Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread - Take 2

[Tracerr00]

Question: I thought they started the guys back more. My daughter - B group - said there were guys in her corral.

I was in corral B and there were guys in there. As a matter of fact they were dressed up as Princesses and I thought it was so funny that I took a picture of them so I have proof!

I had a very good experience in corral B. But the weird thing is, I don't remember so much of the race!! I didn't stop for any photos until MK where I stopped for three but I did stop at every single water/powerade stop because I was worried about getting dehydrated. I know there were a few stretches that seemed crowded and I did a bit of weaving. But overall I had fun and wasn't disappointed. did anyone else see people that had passed out? I saw two of them and one was literally right as we were leaving Epcot which would have been very disappointing to get that far and not make it to the end. I hope everyone was ok.

 

[Bephus]

Sounds like a lot of people noticed some issues with congestion.... So wanted to chime in with my gripe. It starts with the fact I have suspected that people sometimes fake a time to get into a better corral. I had this notion confirmed when I got to chatting with a nice gal and her mom while on a bus. This gal told me how she heard someone on the bus the morning of the princess say they actually lied about their time so they could get into corral A so that they could take pictures.

Ok... So I can totally appreciate wanting to be able to get every last pic possible- without being swept. However (and here is my real gripe). If you lie about a time or even push way to hard at a 10k just to get that corral.... And then don't train any further and plan to walk... Isn't that selfish? Doesn't that say " my taking pictures is more important than any amount of training you did" ?

So my thought is, why can't rundisney set up the race to cater to both those who want to run and maybe have a little fun and take some pics and also to those who want to finish but maybe don't plan to run. Seems like it would make for a better event for all. It would mean separating the groups... But maybe that would encourage more honesty... Because I know that I had a good idea of when I would finish- and I am sure that some who were in A or B or C knew if they were going to finish in over 3 hours.....

I think that is what the 5k is supposed to be for.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Bephus]

I was in corral B and there were guys in there. As a matter of fact they were dressed up as Princesses and I thought it was so funny that I took a picture of them so I have proof!

I had a very good experience in corral B. But the weird thing is, I don't remember so much of the race!! I didn't stop for any photos until MK where I stopped for three but I did stop at every single water/powerade stop because I was worried about getting dehydrated. I know there were a few stretches that seemed crowded and I did a bit of weaving. But overall I had fun and wasn't disappointed. did anyone else see people that had passed out? I saw two of them and one was literally right as we were leaving Epcot which would have been very disappointing to get that far and not make it to the end. I hope everyone was ok.

I did see a lot of people on the ground. I actually was thinking that the one just as we left Epcot had jumped into the bushes and tripped on the rocks since they were so far up there.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Princess Cherie]

Did anyone see the wine glasses at the expo? We're they nice? Totally bummed cause hubby didn't have patience in the expo...

 

[MissBenilda]

OMG I think we waited together for the Heroes picture, you were in front of me in line and then you left cause it was taking too long, then I ran into you (not literally) on the overpass...that was you right?

Yes!!! Hahahaha I'm so glad I found someone I met at the race on here! Or actually you found me

 

[MoonFaerie]

As someone that had a really slow finish time, I feel like I need to defend myself against a lot of the complaints. I was placed in Corral D, and for the first 8 miles, that was exactly where I belonged. I was on track to have a 3:20 finish, but that included a few photo stops and dealing with the bottle necking and complete stop trying to get through the castle. I was hydrating properly, fueling properly, and sticking to my pace rather than going out to fast. Then around mile 9, the heat and humidity hit me hard. I completely stopped sweating. I stopped for a pic with the princes to get a bit of a break and slowed way down for a while. According to my garmin, mile 10 was a 23 min mile for me, and mile 11 was a 20 min mile. After that I did pick it back up some, but I'd lost a lot of ground and didn't have the energy to do a lot of weaving in and out. I ran when there was room and walked when there were people in my way. I do feel bad that I almost certainly was in the way of some princesses, but I was doing the best my body would let me at the time. I ended up with a 4:07 finish time. I am really disappointed with my time, but I don't know what I could have done differently.

 

[MissBenilda]

Did anyone see the wine glasses at the expo? We're they nice? Totally bummed cause hubby didn't have patience in the expo...

I saw the wine glasses that Saturday. They had the princess half marathon lil logo on them I believe. Saw lots of ppl carrying them around and some still chilling on the shelf when I was there.

 

[MissBenilda]

I think all in all everyone can say that their time wasn't their best. I trained to finish at 2:50 and was supposed to be in D, but I stayed behind with my friend because she was in F. I feel like maybe the later corrals were so congested because of teams? Because all we saw were team bibs and they all were running/walking together at times. I did eventually have to leave her to keep my pace. :/

 

[sunnygal041]

Hey everybody! Hope all who traveled home, got there safely. Feeling so much better today. My thighs hurt a bit, but not as badly as yesterday. I found out there is a 1/2 going on here on 3/23, and I am thinking about participating. Supposed to be 1000 runners. Will give me a chance for a better time than the Princess. Shout out to all the princesses I got to meet and the prince-DanHockey.

 

[Danhockey04]

I'm looking for a mid-April local race, but hard to come by in FL at that time. It was nice to meet everyone here, don't remember everyone, I'm horrible with names. Also, everyone seemed to love my outfit. Next year should be better, the tail is going to be a unique design to look tight but give running ability, decorating a light purple sports bra with shells, and even a light green/blue navel ring or a shell. I will do a wig or a shell hair piece, I'm going all out.

 

[DrMomof3]

Just a few comments...
As for walkers there is at least one WISHer who can walk a 2 hour half so just because you see someone walking from the start, doesn't make that person slow. I did e-coaching with Jeff Galloway when I was training for the Goofy and he really encouraged short intervals. I run/walk at a run 30 sec/walk 30 sec interval and I start that from the beginning. I finished around 2:34 and started in Corral B. My proof of time was 2:29 and supposedly the cut-off for B was 2:30. So I was right where I belonged, despite taking my 1st walk break 30 sec into the race.
Because runDisney has designated Jeff Galloway - the King of run/walk - as their training consultant, they will never separate the walkers from the runners...
I think when you have a starting field of 20,000+ with a decent % of people starting their first half marathon, there will be some difficulty in placing people correctly. I suspect that the earlier corrals experience less congestion because:
1. You have to have proof of time to get into Corral A or B (and probably C, etc.)
2. There are just fewer people on the course since most people haven't started.

runDisney is definitely in the business of getting people from the Couch to a Half Marathon. Many first time racers are running these events. My very first race ever was a Disney Half. I think that's such a wonderful thing, especially when you consider the obesity epidemic that we face in the country. The downside, especially for more experienced runners (not necessarily fast runners), is that many people don't really know how they will finish or exactly how race etiquette works. You can read and re-read the race instructions but until you experience your first crowded water station, it's hard to fully understand what is being said. I skipped a few walk breaks throughout the race because I saw that I couldn't safely slow down right then. Since I do short intervals, it's easy to skip a break here and there. And I'm experienced enough to know that my body can handle the extra run time.
There is a delicate balance between making races accessible to lots of new and slower runners and making these races flow nicely for those who want to PR. I enjoyed this race a lot despite some less than ideal situations and I'm hoping to run the Wine & Dine in November.

Amanda

 

[Never to old]

Just a few comments...
As for walkers there is at least one WISHer who can walk a 2 hour half so just because you see someone walking from the start, doesn't make that person slow. I did e-coaching with Jeff Galloway when I was training for the Goofy and he really encouraged short intervals. I run/walk at a run 30 sec/walk 30 sec interval and I start that from the beginning. I finished around 2:34 and started in Corral B. My proof of time was 2:29 and supposedly the cut-off for B was 2:30. So I was right where I belonged, despite taking my 1st walk break 30 sec into the race.
Because runDisney has designated Jeff Galloway - the King of run/walk - as their training consultant, they will never separate the walkers from the runners...
I think when you have a starting field of 20,000+ with a decent % of people starting their first half marathon, there will be some difficulty in placing people correctly. I suspect that the earlier corrals experience less congestion because:
1. You have to have proof of time to get into Corral A or B (and probably C, etc.)
2. There are just fewer people on the course since most people haven't started.

runDisney is definitely in the business of getting people from the Couch to a Half Marathon. Many first time racers are running these events. My very first race ever was a Disney Half. I think that's such a wonderful thing, especially when you consider the obesity epidemic that we face in the country. The downside, especially for more experienced runners (not necessarily fast runners), is that many people don't really know how they will finish or exactly how race etiquette works. You can read and re-read the race instructions but until you experience your first crowded water station, it's hard to fully understand what is being said. I skipped a few walk breaks throughout the race because I saw that I couldn't safely slow down right then. Since I do short intervals, it's easy to skip a break here and there. And I'm experienced enough to know that my body can handle the extra run time.
There is a delicate balance between making races accessible to lots of new and slower runners and making these races flow nicely for those who want to PR. I enjoyed this race a lot despite some less than ideal situations and I'm hoping to run the Wine & Dine in November.

Amanda

Spoken very well! You inspire me! I hope some day I can achieve the same results. Vicki

 

[Princess Cherie]

Thanks Benilda. They sound awesome. Now I'm really bummed I didn't get them! Wonder if there's any way to get them now.

 

[Danhockey04]

Thanks Benilda. They sound awesome. Now I'm really bummed I didn't get them! Wonder if there's any way to get them now.

Anything that is left over shows up in the outlet or cast connections around late summer.

 

[Danhockey04]

Thanks Benilda. They sound awesome. Now I'm really bummed I didn't get them! Wonder if there's any way to get them now.

Anything that is left over shows up in the outlet or cast connections around late summer.

 

[annmarieda]

I agree. An area specifically for walkers would of made so much more sense...There were sections with cones separating the road and runners jumped over there to actually run only to get pushed back because security cars were going by...

I put a whole year into my training for this....and then to get my worst times.. My husband was getting run updates and he was wondering what the heck happened to me because I was so much slower than expected.

That is what I am saying- the amount of training I did was not only taxing on my body but my time. Hours upon hours and miles upon miles... While I did anticipate a slower time due to stops and heat... My time was slower than I trained for due to congestion. And I do really understand wanting to have fun and take pics.... But maybe if that is a persons goal and that person didn't train to run maybe she should make sure she is in a corral that would not keep her from slowing others.... Because after all... My time and effort is just as valid as her need for pictures.

 

[annmarieda]

I think that is what the 5k is supposed to be for.

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Maybe so- but I believe for many that medal is a big draw and the 5k just doesn't offer the same kind if "bling"

 

[Jenn310]

I was thankfully moved up to corral C from a 15K time I submitted and boy was I thrilled,since initially I was suppose to be in in G. I'm sure if I was in G I would have been beyond frustrated!
Another point to make,is that if you are in a higher corral,but stop continuously for pictures,you can't get too frustrated with so many others around you being a lot slower,since these could be people from further back corrals and they have just caught up to you.

This was my first 1/2 and I finished in 2:47. No picture stops,and dealt with severe IT Band pain,so I was thrilled with this!

 

[MoonFaerie]

That is what I am saying- the amount of training I did was not only taxing on my body but my time. Hours upon hours and miles upon miles... While I did anticipate a slower time due to stops and heat... My time was slower than I trained for due to congestion. And I do really understand wanting to have fun and take pics.... But maybe if that is a persons goal and that person didn't train to run maybe she should make sure she is in a corral that would not keep her from slowing others.... Because after all... My time and effort is just as valid as her need for pictures.

All of us spent hours and hours training. I was trained to finish in the excepted corral finishing time. I have race times to prove it. Being from the south, I spend months upon months training in the humidity, so I wasn't expecting it to hit me so hard. I'm not sure how my stopping for photos (pre mile 9 near black out) slowed anyone down though. It's not like the character lines were across the road. Each time I stopped I was running again by the time I was back on the road

 

[annmarieda]

As someone that had a really slow finish time, I feel like I need to defend myself against a lot of the complaints. I was placed in Corral D, and for the first 8 miles, that was exactly where I belonged. I was on track to have a 3:20 finish, but that included a few photo stops and dealing with the bottle necking and complete stop trying to get through the castle. I was hydrating properly, fueling properly, and sticking to my pace rather than going out to fast. Then around mile 9, the heat and humidity hit me hard. I completely stopped sweating. I stopped for a pic with the princes to get a bit of a break and slowed way down for a while. According to my garmin, mile 10 was a 23 min mile for me, and mile 11 was a 20 min mile. After that I did pick it back up some, but I'd lost a lot of ground and didn't have the energy to do a lot of weaving in and out. I ran when there was room and walked when there were people in my way. I do feel bad that I almost certainly was in the way of some princesses, but I was doing the best my body would let me at the time. I ended up with a 4:07 finish time. I am really disappointed with my time, but I don't know what I could have done differently.

I am not complaining about those who were placed correctly and they experienced a mishap... I am complaining about those who out and out lied about a qualifying time to get into a better corral and or those who knew full well they were in a corral that had an estimated finish time much less than they KNEW they would do.

So if you at not one of those people you have (in my book) nothing to defend. I hope you recovered quickly! And as for your statement about not knowing what you could have done differently.... Not sure. I know I learned some things to do differently. Like- don't miss when your corral is called... Or stand in a fire ant nest while waiting to start or wear new shoes that you haven't taken for a longer than 6 mile run. My dh loves the time he watched my first race and saw someone come across the finish and promptly puked... While laughing and saying "should have trained harder....I should have trained harder". I think the point is... From my perspective we learn something about ourselves each race...