Can you help a beginner decide about the Princess Half Marathon??

[angiejg]

My friend and I are seriously considering doing this for the first time but have no clue where to start. We are both Disney fanatics, but are just beginning our road to becoming more fit. We are doing ok with walking and the treadmill, so we aren't hopeless! Do you begin by registering online? How do you know where to stay, what to do, where to go? We have never done anything like this before, but are working on walking mostly. Are we insane for considering this or is it doable for first timers? Can someone just walk me through how to get started with planning the weekend? I mean all the basics. We don't know how to get started! Thanks for your help and patience!

 

[princessallegra]

Hi! You can definitely do this! I would recommend downloading the Couch to 5K app (C25K). It's a great way to get started with running. For me I registered for the race online, and I found that my biggest motivator. It was a great feeling to actually register, I remember that day! As for travel accommodations you can call the Disney travel phone numbers listed on the RunDisney page under Travel. There are room discounts as well as park ticket discounts.

The Expo/Packet Pick up is Friday and Saturday at Wide World of Sports.You will want to get there early if possible, and make sure you have your ID as well as your printed and signed race waivers (you can print these there in case you forget but sometimes the lines are long). There is merchandise to purchase at the expo as well. Sunday the race starts at 5:45 am. If you're staying at a host resort (All Star Sports and POR are the ones I know for sure) there is dedicated busing to the expo and to and from the race. I was on a bus by 4 am last year which is the absolute latest you want to be on a bus. You can also drive to the start but there is a lot of traffic, be prepared.

Not sure what other questions you may have, but ask away!

 

[Figment1990]

I recommend visiting the runDisney website and reading through all the info about the princess 1/2 weekend and even some of the other weekend race events to get a feel for how the logistics go for Disney races. I also spent a lot of time watching the Jeff Galloway training videos and picked up some helpful tips on actual running form, etc. Seeing those and reading his training plans helped me start. He has a website also.

I also started reading runners world magazine and found that I not only enjoyed actual running, but learning about the sport of it as well.

And ask questions here on the DIS of course!

I wasn't a total running newbie (I had run for many years before an injury sidelined me, but never anything consistent or long distance) and the most helpful thing for me was learning to not run too fast, and not run with too long of a stride. Then I just started by running small amounts at a time and adding on (1 min, 2 min, 3 min, etc) until I could run more and more.

Also, get some music that inspires you to move. It's amazing how motivating that can be for a new runner!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Because you have said that you and your friend are actively moving either walking or treadmil:

IF you are mindful of the cut-off pace, about a 16 min mile, and IF you know that you can get that, then I would go ahead and register and book a place to stay first before the registration closes. Not sure how soon this event usually closes, but you would want to get that registration done.

Depending on where you are in your ability, you definitely need to get a plan outlined. I see that you would be in week 18 of a training plan (I use John Bingham's Marathoning for Mortals plan. It includes plans for half participants.) I would hope that you would be able to manage about a 15 minute pace minimum for the 13.1 miles by the time the event comes around.

You have 18 training weeks, but you really need to be mindful of not over training and stick to a plan.

The rest of your questions can be answered once you get the major issues about training and registration/place to stay.

I did my first half marathon at age 54 in WDW and I must say it was such a FUN way to enjoy all the work to get healthy and moving. Hope it all works for you.

To add even more to your trainig fun I would also recommend joining in the group discussion for the upcoming event The New "Official 013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread" where you can join in the Disney fun of training and getting there.

 

[SAHDad]

Others have given good advice, so I'm just going to add this: IMO, the Disney races are some of the most welcoming to the novice. They have a pretty forgiving pace requirement, and Disney does a great job of providing support along the course.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

When I signed up for the 2011 Disneyland 1/2, I just followed the Jeff Galloway training plan on runDisney's website. I didn't follow it perfectly and was able to finish the race closer to 14 minutes a mile than the 15 minutes per mile I trained at. I started training in May like he said to and while it seemed very daunting at first, come race day on Labor Day weekend, I finished.

Because of the transportation issues and an early morning race, I would stay on WDW property and strongly look into staying at one of the host resorts depending on what your budget and preferences allow.

I highly recommend talking with other runDisney veterans and listening to all the podcasts about Disney races you can find. WDW Today has Mike Scopa and Len Testa who have run many Disney races. I found Scopa's tips about race day and afterwards invaluable after I called into one of their live shows before the Disneyland 1/2.

Above all else, enjoy the journey. It will probably having you question why you signed up for a 1/2 at times. But on race day, it's worth it.