Recap: Disney Princess Glass Slipper Challenge

The Anticipation

       I signed up for the Glass Slipper Challenge in July of 2014.  The race sold out in under 2 hours.  Luckily, I was able to get in.  I was not as fortunate in the inaugural year.  Then the waiting began (7 months and 1 week but who was counting?).

The Expo

     My friend Ena and I arrived around noon on Friday.  The expo opened on Thursday morning.  We had run the Princess half twice before so this wasn't our first expo.  However, we both joined a Glass Slipper Challenge Facebook group and had seen pictures of some merchandise we wanted to buy.  By the time we arrived most of it was already sold out.   There were no more pretty race jackets, wine glasses, Dooney & Bourke purses, race lanyards, or "I Did It" shirts to be found.  The sad part is that there were pictures posted by other "princesses" of people buying these items in bulk.  They then turned around and listed them on eBay and a few other websites with a big mark up.  Disney should consider limiting the number of items allowed to be purchased per person.   I think you should have to show your bib in order to buy them.  They could then stamp the back of the bib indicating that you already made your purchase.  Alternately, they could have more items available as pre-orders with registration.  Lesson learned.  If we ever decide to do another challenge race, we will arrive on the first day.

The Hotel

     We stayed at the Art of Animation resort on Disney property.  I absolutely loved it.  We were in a Little Mermaid room.  I think this may be my favorite Disney resort now.  The room was nice and spacious.  There were several pools to choose from and enjoy.  I definitely want to stay there again.

                      

Enchanted 10K

     The temperature was in the thirties the morning of the 10K.  It was hard to get warm.  Disney did have some heaters in the staging area where we waited to go to our corrals.  Those were nice if you were able to get close enough to them.  I was glad I packed some leggings and a long sleeve shirt for this race.  When I got to the finish line, it had only warmed up to forty-five degrees.
     One of my favorite things about Disney races (besides the bling, of course) is planning out what to wear.  Frozen was the theme we chose this year.  My daughter made me this cute Olaf shirt.  I love it!



The Half Marathon

     Thankfully, it warmed up quite a bit by the next morning.  We had beautiful Florida weather for the half marathon.  I was in corral I which was about in the middle of all of the corrals.  I got to start by 6am.  This was approximately my 15th half marathon.  However, it was the most challenging one.  I was not able to run it because of my plantar fasciitis and tendinitis.  Both injuries have improved thanks to my wonderful physical therapist and massage therapist.  I didn't want to risk a major set back by attempting to run so I had decided ahead of time that I would walk both races.  I am a fast walker so I was confident that I could keep up a fast enough pace throughout the race to avoid being swept.  I never once saw the balloon ladies.  I did look behind me several times to make sure they were nowhere in sight.  By the time I got to mile marker 4, I was starting to have doubts that I could finish.  I was questioning what in the world I was thinking even attempting this challenge with an injury.  I was getting teary-eyed.  I couldn't run with my friend.  It was just me and my playlist.  As most of you know, running is in great part a mental game.  By mile 6, I had gotten my head in the game and found strength and determination.  The last 3 miles were tough.  There were a lot of overpasses and uneven surfaces.  My hips and legs were on fire.  I could feel that my feet were swollen because my shoes had gotten progressively tighter.  I wasn't about to quit.  I finished in 3 hours and 22 minutes.  I had completed the Glass Slipper Challenge and I was proud of myself.

Have you run the Disney Princess half?  What was your favorite moment?