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

[Benducci]

Will we need to carry water? Or will the water stations be enough? I was not counting on carrying water - I don't like to carry things but I will if I have to.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Will we need to carry water? Or will the water stations be enough? I was not counting on carrying water - I don't like to carry things but I will if I have to.

There should be water stations to cover your needs. For me personally, I like to carry my own so I don't HAVE to stop at the stations. Saves me time.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

There should be water stations to cover your needs. For me personally, I like to carry my own so I don't HAVE to stop at the stations. Saves me time.

It might also be 40 degrees, in which case you might want to carry hot chocolate.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

It might also be 40 degrees, in which case you might want to carry hot chocolate.

Oh I know!!!!!!!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

It might also be 40 degrees, in which case you might want to carry hot chocolate.

40 degree run would be a nice change for the hot humid weather.

Thanks for all the tips on the belt!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Will we need to carry water? Or will the water stations be enough? I was not counting on carrying water - I don't like to carry things but I will if I have to.

Don't carry water if you can. There are plenty of water stops - some could say too many. The important thing is to dress for the race. Sure, the running skirts, etc. are adorable but with it being so cold, I don't know how some ladies didn't get frostbite! I wore my running capri's instead of my running skirt, my running shirt with the nice pockets for my iPhone and Gu, and over it my long sleeve Princess in Training shirt. I also wore cotton gloves and the Princess cap. I think next year I will bring a cheap blanket to stay warm before the race and then donate it right before we start. I think I will wear my running jacket since I was so cold the entire time. But, we will see how the weather is beforehand.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Don't carry water if you can. There are plenty of water stops - some could say too many. The important thing is to dress for the race. Sure, the running skirts, etc. are adorable but with it being so cold, I don't know how some ladies didn't get frostbite! I wore my running capri's instead of my running skirt, my running shirt with the nice pockets for my iPhone and Gu, and over it my long sleeve Princess in Training shirt. I also wore cotton gloves and the Princess cap. I think next year I will bring a cheap blanket to stay warm before the race and then donate it right before we start. I think I will wear my running jacket since I was so cold the entire time. But, we will see how the weather is beforehand.

Yeah, February's so weird. There's a chance it'll be really warm, right?

I'm hoping not to need my coat for Wine & Dine.

 

[HockeyKat]

I wouldn't carry water either. I am unlikely to do so for my half this weekend, actually. My water belt is okay for training runs but bothers the crap out of me.

The weather - I have been there in late Jan and been able to go in the pool. It was low 80s during the day.

Last year for the Princess, it was probably 45 for the start. I was wearing running tights, shorts, a pair of sweatpants (shed right before the start), a long sleeve tech shirt, a sleeveless tech shirt (the one we had made for the race), gloves, and a velour throwaway jacket ($3 at walmart). I lost the jacket at about mile 3, and the gloves at maybe mile 5. I think it was upper 60s to end the race.

This year I will likely do tights and a running skirt, and who knows on top. It will totally depend on the weather and my weight.

 

[joan4mickey]

I find the on course water stops fine for me. One suggestion would be to print out the course map, and practice taking water on your practice runs at the same intervals as the course. Worst case...there are bike medics on the course and I'm pretty sure they carry water.

The bike medics near the railroad tracks this past year looked sooooo cold, they had on "gaiters" those thing we wear when we snow ski. On a bike they are traveling much faster with that cold air rushing on them.

I liked the hot chocolate comment.

 

[jenelope]

I'm training to run-walk the Princess Half as a 40th birthday present to myself. Thanks to SparkPeople, I'm about halfway through my weight loss goals and thanks to Jeff Galloway, I'm well on my way to the finish line!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Anyone who raced last year, or who is familiar with Disney races... how hard is it to weave around people, if you're going to run the majority of the race? I'd really, really like a 2:15 HM, but I'm concerned about the traffic in the first few miles.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I'm training to run-walk the Princess Half as a 40th birthday present to myself. Thanks to SparkPeople, I'm about halfway through my weight loss goals and thanks to Jeff Galloway, I'm well on my way to the finish line!

oh! Oh! A fellow Sparker!! I am laurie5658 (with the "don't make me slap you with my flip flop" avatar. What is your Spark username?

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Anyone who raced last year, or who is familiar with Disney races... how hard is it to weave around people, if you're going to run the majority of the race? I'd really, really like a 2:15 HM, but I'm concerned about the traffic in the first few miles.

It depends. It was easy because I was ahead of most people in the beginning and so weaving wasn't a problem. But, then I got sidelined by the portapotty wait and then got stuck with all the walkers - not the individual ones but the groups. For some reason, they feel the need to walk alongside each other which starts to block the road. A lot are listening to their music very loudly so yelling excuse me or on your right, etc. isn't going to do anything. I had to go into the center median quite a few times to get past people. The worst was right before you get to the MK and going through MK. So, try to stay at the front of the pack and don't take any portapotty breaks.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

It depends. It was easy because I was ahead of most people in the beginning and so weaving wasn't a problem. But, then I got sidelined by the portapotty wait and then got stuck with all the walkers - not the individual ones but the groups. For some reason, they feel the need to walk alongside each other which starts to block the road. A lot are listening to their music very loudly so yelling excuse me or on your right, etc. isn't going to do anything. I had to go into the center median quite a few times to get past people. The worst was right before you get to the MK and going through MK. So, try to stay at the front of the pack and don't take any portapotty breaks.

Thanks... if my Wine & Dine Half is anywhere near 2:15, hopefully I'll end up in at least Corral B for Princess.

 

[HockeyKat]

Jenelope, I am a Galloway follower as well! Welcome!

Thanks... if my Wine & Dine Half is anywhere near 2:15, hopefully I'll end up in at least Corral B for Princess.

If your Wine&Dine is near 2:15, I would almost guarantee Corral A.

The course near the back seemed very crowded. I didn't get caught up behind any groups but it was just constant traffic, both passing me and me passing them.

 

[joan4mickey]

Anyone who raced last year, or who is familiar with Disney races... how hard is it to weave around people, if you're going to run the majority of the race? I'd really, really like a 2:15 HM, but I'm concerned about the traffic in the first few miles.

I was at the front of Corral B and it was fine. In fact so open that I went out very fast and had to slow way down after my first mile. The beginning of the race has lots of room-several traffic lanes wide. It gets a little narrow around mile 4 or 5 (some one help me out on this) and through MK, but then opens up again around mile 6. Depending on when you start an how fast you run, mile 6 is facing into the sun and you run east with the sun in your eyes for a while.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I was at the front of Corral B and it was fine. In fact so open that I went out very fast and had to slow way down after my first mile. The beginning of the race has lots of room-several traffic lanes wide. It gets a little narrow around mile 4 or 5 (some one help me out on this) and through MK, but then opens up again around mile 6. Depending on when you start an how fast you run, mile 6 is facing into the sun and you run east with the sun in your eyes for a while.

Thanks much. At least the sun won't be a problem at Wine & Dine!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Thanks much. At least the sun won't be a problem at Wine & Dine!

Nope and you can sleep in!

I bet you will get Corral A for the Princess if you get that time. I really liked starting out towards the back (I was in D) because all the slower people stayed behind me. It is really odd when you first start out because it is almost like there is too much room! When you have to follow so many people to the Start Line and then suddenly no one is around you, it is a bit twilight zone like! A lot of people start slowing down so there are many times when the roadway will be blocked (the worst is going through the castle) and you have to gun it past people. Not always the optimal thing to do for keeping your pace and not working too hard, but you have to do what you have to do. I guarantee if I hadn't stopped, I wouldn't have any problems with the crowds. But, my bladder had other plans!

I have been running the treadmill for three hours and have been fine after following Coach Charles' tips about fluid intake! But, I also have started to chew gum and it does help curb any thirst issues. I hope that I don't have to dodge people this time.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Nope and you can sleep in!

I bet you will get Corral A for the Princess if you get that time. I really liked starting out towards the back (I was in D) because all the slower people stayed behind me. It is really odd when you first start out because it is almost like there is too much room! When you have to follow so many people to the Start Line and then suddenly no one is around you, it is a bit twilight zone like! A lot of people start slowing down so there are many times when the roadway will be blocked (the worst is going through the castle) and you have to gun it past people. Not always the optimal thing to do for keeping your pace and not working too hard, but you have to do what you have to do. I guarantee if I hadn't stopped, I wouldn't have any problems with the crowds. But, my bladder had other plans!

I have been running the treadmill for three hours and have been fine after following Coach Charles' tips about fluid intake! But, I also have started to chew gum and it does help curb any thirst issues. I hope that I don't have to dodge people this time.

Sleep in at WDW? No way!

I actually do think we'll sleep in a LITTLE bit, but try to walk over to EPCOT before Rope Drop. It'll be an easy day in World Showcase and by the clown pool.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Sleep in at WDW? No way!

I actually do think we'll sleep in a LITTLE bit, but try to walk over to EPCOT before Rope Drop. It'll be an easy day in World Showcase and by the clown pool.

Sounds like a plan. I would much prefer that race because I am not a morning person. Maybe next year.