I have figured out the key to getting to go on vacations to places other people may deem “for children”.
Sign up for a race!
Psh, I am so not too old for Disney. I’ll be the girl in a Cinderella dress taking a picture with all of the Disney characters, thankyouverymuch. And no, not because I’ll be working, but because I will have asked for a makeover at Bippity Boppity Boo!
The last time I was in Disney in January, they had the first freeze in over 10 years. I’m hoping and wishing I don’t get that weather sent with me again – because running a race in that could be quite painful.
Granted, I have not in fact signed up for the race quite yet – what I have already done is booked a room for my mom and me to go on a little getaway this upcoming January to the “Happiest Place on Earth”! Which means, now I kind of have to run the race. The only other thing I have to do is sign up for the race… and train through the winter. All minor details, of course.
I have run two half marathons in my day, along with another 10 miler race I did this spring. While I don’t consider myself a long distance athlete, I know this race is something I can accomplish, just like I accomplished the other two. I am excited to run a Disney race - this is going to have to be checked off the bucket list!
Question: Have you ever ran a Disney race? Are you currently training for any races?
PS – I’m running the half, not the full marathon – HA!
{ 85 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m running the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon on October 1st, and can’t wait. My sister and I have gone to Disney World twice as adults, so this year I tacked on the race to our trip.
If you’re interested, I recently started a blog called Healthy Disney, which is the unofficial guide to getting healthy with Disney and at Disney, and includes people’s stories about getting inspired to run at the Disney parks. http://healthydisney.com
You should sign up! (I might sign up for a January race too.)
I am going to sign up - just waiting for more funds!
Thanks for the link to that site - it looks great!
OOO let me know if you sign up for the January Race! I’d love to meet up! Oh and loving the Healthy Disney Blog!
Running the Disney World Marathon is on my bucket list too! And I’d even be one to run it with Mickey Mouse ears on and all
A friend told me about a disney wine and dine that sounded pretty fun. Right now, I’m training for the Fox Cities Half Marathon by Appleton, WI (I know I talk about Appleton a lot but my BF’s fam in from there). The race is in 5 weeks exactly. Eeek!
Alysha
I am training for the January 7,2011 Disney Half Marathon! Hope to see you at the race!!
That’s the one I’m doing!
YAY! My husband and I are both doing it! Would love to meet up!
I would love to!
Sounds fun! haha I definetly would love to head back to Disney World…anytime
Hey Chelsea! I loved to Florida this past year and one of the reasons I’m staying is because there are SO many awesome races down here! I ran the princess half last year. This year I am running the wine and dine half and then the full marathon in January. They are the best races EVER. The early wake up call stinks but everything else is great. If you’re gonna do a marathon you have to do Disney!!! I’m lucky and live about 45 mins away so I’ll do all I can while I live here!
Let me know if you have any questions!!!
oops…moved to florida! haha
The disney races always look so fun!!! I want to run one some day for sure!!!
FUN!!! I was just looking to sign up for a half in December but I have no money. I can’t wait to hear more about training.
AH! I am debating this race too! This is the only year that my Christmas vacation goes until the week AFTER this race. I think it’s a sign!! I’m trying to convince the BF that we need to do Disney instead of Hawaii for our winter vacation…
I have a few smaller races coming up…two 5ks a 10k and an Urbanathlon!
I just realized I don’t have you in my Google Reader. Every time I have read your blog I have gotten there via twitter. Time to make some changes!
MINE TOO! The only reason why I can do this one is because I don’t have to go back to teach until january 9!
And yes, I agree - make that change.
Made the change. And I’m a teacher too. TWINS.
I DID THAT HALF!!!!!!!!
Hubs and I flew to Orlando together, ran it…it was the BEST and most FUN RACE OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!! And I have done at least 250+ races from 5, 10k’s and halves to a marathon and a tri. I used to race 3x/month, every month, for YEARS with hubs before Skylar. And that was our #1 fave race. HAVE FUN!!!!
Yay! Glad to hear good things about it!
What a fun race location!
I am SO JEALOUS!! I am in LOVE with Disney and the Disney Marathon or half is totally on my Bucket List! I would love to do it someday, and I will!! When i save up some (a lot of) money of course
Can i come along?!? I’ll sleep on the floor!
I’ve run only one half marathon - Valley of the Lilies at WCU here in North Carolina. I really love that distance - not sure running a full marathon is on my bucket list though. Yours??
No no no - full marathon is NOT on my bucket list. At all.
I just got back from my Disney honeymoon yesterday! You can’t beat Disney; it’s impossible NOT to be happy there!
I am running the Disneyland Half Marathon in a few weeks! I am so excited!
Me too! So excited!!
Oh. My. Goodness. I totally looked at running in that last year. I always thought that would be the BEST way to run a first half-marathon. But, now since I’ve registered for my first half marathon (which is taking place next month - hey, it’s in the second best place to run a half - where my grandparents live!), Disney would be a great place for a SECOND half marathon. AHHH, I wanna run this SO badly. Honestly, how could you get bored running through Disney?! I know, stumped me too!!!
I know, right? So much to look at!
I have run three races at Walt Disney World and LOVE them. HOWEVER. I have to say, it is quite easy to get ‘bored’ with the surroundings, as you are on a lot of long stretches of road, especially in the half and full distances. Disney does a great job trying to add entertainment in those areas (service roads/backstage areas) but just a warning!
Thanks for the warning!
How fun! I love Disney .. and running a race there would be a perfect way to go back1 I haven’t been since I was a junior in hs and that is far too long of an absence!
i’ve run 5 half-marathons and am currently training for 2 more. the disney one sounds like so much fun!! have a blast and best of luck!!! (i’m sure you kiddos will love hearing about it, too!)
I’ve run the Disney Full Marathon and the Disney Half Marathon! They are both fantastic races! You will love it! There is so much to see you don’t even realize the miles are zooming by. Plus the medal this year is BEAUTIFUL! Check out Run Disney’s facebook page for the pictures.
One is NEVER too old for Disney
I’ve never run a Disney race, nor am I currently training for one, but I definitely wouldn’t mind taking a trip to the happiest place on earth 
ahh i signed up for this two years ago! i wish i could have trained/ran for it but i hurt my hip. it’s supposed to be SO much fun though! good luck with training girl!
My sister and I are totally signed up for this already!!! We are opposite though, we really need to book a room before they are all sold out!!! And we are totally dressing up for when we run and probably taking pictures with characters as well so you will not be the only one
I’m signed up for the Disney one - although I better book my room! Oh, and my sis above signed up as well haha.
haha I love how you both left a comment!
Yup, we’re hard core like that
. And I finally booked the room -no turning back now!
Chelsea! This post made me smile (and reminded me of…..) my January 6, 2007 Disney Half Marathon!! It was my first half ever (I ran it in 400 hours, or something)….but ah! It was such a fun race! I loved going through the back lots of the parks. As a HUGE disney fan growing up (honestly, it was like the only place we would go on March Break), the race was extra special for me. My sister and my parents ran it as well (my parents did the full though).
ps: Yay! My comment showed up. Thanks for fishing me out
I don’t think I can read this blog anymore. Only because I’m INSANELY jealous. I’m working on convining Joey to do the half in Disneyland next September. Fingers crossed!
The only races I’ve done are Girls on the Run 5Ks. They aren’t timed, which is just how I like them.
Good luck!! You should dress like Minnie Mouse when you run it.
I was wondering if you were talking about the half or the full.
But you COULD do the full if you really wanted to.
I’ve never done Disney, but I’ve done 2 half’s, 2 full’s, and am currently training for my 3rd full in my hometown in October.
I ran the Disney World half last year and loved it! I did the same thing and used it as an excuse for a family vacation! So much fun!
I’m running the Disneyland Half in a couple weeks with one of my friends that lives out in Cali as well - can’t wait to see how it compares!
I’m originally from Florida and have always thought about going home to run a Disney race with my sister! I don’t think you can ever be too old for Disney and I think it will keep you entertained the entire run! I’m currently training for the San Antonio Half in November. Looking forward to reading more about your training!
ahhh YAY!!! ahah at first i thought u were doing the full and i was like HOLY cow but still the half is insane! im excited to run my first one this oct!
That race will be awesome! I’m signed up to run a 10k on Labor Day but that is all I have on my agenda for now!
Hey Chelsea, just wondering where you got that pink shirt? It is super cute
You always dress nice!!!
Thanks Corrina! Pink shirt is from Target!
Sorry I spelt your name with an a at the end :S
Thanks for the correction!
Disney marathon?!?!!? Only if I get to dress like Minnie Mouse
I recently started reading your blog, and you crack me up! I actually ran the Disney half in that mega-freeze! It was 37 degrees when I ran it in 2010. Last year it was nice, around 55 degrees. I’ll be running again in 2012. I run this race for the same reason you’re doing it, to go to Disney World! Good luck with your training, I’ll be doing the same thing this winter so I’ll be feeling your pain. It’s totally worth it to high-five Mickey and Minnie at the finish (and to stuff your face guilt free afterwards).
haha - and YOU crack me up!
I so want to run that race someday! I am not currently training for a race, but I have a goal to run the Chicago 1/2 marathon in 2012 (which will be 10 months after having baby #2).
I was THIS CLOSE to signing up for the Disney marathon a few years ago. But it was too out of my comfort zone and I chickened out and ran the Denver Marathon instead - which was fun, too.
I might be running the half too!!! I hope to see/meet you there.
Fun! Let me know if you end up running it!
That is a great little trick! Never been to Disney
Hopefully one day..! Not training atm, just consiering signing up for my first half…still a little too scared though!
I really want to run the Disney Princess Half at some point. It isn’t in the cards right now, but hopefully within the next few years. I’m running my first *gulp* full in December.
I did the Walt Disney World Princess 1/2 Marathon a few years ago and it was AMAZING! It was the so much fun! I wore a tiara and a tutu too!:) Good luck!!!
I’m not training for any currently but i’m trying to keep my running up!! Random question but what is your favorite gluten-free bread and cereal??? I’m having a hard time finding gluten-free foods that I like :/
Hi Tarah! My favorite gluten free bread I buy in a store is Rudi’s! IT does not crumble at all! My favorite cereal - any kind of GF granola - Love Grown is best!!!
i am definitely checking out rudi’s asap! and the love grown i think i will have to get online but yay thank you!
I ran the Disneyland Half last year and am doing it again in just a few weeks. Technically I guess I’m training for it- sorta
Do you know of any meetups for the DL 1/2? I am running it too and would love to meet some other runners!
haven’t’ heard of anything!
I’d love to do a meet up!
I’ll work on one then!
Thanks to Chelsey for bringing this Disney love topic up!
Let’s meet up!
http://shiawaselife.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/2011-ndisneyland-half-blogger-meetup/
I haven’t! Would be fun!
I am organizing one !
http://shiawaselife.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/2011-ndisneyland-half-blogger-meetup/
This always seems like such a fun race! Are you going to dress up?
I’m hoping to sign up for my first 5K race in the fall. I’m just waiting to get my midterm schedule so that it doesn’t conflict with any tests. I can’t wait to actually run a real race!!!
The Disney Half Marathon is on my bucket list!! It just sounds like so much fun
You’ll have to make up a Disney themed play list for your iPod to inspire you to train through the winter
SUCH a great idea!!!!
Aaah how exciting!!! Good luck with the half! We should definitely meet up when you’re in the area
Um, I would totally go to Disney just to go. At 23 years old I’m not ashamed. I’m just a wannabe Disney princess. Sign up, do itttt!
I agree, you’re never too old for Disney!
I worked at Walt Disney World for four years and ran three races there. I am running the Disneyland half next month and super stoked to do another Disney race.
I’m running the Virginia Beach Rock-n-roll Half Marathon in September. But, I’ve totally bucket listed a Disney race. I’m thinking the Princess Half-Marathon…that is once I get the $$.
Good luck with your training!!
ooh! I’ve never run a disney race!! races are definitely the perfect excuse to travel though - it’s gonna make those days of winter training a little easier
Hey, Chelsey!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while… I should probably comment more often
My family and I are travelling to Disney for the Marathon Weekend! My almost-6 year old sister is running the 20o-meter (Kid’s Race), I’m doing the 5k and my Mom will run the half-marathon! I’d love to meet up, if you’re up to it!
Since I live in Brazil, you can’t imagine how EXCITED I am (!).
And you couldn’t be more right - you’re most definitely NOT too old for Disney! My grandma isn’t, my great-grandma wasn’t… It’s never too late to have fun and be a kid again!
Hope you’re having a great Monday.
xoxo
G.
(P.S.: Are you staying at one of Disney’s All Star Resorts, by any chance? xoxo)
Oh my goodness! I would love to meet up! I think we’re going to get something in the works for maybe something after the race (brunch or something?) so I will keep you updated! I am not staying at the All Star Resort,but I am staying in a Disney one!
YAY! Definitely keep me updated - since January 7th is my Mom’s birthday, I was already planning on doing something really fun after the race for her!
Tell me if you have any suggestions or ideas of what we might possibly do
xoxo!
G.
{ 2 trackbacks }