2017 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

[joan4mickey]

I've been reading that thread about pace groups. Does anyone have more details with people running so many different intervals? My run/walk intervals are 2min/1min.

Pace Groups:
The best thing is to find the booth at the expo and ask. Ask who is leading the pace group and if they are available to chat with and if not, when they will be at the booth. Ask what the race plan is, i.e.. stopping for photos, bathroom, what intervals he/she will be doing etc. If you don't talk to your pacer find out what corral and if he/she will be in the front of corral or where ever. Arrive early enough in your corral to announce yourself to pacer and chat a minutes.

 

[bellanotte10]

I don't really have a plan, but I'm not looking to PR on any of these races. I'll work on that during a non-Disney race. I just want to take time and get some photos. I turn 40yo tomorrow and never imagined myself running a half marathon at this age. I'm just celebrating being happy and healthy the entire race weekend!

5K - most likely a leisurely run in between photo ops
10K - I can run the entire thing, but I'm doing run/walk and want to get photos!
half - run/walk and lots of photos!

I've been reading that thread about pace groups. Does anyone have more details with people running so many different intervals? My run/walk intervals are 2min/1min.

my mom started running at 63. Next week will be her second 10k at 66. Her goal is to make it pretty high up in her age group.

 

[JulieODC]

My plan is to finish with a smile! This is my first half, so I guess I'll automatically PR.

Seriously though - I plan to do my usual 2:00 : 0:30 intervals, aim for a pace in the 11min range. Though I may run the first mile or so until it gets less crowded. I'm not usually a big character meet person, but if I see a good one, I might stop.

My only other plan is to hydrate at every opportunity and take a gu/gels every 2.5/3 miles. I think it helps a bit with energy, but mainly it prevents some major GI discomfort post-race.

 

[Ariel484]

This is my first WDW race weekend and I'm a feeling of nervous and excited. I'm going to try to do my best and keep a steady pace (about 12:30), even right out the chute. There will be choke points and I know sometimes it's hard to find the tangents, and I'm going to be realistic. There will be points you have to walk. And you just have to go a little faster after.

I think you'll like it. VERY different from Disneyland races...races on both coasts have their good and bad points, I think. But overall, you're running in Disney, which is awesome!

The new corralling system at WDW will help you, I think (more corrals that are smaller). I think you'll find it hard to run as you're approaching the Contemporary up until we're out of the Magic Kingdom and past Cone Alley. Otherwise if you aren't stopping I think you'll be good. In addition to the "hills" that @joan4mickey mentioned, make sure to watch the slope of the roads...that really did a number on my knees the first time I did this race.


As for my plans...
5K - all the pictures, finish successfully
10K - all the pictures, finish successfully
HAlf - all the pictures, finish successfully

 

[Bree]

Pace Groups:
The best thing is to find the booth at the expo and ask. Ask who is leading the pace group and if they are available to chat with and if not, when they will be at the booth. Ask what the race plan is, i.e.. stopping for photos, bathroom, what intervals he/she will be doing etc. If you don't talk to your pacer find out what corral and if he/she will be in the front of corral or where ever. Arrive early enough in your corral to announce yourself to pacer and chat a minutes.

Thanks! I'm debating it and will definitely try to talk with the pacer to get more info.

 

[cmarsh31]

My race plan is: 1. Finish 2. Have fun 3. Take lots of photos!

My first Disney race and first 5k. This is entirely my plan!

 

[runalarm]

my mom started running at 63. Next week will be her second 10k at 66. Her goal is to make it pretty high up in her age group.

That is amazing! Best of luck to her!

I don't really have a plan. I'm running the 5K with my daughter so we'll just take it easy and have fun. For the 10K and half I just start at an easy pace which usually ends up being about 1 minute per mile faster than my training runs because of race day adrenaline/excitement. Last time I told myself I could stop and take pictures if I saw any I really wanted but I didn't end up taking any. Oh except for the one by the castle that is my profile pic

My 10K PR is from Disney Princess 2 years ago! The temps were really cool that year so that helped.

I'm not going for any PRs this year, I'll probably just run the races like I do my training runs. My marathon training plan started this week and if I push myself too hard during these races I'll need more time to recover and I'd rather just jump back into my plan.

 

[msmith07101]

Feeling good and getting excited despite this pesky metatarsalagia that's cropped up! Anyone else have experience with this? I guess I'll be wearing flat comfortable shoes and avoid exercises that aggravate that 1st MTP joint. Why is it that feeling your best and being well trained can change in an instant!!!! Goodness gracious!

Is this pain in the ball of your foot? If so, then that's what just started in my left foot a week or so ago. No issues until just recently. Hurts when I walk, middle to outer side of my foot, on/near ball of foot...is that what yours is?

 

[HockeyMomNH]

I started running 3 years ago at 42. I hated running as a kid, so it was a bit of a shock to find out that I enjoy it now. Princess 10K 2015 was my first race ever. Next weekend I will be running my 14th half marathon, and my 4th runDisney challenge.

My plan:

5K with my DD17 who is not a runner. Just whatever pace she wants to do, and whatever pictures I can convince her to stop for.
10K run at a slow pace, stop only if there are BatB characters on the course.
1/2 same as above. Not looking to PR, I've been training at about 11:30 pace.

 

[TeeterTots]

Is this pain in the ball of your foot? If so, then that's what just started in my left foot a week or so ago. No issues until just recently. Hurts when I walk, middle to outer side of my foot, on/near ball of foot...is that what yours is?

Yes. Right on the ball of my foot. Yesterday was my first run since last Thursday and it was sore. Today not so bad so I'm hoping it's short lived!!!

 

[msmith07101]

Yes. Right on the ball of my foot. Yesterday was my first run since last Thursday and it was sore. Today not so bad so I'm hoping it's short lived!!!

I am so hoping it goes away if I take it easy between now and next weekend! It's making me slower, and that isn't good!

 

[bumbershoot]

I've been reading that thread about pace groups. Does anyone have more details with people running so many different intervals? My run/walk intervals are 2min/1min.

You'll need to see if you can meet them at the expo and find out their intervals. If you're lucky they will align. Otherwise you'll go it alone, use them as a guideline, or see if your body can handle changing to their intervals.

I have been dealing with sciatic pain for the last several weeks. I've been going to the chiropractor but it doesn't seem to be helping. I'm not sure what to do.

Acupuncture! If chiro isn't working that's my go-to thing.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

This will be dds (15) 3rd half -- the other two were at DL.

Her plan is #1 - Finish
2- have fun
3- since she's not going for a PR possibly do some photos -- either the photo stops or just some fun selfies along the way (off to the side, lol)

She's a bit worried about the larger number of people but thanks to all the awesome people here she is prepared and has been planning her race etiquette and how to pass safely.

 

[courtneybeth]

I love reading all of your goals.

@run.minnie.miles and I are in corral H. Anyone else? I'd love to pace you!

 

[ChiTownZee]

I was looking at pictures from previous races and I couple a question for those that have done this before. Do you run with a belt or something to carry your stuff and/or water? It seems so many people don't from the pics! I get maybe not having your own water since there are water stations, maybe people with strong stomachs don't need to bring their own fuel and just use whatever is at the race, but I always have my phone, gels, little thing of electrolyte salts besides my water and car key. How do people run a half marathon with what seems like nothing?

 

[joan4mickey]

Carrying stuff:
Some do some don't. I have carried a handheld water bottle on a couple of hot years and refill at water stops. I have used a Spibelt to carry a camera or fuel. Not always. Last year I safety pinned a couple of packs of fruit chews to my compression shorts. I have carried a camera, small point and shoot, all 13 miles.
I have seem people with nothing and some with string bags.
Whatever you decided it is often good to have a practice run.

 

[Ariel484]

I was looking at pictures from previous races and I couple a question for those that have done this before. Do you run with a belt or something to carry your stuff and/or water? It seems so many people don't from the pics! I get maybe not having your own water since there are water stations, maybe people with strong stomachs don't need to bring their own fuel and just use whatever is at the race, but I always have my phone, gels, little thing of electrolyte salts besides my water and car key. How do people run a half marathon with what seems like nothing?

runDisney's on-course water stops are adequate for me. I know sometimes people will carry handheld water bottles or run with a water belt. SpiBelts are really popular for carrying fuel and stuff like that.

For me, my running skirts have 2 pockets, which is enough for me to carry my fuel and phone.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

@courtneybeth I've never ran with anyone before, but maybe we'll be able to get a few miles in!

@ChiTownZee I wear a flipbelt and it's great. I don't carry water, but there are flat bottles that fit in it. It doesn't bounce or move around, which I really like.

 

[bcarey2k]

I was looking at pictures from previous races and I couple a question for those that have done this before. Do you run with a belt or something to carry your stuff and/or water? It seems so many people don't from the pics! I get maybe not having your own water since there are water stations, maybe people with strong stomachs don't need to bring their own fuel and just use whatever is at the race, but I always have my phone, gels, little thing of electrolyte salts besides my water and car key. How do people run a half marathon with what seems like nothing?

I have a belt for my Gu's ... and I have a water bottle at the start (a throw away) .... I usually finish the water in the corral (they usually have water right outside the corrals too, for refilling/general hydration).

I start out with my bottle and if it's crazy warm, I hang onto it for a while and get it refilled at the water stops .... but usually, I just chunk it and use the small quantities of water/Powerade provided.

I find if I run with water, I drink the whole thing ... which my bladder usually reminds me of at in opportune times.

There will be adequate water stops.

Brian

 

[HomeiswhereMickeyis]

My lungs are taking their dear sweet time clearing up so I have a question. I have read that in the past there has only been one sweep spot for the 10k at around the halfway point, was this still the case last year and in recent 10ks? The reason I ask is I'd really like to get a picture with vacation Genie if he is out but I don't want to get swept doing it. Ideally my lungs will be all better and my pace will be good enough that I don't have to worry but I'd like to be prepared.