This isn’t your typical race recap because this wasn’t your typical race.
Long story (kind of) short…my foot started hurting three days before the race. My stress fracture foot. Not necessarily a pain, but definitely a noticeable sensation that I couldn’t ignore. After two months of regular exercise I was shocked and discouraged that I could possibly be injured again.
Being the worrier that I am, I immediately rested, iced and Googled non-stop about phantom pains and calcium build-up. While that reassured me some I also knew that I DID NOT want to (for one second) set my recovery a step back. My cousin and mom both told me many times to just take the race as it comes and to not make any judgements before I need to. That was easier said than done.
I pride myself in making well-thought out decisions, but I tend to go overboard with the caution (I like my comfort zone, obviously). In this case, all I needed was a plan. If I feel OK, run. If my foot hurts, drop out. I wish my mind let it be that simple but (surprise!) I blew things out of proportion. I had myself convinced I was injured before the race began..when I didn’t even know if that was actually the case. Not a good move.
It took me until the halfway point of the race to admit that, not only did I feel fine, I felt great. I had zero pain and I was having fun. I remembered that I love running and I love the race atmosphere. Once I relaxed and took one mile at a time, I felt embarrassed for overreacting. So much of running is mental. This race was a prime example of negative thoughts taking over and doing damage.
This doesn’t mean you should run through injury-related pain. Don’t be stupid. This means you should relax and not be fearful of what’s to come. If I needed to drop out I would have in a second, but there was no need to assume the worst right off the bat.
Now that I got the sob-story out of the way, here are a few other race highlights.
Details:
The expo: Disney puts on a well-organized expo. It’s always crowded but there are good vendors to browse. You can be in and out in like 15 minutes if you choose.
The start: 5:30 a.m., however, the corrals are a good 20 minute walk from the parking lot. Add in traffic and that meant waking up at 3:45…and that meant a nice, long afternoon nap. The weather was beyond perfect. High 50’s and low humidity. My cousin and I still wore sweatshirts and sweatpants that we tossed when the race started.
The course: Starts and ends in Epcot. You run about 1 mile in Magic Kingdom but the rest is service roads and highways. This is typical of Disney races, unfortunately. Running down Main Street and under the castle is always cool, though. Speaking of that, since I know the course well I thought it would be fun to video what it looks like running down Main Street. If you’ve never been to Disney, it’s the entrance/exit to Magic Kingdom and gets you in the Disney-spirit. I was obviously running so the video is pretty bumpy.
Also, at every mile there was a Disney character(s) for photo-ops. You’d be surprised how many people stop (and wait in line!) to take photos.
My race:
Costume: If you’re going to run a Disney race, dress up. Since I’ve done a princess costume three times, my cousin and I changed it up and dressed as two of the characters from the movie “Inside Out.” She was Joy and I was Disgust. I hinted at it last week but my mom is convinced Disgust was modeled after me (I’m pretty opinionated, honest and dramatic). I must admit, I make a pretty good “disgust” face.
Source
Experience: It was honestly a blast. For the past two years my aunts and cousins flew down from New England to race, cheer and escape the cold. Last year we even had seven people running! This year we were down to two. Next year there will be zero- we need a break from Disney! My only goal for this race was to have fun (no time goal as I was un-trained and coming back from injury). Major success in that area!
My cousin and I ran together and I “helped” her get a 2 minute PR. I put “helped” in quotation marks because she had to actually do the hard work and run the race ;) I told her to mentally get me through the first half and I’ll get her through the second. It always takes me a good five miles to get into the run so between that and my foot I needed the extra support. We cross the finish line side-by-side in 2:06:42.
Lastly, even though I’ve run many Disney races (this was my sixth!), I can’t ignore the fact that it’s a well-organized and fun atmosphere. They seriously have these races down to a science.
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I went into this past weekend the most nervous and unprepared I’ve ever been for a half marathon. I ended this weekend relieved, re-energized and motivated for my next half in April.
I’m on a post-race high and feeling very grateful for quality family time and a healthy run.
So cute! Sorry about the foot but glad it was a blast.
Thanks, Kaitlin! I’m very happy it was a success all around.
I have always LOVED Goofy! You look so happy and you are so adorable…I am glad the race went well!
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I saw some big Goofy hats during the race! How people ran with them I have no clue. Thanks, Katie :)
I’m just so excited that you’re back and you can really enjoy running again! I’m sorry that the injury demons were coming after you before the race, but I would have had the same mindset! The last thing you want to do is have to start from ground zero again, but you were so smart to be willing to drop if it hurt and I think you were rewarded for that! Great job, disgust!
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I was sick to my stomach about re-injuring my foot. I’m glad I had a “plan” (and accepted it) because it probably would have been morally defeating if I didn’t plan to drop out and was forced to. But YAY for not having to deal with that ;)
Amazing job! I’m so glad that everything went well, and I love your costume. Some people go so over the top for the races, so I like how you kept it subtle :)
Thank you! Disney actually made the costume rules more strict this year because some people go TOO crazy.
I’m so glad you had such a positive experience!! I totally know how you feel about the injury-related worries and the mental obstacles but next time you start to fall down that trap, you can remember how awesome this race turned out!
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Yes, exactly! I feel like I’ll look pack on this race to put things into perspective when/if those thoughts come back. Thanks, Sami!
I’m SOOOO happy you got to run the race! I know it has been a while for you and a long time coming with your injury so I am so happy you got to run it. And a Disney race nonetheless! I’ve never seen Inside Out, but I love your costume!!
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Thanks, Brie! It felt really (really) good to run pain free :) The costume came too naturally for me haha
You both look so cute! I love her tutu, it’s perfect. I loved Inside Out because it was so correct in most of what it depicted. I heard a lot of moms cried…I didn’t but I could see if I had kids. If I were to dress up I would probably go for Pocahontas or Darla from Finding Nemo. That would be funny :-) I hope your foot pain is nothing to be worried about and you keep up the running. Have a great week
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Her costume was spot-on..even the hat! I don’t think my parents cried but my entire family loved the movie. Good for all ages! Thanks, Ellie…same to you :)
Love that costume! I liked the movie so much I wrote an introspective blog post about it while I was in bar study stress mode last July :) I agree that the half marathon courses at Disney can feel a little let down with all the service roads (it looks the same as the January half course?) but everyone enjoying the race is always nice to see.
I’m going to have to look for that post. I love the movie too….especially how it can relate to people of all ages. Disney has a knack for that. Yes, this was the exact same course as the half in January. And it’s the first 6 miles of the full marathon too. They need to change it up!
OMG your face in that picture hahahaa. Bummer about the foot–I hate when you start questioning everything, and right before the race. But I am so glad that you were able to go!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…BQs to Bottoming Out: What I’ve Learned From Injury and Triumph
I was born to dress up as Disgust. It came so naturally ;)
This is kind of random, but I’ve always wondered this, when people at races say they “tossed their sweatshirts and pants” at the start of the race, do you go back and grab them? Or are they gone forever. Sorry, I know that’s random, but I’ve always been so curious!
I went to Disney World for the first time this summer, and I fell in love. I would love to head back for a race like this, but I don’t know how well I’d do with the crowds. Thank you for such a fun recap! Very glad it was a safe and healthy run for you!
I’d want to dress up as Tinkerbell… but that’s only because I was her for halloween last year and already have the tutu. ;)
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No, that’s a good question! The clothes are gone forever (but race staff usually picks them up to donate). I always go to a thrift store to get cheap/old clothes so I don’t have to use mine!
The crowds are intense for these races. Especially for the first few miles. It adds to the course support, but does get overwhelming.
Looks like you had a fun time! I can’t wait to run the Star Wars Disney half in April!
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Oh that sounds fun! Is it at night?
Ooh I wish. Would make sense because it’s the dark side half marathon too lol. It’s earlyyyyyyyyy in the morning haha.
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So much of running is mental <– so true! good to hear it went well and you enjoyed it though. your outfit is adorable!
Thanks, Kristen! Most people dressed as princesses (obviously) so it was fun to switch it up this year.
Hi are we the same person? Opinionated, honest, and dramatic? Yep. I’m glad your foot pain went away and you were able to run the race with your cousin!! One of these days I’ll do a disney race
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Hi, I don’t know you. But we sound a lot alike?
yes, please come. You have a place to stay!
YEEEEEEESSSS!!!! I am obsessed with Inside Out so obviously I LOVE your costume! This recap totally solidifies the fact that I MUST do a Disney race at some point! It’s definitely on my bucket list. How early did you sign up to get into this one?
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Thank you! Disney races are a blast. The sign-ups for this one were in July! This was my 4th Princess and 6th Disney race so I know a lot if you have any questions :)
I am so jealous of that medal! ;) A Disney half is definitely on my bucket list!
As for dressing up, how can you choose just one character?! :P I think I’d spend HOURS deciding!
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Their medals are always so pretty! Haha yes it was tough to decide. And then you have to figure out something that is easy to run in!
Congrats on your race! It looks like you had a blast! I also am the same way when it comes to injury, very over-cautious. But I feel like it’s better to be safe than sorry in most situations.
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Thank you :) Funny, my post tomorrow is about me dealing with when to be cautious and when not to be. It’s something I think I will always battle!
Well done!! The Disney races always look like such fun events.
xx
They really are fun! Even though they make you get up early. We’re all delirious for the first few miles!
Love your costume! I ran as hipster Belle two years ago and it was a blast!
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So happy that you were relieved especially after some uncertain days leading up to the half marathon. I love the characters you picked. ‘Inside Out’ was an amazing analogy of just how complex human beings are. Truly, we are created in God’s image. I LOVE that you are so good at listening to your body!
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Congrats on finishing even with a possible injury brining you down! I’ve started races that way too and it’s such a stressful first few miles, but by the halfway point it’s so exciting to turn towards the finish line and know that you’re going to finish strong! Hopefully your foot feels good from here on out and it was just a fluke injury feeling.
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I’ve been wanting to run a Disney race since I started running again. It would involve travel for me but it is on my bucket list. It looks like so much fun!
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You and your cousin are so cute in your costumes! Your Disgust face is PERFECT. I’m so glad you were able to still run the race and that your foot behaved itself :) Dang- I can’t even imagine waking up at 3:45 for a race so major props! An afternoon nap was WELL deserved!
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Congrats on your race! And I love the costume. That movie was too cute, and had a great message !
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