Calling all Princesses! (2014 Princess Half Marathon Weekend)- thread #2

[MaMa3Princess]

My friend ran the half this morning and she said there had to have been 30,000 people there. She said it was hard to move a bit because there was a TON of walkers. She is a relatively quick runner so I know she was a bit higher in the corrals. I am wondering how she got stuck behind walkers. Overall she had a blast.

There was also a guy complaining on rundisney that so many people got swept in corral m-p. this just brings my fears to a whole new level. Ugh. Anyone else still stressed about getting swept?

I am an experienced runner but I just had baby no.7 by c-section 3 months ago.
My trainer and recovery has been less than par. I do not want to cause any runner frustration and hope to step back enough corrals to be with like runners. I have been so stressed about this run because training has been tough this time around and I defintely do not want to be with the sweeper.

 

[Twingle]

My friend ran the half this morning and she said there had to have been 30,000 people there. She said it was hard to move a bit because there was a TON of walkers. She is a relatively quick runner so I know she was a bit higher in the corrals. I am wondering how she got stuck behind walkers. Overall she had a blast.

There was also a guy complaining on rundisney that so many people got swept in corral m-p. this just brings my fears to a whole new level. Ugh. Anyone else still stressed about getting swept?

I was very, very concerned about being swept, but I absolutely trust my training. I know that I personally can walk a 14 minute mile, and if for any reason I can't do my run intervals, I can walk, not stop for photos, and still make the time.

That does make me very sad that so many were swept - I also saw that there were lots of illnesses and people not doing well with the weather.

 

[emilyindisney]

From what I'm reading, it sounds like Dopey has contributed some to the slowness/sweeping. Runners who normally go quicker are slowing down considerably to conserve energy for later races. When the pack as a whole slows down it makes it understandably harder for run/walkers and walkers to get ahead of the 16-minute pace. I'm not sure exactly how Dopey corrals were determined but that might explain reports of heavy walking in some of the higher corrals.

 

[charmed1212]

I was very, very concerned about being swept, but I absolutely trust my training. I know that I personally can walk a 14 minute mile, and if for any reason I can't do my run intervals, I can walk, not stop for photos, and still make the time.

That does make me very sad that so many were swept - I also saw that there were lots of illnesses and people not doing well with the weather.

You're right. I should trust my training. I know that I am slower so I will be near the end. I am sure I can average a 14mm and I hadn't planned on stopping for pictures or anything like that. I guess I am just worried about the things I can't control, like crowding. It doesn't matter if you can keep pace if you get stuck behind a large group of people.

From what I'm reading, it sounds like Dopey has contributed some to the slowness/sweeping. Runners who normally go quicker are slowing down considerably to conserve energy for later races. When the pack as a whole slows down it makes it understandably harder for run/walkers and walkers to get ahead of the 16-minute pace. I'm not sure exactly how Dopey corrals were determined but that might explain reports of heavy walking in some of the higher corrals.

Maybe run Disney should have a Dopey weekend just for them. Seems like it would relieve a ton of the pressure off of the races. I guess it is a hard thing to judge. I can't imagine how I would feel going into a race knowing I could meet the requirements and getting swept because I was stuck behind people.

Here's to hoping I we get lucky and get a couple of corral boosts to keep us where we want to be.

 

[emilyindisney]

Maybe run Disney should have a Dopey weekend just for them. Seems like it would relieve a ton of the pressure off of the races. I guess it is a hard thing to judge. I can't imagine how I would feel going into a race knowing I could meet the requirements and getting swept because I was stuck behind people.

Here's to hoping I we get lucky and get a couple of corral boosts to keep us where we want to be.

It's definitely a frustrating situation. I see why Dopey racers might be slowing down and would probably do the same if I were doing all four races. I also see why it's frustrating to people only doing select event who feel like the races get belittled as Dopey qualifiers. I'll be patiently awaiting TRs from this weekend to pop up so I can get some firsthand opinions on the overall experience.

 

[charmed1212]

It's definitely a frustrating situation. I see why Dopey racers might be slowing down and would probably do the same if I were doing all four races. I also see why it's frustrating to people only doing select event who feel like the races get belittled as Dopey qualifiers. I'll be patiently awaiting TRs from this weekend to pop up so I can get some firsthand opinions on the overall experience.

Good idea. I will keep a look out for trip reports as well. I know my friend said that she talked to a girl there. The girl's friend was walking the half. She did get warned about being swept, but they told her as long as she kept up she was fine.

Is it crazy that I am thinking of doing the ToT 10 miler? I heard it goes on sale Feb11.

 

[emilyindisney]

Good idea. I will keep a look out for trip reports as well. I know my friend said that she talked to a girl there. The girl's friend was walking the half. She did get warned about being swept, but they told her as long as she kept up she was fine.

Is it crazy that I am thinking of doing the ToT 10 miler? I heard it goes on sale Feb11.

Totally not crazy because I'm already planning on doing it!!

 

[charmed1212]

Totally not crazy because I'm already planning on doing it!!

Awesome! The 10k will be my longest run in my lifetime. I am hoping to do one Jan 25th to get an idea of time and running with crowds. I figured what is another 3.8 miles.

 

[Figment1990]

Awesome! The 10k will be my longest run in my lifetime. I am hoping to do one Jan 25th to get an idea of time and running with crowds. I figured what is another 3.8 miles.

Well, if makes anyone doing the 10k during princess feel better, I'm planning on running the 10k at my normal pace, despite running the half the next day.

Maybe they just had too many dopey spots available.

 

[JamieLM]

Yes, you can grab bottles of water, bananas, and a box of food. I actually recommend, if you can, stuffing a plastic grocery bag into the pocket of your running shorts. Nothing like stumbling across the finish line, utterly exhausted, possibly a little weak, and then having to weave around to get out of the finish line area while juggling water, a box, and a banana. At least, that's what I have found works best for me post race.

Thank you for the information!! Are the post race boxes free?

 

[charmed1212]

Well, if makes anyone doing the 10k during princess feel better, I'm planning on running the 10k at my normal pace, despite running the half the next day. Maybe they just had too many dopey spots available.

I did see a ton of people with dopey bibs in pictures posted. Maybe you are right.

Thanks for the reassurance. I think I am getting in my head too much.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

Thank you for the information!! Are the post race boxes free?

They are included as apart of your race fee. All race participant receive one.

 

[JamieLM]

They are included as apart of your race fee. All race participant receive one.

Thank you!

 

[laura428]

Argh!! I know we've seen enough venting on this thread about the weather, but I am so frustrated.

It was looking like we might get up to 40 degrees today with 0% chance of precipitation, and I was so excited, thinking I'd finally be able able throw on my cold gear and do a long run on pavement. Temps looks like they're not going to get quite that high, which is ok, but on a quick trip to the store this morning I saw that the roads in our neighborhood have not even been remotely plowed. I was hoping the above freezing weather we've had the last two days would help, but everything is just a half-frozen, slushy mess.

I'm half tempted to drive three or four hours south next weekend JUST to get a good run in! Don't get me wrong - I'm very lucky to have a TM in my basement, but I so want to run in the fresh air!!!!

 

[charmed1212]

Argh!! I know we've seen enough venting on this thread about the weather, but I am so frustrated. It was looking like we might get up to 40 degrees today with 0% chance of precipitation, and I was so excited, thinking I'd finally be able able throw on my cold gear and do a long run on pavement. Temps looks like they're not going to get quite that high, which is ok, but on a quick trip to the store this morning I saw that the roads in our neighborhood have not even been remotely plowed. I was hoping the above freezing weather we've had the last two days would help, but everything is just a half-frozen, slushy mess. I'm half tempted to drive three or four hours south next weekend JUST to get a good run in! Don't get me wrong - I'm very lucky to have a TM in my basement, but I so want to run in the fresh air!!!!

I'm sorry. I can't imagine what it would be like to be forced to train on a TM. I hate running on a TM. My husband is up north in either Indiana or Illinois, and he said they got some rain so it helped clear up some of the snow. I hope you get better weather soon.

 

[laura428]

I'm sorry. I can't imagine what it would be like to be forced to train on a TM. I hate running on a TM. My husband is up north in either Indiana or Illinois, and he said they got some rain so it helped clear up some of the snow. I hope you get better weather soon.

Thanks. It actually has been raining here, as your DH described, but that rain turned to sleet for us yesterday afternoon and then froze. It's ok - I've had my panic session for the day but am now dressed and ready to do the TM trot.

Hey... question for those who have been to the Expo before: do they carry the special NBs in odd sizes right there? I wear a 10N and thinking I'll either miss out because they won't carry them, or I'll totally luck out because they will and very few others will need them. I can usually take advantage of NB clearance sales because of this, but thought they may only bring regular sizes for the event.

 

[CynthiaC925]

Thanks. It actually has been raining here, as your DH described, but that rain turned to sleet for us yesterday afternoon and then froze. It's ok - I've had my panic session for the day but am now dressed and ready to do the TM trot. Hey... question for those who have been to the Expo before: do they carry the special NBs in odd sizes right there? I wear a 10N and thinking I'll either miss out because they won't carry them, or I'll totally luck out because they will and very few others will need them. I can usually take advantage of NB clearance sales because of this, but thought they may only bring regular sizes for the event.

I am here but didn't see your post until now. I will find out next weekend as I will be at Tinkerbell and let you know.

 

[charmed1212]

Thanks. It actually has been raining here, as your DH described, but that rain turned to sleet for us yesterday afternoon and then froze. It's ok - I've had my panic session for the day but am now dressed and ready to do the TM trot.

We all need to let go of a little steam every once in a while.

I actually have convinced DH to do the ToT 10 miler. Although I am not really confident with my 10k pace, I figured it is always good to continue to have goals. He will be mostly TM running since he works in the northern states. I may have even convinced him to do a Half next year.

 

[pixarmom]

Argh!! I know we've seen enough venting on this thread about the weather, but I am so frustrated.

It was looking like we might get up to 40 degrees today with 0% chance of precipitation, and I was so excited, thinking I'd finally be able able throw on my cold gear and do a long run on pavement. Temps looks like they're not going to get quite that high, which is ok, but on a quick trip to the store this morning I saw that the roads in our neighborhood have not even been remotely plowed. I was hoping the above freezing weather we've had the last two days would help, but everything is just a half-frozen, slushy mess.

I'm half tempted to drive three or four hours south next weekend JUST to get a good run in! Don't get me wrong - I'm very lucky to have a TM in my basement, but I so want to run in the fresh air!!!!

Happy to vent with you!! I've been on the TM for the last couple weeks - just too cold and dangerous outside. I did run outside twice last week, but it slows my pace because I have to watch for ice/slush, inhale really cold air and, of course, those polartec tights and mittens are starting to feel heavy. I was fine outside until around New Years. It's super boring on the treadmill, but at least I know my pace and can run negative splits without fear of injury.

We're heading out to Newport Beach, CA in less than two weeks, and I'm really excited to trade in the treadmill for seven days of oceanfront running. So, yes, I say drive south and run in that fresh air!

 

[emilyindisney]

I actually have convinced DH to do the ToT 10 miler. Although I am not really confident with my 10k pace, I figured it is always good to continue to have goals. He will be mostly TM running since he works in the northern states. I may have even convinced him to do a Half next year.

Woohoo!