Alright, let’s be real—I never, in a million years, thought I’d be writing a blog about running, let alone one where I’m celebrating finishing a half marathon. But here I am, 13.1 miles later, still riding the high of one of the most magical (and slightly messy) experiences of my life.
This past February 2nd, I laced up
my running shoes, woke up at the ungodly hour of 2:30 AM, and took on my first-ever half marathon with Run Disney at Disneyland. And y’all, it was incredible—magical, energizing, emotional, and just a little bit humbling.
I trained since August 2024, and let me tell you—I went from someone who hated running to someone who loves it (but in an interval kind of way—30 seconds running, one minute speed walking because balance, people). And while the race was amazing, the journey getting there was even more transformational. So here’s what I learned along the way—plus a few hilarious, not-so-Instagram-
Lesson 1: Hard Things Are Worth Doing
If you’ve ever trained for something WAY out of your comfort zone, you know—it’s a rollercoaster of emotions. Some days, you feel like a badass. Other days, you want to grab a bottle of tequila and quit. But here’s the thing:
The work you put in, the discomfort, the struggle—it ALL pays off.
The discipline of training since August, the early morning runs, the rainy days, the cold days, the scorcher days, the moments of doubt—all of it prepared me for that race. And when I crossed that finish line, I knew that pushing through was so worth it.
Lesson 2: The Magic is in the People
One of the absolute best parts of this experience? Doing it with incredible family and friends.
Spending five days together, exploring Disneyland, doing yoga in the castle at 2:30 AM (yes, another brutal wake-up call), and soaking in the entire experience together? Pure magic.
The support from the Run Disney team, the crowds, the energy along the course—it was unreal. Running through Disneyland while people cheered us on, holding hilarious signs, high-fiving us, and giving all the love made every mile feel so much lighter.
No matter what you’re taking on, having a strong support system makes all the difference. Surround yourself with people who cheer you on, even when you’re the slowest (which I absolutely was—more on that in a sec).
Lesson 3: You Will Have Uncute Moments… and That’s Okay
Let’s talk about the less glamorous side of the race, shall we? Because Instagram shows medals and smiles—but here’s what you don’t always see:
I literally shit my pants. Yup, you read that right. Nerves got the best of me before the race, and I had just enough time to change before heading to the start line. Thank you, running gods.
Bathroom breaks were my best friend. First at mile 2, then one more to swap out my bladder plug (because 4 births and a sagging bladder is a thing).
By mile 7, my IT bands decided they had had enough. Never in all my training had I experienced knee or IT band pain—and suddenly, it hit me like a freight train. I had to stop at the medic tent twice just to keep moving.
No sleep, just vibes. I was so nervous about the race that I barely slept the night before—so add sleep deprivation to the list of obstacles.
And yet… I still finished, and I finished better than my training time!
These are the things that happen when you step out of your comfort zone. It’s not always pretty, but it’s always worth it.
Lesson 4: Fear Will Show Up—Do It Anyway
One of my biggest fears going into this? Letting my friends and family down.
I was 100% the slowest in our group. I had tummy issues, I had pain, I had moments of “Can I even finish this?” I didn’t want to hold anyone back or feel like the weakest link.
But here’s what I realized: No one cared about my pace. They cared that I was out there, doing the damn thing. I still tear up thinking about this.
Fear will always try to stop us, whether it’s running a race, showing up to a retreat by yourself, starting a new business, or making a big life change. But fear isn’t a stop sign—it’s just a speed bump. You push through, you adjust, and you keep going.
Lesson 5: The Finish Line 
is Just the Beginning
So after 13.1 miles of running, walking, laughing, bathroom breaks, and sheer determination, I crossed that finish line. And guess what? I can’t wait to do it again.
Yep, I’m officially hooked. Houston Half Marathon, January 2026—I’m coming for you.
And that’s the thing about doing hard things—once you push past the fear, the discomfort, and the doubts, you realize just how capable you really are.
So whatever it is you’ve been thinking about doing—whether it’s a race, a big life change, or just something that feels out of reach—GO FOR IT.
You are stronger than you think. You can do more than you believe. And you just might surprise yourself along the way.
Final Thought: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that community is everything. Whether it’s training for a race, stepping into personal growth, or just needing a reset in life, having people who lift you up makes all the difference.
And that’s exactly why I love hosting retreats—because when we surround ourselves with support, encouragement, and a little bit of magic, we can do anything.
So, who’s ready to lace up and chase their next big goal? Or better yet, who’s coming on retreat with me to celebrate the magic of pushing past our limits?
With love, sore legs, and no regrets,
Shannon
