Around the world....

Not literally, well possibly literally.   Friday I returned to training with the Disney Royal Family 5k at Epcot Center (though I haven't officially been cleared by the doctors since it's only been 20 days.  It's hard to keep me down...did you read my last post about how stubborn I am?). 

Why yes, Baby K was born on February 1, and so I am back to training.  Today's story won't really include Baby K (he's a little young to actively participate as yet), but  not to worry, I'm sure I will have many stories to share of time on the roads with my newest running partner.

So my return to pounding the pavement brought mixed feelings - but we'll get to that - first the course.  I've run a few different Disney races and have experienced different courses.  Though only a 5k, it has to be my favorite Disney course yet. 

The start was out in the Epcot parking lot. It was a different group than I'm used to running a Disney race with.  More kids, more families.  A festive environment to be sure.  The first mile continued through the parking lot and access roads, though it was too dark to really see.  Then, with the beginning of mile 2, we entered the Epcot Center World Showcase and took a jaunt around the world.  Each of the countries in the showcase was well-represented by the Disney character from that country (or at least one dressed in traditional costume from that country).  It made me smile.  I like to smile while running.  The final mile was back through the front end of Epcot Center, around Spaceship Earth and the memorial plaza and back out into the parking lot.  A grand return to the race scene for sure.

The run felt awesome.  Muscle memory kicked in and everything worked the way it should.  No walking...the running felt just fine (though not particularly fast).  That said, it was sad to be at Princess Half weekend running something other than the half marathon (I've run it every year since 2011).  I went back and forth with regret for not pushing myself to run the bigger distances this weekend, but knew in my mind that I was already biting off more than I should.  I'll take the finish, though.  Definitely can't complain (and I even scored a pair of the New Balance Run Disney shoes in the Cinderella motif).

Saturday we were right back at Epcot Center for the kids races...Diva's turn on the course.  This was officially her second time in a Disney kids race.  The first one was for 100m, but she's a bigger girl now, and so was registered in the 200m.  It was also special because she got to run with one of her good friends.  I'm a very proud mama....last time she had to be carried but today she ran the whole thing herself (with me running right beside her of course).  Perhaps this girl is headed to a running career of her own.  She was smiling ear to ear when she finished.  And then of course we headed straight into the park so the Diva could meet some Disney princesses.

We rounded off the "return to running" weekend cheering for my good friend, Ann, in her Disney debut at the Princess Half Marathon.  The diva was so excited to hold up a sign for Ann that another lady asked the diva to hold her sign up so she could take a picture with the cute, enthusiastic kid.

All in all, I'd say that I couldn't have asked for a better way to get back in action.  I mean really, if this is just the beginning, then the rest of the year must bring great things.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles: 3.16
Time:  37:59 (pace of 12:01 per mile)
Location:  Epcot Center, Walt Disney World
Feeling:  motivated to get back in the game