and some tylenol and I was asked if I was okay again. I just shook my head and I could see all eyes on me. Honestly after mile 10 I really don't remember much. I do know that I shed a few tears along the way and I could not wait to see the finish line.

Hubby took this picture of just some of the medals awaiting.

Hubby got a great picture of Ethan and Jenna from Survivor coming in.
OMG there I am. I was soooooo excited to see hubby and my daughter I started waving because if I didn't wave I think I would have starting crying!

My daughter jumped the line and ran with me to the finish. I watched the video afterwards and the announcer was too funny.....he said "and there is someone with their little helper", too cute but at that moment I didn't hear anything.

So here I am.................I FINISHED THE RACE! This is my "take the fuckin picture already because I need to go lay down, NOW!"

So this was the WORST race EVER! I felt like I was going to pass out every moment along the way. I did not enjoy the race at all. I am jealous of all the people that actually enjoyed this race. I have been seeing race reviews of this race all over blogworld and it just makes me so sad. I wished I could have that experience but my experience was one of pain and depression.

The only thing that was positive was when my daughter jumped the line and ran the rest of the way with me she said, "Mommy I am so proud of you for running the race and not giving up this morning." I hope I taught my daughter a valuable lesson with this horrible experience. The lesson to not give up and to always try your hardest!

So I am determined to run this race again!