2015 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend ** Check-In ** May 7-10, 2015

[OctoberDisney]

Hello!

I'm in for the half! I was part of a similar thread for the DL Half in 2012. This Tink run will be my 2nd half and I'm excited to improve my time for this one now that I've been running for a couple of years.

I'm kinda of worrying about hotels! I am having a hard time believing we have to book already, you know? In 2012, I booked 2 nights through GET Travel at the DL hotel and then we moved to the Hojo for the remainder of our vacation week. In 2012, the price per night was $100 less per night than it is now for the DL Hotel. Crazy!

This time, I'm considering 1. Hojo (someone mentioned a runner discount? Any idea how much that might be?) 2. Candy Cane Inn or 3. Anabella or Stovalls because of proximity to start line. Love 1 and 2...have never stayed over on the other side. If we stay at Hojo, my husband would be willing to get up with me and drop me off as close as possible.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[longhorns2]

To be able to do the inaugural Rebel Challenge and the Pixie Dust is amazing! The W&D will always be there because Food and Wine isn't going anywhere. The Coast to Coast Medal is beautiful - a great goal to have! DD graduated from UC San Diego and felt she could get into entertainment at WDW easier than if she attempted DLR. She did the College Program and then moved to part-time and then full-time shortly after. Being mouse-height, there is a big need at WDW with all the resort character meals and shows. She's friends with Minnie in the Dream Along show that's on the Castle Stage and that definitely is a dream come true for her!

I squealed! How cool!!

 

[kelly 1]

Thanks Keah and Kelly_1.
I still moan and groan about having to run during race training (despite knowing that the goal is worth it), so that's why I still don't count myself as a runner.



I ran/walked, but I didn't do a lot of walking until I got out of the parks (except for during bottlenecks). Instead of sticking with a set run/walk pace, I ran with my iPod and would run every other song (and run for more than one song if I felt up to it). In order to help remind myself to alternate, I had a mix of upbeat and slower songs (ex. I would run when listening to "Let It Go," but walk during "I'll Try" from Return to Neverland).

I really surprised myself with how much running I did, especially in the beginning (the course starts off with running on overpasses, so you start off with having to run uphill). There was a lot more going on to distract me while running on the course than just running on the treadmill (which is what I trained on for the long distances), which helped immensely with psyching myself to keep running (kept wanting to see what else I would see along the course).

For training, make sure that you stick with a 15-min split at your slowest. A 15 minute pace will feel plenty slow compared to a 10 minute pace for running. This is where a treadmill really comes in handy because you can speed it up to get a feel for different paces. I would go with my mom (my training buddy) to her gym and pay for day access as her guest (24 Hour Fitness, prices range $5-$15 depending on the fanciness of the gym location). If you force yourself to never fall below a 15-min pace, then you will have time to go to the bathroom while still staying on track.

There are characters at different points along the route in DCA and Disneyland. Different characters have lines of different lengths (the line to meet Darth Vader was crazy long, even longer than the line to meet characters from Peter Pan), so choose wisely and go for the ones with the shorter lines. If you train/run in fear of the sweepers, you'll be fine.

I do Jeff Galloway program but I customize it to fit my schedule. We do 10 run 1min walk. I have a run group here training a few girls (ladies) for there first half. I use a Garmin GPS. Teaching them the Galloway step the low to the ground movement instead of their 10k stride. This only my opinion, but it works for me. Not wasting energy in lifting your knees too high. You want endurance. Also think about your posture, run like you have purpose lift your chest and shine that loving heart forward. Keep your arm close to your ribs driving them forward. Try not to cross your arms in front of you throws your stride off. Your arm are your pump, setting your pace, but try to keep them relaxed. By reading all this I hope you can guess I am very passionate about running and helping to motivate people. I myself do cross training spin class x 3, yoga x4, weights x 3, run x 3 a week. Running includes tempo runs, 10 &1's x 4, long run once a week. Just remember you are awesome, feel the power, the most important is to have fun. Sue and I registered a team again this year we are the Tinker Sisters (FAS) look for us on the course for sure we will have a blast! I'm not a super fast runner but it is all about having FUN, I do my best and that's all that matters. Smiles!!

 

[Itinkso]

I squealed! How cool!!

Thanks! I will let her know! It's been exciting for DH and I to see all the amazing things she's been able to do while always loving to go to work each day!

 

[VickiHD]

Hello!

This time, I'm considering 1. Hojo (someone mentioned a runner discount? Any idea how much that might be?) 2. Candy Cane Inn or 3. Anabella or Stovalls because of proximity to start line. Love 1 and 2...have never stayed over on the other side. If we stay at Hojo, my husband would be willing to get up with me and drop me off as close as possible.

Decisions, decisions.

For a off property hotel, you can't beat Stovalls. Right across the street from the finish and a short walk to the start. We stay there during race weekends. They also open the breakfast room up early for the runners, so you can just grab something and go or sit and eat. Hope this helps.

 

[Itinkso]

For a off property hotel, you can't beat Stovalls. Right across the street from the finish and a short walk to the start. We stay there during race weekends. They also open the breakfast room up early for the runners, so you can just grab something and go or sit and eat. Hope this helps.

I have reservations for the Camelot Inn because I wasn't exactly sure where the 5K starts. Stovall or something on Katella would be much closer than walking over from Camelot?

ETA: Stovall's is already booked up.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

This time, I'm considering 1. Hojo (someone mentioned a runner discount? Any idea how much that might be?) 2. Candy Cane Inn or 3. Anabella or Stovalls because of proximity to start line. Love 1 and 2...have never stayed over on the other side. If we stay at Hojo, my husband would be willing to get up with me and drop me off as close as possible.

Decisions, decisions.

My mom and I have always stayed on the other other side of the park from the race course (Desert Inn and Suites the first time and Hotel Indigo the second). The walk on race morning over to the start isn't bad, and there's usually other runners walking over as well, which adds to the excitement. I use that walk time to eat my breakfast. Walking back after is never bad either.

 

[Belle Ella]

OctoberDisney - you've been added to the runner list​

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[kim3339]

I have reservations for the Camelot Inn because I wasn't exactly sure where the 5K starts. Stovall or something on Katella would be much closer than walking over from Camelot?

ETA: Stovall's is already booked up.

If you're only doing the 5k, stay at Camelot, but if you're also doing the 10k/ 1/2 and want to be closer to those starts, stay over on that side of Katella. Unless they change it for some reason, the 5k starts inside the park in b/w the Castle and Pixie Hollow and the finish is on the backside of Little Mermaid and WOC in DCA. And another tidbit ~ again, unless they change it, b/c it starts in the park, you're pretty much lined up depending on how early you get there. So if you want to be close to the Castle try and get there as soon as they open the gates.

 

[OctoberDisney]

OctoberDisney - you've been added to the runner list​

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Awesome! Thank you!

 

[Itinkso]

If you're only doing the 5k, stay at Camelot, but if you're also doing the 10k/ 1/2 and want to be closer to those starts, stay over on that side of Katella. Unless they change it for some reason, the 5k starts inside the park in b/w the Castle and Pixie Hollow and the finish is on the backside of Little Mermaid and WOC in DCA. And another tidbit ~ again, unless they change it, b/c it starts in the park, you're pretty much lined up depending on how early you get there. So if you want to be close to the Castle try and get there as soon as they open the gates.

Thank you!! Only the 5K even though I wanted to do the 10K... my friend needs to build up better endurance... we are both in the "Free Senior Drink @ Wendy's" age range.

We will be sure to get there early - I had been thinking corrals like at WDW... what time do they open the gates?

 

[kim3339]

They do rope people off into semi-corrals, but it was more on where you were rather than time. One half of the hub area is a corral and the other half is another and then I think they break up sections on Main Street. I think it's b/c it's hard to set up corrals and have people trying to weave through Main Street if they get there later rather than sooner.

I don't remember what time the gates opened, they'll put it in the program/race instructions. It starts at 5, so I think 3:45/4. And b/c there's no outside staging area, they have the DJ in the hub and Rudy and Carissa announce from in front of the Castle. Tink also does a fly over.

 

[Itinkso]

They do rope people off into semi-corrals, but it was more on where you were rather than time. One half of the hub area is a corral and the other half is another and then I think they break up sections on Main Street. I think it's b/c it's hard to set up corrals and have people trying to weave through Main Street if they get there later rather than sooner.

I don't remember what time the gates opened, they'll put it in the program/race instructions. It starts at 5, so I think 3:45/4. And b/c there's no outside staging area, they have the DJ in the hub and Rudy and Carissa announce from in front of the Castle. Tink also does a fly over.

Thank you for all the great info!! Excited about the start inside the park... much better than the Epcot parking lot!

 

[kim3339]

Heads up for anyone who registered for the 5k opening day ~ check your receipt email to see what you were charged. A few people, including me, we're charged $85 instead of the $75 you were supposed to be. Disney is sending out emails about refunds, got mine this morning, but it went to went to junk email b/c it says WDW Sales. So just keep an eye out for your email and refund if you were overcharged.

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

Thanks for the training tips, will have to check out Jeff Galloway and focus on form.
I think the tips about the characters are helpful because it is something I was not even thinking about.

 

[OctoberDisney]

Good morning!

I was all set to reserve Stovalls over the weekend and it sold out!

So I called Hojo in-house reservations this morning and they gave me 15% off for a total of $135 per night. I am actually really happy with that and relieved to have our plans set.

Just FYI for you guys if you are thinking of staying there!

 

[Merandab4]

Hi, I am a Disney TA ( I'm not trying to sell you anything, promise) But I wanted to mention ( like the previous poster mentioned) that many of the Good Neighbor hotels are filling up fast! I know it seems so far away, but if you have a particular hotel in mind you may want to book it sooner than later. I was logged into my system today and some of the hotels that I've quoted clients the other day are all sold out at this point. So if your TA has given you a price you are happy with, you may want to snatch it up quickly!

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

So excited for the 10k...not for me but for my 13 year old dd. This will be her first 10k. She's been a part of a program called Girls on the Run for several years now and has really developed a love of running. To celebrate her graduation from that program (she's aging out of it) I registered her for this race. Her running buddy from her very first 5k will be running this with her. She's done over 20 5ks and is very excited to try this next milestone.

So excited for her!!!

 

[junmatno]

Belle I'm in for Pixie dust Challenge! Registration was easy and smooth this time!
Really surprised that it didn't sell out quickly this time. I think adding the Star Wars and avengers weekends helped.

 

[megloowho]

I have reservations for the Camelot Inn because I wasn't exactly sure where the 5K starts. Stovall or something on Katella would be much closer than walking over from Camelot?

ETA: Stovall's is already booked up.

We are staying at the Camelot as well! It won't be very close to the race, but it looks close to the parks for our park hopping days. Plus, the price they were offering couldn't be beat! That's what did it for us.

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I've been using the Jeff Galloway app. I'm a beginner runner. I've only done a couple of 5Ks, but I'm going to do some more before May. I'm getting good at the short runs, it's the long run days I'm suffering through. Hoping to improve over the next few months.