How A Princess Tricked Herself Back Into Running

When I was in my 20’s, I had a beautiful Siberian Husky named Slater Boone.  Slater loved to run.  He was born to run.  He NEEDED to run.  This decade therefore became the time in my life when I was a runner.

No long, impressive distances, mind you.   No races run, no personal best times tracked.  We’d average around 3 miles, and both typically be happier for it.  He was a great motivator and running buddy.

Fast forward *ahem* a few years.  Now I’m married with two kids, and it’s been a loooong time since I ran.  I lead a relatively active life, mind you, it just doesn’t include running.  Cause running is hard, and it hurts.  It’s crossed my mind to try getting back into it, before it’s “too late”.  But the incentive to endure the pain involved was never strong enough.

Until runDisney.  Or, more specifically, the opportunity to win a trip to go run in the runDisney Princess Half Marathon.   Running through the Magic Kingdom, before the park opens for the day.  Dressed as a princess.  For free.   That’s what I’m talking about!

runDisney Princess Half Marathon & Training

Zappos and New Balance recently ran a [cumbersome, frustrating, glitch-laden] Facebook contest to send 4 teams of princess runners to the Princess Half Marathon, this coming February.  Only 25 teams entered, including my own.  That’s some pretty good odds.

Having a real shot at this, and after consulting Jeff Galloway’s runDisney training plan for a beginner, I started my training the day I signed up for the contest.   Just in case.   A disheartening 2 months behind schedule, I figured there was no time to lose in getting my body back into running ship-shape.

(I also started searching for sparkly princess running skirts online, but that’s another story.)

The contest was in phases, and if I pestered you on Facebook and got you to vote for my team –  I humbly thank you.

The final phase was submitting a photo, representing the perfect fairy tale moment.   My team felt it was both accurate, and appropriate, for us to encapsulate our “Princessiest Princess who ever Princessed” desire to participate in this race through the Happiest Place on Earth.   One of our team members had both the medal from last year’s Princess Half, and the special edition runDisney New Balance shoes – so we worked those in.

I really thought we nailed it.

Alas, it twas to be our losing photo.

Seriously?  There were 4 BETTER “Fairy Tale Moment” pictures than this?!?  Doubtful.  Whatever.

As a side note, we also had a team name, and slogan, and it made reference to our ages.  And technically, the photo we officially submitted had our ages included.  But since I DIDN’T WIN A TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD… ain’t no way I’m blabbing about my real age on my blog.

Anyways, so we didn’t win.  BUT, I’m still running!  Yaaay!

And I’m really hoping I can stick with it.  Frankly, the Body Jury is still out.  Without too many gory details, suffice it to say I’m struggling with a few things.  Let’s just chalk most of them up to the “Pain and/or Extreme Discomfort” category.

Personally, nothing I’ve tried in the World of Fitness has ever delivered the kind of results that running does.  Those extra pounds drop off quickly.  I feel stronger, tougher, and have more energy.  I really do love it.  (This is what I chant to myself during that excruciating first mile, when my body is still warming up, and my knees are shooting bolts of pain with every impact…)

And last weekend I ran 5 miles.  While likely not impressive to the hard core runners out there, it is the farthest I’ve ever ran.  At this stage in life, I’m pretty proud of that!  Granted, this is not 5 straight miles of flat out running – I’m using Jeff Galloway’s run/walk method, and really like it.

So will I ever tackle a runDisney Half Marathon…?  I’ll keep you posted.  At least I have a little more time to train for one now.  I AM Snow White, after all…  😉

*o*    *o*    *o*

Any running tips or runDisney experiences to share?  And DON’T YOU THINK OUR PRINCESS PHOTO ENTRY ROCKED?!?