After my first taste of runDisney in 2013, I knew I had to do come back for more. I had full intentions of making 2014 another runDisney year, but life and schedules conspired against me, and it wasn’t until Princess Half Marathon weekend 2015 that I could get together with my girls and make it happen. But boy did it!! For an amazing girls’ weekend this past February, eight of us took on the Frozen (literally!!) 5K, and we had a blast!!

We started planning last spring as soon as registration excitement started buzzing. Because we all know after I pay to run (or jog…or walk), I’m in. No turning back after the charge clears. And this time, there were seven other girls roped in and traveling, so it was written in stone. Among the crew were one of my girlfriends from college, the bestie (CB of my allergy post fame!), my fellow Disney travel agent, Suri (plus three of her gals) and my girl, Sarah from Sweet Lil You! Check out her post from the weekend here!!

We decided that to make the most of our kid-free, all-girls weekend we ought to stake our claim at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn due to the built-in nightlife and proximity to Grand Marnier Slushes (er, Epcot). Although Suri repeatedly tells me she hates the Boardwalk (I think it’s because she gets lost EVERY time we’re there), her eagerness to hit the two clubs on the Boardwalk, Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance Hall, prove otherwise. 😉

Surprise! I’m hiding in the corner!

As an added bonus to our resort, I was able to catch part of the Enchanted 10K from my bed!!

P.S. If anyone runs across this and know what the lady with Olaf on her head had on her sign, tell me! She was constantly getting her picture taken!

After deciding on the all-important accommodations, it was time to decide on the truly pressing matters: costumes. Half (or maybe more) of the fun of planning for a runDisney event is the wardrobe! We tossed a few ideas around from princesses to pirates and eventually settled on villains since we wanted to be a little different from the crowd. Although the weather called for some last minute costume modifications, we still took to the course as the gorgeous stepsisters, the evil queen, Ursula, Cruella, the Queen of Hearts, Maleficent and Captain Hook.

As you can see we’re more like villains on a ski weekend, but the message came across.

But first things first, the Expo aka runners’ mall!! Now, I’m not so much what one would call a runner, but I am a shopper, so I’m all in.

Of course, there is actually an important reason to hit the Expo: packet pick-up. This is where you officially check in and get your race bib and race shirt. It’s worth noting that the runner must be the one to pick up his/her packet. In the past, runners were able to send someone to get their things, and I took advantage of this option in 2013, as I didn’t get to hit the Expo until post-run. Several signs were posted, and it was noted in pre-race communication, that this would be the protocol.

In case you didn’t print your waiver or left it across the country. Whatev.

After all the officialness was over, we hit the floor. There are tons of booths to cater to every runner need imaginable.  Again, not being a runner. I gravitated toward the Disney specific merch and freebies!

Freebies!

ChEAR on your runner!

There’s also a spot to take the weekend’s Instagram shot.  Just show the cast members you follow runDisney on Instagram (and, hey, follow me, too!), and you can strike a pose in front of their green screen.

This photog was also on the course and recognized us while taking our picture with the big cheese.

Tip: Don’t wear green…check out my scarf!

The hot item is always the New Balance shoe, and I’d gotten up before 6:00a (but then fell asleep again until 6:20a) to get in the New Balance Virtual Queue just to get the chance to try on and possibly buy the 2015 offering. Unfortunately that 25-minute snooze put my “New Balance FastPass time” at 3:30 that afternoon. It was about 11:30a when we were at the Expo. I wasn’t waiting. Luckily, some sweet soul took pity on me, and Sarah and I both walked away with New Balance souvenirs.

Some of the previous styles were available in limited sizes, too.

And, of course, we can’t turn down a photo booth! Thanks, New Balance!

Now on to why you’re really reading…the race!!

We were up around 4:30a in order to catch the race shuttle over to the glamorous starting position, the Epcot parking lot.

Pre-run selfie in the Belle Vue Lounge

Concessions and tables were set up near the stage before the corrals were opened.

After about a half hour of cheesy jokes, Frozen karaoke and freezing our faces off in the 30 degree temps, we were able to head to our corrals…to freeze some more.

Pretend the sign and not this lady’s head is in focus, hmmkay? It was early. My eyes were blurry.

I’m happy to say I wasn’t in the last corral.  I don’t know what determines it, aside from awesomeness, but I was glad to have an entire group behind me so I wouldn’t be last.  More on that later.  After we made it to the start line, the first mile was really non-scenic.  Parking lot, trees and concrete.  What was incredibly entertaining, however, was the trail of costumes…

Ariel is bald somewhere.

Once we finally entered Epcot we were greeted by the oh-so-festive Mexican cast members, and it was the coolest!  Absolutely a welcome sight after a freezing cold mile of a whole lotta nothin’.  The cast members in each country were definitely my favorite part of the run.  Cheerful. motivating and high energy…and some were super cute.  In addition to the cast members cheering us on, we had the added motivation of Let It Go in about 78 different languages on constant loop throughout the park.  Or maybe it was the motivation to get out of the park.  😉

She doesn’t look amused, but I was!

Backstage water stop!

What it looks like when you might be last. The Mickey line was slower than expected.

And, of course, the fun of a runDisney race…characters!  I have to say, though I was a bit disappointed in the on-course selection.  I’m not sure if it was the weather or the theme, but it was pretty much the fab five in sweaters.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love a Mickey shot, but if I have to get up early and “run,” I want some cool characters.

Mickey in a sweater!

Despite selling pictures, these photogs also took shots with our cameras.

Hey! It’s Goofy in a sweater!

The run namesakes were present, but they were on stage bantering back and forth and awkwardly posing with guests a full three or four feet below them.  I don’t blame them, though.  If they were posing for pictures, we might still be in line.

Marathon Foto also has photogs set up throughout the course to catch you as you victoriously round the turns (except for the rudeness of putting one as you’re going uphill from France to the International Gateway), but try to flash a smile or pretend to run once you get them in view, as it makes for much better pictures.

What can I say? If I’m gonna spend $60 on a download, I’m gonna try to look cute.

What it looks like when you’re close to last because you waited for your friends outside the bathroom, and they were getting ready to open Epcot. So you left them.

We did, however, have the finish line mostly to ourselves.  And we hoped the rest of the girls didn’t get locked in Epcot (they didn’t).  And once you cross that line, you see these sweet ladies and get your (not metal) medal!

Thanks, Linda!

If you’re even thinking about signing up for a runDisney 5K, stop thinking and register for the next one that opens!!  runDisney is the perfect place for runners of all ages, shapes, sizes and ability.  Check out the pictures in this post; there are people of all types out there participating!  I’m more than happy to be the “if she can do it” girl for any of you wanting to take the first step.  So, which run are you signing up for?

Check out more fun from our trip with #GoodGirlsGoneVillain!