Want to run like a princess? Or dress like a princess and go for a run? Disney is the place to do it!
Disney knows how to kick off a half marathon. At 5:30am nonetheless!
This year I did what is called the Glass Slipper Challenge: the 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday of Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. In the days leading up to the races I spoke on stage in a panel of experts:
- Leslie Kay, fashion blogger with Disney Bound
- Elizabeth Comeau, editor of Zelle, Runner’s World running site for women
- Betsy Hughes, co-owner of Track Shack Events
My niece Justina contacted me about 6 months ago asking if she could come down from Ohio for the Princess 10K. She was inspired by her uncle, my late husband Stephen. Stephen was a marathon runner, and after his death Justina felt compelled to give running a try. She started out running a few blocks and eventually, along with her boyfriend Phillip, worked all the way up to being able to run a 10K distance (6.2 miles). In the process, she lost about 60 pounds and Phillip lost about 80 pounds. Amazing! I was so pumped that they chose to run their first 10K race with me and at Disney!
Posing with Justina (middle) and Phillip (right) after our 10K finish
The three of us wore our “Stephen shirts” which are memorial shirts I had made up after Stephen’s death and have worn them for a lot of races so far. We had a fabulous time running the course, seeing Disney characters along the way. It’s always fun to run with someone who is running their first runDisney race. They are blown away by the amazing organization, cool course, and fun characters! Justina and I embraced at the finish–I’ll admit I cried as I told her how proud Stephen would have been of her and her first 10K race.
“Flat Tara” prior to the 10K race with my blue #teamsparkle skirt and memorial shirt of Stephen
Sunday came and I ran the half marathon with one of my best friends, Stacey. She dressed as Cinderella and I was a Princess Bride–I thought it was appropriate considering my upcoming nuptials. We decided to just take the pace pretty easy and enjoy the scenery along the way.
“Princess Bride” Tara And “Cinderella” Stacey after the Princess Half Marathon
Of course I had to pose with the wedding singers at the Grand Floridian’s Wedding Chapel along the course!
Posing with a glass slipper and the men at the wedding chapel near Disney’s Grand Floridian
One of the state winners of the Miss America pageant ran the race, and Miss America and 9 other state winners were all present at the race, so of course Stacey and I had to get our pic with them!
Posing with Miss America (center bottom row) and 9 other state winners!
All in all Princess weekend was a blast! I am blessed to be the Official Nutritionist for runDisney! Stay tuned for Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend race report the first week of May!
