Hey everyone!
I DID IT 
Check out this gorgeous medal:
After a night of restless, anxious sleep, I woke up to a beautiful b-fast cookie to start my half marathon day with:
I love my Aunt’s sparkly heart plate—very appropriate for today 
I loaded my Camelbak, got dressed, put the chip on my shoe, and grabbed some Cran-Razz Shot Blocks Megan got for me to munch during the race. I also grabbed my load iPod (iPizzle) for some running motivation.
Here’s the final half marathon playlist:
-
“Explosive” Bond
- “Teenagers” My Chemical Romance
- “Higher Ground” Red Hot Chili Peppers
- “Jai Ho” Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack
- “Bring Em Out” T.I
- “Spotlight” (Twilight Mix) Mute Math
- “I Don’t Care” Fallout Boy
- “Fighting” Yellowcard
- “Tumba La Casa” Thalia
- “Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have” Panic! At The Disco
- “Right Round” Flo Rida
- “Dead and Gone” T.I and Justin Timberlake
- “Magalehna” Sergio Mendes
- “Live Your Life” T.I (whoa, lots of TI on here!)
- “That’s Not My Name” Ting Tings
- “Poker Face” Lady GaGa
- “Click Click Boom” Saliva
- “Eye of the Tiger” Rocky Soundtrack
- “Bleed it Out” Linkin Park
- “Forever (Ronnie Maze Remix)” Junior Torrey
- “Cry” Hans Zimmer
- “Fuel” Metallica
- “Hero of the Day” Metallica
- “Calabria 2007 (Club Mix)” Enur
- “Stop and Stare (workout mix)” Cory Ray
- “Devour” Shinedown
- “Viva La Vida” Coldplay
- “Circus” Britney Spears
- “Everything” Michael Buble
Whew! As you can see, I put a TON of songs in there to keep me going!
When we got to the race, it was seriously like a concert looking at the Start line. There was a huge sign with neon pink lights shining down and fog, which looked incredible because it was still dark outside. Also, the Fairy Godmother was the announcer and it was so cute. After the race officially started, it took 10 minutes for me to get from the corral to the start line—they said there were 8,000 people there!!!
The race was seriously fantastic. If you’re planning on doing your first long distance run in the near future, I HIGHLY suggest making it a Disney race. We ran through Epcot center, Magic Kingdom and the roads along the sides of the park and about every half mile there was a DJ (totally Disney-fied DJ) blaring music and cheering us on, and Disney characters at each mile marker so that you could take pictures with them during the run. I didn’t stop for any character pics, but I did have to have my pic taken in front of the castle—we’ll see how it comes out.
During the race I pushed myself. HARD. My heart rate was in the 170s the entire time but I discovered if you throw me into a sea of running girls in cute outfits/costumes and let me run around my favorite theme parks, I feel the need to kick some serious race booty.
The entire time I was running, I kept telling myself that my husband would be waiting for me at the finish line (even though we all know that isn’t true). I also pictured your bloggy faces cheering me on, my family, my friends, my favorite spin teacher, and myself…
When we passed Shades of Green which is the military resort, I almost started bawling. There were so many military members out there cheering for us, and I felt so overwhelmingly grateful for all they do for us, yet also unbearably sad that my husband couldn’t be here for such a big day because he’s serving our country.
Around mile 8, I had 3 Shot Blocks and half a pack of vanilla flavored goo (which was more like “bile flavored goo”) and keep trucking along. I also stopped twice to rub Biofreeze all over my legs.
My goal was to finish in under two hours….
I finished 1:56:45 (according to my heart rate monitor)
EDITED TO SAY: Here are my official race results
GINA
VALDOSTA, GA Age: 24 Gender: F
Distance
HALF MAR
Clock Time
2:08:40
Chip Time
1:56:42
Overall Place
509 / 6150
Gender Place
477 / 5956
Division Place
58 / 553
Age Grade
56.4%
5K
27:03
10K
54:31
15K
1:22:22
If you would have told me a year ago that I would be running a half marathon, I would have fallen on the floor laughing. The fact that I did it, and actually made a good time is something that I’m seriously stoked about.
This is proof, to all of you new runners out there that you CAN do it. I don’t consider myself a “real” runner in any way –I run maybe once or twice a week- and if I can do it, you definitely can.
Well I’m off to get my toes done (because they officially look heinous), a massage, some foodie and make the depressing drive back to Vtown. The good news is that Jeni has chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and Megan is making dinner
The other good news: (hopefully) tomorrow I will have a little surprise announcement
Have a very happy Sunday,
Gina
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awwwwwwwwww congrats girl! That is so exciting! I am glad the race went so well and that you beat your goal time. Adorable pic of you! Enjoy your day- you deserve it!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am soooo excited for you!! And if I could have actually been there on the side lines cheering, I totally would have.
Have a great Sunday Gina!
Congratulations on an awesome race! Have a fantastic day and pamper yourself a little bit – you definitely earned it!
you are SO inspiring!!! go gina go! you rocked it! the pic of you is gorgeous too! you must be so proud!!! that is really impressive. runners ALWAYS amaze me. thanks for keeping me motivated and inspired!
Congratulations! The shirt and medal are so cute!
CONGRATS GINA!! I knew you could do it! And killer time you have there! WOO HOOO!!!
What a GREAT job!! I love that princess medal and your b-fast cookie on the heart plate!
Have fun getting your toes done!!
GINA!!! You are so inspring–this is awesome. You SHOULD be so proud of yourself! Thank you for sharing your experience, tips, and playlist
You rock, lady!
You’re a rockstar! (and princess
)! Way to go!!!! Your time is amazing!
I always read your blog for ideas and inspiration and am never let down. Thanks, princess gina! hahaha
Kaneil, balanceisbest
That is so awesome…congrats on your time and finishing strong! Love the medal…too cute
You are AMAZING! Seriously, I’m so proud of you!! Way to go – CONGRATS!!!
I don’t know what I’m more jealous of though, the sparkly heart plate or the medal!
Congrats G!!!!!! That sounds so amazing, I do NOT run- but that disney princess/pink/fairy godmother stuff would def sway me!!
WHOOOHOOO!! Congratulations!!! You frickin rocked that, as we all knew you would! You are incredible! I’m sorry about missing the hubs, though. Is he coming home soon? Have a lovely sunday!
Go girl!!! You rocked it out! Great time! I am definitely downloading some of your play list too! Great stuff. Congratulations and enjoy the rest of your day!
Great job! I love the race mix – you have a ton of the same songs I love to run to! Sorry the hub couldn’t be there – but you totally put it in the right persepective – you should be so proud!
HELL YES YOU DIIIIIIIIIID!!!!!
Oh and I bet I know what the big announcement is
Congratulations! That is pretty darn fast too
Congrats in your amazing time! You should be so proud of youself! I love the shirt and medal too, so cute! I would love to do this race next year. It sounds like so much fun. Congrats again and looking forward to the announcement tomorrow!
congrats! this is awesome. im so proud of you. i’m sorry the pilot couldnt be there to cheer you on, but i’m sure he is so proud of you! 1 hr 56 minutes is an awesome time, CONGRATS!!
CONGRATS GINA!!!
You did amazing. Good for you! This inspires me to get out there and just do it. Love the playlist. Can’t wait to download some!!!!
Congratulations! That’s awesome!
I love the mix, that would have kept me going too.
How cool! YAY for you! And so much fun too – I love Disney!!
I am going to have to check out some of the songs on your play list too, they look good. 
Girl I’m so jealous. One day I hope to be in your place.. blogging about the run I just finished.
Great job!!
-E
CONGRATS GINA!!!!!
You did such a wonderful job on that race! i so wish i could have flown your man home to meet you at the end of your race!
and I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet up today…stupid car. that’s what i get for not running it in over 2 weeks and it being in the middle of no where.
Awesome job Gina!
So proud of you!!!
Gina, you’re so amazing! I’m SOSO SO SO SO PROUD OF YOU! You’re such an inspiration in so many ways!
YEAH PRINCESS!
Now that is my kind of race! Congratulations! I’m not a runner, but I think even I would have made it if I could do it in Disney World. Happiest place on earth, totally! I’m going in May with my roomie and we are so jazzed. AWESOME JOB! What a way to earn your tiara.
Woo-hoo, you look so cute in your post race pict. The Disney races sounds like so much fun to do. I love having lots of excitement on the sidelines to keep the runners motivated. Your playlist looks great- I think I might need to add some of those jams to my workout playlist.
AND WOW LADY- your race time was awesome!!! So proud of you.
Put on your tiara and be a princess for the rest of the day- you totally deserve it.
P.s. The comment feature is really annoying me. I commented on this post earlier and it never showed up.. I’m hoping it works this time.
I’m so proud of you! Great job! That race looks like it was so much fun.
Enjoy your day of pampering!
I am so totally excited for you and PROUD of you! I LOVE the t-shirt and the medal. Perfect for you! And I'm thinking, I most def need to run this race next year! I am seriously going to look it up in a sec…it will be perfect after all treatments are such are over and would be a good time to take the kids to Disney as well. I could go on and on, but I won't!
Congratulations to you! I'm so proud of you for continuing to push on despite missing your hubby…he's not the only one serving our country…he couldn't do it without a great supportive wife like you! (hugs & high fives!)
Wow, what an inspiration!! I am a new runner and I am wanting to do a half marathon soon…that is such an AMAZING first race time. congrats!
awww gina i have missed reading your blog and all the pictures that come with the posts – CONGRATS ON THE RACE! yaaay, princess
how is it that you are still so pretty even after a marathon?
Gina!!!!!
I am beyond proud of you. What a freaking amazing time for your first half marathon! Sounds like you had a great race. Enjoy every minute of your runner’s high and take care of those toes! I have a feeling there might be more halfs in your future!
Congratulations!! That is so exciting! I love the heart-shaped plate, cute little things like that make eating that much more fun!
FABULOUS run Gina!!! love the princess gina on your bib
how’s that biofreeze stuff? sounds like you’ve got a great afternoon planned!
great job, cute shirt
congratulations!!! you’re great!!!
lovely plate, cute shirt!
cant wait for a surprise announcementtt!
so glad the race went well!! it’s so inspiring to see someone come as far as you have. i currently probably cant run more than like, 2 miles at a time. and that is pushing it haha. so i’m hoping to take after you and (with some training) become a butt-kicking runner!
Awesome job! I knew you’d kick butt!
I am SO proud of you!! You kicked that race’s booty and you should be very very proud of yourself! I only wish I could have been there too! We will definitely celebrate though when you come to Tampa and we have our ice cream party
Have a wonderful rest of the day and I can’t wait until tomorrow!!!!!!! =)
I want to run a race now just to get a cute medal like that! haha
Ooo T.I.! My favorite!!! He’s a cutie too
Congrats!! I think if I was to pick a place to race Disney World would be a good one! I’m super glad to hear you say that you wouldn’t call yourself a “runner” and still did this, because I just had ACL surgery and won’t be running for 5 months or so. After that, I will definitely need some motivation to get back into it, and I think I will click on back to your blog- I think it’s awesome! -Lisa D.
Great job Gina!!! That is such an awesome accomplishment!
I am a new runner and am slowing starting to get into it. It is no easy thing in the beginning, at least, that is for sure. But you’ve totally given me the courage to keep on going. YAY!!
Have a good evening
Wow! The race sounds great! Congrats! Also, TI’s “Bring ‘Em Out” is one of my top five workout songs! Love it!
Yes! Congratulations Gina!!! The tiara is well deserved
Congratulations! Your description of the race was incredible. I am definitely looking into the Disneyland half marathon a little further now.
Enjoy the HIGH!!!
I am SO happy for you! Seriously, the whole time I was reading this post I had a huge smile plastered across my face. CONGRATUFREAKINGLATIONS, GINA! The race atmosphere sounds incredible – Disney is such a “magical” place. I think you did such a wonderful job: great time, great attitude and just all in all AMAZING. Thank you for being such an inspiration and showing us how it’s done. Enjoy the rest of your day and CELEBRATE – that medal looks fabulous on you!
Looking forward to your announcement! Also, hoping that someday we can run a race in the same location! That would be awesome.
Congrats!!!!! Amazing time, you should be SO proud of yourself. Incredible!!! Finishing my first half was awesome, can’t wait for my second!
Sara
http://eatfabinnyc.wordpress.com
Congratulations!!! A good playlist is really such a great motivator to keep going!
congrats g-money. im totally gonna copy some of the tunes on your playlist. since my computer crashed last week, i had to restore to factory settings and lost ALL my itunes. so annoying. but good pump up music is the key to rockin race times, so WELL DONE.
http://www.hungryhungryhippie.com
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