Before I registered for my first runDisney race I couldn’t even run a mile. But as someone who is Disney obsessed I was looking for any excuse to force my husband into another Disney trip and signing up for an in person race was my way to do it.
I told myself “I don’t run, but I will for Disney.” Truthfully, that is still my motto today. I will never say never, but I highly doubt you’ll ever find me running a race outside of the Walt Disney World gates with the exception of a race with the sole purpose of getting a proof of time for a better corral placement at a runDisney race.
After running my first half marathon ever through The Most Magical Place on Earth, Walt Disney World, I was hooked. runDisney takes Disney fandom to another level, and there's a reason why the catchphrase is "Every Mile is Magic." Somehow the pain doesn't feel as bad when you have an excuse to stop to pose with a character, or you get to see areas of the parks otherwise not accessible to guests.
"Every Mile is Magic"
runDisney
0 miles to 13.1
Autumn/Winter 2022
Feeling quite lost in motherhood, with a husband who travels a lot for work and lacking full time childcare I knew I needed to find something to do for me. So in April 2022 I signed up for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Half Marathon to take place in January 2023. At that point I couldn't even run a mile so I started by signing up for the Summer Virtual 5k series through runDisney and spent the entire summer getting comfortable running a 5k.
At the end of August with 18 weeks to go until race day, I started the free beginner half marathon training program created by Jeff Galloway on the runDisney website. It consisted of two weekday runs 30 minutes in length and long runs on the weekends, increasing miles every other weekend. As the weeks went on I continuously impressed myself with my body's ability to feel comfortable running longer distances.
Spring/Summer 2022
I started the my first runDisney race weekend with a 5k to get a feel for the structure of a race morning and also because I knew I would have to do some form of shake out run a couple days before my race, So I figured why not through Epcot anyway!
Race Weekend
The day of the half marathon came and I was ready. I knew the true work I already put in during the training and so I went out there just looking to have a good time. I brought my Airpods with me but never used them. I had so much fun being on the course, Taking in the sights and sounds and stopping for character photos along the way.
Half Marathon Day
After the race and having so much fun, I couldn't wait to sign up for my next race. So in March 2023 a friend and I signed up for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon taking place November 2023 and in June I signed up for the Princess Weekend 5k and Half Marathon taking place in February 2024. Needless to say I have a lot of training to do!
What's Next?
affirmations
Running
In a world of comparison it is easy to discredit ones abilities based on thinking. I forever put off running because I didn't think I was good enough or fast enough. I also thought that since I occasionally had to take walking breaks that I was not capable of being a runner. As soon as I abandoned that way of thinking and realized that "forward is a pace" I was able to take some of the pressure off of myself and enjoy the runs a bit more.
Forward is a pace
Two.
Not long after I signed up for my first races, a family member of mine began experiencing some health issues. When the runs began to get tough I started thinking of those who were unable to run and maybe wished they could. Having someone to run for helped with gratitude for the ability but also gave me a reason to push harder.
I am running for those who cannot
Three.
With every step and mile passed I knew I was getting closer and closer to my next Disney trip. It motivated me to keep at it and knew sooner rather than later I'd be running down Main Street.
