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Marathon weekend is officially here and I can barely contain my excitement! The expo, the energy, the races, the magic that only runDisney brings—it's one of my favorite weekends of the whole year.
This will be my fifth Disney marathon and my sixth marathon overall! After the year I've had with my health, I honestly didn't know if I'd be here. So this year isn't about the clock—it's about gratitude, listening to my body, and crossing that finish line. Just being here is everything!
I loved answering everyone's marathon questions on Instagram! I love this community so much. I'll continue answering questions on my personal Instagram (not The Noellie account!) and will keep you all updated throughout the weekend—all my Disney posts and stories are incoming already! If you want to read all my Q&A's, I've made a new story highlight for them.
My Tips for runDisney Marathoners
Take it all in. This is the most magical race in the world. Don't be so focused on your pace or your time that you miss the magic happening all around you. Let yourself be present to it.
Mile by mile. This is everything. Don't think about the whole race. Don't think about mile 20 when you're at mile 5. Just focus on the mile you're in. One mile at a time. That's it. That's the secret.
When you hit the wall—and you will—don't let quitting be an option. The second that thought creeps in, shut it down. Decide immediately: I'm doing this. Your mind will try to trick you but your body can do so much more than you think.
Never skip a water station. Water AND Powerade at every single one. Don't skip the bananas either. Your body needs the fuel. Walk through them if you need to—I always do!
Have your people track you. Ask your friends and family to follow along and send you encouraging texts during the race. Those messages popping up on my watch get me through the hardest miles. It makes you feel so much less alone out there.
Take your earbuds out for the final stretch. Trust me. You want to hear every single cheer.
It's mind over matter. I know it sounds cliche but it's TRUE. If you set your mind that you're going to do it, you can do it.
And finally—something I'm trying for the first time this year: Gratitude Miles.
I made a list from 1-26 of who or what I'm "offering" each mile to. Each mile is dedicated to someone I love or something I'm deeply grateful for. I've pretty much memorized my list by now.
I think it's a beautiful way to stay present to each mile. And when it gets hard—really hard—I can remember that I'm running this mile for someone I love so much, or something I'm so grateful for. It keeps me going.
Some of my miles are for people. Some are for bigger things. One of my miles is gratitude for being alive. One is for being able to run. One is for being healthy again.
After the year I've had, I have a lot to be grateful for. And I'm going to carry all of it with me for 26.2 miles.
If you see me out on the course or around the parks, please come say hello!! ✨🏃
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