Disneyland Half Marathon: Sept. 2, 2012

I'm running the Disneyland Half Marathon!  Yup, you read right!  A HALF MARATHON!!! For those of you that aren't familiar with running lingo, that means I've committed myself to running 13.1 miles!  I might as well also commit myself to an insane asylum, right?!  You're probably thinking why I would volunteer myself for such torture, and while at times I've wondered the same thing, I know there's no doubt I will finish the marathon.  Unless, of course,  I get some crazy injury that prevents me from even crawling to the finish line.  Nonetheless, I will give it my best!!!

Now, I don't want you to think I'm entirely crazy.  I HAVE been training since I signed up for the race back in July, so my body is feeling more and more ready with each training day I complete.  

The thought of running a half marathon crossed my mind after I participated in the Irvine Lake Mud Run last year. 

I did it just 3 months after having my 2nd son {via C-section} and was trying to prove to myself that pregnancy had not affected my body as drastically as it could have.  However, I realized before the end of mile 1, that I was wrong.   Although I completed the mud run, it was not without some serious lack of air throughout many parts of the race {and a giant blister on my toe} But doing the Irvine Lake Mud Run made me realize I'm a lot stronger than I think, so I planted the Half Marathon seed in my brain.  Well, recently I decided I wanted to do the Disneyland Half Marathon, however, in order to make myself truly accountable for finishing the race, I wanted to run for a cause.  Finding one wasn't difficult at all.  My uncle passed away in April of this year after an inspirational and courageous 8-year battle with prostate cancer.  As a result, I chose to join the Lazarex Cancer Foundation's Team for Life group by joining them to raise funds for the organization. {for more information, just click on the link for LCF, above.}  Joining this group makes me accountable to finishing the race and makes me realize there are people counting on me to finish.  After all, I can run 13.1 miles in less than 3.5 hours....right?! {RIGHT??!}

Now comes a crucial part of all of this.  Apparently, "costumes are encouraged".  Uhhhhhhhh.....what?!  Yeah, costumes are encouraged.  Crazy me!  Here I was thinking I could just go about my merry run with old-fashioned running attire.  Shorts or leggings, tank tops, socks and tennis shoes.  {insert annoying buzzer sound here!} WRONG!  I did some research and it looks like there is a whole market for marathon running attire. You have to see this!!!

{photography and etsy shop by: This Princess Runs}

So.....which one should I be?  Snow White? Sleeping Beauty? Tinkerbell?  Feel free to comment {or tell me how crazy I am....because sometimes I feel that way, too!  :)  }