I was also trying to find a way to connect with my dad, a phenomenal runner (and I mean seriously phenomenal). That sounds like a great thing - expert help for free! Yes ... but also tough for someone at my level who didn't know the first thing about anything - the right socks to wear, sports bras, pace, distance, plantar fasciitis, fartleks, the list was eneless. If you're reading this and don't know about them, don't worry. I promise you're not alone. Let's face it, for a simple activity, running can be pretty darn intimidating.
But I was determined. I had heard about this new race called the Disney Princess Half Marathon and that had my name all over it. I was going to do it and a February race took away all my excuses for quitting once the winter hit. Starting was hard and I learned a lot of things the hard way. I was naively surprised when things didn't work the same way for me and my dad - I know, shocker right? Still, I was determined and excited - I was going to finish this race if it was the last thing I did.
I went to the expo and bought one of everything, telling myself that this would be my one and only. Bucket list, check. The morning of the race, I toed the line with thousands of other runners, "Princess Lindsay" printed on my bib, scared out of my ever loving mind. It took me nearly 3 hours to run that first race and it hurt, bad. But that sense of pride, accomplishment, elation and (maybe above all else) community when I saw others hobbling around the parks at Disney World later that day was undeniably satisfying. This was it, I was officially a runner.
2009. Let the medal addiction begin! |
Now I am in a different place - marathons and PRs and 8 Disney Princess Half Marathons later - where I am finding the most joy from helping others. It goes back to that community and I want to help anyone and everyone else, no matter where you are in your relationship with running. I'm pretty sure I have made every mistake possible and continue to make them. I hope you'll also share your stories with me because let me tell you the learning never stops. Thanks for reading and run happy!
- "Princess" Lindsay
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