Perfect Princess Reflects on the 2013 runDisney Princess Half Marathon

When I saw the final weather forecast for race day, I knew my A goal (PR 1:40:04 and ideally under 1:35:59) was definitely unrealistic.

I still wasn't sure about B goal (1:43:51, which would be better than my 2011 time of 1:43:52) and was pretty confident I could still meet my C goal of under 1:45 if I ran smart and kept as cool as possible by pouring water over my head at every stop like I did during the warm Disney Marathon.

Despite having personal goals, the bigger quest was to come in the top 3 for the sister/sister team competition. I knew if I ran my potential and my twin ran under 2 hours we had a shot.

Well, when I saw my finish time was 1:44 rather than 1:40 I started losing hope about placing for the team awards. 

I decided to put on a happy face and go straight to the princess photo opps before changing into some dry clothes. After saying hi to Ariel and Snow White, I returned to the Race Retreat, grabbed my bag (no wait!), and stripped off the soaking wet clothes in the changing area (an awesome perk of the Race Retreat, they even had towels to dry off with!).

After emerging in a fresh outfit and dry shoes, I was trying to decide if I should look for the place to redeem my complimentary alcoholic drink coupon (mmmmm) or find a computer to track my twin. That's when Malinda gave me one of the biggest shocks of the weekend by appearing and declaring, "I kicked A$$!" 

I must admit my first response wasn't very kind (keep in mind I missed my A goal by 4:05 and B goal by 18 secs so I already felt deflated that I ruined our chances in the team competition). I came around, however, after chugging my mimosa and was incredibly proud and in awe of my twin's stellar time! She's not so slow after all! ;)

Later that evening we were sitting outside Beaches & Cream when I decided to check to see if the team results were posted. I was incredibly nervous and excited as I scrolled through page after page of open women's teams, then mothers/daughters. When I finally got to sister/sister and saw TwinsRunInOurFamily at the very top of the page I screamed in the crowd with absolutely no inhibitions, "WE WON!!" I couldn't believe it! Malinda and I hi-fived each other and whoo hoo'd in pure delight! Goal accomplished!!

I've never been big on team sports. I love running because it's just me against myself and I'm only responsible to me and not fellow teammates. Yet, runDisney events are something that my sister and I have enjoyed together since the beginning. So, it made sense for us to work together towards a common goal of placing in the top 3 of the sister/sister teams (I had no illusions about actually winning!). 

The best part of our win is that we really did achieve it together. Although we didn't run side-by-side like we did at Mickey and Minnie's Royal Family 5K, each of our individual performances were equally vital to the team win! Can't wait to do run together again in Boston at the BAA 5K on April 14!

We beat the 2nd team by just over a minute so if either of us slowed down just a few secs/mile we wouldn't be celebrating our win. Of course I'm pretty nosy, so I searched the photos for the other top teams and none of them stopped for character photo opps like Team TwinsRUNinOurFamily did. I had 11 pictures taken by MarathonFoto photographers that came out great!

I'm already counting the days until we get to defend our sister/sister team title at the 2014 Princess Half Marathon.

Prince Naveen, Leah, Princess Tiana

 Alice, Leah, Mad Hatter

 Princess Aurora, Prince Philip, Leah, Cinderella, Prince Charming

Leah & Genie

Leah & Pochontas 

 Pirate & Leah

 Belle & Leah

Leah & Gaston

Mushu, Leah & Mulan

Prince Mickey & Leah

Ariel & Leah

VILLAINS photo found! 

Thanks @MarathonFotoEPG!

Leah & Snow White

Don't blink & you'll see @LeahCville!

Running through Cinderella's Castle

Crossing the Finish Line