Disney Princess Half Marathon 2014

While I was pregnant with Easton I made the decision to run a half marathon.  I have always wanted to do one.  Plus I gained more then enough weight with him, I thought it would be great motivation to lose some LBS! I knew I ALWAYS wanted to run a Disney race. All the stars lined up because the race sold out rather quickly.  I found a way to buy into the race through a travel agency  ( runwiththemouse.com ) (thanks Jim).  I rounded up my friend Cassie to do it with me and we did it. 

Everything that could go wrong while training did.  I already couldn't train until 3 months before the race because I was still recovering from Labor.  I caught cold after cold.  Then I got a stress fracture in my foot. UGH.  Then I have had some major pelvis/uterus pain.  Still need to go to the Dr.  Anyway, training was less than ideal and I was getting really worried.  I had heard about the "Balloon Ladies" and getting swept and not finishing.  To say I was nervous was a serious understatement.

The corral placements went to P and I got amazingly lucky and scored C.  For Real?  I was the 3rd leg to start the race!

We woke up at 1 AM to get going.  I had to pump, makeup, hair, get ready, eat and then it was an hour drive to Disney.  I thought I would be dead tired, but i wasnt.  I didn't even nap when I got home!

 

 Getting to the race wasnt bad at all.  We read everywhere that traffic was going to be awful.  I dont know if we got there early enough or what, but it wasnt even backed up.  There was a big party going on when we got there and it was so fun.  I have never seen so many port a potties in my life.  ha ha.  Of course it is Disney and you have to stand in lines, so we picked one and took this picture.

Everywhere you looked there was a Sea of people.  Over 25,000 runners!  To be honest, they make YOU feel so special, like it is YOUR big day.  Plus Disney is so used to tons of people that it didn't feel like there were that many there.  It sure showed in the energy and excitement though.

 The Fairy Godmother did her bibbidy boppidy boop to send us off...Not to mention the fireworks as well! 

 Here I am before the race!!

 See those spots in my pictures?  It was beyond humid. I almost cried when all my pictures were starting to do this.  My hair did not stay straight at all!

 Running through Magic Kingdom I think was my most favorite part.  I would dare say it was a favorite for most.  I either ran fast through it, or I wish it was longer through the park.  Running up mainstreet I could feel the magic of Disney.  Every emotion was right there.  THIS right here is why I chose to run this race.

 Magic happened more because I have never got a picture with them both at the same time.  More magic happened when the himidity cleared up and I got no spots in my picture.  I think I will frame this picture. It means so much to me.  Am I getting too sappy?  #sorrynotsorry!

 After Magic kingdom you came around to these handsome fellas.  One of them was in the middle of the road singing magical songs to the runners.  Seriously, is this real life?

 I loved the army guy.  He was so in character.  He kept yelling move move move and was very entertaining.

 They had trumpets playing at the castle.  they played the royalty entrance thing.  Seriously, still real life is going on here.

 Sophia was in Epcot.  I knew Kendyl would be so sad if she found out I didn't stop at her.  So here is ms Sophia the first.  (Ironically, were watching this show right now!)

 Running through Epcot was so fun.  I have never been there.  This ball was HUGE!  I never thought it was really this big.  It was also quick in this park too.

 THE FINISH LINE!!!  My time was 3:18  not bad for stopping at characters, and walking a little more then I wanted from the achillies flaring up.  This is not a race to want to PR in anyway.  It is all about the magic and nothing to do with time.  Just cross the finish line and that is ALL that matters.

 They then sprinkled you with magic fairy dust, because we are all PRINCESSES.

 They had row after row of these Medals. 

 I earned my medal through and through. When I crossed the finish line I started crying like a baby.  Never in my life have I done something so hard.  Never in my life have I wanted to accomplish something and I did it.  The Disney magic was amazing.  I hurt like crazy and all my emotions just flowed out. 

Then I finallly found Cinderella!  She was at the after party where everyone was taking pictures.  I wish I would have known that because I kept saying, I wont stop at this character because I want to wait for the princesses. 
There was woody, buzz, the Heroes, Pirates of the Caribbean, Snow White, Mary Poppins, the Genie etc.  I never did see Ariel, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto. 
I would 100% recommend this and any other Disney race to ANYBODY.   They even have Diaper Dashes for the babies.  Disney magic is so real and it is the best.  I cannot wait until I can do another race.

Finished!

I finished the Ironman!!

My original goal was to finish by the 15th. I completed it on the 18th. With going home for a weekend and missing 2 days then Valentines Day and Jases Birthday, then some soreness from the bike, I would say I did exceptionally well!

I wasn't the first one done (someone finished in 3 days) BUT I was in the top ten (well as of Thursday). Go me! ha ha jk

Ironman

This month at the gym they have a lazy ironman race. Pretty much you have the month of February to complete:
26 miles of running
112 miles of biking
2.7 miles of swimming
Only Im trying to complete it in less than the month.
So, lets hope i stay undizzy and stay healthy so I can get this done!

ps. January- I went an entire month without baked goods! WOO WOO! candy and that stuff isn't my weekness. My weakness is cookies and cupcakes and brownies and anything else like that! I did it because growing up i would laugh at people who would do this. I thought there is NO way i could EVER do it. So, I caved in and I did it. It was hard. The hardest- going to subway and seeing the softest chocolate chip cookies I have EVER seen! UGH That was hard!

well, that sucked!

This past Saturday, Jase and I decieded to run in the South Weber Days 10 k race. I was so excited for us both! We invited my brother Trevor, his friend Taelor, Jases mom Janae and my good friend Sam! We were all So excited and PUMPED! About a quarter mile into the race my knee felt like there was a giant dagger hot knife just cutting my leg off. It shot pain up and down my leg. I seriously was just about in tears. I ran as far as I could and quiclkly became in Last place. I was determined to finish this race. Jase kept telling me I needed to quit, so the next time i stopped for my knee I was done. I kept stopping to "catch my breath" tho. I was so upset and so sad. I did finish, second to last place. I was just SO angry and so upset. Since it was the weekend I had to wait until Monday to get into the doc. He took xrays and all sorts of stress tests. We determined there is something (some medical word) for something pinched. Here were my options:
1. Surgery 2. cortizone shot with still possible chance of surgery.

I opted for the shot so that I can still maybe possibly run my half marathon this Saturday. As for now, there is no way I am going to try and run and test it out tomorrow like I should. It is still in so much pain. It just throbs like crazy.

If I can run on Saturday i am still going to take it easy and walk a lot more than on a normal race, but what I would give right now to be able to complete this half. PLEASE work shot, PLEASE!!! oh and please don't ever let me get 2nd to last palce in a race EVER again, HOW EMBARASSING!

10k down, half to go!

My Yellowstone Bear World Friends, Amanda, Me, Julie and Amber

Alright! So this was my first race EVER! It was the funnest thing I have ever done. A few girls from Bear World and I signed up and was SO excited to Run! We just did the 10k cause a few of us are just beginners in the running field.
I was SO nervous I made myself sick. I kept saying before that I was going to throw up. We started and it was amazing all the energy that was there and the feeling of 250 of us running all together!
I wasn't expecting many hills and just tiny hills if any. Next time I think I will scope out the course because from miles 1.5-4 were straight up hill. Not just a slight hill, like Antelope dip hill.
I struggled on the hills. My goal was to finish in 1 hour but once the hills caught up with me I thought o boy I am so out of shape lets shoot for hour and a half! (Plus i have MEGA shin splints that i can't even rub lotion on without them killing!)
we got to mile 3ish and there was a water stop and grab an orange slice. The water was NASTY! so I grabbed an orange slice to moisten my mouth. Bad idea! It made me So sick.
So anyway I finally finished! WOO! It was so fun to see all the people at each intersection cheering for me! There were so many volunteer missionaries and they were hilarious to run past. Jase caught me on the last stretch before the finish line and caught a few pics.
I finished in 1 hour 9 min (not as good as i originally wanted but I am still happy!)
and I got 99/250 (still not great but hey i was in top 100! woo

Here are some pics I will explain underneath each pic.!





Jase Kendyl and I after I finished! She didn't know what was going on but sure wanted my water bottle!

Jase barely missed me finishing cause he was getting Kendyl out of her seat.... but this pic was right after I finished

Here i am passing 2 runners! WOO

Running some more!

But seriously, if you have ever wanted to run a race and was always nervous, DO IT! I am in LOVE with them and they aren't scary! There is so much energy and excitement I promise you will finish!

Aches and Pains

So i signed up for the Teton Dam 10k which is a week from Saturday. I was for sure I could do it no matter what, until after last nights run. My shins are KILLING me. I have shin splints so bad my whole shins are bruised. I have been icing and massaging. I will run this race if I have to run it like the movie Run Fatboy Run. Lets just say I will be on the bike the next few days in hopes of a recovery.

I used to HATE running. In fact one of my coaches in highschool saw me at Weber State running with Jessica and was floored. He yelled "Shields, you dont run! What happened!?" I hope I see this coach sometime in my life so i can tell him what i have got myself into!

I got this quote the other day from Runners World

"Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that your young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on th accomplosh everything you want to do. Don't let worn out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself"

- John Bingham

T dam Marathon

Am I becomming obsessed? I just signed up to run the 10 k. I have 3 weeks to train for this baby. I have to run 6 miles this day anyway, why not get a free t shirt and swag bag out of it!?

I think this is a good motivation in the training for the actual half. Plus it just gives me an idea of what to expect on race day so I can relax and run and not worry about everything else!

Come one come all come run with me!

Training for Beginners

I absolutely HATED running with a passion. Last year I started after gaining my after wedding weight. I started to enjoy it, then I loved biking and did my first triathalon. This is coming from a girl that made up EVERY excuse to not run the mile at school. So my first triathalon (remind you it was a mini one) was really fun and I loved the feeling of accomplishment after. So then I was like hey, Maybe I should run a half marathon. Fast forward 2 weeks... I found out I was pregnant and I had a bad case of it. I stopping working out from that day forward. So fast forward to now... I am signed up to run my first half marathon.
I have been getting lots of questions about my running schedule because well, I have been loving it. I am sure there are SO many ways to train and run but this one works for me so I like it.
So it has a printer friendly version so I printed it and posted it. And let me tell you the feeling of accomplishment I get when I get home and cross off Another days training! Then its even more fun to look back and say wow I ran that much this week!
So go Here and check out his stuff!

Also Here Is a quote I love!

Sacrifice or Regret...You decide!