Almost two years ago, I went on my very first trip to Disney World. I spent months planning and reading every bit of information I could find. During the course of my planning, I came across the lovely forums known simply as The DIS. I gained an incredible amount of knowledge and perspective I wouldn't have otherwise found in reading trip reports from other users. We had an amazing trip!

After we returned, I found myself returning to The DIS to read trip reports. It seems that I couldn't get enough of them. Eventually, I came across a report from a lady named Carissa. She was planning on running the WDW Half Marathon, and I read her trip report with great interest. I had no idea such an event existed! Through her report, I found another DIS racer, Jenny, who ran the full marathon. I was in awe of these wonderful ladies who had run such a great distance. And they did it at Disney!

I have toyed with the idea of running many times. I enjoyed it as a kid, and it seems like something that one can do with very little equipment or training. I'd even attempted the infamous Couch to 5K program, but I quit. But after reading about RunDisney, I was determined to get back out there. I needed a plan. A good one. One I could stick to. I was so out of shape that even C25K was intimidating. So, I made my way over to the W.I.S.H (We're Inspired to Stay Healthy) forums over on The DIS. It was there that I found great encouragement and suggestions for starting out.

I decided early on that I would not be running to lose weight. If that happens, then so be it; however, my primary goal is to be able to play with my children and not feel like I'm going to pass out. My own mother's health is so poor that at the age of 58, she can barely walk across a room without getting winded. She is on oxygen, and has COPD, yet she's never smoked a day in her life. I don't want to be that person. I want to be healthy and active for my girls.

Now, my secondary goal...well it's a bit more selfish. You see, I want to go back to WDW. Badly. Oh so very badly. Therefore, I am going to run to Disney. Not literally, mind you. I know that if I make it to my goal, I can justify an expensive trip to Disney to reward myself.

So, now that you know my motivations and goals, here's my plan. I'm going to run the Princess Half Marathon in 2013. Though the dates haven't been released yet, I expect the race to occur in late February. That gives me 14 months to go from obese couch potato to seasoned runner. I KNOW I can do this. I've heard too many stories of people just like me who have done it.

In fact, I've already started! Yep, I just completed the first week of a modified C25K plan. Here it is:

5 min warm up
30 sec run + 2 min walk (x6)
5 min cool down

I still haven't decided what to do for next week. I still think that slow is the best way, so if I increase my ratio at all, it won't be by much. Perhaps I'll do 45 sec runs:1:45 walks.

I feel great. Actually I feel better than I have in years, though I don't expect it to always be this way. It will be one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I know that I CAN do it. And it will be so worth it when I have that medal around my neck at the most magical place on Earth!