half marathon question

[MUNUMom]

Not sure where to post this.....I'm just wondering if the Princess Half Marathon is a good place to do your first half marathon. Thanks for the help.

 

[FireDancer]

Sure, any place is a good place to do your first half marathon. My first half was at WDW in January 2006.

The only thing to keep in mind is that it is in March which means you will have to train for it in the winter. If you live up north and don't like training in the cold or on a treadmill this might pose a problem.

There is a thread already on the WISH boards for the 2011 Princess so ask any questions you have there. There is a WISH meet at most of the WDW Endurance events and all are welcome.

 

[emer95]

Two of my friends just did the Princess Half and they said they wouldn't do it again. They had to wake up insanely early and it was freezing cold. They spent a lot of money getting there and it was a big hassle being away from their families to do it. Plus as FireDancer pointed out, training was difficult. We live in Buffalo, so most of their training was done on a treadmill which was not ideal.
My first half marathon was in Buffalo in May, and I liked the freedom of being able to run the actual route before the race because it's close to home. Not sure where you live but maybe a marathon closer to home might be a better option.

 

[sunshine girl]

Long story short: I think the Princess Half is an AWESOME race and well, well worth it!! GO FOR IT!

I did the Princess Half this March 2010 and thought it was EXCELLENT. The weather is unpredictable anywhere you go... but you do have a good chance of good weather in March in Florida. It was indeed cold this year, but you really never know. Once I did the Disney Half in January and it was 80 degrees. Really, you just never know.

You do have to get up early, yes. But in my opinion that was not a big deal. Definitely not a dealbreaker. I've done several half and full marathons and you almost always have to get up very early for an early morning start. I myself would not use the wake-up time as a reason not to do such a fun event! I get up, run, get back to the hotel for a looong nap, and then I still have most of the afternoon and evening remaining to spend in the parks.

A Disney half marathon provides fantastic on-course entertainment (Disney characters cheering you on - some of them quite hilariously, I might add; parade floats along the route; DJs; cheering fans; live music; and more) as well as the great fun of running through the Disney parks and grounds! The race expo was a ton of fun too. Cinderella's coachmen were posing for photos at the door, the bibbidi bobbidi boutique ladies were "glittering" everyone for free... just really fun stuff.

The Princess Half Marathon medal is also great. It sparkles.... with little rhinestones. Oooh. I wore it around the parks afterward (always a fun thing to do) and got many compliments and congratulations.

I definitely enjoyed taking a trip down to Florida for the race. I took a few extra days off and made a nice long weekend out of it. If it is truly an issue that you travel to Florida, maybe that's a dealbreaker for you. But if not, and if you can see it as a great vacation that starts off with a great run, then all the better!

I trained indoors through the winter in Michigan. Having a goal helped keep me in shape during the cold winter months this year.

Ok, enough of my gushing. Long story short: it's a great race!! I'll definitely do it again. I had an absolute blast every step of the way. I say go for it!



(and check out the WISH board for more info as FireDancer noted!)

 

[mla1977]

Thanks Frank! I was just coming over here to post the link.

MUNUmom - This is absolutely the best race for a woman to run for her first half marathon. I entered the 2009 race as my first race. I agree with what sunshine girl says too.

Yes it was cold this year for the beginning. The cold was NOTHING compared to the races in January though. That was a whole 'nuther story. It was colder than the 2009 race too. I wouldn't let the chance of cold weather deter you because it is Florida after all.

As for the early start time, that is the same for all Disney races with the exception of the Wine and Dine. I've done races here in Philly and while I enjoy running through the city, but nothing compares to running up Main Street and through Cinderella's castle.

For anyone else who ventures onto this page, please check out the link in Frank's post. There are several experienced Disney runners on the thread and several people who hope to make this their first race. Say Hi!

 

[FireDancer]

Something else to keep in mind is that while the temperatures can be a bit cold while you are waiting to start you don't want it too warm while racing.

If I got to pick the temperature for a half marathon race day I would want it to be about 45. Many runners would choose a temperature somewhere in the 40's or maybe the low 50's.

The temperature at 7:00 am on March 7 the last 4 years has been*:

2010: 39.2
2009: 51
2008: 66.2
2007: 48.2
2006: 59.0

* I used the 7th as the date because that was the date this year. Source: WeatherUnderground