Princess Half Marathon 2014

The weekend that I had been training for since October was finally here! All my sweat, emotional struggles, and physical struggles were all going to pay off. I couldn't believe it was finally time! I remember in November thinking it felt like the race would never be here. I never thought I would be doing half marathon... and anyone that knows me before my half marathon would say the same thing.. People were shocked but I did it! And i'm here to tell about it.

I got the pleasure to go to the expo twice. The expo was held at Disney's Wide World of Sports. It was like nothing I have ever seen before! It was huge! So many vendors I didn't even know what to do with myself! The fact that I was going to be running a half marathon did not hit me until I walked in to pick up my bib. Then all these feelings started rushing to me! I got to take my picture with Minnie Mouse, Aurora, and Snow White. I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff Galloway, who is very inspiring! He even talked privately to me and Jessica about how to over come out mental struggle of finishing the race. It was such a sweet moment I will forever remember! I bought two bumper stickers for my car that showed I ran a half marathon. That was one of the things I was most excited about! Over all I thought the expo was great!

Onto race day! I only got a couple of hours of sleep that night... I expecterd to be so nervous that I couldn't sleep but it was pretty much the opposite.. I was too excited I couldn't sleep. Our alarm goes off around 3:20 am.. yes you read the correct! I laid out my clothes the night before so all I had to do was slip into my clothes and I am now Minnie Mouse! I went to Disney as Belle.. But then ended up matching my mom and going as Minnie Mouse! I didn't feel like my Belle costume was perfect so I am postponing it until next year's princess so it will be perfect! I grab my breakfast box my mom surprised me with and we headed down to the food court and headed to the bus! The line was SO long.. I mean SO SO long! But it went by pretty fast.. and the temp that day was just right!

We hop on the bus and my nerves really start kicking in! The longest run I have done is 10 miles and i'm about to be doing 13!! I was thinking what the heck am I doing here? I am not ready for this! Why would my mom ever sign me up for this? But... it was too late to turn back now.. I just had to put my game face on and enjoy it.. Although I was very nervous about the balloon ladies! We meet up with Jessica for a few minutes prerace, snapped a few pictures and headed to our corrals. We all had different ones.. Mom was in "J" I was in "M" and Jessica was in "P". I made a few friends in my time group since you have a while until you actually start running... The fireworks go off and we were on our way!!

I do have pictures off all the mile markers.. But I won't bore you with that! I did not stop at any of the character stops. My goal was to just finish in one piece! Plus the lines for the characters were SO long! Along with the potty lines! It was ridiculous!! I tried to stop at two different potty's but the lines were terrible! And I remembered a few blogs I read said there was a short bathroom line inside Tomorrowland.. So I booked it and went to the bathroom there.. and boy were they right! That line moves fast! And it's a real bathroom! The first few miles were good. I had my music in so I was kind of zoned out. I did make it a point to take my headphones out to take in the music in the parts of the race they played it. I wanted to take in the whole experience! Between mile 2 and 3 we go under the Magic Kingdom vehicle entrance... which was actually one of my favorite parts! We go by the ticket center down the "big hill" and back up.. I can finally see the castle!! And it was just as amazing if not more then I had imagined! We go down Main Street USA, through Tomorrowland, then around Fantasy land.. and FINALLY through the castle! It was such an amazing experience! We entered through the back of the castle and the trumpet players from Cinderlla were playing the trumpet as we ran through. like I said.. very magical! And that is the highlight of the whole race lol...everything else is a little dull until you see the big Epcot ball again!

 I'm almost at mile 6 at this point and I was feeling pretty great! During the race I ate a small bag of energy jelly beans, a small Luna protein bar, and the Cliff Bar shot they gave us on the course ( just like GU)... I didn't think I wanted to take it but i'm so glad I did! It gave me the carbs and energy I needed to finish this race! People weren't kidding when they said the bypass is boring... It seriously is so boring! I listen to Pandora and it was on Niki Minaj radio. It kept me going when the going got tough. For me Mile 11 was the most difficult mile I ran. Maybe because it was the most boring? Or maybe because it was the furthest I have ran yet.. But seriously I thought they had forgot to put the #12 mile marker...That's how long it felt! and by mile 12 I was getting pretty stinkin tired.. I can't even deny that. But When I saw that sign that said Epcot straight ahead I was pretty stoked! So just kept on chuggin along!

 And that's it folks! I made it! Once I saw that big beautiful ball I knew nothing would stop me! it was a long mile but I finished it.. and I will not sit here and lie to you... it was freakin hard! I was tired. But I got enough energy to go out strong! And Princess 2015 here I come!!

Disney World

I felt like a kid on Christmas morning waking up on Thursday. I could not wait to get to Disney because that was one day closer to race day! I woke up around 7:00 am took a walk on the beach with mom, picked up some sea shells and went back to the house. When I got back to the house is when I started singing zip-a-dee-doo-dah! I couldn't help myself! I was just so excited to be back in the happiest place on earth! It had been over a year and was ready to breathe in that air!

We hop in the car turn on some Disney tunes and were on our way! We stayed at All-Star sports... which isn't my favorite but i'm just glad to be in Disney! We check in, put our stuff in the room and make our way to Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL). AKL will always feel like home to me, something about it I love so much! My mom made friends with one of the interns about a year ago and we have made lifelong friends! Dennis came to visit in Atlanta with three girl interns. They all have headed back to Africa but, there is still a few left. So I got the honor of meeting intern Toffee, who turns out we are getting married and he is paying $10 to marry me! Such a bargain in his country! We went and decorated cookies and got to see some of the animals! I am so thankful for the friendship I have made through Disney! The friends I have made really will be lifelong friends! Toffee took me to Epcot twice and I really got to learn more about his family and culture back home! I will cherish every second I got to spend with him! While we were at Epcot we got to ride Soar'n, Test Track (Toffee's first time), Spaceship Earth, and a few other rides. It was an amazing unexpected time!

I got to see my favorite fireworks show... Illuminations. Something about having all the countries come together as one really touches me. The fireworks are amazing!

Another highlight of my trip was meeting this sweet couple, Jessica & Jason.. It was our first actual meet but I felt like I knew them because we had talked so much! There is a background story how I met them and it is pretty random... We met on Instagram! I had never made a friend on there before but there is a first time for everything! I actually could do a whole post on Jessica.. And I actually might one day! We had a very good time meeting! I seriously felt like I knew Jessica forever! It is a friendship that will last a lifetime.. I am sure of it! Me and my momma met Jessica and Jason in Downtown Disney for a quick minute.. we just wanted to say hi and officially meet. Then I went to the expo with them, went and got pineapple dole whips, and went to dinner! It was a great time! It was her first half and first Run Disney race.. So we had lots to bond over!

The ONLY bad thing about my whole 10 day trip was that I had car trouble! It is a long story! But long story short we wasted a whole Disney day! And if you don't know Disney time that is more precious then a regular day.. Because it's a Disney day! But we did squeeze time to go to the expo that day! I will get more into the expo on my next post!

We did lots of cool things while we were there.. Although I did feel like the trip was over before I even got done blinking. My sister and her family were there but I was so busy I rarely even got to see them! Boo! But I get to see them everyday :). I got to spend a lot of quality time with my mom! Which was nice! I love getting to spend special quality time with her that I usually don't get considering I am one of eight kids. I'm not going to lie... I think that trip goes down in the books for my favorite trip ever! I met amazing people and had amazing experiences! All the way from my trip to the beach to the second I crossed the finish line! I accomplished something I never thought I would do in my lifetime! Best. Trip. Ever.

Thank for stopping by!

Florida Part 1

It finally came! The trip I have been waiting for since summer! Princess Half Marathon came and went. I had such a long and wonderful trip I am having to make separate blog posts about it! And here we go!

My first part of the trip I spent with a good friend of mine, Porter, we have been friends for 10 years now! Crazy! Wahh I am getting old! He is one of those friends you don't talk to for a good 8 months and you pick up where you just left off. We did lots of fun things!! We snuck into a hotel in St. Petersburg to go swim, went to the beach, ate at a couple of good restaurants, and went to downtown St. Petersburg Saturday night. We had so much fun, and was so glad I went down a few days early to hang out with him! One meal that stood out to me is this place called Sloppy Joe's it was on the beach. I got a fried cod sandwich and it was so yummy! I have a very sensitive stomach though, so the sandwich did not agree with me... But if I had to do it over again I would of done it the same way.

After a few days with Porter in St. Petersburg I made my way to Gokie's (my grandma) beach house on Long Boat Key. It was so nice and I had so much fun there! The beach is literally across the street from her house! It was so nice, it was my first time staying there since she only bought it a few months ago. We went to the beach, I did a 10 mile run (which was so beautiful), went to the little downtown area. While we were in downtown we made a stop and got some macaroons! So yummy! I got very burnt but my pale skin loved every second of it :)

  

Hot Chocolate Run 5/15K

Hot Chocolate 15/5K Atlanta

This was my second year running the Hot Chocolate run. I ran the 5k last year and this year signed up for the 15K. A week or two before the race I somehow hurt my ankle and it hurt very badly to run on...So I had to sell my ticket :(. I sold my 15k ticket and bought a 5k ticket because the thought of not running this race made me very sad. So I went against what everyone said to me and did the 5k! I do not regret it one little bit!

This race is so much fun that I can't imagine not doing this one every year! I'm not the biggest chocolate fan but I do enjoy a little fondu. And come on! Who can resist what comes in the swag bag? Here is my play by play of the expo and the race! (The pics aren't the greatest but remember i'm working with an Iphone 3!!)

The Hot Chocolate race had two days of the expo Friday and Saturday.. And NO packet pick up on race day. Which is fine by me because I personally like going to the expos to pick up my race number. I went to the expo Friday night and for an overall score of the expo I give it a 6. It was just mehh. The line was fast and was very organized! Nothing wrong with it just kind of boring! To pick up your swag bag and bib was very simple! Weren't very many vendors more than last year but that's not saying much. They had a DJ which was a plus. Picking up packets was a plus. the vendors were organized so that's another plus. I get there and the parking is at the Georgia World Congress Center (which parking is $10). I'm not crazy about that location when you can't even get enough vendors to fill the room! The expo had a chocolate station where you can get hot chocolate and chocolate covered marshmallows!

On to race day.. I did the 5k with a friend who is just now starting to run, yay for having a new running friend! The temps have been very low in Atlanta lately (low for the south that is). I went to the thrift store and bought a big puffy jacket that I could throw out when the race started. You could either buy a parking pass for $10 and park at Turner Field or you could park at Centennial Olympic Park and take the free shuttle (that is part of the $50 you paid at registration). I have learned in the past two years the shuttle is the way to go! People that bought the parking pass had a hard time getting into the city or were late to the race. Do (which is my friend) and I rode down together were parked by 6:45 and hopped on the shuttle (i'm not kidding literally there was no wait for the shuttle). We get to Turner field around 7:00 maybe 7:10 jump off the shuttle and head over to the starting line. We had a few extra minutes until the race began so we go on a potty break. And I tell ya what I was very impressed by the bathrooms, LOTS of portojohns! Any runners dream (and I wish I was kidding). We head up to the starting line and wait for our time wave to start. I was impressed with how much music they were playing while starting every time group.

And here we go! I wish I could of taken some pics but I use my phone as my ipod as well so I was not able to get pics on the course. Over all though I was impressed, the course was good, spread out which is always nice! Me and Do started out together and somewhere after the first mile we lost each other. The crowd was a good turnout and the course was nice, we got to go through GSU which was cool. Only a few hills on the 5k. So for the course I would rate it a 9.

The after race was good too! My only complaint about the race would be no actual food after the race. Give me a muffin at least! Come on peeps! I need more then chocolate after a race!

Over all I thought it was a great race! Very organized, fun, and a simple race! I would recommend this race to anyone!

First World Decisions

Hi Friends,

       I had to make a big decision over the weekend... I very adult decision if I might add! I have been in the dilemma that I want/need two things (well actually a million but this is what I narrowed it down to) a new phone or a new pair of running shoes. It has been two years and around 6 phones later... I hopped on the android bandwagon 2 years ago and regretted that decision after 2 months! I kept having to go through phones because the androids wouldn't last.. I am ashamed to share this on social media but I am actually using an Iphone 3G.. Yes you read correctly! Now you can see why I NEED a new phone!

        On to my shoe issue.. My mom bought me my first pair or real running shoes last Christmas. I always had Nike's or Addidas but never real running shoes. Well I wore them down pretty good! I wore them down so much that anytime I was wearing them recently I was getting blisters and my toes would be sore after a run. And as you know the shoes are the key ingredient to having a good run. As I have a half marathon coming up in February I knew it was important to get a new pair of shoes.

        I hate being an adult sometimes... In fact when people call me an adult I think to myself I am no where near an adult! Most days I still feel like that 16 year old girl that is in high school. But that is a different topic for a different day. Regardless I knew I wanted a phone...but knew shoes were more important right now. Anyone else have to make a first world decision recently? You can probably guess which one I picked...

As for my running... I broke in my new shoes with 9 miles on Monday. It came with a little bit of pain with my right foot... but you don't gain anything unless you go through the pain sometimes... I am 1 mile and 1 week closer to becoming a princess! 38 more days!! 

Running in the Cold

Hello again!

         I hope everyone is keeping warm! I just wanted to do a quick check in! It has been a busy few weeks! I can honestly say though, I am glad the holidays are over. The food was delicious and the company was fantastic! I loved cuddling up watching Christmas movies...But I am happy to be back on a schedule! Happy to feel motivated and get this new year started right! Last week I ran 8 miles... The most I have run so far! I am one mile closer to being a princess! This trip is approaching very quickly and I am SO excited! I was very nervous a couple of weeks ago.

        I am waiting for the temperatures to go back up a few degree's so I can knock out a 9 mile run... I'm sorry but I refuse to do anything but run to my car in this kind of weather! Not to mention it should be illegal in the south to make people work in these temperatures! I can't wait to be in sunny Florida in a month and a half! I have not decided how warm I hope the weather is... As I know the warmer the weather the slower the runner... Or at least in my case that is true!


        That is all for now, I shall write a longer post this week. Just wanted to write down the progress I am making running wise :)