Official 2011 Princess Half Marathon Thread - Link to new thread Post 3703!

[roomthreeseventeen]

When one lines up for the race which corral do you get into? My question is because I read above that once the last person crosses the start line the time starts 3.5 hours from then. So for a walker wouldnt it make sense to try to start in the earliest corral you can in order to give yourself some lee way in case your pace slips?
I dont know if that can be done as I have never done a half before however I am considering it but have a lot of anxiety over the possiblitly of being swept and not finishing to get the medal. What a total defeat that would be to me. So I dont want to sign up with that possibility in mind lol

If you're a walker, you're going to be in the last corral. The people in the first corral are FAST (running 1 hour and change HMs), and really don't want to spend more time weaving around slower folks than they need to.

In order to NOT be placed in the last corral, you need to submit proof to Disney that you can run a Half faster than 2:45. For Wine and Dine, it seemed the sub-2 hour people were in Corral A, 2:00-2:20 were in B, 2:20-2:30 in C, 2:30 or more in D.

 

[verticalchaos]

When one lines up for the race which corral do you get into? My question is because I read above that once the last person crosses the start line the time starts 3.5 hours from then. So for a walker wouldnt it make sense to try to start in the earliest corral you can in order to give yourself some lee way in case your pace slips?
I dont know if that can be done as I have never done a half before however I am considering it but have a lot of anxiety over the possiblitly of being swept and not finishing to get the medal. What a total defeat that would be to me. So I dont want to sign up with that possibility in mind lol

Your bib will have your corral placement on it. The faster you are, the closer to the front your corral will be (it DOES make sense this way so that they can be clear of the walkers and slower runners and not have to dodge them or create even more of a bottleneck at the start). If you don't have a time submitted that's enough to get you into an timed corral, you'll be in the last one. They say up front you need a 16 minute mile pace. As long as you have that you should be fine in terms of finishing...though the closer to that pace you are the less time you'll have for pictures, etc.

I'm running the regular half (would do the Princess, but I'm in Italy until the Thursday before it), but the guy I'll be running with (my sister's friend) and I have made a pact that whichever corral we're in, we'll get as close to the front of it as we can to try and cushion the distance - even knowing our pace is better than a 16 minute mile.

 

[Bookwood]

My best advice on where to start is to just be a good "neighbor" don't walk or run with a group of 3 or more across the road (there are places the road is very narrow) don't stop or slow down in front of anyone whose still running, and don't run up on anyones back.

If you're a runner doing a 12 minute mile don't start in the back of the back or the front of the front. Try to find people who expect to run about the same as you do. DD and I may not even run together as she isn't doing any "regular" intervals and I'm trying to do something around a 8.5-9 minute run with 1-1.5 minute walk .

The jogging in and out really does put stress on hips knees and ankles they aren't used to.

 

[verticalchaos]

I'm building in some weaving to my training runs so I can get used to it. The park closest to my apartment is great for this as there are little rectangles with trees and paths around them, so I do a lot of in and out of those. Also just flat out training in Central Park (not the closest to my apartment) gives me plenty of weaving opportunities.

 

[HockeyKat]

If you're a walker, you're going to be in the last corral. The people in the first corral are FAST (running 1 hour and change HMs), and really don't want to spend more time weaving around slower folks than they need to.

In order to NOT be placed in the last corral, you need to submit proof to Disney that you can run a Half faster than 2:45. For Wine and Dine, it seemed the sub-2 hour people were in Corral A, 2:00-2:20 were in B, 2:20-2:30 in C, 2:30 or more in D.

This did not hold true for last year's Princess.

I put an anticipated finish time of 3:30 (with no POT as it was my first) and was in corral D where corrals were A-E.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

This did not hold true for last year's Princess.

I put an anticipated finish time of 3:30 (with no POT as it was my first) and was in corral D where corrals were A-E.

Right, that goes along what I was saying, only with an extra corral. For all intents and purposes, D and E were used as the "extra" corrals at Princess because there were more people.

 

[HockeyKat]

Right, that goes along what I was saying, only with an extra corral. For all intents and purposes, D and E were used as the "extra" corrals at Princess because there were more people.

I actually think for the Princess, it was C-E. I had three friends in C that put down 3:30 as well.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Quick question for all you veterans here...

In the past week and a half or so, I've noticed that the side of my left leg has really been burning during my sessions. If it were my calves or shins that were hurting, I probably wouldn't think anything of it, but this seems to be in a an odd place--it starts right above my ankle on the outside of my leg and goes up to my knee. It's a burning sensation, and though I've tried not to, I've noticed that it somewhat makes me favor that leg as well. Anyone know why this is happening? Just seems strange that it's only on the left side.

 

[crain]

I don't know if this has been addressed anywhere in the pages of this thread, but I am hoping someone can assist with the following questions:

1) If I sign up as a team with my 67-year old mom, and she is unable to finish the race for some reason, do I get disqualified? Would I still get a medal?

2) Also, I am hoping that some of the creative people on this board can assist with a fun team name for me and my mom. I haven't been able to come up with anything!

 

[Jeannekay]

Hello Everyone, my name is Jeanne and I am new to this thread. I think you all are great motivators.

I just found out about the Disney Princess Half Marathon and would love to run it.

I wondered if there were any hills? I love my ipod music, but heard there is lots of entertainment to keep me happy???

I appreciate the advice for the times and corrals. I was put in "K" in the Detroit Free Press and was passing several walkers. Ugh! No wonder I am sore in new places. I am not fast, but not slow either.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I don't know if this has been addressed anywhere in the pages of this thread, but I am hoping someone can assist with the following questions:

1) If I sign up as a team with my 67-year old mom, and she is unable to finish the race for some reason, do I get disqualified? Would I still get a medal?

2) Also, I am hoping that some of the creative people on this board can assist with a fun team name for me and my mom. I haven't been able to come up with anything!

You wouldn't be disqualified, you would just need to switch over to being a single runner. It isn't difficult to do. That is what happened with me. My sister and I were going to run together and then she decided to back out. I contacted the Disney Running people and had no problems changing everything over. You will just lose her entry fee as it is not refundable. Good Luck with coming up with a name.

Hello Everyone, my name is Jeanne and I am new to this thread. I think you all are great motivators.

I just found out about the Disney Princess Half Marathon and would love to run it.

I wondered if there were any hills? I love my ipod music, but heard there is lots of entertainment to keep me happy???

I appreciate the advice for the times and corrals. I was put in "K" in the Detroit Free Press and was passing several walkers. Ugh! No wonder I am sore in new places. I am not fast, but not slow either.

Hi Jeanne! Your definition of a hill depends on where you are from. The only real hills at Disney are going on the overpasses and maybe going through the castle. Otherwise, it is pretty flat. I listened to my iPod in the beginning (while we were waiting for the start) but really didn't listen at all during the race. Yes, there is a lot of entertainment and music along the way. If you do listen to your iPod, just make sure you keep the volume low so that you can hear runners coming up and trying to pass.

There is no set formula it appears for Disney and the corrals. I was put in the D corral for the Princess this year when I put 3:30 as my time and then got put in the E corral for the DL half when I put the same time. There were a lot more corrals at the DL half though and a lot more runners. They seem to place the walking teams at the back, but really, if you plan on running a lot of the time, just try to move up to the front of your assigned corral. You may find that the Disney races aren't nearly as crowded as some other races. Sure, there are times when you will be close to a ton of people but there are plenty of times that you have plenty of space. Regardless, it doesn't seem to matter what corral you end up in.

 

[Jeannekay]

Thank you Rupert. I'll register 2:20 then and see what happens. I would love to beat that time, so I will practice some speed this winter. Hopefully, there won't be any bottlenecking like in Detroit to slow me down.

 

[jmasgat]

Jeanne Having run the marathon and the half at Disney and having just run the Free Press marathon on Sunday, I can tell you that the one main overpass is somewhat worse than running up the tunnel (Boy was I glad to be out of it!). It goes on for a while and the road surface is angled. And it comes at around mile 10. But beyond that, the course is pretty flat.

Maura

 

[Jeannekay]

Nice to meet you Maura!

Thanks for the advice. I was hoping someone would be more specific. Miles 10, 11 & 12 are always difficult for me in that I start to walk a bit.

Detroit was my first 1/2 and it was fun. Thanks goodness it wasn't too cold. That tunnel was pretty warm by the time I went through it. Lol But, I think Disney World would be the ultimate!!

Good luck in Boston!!

 

[verticalchaos]

I don't know if this has been addressed anywhere in the pages of this thread, but I am hoping someone can assist with the following questions:

1) If I sign up as a team with my 67-year old mom, and she is unable to finish the race for some reason, do I get disqualified? Would I still get a medal?

2) Also, I am hoping that some of the creative people on this board can assist with a fun team name for me and my mom. I haven't been able to come up with anything!

Unless you're running it as a relay (is that even an option with the Princess?) you would only get a DNF if you yourself were swept or opted to be taken to the finish area with your mom. If you are ahead of pace and just send her with the race people but you keep going and finish, you're fine. Because unless it's a relay, even as a "team" you're still two individuals - just running together.

 

[Lilmattie13]

All this info is wonderful. Thanks so much. Does anyone know how full the registration is yet? Is there a site to keep track of how full it is getting? Only because I am not sure logistically my dh and I will be able to do this however I dont want to finally decide only to find it is full and closed.
Thanks

 

[verticalchaos]

All this info is wonderful. Thanks so much. Does anyone know how full the registration is yet? Is there a site to keep track of how full it is getting? Only because I am not sure logistically my dh and I will be able to do this however I dont want to finally decide only to find it is full and closed.
Thanks

rundisney.com and follow the link to the Princess there.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

All this info is wonderful. Thanks so much. Does anyone know how full the registration is yet? Is there a site to keep track of how full it is getting? Only because I am not sure logistically my dh and I will be able to do this however I dont want to finally decide only to find it is full and closed.
Thanks

It didn't fill up until a week before last year and even then they added more spaces. So, you do have some time. But, logistically, it is easier to book as soon as you can. You should be fine for a while.

 

[marathonmommy]

Thank you Rupert. I'll register 2:20 then and see what happens. I would love to beat that time, so I will practice some speed this winter. Hopefully, there won't be any bottlenecking like in Detroit to slow me down.

For 2:20 you will probably need proof of time. If you have it and then corrals are similar to Wine and Dine, you might be in B. I brought proof of time to the Expo (2:32) and they moved me from D to B. I think I put a similar time when registering but did not have proof when doing so....hence, they placed me in D.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

hi all just checking in

i've still been struggling with my running the last two weeks or so. don't know what it is but i just feel like crap lately. oh wait, i know what it is. i eat terribly. i wish i had motivation to eat better. is anyone following a good nutrition plan? if i have something specific to follow i'm usually pretty good at that. if left up to my own, i eat my son's goldfish crackers all day!

dh is going in late for work since he has a meeting downtown so i'm taking this opportunity to get out and run without the jogger.

and for those of you who haven't booked flights, i would suggest at least looking them up asap! the flights from nyc are already getting to be fairly expensive. i'm using miles to get down b/c $500 round trip just wasn't in the budget.

have great runs everyone!!

Nancy