2017 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

[courtneybeth]

My friend and I are in for the half. It's my first race ever and her first half. Any words of wisdom? Also, we are signing up to do a 10k so we can try to get a better corral placement, but any idea what our placement would be without it? We signed up in the 2:46-2:50 group.

There's been arguments made on these forums that no matter what your time is, always submit a proof of time. Because if you do not, there's a chance you could be in the last corral - even if you estimated yourself differently. It can't hurt to have something for the placement people to look at and say "Hey, @Scootypuffjr runs a 14 minute mile, let's put her with the other 14 minute mile people!" Which is better than being in the last corral


I was going to recommend signing up for the 10K distance to see what running a race feels like - since you mentioned that you hadn't done a race yet... but it looks like you're on that already. Congrats and good idea!! If you can get into Rock N Roll's events before November 15th, it'd be an awesome experience to know what Princess could potentially be for you in regards to crowds, expo, and waiting in a corral. Their site is here: http://www.runrocknroll.com/#findrace -- the last race that could potentially work for you before the deadline is Las Vegas.


Another side note: When you get your 10K time, start looking at Pace Estimation calculators to see what your finish time will be. It's not as simple as doubling your 10K time, since you'll get fatigued and slow down the further you go. Be honest in your submission and placement, as if you go too far ahead you could potentially hurt yourself trying to keep up with faster runners. (ie: If you run at a 14 minute mile pace, don't put yourself with the 9 minute mile people - it's like a stampede out the gate and you could hurt your pace trying to keep up with them ! )

Do not worry about corral placement - they're there to make sure you're with your own pace group so you have a fun and safe race. There's been a negative connotation recently that "back corral placement means bad" and that is not the case at all! It means you're just with people at your speed and you get to enjoy the course at your own pace...

 

[Scootypuffjr]

You already covered one tip I was going to mention - do a 10K for Proof of Time. I think for the time you signed up for it would be G or Hish (out of P corrals) - but definitely do your race and submit the time.

Other tips...
1. Make sure you have been fitted for a good pair of running shoes
2. TRAIN! Pick a training plan that works for your life/body/schedule and stick to it. It'll take some time and dedication, and it may be hard, but you will be SO grateful that you trained come race day
3. Bring throwaway clothes to wear before the start of the race and pack layers in cash there's a cold snap
4. Bring your camera (phone or small point & shoot) for on-course pictures!
5. This was the most helpful for me before doing my first runDisney race...look for trip reports from PHM weekend. They will help you know what to expect as far as having to go to the expo, navigating the transportation/starting area, etc.

Thanks for the tips! We already started a training program a few weeks ago and I had plans to get fitted for shoes this weekend. Happy to know I'm on the right track!

 

[Scootypuffjr]

There's been arguments made on these forums that no matter what your time is, always submit a proof of time. Because if you do not, there's a chance you could be in the last corral - even if you estimated yourself differently. It can't hurt to have something for the placement people to look at and say "Hey, @Scootypuffjr runs a 14 minute mile, let's put her with the other 14 minute mile people!" Which is better than being in the last corral


I was going to recommend signing up for the 10K distance to see what running a race feels like - since you mentioned that you hadn't done a race yet... but it looks like you're on that already. Congrats and good idea!! If you can get into Rock N Roll's events before November 15th, it'd be an awesome experience to know what Princess could potentially be for you in regards to crowds, expo, and waiting in a corral. Their site is here: http://www.runrocknroll.com/#findrace -- the last race that could potentially work for you before the deadline is Las Vegas.


Another side note: When you get your 10K time, start looking at Pace Estimation calculators to see what your finish time will be. It's not as simple as doubling your 10K time, since you'll get fatigued and slow down the further you go. Be honest in your submission and placement, as if you go too far ahead you could potentially hurt yourself trying to keep up with faster runners. (ie: If you run at a 14 minute mile pace, don't put yourself with the 9 minute mile people - it's like a stampede out the gate and you could hurt your pace trying to keep up with them ! )

Do not worry about corral placement - they're there to make sure you're with your own pace group so you have a fun and safe race. There's been a negative connotation recently that "back corral placement means bad" and that is not the case at all! It means you're just with people at your speed and you get to enjoy the course at your own pace...

Thank you! We are actually in Colorado (I need to update my info) and looked at RnR, but I'll be flying back home the night before and don't know if they'll let my friend pick up my packet for me. We are hoping that training at altitude will give us a slight edge when we go to sea level. When I was home in California a few weeks ago I knocked 5 minutes off my 2 mile time fairly effortlessly, but I know there is a huge difference between 2 and 13.

I really just want to be as far up in the corrals as possible to put as much distance between the balloon lady and me as possible in case we have to pull to the side and walk a little. I'd be devastated if I got swept.

 

[courtneybeth]

We are actually in Colorado (I need to update my info) and looked at RnR, but I'll be flying back home the night before and don't know if they'll let my friend pick up my packet for me. We are hoping that training at altitude will give us a slight edge when we go to sea level.

You can usually pick up your packet at Solutions the morning of the race - they just don't want to advertise that

And yay for you for training at altitude. You're going to kick Princess's butt!

 

[Scootypuffjr]

You can usually pick up your packet at Solutions the morning of the race - they just don't want to advertise that

And yay for you for training at altitude. You're going to kick Princess's butt!

Awwww, thanks! Can you just run near /with us and shout that at me every mile or so? I promise to return the favor!

If that's the case with RnR, then I think we'll sign up. Ideally I don't want to get off a plane and run a race the next morning, but it's almost the same as what we'll be doing for princess, so...

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Got in with Catch-A-Lift charity for the GSC. Whoop!!

 

[Ariel484]

What discounts have been available in the past for this weekend on resorts (if any)?

Also Im going Fri-Mon, and doing the GSC. How many park days would you suggest and what days? I don't want to overdo the walking in between races. So I was only thinking of MK for that Sunday after the race.

Historical discounts: http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#codetrends

I make my main park days Sunday & Monday and try to stay off my feet in the days leading up to the races.

 

[Nessats]

Is Disney good about enforcing corral placement? My daughter and I have done a four miler race the past couple of years, and they are horrible about checking to see if you are in the correct corral. We saw walkers who had been assigned to the last couple of corrals start in the very first corral instead of staying in their assigned corral, and nothing was done to enforce it. It became very chaotic.

 

[MaleficentEvilSister]

Sorry if this was asked already...... I know that the 1/2 and I think the 10K can be transferred to the following year if something happens, but what about the 5K?

 

[courtneybeth]

Awwww, thanks! Can you just run near /with us and shout that at me every mile or so? I promise to return the favor!

If that's the case with RnR, then I think we'll sign up. Ideally I don't want to get off a plane and run a race the next morning, but it's almost the same as what we'll be doing for princess, so...

if we're in the same corral - sure! I'm slow... I pace about a 13:45 mile during a half and finish in about 3:10. I enjoy the ambiance of the city I'm running in and take it all in while I run.

For Denver, head to solutions first thing and pick up your bib - you'll need a confirmation sheet and ID. Get there early and enjoy the energy of everyone around you

 

[joan4mickey]

@Nessats They are VERY GOOD at checking corral Placement. They have people, more than one, at each entrance and ask to see your bib.

 

[Ariel484]

Is Disney good about enforcing corral placement? My daughter and I have done a four miler race the past couple of years, and they are horrible about checking to see if you are in the correct corral. We saw walkers who had been assigned to the last couple of corrals start in the very first corral instead of staying in their assigned corral, and nothing was done to enforce it. It became very chaotic.

At Disney WORLD, yes. I think the Disneyland races have more instances of corral jumpers.

 

[IrishMel21]

Congrats to all those who got into the races they wanted to register for! I just looked and I'm shocked that GSC is still open for registration. My BF & I decided to pass on 2017 Princess Weekend (I'm still trying to convince myself it's okay) and we're going to register for Star Wars Dark Side weekend instead. There were just so many things lining up for us to mix it up next year. I'm going back to school and my school schedule with working and raising my son will make training up to February VERY difficult. And I would hate myself for not properly training for a half. Thankfully we love Star Wars and want to try something different, plus Princess weekend doesn't fall on my birthday this year. We have many reasons to switch it up, I'm still a little sad over it. Plus the fact that GSC is still open makes it that much harder. I was hoping the temptation would be gone.

I'm still going to cheer you all on and route for you during your training runs - go Princesses (and Princes)!

 

[Scootypuffjr]

Where do I find info on the expo and what time does it close on Friday night?

 

[run.minnie.miles]

Congrats to all those who got into the races they wanted to register for! I just looked and I'm shocked that GSC is still open for registration. My BF & I decided to pass on 2017 Princess Weekend (I'm still trying to convince myself it's okay) and we're going to register for Star Wars Dark Side weekend instead. There were just so many things lining up for us to mix it up next year. I'm going back to school and my school schedule with working and raising my son will make training up to February VERY difficult. And I would hate myself for not properly training for a half. Thankfully we love Star Wars and want to try something different, plus Princess weekend doesn't fall on my birthday this year. We have many reasons to switch it up, I'm still a little sad over it. Plus the fact that GSC is still open makes it that much harder. I was hoping the temptation would be gone.

I'm still going to cheer you all on and route for you during your training runs - go Princesses (and Princes)!

Ahh! I just read your blog recap of this year's race and it made me even more excited!!

 

[Ariel484]

Where do I find info on the expo and what time does it close on Friday night?

Well, it SHOULD be here, but I see that it's not. runDisney really doesn't understand that we need to know this stuff for flights and things...
http://www.rundisney.com/princess-half-marathon/runner-info/

So you know, hopefully someday that will get updated. Last year's hours are below, and I'd think it'll be the same or similar for 2017.
Thursday: 10AM - 8PM
Friday: 9AM - 7PM
Saturday: 9AM - 4PM

 

[Scootypuffjr]

Well, it SHOULD be here, but I see that it's not. runDisney really doesn't understand that we need to know this stuff for flights and things...
http://www.rundisney.com/princess-half-marathon/runner-info/

So you know, hopefully someday that will get updated. Last year's hours are below, and I'd think it'll be the same or similar for 2017.
Thursday: 10AM - 8PM
Friday: 9AM - 7PM
Saturday: 9AM - 4PM

Haha, right? It makes me feel better that it's not there and I didn't just miss it though. Thanks for last year's info, that totally helps!

 

[Ariel484]

Haha, right? It makes me feel better that it's not there and I didn't just miss it though. Thanks for last year's info, that totally helps!

They annoy me so much with how little the website gets updated. They have to know people are making resort reservations, looking at flights, etc.

 

[wendybeth75]

I also can't believe the GSC is still open. I thought it would be the first to go. Is this typical for the challenge races to still be available?

There's been arguments made on these forums that no matter what your time is, always submit a proof of time. Because if you do not, there's a chance you could be in the last corral - even if you estimated yourself differently. It can't hurt to have something for the placement people to look at and say "Hey, @Scootypuffjr runs a 14 minute mile, let's put her with the other 14 minute mile people!" Which is better than being in the last corral
Do not worry about corral placement - they're there to make sure you're with your own pace group so you have a fun and safe race. There's been a negative connotation recently that "back corral placement means bad" and that is not the case at all! It means you're just with people at your speed and you get to enjoy the course at your own pace...

I totally agree with this. When I signed up for the 10K last year for Star Wars I assumed I would be running at about a 13:30 minute mile and trained up and was really at 11:30 minute mile so I was in the wrong corral. It was frustrating trying to maneuver through the crowd and would have been much easier for me and my corral mates had I placed myself correctly. I am doing a half (my first) in October to submit my time and hopefully will be better matched this time.

 

[keahgirl8]

And so begins me trying to pretend I don't want to add the 5k to my GSC entry. I wish it had just sold.

You know you want to. Just do it! Did you really expect someone in this group to tell you not to do it? lol

I registered for the half, but only as a back-up in case my Ultra plans that weekend fall through.

I'd like to say I'm shocked that everything except the 10K is available, but I'm not ...

I honestly thought it could go either way. Princess has been selling out faster than other races for the last few years, so I wasn't sure if it would continue the current trend of not selling out.

You already covered one tip I was going to mention - do a 10K for Proof of Time. I think for the time you signed up for it would be G or Hish (out of P corrals) - but definitely do your race and submit the time.

Definitely do this. The thing is, there seems to be a variety of experiences with people who don't submit a time. For some, it seems like they go by the estimated time entered at registration. For others, they end up in the last corral, no matter what they entered. I actually read one story this year of a woman who has never submitted a time. She is a fast runner and always got placed near the front. This led her to believe they used her previous year's race time automatically. This year, she didn't submit a time as usual and was placed in the last corral. I have no idea what they do, but I highly suggest everyone submits one no matter what you think your time will be.

:::Sees 5k and GSC still open, curses non-productive money tree::

If you ever figure out how to get it to produce, please let me know.

What discounts have been available in the past for this weekend on resorts (if any)?

Also Im going Fri-Mon, and doing the GSC. How many park days would you suggest and what days? I don't want to overdo the walking in between races. So I was only thinking of MK for that Sunday after the race.

I would only do Sunday and Monday if it were me. I do very little park time (if any) on the days leading up to, and in between, the races.

You can usually pick up your packet at Solutions the morning of the race - they just don't want to advertise that

Oh that would make me so nervous to wait until the morning of. Stress city. Also, just thought I would add that they absolutely will not let anyone pick up your packet but you. They have really cracked down on that the last couple of years.

Is Disney good about enforcing corral placement? My daughter and I have done a four miler race the past couple of years, and they are horrible about checking to see if you are in the correct corral. We saw walkers who had been assigned to the last couple of corrals start in the very first corral instead of staying in their assigned corral, and nothing was done to enforce it. It became very chaotic.

I heard stories of corral jumpers this year, but never saw it. From what I heard, people entered the correct corral and climbed over the barrier when no one was looking. Again, I never witnessed it, so I don't know if it is true.

Sorry if this was asked already...... I know that the 1/2 and I think the 10K can be transferred to the following year if something happens, but what about the 5K?

Nope. You're just out that money.