Almost exactly two years ago, I started training for my first ever runDisney race! A non-runner for most of my life, I started running when I turned 45. When my BFF started joining me, it became even more fun! When we decided to combine our love of Disney with our new-found love of running, Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend was an easy choice!
Thousands of women choose Princess as their “gateway” race, and it’s not surprising! With its promise of tutus and tiaras, this women-centric race draws women of all ages, shapes and sizes, and of all running abilities. I mean-who doesn’t want to be Princess for a day?
We signed up for all three races…the Princess 5K, and the Glass Slipper Challenge, which includes the Enchanted 10K and the Princess Half Marathon. Crazy, right? That’s 22.4 miles!! Three races over three days meant a lot of training, but it also meant we each got to create three running costumes!
Tech? Who Needs Tech?
As a newbie runner, my running wardrobe consisted of whatever workout gear I had lying around. Gym shorts, leggings, sweatshirts…but I knew I had to up my game for Princess!
Inspiration can come from the most unlikely places-so keep your eyes open! A $7 blue clearance tank at TJMaxx became the focal point of my Snow White costume for the 10K. A blue skirt from Goodwill worked perfectly for Anna for the Frozen 5K (as did the cape that belonged to my daughter’s Disney Store costume!). Claire’s at the mall had a horn headband and a “one size fits all” Maleficent-inspired tutu that I squeezed over a tank and short set found at Marshall’s for my half marathon! Throw in some Hot Topic bows, eBay wings and etsy arm puffs and I was good to go!
My best friend, Tiffany, suggested I think about some specialty running gear, but I laughed and brushed her off. $65? For a skirt? (Oh, how naive these conversations seem now…and what an innocent I was…!) LOL!
Fast forward to post-race. The truth was…my pictures came out cute, but from a performance-standard, I was a bit disappointed. My outfits had no storage, and I hated wearing my phone on my arm. The second-hand Anna tank was cotton and not suited for running, and wouldn’t have held up for longer than the 5K! My yellow clearance skirt from Dancewear Solutions had no built in shorts, and there may be a picture of me crossing the finish line flashing my runderpants!
Girlfriend Knows Best
So, it turns out my friend was on to something. For our next races, she talked me into some skirts. Not just any skirts, but skirts with POCKETS!! This was life-changing! A quick run around the neighborhood doesn’t require much, but if you are planning to run five miles or more-you need gear!
Pockets meant I had a place to stash my phone when I got tired of carrying it. Pockets meant a place for for my Sports Beans, e-shots and lipstick. (Yes, I run with lipstick…I’m kind of addicted!) It also meant a zippered compartment for money or credit cards. I got two skirts, an Emerald Peacock Sparkle Skirt and an Inknburn polka dot skirt-and ideas for Zarina the Pirate Fairy and Minnie Mouse were born!
So you might have noticed I have a little problem with accessories! Once my basic pieces are secure, I love finding the little touches that pull a running costume together! Party stores are a great place to find inexpensive pieces, especially off-season or right after Halloween. I’ve scored fingerless Minnie gloves, Ariel clip-on hair pieces and Jasmine body jewelry! The Disney Store isn’t just for kids, either-I’ve picked up tiaras for Elsa, Jasmine and even Pocahontas, as well as Zarina wings!
Another discovery was Sparkle Athletic race legs! These decorative sleeves are footless, so you can still wear your favorite socks. My Achilles are chronically tight, so I typically tape and wear Zensah compression sleeves for my longer runs. These can get expensive (especially if you are matchy-matchy like me and want them to match your outfits!) but if I can pull a pair of $12 race legs on over them, I only need a few pairs. http://www.sparkleathletic.com
Princess 2.0
By the time Princess Half Marathon Weekend rolled around again, I had a much better idea of what worked for me from both a running and aesthetic standpoint. Sparkle Skirts were my go-to skirts, with their fun themed prints, compression shorts and large 5×5 pockets, but I had also found my signature tops!
I heard about this online company, raw threads, that was also a big presence at the runDisney Expos. Their claim to fame was their fabric… breathable, moisture-wicking, “no stink” bamboo that drapes the skin in comfort. Sounded good to me! Though retail might look pricey, they regularly offered sales with steep discounts, and so another addiction was born! http://www.rawthreads.com
Though I typically only run in racers, they have a great selection of tees, tanks and even hoodies that evoke certain classic Disney characters. This includes the Princesses, Villains, Star Wars and even Avengers, with seasonal holiday designs, as well! (Hint: Wondering how people afford all this? There is a very robust resale market for all of these items in various Facebook groups…it’s very common for runners to list skirts, tops, even full running costumes for sale to fund their next big runDisney event!)
Props or No Props?
It is probably no surprise by now that I am pro-props! If you don’t need to be hands-free, props are a fun way to make your character even more recognizable. It is also a lot of fun to incorporate them into playful photo-ops both on the course and in the Parks!
The easiest props to carry are the wearable ones! I have worn wings twice (representing both good and evil!) and they are extremely easy to run in. The trick is…don’t pull the elastics around your arms, which can cause chafing. Tutorials on youtube demonstrate how to attach wings directly to your clothes, anchored to the back of your sports bra! This is easiest with racer styles, but can be modified for other shirt styles as well.
Another wearable prop is headwear! Whether you like Minnie ears, tiaras, headbands, hats or visors there is a style to match every outfit! I wear themed Minnie ears to most races, and my faves have included ears inspired by pirates, Ariel and the Queen of Hearts! Etsy shops like Make Me Minnie and Ears2You have done a great job of customizing ears for me. Most memorable was the Mary Poppins hat on a headband I requested, but themed ears and hats can also be found right in the Parks!
Other props I have worn include tails (Cheshire Cat), necklaces, gloves (mermaid scales for Ariel, jangly coins for Jasmine) and Hot Topic bows I attach to my sneakers! The most memorable? It would have to be the two moray eel Beanie Babies I attached to elbow length black gloves to mimic Flotsam and Jetsam when I ran as Ursula from The Little Mermaid!
The other kind of props include carried props! I have carried everything from Jasmine’s magic lamp to Mary Poppin’s parrot head umbrella! As Zarina I carried a foam sword and as Snow White I carried a songbird! I always carry my phone as well, so I don’t mind being double-fisted, as long as the prop is not too heavy or cumbersome!
One disclaimer regarding props and costumes in general-always check to see that you’re in compliance with the new runDisney guidelines! Some of the more recent changes have included no full-length costumes and no costumes that fully enclose the body. (Think The Death Star from Star Wars!) Full face masks and pointy props that look like weapons have never been allowed, but are more strictly enforced now. Do your research so you know just what to expect on race day! http://www.rundisney.com
Other Resources
Maybe you don’t want to run in a skirt. Or you like to run in layers. Maybe you want something simpler, or more elaborate! There are still a ton of resources out there for you! In addition to scouring new finds at TJMaxx and Marshalls, many women swear by the affordable and cute athletic wear in Target and Walmart. Both offer a wide range of styles and sizes. If you don’t require tech gear, department stores like Torrid, Hot Topic and Forever 21 typically have tons of themed Disney items, too!
Etsy is also a treasure trove of pre-made running costumes and custom Minnie ears if you want something specific and don’t mind paying for it! Though I have never bought a ready-made costume for myself, I splurged for my daughter’s first running costume! She chose the Mary Poppins theme for our first runDisney race together…the Neverland 5K during the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in Disneyland! It was worth every penny! Some of my favorite etsy and independent sellers include The Bow Mama, iglowrunning, This Princess Runs and Designz by Michelle Lynn.
Finisher Medal Worthy!
Ultimately, your runDisney race costume should be comfortable and a reflection of you and your style! Big budget or small, crafty or two thumbs, it’s easy to tap into your inner Minnie! Every mile is magic!
Jacqueline lives in Southbury, CT, with her husband and two children. You can follow her on Instagram at @morphingintominnie.
