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Through Heather's Looking Glass

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My Running Story

I want to take a trip down memory lane and tell the story of how the WDW marathon weekend will forever hold a special place in my heart, because that’s where my running journey began.

Let’s rewind to January of 2009, shall we?

I had been a part of a message board for Disney brides and honeymooners for a few years. Several of us had gotten very close, and decided to have a “meet up” in WDW. A couple of the girls were running the marathon, so we thought it would be a great weekend to go. Karen and I had never met, but our plan was for her to drive to my parents house, fly to WDW with me, share a room with me, hang out for the weekend, then fly home. I must say, I was a bit nervous having never actually met the girl!

Our first picture together. Oh how there would be many, many more in the following years!

This was also the first weekend I met Jen and Crystal, both also a part of the message board. How could I have known some awesome lasting friendships would come of this?

One of the most fun weekends of my life. These people are a blast.

The morning of the actual marathon, Karen and I staked out a spot in front of Hollywood studios to watch the race…no particular reason for this spot. Keep in mind I was NOT a runner at this point! We waited for our friends to pass. The place we were standing was around mile 24. We somehow missed Jen and Jeff, but managed to catch Crystal! As all of the people passed by, and as I watched everyone cheering them on, all of the sudden I got really really emotional. I thought of the hard work and dedication these people had put into their training for this race. I didn’t know them, but I was so proud of them as they all passed me by. I cheered my little heart out, and decided I COULD do this, I HAD to do this! Fortunately, Karen had the same thought as me, and we vowed we would be back to run.

Fast forward to January 2010.

Bobby, myself, my mom, and sister drove to WDW for marathon weekend. 

Jen, Bobby, me, and my sister outside the race expo

Dinner at Narcoossees

We had trained for this race, our very first half. Our goal was to finish in one piece and to have fun. If you are familiar with marathon weekend, you know this was the year of the freeze and the sleet. Yes. It sleeting during the half, and neither Bobby or I had the proper cold weather gear. Thankfully Jen had a bit to spare for me!

We did make it in one piece, and it felt so good to cross that finish line! We did it, we were officially half marathoners!

But we had not yet reached our goal. What? That’s right. My goal was the Disney full marathon.

Fast Forward to January 2011.

It was a tough training cycle. I was struggling with an IT band injury, and Bobby and I were not even living together (he took a new job and I lived with my parents while our house was being built, and he lived in our new town with his employer.) It was tough training basically on my own, I was under a lot of emotional stress. But, we made it to Disney! Karen ran the full with Bobby and I, and it will forever be one of the best memories of my life. We had SO MUCH FUN with the race, stopping and taking pictures with every character, goofing off and enjoying the race.

I remember very distinctly when Karen and I ran by our inspiration curve outside of Hollywood studios. I got really choked up remembering where it all began two years prior. I could not believe I was about to accomplish my goal, and finish the race.

“inspiration curve”

Crossing the finish line was amazing, we finally did it. Two years later, we accomplished what we had set out to do, and it felt wonderful.

Fast forward to January 2012.

Yup. sitting on my couch.  I didn’t make it to marathon weekend this year, because Karen, myself, and my mom ran the Princess half in February! Oh, and I have my sights set on just ooonnneee more teeny tiny Disney goal.

Goofy 2013, I’m coming for you!*

*DONE! We ran Goofy’s race and a half challenge, and finished, with a marathon PR to boot!

In case this wasn’t enough fun for you and you want MORE, you can read the individual race recaps for the Disney half and full marathons that I ran, as well as this year’s Disney Wine and Dine race and Halloween 5k:

Disney Half Marathon 2010

Disney marathon weekend expo 2010

Disney Full Marathon 2011 part one and part two

Disney Halloween 5k 2011

Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon


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I am Heather Montgomery, a 36-year-old southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, 7-year-old daughter, and our goldendoodle Dolly. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

Please, no guest post requests. 🙂

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#TheFreshMarketPartner The new year is the perfect #TheFreshMarketPartner The new year is the perfect time to broaden your horizons and try something different in the kitchen. Huge bonus if it's something really easy, right? 

At @TheFrershMarket, they are offering something called "Little Big Meals" which is such a genius idea and great time saver.  There were three options you piece together yourself but are only available until the end of this month, so shop them while you can.  They feed four and are prepped to cook! So easy! 

I already love that The Fresh Market has high quality food and the best shopping experience around, but add these easy meals in, and I am sold! One of my goals for the year is to cook one new recipe a month, and I think Little Big Meals is going to easily help me get there. What is your favorite purchase from The Fresh Market? 

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❄️ We are having snow flurries again today. I’m oovveeerrrr it and ready for spring, because January is lasting 85 years. 

It’s our first Tennessee winter and I’m not loving the gloom and rain. But it’s a small price to pay for living in paradise the rest of the year! 
☀️ 
I’m so thankful for warm weather trips coming up, too. 

Are you:
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👉🏻Endurance is my word for the year. I’m a 👉🏻Endurance is my word for the year. I’m almost a month in and pretty darn proud of my progress.

One big step I’ve taken is in my fitness. I’m running more often, and farther. I’m lifting heavier. I’m telling myself I am strong and capable when it’s 25° outside. I’m lacing up when I’m exhausted. I’m hopping on my peloton when I’m having a rough morning.

And y’all, it feels darn good. It feels good to be in control of my decisions and not letting feelings dictate my agenda. I want to be strong and healthy for my family. 

I know we still have over 11 months to go in the year but I’m patting myself on the back for little victories. Are you sticking with your 2023 goals? How are your workouts going? It’s never to late to start or to pick yourself up and go again! 👊🏻

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Can I say “I told you so?” 🤪 #marriagebeli Can I say “I told you so?” 🤪

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The mind is such a powerful tool. Have you ever he The mind is such a powerful tool. Have you ever heard the term “eat the frog?” 🐸 

Albert Einstein said “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

The frog being whatever looming task that’s hanging over your head that you are procrastinating doing. The idea is if you “eat the frog” first thing, you get the burden off your shoulders for the day, then also boost your motivation and productivity to get done with other tasks that day. 

I chatted about this on IG stories this morning so hop (pun intended) on over there to dive deeper into this theory. 

I ate my two frogs before lunch and felt ssooo much better! 🍽️

📷 taken at @campmargaritavillepigeonforge 

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Today a very special lady has a birthday! @dollypa Today a very special lady has a birthday! @dollyparton herself is another year more beautiful, and I’m so thankful she was born! 
She has made so many donations to help people, give kids access to books, help provide jobs for so many, and so, so much more. She is a treasure and we must protect her at all costs! 

My family has an obvious love for queen Dolly, naming our dog after her, and then us moving near @dollywood of course. I have had the opportunity to see her live and in person twice in the past year and they are for sure in my highlight reel of life! ♥️

Have you ever been to Dollywood? What’s your favorite Dolly song or movie?

#dollywood #dolly #dollyparton #dollywood2023 #dollywoodinfluencer #dollywoodthemepark #dollywoodresort #happybirthdaydolly #themepark #pigeonforge #tennessee #tennesseelife #knoxvilleinfluencer
Hand raise if this is you! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I get Hand raise if this is you! 🙋🏻‍♀️
I get SO tired after dinner that I don’t think I can keep my eyes open…and then I get a second wind, and then pay for it the next day trying to run on not enough sleep…and the cycle continues! 

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