Disney Princess Half Marathon 2013

 Bill asked me 2 years ago if I'd like to run this race to celebrate my 2013 retirement!  At the time I didn't think I could do it.  However, I successfully ran the Cowtown 10K in 2012 and began to think maybe I COULD do this!  He signed us up and it was set, we were certainly going to try!

                     
  This is the map of where we ran.  We started in Epcot, ran to and through the  Magic Kingdom and back to Epcot for the finish!   The start time was 5:30 am so we had to be there at 4:00 am!  Yes!

 The start Corrals were A through H and Run Disney gave a fireworks and music start for

 every corral!  As our Corral C had our send off the DJ and Masters of Ceremonies then played               "Don't Stop Believing" and our entire throng of runners sang every word along with Journey and when the DJ would turn off the volume the ladies (and few men) just sang  on as if the music hadn't even stopped!  The crowd knew EVERY word!  Magical!
  

                          We got to vote on the songs we wanted played as we ran!  SO fun!

                 The finishers medal is SO pretty!  Five pink jewels, one for each year of this run!

                                                     My Prince, coach, and running partner!                                

                             It's 2:45am and we are ready to go catch the bus to the Race Retreat!

                                                     Getting on the bus to the Race Retreat!

                                    Arrived just outside Epcot headed to the pre-race festivities!

                                 The Race Retreat was wonderful!  Bag check, food, beverages, and photo ops!
                                                                                                         

                                      Yes, HE is dressed as his version of Snow White!  Really?

                                                         Fun Photo Opportunity!

                                                       Count down to run time!

                         We were in corral C out of A-H due to my chip time from the Cowtown!

               
                                            1 Mile marker!  12.1 to go!

                                               We are now running through Magic Kingdom!

                                               1st view of the Castle we are about to run through!

                                    My handsome Prince and I about to run through the Castle!

This was our view as we ran out from under the Castle!  The Cheer Squad cheering us on!

Magic Kingdom's train conductors available for a photo op as we run through Magic Kingdom!

                                           We have now run a 10K and we are still going!

                          This whole mile we ran to the song "Girl on Fire!"  Pretty cool, I mean hot!

Bill got a bit distracted as we were running by the Palms and Magnolia golf courses!  His favorites!!

Nine miles done and 4.1 to go!  We are doing this and we can finish this, I am so excited!

Bill's happy place!  The Palm, Magnolia, and Oak Trail walking 9 hole course, his favorties!!

                                           We have now completed a 15K and still going!!!!!

                                              Running through Epcot toward the finish!

                                               They were singing, "Rejoice!"

                                         13 mile marker!  We only have 1 tenth of a mile to go!

                          Isn't the finish banner pretty!  Dinsney does such a great job of every detail!

                           The finish line is just up ahead!  Almost there, just a few more steps!.....

                   Yes, I stopped to have a picture with Mickey right before crossing the finish line!

I was just euphoric!  We did it!

                 They sprinkled us with gold fairy dust after we crossed the finish line!  So cute!

I am SO thankful that Bill challenged me to this 2 years ago!  I didn't think I could do it, but we did!  I have a great sense of accomplishment and more confidence to continue running and even improving!  I also am not afraid to try things I may not be sure I can do, but I am now willing to try!
1 Corinthians 9: 24 "...run in such a way as to get the prize"