• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • about
  • Pug Partners
  • contact/pr
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Runs With Pugs

ok, the pugs don't run, but we do

  • race reports
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Link Ups
  • instagram Landing Page

The Latest

it’s time for march runfessions!

how to choose great brand ambassadorships: running edition

a much more relaxed week

You are here: Home / Uncategorized / race report: princess half marathon {2.21.2016}

race report: princess half marathon {2.21.2016}

March 30, 2016      22 Comments

2016_PRN_Logo_Half

Since this was Steph’s first half marathon, she (understandably) had an awful night of sleep. Not that either of us got much anyway, considering we had to be up in time to catch a 3AM shuttle.

RunDisney events do not favor those who enjoy sleep.

It’s a good thing we did leave the hotel room early: our bus driver actually got a little bit turned around and it took us much longer than planned to reach the staging area. Once again, we met up with Glorea, and waited in lines to see some of the princesses.

For the 10K, the corrals were located right in the staging area, but for the half, runners had to cross through gear check, and then walk about a mile to their appointed spots. Steph and I were in G, and we felt pretty confident about that. We stopped at the portapotties on our way to our spot (which was terrifying, because they were situated on a bit of an incline, and every time someone let a door bang, every unit seemed to shudder and tip. Needless to say, I got it done quickly and got out), and then hunkered down to wait.

Waves released every three to five minutes, so it was about 25 minutes after the elites set out before we even got up to the start line and our set of personal fireworks.

No matter how many times I race at Disney, I still get chills when those fireworks shoot off.

My hip was feeling weak and Steph’s nerves were jangling, so we decided to just sit back and enjoy the experience. We WERE going to stop for character and we WERE going to take it all in. No questions.

Of course, that mindset is so much easier said than done, so let’s see how it went.

Miles 1-3

In the cover of dark, we exited the Epcot staging area, and at Mile 2, turned right on to World Drive. For me, this point of the race is a settling in period – finding my pace, dodging other runners and walkers and quieting the early onset adrenaline. It was probably more crowded than any event I’ve ever run, and it was hard to get any kind of momentum going. There was no point in getting frustrated. We just went with it, and tried to get swept up in the music and atmosphere.

It was still pretty dark when we hit the entry way to Magic Kingdom.

Miles 4-6

Outside of Magic Kingdom, we saw a line stretching on the side of the road: it was Aladdin. Since Steph was dressed as Jasmine, we absolutely had to stop. We pulled off and took our place, and then proceeded to go back and forth about leaving the line. Finally, I just turned my back on the runners passing us. I couldn’t watch them. We chatted with a few other people around us and finally, we were ready for our closeup!

We said thanks and took off.

I was edgy. Really, really edgy. I wanted to sit back and enjoy but I couldn’t settle. We passed a few characters, and I did not want to stop. Logically, I knew we were fine and would be able to finish, but I just couldn’t shake the anxious feelings. I told Steph that I didn’t want to stop again until we got through the castle. I didn’t care about our time, but I wanted to be comfortable and didn’t want to feel like we were cutting it close. (It meant that we skipped out on Jack and Sally, Lady Tremain and the wicked stepsisters, the White Rabbit and a couple other people, but I was ok with that).

The way to Main Street is a bit treacherous. The roadways are narrow, and there is a really steep dip under the roadway, with a high curb and slippery pavement. We picked our way carefully and then we were turning into the Magic Kingdom!

There is really nothing else like it. And  seeing that castle in front of you? Well, it never gets old.

We passed the cheering crowds, turned into Tomorrowland, and then looped around into Fantasyland. It was time!

We burst through the castle and we were just under halfway there!

It was definitely congested, but there was still plenty of room to run. Photo lines were pretty short, too, and we had no problem snapping one and moving on.

Miles 7-10

From the castle, the course wound through Frontierland and out one of the back entrances. We passed a line for Belle and the Beast, but it was about 60 people deep and there was no way we wanted to wait for that.

There was a medical stop directly after that, and I wanted to grab some Tylenol to help ease my aching hip. I double-checked that I was getting acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen (this would be a bad time to have an allergic reaction), and the volunteer marked the back of my hand with a black Sharpie X, to indicate I had accepted meds.

We turned on to Floridian Way for what would be the longest stretch of unshaded roadway of the day.

But we also saw these guys with their glass slipper!

And Tourist Genie!

And Mrs. Incredible!

Oh, we were having fun, now. The characters help take away from the fact that there was really nothing else of interest going on, and the beating sun was sapping our energy quickly. We continued to stop at every water table for hydration, to the point that I had to make a pit stop.

I’m glad I did, because it meant that we got to see the Princess Men!

Seriously. These guys were the best. They were having fun and mugging for everyone’s cameras and cracking jokes. We loved it!

And then we were heading up the big cloverleaf that would turn us down the road back to Epcot. Those cloverleafs are always hard because the road banks just enough on the curves to make it uncomfortable on the legs. The best advice is to stick to the grassy sides on either the top or bottom of the curves, and while it’s not perfect, it’s much better than the middle of the road. When we reached the top of the overpass, I looked down.

All you could see for miles was a road packed full of runners. From where we stood, as far as the eye could see, people sporting bibs were running and walking where we had been just a little while before. It was wonderful knowing all of that was behind us and we were almost in the home stretch! With a little extra pep in our step, we tried to pick up the pace and get moving.

Miles 11-13.1

Once we turned into Epcot, it was like a weight had lifted. There were spectators and music and interesting things to see, and we started joking and laughing again. I grabbed a lollipop from a person in the crowd, and the sugar was just what I needed.

We got some last minute good wishes from the Fairy Godmother

and snapped photos with Epcot’s iconic Spaceship Earth.

We were so excited to be at the end!

On the way to the finish line, we were treated to one last performance by the Gospel Choir, and then we were done done done!

DONE!

Two races. Two days. Nineteen point three miles.

Done.

We were spent. Starving. Thirsty. And, oh, how I wanted a shower.

We stopped for a quick flute of champagne and then got on the shuttle.

We planned to meet Glorea and her daughter at Beaches and Cream to finish catching up and to enjoy a Kitchen Sink. I have never been there, but ice cream is my jam, so I was excited.

It was everything I had dreamed of and more.

Between four of us, we barely made a dent in it. I had no regrets.

After our goodbyes, Steph and I headed to Magic Kingdom for some last-minute fun.

We wandered. Mostly aimlessly. We were at the point of exhaustion that we couldn’t even make decisions. We went on a couple of rides, and saw a couple of characters.

We opted for dinner in the park (gourmet macaroni and cheese was just what the doctor ordered), and after a few more medal photos,

we picked up dessert and went back to the hotel.

We toasted to our Glass Slipper Challenge weekend.

And then settled in to watch Disney movies and enjoy our treats.

I think we were both dead asleep by 9:00.

It was an amazing weekend. I love racecations, but doing a challenge at Walt Disney World was something completely exceptional. I don’t know that I would do this particular race weekend again (it is rumored to be the most crowded and congested, and it was indeed far busier than Marathon Weekend), but there are plenty of other offerings, both here and at Disneyland, that I would certainly enjoy. You know my eye is fixed on a Star Wars challenge in the future.

Of course, Disney pulled out all the stops: great volunteers, plenty of fuel, hydration and medical support along the courses, characters and entertainment galore, gorgeous bling and all the magic one expects from Mickey and his pals.

Do you like racecations or do you prefer to run local?

What’s one race you would love to run in the future, Disney or otherwise?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicole @ Fitful Focus says

    March 30, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    RunDisney is just the best! Congrats on the challenge!!! Also – the kitchen sink – WHAT?!! I want it! haha
    Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…The Busy Bee’s Ultimate Guide To Staying HealthyMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 31, 2016 at 1:32 am

      I know! I wish we could have eaten more o fit, but what we did have was so delicious!

      Reply
  2. Natalie Mitchell says

    March 30, 2016 at 5:31 pm

    What a fun race!! I loved the fireworks at the beginning! The whole experience looks so magical and a great way to end the day by watching Brave (one of my favorites!) in bed with a treat.
    So glad you had fun!!!
    Natalie Mitchell recently posted…Things People Say While I am Running.My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 31, 2016 at 1:32 am

      It would have been nice to stay in the parks and watch the fireworks, but in bed with a Disney movie was perfect, too.

      The fireworks are amazing.

      Reply
  3. fairytales and fitness says

    March 30, 2016 at 5:48 pm

    You two were absolutely adorable! Love the outfits!
    The clover leaf is my least favorite part too!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 31, 2016 at 1:33 am

      Thank you so much! I feel like I could have spent a little more time on my outfits, but I wanted to be able to actually run, too.

      That cloverleaf is a big jerk. I was glad to have it behind us.

      Reply
  4. Darlene says

    March 30, 2016 at 5:55 pm

    I like racecations but I have never done one as big as a Disney one. I am usually alone and it would be fun to run one with someone else.
    Darlene recently posted…Wednesday Word – AdventurousMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 31, 2016 at 1:34 am

      I’ve run big races alone and with people. Both ways have pros and cons. I get pretty friendly on the race course, so if I’m not there with someone, and I get lonely, I can always find someone along the way.

      Reply
  5. Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says

    March 30, 2016 at 6:33 pm

    What a fun experience. Those princess men make me laugh so hard. And that ice cream! Oh my goodness.
    Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Sports Supplement Review: Beta-AlanineMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 31, 2016 at 1:35 am

      The ice cream was everything.

      The princess men are fabulous. I think this is the second time they’ve raced like this and they were just having the best time out there!

      Reply
  6. Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says

    March 30, 2016 at 7:38 pm

    Wow you seriously got the best photos! If I ever do a Disney race I am stopping for photos the whole time too or you might as well not run there right? So fun!
    Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…A Weekend at Canyon RanchMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 31, 2016 at 1:37 am

      When I ran the marathon there, I told myself I was going to stop for photos and I never did. It was a huge regret – the event is a race, but the characters and photo opps are all part of the experience. I couldn’t miss out again!

      Reply
  7. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    March 30, 2016 at 11:47 pm

    Congrats on the half marathon! I love the pictures with all the characters! Sorry you had to deal with hip pain during the run, but it looks like you were a great support to your friend!
    Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Goals for the 2016 Cherry Blossom RunMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 31, 2016 at 1:38 am

      The hip will be ok. One of these days. I’m just glad we had so much fun out there!

      Reply
  8. lacey@fairytalesandfitness says

    March 31, 2016 at 1:50 am

    Congratulations on your finish! We were sad that we didn’t run it this yr so we are definitely signing up for next yr. Cute pics! And oh my that kitchen sink looks delicious!
    lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Running Routes that produce ResultsMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    March 31, 2016 at 2:14 am

    What a great recap! This race sounds like so much fun. The race route looks the same as when I ran the WDW half.

    That early wake up call is THE WORST!!!

    Great job, and congrats!
    Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Adventurous Smoothies with Green BlenderMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Stacie Seidman says

    March 31, 2016 at 3:54 am

    This makes me want to get back to it! I loved running the princess half, and after reading your recap, I think I miss it!
    Congrats on completing the challenge! 19.1 is no joke!
    Did they cheer for you when your shuttle got back to the hotel? When we did the half way back when, once we walked into the lobby from the shuttle, the whole place stopped everything and cheered for us. It was kind of amazing.
    Stacie Seidman recently posted…What’s Up Wednesday!My Profile

    Reply
  11. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    March 31, 2016 at 11:30 am

    The Kitchen Sink sounds like a perfect celebration treat. After running 19.3 miles you can definitely afford to splurge on that piece of deliciousness!
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Wine and Dine, Take 2My Profile

    Reply
  12. Alison says

    March 31, 2016 at 5:54 pm

    Love all of your race pictures! The guys with the glass slipper were my favorite photo stop for this race! The race I want to run in the future is the wine and dine two course challenge, I’m all s

    Reply
    • Alison says

      March 31, 2016 at 5:55 pm

      Sorry for the clumsy fingers… I’m all signed up and anxious to see how 19 miles in 2 days goes!
      Alison recently posted…Princess Half Marathon 2016 Race RecapMy Profile

      Reply
  13. Carmy says

    April 1, 2016 at 2:49 am

    Woo! That looks like it was fun! I totally want to run it with a tiara 😉
    Carmy recently posted…5 Fitness Hacks That Make Working Out a PriorityMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Sandra Laflamme says

    April 8, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    Haha! The princess men! Too funny! How is your hip? Glad the medical tent was able to provide you with some help when you needed it. I love the fireworks at the race start!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

well, hello there…

bio
Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have pugs and a hedgehog, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!
Follow on Bloglovin


Save 25% on your ROADiD order here

Pinterest

find what you’re looking for

recently

  • it’s time for march runfessions!
  • how to choose great brand ambassadorships: running edition
  • a much more relaxed week
  • 5 sources of mental clutter
  • my spring race plans

Facebook Likes

archives

Footer

disclaimer

I am not a doctor or medical professional, nor do I play one on the internet. This blog reflects my personal experiences on my own fitness and running journey, and the processes that work for me. Before you begin any exercise regiment, please consult your physician.
Oh, hello long sleeves. I’m here for it. So goo Oh, hello long sleeves. I’m here for it.

So good to stretch the legs today. I was super sore after a @runsmartofficial cross training session last night, and needed to just get out there and let the fresh air work its magic.

What are you up to today? I really need to take a moment with my calendar and get some plans locked into place. 

#running #streakingwiththecoolkids
He’s gonna get it, one of these days. 🍌 @lu He’s gonna get it, one of these days. 🍌 

@lunanleonidas 

 #pug #sweetlunapug

 #pugpuppy #puglife #pugsandkisses #pugbaby #pugsofinstagram #pugstagram #grumbleinc #grumble #pugstagram #pugworld #carlino #thetomcoteshow #dogstagram #petstagram #pugoftheday #pugsdaily #pugstyle #904dogs #keelysafternoontea #pugfeaturedaily #pugclub #dailybarker #woofpackbros #woofpackbros4life #woofpackhotties #woofpackkitties #woofpackfamily #dogsconnectingtheworld #cheesetax
Check out those blue skies! I got to sleep in AND Check out those blue skies!

I got to sleep in AND take advantage of some cooler temps. It really didn’t warm up until my last mile and that was just fine.

I feel like this month and next are really just flying by. So much is going on, and I want so badly to enjoy it all, including the crisp, sunny days where we find them!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Kind of a meh day. I got in some walking miles and Kind of a meh day. I got in some walking miles and some balance and strength work through @runsmartofficial.

Tomorrow will be cooler and more productive for sure!

#running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Happy Monday! I don’t know about you all, but y Happy Monday!

I don’t know about you all, but your girl is TIRED. It is so hard to roll out of bed some mornings. Ugh. 

I managed (finally) and banked six miles in some gross humidity. And now it’s time for some self care and then back to work.

Also. We have somehow acquired a pecan tree? Any tips on the growth and care of this would be greatly appreciated!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Sunday fun day! Just a short walk to start the da Sunday fun day!

Just a short walk to start the day and work out some stiffness. Some days, my ankle just doesn’t want to cooperate 🫤

I have been making graphics and content all day for a client, and now I’m about to do hair and makeup for a little event. Wheee! 

This week is going to be BUSY! There’s a lot of changes to the regular routines (nails, a digital learning day, after school and weekend programming) and I have a race on Saturday and bocce ball on Sunday! 

Who else is ready to dive in?!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Easy is nice, but nothing great ever happens insid Easy is nice, but nothing great ever happens inside the comfort zone.

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids 

 #injuryRecovery #RunChat #Training #FitMom #RunnerMom #FitnessBlogger #RunnersOfInstagram #RunningBlogger #SRTT #FitAfter40#WomensRunningCommunity #RunningCommunity #GoalDigger #HoneyStingerHive #TeamRoadID #GoodrFlamboyance #BalegaImpi #LeagueOfgarmin #BeatYesterday #RunHappy #BDRAmbassador #RunJax
Even though I got up late, the weather was still c Even though I got up late, the weather was still cool enough to make my 5 miler tolerable. 

We are supposed to see temps in the 90s this weekend and I am 100% not about it!

I won’t be racing this weekend: instead I’ve got some work, some volunteering, and another event on Sunday. Looking forward to all of it!

Are you running long or racing this weekend? Tell me about it!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
This Sunday, I hit up the #womenrunjacksonville ev This Sunday, I hit up the #womenrunjacksonville event at the @theglassfactory, presented by @yelpjacksonville and @market.and.mimosas!

Is it possible to be overwhelmed by so much amazing talent, creativity and awesome woman power? 

From the iconic “my phone eats first” tote to the gorgeous party wall lined with craft mimosas, to the silent disco headphones and all the vendors and food/drink samples! Swoon.

I shopped, ate, drank and chatted my way around the venue, and enjoyed every second of it. What a way to celebrate Women’s History Month, and all of the incredible female entrepreneurs, business owners and bosses in Jax and NE Florida!

Five stars. Would do again in a heartbeat!

#yougogirl #womenshistorymonth #girlpower #lovelocal #womanownedbusiness #smallbusiness #localbusiness #supportlocal #womenrunjax #yelpelite #yelpelitesquad #vendormarket #onlyinjax #thingstodojax #myphoneeatsfirst #firstcoastfavorites
35 minutes on the elliptical 👿 with a cool down 35 minutes on the elliptical 👿 with a cool down walk in the beautiful sunshine.

I am not a huge fan of gym equipment like the treadmill or the elliptical: I find it boring and often times awkward. That being said, I’m working through a training plan from @runsmartofficial and trusting the process.

Did you get your fitness inside or out today? How do you feel about the elliptical?

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids

Copyright © 2023 · Wordpress Theme by Hello Yay!