Princess Half Marathon Recap (Part 1 of a million)

Ok, so I don't know how many parts there will be.  I have a lot of photos, some that are too horrid to share so maybe that will cut down on the length...I doubt it.   I've done race recaps, but not of this magnitude, so I thought I would just start talking and see what comes out.  That's pretty normal for me anyway! LOL.  If you missed them, you can read my Expo and #Runnerslove posts which were the previous days before the race.

I had gone over this night of sleep in my head a million times and it went about like I thought it would.  Broken sleep the whole time with me finally waking up at 1:40, twenty minutes before the alarms went off.  I crept out of bed and started going over my list and getting ready.  Oh and I made coffee!  Kim had brought her coffee maker, life saver! I'm normally an extremely early riser, so I had no problems with feeling tired.  I ate some yogurt and a few mini Babycakes cupcakes.  Yep.  Cupcakes before a race.  I probably shouldn't have since cupcakes aren't what I normally eat, but I don't usually have stomach issues.  Took my obligatory selfie and was pretty pleased with my Cinderella costume!

 I did my normal morning routine as well as I could, but I found myself shaking as I was trying to get my bib just perfect.  I wasn't shaking because I was worried about the race, I was anxious about TIME and didn't want to be late.  As soon as I walked out the door to head for the bus at about 2:50, I felt much better.  I ran into April on the path to the bus.  Perfect timing, I should have expected this from my twinkie.  We walked over and straight onto the bus that had just pulled up, front seat even.  One had pulled away as we were walking up and it wasn't even 3 am, so I'm not sure if they are running buses even earlier now?

I was talking a mile a minute, nerves I suppose, but I talk a mile a minute on a normal day, so maybe not.  ;)  I do know that this would have been a completely different experience if I had been alone and I was so glad to have company!  We had no issues with traffic and arrived at Epcot...er...I don't know when.  I realized later that I never once looked at the time, not even in the corral. 

Bananas! (I never did eat mine...)

 We got in line almost right away so that we could get some photos with the backdrops.  The line moved fairly fast and I loved the music/DJ. I didn't feel like I was waiting, which I hate to do, btw.  It was truly surreal.  

We took photos with one backdrop, took a quick potty break with absolutely no lines (no clue where that shot is, but I took one) and then jumped back in the other photo line! These photos aren't the kind of quality I like, but honestly, it was so much fun, I just wanted to capture the moment.  I did see someone who had their dslr and then bag checked it.  If I get crazy enough I could do that next time.  (ahem...yes, there will be a next time!)

I have no idea what I'm laughing at, but I was having fun! About to run a half marathon?  Who, me? 

 

I'm sorry, did I say there were going to be a million parts to this race recap?  I meant a million and one.  Right after we finished up with pics, we found Rachel!  Actually, I think she found us, but who's keeping track here anyway? Time for more pictures then!!

Ok, there's a method to this madness.  First of all, I always take a lot of photos, it's just what I do.  It also helps me focus and calms my nerves.  I wasn't feeling too nervous but maybe that's because I was having fun taking photos.  I'm sharing so many with you, however, because it will be the last time you see me looking fairly cute and put together.  The remainder of this race recap will be filled with my dripping sweaty bangs, red face, and look of death!  I have to at least post some photos to offset that, right?  

We walked over to see if we could find any of the group photos that were taking place, that was harder than I thought.  So many people!  In the meantime, I was texting with Jessica so I could get a special photo for Savannah.  

After I got this shot, it was time to head to the corrals!  Already?!?! I'm torn on whether to continue or start part 2 here.  Hmmmm... I think I will end with us headed to the corrals.  Ooooh and I just realized that if there are three parts to this recap, and I do one each day, I will finish on Wednesday...my Birthday!  Fitting! 

 I took a pic of the now-crazy-line PP's that April and I had used with no lines earlier.  We decided to use the ones out by the corrals when we got there. 

  I wasn't surprised at the walk, I had read about it many times, and enjoyed it.  It helped warm up my muscles a bit.  I was so excited!

Before I knew it, we were at the area where they split the corrals off and we headed towards F.  I was pretty lucky to have someone I knew in the same corral as me.  I might have been more nervous about where to go and what to do, but instead I just followed April around like a puppydog.  LOL

Up next...my run-in with a port-a-potty. There were curse words!

Princess Half Marathon Recap (Part 2)