Double Disney Weekends (Part 2)

Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust

Hey Friends!

I am not a runner, I will never consider myself to be a runner, but I am a former athlete, and because I am no longer participating in team sports, I need some inspiration to try to stay in shape and RunDisney races do the trick. I have had many injuries to my feet and ankles from ice hockey, lacrosse, and downhill skiing,  and it's safe to say that every time I run, it's a painful challenge. I'm sure many will ask me why I run if it causes me so much pain, but there is just no better feeling than crossing the finish line and finishing a challenge that you, yourself set, and accomplished. I am not fast, I will never be first, but I WON for me. 

This year I participated in the 5th Annual Tinker Bell 10k at Disneyland. This was my first RunDisney 10k. I was so surprised that I snagged a spot back in August. The 10ks are the hardest to register for, in my opinion. They always fill up so fast. Being an Annual Passholder helps a bit since we get first dips with early registration, but still with that, I haven't been able to snag a spot for any other RunDisney 10k (If you're interest in registering for any RunDisney event, be attentive about when registration starts. Races often sell out in minutes).   

I have completed 3 half-marathons to date, and I thought that perhaps I'd start the year with  a 10k to help me to prepare for the half-marathon that I have scheduled for September. 

Race morning, my dad and I woke up around 3:30, I applied my fairy glitter hair spray, winged liner, and red lipstick in the dark (yes, I do apply lipstick before races, they take pictures...DUH!), and I was pixie ready. We were staying at a hotel close by and it was about a 10 minute walk to the stating gate. It was chilly, and pouring rain. Let's be a little honest here, I was about to take the elevator back up to my room and climb back in bed. I was not very stoked about the rain. My hands were cold, my muscles felt sore already and I was so nervous that I'd slip and hurt myself. The rain subsided, and the gun went off, and I ran the entire first mile. (Usually, in my training, I run for 5 minutes and walk for 2). It felt like a breeze, and my confidence grew from there. 

Ready with Dad 

Throughout the race I chatted with some strangers about our costumes (which is my favorite part of Disney races) and I took lots of pictures with landmarks (the character lines were just too long), and Snapchat-ed the whole way.

We started the race together, and we ended the race together. Forever stranger friends

Being used to the half-marathon course, I wasn't really expecting the course to be almost entirely on Disneyland property. This made the course feel so much shorter than I thought it would feel. And, my favorite part was getting to run through Downtown Disney. The only things I did miss was that the course didn't take you down Main Street :( , and the line to meet Tinker Bell was WAY TOO LONG! (I guess I'll have to catch her a Pixie Hallow). 

Overall, I felt tired, and frustrated with my ankle pain, but crossing the finish line (and not being even near last place) was so rewarding. I felt strong and excited for finishing. It was definitely a confidence booster.

Out of all the races I've run, when I'm waiting for the run to start, I find myself full of doubt and pressure. It's hard for me to look past all of my body issues, self-confidence and pain from injury. As an individual I feel so powerful and brave to do the unthinkable. It makes me feel like I can get rid of my inner-bully.


Xo, Jess

P.S. Two years ago, I wrote a post about my love for RunDisney races (You can read that post here).



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disneyland half-marathon weekend

As some may know, I have been training for the Disneyland Half Marathon since January. Though I wouldn't pick running as my favorite sport, because, let's be honest, my stubby legs and wide-set hips aren't exactly the optimum equipment to be "quick on my feet", I like to challenge myself. As a kid, and teenager, I spent most of my days being active, and participating in sports like, downhill skiing, ice hockey, and lacrosse, but when I got to college, my focus turned to music, rather than athletics. Being that I needed a place to channel my athletic fix, though it seemed like a chore, I began to hit the gym regularly with a concentration on cardio. To this day, I still don't exactly enjoy the gym, and I still find myself avoiding my regiment, but I thrive for the sense of challenge and accomplishment. 

In 2012, I completed my first half-marathon, at Disneyland, and I have to say, it was one of the most difficult things, physically and emotionally, that I have ever done...but I did it! And because I did it, it inspired more goals, more races. Yes, the race is expensive, and hard to claim your spot, but, that gold shiny metal, and that high five from Mickey Mouse makes it all worth it.

This weekend, though I didn't set a PR, I faced so many challenges. I started strong for the first two miles, with my dad at my side for support, but getting to three was a challenge. The journey begins in the parks, California Adventure, then Disneyland. I was more focused on those passing me, and not myself, which I now realize was silly. Once my dad and I parted at the 4 mile mark, I got a second wind. I sped through mile four, five, and six, seven was fine, and then there was eight. My feet began to ache, the sun was rising and shining so hot on my shoulders, and the worries returned. I was half-way finished and I convinced myself that it would be silly to stop. Mile nine through Angles Stadium, though the stands were full of encouraging, cheering fans, seemed impossible. Through this, my iPhone arm band kept buzzing with my mom's helpful texts of encouragement. With her help, I kept my head high. 

Mile ten... the sun was so hot on the wide open streets of Anaheim, and my nerves were ignited. I couldn't help but tell myself that it just wanted to stop, but my feet kept moving. Half way through the 3rd to last mile, the dreaded pacer girls came trudging by with their signs basically saying that I'm going too slow. Let's just say I had a tiny personal breakdown, the tears came, yada yada. 

But, nothing was better than seeing that finish line. Sure I was glad to have finished and accomplish my goal, but I was more happy that I could finally stop moving my feet. I wish I would have had the courage to just sit criss cross apple sauce in the middle of the finish line and requested the ALS ice bucket challenge to be caught on tape right then and there. But, instead I got a hug from my dad, a wet cloth to mop up my every dripping sweat, and the heaviest shiny gold metal placed over my shoulders, and a picture to prove it! 

I did it. Not fast, but I did it. 

The real reason I wanted to write this is not because I did it, it's because anyone can do it. I don't strive in running, I don't set world records, I don't come first in my age group, I'm a regular young woman with a goal in mind, and it was hard, but I still did it...and any one of you can too. 

I took a lot from a speech I heard a the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo before the race from Sean Astin (Yes the same Sean Astin who starred in the EPIC film "The Goonies" as Mikey, and oh yea...Lord of the Rings). He is an avid runner, who like me, runs for self accomplishment. He explained that many runners run for a cause, and yes, that's important, but its most important to run for yourself. 

My favorite quote of his: 

""I run 1st for myself, 2nd I run for my family, I #run3rd for YOU."

Check out more on the #run3rd campaign here. 

Sean Astin 

 Leslie Kay also gave a short and sweet presentation. She's a blogger who creates fashion inspired by Disney characters. She made some fun Disney-inspired running outfits to spark inspiration for the weekends race participants.  Check her Tumblr out: here

I planned my outfit for months! I purchased the ribbon from an Etsy store called Cheerbowsforsale, the skirt from another Etsy store called SueStevePat and I purchased the running top and headband from Raw Threads, a vendor at the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo (love!!!!). 

 Pre-Race Photos

 Mile 2 

 Mile 9 through Angel's Stadium