Finish Lines #2

Race Title: Disney Princess Half Marathon

Date: February 28, 2023

Distance: 13.1 Miles

Location: Walt Disney World Resort

A few thoughts: Well – here it is! I made it. I trained and did my best day after day. I woke up very early (2:30am). My husband (not a morning guy) woke up very early (2:30am). And I made it to the start line…me and 15,000 other crazy Disney running fans!

Crossing the start line at 5:25am, the 13.1 miles ahead stretched out in my mind like an exciting adventure. 

Crossing the finish line at 7:55am, the 13.1 miles behind me whispered memories of difficult moments that I overcame and high points of surprise and joy.The moments my ears picked up the cheers from husband along the route and at the finish line; running up Main Street USA knowing that this was the last race in which the castle would be lit for the Magic Kingdom’s 50^th celebration; the mile 9 stretch which proved mentally challenging due to the combination of a shortened version of “Reflections” from Mulan (playing on repeat) filled the air for over a half mile and the drop in exciting external stimuli after running through the Magic Kingdom and past the Grand Floridian; the hills (oh those darn hills) leading back onto Epcot property; the unending streams of Disney cast members in and around Epcot cheering us on (maybe not a bad way to spend part of one’s shift); and then, finally rounding the final corner to see the finish line waiting for my arrival just ahead; finally, the multiple “if they can do this, so can I moments” as I passed or was passed by runners wearing yellow “AWD” (athlete with disability) bibs on their backs sometimes using mobility aids such as walking sticks or holding the hand or arms of someone next to them. One gentleman was pushing a wheelchair in which an elderly women sat beaming ahead with wide eyes and a big smile on her face.