Disneyland Half Marathon Race Report

The Green Girl completed the Disney Coast to Coast Race Challenge this morning with the Disneyland Half Marathon.

After my long run yesterday, I headed over to Anaheim to pick up my bib and race packet.

I was thrilled to be able to meet up with Brenda from Running While Chunky at the race expo.

The newest member of the Green Girl's Disney Vinylmation family

I purchased a Flexr Sports Bottle for Tour DaVita. The bottle comes with disposable and fully biodegradable liners. I am hoping it will offer a sanitary solution for my sports drink consumption.

I also picked up a Disneyland Half Marathon 2011 Disney Vinylmation so Buzz and Rex have a new friend.

Disneyland Half Marathon Goodie Bag

I was conflicted going into this race because part of me wanted to see just how fast I could run a half marathon since I've shaved time off my mile but the Disney lover in me just wanted to take pictures and enjoy the portion of the course inside the parks.

Since I've been struggling with sleep deprivation lately, I opted to get as much sleep as possible even if it meant a late start.

Disneyland Half Marathon Starting Line

Luckily, there was ample parking in the structure and I was on my way to the Starting Line in no time.

I ran into another Sole Runner, Jonathan, while in line for the porta-potties. He was wearing an awesome Little Green Men shirt and matching visor.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse at the Disneyland Half Marathon Starting Line

Getting to your corral was difficult because of the sheer number of runners but I managed to sneak into Corral E when no one was looking.

They kicked the race off with the requisite Star Spangled Banner and some fireworks.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse were also at the Starting Line to wave us into the race.

Running through Disney California Adventure

As soon as I crossed the Starting Line, I realized this was going to be a challenging race for me. I kept trying to pass on the left but sometimes I would end up having to come to a hard stop because I was trapped so then I attempted to weave in between slower runners.

The morning was also humid and I started sweating profusely.

Mile 2

I loved the mile markers. You can always count on Disney's excellent branding skills.

Once we exited the parks, I put on some music to keep myself motivated.

I was concerned the course would be completely flat but there were some hills to hold my interest.

I started slowing down towards the end and I had to really dig deep to push myself. I was determined to stay under a 12:00 mile.

Disneyland Half Marathon Course Map

I crossed the Finish Line with an official PR finish time of 02:36:44.

I'm interested to see how my legs feel tomorrow morning on my last long ride with Lexa before Tour DaVita after doing a little over 14 miles on Saturday and racing today.

Disney Princess Half Marathon Race Report

The Fairy Godmother welcoming runners to the Disney Princess Half Marathon Expo

All you need is faith, trust, and a little bit of Pixie Dust! Peter Pan

The Green Girl ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon this weekend and completed half of the Disney Coast to Coast Race Challenge.

Rad Runner Girl and I attended the Expo on Saturday.

Disney Princess Half Marathon Expo

The elaborate opening ceremony led by the Fairy Godmother was punctuated by an explosion of colorful streamers. At the entrance, Pixie Dust sprinkled from waving wands.

The crowded Expo featured numerous vendors offering princess-themed running goods.

Tiina from One Crazy Pengiun in her Run Emz shirt and the Green Girl

After picking up my Princess Snow White bib, green mesh drawstring backpack, and XXL technical shirt, I was thrilled to meet up with Tiina from One Crazy Pengiun.

Heeding the warnings of veteran Disney runners, we sacrificed sleep to board the 3:00 am race shuttle.

Disney Princess Half Marathon Goodie Bag

There was a significant walk from the pink tutu and glittery tiara filled pre-race area to the corrals just outside the Epcot parking lot.

The Fairy Godmother sent each corral off with a flurry of well wishes and a burst of fireworks.

Mile 1 Marker

The course followed a paved Disney road bordered by grass.

It was still dark when I reached the first mile marker.

Shortly past Mile 2, there was a giant inflatable replica of the Spaceship Earth.

Running towards Cinderella Castle

I ran by hula dancers, Disney characters, Taiko drummers, a band, and men jumping on a giant trampoline.

Mile 5 took us into the Magic Kingdom and through Cinderella Castle.

I saw Kitzzy from See Kitzzy Run and her boyfriend, Jason, around Mile 6.

Green Army Man and the Green Girl

The humidity started to affect me and I started walking more and more. I stopped at every drink station to gulp a couple cups of water and sports drink.

I stopped to take a picture with a green Army Man at Mile 10.

Tiina from One Crazy Pengiun caught up with me just before Mile 12. At this point, I think I was struggling to maintain a 14 minute mile.

Kitzzy from See Kitzzy Run and the Green Girl

Once I crossed the Mile 12 marker, I told myself I could run a full mile non-stop. I dug as deep as I could and pushed to the Finish Line.

After I received my well-deserved medal and grabbed a couple of oranges, I met up with Rad Runner, Kitzzy, and Jason.

Rad Runner Girl, Chris from What I Run Into, and the Green Girl

Before we headed back to our hotel, we caught up with Chris from What I Run Into.

This was my first Disney race experience and it met my expectations for the most part.

I felt like the expo was understaffed but the race itself was well organized. There were more than enough volunteers and the aid stations were well stocked. There were more porta potties than I've ever seen at a starting line.

Cinderella's Magic Pumpkin Coach

I would have preferred to have spent more time running in the park as opposed to the long stretches between Epcot and the Magic Kingdom but the course support was outstanding and it's hard to beat real-life Disney characters in terms of entertainment.