Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread - Take 2

[sunnygal041]

Guess I will see you girls there ? Are you gals going over to the princess 2014 threads mentioned earlier ?

I certainly hope so. Sure, I will shift on over. BTW, just signed up for a local 1/2 on 3/23. They expect 1200 runners. Will,try and score a good time for future corral placement.

 

[DrMomof3]

I was actually in corral C and ahead of the pacing balloon at mile 9. The only advantage I was given for the interview was being moved to C.

I know 13 miles just isn't the same if someone starts earlier...

Welcome to the boards! CONGRATS on having the courage to start this journey. I think you have such a wonderful attitude and I know you'll continue this path you're on.

Amanda

 

[VickiHD]

Guess I will see you girls there ? Are you gals going over to the princess 2014 threads mentioned earlier ?

This California girl is staying on the West Coast. So it's the DL 1/2 and Tink 2014 for me. We already have a Tink 2014 thread going. Hope to see you there.

 

[Mommy to Two Princes]

DH (who did the PHM with,e albeit a little grudgingly...) thinks we should do the coast to coast. Since Disneyland half is closed...do we think they will do coast to coast next year ?

I'll be doing the C2C in 2014. Which one do you all think is better:

Choice 1: Tink and Wine and Dine
Choice 2: PHM and DL 1/2

 

[Gryhndmom]

I'll be doing the C2C in 2014. Which one do you all think is better:

Choice 1: Tink and Wine and Dine
Choice 2: PHM and DL 1/2

I would vote choice 3. Tink and PHM then we aren't dong the bulk of training in the Texas heat...

Also thinking about joining a charity group that still has openings for DL 1/2 this year...would love to go back to skiing next Feb but can't do that if we postpone c2c until 2014.... Decisions....decisions...decisions

 

[annmarieda]

for those who will be upset if they cannot run their best race, I would think that staying away from these races might be the best decision

Sorry, this makes me chuckle... cause I always try my best at no matter what I do. So I am to just not do another disney race? "getting upset" is subjective. Maybe for some it is a "lay in bed and mope" while others may just raise an eyebrow. I may be disappointed if I attempt to have a good time and it doesn't go as well as I hope.... but I certainly won't stop trying to have fun.

and if its not really a race in which you want to get a good PR based on your training..why call it a 1/2 marathon. at that point its just a 13.1 walk with entertainment and pictures with characters... Sorry I still think Disney could do better.

I kinda agree with you... if you don't have to "try" then why do it? As I mention above, I will always want to try my best...my best in running... my best in having a fun time... my best at staying away from the boozes while in WDW pre race. I don't think I have to PR..nor do I expect to every race. (nor should I PR each race, right?)

Me too! They had like 20 photographers at the finish and not one was able to snap a pic of me??? Seriously?

I wasn't impressed with the ones at Tink either so I don't know why I'm surprised...

Last I looked there were non of me at the finish and then poof.... there were some. Maybe there is now of you?

In case anyone else was interested, I was attempting to get a "I Did It" shirt because due to the crowds I wasn't able to at the expo etc... I had sent an email and got a call from Disney WW of Sports merchandizing.

They said the "I Did it" was sold out but they had a few logos and could make one for me. They just didn't have the logo for the map and it could only be white or gray (long sleeve or short). They could print your name, bib number, finish time etc... I would of liked the map..but whatever at least its something.

I got the princess 1/2 logo on the front for 2013 and had them print 13.1 on the back.

The number they have on the facebook page to call is 407-939-1451

Thank you for posting this! Between the expo being to crowded and my own "superstitious nature" I did not buy any "i did it" merchandise.

Overall, I was really happy with the race. I know my time would have been faster but for the crowds but fortunately my goal was simply to finish and have fun. I did that. I can see, however, how it would have been really frustrating for folks who cared about their time and really wanted to see how fast they could go (like annmarieda).

I think I may have sounded more irritated by my inability to move at the start more than I was. My main irritation was with those who lie to get into a corral... and add to that congestion "problem" when they have no intention on running. I also get a bit riled at it not because they slow me... but I kinda (and I shouldn't) take it personal. The idea that someone would lie and "skip over" training offends me a bit.(sorry... if I run 100 miles in a month and another person runs 20 is that the same level of training?) That being said... I guess we all do what we have to to achieve our goals. My goal was to run the phm...so I trained like a fool.(and I still think I could have trained more) Someone else might have the goal of taking advantage of every last photo op so lying to get into corral A might be what they need to do.

Disney need to abide by the rules THEY set for corral placement, time allowed etc....such a a bad message to those that work hard. I understand a late training injury etc, but the hoards of numbers in inproper corrral etc is just wrong.

I do agree... but everyone thinks they work hard. I mentioned above i that I get frustrated at how much I trained verses how much maybe someone else might have... but really, to that person who in theory only runs 20 miles in a month to train for a 1/2 marathon, I think she feels she has trained hard.

I guess my point is there is probably no way to "judge" and say someone is truly in the wrong corral (even though, I myself do feel that there is improper corral placement than happens) since those who lie to get into those corrals feel justified in doing so.

 

[annabanna]

We just got back last night and had a great week at Disney.

My sister did end up running with me, although she did it on about 20 minutes of sleep! And we finished!! A few thoughts on the race, keeping in mind that this was my first Disney run.

The expo was a mad house. We got off the bus at 8:55 to a line that literally went around the building, it was nuts. Inside was even crazier, I think I waited 25 minutes to get into the Official Merch booth. But, once inside I got my goods and was out in under 10 minutes. I had hoped to get some of my KT tape redone on my ankle, but the line was so long that I just bought my own at One More Mile and did it myself.

The transport to the race was fine, we were on a bus at 3:20 and walked right through bag check.
As far as overcrowding, it was crowded for sure. I started in corral E which was actually a little less than my pace and I debated moving up with a 10K time, but I figured that with the heat and humidity I would leave it alone. Plus I wanted to run with my sister. I do run/walk intervals, more running than walking usually but with my injury, I walked more. I still ended up weaving through the crowds a lot, my garmin showed 13.4 miles! I always stayed far to the right, singled my walking and was mindful of people behind me. So here's my gripe - the faster runners that stopped for every picture and the rudely pushed around me in order to catch back up to their pace. I get that walkers are supposed to be aware of their surroundings, but the same goes for fast runners that get behind because of pic stops. But, on the other side, I did almost run into a couple run/walkers that just stopped right in front of me, so I totally understand frustration on every side. End of Gripe.

Overall, I really enjoyed this race. The bottleneck at the castle was annoying, and the Belle that pushed into the poor girl in front of me, tripping her and then yelling at her left a little sour note, but it how many people get to run through the castle?

I will say though that by far the worst part of the whole thing was waiting 35 minutes for the bus for Pop and AoA. That's was just ridiculous.
The best part was sporting my hard-earned medal through the parks and getting congratulations from total strangers. That made every training mile, even in 10 degree weather, worth it.

I am still on the fence as to whether I will do another one. I would like to a half in my area to see what my real time might be, but I am not sure yet.

Now after reading through this, I realize that I did see a lot of you there. I remember the Belle with a basket!

 

[kindakrazy2]

I've been going through the "unidentified" photos looking for mine (don't get me started) and just came across a series of a couple getting engaged. He's wearing jeans and is down on one knee and she's wearing a pink running tank and pink skirt.

I'm afraid to click away from the screen because I know I'll never be able to find them again so if you have any idea who these people may be, please let me know, I'm sure they'd like to have these pics!

 

[joan4mickey]

I do agree... but everyone thinks they work hard. I mentioned above i that I get frustrated at how much I trained verses how much maybe someone else might have... but really, to that person who in theory only runs 20 miles in a month to train for a 1/2 marathon, I think she feels she has trained hard.

It wouldn't take much reading and research to know that if I had only trained 20 miles a month that I had "worked hard" and was well prepared for a half marathon. Anything you read will tell you NO. If some one wants to run/walk/crawl, they need to do their homework. This is not a walk in the park, we are all given 16 min. a mile to finish. I wondered what that would be like so I got on a TM on Thursday and did 3 miles and fell short of pace by one min and the highest I got my TM was 4.0 and that was only for 10 min. The rest of the time I had it between 3.2-3.8.
People need to inform themselves. There is far too many books, magazines and internet articles not to know what you need to do and what "work hard" means.
My first distance race was a 15K. Before I signed up, I was running 10mm for 7 miles. Next, I found a training plan that fit my schedule.
We all have things to overcome in our lives and focusing on something or others helps. We also have seasons in which our lives in which we are able to do things and my season for running just happened 6 years ago in my late forties. Too many are just willing to jump on the next bus that passes by without a thought of where it will take them and are not prepared to go there. We just want to do what the other guy is doing even if it is not our season or we are unprepared. That is actually setting oneself up for failure and doesn't help either.

Too long but I will finish by saying, I always make 3 goals for a race. The ultimate goal (this year 2 hours), didn't happen, sick in bed Wed. before the race, headache the night before and heat and humidity. #2 Finish in under 2:15 (did that, don't know how as I took many walk breaks). #3 Finish as best I can with my head high. But I was prepared to finish in the alloted time as I had "trained hard" and I knew it as I had done my research and put in the miles.

 

[longhorns2]

I dont know guys- ability levels are all different. I don't think you can say that all people will be successful if they train X amount a week/month for something. I definitely need more miles and more time to train for a half than someone else might- I recognize that it takes me 4-6 months to be ready to do a half. Others may need half that time.

My sister- who I HATE for doing this- runs marathons. just runs them. Doesn't train for them. She plays soccer 3 times a week- weekends can play 3 games back to back, so that's what she calls training.

She signed up for one in Dallas on a Thursday this last Dec and ran it on Sunday. She was just over 4 hrs.

Did she work hard to get there? Nope. She just did her normal life. No long run or addition to her usual workouts- which pretty much consist of soccer and a few runs here and there (4 miles max) She's completed 6 marathons this way- including Goofy 2010. It's just what works for her- and yeah, she's totally abnormal and I get that. (no injuries from running like this either- brat!)

Her ex husband did a 5K one weekend and ran a half marathon the next. 2:30 in Nashville. Hills man, hills! And he managed.

All I'm saying is that with running, I don't think blanket statements are constructive. There's a lot that factors into what each individual can do and how they consider themselves successful or not. My version of success is not yours- yours is not mine.

 

[joan4mickey]

My sister- who I HATE for doing this- runs marathons. just runs them. Doesn't train for them. She plays soccer 3 times a week- weekends can play 3 games back to back, so that's what she calls training.

So she does run, I know I couldn't go out and play 3 games back to back...that is a lot of running or is she a goalie? Most soccer players are "in shape". She is active, there are a lot of people out there without a clue to what is going on....I am just saying one needs to be informed as to what they are doing.

May reading this are mothers and I don't think you would just send your kid to school everyday with out some prep...quiz spelling words etc. Same for running/walking distance, you must prepare.

 

[Mamasmurf227]

Not sure if this has been mentioned or not, but for those still searching for pics:

Make sure to check the "male" filter! There are a TON of character shots using the male filter, that there is clearly only a female runner in the shot.

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

I think experience is also relative in training- there is no clear cut one size fits all program. Personally, I have done NO prep for my last two halves, but consistently ran them in 2:40. I'm sure I could be faster if I trained, but I know I can finish either way- and that's what's important to me.

 

[sunnygal041]

Well, I'll tell ya.. I'm probably the most non-conventional runner you will ever meet. I smoke, drink and do long runs once per week. dde33 It works for me. PP Joan is probably laughing her a.. off right now. LOL

 

[joan4mickey]

Well, I'll tell ya.. I'm probably the most non-conventional runner you will ever meet. I smoke, drink and do long runs once per week. dde33 It works for me. PP Joan is probably laughing her a.. off right now. LOL

You also shared with me that you also do two other walk workouts a week and that you did train...put in the miles. You knew what your pace would be and you also live in Florida so you know the weather conditions. I love you and your honesty. We will get together next year, perhaps for a drink...ok you know mine will be non-alcoholic because next year I will have over 19 years of clean and sober living!

 

[annmarieda]

It wouldn't take much reading and research to know that if I had only trained 20 miles a month that I had "worked hard" and was well prepared for a half marathon. Anything you read will tell you NO. If some one wants to run/walk/crawl, they need to do their homework. This is not a walk in the park, we are all given 16 min. a mile to finish. I wondered what that would be like so I got on a TM on Thursday and did 3 miles and fell short of pace by one min and the highest I got my TM was 4.0 and that was only for 10 min. The rest of the time I had it between 3.2-3.8.
People need to inform themselves. There is far too many books, magazines and internet articles not to know what you need to do and what "work hard" means.
My first distance race was a 15K. Before I signed up, I was running 10mm for 7 miles. Next, I found a training plan that fit my schedule.
We all have things to overcome in our lives and focusing on something or others helps. We also have seasons in which our lives in which we are able to do things and my season for running just happened 6 years ago in my late forties. Too many are just willing to jump on the next bus that passes by without a thought of where it will take them and are not prepared to go there. We just want to do what the other guy is doing even if it is not our season or we are unprepared. That is actually setting oneself up for failure and doesn't help either.

Too long but I will finish by saying, I always make 3 goals for a race. The ultimate goal (this year 2 hours), didn't happen, sick in bed Wed. before the race, headache the night before and heat and humidity. #2 Finish in under 2:15 (did that, don't know how as I took many walk breaks). #3 Finish as best I can with my head high. But I was prepared to finish in the alloted time as I had "trained hard" and I knew it as I had done my research and put in the miles.

I feel the same way you do... But I am just saying that while we realize what training is- others have a different definition based on what their goals. Imagine if there is not even a goal to finish, then how much training does one actually feel they need to commit to?

I am trying really hard to get past some of my own baggage with this. I lost someone I considered a dear friend because we had different goals and thus different training styles. we attempted a race together and I ended up pushing her too hard and I didn't push myself nearly enough. If that wasn't a strain enough on our friendship, when plans to do the phm came up I challenged her on how she trained for the previous race. She insisted she had trained enough- and thus how I know that people believe they work hard regardless if it is 2 miles a week or 20. I have to acknowledge that and respect their effort even of if it would seem less than my own. In the end, my friend and I did not do the phm together. It makes me sad. I know we were in the same corral and could have started together even if I had to wait for her at the end. She just refused to entertain the thought that fun to me could be to run and meet with her at the end.

 

[fashionista311]

Been reading this thread to see how the race went - congrats to everyone btw! - and a few thoughts. First, it sounds like this race was oversold. And I don't think saying "well...Disney races are for fun, don't worry about a PR" is an excuse either. My dad has set many a PR during marathon weekend in Disney back in the day, and when I ran this year in 2011 (started in the front/middle of B) the race had plenty of course entertainment, there were plenty of new runners that felt very welcome...yet I had enough room to run my own race.

Re: corral placement - If you submit your time and seed your self honestly, and end up with a slower race, it is what it is. Some days are not just not your day, and it can be hard to tell until you start running what your going to end up doing. But purposely lying to get into a higher corral I think is not acceptable - and as a broader lesson outside of running, what kind of lesson does that pass on to your kids? That lying and putting your own selfish needs above the great good is ok? Not cool.

Re: training. Running is a very individual sport. One can go nuts trying to compare themselves to others. Unfortunately, one cannot change their genetics and natural ability. But, what you can do, is change your training. If you worry about those who don't train as hard as you do (especially if they end up beating you) - you can go nuts. Trust me...been there, done that Just be proud of the work you put in, and what you can accomplish! Besides, let's be honest - at the end of the day, this is supposed to be fun, and I don't think any of us are planning to make a career out of being a professional runner

 

[sunnygal041]

You also shared with me that you also do two other walk workouts a week and that you did train...put in the miles. You knew what your pace would be and you also live in Florida so you know the weather conditions. I love you and your honesty. We will get together next year, perhaps for a drink...ok you know mine will be non-alcoholic because next year I will have over 19 years of clean and sober living!

You betcha, sister!

 

[sunnygal041]

I feel the same way you do... But I am just saying that while we realize what training is- others have a different definition based on what their goals. Imagine if there is not even a goal to finish, then how much training does one actually feel they need to commit to?

I am trying really hard to get past some of my own baggage with this. I lost someone I considered a dear friend because we had different goals and thus different training styles. we attempted a race together and I ended up pushing her too hard and I didn't push myself nearly enough. If that wasn't a strain enough on our friendship, when plans to do the phm came up I challenged her on how she trained for the previous race. She insisted she had trained enough- and thus how I know that people believe they work hard regardless if it is 2 miles a week or 20. I have to acknowledge that and respect their effort even of if it would seem less than my own. In the end, my friend and I did not do the phm together. It makes me sad. I know we were in the same corral and could have started together even if I had to wait for her at the end. She just refused to entertain the thought that fun to me could be to run and meet with her at the end.

I'm sorry about what happened between you two. We all went through crappy times before that race, just go back and read the thread. Some of us returned to the same crappy issues. Again, I'm sorry.

 

[Gryhndmom]

You also shared with me that you also do two other walk workouts a week and that you did train...put in the miles. You knew what your pace would be and you also live in Florida so you know the weather conditions. I love you and your honesty. We will get together next year, perhaps for a drink...ok you know mine will be non-alcoholic because next year I will have over 19 years of clean and sober living!

Congrats on the 19 years of clean and sober living...now I know why you smoked my *** Cripey said she had a great non-alcoholic drink at the Wave at CR...just sayin'...could be a good meet up point!

Trying to get in touch with a Disney travel comany to see if DH and I can get into the DL 1/2...they say they still have slots so we will see...and this from the man who wasn't crazy about the PHM but apparently really wants a C2C !