Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon Newbie Ramblings

[shmoogrrrl]

So I am doing the Princess 1/2 marathon next month, and not only will it be my first 1/2 and my first Disney Race, but it will also be my first race period. No 5K's or anything. Well, that isn't true. I have walked the Race for the Cure 5K a couple of times, but never run it. As February approaches, I am getting super nervous. I had a few questions/thoughts that maybe someone who is more experienced at this thing can help me out with.

1. Right now, I am on pace to finish the race between 3 - 3.5 hours depending on stops for pictures. From looking at the results last year, I know that I won't be near the very end, so I am not really that worried about being swept up (I imagine a huge van that pulls up next to you with Disney Villain's jumping out and pulling you into the van), but since I will be nearer to the end, will there be characters and that sort of thing left at the finish line? Do they hang out until the last person crosses?

2. Are you usually in a crowd while running? From the videos, it looks like there is never a time when you are spaced out enough to not be in a mob. I don't mind that, but is there some video or website that I can watch to teach me the etiquette of running in a crowd? Do you only pass on left? Do I have to yell "PASSING!" like you might on a bike?

3. I am used to running while watching DVDs on my treadmill (I have caught the entirety of the Big Bang Theory while training) or outside with music. Is there noise and music constantly along the route? I know they suggest NOT wearing headphones, but without something pounding in my ears, I am worried that I will forget how to run.

4. I have been obsessively watching videos on YouTube of the race, and my most important question is how in the WORLD do all those women manage to cross the finish line with their hair looking perfect and make up on? I was thinking that I wasn't sure I wanted to be in any pictures with my friends at the end because I am going to be a sweaty frizzy mess. Is there some super secret here that I am missing?

Thanks! I'll be running with two friends, but as I am the slow poke of the group, I suspect that we will split up and just meet at the finish line. I'm good with that as I have barely mastered walking and talking, let alone running and talking.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

One more question.....

I noticed in the video that there are photographers at some of the character stops. Are these the Photo pass photographers, or are they special race photographers? I am trying to decide about doing the CD Photo Pass Preorder. Since we will be there a short time I don't know if it is worth it, but if the pictures along the race are included, it becomes VERY worth it!

I'm guessing not, though.

 

[Dagny]

So I am doing the Princess 1/2 marathon next month, and not only will it be my first 1/2 and my first Disney Race, but it will also be my first race period. No 5K's or anything. Well, that isn't true. I have walked the Race for the Cure 5K a couple of times, but never run it. As February approaches, I am getting super nervous. I had a few questions/thoughts that maybe someone who is more experienced at this thing can help me out with.

1. Right now, I am on pace to finish the race between 3 - 3.5 hours depending on stops for pictures. From looking at the results last year, I know that I won't be near the very end, so I am not really that worried about being swept up (I imagine a huge van that pulls up next to you with Disney Villain's jumping out and pulling you into the van), but since I will be nearer to the end, will there be characters and that sort of thing left at the finish line? Do they hang out until the last person crosses?

The sweepers start the 16 minute mile pace when the last person crosses the start line. The last couple of races, they have been pretty strict about the 16 minute mile pace UNTIL you cross back into the park (where they don't have to worry about traffic). Pictures can add a lot of time to your race - if you are at a 3 hour pace, you will be fine. If you are more at the 3.5 hour pace, then you will be cutting it close. The lines for pictures at the Tinker Bell and the Marathon were 10-15 people deep at times, which can add about 3-4 minutes each stop. I only stopped for those pictures where the line was short (which were few and far between). I didn't see any characters past the finish line for either race.

2. Are you usually in a crowd while running? From the videos, it looks like there is never a time when you are spaced out enough to not be in a mob. I don't mind that, but is there some video or website that I can watch to teach me the etiquette of running in a crowd? Do you only pass on left? Do I have to yell "PASSING!" like you might on a bike?

You will definitely srat in a crowd. Then everyone will start to spread out. Walkers are encouraged to stay to the right. You pass wherever you can quite honestly.

3. I am used to running while watching DVDs on my treadmill (I have caught the entirety of the Big Bang Theory while training) or outside with music. Is there noise and music constantly along the route? I know they suggest NOT wearing headphones, but without something pounding in my ears, I am worried that I will forget how to run.

I always wear headphones with my own music. Most do. There is entertainment along the way, but you won't be able to hear the bands the entire time.

4. I have been obsessively watching videos on YouTube of the race, and my most important question is how in the WORLD do all those women manage to cross the finish line with their hair looking perfect and make up on? I was thinking that I wasn't sure I wanted to be in any pictures with my friends at the end because I am going to be a sweaty frizzy mess. Is there some super secret here that I am missing?

That must be a small majority of women! Most will be a sweaty mess

One more question.....

I noticed in the video that there are photographers at some of the character stops. Are these the Photo pass photographers, or are they special race photographers? I am trying to decide about doing the CD Photo Pass Preorder. Since we will be there a short time I don't know if it is worth it, but if the pictures along the race are included, it becomes VERY worth it!

I'm guessing not, though.

No photopass. The photographers are from brightroom.com.

 

[PrincessRhi]

Have fun in the race, and remember to go out and have fun!

When the gun has just gone off, you're starting and everyone is squished together, have patience and don't let adrenaline get the best of you. Weaving in and out of a bunch of runners in the first mile will waste energy. Usually once you hit that first mile, the runners open up enough that you have a bit of space to yourself.

I never run races with headphones despite all my training being with them. While I don't mind if others do, I like that I can hear the footsteps of people behind me to know that they're there. One of the more frustrating things (I find) in races are when people slow down or change direction without any awareness that people are near them and may collide with them. That being said, the one race where I wish I did have music was during the Disney Marathon Relay. There are quite a few long stretches between parks where people can't really spectate and it gets kind of quiet. I haven't run a Disney half (the relay followed the full marathon course) but I'm assuming you'll run into the long stretches of road between the parks where entertainment is at a minimum.

The sag wagon is nothing to be afraid of. I spent my entire first marathon worried about the sag wagon and feel that I missed out on so many awesome things. At Disney races, the last person that they're measuring pace with is clearly marked with balloons, and there's a buffer between them and the bike riding sweepers, who also have a buffer with the actual sag wagon. Usually the trailers will let you keep going even if you're running/walking alongside them. You'd have to lose them in the distance to be picked up by the sag wagon.

If you're worried about pace, little things like not stopping for characters with long lines, try to wait until after mile 5 to hit a porta potty since the lines will be shorter, etc., will be helpful.

If you can, run with a camera or with your phone if it takes pictures. There are so many neat things to take pics of along this course it's not funny. Especially when you get to the castle early in the morning-- the sight is AWESOME. You can ask other runners or spectators to get photos of you so that you can have shots that you'd want without having to pay for them later. Usually people are pretty good about taking pics for you along the course.

And oh- when Disney says to leave your room early to catch a bus or drive on the roads, listen to them. Most of the roads are closed around the MK and Epcot, so if you drive follow their directions. If you're staying at a Disney property, the marathon weekend (half on Sat, full on Sun) had bus snafus where some people who caught a bus later in the morning (3:30-4) didn't get to the starting corral until the guns were going off at 6. When they say the start line is far from the bus drop off-- they're right. It's like a 10 minute walk. There are porta potties in the general drop off area that will have short lines, and there also will be porta potties on the walk once you enter the runners only areas and right by the starting corrals, but those lines will be long so give yourself enough time to use them.

OK, I think that's enough verbal diarrhea from me. But seriously-- enjoy it, and then rock your medal around the park after.

 

[Rose&Mike]

I second the get to the buses early. At w&d the corrals are right by the area the buses drop off. When I did Princess last year I had no idea it was that long a walk to the start and the closer to finish you head to the start the more crowded the walk. I got a little claustrophobic walking to the start. I thought that was the worst crowd of the race!

Have fun! It really is a very fun race.