Training for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in 12 days may seem a bit unorthodox, but…

Running is something that I never saw myself doing.  I didn’t think I had the endurance, strength, dedication or time to to make running a reality in my life.

But 3 years ago, at age 56, I tied on a pair of my daughter Jane’s running shoes and opened the door to the adventure of a lifetime with one goal – RUNNING a 5K.

In October 2008, I ran my first 5K with my 4 kids, in-law kids and 9 grandkids cheering from the sidelines.  It was the thrill of a lifetime!

To accomplish this goal, I had lots & lots of enthusiastic support from 8 incredible running people… my 4 kids and in-law kids.

All 8 of these wonderful people run, at different levels of commitment.  My daughter Jane and her fiance Brian are Boston Marathon qualifiers and have run Boston, as well as Marine Corps, Hyannis, Providence and others.  My son Keith has run Boston.  Keith and his wife Nicole have run the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Marine Corps Marathons, too.  My son Adam and his wife Aimee ran a Disney Half Marathon just last year.  My daughter Audrey and her husband Matt run to stay fit and healthy.

And all 9 grandkids, ages 3 – 11, have run the CVS Kids’ Races in beautiful downtown Providence!

Well, within 2 and a half years, that first 5K of mine lead to 5 miles, 10 miles, a Half Marathon, a Half Ironman and a Marathon… always with my family giving me wonderful advice and support and cheering me on from either in the race itself or from the sidelines.

Last summer, my husband Barry (at age 63) decided that he, too, wanted in on the run fun… so I began training a C25K with him.  Crossing the finish line with Barry was even more fun and thrilling and exhilarating than my first 5K!

SO… in January, Barry and I began training for his 2nd 5K, this time a St. Pat’s 5K in downtown Providence.  We began one step at a time all over again.

Barry also wants to accomplish his ultimate goal of running a Half Marathon, so we both registered for Boston’s Run to Remember on May 27, 2012.  We set up a schedule to begin an 8-week training program for this Half Marathon right after the St. Pat’s 5K.

NOT GONNA HAPPEN THIS WAY!

Two weeks ago, I was invited to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon on February 26th.  I literally counted the days on my hands.

17 days!  And I had run no more than 3 consecutive miles since October!

And beyond that, my son-in-law was hospitalized with a serious emergency medical condition. 

Before I could commit, I first waited for good news about my son-in-law.  When that came, I “consulted” with my running kids about a plan to build my endurance to 13.1 miles.

Could I do it?

When I heard a resounding YES from all of them, and advice for a pretty focused plan, I committed to the most magical race of my life – a Disney Princess Half Marathon! All the kids told me that my body would know what to do.

When I began my training, I had 12 days.  12 days?  Yes, 12 days ’til the Princess Half!

(I tried not to focus on the fact that for my first Half Marathon, I trained for 12 weeks.  That’s weeks.  Yikes.)

Last Monday, I ran my first 6-miler in months.  I ran easy.  I felt great.

Last Wednesday, I ran 7.5 miles.  I again ran easy.  I felt great.

I did some stationery biking and walking as cross-training, too, and began to feel confident.

Yesterday, I ran 9 miles.  This is my L-O-N-G run before the Disney Princess Half Marathon next weekend…

I know it’s a bit unorthodox to train for a Half Marathon in just about 12 days, but I trust my kids’ advice and I do trust my body.

And it may just be a bit of MAGIC, too… to actually run like a Princess at the happiest place on earth!

I can’t wait to share with you my great Disney Princess Half Marathon adventure before, during and after!  This Grandma Princess is ready to sparkle!