Last week, I received an invitation to run Disney’s Princess Half Marathon on February 26, 2012!
I thought, in the words of Cinderella herself… Why, that means I can go, too.
To me, running a Disney Run is as good as going to the Royal Ball itself!
To understand my excitement, you must know that I grew up with Disney. Walt Disney’s Cinderella appeared on screen on this very month in 1950. I would be born just about a year-and-a-half later, in October 1952.
Cinderella and Snow White taught me more than I can describe about the beauty of kind, gentle spirits… while at the same time being up for great adventures.
Cinderella seemingly had no business dreaming BIG, but she did. She’s the character who taught me all those decades ago… If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.
Snow White seemingly had no business existing beautifully in a forest-land of woodland creatures, but she did. She’s the character who taught me about courage in the face of the great unknown.
Cinderella did the almost impossible by deciding to go to the Royal Ball.
Snow White did the almost impossible by surviving.
Of course, I was mesmerized by the Prince factor, too. But the deep character of each woman crawled into my soul. Walt Disney’s genius of seeing the humanity and lessons of these wonderful fairy-tales is beyond compare.
Now… I’m not a Princess. I don’t have an entourage of mice and birds or 7 dwarfs. I don’t even have a magic mirror. I’m actually a Grandma of 9 beautiful grandchildren.
But I do have a dream. My dream began 3 or so years ago when I began running. I first ran to just finish a 5K. Then I ran 5 miles, 10 miles, 13.1 miles, completed a Half Ironman and then, last May, a full marathon.
All this time, I’ve heard about Disney Princess Runs and the fairy-tale fabulousness of it all. My son and daughter-in-law and many friends have run one (or several!) and tell me it’s the most amazing, amazing experience!
NOW I GET TO RUN A DISNEY PRINCESS HALF MARATHON!
Yes, my feet have wings! (Forgive the little Cinderella paraphrase, please!)
I’m going to Disney World to fulfill a dream. And I’ll be among many, many Princesses… but most especially my childhood ones, Cinderella and Snow White!
And I think being a Grandma Princess is the most magical of all…
How wonderful! And, congrats on all of your running accomplishments! I was invited to run, too, and look forward to meeting you!
Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
that is awesome! I hope to see you there!!
My best friend and I just made a pact to run the Disney Princess Half in 2013. It will be right at the fourth birthday of her daughter – my goddaughter – and what better way to help her see that women can be princesses and badass athletes?
Come do it again with us then??
Can’t wait to run with you!
Sharon – We are going to have SO much fun! I can’t wait – it’s a dream come true. And it looks like Kenzie will be joining us to do the Royal Family 5K. She is very excited!
Oh, have fun! I did the Princess Half in 2010 and it was truly magical. I still smile when I think about how it felt. Enjoy!