• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About/Hire Me
    • About Me
    • Hire Me
    • Contact
    • Family
    • Faith
    • FAQ
    • My Running Story
    • Blogroll
    • Recipes
    • Links I Love
  • Disney
  • Fitness
    • runDisney Information Page
    • Fitness
    • Races
    • Upcoming Races
  • Pregnancy/Parenting
  • Travel

Through Heather's Looking Glass

  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • family
  • About Me

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


Primary Sidebar

I am Heather Montgomery, a 36-year-old southern girl living in Mississippi with my husband and 6-year-old daughter. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, go to Disney World, 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. 🙂

More about me.

You can also find me here:

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • runDisney Race for the Taste 10k 2022 Recap
  • runDisney Springtime Surprise 5k Race Recap
  • How To Decide If Your Child Is Ready for a Laptop
  • 5 Ways to Level Up Your Workouts and Get Fit
  • 4 Questions To Ask Before You Head To Disney World

 

Search

How to Start a Blog

How to start a blog
Tweets by @heatherslgs We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
The Network Niche
  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Family
The face you make when your parents take your kid The face you make when your parents take your kid for the weekend. ✌🏼

(And yes we have been to @dollywood without Emma Kate and no she doesn’t know!)

#dollywood #dollywoodinsider #dollywoodinsiders #dollywood2022 #dollywoodresort #dollywoodthemepark #dollyparton #dollywoodride #themepark #wildwoodgrove #familytravel #travelinfluencer #pigeonforge #gatlinburg
Less than one month. It’s crazy to think that so Less than one month. It’s crazy to think that somewhere I have spent a large portion of my adult life will not be where I live in less than a month. It’s scary y’all, the unknown. New places, new school, new church, hopefully new friends? 
Moving out of our comfort zones into the unfamiliar isn’t for the faint of heart. But we know that God will be with us and we can’t wait for this new adventure and how He will provide just what we need. 

We are doing all our favorite local things over the next few weeks before we go! 💜

My dress was sent by @joyfolie and I love it! 

#moving #newadventure #dressoftheday #newdress #nextadventure #movingsoon #knoxvillebound #goodbyemississippi #mississippilife #knoxvilleinfluencer #knoxvilleblogger #discoverunder50k
What a fun festival at @visitowa! (Ad) We are he What a fun festival at @visitowa! (Ad) 

We are here for the @gchaballoonfestival, and today is the last day. This festival is HUGE with tons of food, shopping, music, and of course, balloons! 

We had so much fun walking around last night, and today we have already been through once and are now at the amusement park, #tropicfalls. 

There is so much to do here at #downtownowa and the amusement park! Not to mention, the indoor/outdoor waterpark open at the end of NEXT MONTH!! 🎉

If you are heading to gulf shores or Orange Beach this summer, plan to stop for the day at #Visitowa, you won’t be sorry! 

#gchabf #tropicfallsowa #gulfshores #orangebeach #visitorangebeach #visitfoley #visitalabama #familytravel #beachlife #beachvacation #rollercoaster
I love a good festival! 🌸 Right now at @dollywo I love a good festival! 🌸 Right now at @dollywood the Flower & Food festival is happening and it is SO much fun!

Not only are all the flowers beautiful, but you can sample so many different yummy foods as you walk around the park. I’m quite the picky eater, but there were still plenty of things for me to try. I even wrote a blog post for the Dollywood Insiders blog all about what I chose to eat complete with photos and reviews. Click this pic in my profile to check it out! 

I still can’t believe I will be a LOCAL in ONE MONTH. Pinch me! Who wants to meet up for a day of Dollywood fun?! 

Hosted #dollywoodinsider #dollywoodinsiders #dollywood #dollywood2022 #dollywoodabloom #dollywoodresort #dollywoodinfluencer #dollywoodflowerandfoodfestival #dollywoodflowerandfood #smokymountains #pigeonforge #visitpigeonforge #visittennessee #tennesseelife #tennesseeblogger #tennesseeinfluencer #knoxvilleinfluencer #knoxvilleblogger
Let’s take a run through EPCOT! 🏃‍♀️ H Let’s take a run through EPCOT! 🏃‍♀️

Heads up that I finally got my race for the taste 10k blog post finished (link in bio) and would love for you to check it out!

Have you ever run through a theme park? Which is your favorite? It’s tough for me but I have to say Magic Kingdom is my fave! Happy Wednesday everyone!

Dress from @the.happiness.collection 

#raceforthetaste #raceforthetaste10k #rundisney #springtimesurprise #rundisneyspringtimesurpriseweekend 
#disneyinsta #disneyinstagram #worldshowcase #epcotworldshowcase #disneygrammers #teamrundisney #disneybloggers #disneyannualpassholder #ihavearunnersbody #momswhorun #disneyrunner #runwalkrun #anothermotherrunner #runnersbody #runningmama #disneyfanatic #disneycreators #disneyinfluencer #rundisneyvirtual #rundisney2022 #rattatouille
Happy Mother’s Day! 🌸 So thankful that God Happy Mother’s Day! 🌸 

So thankful that God entrusted me with this little spitfire to take care of. She makes me want to be a better person every day! Also so thankful for my mom and all the sacrifices she made for me over the years. Now that I am a mom I understand so much more all the things she gave up for me. Forever grateful! 

Also, I know this day is not easy for everyone. I have several friends who have lost their mamas this year. I see you and am praying for you. 💜

#mothersday #mothersday2022 #mothersdaypresent #mothersdayweekend #momlifeisthebestlife #momlifeisthebest #motherhoodthroughinstagram #momsofinstagram #enjoythemoment #motherdaughterlove #familymoments #familyiseverything #mommysgirl #familyovereverything #daughters
#ad I love that @werthersoriginalus reminds me o #ad I love that @werthersoriginalus 
 reminds me of my childhood. My grandfather always had some with him in his pockets. The smooth caramel brings me back every time. It's the nostalgia for me! And guess what? Werther’s Original is giving away a vacation for 2 to Walt Disney World® Resort in honor of #NationalCaramelDay.  How to enter?
 Just buy two Werther’s Original products
 and you could be on your way! 

NO PURCH. NEC. Open to legal res of 50 US/DC, 21+ only. Begins 3/22/22 and ends 5/14/22. For Rules, visit WerthersSweeps.com. Void where prohibited.

Copyright © 2022 · Through Heather's Looking Glass · Theme by Bella Creative Studio