Disney’s Princess 5k Recap | 2017 Princess Half Marathon Weekend

And the recapping continues! Today I’m chatting about Disney’s awesome Princess 5k, the first race of the Princess Half Marathon Weekend. While it’s not my favorite 5k, (Disneyland took that honor last September,) it’s still near and dear to my heart since it was my very first runDisney race back in 2013!

For that race, I ran solo and felt like a total loner because I hardly knew any of the others in my group nor did I have many friends back home.

For this race, I ran solo and felt totally loved by supportive friends, both my roommates and those back home! Oh, the magic of running.

Before I jump in, be sure to later check out my Disney Princess 5k video recap for the total scoop! And please subscribe because I have a lot of content and new topic ideas up my sleeve for the upcoming months.

Now, picking up where I left off in my Fit for a Princess Recap, I actually went to sleep quickly on Thursday night, thanks to a tip from one of our YouTube subscribers to drink Sleepy Time Tea with melatonin. (Thanks, Nicole!) Since our goal was to make one of the first buses in order to get plenty of pre-race character photos, we set our alarms for 2:30. (Well, mine was a little sooner so I could start the coffee maker. Momma’s gotta have her Joe.)

For my costume, Kelly, Stephanie, and I kicked around many ideas, but we picked a Star Wars theme because a.) Stephanie had an adorable Princess Leia costume that she’s never worn, b.) Kelly had both a R2D2 for herself and a Darth Vader costume to loan to me, and c.) this meant I didn’t have to do any work or buy anything. Sounded like a winner to me! And I was very grateful for the new Bibbidi Bobbidi Brooke ears I had just purchased which topped it off to perfection.

• Skirt: Sparkle Athletic
• Cape: Sparkle Athletic
• Tank Top: Hot Topic (no longer available)
• Ears: Bibbidi Bobbidi Brooke 

Now, you’d think with eight ladies doing the same race, it’d be a chaotic mess, but Bay Lake Tower and its three bathrooms made this a breeze! We didn’t quite hit our goal, though, so by the time we made it to the family gathering area, the character lines were already ridiculously long! So we only had time for one.

Our choice? A princess, of course!

I just love this picture of Snow White curtsying to Aurora, aka, my friend, Michelle’s daughter! So adorable!

While shooting some video in line, I heard someone calling my name. It was my friend, Donna, who is a fellow Team Shenanigans member and Maryland friend! She only lives about thirty minutes from me, but we don’t meet until we’re in Florida. Go figure.

A very long #Princess5k recap with lots of pictures! #runDisney #PrincessHalf #sweatpink #werunsocial #disney Click To Tweet

After some welcoming words from John, Carissa, and Rudy, we headed to our corrals … rather late!

Megan was running with her daughter, Caitlyn, for their second runDisney 5k together. When I asked how the Princess 5k compared to Super Heroes, she said you have to get up earlier and it’s more crowded. Yep and yep!

A volunteer told us that Corral A had already left, filling us with total panic, so we took off running. Even me. On my bad foot. Dumb. Didn’t hurt, but still dumb considering we had plenty of time to hear the pre-show, watch another preview for Beauty and the Beast, (which, by the way, I’M SO EXCITED to see,) and hear the National Anthem sung by a gal with one gorgeous voice.

Soon, the wheelchair competitors and first wave of Corral A were off!

There were three waves in Corral A, with the first getting the big shebang of fireworks and the following ones a smaller show. I do think this is a good idea, although it made our start a tad bit less exciting. But if it helps with crowding on the course, I’m all for it!

And we’re off!

Despite my worries of this sounding whiny … it really sucked seeing my friends run off with me hobbling behind.

It really sucked.

But, such is life … it was what is was, so I brushed aside my disappointment and focused on having an amazing time. And look at these costumes! Adorable!

And whatever lingering disappointment completely vanished when I was able to meet Jennalyn, one of our YouTube subscribers, while waiting for a photo with Meeko. She is so awesome and kind, reminding me of exactly why I write for this blog and shoot videos!! Absolutely made my morning, so thank you, Jennalyn!!

Now, you’d think I would have taken a picture of us, but nope, just video. #BloggerFail So my apologies for the lower quality screenshot!

But I was on my vlogger game when I noticed Christine from Runs In Tutus up ahead. Her video is the one I referred to in our Running Costumes Tips post and video, plus she’s really sweet! Nice to finally meet her.

Mile 1, done!!

Soon we came to my absolute favorite part of the race … going through Epcot’s World Showcase! I always get chills when we go through the trees, see the lights up ahead, and hear that park music. It never gets old!

Up ahead was a character line. I had no clue who for, but I stopped anyway. It was tough enough having to walk. I was determined to get every single character picture during the 5k and some during the 10k!

LOL, it was the Vikings! There were no Photopass photographers there, so mine turned out rather bright.

Stephanie and Kelly’s was pretty awesome, though! (Sniff.) I really missed running with them this year!

Anyway, moving on.

Move on, I did, strolling through World Showcase, absorbing every single magical moment, like the Cast Member’s out to cheer us on, the groups of runners having a blast together, and the families dressed in coordinating costumes!

And who’s that up ahead? Dopey? His photo line was INSANE but I had to stop, if only to let him know I was running his Dopey Challenge next January.

Worth it!!!

Afterward, I ran into my dear friend, Ann from Heart of a Single Mom as well as some of my roommates!

Sometimes, you just gotta create your own character stop!

At the next character stop, I noticed a familiar face behind me. Sara’s! So she filmed me while I FaceTimed Rob while waiting for Abu.

I had tried Jackey as well, but she wasn’t picking up after working a late shift. And Megan, well, she was busy doing this…

Cute one with Abu!

We did have some concerns over the time limit. The Princess 5k had never been swept before, but the way runDisney’s website states how you must maintain a minimum 16 mile minute pace had me worried if things were going to be different.

One of us was not concerned, though.

Still, that didn’t stop me for having a quick chat with Perla from Cinderella! She was looking rather festive.

But those worries returned when I came upon the Mile 2 marker. 1:33?? Eek!

Plus the crowds were getting really thick. I can say that walking these races have truly rounded out my perspective by showing me what it’s like being a back of the corral runner. But I’m going to get into that in a later post. ‘Cause it’s gonna be deep, y’all, real deep.

I did get a phone call from a red booth, though. It was my medal calling. Saying I better hurry the heck up!

There’s always time for a #JoyfulJumpshot though! I had to stick with one-legged ones with low air, but come on. A race weekend with no jump shots? Impossible!

I then entered Future World, where two crazy women ran up behind me, nearly scaring the poo out of me! Once again, it was Ann and her friend, Jamie, adorably dressed as Elsa and Olaf!

Of course, we had to try for a #JoyfulJumpshot together. We need to work on our timing for next time!

Better!

And speaking of jump shots, I absolutely LOVE this! How precious, it’s one of my favorite photos from the entire weekend … and I wasn’t even in it!

Megan and her daughter, Caitlyn also got into the #JoyfulJumpshot action. Can you tell that Caitlyn dances?

If you have any great jump shots, be sure to tag them with #JoyfulJumpshots so we can give you a shout out! We love them!

Afterwards, Anne and Jamie ran ahead to get in line at the next character stop so we could get one together. I was so happy to see the colorful fish and corral from Nemo up ahead!

But first … a traditional photo. I didn’t attempt a fish face, though, because all I’m capable of is a #FishFaceFail … which is not a good look for me. #Vain

Anne and Jamie were sweet and offered to walk with me for a while longer, but I assured them I’m a big girl who’s okay on her own, but thank you! Besides. I never want to keep another from their own race goals or hold anyone back.

Now. About those sweeping fears. See the part of the course where it loops in a circle?

On the way back to the middle of Future World, I did notice a few golf carts with one holding a few participants who were allowed to rejoin the course without having to circle around the West side where Soarin and Nemo are. So while there is a sweep during the Princess 5k, you aren’t necessary pulled from the course, which I think is very cool.

This also meant I was close to finishing myself which brought me great joy, seeing as how my roommates had probably left by then and I was ready to see that finish line.

And the volunteers. I love how they kept up their enthusiasm until the very end!

And these sheriffs!! They were great!

Whoa, there was quite the crowd around the Mile 3 marker, which was a reminder of how big of an accomplishment this race can be to others. After doing many halves, and fulls over the past five years, this reminded me just how monumental it is to finish your first 5k. So congratulations and a major woo-HOO to all of you!

And this moment. THIS MOMENT. Talk about tugging at my heartstrings!!

Soon I was looking right at some awesome sights! The finish line…

…and John Pelkey, Rudy Novotny, and the DJ, (I seriously need to learn his name because he’s great,) at the finish line! Because of my costume, John asked if I was going to be at the Star Wars Dark Side Challenge in April, and my enthusiasm kind of gave the impression that I was. Which I’m not.

I wish I were. But I’m not. Oops.

Still, after crossing the finish line the DJ played The Imperial March and John announced that it was for the Darth Vader who had just finished. Seriously??? How can you not love these guys??

And the volunteers. They are always awesome, always amazing … even when Mickey ears give them a bit of a challenge putting a medal on. 😉

After getting my gorgeous pink Mrs. Potts inspired medal, I went to film some commentary, summarizing the race like always for my video recaps.

Then it happened.

A minor meltdown, with me getting teary over still not being able to run and having to walk yet another race. Was it a bit dramatic? Yes. I mean, after all, there are bigger problems in the world other than me having to walk a race while in sunny Florida, surrounded by wonderful friends, kindred spirits, and magical moments at every turn.

But at that moment … I was tapped out. DONE with being injured. DONE with not running since, I’ll admit it, I’m a competitive person who doesn’t like being at the back of the crowd. So I got misty. And since I’ve made the decision to never hold back while vlogging, I included it in my video.

However, I soon brushed aside those emotions so I could enjoy the moment and live in the now, which included getting a photo with my medal, gathering my snack box, and getting in line for one last character photo!

Afterwards, the 5k came to an end with lines closed and the DJ saying his goodbyes with warnings of the bus service ending soon. So I headed back to Bay Lake Towers … where I had yet another mini-breakdown over still being injured. But thankfully, Shannon and Stephanie were there to quickly pick my spirits back up with hugs and understanding. And after a glorious nap and shower, I joined up with them at Animal Kingdom for some fun before heading to Magic Kingdom for dinner at Be Our Guest.

With that, I better wrap up this very long, very photo-heavy blog post and gear up to write my next one about the Princess Enchanted 10k! But first…

QOTD: Did you (or have you ever) participate in Disney’s 2017 Princess 5k? If so, please share your favorite part in the comments below!

And as always, thanks for reading and have a joyful day!