runDisney Walt Disney World Half Marathon 2013

Since my first runDisney race (Wine and Dine 2011), I have wanted to run in costume. This year, for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, I did! After some careful consideration and going based on your votes, a character was selected.

The morning of the Disney World Half Marathon I had to drag myself out of bed. I was beyond exhausted and (for some very odd reason) nervous. I don’t think I felt this nervous for a race since my very first half marathon.

Flat Amanda, AKA The White Rabbit

Maybe the nerves came from my first race running in costume or the anticipated record breaking heat. But either way, we were running late getting to the starting line.

Donald sending us off for our 13.1 mile trek

My husband and I entered our corral just in time, I didn’t even get a moment to think… we were moving to the start.

Once the fireworks went off, there was no turning back. I was in Florida to conquer Goofy. I was in Florida to run my first marathon. The half marathon was only the beginning in accomplishing some huge goals during the weekend.

One of the highlights of any Disney race is running through the castle!

My husband and I ran easy. We both wanted to make sure that we were going to be standing the next day to accomplish the Marathon. So we stopped for character pictures, potty breaks, and walking when needed.

I found my character crew!

The runDisney 2013 Half Marathon was, hands down, the most fun I have ever had running 13.1 miles.

Sarge yelled at me up the whole hill “YOU’RE LATE RABBIT!”

During the race there were two amazing highlights that I couldn’t have anticipated. While I was running, spectators would yell “LOOK! It’s the White Rabbit! You’re late! You’re late!” those words repeated during the 13.1 miles was the most motivation I have ever received.

Disney spectators have some of the best signs!

The second highlight happened around mile ten. As my husband and I ran pass a small group of female runners I heard someone yell, “Oh My God! It’s Happy Mother Runner! Me and my friend follow you! Love your costume!”

This was the first time that anyone has recognized me offline without me saying “Hey! I am Amanda from Happy Mother Runner.”

I found my horn!

The half marathon is an amazing course moving through the Magic Kingdom and finishing in Epcot. The feeling I have when I enter Epcot (for any Disney race) is pure relief. I love the sight of Space Ship Earth (the Epcot Ball) more than any other structure on Disney property. To me it doesn’t mean that the race is almost done; it’s more of a symbol of accomplishing huge goals that I have set forth for myself. That ball means that I am about to accomplish something great in my life (first half, first marathon, first Goofy).

Nothing like a White Rabbit Photo Bomb!

In the end, the race was amazing. It was not even close to a PR, but that wasn’t what I was trying to achieve. The half was a warm-up for something even bigger the next day.

If you had to choose only one Disney character to get a photo op with, who would it be?