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

[saysay]

I am trying to figure out my best deal possible if I am going to make this happen with me coming. I realize that nothing is certain but looking for a little guidance on booking a room since I am a Disney newbie.

Do the rates if booked through the site include the free dining? Just wondering. i am thinking no, but had to ask.

I am going to call AAA to get a quote also and am looking for any suggestions of non disney properties that might be good options.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I am trying to figure out my best deal possible if I am going to make this happen with me coming. I realize that nothing is certain but looking for a little guidance on booking a room since I am a Disney newbie.

Do the rates if booked through the site include the free dining? Just wondering. i am thinking no, but had to ask.

I am going to call AAA to get a quote also and am looking for any suggestions of non disney properties that might be good options.

Thanks for any advice!

No, they do not include dining unless the package specifically says so. I would watch for deals. You probably won't get a much better deal calling AAA. Sometimes they have special packages for AAA members, but not always. They do have special packages for runners and you will get a link to all that information once you register.

I work for a hotel company so I would be insane if I didn't stay off property as it saves me so much money! I will stay on property for a regular vacation but the races (with the exception of the DL half this year) are far from vacations. They are just quick two to three day trips and I budget like crazy.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

None of you are slow...
Umm Hello 15 min mile here! And I did a 4 mile race in April, 1 week after my 1st 5K and I was DEAD LAST! There were only about 50 runnners total.
I came in to the finish and started to cry, I was sad I was dead last, but LOTS LOTS LOTS of people standing around were so kind, and they were all very very supportive.

I don't want to be the very last person to cross at the half, but I just want to finish. So If I come in last O Well. As long as I finish.

 

[HockeyKat]

WOW! love the NC crowd too! We should all meet up in Charlotte for the Thunder Road run in Dec...the 3 hr time limit is a little scary for me but I might give it a shot....Active just sent an email with 10$off the registration for it too.
And....its all relative....I read the threads about 6m not even being half of the HM and people being bummed..... I was dancing when I finished my 5m this weekend thinking---OMG I'm almost half way there!!!! Cup 1/2 full.....
Its also funny---I can take the heat and I'll be heading in for the TM when all yall are heading out for the cold...cant take that cold weather!

I'm in!!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

The thing about running is that you’re place doesn’t really matter, unless you are an elite runner. If your living depends on coming in 1st, 2nd or 3rd, then, yeah, it maters if you’re doing a 5:40 mile or a 4:40 mile.

Otherwise, you are running against yourself. That’s why people talk about their PR (personal record) and not their place. If you are consistently running a 40 minute 5k, and then run a 36 minute 5k, you have knocked it out of the ballpark, to mix metaphors.

Also, speed is relative. I’m hoping to be in Corral A by the time February’s race rolls around, but I am way in the back at the big NYC races. I don’t let it get to me. As long as I finish, I did my job.

 

[Trudes]

The saying goes, DL > DNF (did not finish) > DNS (did not start).

Exactly!

 

[joan4mickey]

To the NC girls there is a 15K mid October ( I have to look up date) called the Lungstrong 15K and it is near Lake Norman. The race starts just off Highway 77. I have run it and it is a nice run.

http://www.lungstrong.com/

 

[Benducci]

i think i posted earlier that my friend who runs marathons said she would come down with me and run. and i think i also posted that i hoped she wouldn't flake out.

well, she lives in manhattan (i'm in the bronx) and is unemployed. she was supposed to come up here at 9am so we could go for a run together.

it's 9:24 and she texted that she didn't sleep a wink and is getting herself together. i asked if she wanted to reschedule and haven't gotten a response back in half an hour.

i really can't stand people who can't stick to times. it's one thing if something comes up and you let me know but i had to text her!

looks like i'll be alone on race day. i'm actually pretty upset about it. nobody there to talk to afterwards, nobody to take my picture, etc etc. hard to stay motivated about that.

You can hang with me and my group! We are there by ourselves & there will be no one to take our pictures but we will try to take of each other! xo You can do it! My friend did the race last year & cried the whole last mile. It is emotional!
pm ifyou want to link up on FB!

 

[es45]

WOW! love the NC crowd too! We should all meet up in Charlotte for the Thunder Road run in Dec...the 3 hr time limit is a little scary for me but I might give it a shot....Active just sent an email with 10$off the registration for it too.
And....its all relative....I read the threads about 6m not even being half of the HM and people being bummed..... I was dancing when I finished my 5m this weekend thinking---OMG I'm almost half way there!!!! Cup 1/2 full.....
Its also funny---I can take the heat and I'll be heading in for the TM when all yall are heading out for the cold...cant take that cold weather!

Hmm. Looks interesting and it would be fun to have some fellow DISers to run with. Anyone looking at the 5k that weekend, too?

 

[Mom2BCCC]

Kudos to all you guys who live "down south". You deserve a lot of credit for sticking to your training in the heat. We just got back from vacation in SC (Charleston). Beautiful, but deadly hot! According to my running schedule (training for a 10K in Sept). I needed to do three runs, 4.5 miles each. I usually run here in MA around 7PM and don't have any issues. I was out by 6:30AM on vacation but was struggling the whole time. Of course all that good food and wine may have had something to do with it.

On a different note. I booked our flights on SW today. Not thrilled with the prices but they were bearable b/c I had a $600 credit. We will be at AKV from 2/23 - 2/28. Now it feels real!

For all of you going w/o kids - I am envious. I had a tough time with the decision to bring the whole family. If they hadn't changed the dates I would be going with just my DSIL. Since ours kids are off from school Pres.week, we decided to bring them along. After reading the comments on the subject I wish I had thought of myself first!

 

[MeredithRX]

None of you are slow...
Umm Hello 15 min mile here! And I did a 4 mile race in April, 1 week after my 1st 5K and I was DEAD LAST! There were only about 50 runnners total.
I came in to the finish and started to cry, I was sad I was dead last, but LOTS LOTS LOTS of people standing around were so kind, and they were all very very supportive.

I don't want to be the very last person to cross at the half, but I just want to finish. So If I come in last O Well. As long as I finish.

Yay! I'm not the only 15 min/mile person here! Everyone else complaining of being slow at 10, 11, or 12 min/mile makes me laugh. What I wouldn't give to be able to say that! As it is, I'm going to be cutting it close to the sweepers to even stop and use the bathroom. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have to go!

To the NC girls there is a 15K mid October ( I have to look up date) called the Lungstrong 15K and it is near Lake Norman. The race starts just off Highway 77. I have run it and it is a nice run.

http://www.lungstrong.com/

I'll have to check it out! If it falls on a convenient long run day for my Half Training, it might be perfect!

Hmm. Looks interesting and it would be fun to have some fellow DISers to run with. Anyone looking at the 5k that weekend, too?

I'm signed up for the 5K as well. I figured I knew I could at least finish THAT!

Kudos to all you guys who live "down south". You deserve a lot of credit for sticking to your training in the heat. We just got back from vacation in SC (Charleston). Beautiful, but deadly hot!

I'm glad to see some non-southerners appreciate our beautiful SC weather!

 

[poohs4me]

None of you are slow...
Umm Hello 15 min mile here! And I did a 4 mile race in April, 1 week after my 1st 5K and I was DEAD LAST! There were only about 50 runnners total.
I came in to the finish and started to cry, I was sad I was dead last, but LOTS LOTS LOTS of people standing around were so kind, and they were all very very supportive.

I don't want to be the very last person to cross at the half, but I just want to finish. So If I come in last O Well. As long as I finish.

Another 15 minute miler here as well. I hope to get a little faster just so I have some buffer for pictures with characters, but that is probably it. Overall I just want to not get picked up by the bus.

 

[MeredithRX]

I know a lot of things will/can change between now and December, but I'd really like to know who was 'planning' on being in what pace group. It might help us plan on who to hang out with!

I'll definitely be at 15 min/mi since I'm walking and I'd love to know some people around me. Especially since I'll be there alone. It would be really nice to go in knowing that I'll be around someone who can help me with photos, etc. I want to get the maximum level of enjoyment out of this experience, and for me that means about a gazillion and one photos!

 

[joan4mickey]

Photos...I ran by myself this year and got all the photos I wanted. The characters have "staff" with them and are ready to help with taking photos for you. Most had small lines, when I came through, maybe 4 or 5 in a line waiting to take pictures. I wonder if line length depends on when you get to a character? Some one else may have more insight about that.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

Photos...I ran by myself this year and got all the photos I wanted. The characters have "staff" with them and are ready to help with taking photos for you. Most had small lines, when I came through, maybe 4 or 5 in a line waiting to take pictures. I wonder if line length depends on when you get to a character? Some one else may have more insight about that.

what kind of camera did you run with? was it annoying to hold it the whole time?

 

[DisneyRunnerGirl]

Got our SW tixs today - price great going down and bearable coming back home, but times are AWESOME for maximizing my long weekend!

 

[dumbo_buddy]

is anyone training with a jogging stroller? i have been doing my weekday runs with my son in the stroller and it is SO hard. the stroller is heavy and pushing it makes me so slow. on the weekends i've been able to run on my own when dh is home. i can BARELY complete 2 or 3 miles while pushing the stroller.

i'm getting nervous for the weekday runs when they are more like 4 and 5 miles because i just don't think i can push that thing for that long.

 

[jenelope]

My camera is a digital Elph and is extremely small and lightweight (and takes video). Still, it's added weight in my waist pack. One more thing to add to training, I guess!

And rest assured, if I see someone who's alone and holding a camera, I'm going to be asking if they want me to take their picture for them. I used to go to WDW solo a lot and got in that habit. See, the next words out of my mouth are usually, "Will you take one for me?"

I expect to cry through a significant portion of the race. Looking at the pictures and videos of past races makes me tear up. I don't know if anyone's read Bill Burke's "Mousejunkies" book, but I'm the girl who cries going under the train station and arriving on Main Street. (Which evidently makes a lot of readers cry, themselves.)

 

[cewait]

is anyone training with a jogging stroller? i have been doing my weekday runs with my son in the stroller and it is SO hard. the stroller is heavy and pushing it makes me so slow. on the weekends i've been able to run on my own when dh is home. i can BARELY complete 2 or 3 miles while pushing the stroller.

i'm getting nervous for the weekday runs when they are more like 4 and 5 miles because i just don't think i can push that thing for that long.

Keep to the time it takes you to run the 2-3 miles for now. add 10 minute increments at a time and only every few weeks. The stroller is helping leg and aerobic strength. You really do not need those kind of miles for a beginner or just for fun half. I would max out my week day runs in the 30-45 minute range when pushing your stroller.

How are you doing on the weekend runs? Distance? Pace? , etc Well enough to be confident in completing the half?

Hang in there. If you are otherwise doing great consider this quality time.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

I know a lot of things will/can change between now and December, but I'd really like to know who was 'planning' on being in what pace group. It might help us plan on who to hang out with!

I'll definitely be at 15 min/mi since I'm walking and I'd love to know some people around me. Especially since I'll be there alone. It would be really nice to go in knowing that I'll be around someone who can help me with photos, etc. I want to get the maximum level of enjoyment out of this experience, and for me that means about a gazillion and one photos!

Meredith I am right there with you!! I will help you take pictures.

And for a camera, could I use the one on my phone? Or what about a one time use type camera???

I looked up SW air today to, I am holding out for a sale, rates a little to high.