Having very recently successfully completed the Tinker Bell Half Marathon, I was not worried about completing the half marathon in Florida. I was, however, worried about running a 10k on Saturday and then a half marathon on Sunday.
Chad’s sister and I signed up to participate in the Glass Slipper Challenge because, turns out, we’re insane. I mean, I felt prepared; I’d been running a little faster, my runs had felt better, and I was hopeful that I would still be able to finish a 10k in under an hour AND the half marathon in under 2 hours.
What I never considered planning for was humidity. 100% humidity. Before that day, I seriously thought 100% humidity meant that it was actively raining outside. Nope. It means you switch over to drinking the air instead of breathing it.
Enchanted 10k
The start of the 10k, it was really too dark to see much that wasn’t under the lights. After we started running, I thought Chad’s sister was right behind me, but unfortunately it was one of the other 10,000 blondes in a tutu.
I marveled at the overpass with “snow” from Queen Elsa all by myself and waded through what I would normally call FOG, but it was warm. I enjoyed my playlist and I tried not to run into anything or anyone. I’m fairly certain I was successful.
Despite the humidity, I ran my best 10k ever.
I was so proud of my time that I spent $20 to have the back of my medal engraved. My reasoning at the time (in my humidity addled brain) was that I wouldn’t be able to remember the time otherwise. We also accidentally wandered into some special tent that we weren’t supposed to be in, but the organizers gave us towels and sandals before we realized we had gone the wrong way.
We took off our soaking wet shoes (it wasn’t raining, how did that happen???) and wore the flipflops back to the hotel. We kept the towels for the half marathon because a towel was the one thing I wished I had with me the whole entire run. #sorrynotsorry
Princess Half Marathon
The following morning, we had pretty much the same situation with 100% humidity. We also had to hike for about 30 minutes to reach our corrals, which seemed insane compared to the 10k the previous morning of being dropped off basically where you start and the Disneyland set-up which is right out the front of the hotels.
I don’t remember much, if anything, of the course. I just remember that I was unable to see more than 10 feet in front of me until the sun came up. At that point (it has since been explained to me) the sun burns off the humidity and you can see the air again.
Between mile 9 and 10 my brain decided that my knee was going to break. I had a little conversation with myself that I was fine and to stop whining and get my butt to the end. For some reason, at that very moment, I looked up and saw Chad running up the overpass above me. I shouted at him four times before he finally looked down and waived.
It motivated me to keep going and try to catch up. Jokes on me, he was about a mile ahead of me. Which I didn’t learn until I finally reached the overpass. But he was waiting for me at the finish line.
Not my best time, and I crossed the finish line soaking wet (not from sweat), and covered in glitter.
Even though we weren’t running our best, Team Spain, or as we are known to runDisney, Team Hephalumps managed to come in 10th place in the Co-ed Division. Wahoo! And the whole reason we were in Florida in the first place was for the coveted PINK Coast to Coast Medal.
Two half marathons, one Disney 10k, one Glass Slipper Challenge, and one Coast to Coast Challenge. I guess that’s a wrap on the Disney Runs this year…
Event Specs
Event Managed by: runDisney
Location: Disney World
Event Expo: Yes
Event Expo Size: GIANT
Race Start times: 5:30 am (-0.5)
Race Day Weather: 65 degrees 100% Humidity (-1)
Race Features: Female Theme, Costumed Runners Encouraged, ChEAR Squad, High School Bands, High School Cheerleaders and Dancing Teams, Cast Members, Disney Characters, Disney Animals
10k Water Stations: 2 | Every 2 Miles
Half Marathon Water Stations: 7 | Every 1.5 Miles
Energy Supplement Station (Half Marathon only): Yes | Cliff Shot Station at Mile 9
Race Courses: Mostly flat, one hill during half marathon, several miles in Disney parks
Running with Traffic: No, roads are blocked for race
Finisher Medal: Yes
Special Category Medals: Yes
Event Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Blue House Yellow Door 