Princess Half Marathon Recap Part 2

In June of 2013 I signed up to complete the Glass Slipper Challenge which consited of a 10k race on Saturday and a 1/2 marathon on Sunday. In the last post I talked about my first 2 days at Disney World for the race. Now it is my turn to recap both races and take you through my journey.

On Saturday Jennifer (one of my best friends) and I woke up at 2:45AM. Yes, you heard right, 2:45 am. The race started at 5:30, but we had to take a bus to the starting line at EPCOT before 4:00am. We woke up changed into our clothes and headed to the race. We got there a little before 4:00. From the drop off to the actual start we had to walk at least 1/2 mile and go through Disney security. Once inside the racing area they had tons of things to do. From meeting areas, to port-a-potties, food and a DJ. The Dj was really energetic, which really helped people stay awake and not bored. He made us do several dances like: The Cupid Shuffle, The Fox Dance, etc. I was exactly what 5,000 + people needed at 5:00 am. A little after 5:00 am they called people to go into their corrals, which got me ubber excited and it became real to me. I bid my goodbye to Jen and I told her I would text her when I was close to the finish line so we could meet up!

I was on Corral B for the Enchanted 10k so that wasn't that bad. I knew I was going to walk it, so I was a little hesitant about it, because although I like to walk, I really like running races. Soon enough it was time for us to go and as I crossed the start line well of course I started running and continued to do so for the first 1/4 mile. The first 3 miles were ok. We ran through the entrace of EPCOT, where we saw Elsa, the Princess from Frozen, wiching us luck on our race, and through EPCOT Center Drive towards EPCOT's backstage. Once we reached the 5k mark we were entering the backstage area of EPCOT near Test Track. We entered EPCOT between Norway and China. At that point I started to get more and more excited and I started to remember the good times I've have for the last 14 yeard of my life, mostly as a Cast Member at Disney. As we walked through Germany, Italy, USA, Japan, Morocco and France, I was completely happy about walking this race. I decided to take it all in and enjoy this little gift I was given and take pictures and reminiscient all the woderful memories I've created in years past. Once we past France we turned left to go around the Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club. My emotions were taking the best of me since I was going to be running through my old stomping ground (Bayside Marina and Stormalong Bay). When I saw that little building near the Yacht Club lobby, my face was beaming and I got more and more excited. I forgot that I was walking and that it was hot and humid. As I was walking by the Yacht Club I saw two familiar faces rooting for all of us, two of my old Coordinators, I ran up to them, told them I missed them and gave them a hug. After that we only had about 1 mile to go and I got my game face on. We went back into EPCOT again, through Nemo and Friends, and then on to Spaceship Earth. I texted Jen and told her I was almost there and once I passed the "Ball" I decided to run all the way to the finish line. On my way to the finish line there were several people that looked defeated and tired so I started to cheer people on and tell them that the finish line was close to not give up. Usually this is my husband's job, so since he was not there to do it, I decided to do it myself.

I crossed the finish line at exactly 1:30 minutes, which was faster that I anticipated. I got my lovely medal, The finisher wrist band and proceded to meet Jen so we could go back to the hotel where Caro, my best friend, was going to meet us to enjoy the rest of the day.

10k's have become my new favorite distance to race. The Enchanted 10k was a great experience and I hope to do other Disney 10k's in the future. If you are thinking about doing a Disney run condider the 10k's.

Here are some pictures from the 10k:

 
 
 

Stay tuned for the 1/2 marathon Recap,

Nats

Princess Half Marathon Weekend Recap Part 1

Last month I wrote a post about how worried I was about running the Enchanted 10k and the Princess 1/2 Marathon at Disney. Up until the last week I was worried about running both races. With the cold weather came various difficulties like knee pain, twisted ankles, bad weather, over training and missed runs. To sum up I was completly certain that I was not going to be successful in completing my races.

Race week came way too quickly and I was both nervous and excited. Nervous because I did not know if I wan going to be able to run well and excited because it was my first 1/2 marathon and I was going to see my friends.

Although I own a home about 5 miles from Disney, I decided to stay at a host resort for the race so I did not have to wory about not getting to the race on time and missing it. The only downside to that is that you have to wake up ubber early to catch the bus. I stayed at the All Star Movies Resort and as luck would have it I got a prefferd room which means that I was super close to the bus stops, the lobby and food court which was a plus.

I flew to Orlando on Thursday after work so I could have a day to enjoy the Fit for a Princess EXPO and a day to myself. On Friday morning, my friend Nydia came to pick me up and we drove together down the road from the All Stars to the Wide World of Sports to pick up our bibs and check out the EXPO. We wanted to be there early because I did not want to wait in line for hours to get my bib, like it has happened before. To our luck we did not have to wait to get our bibs and shirts. I was doing the Glass Slipper Challenge so everything that I needed to be picked up was at the Milk House across from the EXPO. There was no line to get my bib or my shirts. After picking up our packets, my friend Nydia had to get her 10k shirt at the EXPO so we headed across the way. To our surprise there was not line there either to get it. We got Nydia's shirt and we headed to the merchandise area because I wanted to get several things. As luck would not have it most of the things I wanted were sold out. I was really looking forward to getting some Princess Half sweaty bands and some coffee mugs. I was a little sad about that. I bought some stuff though. I settled with a Glass Slipper Challenge jacket and a Princess Half Marathon tech shirt. I bid my goodbye to Nyd, since she was leaving to go on her Disney Cruise that afternoon, and I stayed at the EXPO to see the different vendors and such.

Staying at the EXPO was an excellent idea. I got to check out some cool vendors like Sweaty Bands, KT Tape (they taped me for free, score), and many more. I also had the opportunity to meet Jeff Galloway who was at the Run Disney booth and I got to talk to him about my hurt knee. He gave me amazing advice that I was going to follow to the T on Sunday. 
 

 

After being at the EXPO for a good 3 hours I headed back to the hotel. My friend Jennifer was coming to hang out later that afternoon, so I decided to go to the pool for some RnR since the weather was niceish.

When my friend Jen arrive we decided to go and have dinner at The Wave at Disney's Contemporary Resort. The dinning room was packet, but they sent us to the bar to eat. There we were greeted by one of the nicest Cast Members I have encountered in a while. He asked us what we wanted it and even let us order off menu. Talk about going above and beyond. I ordered a salad and Jen ordered a burger. The food was delicious and fresh.

After dinner Jen and I went back to the hotel and caught up on our lives and then we went to bed early since we had to wake up at 2:30 am to catch our bus the next day.

Stay tuned for Part 2 in which I actually talk about both my races!

Until then,
Nats

Running Mind

When I started running 3 years ago I never knew the impact it would have on my mind and body, specially on my mind. In June of last year I decided to sign up for the Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend. Not only will I be running my first 1/2 marathon, but I will be participating in the Glass Slipper Challenge. What is that you ask? Well, On Saturday I will run a 10k and then on Sunday I will run a 1/2 marathon. When I signed up for it back in June it sounded like a good idea and a problem for future Nadia. At that point maybe I tought that I could do it.

Fast forward to 6 months later and a month before the race and I feel like I can't do it. It is not that I am not putting in the miles, or that I can't run that distance, or even that  I can't do back to back. Believe me, I have put in the training (although I twisted my ankle and got sick) and I have done Ragnar and back to back races; it is just that mentally I don't feel ready. I break down 1 or 2 miles before the end of a long run, and I start thinking that I am a failure and that I can't do it. This is really hard for me because I want to do my best and I never used to think this way.

I know I need help. I bought some running and motivation books to help me. I'm hoping this will help me. If you have any suggestions please leave me a message.

Hopefully, during these races, I will forget all my worries/injuries and run like a champ.

Nats

New Year, New Thoughts

Hey there blog world,

Happy New Year to all of you. As part of this years resolution I promise to write more blog post.

What are some of your New Year's Resolutions? Mine, you ask? Here are some of them:

Run 700 Miles
Run 12 races
Eat healthier (hopefully)
Write more blog post
Travel to a new place

Hopefully I will be able to write at least once a week. I got lots to say and lots to share with you. Stay tuned!

Until Next Time,

Nats

Traveling Feet Recap

Hey guys,

It's been a while. Between two jobs, a husband and a full running calendar, I haven't been able to post anything. Let me catch you on what happened in the last few months:


June:

End of the school year and went to Puerto Rico to my friend Jennifer's wedding and got hired to become an adjunct professor at Sistema Universitario Ana G. MendezMorales-Arroyo family on Father's Day

Nydia, Jen and I

July:

My sister came to help me with the wedding. I had a bridal shower/bachelorette party. My parents and extended family started to make their way here fr our wedding.

SeaCrets with the girls

Morales-Arroyo at the White House

My sisi and I visiting Lincoln

August:

Got married!!!!!! :), went to London and Paris for our honeymoon!!!! and then started work again.

 

 

September:

Started teaching as a adjunt professor. Became a running coach at our school for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students and became part of our running clubs board.

October:

Went to New York for a wedding and will be running the Marine Corps Marathon 10k (recap to come).


As you can see it has been a busy couple of month and it does not seem to be slowing down at all. In November, I start training for the Disney's Glass Slipper Challenge and start to get ready for the holidays. Stay tuned because the Traveling Feet are back.

Until next time and keep your feet traveling,

Nats