I run like a princess – My Couch to Half Marathon Journey


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I ran 14.25 miles this morning…for real. If you had told me in mid-September that in 5 months I’d be able to run 14.25 miles, I would have laughed in your face. At the time, I did not exercise at all and with a desk job, barely moved at all. On February 24th, 2013 (11 days eek!), I plan to achieve my goal of finishing the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon at Walt Disney World.

Like many Americans, I struggle with my weight and high blood pressure. My doctors and parents told me I needed to exercise and I fully intended to “start” exercising but I never did. I just had no motivation to get my butt out of bed/off the couch/away from my computer. No matter how many people told me to exercise or how many times they said it, I needed to find my own motivation.

Then in October, I laid my eyes on this…

2013 Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon Medal
2013 Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon Medal

Now, I’ve always been a big fan of Disney. I was an Annual Passholder back when I lived in Los Angeles, Chris proposed to me in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle, we went to Disney World and sailed Disney Wonder for our honeymoon, we both worked for Disney before, and I’ve cosplayed as Ariel, Belle, and Mulan.

When I saw that gorgeous medal in all of its blingy glory, I knew I had to have it. When I looked over Jeff Galloway’s training program provided by runDisney, I realized it was very do-able for me to train in 5 months. The calendar actually started in October so my timing was perfect and I began training to run the 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles).

In the last 5 months, I finished a 5k in November, a 10k in January, and ran a total of 125 miles so far! It blows my mind as I tell you this because I literally started from nothing. The last time I ran a mile was my sophomore year in high school P.E. class! Every long run I did each weekend was a new milestone in my life.

I’ve never been a good long distance runner either. I ran track in junior high and freshman year of high school but I was a sprinter. Jeff Galloway’s interval walk-run method was right up my alley because I cannot sustain running for more than 1 minute. I run 45 seconds and walk 30 seconds…the whole time. I’m not going to win a speed award but I plan to finish in under 16 min/mile as required by the race!

A Facebook friend who is also running the 1/2 Marathon was raising money for charity and inspired me to celebrate my huge personal accomplishment by raising money for the SPCA of Texas.

The SPCA of Texas is dedicated to providing every animal exceptional care and a loving home and is the leading animal welfare agency in North Texas, funded by the generosity of the community. They find families for homeless pets through 2 shelters, run 2 spay/neuter clinics, and conduct animal cruelty investigations. Our beloved rats, Gouda, Mozzarella, and Colby, were adopted from the SPCA of Texas shelter so they hold a special place in our hearts.

My goal was to raise $1,000 for the SPCA of Texas, which would provide care, food, and medical attention for 3 shelter dogs. But thanks to the extreme generosity of my friends, family, and even complete strangers, I have raised $1,665 to date! I’m crossing my fingers that I can get to $2,000 by the race! Though the medal was the initial motivator for me to run, having so many people donate towards a cause I’m passionate about has fueled me as well. There’s nothing like knowing people have already donated money and expect you to finish this race for those homeless pets!!!

I hope my story can help someone else take the first step. I know it may sound silly that a medal was the starter to motivate me but it was what I needed. You just need to find what motivates you.

1 thought on “I run like a princess – My Couch to Half Marathon Journey”

  1. I think it’s awesome what you’re doing and raising money for the SPCA as well.. you go girl! You are inspiration to all of us who struggle with our weight 🙂

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