I am done. I am officially done, done planning my vacation for the end of August. I started this planning process on January 18th. This is a specific date that I will come back to in just a moment. My tickets are purchased, my hotel is paid for, and my legs will soon be ready for a lot of walking..and..running. Had I waited just ONE month after January 18th, this trip would not have been possible.
For the past two years this has been a day dream of mine, a goal that I didn’t think possible for various reasons. Finally I pulled the trigger and said go. The preparation for this vacation starts today.
A closer look..
On September 2nd I will be running my FIRST half marathon!! This isn’t just any half marathon, I wanted number one to be special.
DISNEYLAND!! I am so unbelievably excited. Race registration opened on January 18th and was SOLD OUT by February 19th. Had I waited, this would not have been possible. I have been sitting on this “secret” for a few months. I wanted my trip to be complete before sharing. Along with running the halfmarathon, I will be going to Disneyland and California Adventure two of the days I am there.
Although I wish I was running with Snow Whites Manfriends, I will be running with my own. Manfriend agreed to come with me and will be training with me for the next few months. He is already in half marathon shape, so this run will be for me to achieve my goal. My only goal for the actual run is to get a decent photograph. I’m talking about the ones that the “professionals” take. I don’t want to look like this..
Seriously..how does that even happen. This was the last 5miler I ran and I felt GREAT during this race, yet I look like a 70yr old dying woman about the throw up her crackers and soup. I can’t believe I even put this on here, I invite you to laugh because I sure as hell had multiple laughing fits over this shot. I want to look more like this…
Same day, longer race, and a smoldering runners look. Perhaps if I run close enough to him I will capture some of his grace. I can only hope.
With that said, I have no time goals. I am running this race simply to get my foot in the door and see how I like running 13 miles. After this race the opportunities are endless. Why did I choose DL as the first one? Possibly because it’s the happiest place on earth, and because not everyone can say, “My first half marathon was at Disneyland.” I can’t wait to share more about the training process, and then the vacation itself! Stay tuned, and wish me luck!!
Q: If you’re a runner, tell me about the first time you ran your longest distance. If you’re not a runner, tell me about an athletic goal you have, or have already achieved.
P.S. My giveaway is holding strong for a few more days, enter now if you haven’t for some PB CRAVE!
So proud of you! Your first half, I am a huge fan of half marathons. Love the distance.
Bam! My favourite post of the day!!!!!!!!!
I was already in a fabulous mood, and this just escalated that fabulousness.
Yayayayaya!!!
My longest distance? There were unhealthy longs and healthy longs, so I’ll go with the healthy long for this story… in 2008, the monkey and I were sauntering around a big park which supposedly looped. Approximately 10 miles later and I called my dad, “Daddy! It’s freezing cold, and I don’t know where I am. Waaah!”
So he pulled up google earth and told me that I had about another 5 miles to travel to reach home base!
Imagine baby monkey and me… in the snow… exhausted… omg, we almost called a taxi!
I would have started to cry..for sure. You are stronger than I am haha. In the snow..I would die!
We wee both dressed in fashion parkas, so that made it all okay.
*were! damnit!
We we..sounded more French and snobby. I liked it.
omg congratulations, what an exciting journey & adventure, my goal is to one day do a half marathon, so props to you for taking the leap!
OMG YOU ARE SO NOT DOING THIS RACE?!!? We are linked… two days ago, Mr. Speedy and I began discussing where to travel next for a race and I said the half at DisneyWORLD (not land). So now, I am convinced- if this debut race of yours goes well and you don’t get kidnapped by Cinderella and elope with Manfriend and live in the themepark– we MUST plan to race next time TOGETHER. Anywhere. It can be our first meeting. I am already getting excited with the thought of this. AFter the race we can drink wine and have our men buy us very important things, like fairy wands and cotton candy.
Moving on- I’m balls excited for you. BALLS. So glad you planned to do this!
Your comment just made my day. I swear I often tell Manfriend that if I were to meet any of my blog “friends” it would HAVe to be you!! You are my FAVORITE PERSON EVER! I already know this race and trip will be a blast…leading me to the next comment that YES we must plan a vacation together. UHMAZINGG I would be so much more excited for that than I would be for anything ELSE EVER! I CAN’T WAIT!!!!
I see us being bfffff’s for a very long time after our first meeting…be prepared.
Yayyy! I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait for you to do it and hear all about it
Race pictures are the worst! I’m always nervous to look at them because I know they won’t be pretty haha.
wow! that’s so awesome!!! i would love to run the disneyland half sometime!! I just ran my first half a week ago and it was awesome!! you’ll love it!
OMG you will LOVE disneyland’s half!!! I’m so excited for you!!
can i come be your sherpa? i’ll feed you!
I participated in a relay marathon for leukemia and lymphoma a couple years ago. There were three others in my group, and let me just say I am glad we spread the miles amongst us. I think I would have died that day if it weren’t for them.
At least you have DLand to enjoy after! Good Luck!
Ahh omg omg omg!!!!! This trip is gonna be so epic, I’m so happy for you!!!! I have a feeling you’re not only gonna own the race, but have the hottest, least elderly looking photo out there
WOW good for you! You’re going to do great and be so happy during the whole race — it’s impossible not to be in Disneyland! :] That’s wonderful that you were able to sign up too; my mom wanted to run it this fall, but it was already full… If you give it positive reviews, I just may try to run it with her next year! Good luck!!!
wow! that’s so awesome!
Awesome! My first half was in January, at Disney WORLD! It was such an awesome experience. I thought I would be really hurting since I didn’t train as much as I was supposed to, but it was exhilarating the whole way through…even though I got “heavy legs” from mile 9 until the end.
Whoo! That is fantastic!! I cannot wait to read all about it!
Wow, too exciting! What a trip!!
i tried to start planning a vacay yesterday, but it got really complicated and stressful so i stopped LOL i can’t believe you took 6 months to plan, you’re amazing!
good luck on your half marathon! and i think that you look like a strong runner in that photo! keep it up!
Weee how exciting this is Brittany! I am a major planner too, so I would def be like this, planning everything possible ahead of time, I do NOT go with the flow too well haha
And that is supaaa exciting about the race! Oh and don’t worry about the race photos, there are very few people that look “good” in them lol, I always look like some kind of dying something…
YAY! Go you, awesome lady.
Wow.. I’m going to say congratulations right now, because half the battle is just signing up and going! Well.. maybe half the battle is the training too! So proud of you!! I’ve never done that and probably never will.. xo Smidge
I have never participated in a marathon, but one day I am going to do Grouse run. My wishes with you for half marathon. Keep it up Girl!
This is so exciting Britt! Way to go…best of luck with the training AND the amazing trip you’ve planned! Love your photos – a dramatic difference
xo!
what a fun post and amazing goals! This looks like such a fun race to be a part of!
Oh, Brittany, you do make me laugh! Good luck w/ your first half marathon – yay!!! – very exciting. You’ll have a blast. I’ll tell you about my first half marathon after you’ve run yours
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Wooooohooooo! Watch out Mickey!
hehe I admit, I DID crack up at your photo, props for posting it…. Viper took some photos of me straight after giving birth, and seriously I look like I’m possessed with about 50 demons!
I am glad you laughed..that was why I shared. I shouldn’t be the only one able to laugh as such a sight. I would surely laugh at your demon photographs..the mere thought made me giggle. =)
Holy cannoli! [If I could I'd be waiting for you at the end of your 13+ miles with cannoli, that way I'd know you would make it!] SO proud of you!!! can’t wait to hear all about it!
Bahaha you are too good to me, if only you could..I would think about the sugary goodness the entire run!
Ahhh Britt I am SO excited for you! Running a half marathon is on my bucket list and running Disney would just be a dream! From the various recaps I have read, it’s sounds like a blast and a half…and perfect if you just want to have fun with it
! Plus you can refuel with one of those amazing Mickey-Mouse shaped ice cream sandwiches (love those)!
Eeek! How exciting!! I love this post. Running a half marathon is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and I am going to live vicariously through you until I finally sign up to do it
Can’t wait to hear all about it 
Yay!!! So exciting!
I have always wanted to run at Disneyland!!! That will be awesome!
That’s amazinggggggggg!! Since I saw a few other bloggers run Disney this past year it seemed like such a fun adventure and if I was to ever do a half marathon, I would want it to be Disney too! My husband and I are planning a trip to Disney next year around April I think
, can’t wait to hear more about your training!
THAT’S AMAZING<333 Sorry I haven't been commenting but I swear I've been reading your entries… I'm that creepy stalker person who never says anything but reads everything. haha but I was kinda jealous that you get to go to DISNEYLAND! and needed to comment. you are going to do AMAZING. because that's who you are Brittany the Amazing Girl. Duh
I loveeee you =)
BRITT! That’s amazing!! I am so happy for you! You are going to have the BEST time! And I know your photo will be fabulous!
Oh this is so awesome (and that isn’t a word I use often!) Massively excited for you, what a fun experience!! Doing a half marathon is amazing enough, to do it in Disneyland is even more fantastic
I can’t wait to hear all about your training, it’s great that you get to run and train with Manfriend 
Oh em geee I’m SO EXCITED FOR YOU LADY! You’ll have so much fun and I’m sure you’ll get bit by the bug
Can’t wait to hear about your training. And that’s awesome your man is doing it too. I love running with my beau.
AH!!! I’m so excited for you!!! I was looking at the Disney one when it was announced but decided against it because I spent a week / a boat load of money last halloween there! I’m super excited for you!!! Okay so goal is to look excited when you run by a camera, or just close your mouth and give smoldery eyes to the sun. I know you can pull this off
Um longest distance, you know I just ran my half and prior to that I had been running diddly, SO adrenaline, clothes that you won’t chaff in, good music and some gu and I think you are gunna rock this!!!
LOL Brittany, your posts never fail to make me laugh! I love that picture of “you” (hehe) running in Disneyland! That is SO awesome that you’re going on vacation! Cheers to you! Make sure to go on splash mountain a billion times for me. OH and also scream while on the “it’s a small world” ride! (Lol, I have a thing where I scream on every ride!). Good luck on your training! Don’t push too hard and take rest when needed. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
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Your running the Dland half marathon?! Like the one that is only 30 minutes from me in Cali?
You are totally going to rock it I just know it!! Make sure you give yourself lots of rest during training so that you are reading to go when race day comes!!
HOLD THE PHONE!!!!!!! YOU’RE GOING TO DISNEY LAND??? Uh dude, how long are you staying in CALI! Uh, I LIVE IN CALI! It’s time WE MEET UP!! WHAD UP SON! LOL!! Looks like Katalysthealth has the same plan in mind… We should just plan a 3-way! Sexy times!
Ahhhh so exciting!!! I cannot wait to hear alllllll about it and training and all that great stuff
26.2 is my longest run to date. I hit the wall at mile 23 and there was this short asain dude breathing so loud that it pushed me past the “wall” haha I was so close to snapping at him
That is so exciting! I love Disneyland!! Xox <3 hautepinkpretty.com
How exciting! I can understand why you wanted to keep it a secret. You never know what will happen and you don’t want to jinx anything!
Sounds like it’s gonna be fun!! I wanna run the princess half marathon some day in disney world! i need to find some running buddies cause my friends are too lazy
OMG I’M TOTALLY JEALOUS! I looooooove disneyland. First off I just wish I could run, but second oh man oh man if I were to be ever able to run I would so want to do the princess half marathon or something fun in Disney like you’re doing. You are totally gonna kick some butt!
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This is AWESOME! Not to sound weird, but I’ve read your blog for awhile and followed your running journey from the beginning. Its great to see how far you’ve come and I’m excited for you! Disney is quite possibly the best place to be, and all the better that you’re going to be running there
And I hope your training is going well!
That picture is fantastic!!! I had a horrible one at a half I did last fall. I wish I would have a picture of me puking at the end of the marathon I did last month… Disney races are THE BEST! I did the DisneyWorld Wine and Dine Half in October 2010 and it was my absolute favorite. It is expensive, but well worth it!
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Hahahahaaha! Running pics are seriously the greatest things on this planet!!!! Oh man, so hilarious!!