So you may or may not know that I spent none of this winter running. Yes, I the first part of the winter in a very attractive knee length boot and the second half in physical therapy. I feel that I needed to preface this blog with that fact.

Needless to say, I did not train for this run. This half-marathon which I signed up for in October after finishing Chicago somewhat disappointed. So I was like - I am in good shape, just because I had one bad race, doesn't mean I can't have a great half-marathon on my half-birthday, with my buddy (Meghan of the 7:11 running club) in Florida. Then exactly two days later, I am hurt playing rec league Volleyball and my winter running is over. 

So before the half-marathon on March 8th in Orlando, Florida, I trained for exactly 8 minutes on the treadmill, approximately three days before. So I went down thinking, I am going to walk this thing. I will have fun, but I will be walking.

Of course you have to start with the running, so I ran with Meghan - I thought the most I would make was possibly three miles. We ran a mile and walked a minute: 

Mile 1: it's early, there are lots of people (women,) we are having fun and I feel surprisingly good.

Mile 2: I am still running, still feeling surprisingly good.

Mile 3: still feeling good.

Mile 4: not feeling good, but not feeling bad.

Mile 5: Slowing down, but still running. Plus we are in the magic kingdom, so that's fun.

Mile 6: Still running.

Mile 7: Still running - but my legs are super tired.

Mile 8: I know this will be my last mile running. I send Meghan who had done a little more training than myself ahead.

Mile 9 - 12: walking, getting my pictures taken with the characters, enjoying Disney.

Mile 13 - Finish: Of course you have to run at the end, especially because you are running through Epcot and there are people cheering you on.

Finish: Oh my word, I may die. Good, I didn't die.

Oh I forgot to mention - that I ran the race in a running skirt. We bought them at the expo - both Meghan and I. And let me tell you, I totally dig the skirt. 

I find Meghan, however bad news, we didn't remember where we had parked and that is the last thing you want to do when your legs are out of shape and exhausted. But we eventually found the car! Then we vegged out the rest of the day, with a trip to the Cheesecake Factory. Then I got on the plane and headed back to Michigan.

Needless to say, I was sore after the race, but not as sore as I would be for the next three days. I honestly don't think I have ever been that sore in my life. I literally had to slide down the stairs on my butt. I literally hobbled around school. Had it not been my last week at St. Clair TEC, I would have called in sick, but I couldn't so I suffered.

Overall, it was a great time - knowing what I know now and knowing how I felt after the run, I would definitely not run 8 miles without training. But I guess you only live once. Next run, (which I am already training for - I am up to 2 whole miles) is another Half-Marathon. The Bayshore Half Marathon in Traverse City over Memorial Day weekend. 

Oh, yeah that's me and Alice along with the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts.

I had time to hang out with Aladdin, Jasmine and Abu.

Yes, I think I have fairy potential.

The big Epcot Ball is in the distance, I am getting closer to the finish.

I am even closer now.

Yes, I am running backwards toward the finish line and I'm taking a photo of myself. This shows my natural athletic talent, and or dumb luck.

Meghan and I in our awesome running skirts and medals. 

Which by the way are in the shape of a tiara.