UCP Life Without Limits 5k Race Recap

After going to bed very, and I mean very late, around 12.30am I only got a couple hours of sleep. I was up at 6.30am and Mike and I finished cleaning the house for the showing. I was appreciative that Ace was with his grandparents because as we try to get rid of his hair in the house he inevitably walks around shaking and putting more hair all over the place.

 It only takes me between 8-10 minutes to get from my house to Globe Hollow. 

The race starts in the parking lot of this 'pool', its actually classified as a man made swimming area. It's one of the 6 I have worked at in Manchester for the last decade as a lifeguard for the town. I apologize for the lack of photos for this recap...even though like I said it only takes me 8-10 minutes to get to Globe, I didn't leave the house until 7.30am................. The race was supposed to begin at 8am! I know I've said it before. I. Hate. Rushing. I did make it in time to get my shirt, bag and bib, but because of my time management issues I didn't get to take photos.

I initially did this 5k in September of last year. It was my first 5k, pretty much EVER. I convinced Miguel to run it with me. It was enjoyable and painful to run with him but I was actually even happier that I was alone this time. I didn't have to worry about keeping up with him and could go at my own pace. My goal was to do back to back races and I knew I wasn't going to PR today but I wanted to be able to push myself and not have someone else try to do it for me.

About 5 minutes before the race began everyone got lined up on the street behind the start line. I was shocked by how many people were around me. You could tell there were all different kinds of running abilities, I enjoy that to a degree...A big frustration for me and maybe it is because I run alone is people talking over the announcers and race directors giving last minute instructions, I feel it is incredibly rude and find it annoying. I want to hear and I am curious and shouldn't have to be on the actual start line to be able to hear, especially when they are using a megaphone. I find this happens more with the inexperienced or non-serious runners. Don't get me wrong, I am not heart attack serious, I am doing this because it is fun to me. I just want to make sure my safety is a priority.

Like I said there were a large, large number of people at the race this year, much more than last year and I am sorry to say but I found them more obnoxious than the year before. The gun went off and the dudes around me, I say dudes because there is no other explanation for these males..other than duuuuuude, HAD NO CLUE...so they stood there. Granted I am not going to finish before you, but have a little courtesy of those behind you....like me....very frustrating, I'm sorry I'm not sorry I'm one of those runners who likes to begin running when the gun goes off.

Although I was not a fan of this course last time, I liked knowing the course and because of that enjoyed running it this second time, it gave me the opportunity to accurately pace myself because I know what was coming up next. I was feeling fantastic about Mile 1, took water and made it down the scary steep downhill from Mt. Nebo to Charter Oak Park, I appreciated running next to a little creek under the trees, it was nice and cool even with the heat. I hope one day I will be able to take pictures while I'm running like some bloggers I follow, power to you women!

Mile 2 was a little more difficult. There was a pretty steep uphill run towards the 384 overpass. I took this opportunity to walk the width of the highway, catch my breath and push it the last mile. My feet started to hurt here big time, as well as my side, it was not a welcomed pain, not like "oh, I know I'm working hard"...more like "eeehhh, why does this feel like someone is stabbing me and no one is around". Spring street is a nice clean straight away and I felt like picking it up, I passed a few women who I had been pacing with and a couple that had only passed me because I walked the overpass.

I'm not sure if I am the one who does this, but I am about to let you in on a little secret of mine. The first mile of any race I pick a person who looks either like they are my speed or faster and they are my goal, along with my race time, to beat. Maybe it's the Leo in me, the disgusting competitive drive that even when I try to ignore is like alarm bells going off in my head.

I had picked a woman out around Mile 1 but passed her on Spring St. on the straight away after mile 2. About .5 away from the finish I realized I was pegged by someone as their competition (a great feeling) there was a nice rolling down hill that last half mile...but as I was running I realized this girl was coming up on my side fast, I thought daamn if you are going to go that nuts on the downhill have it. I'm not competing with someone who wants to be reckless. She slowed down to just slightly in front of me and then started to move towards me...we have enough space around us to fit a killer whale and she starts to edge closer and closer, I keep thinking she is going to correct what direction she is going in until I realized what her real intentions were...she cut right in front of me. Like directly in front of me. I don't know if I can make it any clearer. Think of that Allstate commercial or maybe it was State Farm where they talk about the "loop and swoop", where some one comes around the side of you then cuts right in front and puts on the breaks. That is exactly what happened, well unfortunately for this poorly dressed, lacking etiquette runner I fuel off of anger. I kept my comments to myself (AH AHKAY) and resisted shoving her, I won't do anything that would keep me from running a race again... I pushed myself even harder and kicked up the gravel behind me as I smoked her. YUP! Heard that you snarky, cheap, you know what....how did it feel to watch me cross the finish line before you. Mhm. Karma. Ease up on that sports bra next time.

I have never ever seen someone deliberately try to put someone else in danger....I cannot even get myself to feel like she did it by accident. She knew exactly what she was doing. There wasn't any one around us on that hill at all. I am all about giving positive feedback to those that look like they are struggling so I couldn't imagine doing something like this to anyone....

The finish is naturally on an uphill swing. I am sorry for the older lady I passed about 10 feet before the finish but I was so heated that I couldn't stop myself. I crossed about 32:45. A PR for the course but not my best overall time.

I wore my Bulu Box Do Awesome Sh*t Shirt and got soooo many compliments after the race, I lost count. They had water, Gatorade, bananas and these quinoa/almond/dark chocolate bars. 

My body as of today (Sunday) is only a little sore, I have blisters on my feet and my thighs hurt, but other than that I am in pretty decent shape for having 2 races within a little over 12 hours of each other. I didn't PR either race but I ran it in a mid range time, so I am happy. I really want to make sure I am ready for the Glass Slipper Challenge in February. I am contemplating trying a new brand of shoes possibly, see if maybe there is something else out there. I've just been a Nike girl for quite some time...maybe the Free's are what I need?

After the race I spent about 10 minutes cooling down and got changed. I had a sun shining day of training at 9am to go to. Gotta make that guap....well...kinda. I really ended up getting fantastic ideas for my own staff training that is happening this upcoming weekend. So training from 9am-3pm and then we hit the road, sunburned back/shoulders and all. We decided to spend the evening in Niantic (yes I was JUST there) with Miguel's parents at their house. We missed our son so much too <3. We stopped by Five Guys to grab a late lunch and got ready for an afternoon/evening of crazypuppylove!! I will leave you with photos of the furry, tail wagging goodness.

 Yellow pup is Scarlett, the beast on the floor is my baby Ace of Base.

Of course Mike had to work out once we go there. I chose to eat like I have never seen food before in my life.

 Dancin' the night away!

They are best friends.

Ultimately I am not sure if I will do this race again. I really enjoy the cause (United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Hartford puts the race on and the proceeds go towards research) and the people working/volunteering are amazingly kind. The course is perfect and the distance from my house to the start line is ideal....I just.... I can't do the whole runner atmosphere. I'm sorry to say it too. 

QOTD: Have you had a race that you really enjoyed but probably won't run again for one reason or another?

"Keep trying don't give up, it's if you want it bad enough" - Niantic Bay 10k

So my Friday the 14th was my second day off. 

I am consistently the one who wakes up at 5, 5.30, 5.45am with Ace to take him out to the bathroom. Friday, Miguel woke up with Ace to take him out....and then once Ace peed and was fed, he came back to lay with me until 10.30am!!!!!!! I am never able to sleep in but was given this gem of a morning. <3 So Ace and I decided to take advantage of it.

 This is where he is the most content sleeping....my little (71lb) cuddlebug. <3

I get this look quite often.

Unfortunately we had a showing planned for 11.30am Saturday so Friday was spent cleaning to get the house ready. (I loathe house showings.) I like nothing about massive cleaning days. I feel like it is a huge waste...I'd rather do...well anything else. But Ace and I did it anyway. He helps me by eating his hair that I Swiff into a pile. What a trooper hahaha.

About 1pm Miguel's father came to pick up Ace. We had decided Ace could have a sleepover at their house in Niantic so he wouldn't need to be in a crate all day Saturday while we were busy. I knew it would be hard on us to not have Ace with us to sleep...I just didn't think it would feel so weird....I didn't have too much more cleaning left when.....

MIGUEL SURPRISED ME BY COMING HOME BEFORE MY RACE <3

I thought I wouldn't see him until 9pm! It made me so happy, I always feel better when our schedules work out where we get to spend a couple of minutes together. Because he works 2 jobs and I am always on call even if I'm not at work, it's hard sometimes to spend any period of minutes or hours together.

I showered quick. And left the house to get gas around 3pm. The race didn't start till 6pm but I didn't want to take any chances with Route 2, if you get stuck in traffic there you are D.O.N.E. I can't stand rushing either. I like to get where I need to be early and relax and take in my surroundings....boy am I glad I did get there early. The surroundings were just what I needed prior to my race.

If you haven't tried the Google Maps App, do it, it's so good! I was skeptical but it has great navigation. I ended up making it to Mc Cook Point Park just about 4pm...a whole 2 hours prior to the start of the 10k. I'm totally okay with it because this is where I got to hang out....

I was so pumped to run here. I can only explain how the ocean makes me feel by giving the example of being so in love with someone or something that it literally takes your breath away.

 Gorgeous.

I got my shirt and bib after I parked, they weren't kidding when they said parking was limited but I got lucky with a front row spot. A band was getting set up in the parking lot. There were only a couple other cars with runners hanging out around me. I really like the color of the shirt but I wish it was tech material. The woman who gave me my bib seemed nice and Niantic Parks and Rec appeared to be very organized for this event.

I had to take a bathroom mirror shot with this shirt even though I'm against them in general...Ruck On! Seeing as how it was Flag Day I had to rep my Boston Strong/Tough Ruck shirt from soSponsored, I had yet to wear it and thought this would be the perfect opportunity.

I sat in my car and waited...getting hungrier by the moment and about 4.45pm I decided to have my Bonk Bite! Bonk Breaker- PB & J flavored. I will say it is somewhat of an acquired taste, but if you like healthier stuff than it isn't bad at all compared to what is out there. They almost designed it to look like a deconstructed sandwich, the jelly is still identifiable in the middle of the bite.

I also had this about 5.15pm. I love these so much. It's pretty much the consistency of apple juice but has apples, mango's and strawberries. PowerBar reccomends taking one of these 30-60 minutes prior to activity and then as needed afterwards. I realized the earlier I took it, the less effects I felt during the race. I found this at CVS.

 My father won these Nike Women's sunglasses at a conference he went to. They were incredibly comfortable to wear. Typically I'm not a sunglass wearer during races.

The band that was playing was actually really good, not like wedding singer quality which is always enjoyable. They played good songs while we were waiting and after the race as well.

Niantic Parks and Rec bib and shirt set up. This was the second race I had to look my own name up and tell them my bib number...still seems odd to me. I was impressed that there were over 150 people signed up for the 10k. The 5k it appeared was less of an interest. This is first race I've seen the participants side up this way.

At the start line, the man with the tie is either the Mayor of Niantic or the First Selectman...if they are the same thing then you caught me...I have no idea what a selectman is.

Once the gun went off I started out a little fast, these people by the shoreline don't play...about a half mile in I got a call from one of my guards that threw me off big time. I put the phone on speaker, I am sorry if you were running around me. I can't go into too much detail about it because I do like my job. It took me a good mile and a half to get out of my funk, not because of her, but because of the situation. The course was the most beautiful I have run to date. Along the shoreline and through the most gorgeous neighborhoods of Niantic. Like Race Brook School's Rockin' Road Race this was an open course as well. Although I found these drivers to be much ruder than in Orange. Once I hit the 3 mile mark I was feeling good, they had about 3 water stations up to this point. The course then looped around a block and went back to where we came from, I enjoy that kind of course because then I know where I'm going.

A most of the time during the race I was pacing with the same women....

Dear One Of Those Women, please learn how to take water from a water station. Next time I will not try as hard to stop myself from slamming into you...Take your water as you continue to run through the station and then pull to the right and slow down or stop if you need to. You DO NOT stop the moment you get to the water station, there are others behind you. Thank you.

Trust me, I get it, I sound like a jerk and yes, someone could very well call me out for some of my race day etiquette as well, but singing "Karate Chop" while I'm running is not hurting anyone physically, maybe spiritually, but I needed that song. Back to the race... So at this point, for the record I HAD NOT WALKED ONCE....4.5 miles in, still chugging along......4.75 miles in...death-like feeling sets in....I slowed my pace and a man who appeared to be shuffling slower than me...passed me. Sick....I just kept saying to myself to stay consistent, stay strong. Then a damn hill hits me around 5 miles, once I get to the top of the beastly hill I slowed down and walked. I was going to give myself about .10 of a mile to walk, catch my breath and chug on to the finish. We had left the calming water scenery and we were back on a residential road which made motivation tough.

I do not normally run with music, this was only my second race ever doing so. I tuned out everyone successfully until about mile 5 when a girl who had blown past me at the start and had ran and walked around my pace as I shuffled on from mile 3-5 caught up to me. I had told myself once I hit one of the driveways I would begin running again. As I did she pulled up next to me. She turned to me and said something so I took my headset out. She asked how I was doing, I said crappy, how are you. She said the same. We then began to pace each other and talk about the course, about running, how great vomiting would feel. She was talking about how she had lost her drive and had stopped running for a significant period of time (coincidence!?!?!) she was trying to get back into it and was having trouble. All her friends were runners and were pacing better than she was so it wasn't really making the comeback any easier. We had about .20 left and she saw one of her friends walking towards us. Her friend started running next to the two of us and I turned to her and asked if she thought she could push it at the end, she said no and her friends boyfriend(?) stayed with her and I picked up my pace, the woman running next to me was so encouraging, and kind I almost threw up from too many emotions. I didn't know this woman, I didn't even know the girl I ran the last 1.2 miles with... never thought to ask her name. I then heard the announcer call out "Go Meg, keep pushing, you're almost there!". I crossed the finish line around 1:10...and hey ya know what? I'm psyched. It might not be my fastest time but I ran more this race than ever before, even in training runs, so I am proud with that as my finish. I turned around after I stopped seeing white lights everywhere and high-fived the girl I ran the end with and thanked her for helping pace me and push me. 

There was a short walk back to the parking lot. I walked as fast as I could towards to the water buckets and grabbed two bottles and saw...oohhh juicy slices of watermelon, grabbed 2...sugar cookies, yup 2 of those. Clam Chowder...yeah no thanks. If you have heard of Flanders Fish Market then you know it was great quality chowder, they've been on the Travel Channel I believe. 

Personally, I believe clam chowder after a 10k makes about as much sense as giving someone milk who is suffering from heat exhaustion (sorry American Red Cross, it's almost instant gagging liquid). 

I sat down and listened to the band until they started to call off age group winners. One day I'd like to place in the Top 3 of my age group...until then I am going to hope more courses are like this one. I felt amazing at the end, despite feeling like poo the whole time.

My feet were in a good amount of pain but I didn't want to think about it too long, not only was it 7:30pm by now but I had an hours drive home and a 5k in the AM.

Typical post race bib shot.

I made my way home and got there about 8.45/9pm. Miguel and I made dinner without the sound of jingling chains or the tick of puppy nails on the floor, I don't know if I will ever be able to have him sleepover anywhere else again. Miguel was even thrown off by it big time too.

After we ate we went to bed. A very lonely, big, lots of space having bed....at least I got to stretch out for my Saturday am 5k.

Race Brook Rocking Road Race 5k Recap

 So I have to begin with this photo...my baby watching me leave. He gave me many good bye kisses.

GPS told me it would take an hour and 5 minutes to get to Orange, CT from where I started....only took me 45 minutes. Which worked out really well because I got a great parking space at the most adorable Elementary School in Connecticut. It wasn't overly modern and wasn't outdated. It was so cute. The kind of school you'd be proud to work at or have your children attend.

So I will be completely honest...the two biggest reasons for doing this race are...the price of it, and the fact the schools mascot is a raccoon playing a guitar...I'm sold. I love raccoons  It's a problem. I realize that now. 

They had these signs up everywhere.

Race registration was clearly located, the women running the table seemed kind enough, they knew what they were doing and were pleasant. 

How cute is this....I'm in love.

 Tech shirt and bib...look how fabulous it is!!! It is officially my favorite of all my race shirts. Soft, light weight, simple.

 Take away bag, a razor, pens, Chili's gift certificate for a free kids dinner (might help if I had kids), I really was impressed with the number of sponsors they had. Great job to the parents who worked so hard.

This view right here gave me chills....I am so proud to live in this country...and as much as I would love to get out of Connecticut one day I am proud to say this state is my home.

So the race....

The start line was NOT identifiable other than 'raccoon prints' on the pavement, cute idea unless, well, you can't see the pavement. The principle of the school made a short speech to let us know 50% of the proceeds would be going to the Sandy Hook PTA. Incredibly generous gesture considering how many people showed up and the sponsorship they had for the event. The race started with a conch shell. All the runners were as confused as I was. The race started slowly but everyone around me picked up pace fast. 

(I myself had not run since the Wednesday before the Wednesday before the race....about a week and a half. My week sucked. I booked myself to be in too many places at the same time and worked 12 hour days Monday-Friday and then 7 hours on Sunday. Saturday, race day was my only day off...I didn't eat very healthy...and well the cherry on my pre-race week was that my best friend was moving to Florida and was leaving Saturday....so obviously I drank a bottle of champagne Friday night...you know....the night BEFORE my race because I was...am, sad. I wish I could have the same get up and go that she does for her dreams. I'm really impressed by her.)

So my pace was round a 10:45-11 mm...I felt like molasses. The course was open. I have to admit that prior to actually beginning the race and seeing cars out on the road I didn't know what 'OPEN' meant. Apparently an open course is one where very few, if any of the roads are closed to runners. So those wearing headsets were shocking to me, cars where at every turn and driveway. About Mile 1 there was water, but I didn't take anything because I was only about 10 minutes in....Mile 1.75 there was water...again, didn't realize it would come up so fast that I didn't get a chance to take anything with my water. I was hoping another water station would show up. It didn't. I walked a couple times, maybe 5 in total. And I would only walk 2 house lengths and then pick it back up. I ran every hill like a champ. I have to make sure I say that, becuase usually I wimp out on hills. I like to use them as my 'walk breaks'. But there were so many that I wasn't about to let my time suffer. Once 2.75 miles came around I started passing people with my energy reserve, a very small amount of energy left, but it was still there. 

At the point I started passing people I ended up pacing with a father and daughter. The little girl had to be about 8 maybe 10 years old. The father turned to her and said, "this is where everyone else gives up...this is where you give it all, never quit". His daughter turned to him, a friend of hers jumped on the course and she started sprinting. I turned to him and told him I thought he was a good Dad. I thanked him for instilling some sort of drive into his daughter as someone that might hire her one day. He blushed, (or was dying from heat exhaustion, pick one) and thanked me, said he was doing the best he could. They crossed the finish, then I crossed. I looked up at my time..........34:something...ugh. Really, 34?!? I had wanted my post Vernon Mothers Day 5k Race to break 30 minutes.....After feeling really bad for myself for about oh 10 steps children in the back of a truck gave me some water and I found the food tent. 

All the way in the back to the left, in black with my favorite pink shoes.

Subway donated easily 100 foot long subs and cookies, there were orange slices (my favorite) and of course....the holy grail, the most beautiful loaf of Olive Oil Ciabatta bread...and yes, I did go back and get two. 

I sat down, stretched, ate and hung around waiting for them to call top age finishers.....then I occurred to me. If I didn't meet my own best time, then there is no way I ended up top 3. I walked back to my car content with the fact that even after the week from hell I followed through with my race. I feel like I've got my drive back. I'm pretty excited.

 Do you see what I see?! PUPPYTIME!

Typical after race car & bib shot. A big shout out to Urban Suburban Apparel. I am wearing their Don't Bully My Breed shirt. Also had to have my black glittery Sweaty Band on for my race.

All in all I will definitely be doing this race next year, good course, good food, good swag, good people, great cause.

"If you're lost and alone or your sinkin' like a stone....carry on."

In all honestly this is how I have felt since my last race, the Cheshire Sea Dog 10k....I don't know why exactly. I guess it could be partly due to having a bit of a health scare this past week or so... My mothers' side of the family does not have the best genes for a girl to have, they're a blast to hang around with, but their genes suck. A lot of cancers...yada yada yada. I know it sounds awful I say it like that but it's true and if you really let it weight you down you will become paralyzed. When I was 20...I had a breast cancer scare and had a lump removed that they could 'neither confirm nor deny' was cancerous...but because breast cancer runs in my family no one wanted to take a chance. Thanks Doc for saying I'd barely notice the scar. Prior to that, about 10 years ago this January, my aunt (rest her soul) passed away from colon cancer. The day before  she was diagnosed with Colon Cancer that spread to her liver, then spread to her lungs my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma Cancer. My poor, poor Nana (Irish Grandma). I can't imagine what that woman went through....not 1 but 2 of your children are given death sentences.... I'm actually starting to tear up thinking about it now...

I'm going to side-track you for a moment...well...because this is my blog and a I can... hahaha

This woman, Nana Moran, and my Babchi (Polish Grandma, not pictured) are two women whom I will eternally be indebted to for the way I am. They are inspirational, bad ass, women. Nana Moran was famously quoted in our family as saying "The sights you see when you don't have a gun." (Please don't think badly of her, she was just openly honest.) What makes me laugh is she, for her age, was not one bit racist (and never violent), she didn't care who you were, if you were a bad person she wouldn't like you for that, not your skin color. As stubborn and Irish as she was she had a gut feeling about people. I can't count the number of times I went to her and said "Nanaaaaa, Miguel did this/said this...I'm so angry". She would make me Bagel Bites and hot chocolate (with milk) no matter the time of day and tell me things would work out, that he was a good man. I am devastated that she will not be at my Future (as long as he stops dragging his feet) wedding to this "good man". 

I was always put on "Nana Watch" at family functions which became more and more fun the closer I got to her. You know those small little Dixie cups children use to rinse their mouths out after brushing their teeth. Well I got them for jello shots and didn't use them all, I gave my Nana Dixie cups of Smirnoff Ice at functions and her and I would sit and laugh and talk. I truly didn't realize how much I would cherish those times with her once she was gone....I guess I thought she would be around forever. I hope I have made her proud...

Okay...before I actually start sobbing....back to my rut.

So the health scare...then this past week at work was the LONGEST WEEK OF MY LIFE. 

I did 5 consecutive 12 hour days. I taught lifeguard training plus worked on getting the summer season up and running. Had guards that I was banking on...quit. Unnecessary stress, worth ethic isn't what it used to be. It was just a bad week....thank goodness it is over....I'm only doing 4 days this week (including Sunday) Wednesday is my half day. Thursday and Friday are off <3 Friday I have a 10k in Niantic and then Saturday I have a 5k in Manchester. I am looking forward to both very much. I am hoping that I pulled myself out of this rut...I'm not sure 100% though because my best friend just left to go live in Florida....I already miss her so much but like I have been saying all week...I am very proud of her. She has the guts to go live her dreams and isn't side tracked by anyone. I wish I was more like that.

Okay...so now that I got that off my chest...I hope you could all follow it...I'm sorry if it's a whole lot of rambling....but I will definitely say it explains my Blogger absence. 

QOTD: Have you even fallen into a rut...how did you get out?

Glass Slipper Challenge. Disney's Princess Half Marathon 2.0

FINALLY we get to see the pricing for next years PHM! There had been talk of a 10k being added and the Glass Slipper Challenge being announced.....

I AM SO EXCITED!

(from Petite Tiaras)

Okay, let's get down to business...

Cash money talk....
Princess Half Marathon Price: $160 (pretty sure I paid $135 last year, significant hike)
Enchanted 10k Price: $95
Cinderella Royal Family 5k Price: $60

GLASS SLIPPER CHALLENGE PRICE
Half Marathon & 10k: $270
19.3 Miles of sparkle...
You'll get 3 Medals: 1 for the Half, 1 for the 10k and 1 for the GSC
You'll get 3 shirts: 1 for the Half, 1 for the 10k and 1 for the GSC (LOVE THIS IDEA)
Either Men's OR Women's cut shirts.


Directly from the runDisney website....

Race participants in the Glass Slipper Challenge will receive:

• Champion Short-Sleeved Tech Shirts for the Half Marathon, 10K and Glass Slipper Challenge in Women’s or Men’s Cut*
• Special Glass Slipper Challenge Finisher Medal, along with Disney Princess Half Marathon and Disney Princess Enchanted 10K Finisher Medals for completing the Half Marathon and 10K*
• Official Race Program Guide*
• iGiftBag
• Personalized bib (Must register by December 1, 2013 for name to appear on bib)*
• On-course and post-race refreshments
• ChronoTrack B-tag timed races, with live runner tracking signup for friends and family for both events
• Personalized results website

To receive the Glass Slipper Challenge Finisher Medal, you must register for the Glass Slipper Challenge. Registering for the 10K and Half Marathon individually will not make you eligible to receive the Glass Slipper Challenge Finisher Medal.

Glass Slipper Challenge 2-Princess Team

Don't want to go on your magical journey alone? Grab a partner, register and run the Half Marathon portion of the Glass Slipper Challenge together as a 2-person team! Team registration is a fun way to compete in the Princess Half Marathon with added perks for each princess on your team.

Team Registration Fee: $15 per Team

Runners participating in the Half Marathon or Glass Slipper Challenge can sign up to be a Team to run in the Half Marathon.  There is no Team division for the Disney Enchanted 10K.

Each team that participates in Disney Princess Half Marathon will receive:

• All of the Individual registration inclusions plus…
• Commemorative Team Bib (Must register by December 1, 2013 for team name to appear on bib)*
• Commemorative Sash
• Team Photo area at Packet Pick-Up
• Eligibility for Team awards
• 2-person team registration includes added perks for each princess on the team**

Dates, times, prices and inclusions subject to change. All races are subject to capacity limits and may close at any time.

*Participants must attend Packet Pick-up at the Disney Fit For a Princess Expo to receive their race packet, bib, and tech shirt. Finisher medals will be distributed to finishers during the race. None of these items will be mailed to registrants.

**Note: Not a relay – both participants run the entire Half Marathon race.

Sammy and I have already confirmed we will be doing the TEAM thing!!!! I feel slightly insane....but SO excited! We will be thinking about costuming and such soon!

Petite Tiaras

Will you be there!?

Proud to be an American

I will do my absolute best to not go off on a tangent here that might offend or upset people but I want to express what Memorial Day or any other national holiday for that matter means to me...

A little background.... Both my Mothers side of the family and my Fathers side of the family have been in the armed forces..Navy and Marines to be 100% sure so, I have American pride running through my veins. I don't believe to be an American you need to be either Republican or Democrat, but what I feel happens is people lose sight of what being an American means. I feel all we have been doing recently is splitting into two sides. This absolutely disgusts me. I personally believe there is nothing more unpatriotic and distasteful than someone putting down our military personnel. You can either believe war is necessary or unnecessary all you want, but it has happened and will continue to happen until those who want to oppress open their eyes. I do not believe war is either fantastic nor evil, but what I do believe is is that if someone is willing to risk their life so I can sit here on my porch with Ace laying in the sun beside me on this beautiful day (after 4-5 days of rain, thunder and lightning, coincidence?) then I will support them until I can no longer breathe.

I am proud to live in a country where there are numerous people, men and women, who feel like they have the obligation and duty to protect the country they love and millions of people they will never meet to the degree they are putting their lives in most certain danger.

I would like to ask all of my followers/readers/friends/family to not speak of the First Lady's attire today, the upcoming healthcare reform, the battle for seats in the house.... None of these things have anything to do with life or death. Instead think of someone, anyone: family, coworker, friend who  gave their life for this amazing country or is currently fighting for us all.