🎉 The Ultimate Disney Half Marathon Adventure: A Journey to Remember! 🎉- Part 3

OH. MY. GOODNESS. The time has finally come, and I am beyond excited! Honestly, I don’t even care how long tonight’s drive is—I’m running on pure adrenaline (and probably caffeine).

Let’s rewind to January when I casually asked my husband if he’d be willing to:

1. Run a half marathon (when neither of us was in shape), and

2. Run one at Walt Disney World in the same year… so we could earn that shiny Coast-to-Coast medal.

   
   

His face? Priceless. Like, “WTF are you talking about?!” He thought my Disney obsession had officially gone too far. But after about 10 minutes, he was all in:

“Alright, I’ll do this with ya.”

And just like that, the training began.

🏃‍♀️ 9 Months of Training… Sort Of

My husband has been crushing his training like a champ. Me? Let’s just say “training” is a very fluid word for me. 😂

This will actually be my first Disney run since 2019, when I dragged my son to the Avengers Inaugural Run Weekend. (Bless him for humoring me.) I’m so ready to jump back in, medals, merch, and all!

🎒 Bags Packed, Snacks Secured

We are packed and ready to roll:

• ✅ Snacks for the road

• ✅ Running gear

• ✅ Park tickets for Sunday

• ✅ A full-on Disney food plan (obviously)

  
  

We’re not staying DVC this time (sad face), but we’re close to the action, and I am READY for all the snacks. I’ve been dreaming of:

☕ Coco Puff Cold Brew

☕ Jack’s Cold Brew

Do I care that I’ll be running entirely on caffeine, a runner’s high, and zero sleep? Nope. Not even a little bit.

👟 Merch, Shoes, and Disney Magic

The merch previews have been taunting me for weeks. Please send all the good vibes that there’s still a new pair of shoes left when I get there! 😂

📲 Follow Along!

We’ll be sharing:

• Photos 📸

• Videos 🎥

• Messy hair and no-makeup updates (you’ve been warned!)

  
  

We’d love all the encouragement texts, comments, and cheering emojis you’ve got!

✨ Stay tuned—this weekend is going to be magical, exhausting, and full of carbs, caffeine, and miles. LET’S DO THIS! ✨

🏃‍♀️ Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Recap – 9/7/25 🎃✨

Today was the big day! My husband, daughter, and I officially ran the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon—and wow, what an experience. It was exciting, exhausting, and full of lessons learned. Let’s start with the not-so-magical part (because real talk matters) and then get into all the fun.

After the race

🎈 The Balloon Ladies & The Coral Conundrum

We were placed in Corral I, the last corral, which turned out to be… let’s just say a learning experience. Because we didn’t submit a proof of time, we started last. Each corral was released five minutes apart, meaning we started a full 40 minutes after Corral A.

Translation: the Balloon Ladies (the pacers who sweep the course) were right on our heels from the start. Here’s the thing—if we’d been in even Corral D, that would’ve given us a 25-minute buffer. That extra time would’ve been a game-changer. Instead, I was swept at mile 9, even though my watch showed I was consistently holding 15–16 minute miles. That sweep felt rough because, if you do the math, those extra 25 minutes would’ve meant I was almost at mile 12 when they cleared mile 9. One mile from the finish. Ugh. Lesson learned!

I’ve also heard rumors that the Balloon Ladies weren’t holding exactly 16-minute miles. Can’t confirm that, but here’s my takeaway for anyone training:📌 Train for 14-minute miles or faster. That way, you’ll have a buffer and can enjoy the run without the stress of being swept.

🎃 The Magical Side of Race Day

Now for the fun part: This race was an absolute blast!

✨ The Characters & Photo Ops: Disney brought out so many characters for photo stops—it made every mile exciting.

✨ Cast Members & Volunteers: The energy was amazing. Everyone was cheering, clapping, and encouraging runners from start to finish.

✨ The Vibes: The Halloween decorations in both parks were stunning. Running through a glowing Main Street and past the iconic attractions decked out for fall? Pure magic.

✨ The Crowd: Runners of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities came together. The energy was contagious—so much joy and support everywhere.

🏅 Final Thoughts

Even though I didn’t cross the finish line this time, I still count this race as a huge win. I got to experience the magic of Disney running with my family, I learned what I need to do for future races, and I walked away with unforgettable memories.

Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY. 💯 Disney races are addicting—the energy, the atmosphere, and the fun are worth every mile (and every early morning). Next time, though, I’ll be ready for those Balloon Ladies. 😉

🔥 Takeaways for Future Disney Runners:

• Submit a proof of time if possible!

• Train for a 14-minute mile pace or better.

• Enjoy the atmosphere—it’s part race, part Disney magic.

• Don’t stress about perfection; the experience is what matters.

  
  

🌟 The Adventure Continues!

As I sit here reflecting on the race, I can't help but feel a rush of excitement for the next adventure. Each run is a new chapter, filled with its own set of challenges and triumphs. Whether it's the thrill of the race or the joy of exploring new places, there's always something magical waiting around the corner.

So, what's next on the agenda? More races, more memories, and definitely more Disney magic! And hey, if you’re thinking about joining in on the fun, let me tell you: it’s totally worth it. The community, the camaraderie, and the sheer joy of running through the happiest place on Earth? You can't beat that!

Let’s lace up those shoes and hit the road together. Adventure awaits!