Stephanie Harris's Princess Half report

Submitted by Stephanie Harris @Steph_Harris12

My journey getting to the Princess 1/2 marathon did not start off magical, in fact, it did not end with a fairytale ending either.  A little background on this trip. As we all know, these Disney races sell out super fast, so this trip was planned about seven months in advance. My hubby, Jason (aka Prince Charming), got promoted to a new agency with the State. Awesome news indeed, what we didn't know was that he would have to go away to the academy for seven weeks and it fell during this trip. Let's just say bummed is an understatement of how I felt at possibly not having him there with me. I stressed, I panicked, I overreacted, and in the long run, he was able to come for the race, but only for 32 hours. 32 hours was better than nothing and I had no choice but to take it.

Read the rest at Stephanie's blog Collecting My Bling.

Stephanie Harris's SoCal Diva Half race report

Submitted by Stephanie Harris @Steph_Harris12

I signed up for this race in February, the second month into my twelve half marathons for my 2013 race goal year. You see, I was going to be turning 40 in 2013 and I decided this was going to be my big year. I began calling it my midlife crisis year. I recruited a not so happy husband, Jason, to come along with me on my journey.

The exact location was not set yet, the only thing we knew was that the race was going to be in Southern California. The only other thing I knew was, I had to have this medal. The bling was awesome!! Plus, as a bonus, we received a tiara, boa, and glass of bubbly at the finish line. Who wouldn't want those things?  Oh yea, my husband!! He signed up with me anyways! That's true love!!

Read the rest of the report at Stephanie's Collecting My Bling! blog here.

Stephanie Harris's Wine & Dine Half race report

Submitted by Stephanie Harris @Steph_Harris12

Last year was my first experience with the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon. My husband and I made a trip out of it with no kids, just us!! All my friends were like, "You're going to Disney World alone?" YES!!! Being at Disney World with no kids was great, except we found ourselves saying, “The kids would really like this!” So, while we were there, we decided that we would definitely come back next year for the race and bring the kids.

A year in planning and the excitement was full throughout the year. I couldn’t wait to get back to Disney World for the Wine & Dine ½ marathon, but also to experience the parks with our kids.

Read the rest of Stephanie's race report on her Collecting My Bling! blog here.

Stephanie Harris's Tinker Bell 10K & Half race report

Submitted by Stephanie Harris @Steph_Harris12

The inaugural Tinker Bell 1/2 Marathon in 2012 was what I'm calling my "gateway" race. It's the race that started it all for me and my running journey. My motivation began in 2011, when I saw my childhood friend, Heather, training for races and then Disney released the photograph of the Tinker Bell 1/2 Marathon medal. I was in!! I didn't care what I had to do, but I needed that medal and I WANTED it bad! I emailed Heather for some get going pointers and printed the photo of the medal and taped it to the wall in front of my treadmill. My training was off!

I already knew that I'd be doing the 2014 Tink, but the added bonus was the new Tinker Bell 10K. Of course, Disney has to tempt me with a new race and new medal. I've got to learn some self control!! The bummer was there was no bonus medal like the Dumbo Double Dare. Oh well! I love the bling. This race was also a family race, which it seems like most of my races are now involving my family. This is awesome!! Not only is it a great way to spend time together, but it's healthy!

Read the rest of the report here.

Team #Run3rd: Shannon Coleman, Stephanie Harris, Tracy Burwell, Linda Iroff, Joy Iroff,
Lupe Steele, Cheyanne Witte, Sarah Diamond and (front) Dawnley Burwell

Stephanie's National Nurses race report

Submitted by Stephanie Harris @Steph_Harris12

Inaugural National Nurses 1/2 Marathon, October 13, 2013

In keeping with my 2013 goal of completing one half marathon per month, I needed a race for October. The race I had originally chosen was out of the question according to my husband. We had ran a different race earlier in the year who's course was very similar to the October one. So, here I was in search of a new October race when I had already mapped out my year of races.

I came across the Inaugural National Nurses Half Marathon and 5K series that was going to take place in Las Vegas. I thought this sounded perfect since it was local for me and no traveling was involved. This has been a year full of traveling for many different races. Initially wasn't too excited about this race when I saw how hilly it was. I'm a chicken when it comes to hilly races. So, my search of an October race continued.

Stephanie's Dumbo Double Dare race report

Submitted by Stephanie A. Harris @Steph_Harris12

I first learned about the Dumbo Double Dare [Disneyland 10K plus half marathon] at the 2013 Tinker Bell 1/2 Marathon. I never gave it a second thought, it was totally out of the question. 19.3 miles, are they crazy? I was perfectly happy with my 13.1 miles and just getting use to doing those.

As my husband and I sat around the supper table with a great group of runners listening to stories of their races, my good friend Heather piped up and said "You should do it!" I thought to myself, yeah right! After a couple text messages and a Facebook message from Heather, I decided I was doing it. I recruited my husband against his will. He was already unhappy with me that I had added him to my crazy year of completing one half marathon a month. Registration day came and I found myself sitting at the computer waiting for it to open up. I kept refreshing the screen until it was time. Done, two Dumbo Double Dare registrations and a single 10K registration for my daughter. My wallet screamed at me. It had officially become a family event.