Calling all Princesses! (2014 Princess half marathon board)

[kappyfamily]

Today I finished my 9th half in 16 months! Vancouver USA, great run, little hilly but we survived! Now its time to ice my knees...

 

[BlazerFan]

Today I finished my 9th half in 16 months! Vancouver USA, great run, little hilly but we survived! Now its time to ice my knees...

I finished the Vancouver USA 1/2 today too! We may have been next to each other if you aren't fast . Who knows!

 

[BlazerFan]

I use an iFitness neoprene double pouch belt with two 8 ounce hydration bottle add-ons. It works great for me - one pocket for my phone, one pocket for my sport beans, and then 16 ounces of water. Once I put it on and get it adjusted, I really don't even notice it is there.

I picked the hydration add-on instead of the hydration belt because I like being able to take them off - for instance, races where I need my sport beans but they have water stations on course and I don't need my bottles.

Great idea! I didn't think of that at all, or maybe the add on bottles weren't available at first. I have the double pouch and then purchased the hydration belt with 1 pouch. I slide on 2 amphopod bottles to add more for long runs and didn't even think about doing the same with the 2 pouch belt. Thanks for the great idea.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I signed up for the Princess earlier this week. I did the 2010 Princess as my first half marathon and the 2010 Disneyland Half as my second and earned the Coast to Coast that year. I haven't really done much of anything in terms of training since September 2010, so I have my work cut out for me.

I remember doing a baseline two-mile walk in October of 2009 when I started training for the Princess and I had about 17 minute miles. I got it down to about 14 minute miles by the event. That year, it was only the 2nd anniversary event and I was able to register in October. This year, I got home from work on the day of registration and it was already 50% full. Clearly, they're doing something right!

I did my baseline yesterday (on a treadmill - heat index is around 110), and I had an 18 minute first mile and a 17 minute 2nd mile. Not great, but I have even more time to train than I did last time.

I'm excited about doing the Princess again! It is good to have a fitness goal to work towards. I really need it.

One question, though. Last time I did the Princess, they had designated only some of the on-site hotels as host resorts for runners. Not all of the resorts offered race transit. I don't see the same list; I'm assuming all the on-site resorts are offering the race transit to the expo and events? My mom is doing the 10K and I'm doing the half and we are booked at Riverside.

 

[kappyfamily]

I finished the Vancouver USA 1/2 today too! We may have been next to each other if you aren't fast . Who knows!

Haha not even close! I finished in 2:58. How did you do?

 

[longhorns2]

Yes. All resorts are offering transportation to race and expo! You're good at POR!

 

[BlazerFan]

Haha not even close! I finished in 2:58. How did you do?

Well, fast is all relative! I don't know my official time but my watch showed 3:12! My daughter finished in 2:55 so she was closer to you.

I'm a walker trying to learn to run

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I did do a 10K back in March of this year. If I had known I was going to do the Princess, I might have trained more and attempted to use it as proof of time to get in something other than the very last corral. Well, I didn't train and I just showed up and walked it. My pace was about 18:45 and I finished in just under 2 hours. The only time I actually ran during the event was when a transformer blew up on the power pole closest to me at the time. Sparks were flying and there was smoke; everybody in the immediate area screamed and broke into a run.

That was a strange race. It was really laid back. I've never seen anything quite like it, but apparently it's normal for that race and something it's known for. Coolers, strollers, shopping carts full of beer, etc, were allowed on the course. Also, there was one spot where the course curved and people were running across the grass and skipping about a mile or so of the race. People were pulling off into bars to get a drink, and at more than one point, spectators were pouring drinks into people's mouths. It was a unique experience.

Yes. All resorts are offering transportation to race and expo! You're good at POR!

Thanks!

 

[keahgirl8]

I did do a 10K back in March of this year. If I had known I was going to do the Princess, I might have trained more and attempted to use it as proof of time to get in something other than the very last corral. Well, I didn't train and I just showed up and walked it. My pace was about 18:45 and I finished in just under 2 hours. The only time I actually ran during the event was when a transformer blew up on the power pole closest to me at the time. Sparks were flying and there was smoke; everybody in the immediate area screamed and broke into a run.

That was a strange race. It was really laid back. I've never seen anything quite like it, but apparently it's normal for that race and something it's known for. Coolers, strollers, shopping carts full of beer, etc, were allowed on the course. Also, there was one spot where the course curved and people were running across the grass and skipping about a mile or so of the race. People were pulling off into bars to get a drink, and at more than one point, spectators were pouring drinks into people's mouths. It was a unique experience.

Thanks!

That sounds crazy!

 

[niclodn]

I did do a 10K back in March of this year. If I had known I was going to do the Princess, I might have trained more and attempted to use it as proof of time to get in something other than the very last corral. Well, I didn't train and I just showed up and walked it. My pace was about 18:45 and I finished in just under 2 hours. The only time I actually ran during the event was when a transformer blew up on the power pole closest to me at the time. Sparks were flying and there was smoke; everybody in the immediate area screamed and broke into a run.

That was a strange race. It was really laid back. I've never seen anything quite like it, but apparently it's normal for that race and something it's known for. Coolers, strollers, shopping carts full of beer, etc, were allowed on the course. Also, there was one spot where the course curved and people were running across the grass and skipping about a mile or so of the race. People were pulling off into bars to get a drink, and at more than one point, spectators were pouring drinks into people's mouths. It was a unique experience.

Thanks!

This sounds awesome! Lol!

 

[Megan489]

I am running my first Disney race (Glass Slipper Challenge) and I'm wondering what most of you other runners do as far as staying at a resort hotel or off property? I know you get bused over if you stay at a Disney resort but is it worth the price to you guys?

 

[jmasgat]

The "value" of staying onsite is different for everyone. Personally, I have always stayed onsite at WDW. It just feels like more of a vacation when I am inside the confines of the Disney property. But it does come at a price--and Princess time of year is pricier than other times (e.g. January Marathon weekend). If you don't intend to have your own transportation, and can find a room discount, then staying onsite can be "almost" economical. It is Disney, after all, and they charge a premium.

That said, this time I plan to stay offsite. I don't think I'll do the parks that much, and I already have a place booked for $79/nt--which won't happen even at a value with a discount. Of course, this could change, but this time I'm trying to do things on the cheap.

Maura

 

[Luvchefmic]

When staying offsite where do you park for your race ?

 

[MaMa3Princess]

When staying offsite where do you park for your race ?

Right in the Epcot parking lot. It is free to park before 7am. I had hubby drop me off at 4:30 am and he came back at 6:30 am. He was able to track me from the text alert he slept in car until I was about to finish and met me at the finish line. But you will park in Epcot and walk right over to the staging area and bag check.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Right in the Epcot parking lot. It is free to park before 7am. I had hubby drop me off at 4:30 am and he came back at 6:30 am. He was able to track me from the text alert he slept in car until I was about to finish and met me at the finish line. But you will park in Epcot and walk right over to the staging area and bag check.

Great thanks so much I like having my ducks in a row as much as possible

 

[Figment1990]

Right in the Epcot parking lot. It is free to park before 7am. I had hubby drop me off at 4:30 am and he came back at 6:30 am. He was able to track me from the text alert he slept in car until I was about to finish and met me at the finish line. But you will park in Epcot and walk right over to the staging area and bag check.

So if I have hubby drop me off instead of taking the bus, I don't have to get up at 2:45-3:00? I can possibly sleep til say, 3:45????? This could make a world of difference to me!

 

[MaMa3Princess]

So if I have hubby drop me off instead of taking the bus, I don't have to get up at 2:45-3:00? I can possibly sleep til say, 3:45????? This could make a world of difference to me!

I got there at 4:30, I stayed in Windsor Hill and I woke up at 3:45ish. I found it pretty easy to do. Leaving after the race was a little congested but I was at least able to get off my feet and not wait for the bus. Bus lines were LOOOOONG!!! So, I personally found it easy being dropped off and picked up for the race.

 

[calihannah]

Maybe a dumb question but how do we get WDW Resorts lodging at this point? Nothing is available through their website past 12/31/13...

 

[cepmom]

Maybe a dumb question but how do we get WDW Resorts lodging at this point? Nothing is available through their website past 12/31/13...

You can't book online for after 12/31/13 yet, but you can call and book a reservation for 2014.

 

[mommy2lt]

Maybe a dumb question but how do we get WDW Resorts lodging at this point? Nothing is available through their website past 12/31/13...

You have to call, but beware.... it is $pricey$ right now. If you say anything about the races you will get transferred to event booking (at least I did). I am not really happy with the price they gave me, but wanted to be sure that I got a room so I put down the deposit. Hoping that the AAA discount for next year will come out soon so I can call and try to get a better deal.