Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend September 4-6, 2015 10th Anniversary

[dec2009mama]

deleted -- wrong thread!

 

[Beamo2014]

Thank you so much Zanzibar138 and kim3339, your advice is sincerely appreciated. I am so glad I can come here to ask these questions, there is now way I would be brave enough to try these things otherwise.

I'm going to check out your suggestions and just work my butt off the next couple of months. It's too bad that the Star Wars registration is only in a couple weeks, I would love to try the half but I wish I could make that decision after the 10K. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I guess there are always future runs to consider, it's lucky that there are several different ones during the year to try out.

 

[ten6mom]

OK experts, this is my first 10K (have done 2 5K's before, both at Disneyland), and I do have a question about corral placement. I KNOW I'll be in the last one, because I have no proof of time from any prior runs. When I did the Star Wars 5K last January we were in corral C (of 3) and I think it took a good half mile before we could even get out of the crowd to be able to start jogging. Obviously if I were a serious runner, this would be a problem (time). But I didn't let it worry me... but NOW I am worried because the 10K is more "serious" if you will and I feel like I am going to lose many precious minutes just getting out of the corral. To quote Baymax, "I am not fast." Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for not getting swept??

 

[zanzibar138]

OK experts, this is my first 10K (have done 2 5K's before, both at Disneyland), and I do have a question about corral placement. I KNOW I'll be in the last one, because I have no proof of time from any prior runs. When I did the Star Wars 5K last January we were in corral C (of 3) and I think it took a good half mile before we could even get out of the crowd to be able to start jogging. Obviously if I were a serious runner, this would be a problem (time). But I didn't let it worry me... but NOW I am worried because the 10K is more "serious" if you will and I feel like I am going to lose many precious minutes just getting out of the corral. To quote Baymax, "I am not fast." Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for not getting swept??

I was in your situation last year (except it was my first fun run ever - hadn't even done a 5k!) and was quite nervous about being swept.

We arrived quite early to the corrals (about 4:30am if I remember correctly), and nabbed some spots near the front. Those last corrals for the 10k are MASSIVE and if you can get a spot towards the front, it will give you a decent buffer from the sweepers. Also being towards the front makes it easier to get going when you cross the start line. Having said that, the corrals do all tend to merge very quickly and it wasn't like being at the front of the corral we had no one in front of us - just not so much of a solid mass lol! We actually managed to start jogging straight away, just had to weave around people a bit for the first few minutes. We did get stuck behind people in some points along the course, I actually used it as a walk break opportunity.

Are you planning to stop for characters or photo opportunities on the course? Our strategy last year was to 'pause' for photos. By just stopping briefly we managed to get some great shots (which was an absolute 'must' for me), but we didn't waste too much time. We didn't wait in any lines. There are lots of different angles for the points of interest, and in some ways it was nicer having photos that were a bit different to everyone else's. There were heaps of CMs and other runners around who were willing to quickly take our photo - you don't need to rely on the photographers at the official photo points. We also sent the boys off with the camera a few times and they got some good action shots of us girls (they weren't so enthusiastic about being in the photos anyway). We didn't get to meet any of the characters on course, but I was disappointed with the amount and variety of characters anyway.

We finished about 10 minutes under the time limit - in just under 1:30. In parts of the course where we had to double back, we saw HEAPS of people running behind us, and NO sign of any sweepers for the whole run. I honestly felt like a bit of a dill for having stressed about it at all lol!

 

[ten6mom]

^Thank you.... that is helpful information. We will just have to get there as early as we can so we can be as far up toward the front as possible.

My first 5K was Avengers, and by luck we ended up in Corral A. So we did stop for some photo ops. However, I got all excited and brought/dragged my two kids to Star Wars with the promise of photo ops with Storm Troopers and such... and we were so far back and the lines were so long that there was no way we could have stopped and waited, so it was a really big disappointment for them (and for me, because that was what I had talked up to them). This 10K will be just Robert and me, so perhaps we won't want to stop for the formal photo ops. We did get a terrific one with Mickey and Minnie at Avengers, though. *sigh*

 

[kim3339]

I'm going to check out your suggestions and just work my butt off the next couple of months. It's too bad that the Star Wars registration is only in a couple weeks, I would love to try the half but I wish I could make that decision after the 10K. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I guess there are always future runs to consider, it's lucky that there are several different ones during the year to try out.

If you want to do SW, I say go for it. You mentioned in your earlier post that you've already done 5ks and feel comfortable enough to not start at the beginning for this 10k. For most 1/2 plans outside of Galloway, they're 12 weeks if you have a base, which you will or 16 w/ no base. 12 weeks would be starting at the end of October, so you would still have plenty of time to get comfortable w/ that distance. You'll already have that 6mile base if you do maintenance runs b/w the race and the start of the 1/2 training. The one thing to keep in mind w/ Jan races is that you will be training in the winter and ver the holidays. If you're okay w/ that, I say go for it! And if you register but still are uncomfortable, you can always defer the race to the following year.

OK experts, this is my first 10K (have done 2 5K's before, both at Disneyland), and I do have a question about corral placement. I KNOW I'll be in the last one, because I have no proof of time from any prior runs. When I did the Star Wars 5K last January we were in corral C (of 3) and I think it took a good half mile before we could even get out of the crowd to be able to start jogging. Obviously if I were a serious runner, this would be a problem (time). But I didn't let it worry me... but NOW I am worried because the 10K is more "serious" if you will and I feel like I am going to lose many precious minutes just getting out of the corral. To quote Baymax, "I am not fast." Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for not getting swept??

Like Zanzibar mentioned, getting to the front of your corral and drive by selfies will help you a lot. And if you can't get to the very front when your lining up for the corral, when they start to move the corrals up to the start line, it'll be a little easier to move up some more. Some others would be make sure you go to the bathroom before the race so you don't have to do it mid-race and if you drink water during that distance, take your own bottle so you can just go through the water stops, it doesn't make that much difference, but if you're worried every little bit helps.

I was in the last one at SW and was fine. I was worried, but never had any problems. I've never been in the back before, forgot to submit a time, so I don't know if this is for all the races in the last corrals, but they had people at each mile marker letting you know how far ahead you were of the pacers and if you were waiting at the character stops, they were cutting of lines for pics and telling people where the pacers were. They stayed in line and the pacers passed them, but they then just ran after pics to get back in front and were playing leap frog.

 

[kim3339]

This was posted in the WISH thread, so thought I'd cross post over here in case people missed it. Pictures were posted in the rD fb album and I think we have a 5k medallion and more definite idea of the 10k theme and medal. So excited for this weekend!!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1186816504677643.1073741904.139057592786878&type=1

 

[MaleficentRN]

Squee! I can't wait to hang that 5K medal on my wall!

 

[Keels]

Asking this over here - since this thread seems a little more DL-related than the W.I.S.H. thread!

So - PhotoPass+. I know I want to purchase it in advance - but is there any reason why I shouldn't buy it now or should I wait until a little closer to our trip?

Also, we'll be sharing it with our entire 8-person group. I know they give you one card to show photographers, but for ride photos and things when we split up, is there a way we can link it all back together?

 

[ADLFAN]

Asking this over here - since this thread seems a little more DL-related than the W.I.S.H. thread!

So - PhotoPass+. I know I want to purchase it in advance - but is there any reason why I shouldn't buy it now or should I wait until a little closer to our trip?

Also, we'll be sharing it with our entire 8-person group. I know they give you one card to show photographers, but for ride photos and things when we split up, is there a way we can link it all back together?

You can buy it anytime, as long as you have 2 weeks to receive it in the mail before your trip. They email when they ship it, too.

When you split up, have everyone grab a photopass card from the first photographer they have take a picture, and then they essentially use it like their own photopass+, remembering the ride photo numbers and adding them after the ride, handing their card to the roaming and stationary photopass photographers just like you, and then when you get home to order your CD, there will be a spot to enter additional photopass card numbers and their pictures will load onto your account.

When a kid in our group did Jedi Training Academy, the photopass photographer was up front and center taking lots of pictures, then she handed the parent a normal photopass card. When we added it to our account at home, we had to delete the 100 pictures of other kids before we located ours, so presumably she gave copies of the pictures to all the parents of kids who participated that round.

If you share your user name and password, everyone in your party can edit the pictures. You only have 30 days to finish up and order your CD, but again, they send emails to remind you.

 

[zanzibar138]

Asking this over here - since this thread seems a little more DL-related than the W.I.S.H. thread!

So - PhotoPass+. I know I want to purchase it in advance - but is there any reason why I shouldn't buy it now or should I wait until a little closer to our trip?

Also, we'll be sharing it with our entire 8-person group. I know they give you one card to show photographers, but for ride photos and things when we split up, is there a way we can link it all back together?

The sooner the better really - that will give them plenty of time to ship it and you won't have to stress over whether you'll receive it in time. Just make sure you don't forget where you put it in the meantime lol!

With 8 people sharing, it will be FANTASTIC value for you! ADLFAN is correct about the regular PP cards. However, I thought you had to add your ride photos the same day. If you split up where you know one group is going to do a ride and one group is planning to do something else (meal, characters, or ride with no photo), then it makes the most sense to give the PP+ card to the party doing the ride. It's MUCH easier to add the ride photos as you go.

 

[Keels]

Awesome - thanks, y'all!

 

[VickiHD]

This was posted in the WISH thread, so thought I'd cross post over here in case people missed it. Pictures were posted in the rD fb album and I think we have a 5k medallion and more definite idea of the 10k theme and medal. So excited for this weekend!!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1186816504677643.1073741904.139057592786878&type=1

I'm wondering if this is our medal will look like ?? It's certainly "busy".
Don't get me wrong I still WANT it.

 

[kim3339]

12 weeks out! Training runs... go, go, go!!

Anyone start yet or is everyone starting this week?

 

[zanzibar138]

12 weeks out! Training runs... go, go, go!!

Anyone start yet or is everyone starting this week?

I started my 12 week training program last week... hope I've calculated correctly!

 

[VickiHD]

12 weeks out! Training runs... go, go, go!!

Anyone start yet or is everyone starting this week?

This week !!!!! I've been procrastinating but need to get myself in gear !!!!!
But I have been doing a wk out DVD (30 Day Shred) so that should count for something. Although I'm ready to "shred" the DVD. I keep it up for my 30 days and see what happens.

 

[princess_jamie]

12 weeks out! Training runs... go, go, go!!

Anyone start yet or is everyone starting this week?

I have contemplating starting and wrote out training plans, but haven't quite started following a plan yet. I have 9 weeks until another half marathon pre-dumbo so I really better start!

 

[kim3339]

This week !!!!! I've been procrastinating but need to get myself in gear !!!!!
But I have been doing a wk out DVD (30 Day Shred) so that should count for something. Although I'm ready to "shred" the DVD. I keep it up for my 30 days and see what happens.

I'd say it counts. And you have the base from PDC.

Have you figured out yet if you're able to get down there on the 17th next month? I saw on the pics from Miceage yesterday they got the nametags for dogs in this past week. I can't wait to get one of those for puppy.

I have contemplating starting and wrote out training plans, but haven't quite started following a plan yet. I have 9 weeks until another half marathon pre-dumbo so I really better start!

9 weeks is still good and you'll be rockin' by DDD. I'm still playing w/ training plans for the rest of my year. I have a race at the end of July and then 11/1 and am trying to figure that out still; been working on it for 2 weeks.

 

[VickiHD]

I'd say it counts. And you have the base from PDC.

Have you figured out yet if you're able to get down there on the 17th next month? I saw on the pics from Miceage yesterday they got the nametags for dogs in this past week. I can't wait to get one of those for puppy.

Yes for the 17th. Everything is in place and hopefully nothing will get in the way. I'm just a little nervous about the crowds. We're going to try and see the parade and fireworks Thurs night (just in case). It's funny....I'm trying to make my case to add another day just because of the "crowds".
Really cute dog items...it almost makes me want to say "yes" to a dog.

 

[kim3339]

Yes for the 17th. Everything is in place and hopefully nothing will get in the way. I'm just a little nervous about the crowds. We're going to try and see the parade and fireworks Thurs night (just in case). It's funny....I'm trying to make my case to add another day just because of the "crowds".
Really cute dog items...it almost makes me want to say "yes" to a dog.

Yay! Fingers crossed for not too too bad crowds for you. And I say yes to the extra day too, so many people!! The fireworks and WOC are the main reason I'm trying to go back in Aug too! I saw the parade and fireworks from IASW, but wanted to watch from Main Street to see from images from that angle too. I missed WOC last month, b/c I couldn't leave Fri and Sun was too crazy to get all the way over to DCA in time. My hope is Sat, when all APs but premium are blocked and less people, and watch from Town Square/Main St and then hopefully have enough time to pop over to DCA for the 10:15 WOC.

You should totally get a puppy! Depending on what kind you get, you'll have a training partner to run w/.