Tim, Darcie, me, Lynn, Selma and Alan on the morning of the half!

As Julie Andrews said, you should start at the very beginning because that’s a very good place to start. So here’s part one, part two, and part three of what’s turned into rather an epic week of blogging (for me, anyway). But writing about it has kept the weekend going in my mind and heart, and I have to tell you I am more than a little sad to be writing this final installment. Because when it’s done, then it’s over! But as my friend, Katie, says I won’t be sad because it’s over, I’ll be happy because it happened!! I forgot earlier to post this fun pic my friend, Lynda made (yes, the same awesome woman who gave me my magic feather). I loved this!! Clearly I am in love with my own name;). Thank you, Lynda!!

So where was I? Oh yes, the half marathon is over, and it’s time to party! I quickly showered and was  ready to get out and tour the parks wearing my bling. I took all four medals with me (because I wanted a photopass pic with all of them) but there was no way I was wearing all four. The clanging alone was enough to scare people away and the weight of all four was a bit ridiculous. (yes, that was me bragging, very poorly veiled in a whine;)

In order to speed this installment along (and because I want to get to my final thoughts) I’m just going to post some fun pics from Sunday. Suffice it to say, a good time was had by all!! Great friends, great food, lots of laughs!! The highlight was Tonja and I taking a break from the heat at Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel! It’s sort of like Rainforest Cafe for grownups and was SO MUCH FUN!! I will definitely be back.

We did a lot in the parks, too, including Space Mountain and I just had to post this pic of us TRYING to get a good ride photo. Suzanne is trying to pull out her medal. Hysterical!

We had a great celebratory meal at Carthay Circle! It was my second time there and it didn’t disappoint! Then a bunch of us toured Cars Land and enjoyed all the fun neon and rode a few things including Soarin’!

Tonja and Suzanne! We got first row for Soarin’! Score!

It was, all in all, a perfect Disney day! But all good things must come to an end, and as much as I wanted to stay up and play, when you get up at 3am, by 10pm you’re done:). The next morning I said good-bye to Disneyland and headed home to my sweet family and doggies who were all thrilled to see me back home!!

I LOVED the 10K and the whole Dumbo Double Dare concept. I frequently run back to back days so didn’t do any specific training to tackle back to back races but found it to truly be no big deal. Getting up early two days in a row was also easy since my body clock was set in TX time! In Florida for the Princess Glass Slipper Challenge I may feel differently;).

The Expo was a mess. I’m not sure what happened or why they were so ill-prepared for the crowds, but it was not a good Run Disney moment.

Women’s Shirts PLEASE!! I went and checked the numbers and there were almost twice as many women as men registered for this race. Do a women’s shirt.

I will NEVER stay at a non-Disney hotel for the Disneyland Half again. The convenience was just amazing and sort of made the weekend for me. It’s pricey, though, so that money tree’s going to need to start producing fruit soon!

 I didn’t PR as I had hoped and worked for. But I had a fun time, I spent great time with my friends, and I truly enjoyed myself. And all the hard work Coach Natalie put me through has made me a stronger and fitter runner. So thank you, Natalie, for all you did for me! I have zero regrets.

And finally, I want to thank my husband and my 3 boys for being incredibly supportive and giving me not just the freedom but their blessing to pursue these crazy dreams of mine. You are the joy in my life and the song in my heart and I thank God for you everyday!! And I promise, the next time I go to the Happiest Place on Earth, you’re coming with me!!

If you are a new reader because of these posts, I hope you’ll stick around. It won’t always be this exciting, but I will try to encourage, to share my mistakes and my victories, and to give a glimpse of what it looks like to live a real life and be a real runner!! God bless.

Oh, and if you want to join the conversation, you can head to the Running For My Life FB page and follow me on twitter where I am @Jenlefforge. See you real soon, and oh yeah, HAPPY RUNNING!!

Jen