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

[joan4mickey]

And that's what I love about my running. It is for me...I set my own goals and it doesn't matter where I start, as the time chip starts when I cross the start line- doesn't matter if it is 6 or 6:30.
I was in B this year and loved it. I was near the front and with the first group 7 min. out of the way, I didn't have to weave around or have other weave around me.
The biggest thing is getting caught in the excitement and going out way too fast..check your one mile time to make sure you are doing what you can do. I know this and still start too fast-perhaps it is all the waiting or excitement. I'm not an experienced runner either. These are things I have picked up along the way.

 

[khomer504]

I haven't read the whole thread, but is anyone such a beginner that they are thinking of the 5K?(Like me). I will be 64 at the time of the Princess and am not in any kind of shape and never was. For some reason, I really would like to do this. Right now I only walk about a mile in 20 to 25 minutes, and only go for a mile, so I really would have some work to do to get up to speed. I have a question for you runners. Can you walk the 5K as long as you can make the time? TIA Grammy

You can absolutely walk the 5K... I can walk a 5K at a pace of about 14.5 min/mile. You only have to do a pace of 16 minute to complete the 5K.

I am training hard for the Half Marathon but my mom (who will be 61 at the time of the race) is going to come along and do the 5K. She's not ready for it yet, but we still have 7 months left to train!

You can do it... and I hope we see you there!

Karen

 

[HockeyKat]

Hehe, I go play hockey, and the thread explodes!

Well, as Kat noted above, Corrals C, D, and E are all free-for-all, for all intents and purposes.

Actually not - coralls are assigned based on expected finish time. You will not be allowed to enter the D corral if you are assigned the E.... There is some shuffling once the corrals are collapsed - and of course those who choose to 'cheat' and hop fences. (Guess that is a pet peeve of mine).

They were in 2010. Hard to say what happens in 2011. I had two friends put down a finish time of 3:30 with no proof of time, who were assigned corral C. I was D, with the same criteria, but registered later. All of us registered in early 2010 (Jan/Feb) right before it closed.

I think the Princess is different from some of the other races around, or at least it was in 2010. A and B appeared to be for proof of time, and C-E were more random. There aren't smaller corrals with estimated pace like there are for some other races.

However, like cewait said, you *must* start in the corral you are assigned to or one lower. So, Corral A folks can start anywhere, B can only move to C-E, C to D-E, D to E, and E has to stay in E. They have people checking your bibs at the entrances and they seemed pretty strict about it. Plus, I agree with cewait, fence hopping is icky. Take what you are given and do the best you can. It is not illegal to try and move to the front of the corral, so if you are very afraid and are in E, just get there earlier and stake out your spot.

Kat if you don't mind me asking, you said the princess half last year was your first marathon? Did you run the whole course, run/walk or walk/run?

Your information has been AWESOME! Thanks again!

Thanks!!

Sure, I don't mind. It was my first half marathon, yes. I walked most of it. I deliberately started out slow as it was a bit chilly for my taste and I wanted to warm up. I probably walked the first mile, then did some running intervals. I ran most of the way through MK, then caught up to some friends from corral C around mile 8/9, and walked the rest with them except for the last .1.

I trained mostly to walk, as running was new to me (I am 34). Also, I felt like perhaps my extra 70 lbs would mean injury if I trained too hard, and I mostly wanted to finish. I worked on walking pace so that if running failed me, I could still get through it.

Now I am almost 40 lbs lighter and working on finishing faster.

Do the corrals start at different times, or do they collapse the corrals prior to the start?

Joan answered this one. The fencing is taken up but each wave moved up as the one before it went ahead. Toward the front of corral D, we crossed the line at approx 21 minutes after the start.

How many do you estimate roughly are in each corral?

Approx 12K runners, 5 corrals, so probably about 2400? Corrals A and B might have had less, though, not sure how that works.

 

[kpooh]

This will be my first 1/2 marathon. I have walked several 5K's. I just started training last week. I really hope that I can do it. Excited and nervous!!! I am so glad that I ran accross this thread! All the information is very helpful!! It is nice to know that I won't be the only "newbie." What all do they have at the Expo?

 

[Hockeychic]

I was just on the disney event page to see how full this race was and can't find which weekend it is, both links I found went to the 2009 and 2010 races. Can someone enlighten me on which weekend this race is.

Thanks
Kim

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I was just on the disney event page to see how full this race was and can't find which weekend it is, both links I found went to the 2009 and 2010 races. Can someone enlighten me on which weekend this race is.

Thanks
Kim

It's the last weekend of February, 2011. They won't start putting up capacities until it reaches 50%, which is probably months from now.

 

[Hockeychic]

That works out well my birthday is the 25th of Feb. Now just gotta start working on a roomie.

Thanks for the info Amy

 

[jenn-]

This will be my first 1/2 marathon. I have walked several 5K's. I just started training last week. I really hope that I can do it. Excited and nervous!!! I am so glad that I ran accross this thread! All the information is very helpful!! It is nice to know that I won't be the only "newbie." What all do they have at the Expo?

Great question. I was wondering that as well.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

This will be my first 1/2 marathon. I have walked several 5K's. I just started training last week. I really hope that I can do it. Excited and nervous!!! I am so glad that I ran accross this thread! All the information is very helpful!! It is nice to know that I won't be the only "newbie." What all do they have at the Expo?

They have all sorts of stuff at the Expo. They have speakers that go over strategies, etc. but I didn't really have the interest to wait around all day. Maybe next year I will. They have a shop with all the Disney Princess merchandise but I would advise anyone who is smaller (wears a medium or smaller) to maybe attend the first day if you really want merchandise because mostly everything that was left first thing on Saturday was too big for me. Not that that was a bad thing as it was budget friendly! They have tiaras, caps, ears, etc. They have running vendors, I think they had the Bippity Boppity Boutique to get your hair done, and other vendors. My favorite...seeing all the running medals! That was when I got inspired to get the Coast to Coast this year. That medal is awesome! You could also get your picture taken with the Fairy Godmother and her assistants. It is really a hodge podge of things and hopefully there will be a lot of great things next year offered. Of course that is where you pick up your number, check your running chip, pick up any pins you ordered and sign the waiver (they have computers to print yours out at so you don't need to worry about printing it at home). I think I spent about a half an hour there - mostly because I had to stand in line to buy my merchandise. Luckily my bib number was in the line that had no one waiting!

Anyone can run this race - most walked and ran the race. Of course the ones in the first group ran the entire time! Not sure what my strategy will be next year...

 

[corinnak]

This will be my first 1/2 marathon. I have walked several 5K's. I just started training last week. I really hope that I can do it. Excited and nervous!!! I am so glad that I ran accross this thread! All the information is very helpful!! It is nice to know that I won't be the only "newbie." What all do they have at the Expo?

Hi Kara,
You have plenty of time to get from 5K to Half marathon - a good training plan will get you there no problem!

The Expo is a big, crazy thing. Last year, at the entrance there was the Fairy Godmother for a photo opportunity along with some footmen - they had a long line. Inside, there were fairy godmothers in training (from the BBB) with their glitter, and you could also get your hair done by the BBB inside. There was also the packet pick-up (which includes getting your timing chip, race number, and t-shirt). There is also an opportunity to make a sign for your fans to cheer you with, speakers on running and women's fitness, a massage center where you can pay for short increments of time for a fully clothed massage, and finally, all the vendors. They had vendors selling everything from running clothes, socks, and shoes to clif products with samples,body glide and massage tools. There were also booths promoting future races like the Rock & Roll series. And there was Disney's shop as well - they had additional Princess Half Marathon specific merchandise. Shirts, hats, jackets, shorts, tiaras, glassware, keychains, magnets.

I'm sure someone will let me know what I've forgotten.

 

[kpooh]

Thanks for the info!! I think it will be too late to hear about stratagies!! I am just hoping to finish and not get picked up by the sweepers!!!

 

[grammynelliebelle]

Thanks for the words of encouragement and good luck with your half marathon training. It seems like I have time to register, so I think I'll start with the walking and see how it goes. Grammy

 

[kpooh]

Just talked to my brother, he has decided to join me in the 1/2!! I am super excited!! We are planning to join as a co-ed team. Are there any benefits to doing it as a team??

 

[Cripey]

Just talked to my brother, he has decided to join me in the 1/2!! I am super excited!! We are planning to join as a co-ed team. Are there any benefits to doing it as a team??

I wondered the same thing when I was trying to decide if I wanted by boyfriend to run with me. From what I read, the only difference I found was that you would get a "commemorative" race bib that displays your team name I guess just to keep as a souvenier of sorts...but you will still each get your own individual bib to wear duing the race. Maybe someone else knows of other differences or extras for teams?

 

[Jeter02]

Ugggso I am trying to find a good, but yet inexpensive stopwatch...any one have any suggestions. I know some people recommended the Garmins, which I have heard nothing but great things about, but right now it is out my price range. Please Help!

Also anyone wqho currently owns a Timex Ironman sleek, does the band hold up well? I am hearing mixed reviews on those basnds and how they fall apart.

 

[HockeyKat]

I just use my phone, but I have an android phone. I have downloaded an interval training app (HIIT), and one (RunKeeper) that mimics a Garmin watch and tracks your route on a map, pacing, etc.

I am pretty sure that iPhones and Blackberries have the same capabilities, if not the exact same app.

 

[Cripey]

Ugggso I am trying to find a good, but yet inexpensive stopwatch...any one have any suggestions. I know some people recommended the Garmins, which I have heard nothing but great things about, but right now it is out my price range. Please Help!

Also anyone wqho currently owns a Timex Ironman sleek, does the band hold up well? I am hearing mixed reviews on those basnds and how they fall apart.

I recently bought the Nike Imara Run watch...very lightweight, comfortable and not bulky. I've used it only a few times now, but I really like it to keep time on each mile since my current training consists of running one mile then taking a 100 step walk break, then repeat for however many miles I'm running that day. I can mark each mile on the watch and it will save the info as a lap...up to 43 laps and then give me an average at the end of that particular run in addition to saving the lap info for me. It has several other functions as well and was really easy to learn to use. It's fairly basic, when compared to a Garmin or something like that, but does exactly what I need it to do for me, was the right size and was a decent price. I bought it at a Nike outlet store for $50. From what I could tell, the regular price was somewhere around $75 or so. I've read alot of reviews about it and the biggest complaint was about the strap eventually breaking, but almost all of them said that happened after 2-3 years of use. I didn't really see that as a horrible thing...plus I only plan to use mine for when I'm running...I suspect many people may have used theirs for everyday wear as well. Suggestion...if you find your ideal watch to be a little out of your budget, don't forget to check Ebay...you may be able to bid and score exactly what you want and stay on budget!

 

[Jeter02]

I just use my phone, but I have an android phone. I have downloaded an interval training app (HIIT), and one (RunKeeper) that mimics a Garmin watch and tracks your route on a map, pacing, etc.

I am pretty sure that iPhones and Blackberries have the same capabilities, if not the exact same app.

I actually have been using my phone for the past few weeks, but was thinking on race day I don't think I want to be running there with a phone in my hand....lol ...though a watch could be a good solution

 

[HockeyKat]

I actually have been using my phone for the past few weeks, but was thinking on race day I don't think I want to be running there with a phone in my hand....lol ...though a watch could be a good solution

I ran with mine in my hand last year.

I also bought an armband for it that should arrive this week sometime. It was $9 on ebay so even if it doesn't work, no big loss.

I might get a regular old throwaway walmart type sport watch with seconds at some point, though, to check intervals and time during races and then I can leave my phone in the arm band.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I ran with mine in my hand last year.

I also bought an armband for it that should arrive this week sometime. It was $9 on ebay so even if it doesn't work, no big loss.

I might get a regular old throwaway walmart type sport watch with seconds at some point, though, to check intervals and time during races and then I can leave my phone in the arm band.

I'm impressed you could run with yours in your hand! I do that sometimes for a little while, but then I get to sweaty and slippery.

I tried an armband, too, but I couldn't make it tight enough. Now I use a SPIbelt, which I love.