Princess Minda

Dramatic weekend with last minute bailouts and failboat room cancellations - thank goodness my friend Teresa and her husband came to the rescue and let me crash in their room the night before the race!
-
Once I made it to Disney it was absolute chaos -- the parking people were militant with passes and BS. - There was so much shuffling back and forth from hotel to shuttle parking lot -to expo -back to car- then finally to the GD HOTEL.
- I was so frustrated and stressed - when I saw Teresa I could feel tears in my eyes-  not only from seeing a familiar face from a time in my life that is unforgettable (AFA) - but also the relief that I am THERE.

The lines for shopping were MASSIVE!!! -- But I did get a bunch of Tinkerbell and Aurora items to bring home with me!

The shirt is actually really pretty - and the mesh bag an added bonus of cute usefulness.

After settling down and actually breathing - the three of us went to Downtown Disney - where I had never been and it was really a lot of fun! So many shops and trinkets tops pjs candies keychains ---- everything Disney you can imagine! LOL
Of course I had to get a picture with my favorite  -- Princess Aurora

We walked around there for a while before making it back to the room pretty worn out and ready to crash.
- The alarm went off at 2:15 and another at 2:30 when Teresa and I finally sprung into full on Glitter Tutu action!!!! After both feeling suitably Princessed out - we headed down to catch the shuttle to the race start.

It was a foggy and over cast day that did actually end up feeling really warm.

With my asthma inhaler tucked away into one of the back pockets of my long sports bra - I headed off into the darkness. - My pace was 3-4 mins slower than my previous half marathon - which I knew would happen since I can't really run. IT was more of a light jog with brisk walking and a few all out sprints.

I only had time for one photo op - as the lines for all the photos with the Characters are about 15 mins long!!!

But it was my favorite guy - the life size Army Man from Toy Story! - I loved how he was in Drill Sergeant  character the entire time --- unfortunately I was in such a rush to get back on the road I lost my Pink Iron Girl hat I've had for years =(.

For some reason miles 6-9 are total black outs for me -- I couldn't tell you where I was - what I was seeing or doing . . . only that I was in motion. - when I see 10 mark - I snap out of it because I know its just a 5k left and I can slog it through any 5k --- even crawling.

I could feel my chest starting to tighten up a lot and I was worried as I am in a much weaker state than my usual - since I had been so ill with the flu and upper respiratory blah blah blah for over a month and a half of no working out.

But it was all worth it - I made it!!!
Though stressful - painful and extremely difficult to cover the miles with a full month and a half of sickness. . .  I did it.
I wanted it - and I got it.
- For some reason this was a very emotional finish line for me. - I've seen people cry as they cross the finish line but I really never felt that way. - I always felt like YAYAYAYAYAY!!! But this time was different.
There was a lot going on for me - life stress- just getting to the race stress-asthma stress -amongst other things.
- Needless to say it was very personally rewarding.

Not my best photo - but I felt really overwhelmed. This was just after they put the medal around my neck.

- As much as I enjoyed this race - for the fun of Princesses and Glitter and the gorgeous medal!!!-- I really enjoyed the Wine and Dine race more. It was a night time race where we spent less time on the highway and more time in the theme parks.  from Wide World of Sports to Animal Kingdom to Hollywood Studios and back to finish at Epcot.
- The Princess had us leave Epcot - run down a long ass road - through the Magic Kingdom which was beautiful , but annoying because there was a standstill at the castle because everyone wanted photos in front of the castle. -- Then running through some back lots and ending up running back down that long ass road to Epcot.

-I suppose I just enjoyed the night time aspect of the Wine and Dine more because everything was just lit up and felt like MAGIC!!!!!!!

I'd really like to do the DisneyLAND half Marathon in Cali - so I can get my Coast to Coast medal!!! But it looks sold out already! - I'll surf around the site to see the rules about coast to coast. - okay hope you are all well and happy =)

much love,
Minda