Official 2011 Princess Half Thread Part II!!!

[saysay]

What an amazing day! This was my very first race of any kind and it was probably the hardest thing I have EVER done! I got a bad case of plantar fascititis back in November and it seriously impaired my training - did not get to do nearly as much as I hoped so I was pretty nervous going into today. Just waiting in the corrals was a blast - fun music, fun conversation, and fun costumes! The first 2 miles were really hard for me - usually are - I had shin splints - but they went away after that and I felt pretty good until mile 10. I walked most of the race and was pretty slow - managed to stay ahead of the balloon lady who was keeping the 16 min mile pace and the sweepers until between mile 10 and 11. Then she passed me and I had nothing left - thought I would seriously pass out - so dizzy, hands swelling, ugh. I heard from some they stop sweeping at mile 10 but others said the last spot was mile 11 so I thought I was through. I just kept going and there were some wonderful ladies that encouraged those of us back there - helped us get the swelling in our hands down and told us we could keep going - if they are on here and reading this - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! I made it to mile 12 and started to cry because I thought I was actually going to finish! I met a new friend who I walked with the last mile and that helped, too - we were in Epcot now so i felt pretty certain they wouldn't sweep us. And I made it to the finish - my end overall pace was about 16:40 - finished in 3:38:56 and got my beautiful medal. It was such an incredible feeling - can't describe it - and still almost can't believe I did it. Anyone out there who is thinking about doing this - GO FOR IT! You can do it - you have plenty of time to train - start slow and start now! I can't imagine a more fun race! I wish I had had the time to stop for pictures but I knew I was slow and just had to keep going. Maybe one day I will come back with more training and get those pics and relax and enjoy it even more!

are you from chicago? I walked epcot with someone from Chicago a nice girl who was having PF issues as was I. We jogged over the finish line together. My time was 3:29:51. Really helped finishing and that last mile to have someone to chat with who was dealing with same foot issue. i never got a name. I had on the red hat with tiara and bow sewn on.

 

[liznboys]

I got one on the first day. There were a bunch of the bumper sticker ones when I went and only a few magnets.

Thanks for the info! Is it just the angle of the pic or is it a sort of wider shaped Mickey head? And do you recall how much it cost?

That's hilarious about Aladdin and Eric.

 

[liznboys]

On the topic of potty breaks, was anyone else lucky enough to have mother natures monthly gift bestowed upon them for the race? I couldn't believe it, same thing happened to me for the January Half. I had NO choice but to stop in a bathroom once. That added a couple minutes to my time.

By the way, if you want a nice bathroom during the race use the one by Pinnocchios in Fantasyland. I was the only one in there! Only downside is it's a bit further off the course. I think its worth it though. My goal this race was to finish in under 2:30 and my time was 2:28:50. So it would have been around 2:26/7 without my stop.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Words can't even describe... Such an awesome weekend. I was a ball of nerves during training and before the race. I went 10 miles in training but almost every long run (8 miles or more) was horrible. It was my first half and also the first race I've done alone. Loved every second though! I was surprised how easy the miles went by with the entertainment on the course. Awesome timing on water stops and that gu stop was key for me. Didn't stop once and my goal was 2:30- made it in 2:22:43!! Weird though- my emails and texts and the place where you got the medals engraved all had me at 2:22:43 but now online results say 2:22:44. Just odd.

Lessons learned- we went to the expo at 11 am on Friday- sounds like this was good timing! I exchanged my shirt which was a little big, and bought a ton of merchandise- the keychain, shot glass, thermos, white zip up hoodie, headband and 13.1 mickey shaped magnet.

Another is that I should have kept walking and gone to the pottys closer to my corral. I didn't even get to my corral until the A's were being counted down (I was a B). Stood in two long lines.

I wish they didn't make us walk so far to get to the start!! For those wondering- yes it was a mile or slightly more. We went over some of the same ground during the 5K.

All in all awesome. I said itd be my last half after training but I'd do another at Disney!!

 

[kappyfamily]

Another question sorry! I will be getting in Friday around 1pm for next years Princess (so sad that I already know that....). Crowd and merchandise wise should I do the expo on Friday (I might not be able to get there until about 4pm though) or go first thing Saturday morning?

Thank you!

 

[stitchfan18]

Thanks for the info! Is it just the angle of the pic or is it a sort of wider shaped Mickey head? And do you recall how much it cost?

That's hilarious about Aladdin and Eric.

It is a little wider. It's the same size as my oval 13.1 on my car, but has the ears. It cost $7.95.

 

[liznboys]

It is a little wider. It's the same size as my oval 13.1 on my car, but has the ears. It cost $7.95.

Gotcha. Thanks!

 

[Keke]

On the topic of potty breaks, was anyone else lucky enough to have mother natures monthly gift bestowed upon them for the race? I couldn't believe it, same thing happened to me for the January Half. I had NO choice but to stop in a bathroom once. That added a couple minutes to my time.

By the way, if you want a nice bathroom during the race use the one by Pinnocchios in Fantasyland. I was the only one in there! Only downside is it's a bit further off the course. I think its worth it though. My goal this race was to finish in under 2:30 and my time was 2:28:50. So it would have been around 2:26/7 without my stop.

ME TOO! Saturday night it showed up. That is JUST my luck! Thankfully, I did not have too many problems with it. But despite their warnings, I had to down some Advil to ensure I didn't run the whole thing with cramps.

 

[liznboys]

ME TOO! Saturday night it showed up. That is JUST my luck! Thankfully, I did not have too many problems with it. But despite their warnings, I had to down some Advil to ensure I didn't run the whole thing with cramps.

Sorry you had it too. At one point during the race I was wondering how many other women were so lucky. I thought, odds are a few thousand of us are dealing with this today. Made me feel better, camaraderie and all. Lol

 

[joan4mickey]

https://picasaweb.google.com/baumann6/DisneyHalfMarathon2011#5578941423629142738

Hope this link thing works.
Me with my daughters, Jasmine and Pocohontas.

Their flight was 3+ hour late Friday night, Pocohontas showed up with a virus or something that was making her throwup and have diarrah and on Saturday I got food poisoning and was throwingup in the afternoon. We ran, we finished. We make it to the castle together then peeled off. Jasmine ran in 2:13, me 2:20 and Poccohantas 2:52.

I had crazy splits, running average miles from 12mm to 9:45mm. the faster miles later in the race. Tooks a lot of energy to get Pocohantas to the castle with us.

We do have a good sense of humor and are able to make lemonade out of lemons so we had a great time.

 

[ufwendyo]

Congrats Princesses!! It was so much fun. I can't believe I actually did it and ran most of it! My goal was to finish with my secondary goal of finishing in 2:45. I finished in 3:00:22. Seriously, if I had just ran 3 more strides I would have come in under 3. BUT it took me 10 minutes to use the potty at mile 3. Plus I stopped to stretch once and talk w/my cheerleaders on the side. So I like to think if it had not been for that, I could shave at least 10 minutes off of that.

I'd love to know how far I really ran, considering all the bobbing and weaving I did to get around people. There were many times I just couldn't run b/c I could not get around people. And other times I just couldn't keep maintain the pace I wanted b/c everyone was slower. I am hoping if I continue training I can get an earlier corral next year. That might help with the overall pace of those around me.

My main issue was around mile 10 my legs and feet were HURTING. I need to figure out how to solve that issue. I walked more the last few miles then I wanted to. I only trained to 10 miles, but I think I will definitely go more than that for next year.

Congrats to everyone!!

We could have been race twins! I finished in 3:00:15 AND I stood in that ridiculous porta potty line at mile 3. My legs never hurt but my toes had me near tears at mile 10. I have so much work to do and only a year to do it in!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

So glad most people had a great race.

Me this was my WORST RACE EVER I was sick as a dog after the 5K on Saturday. Went to bed with a fever and woke up at 3am Sunday with a fever. Decided I HAD to just go and finish the race. I was so unhappy and not into this race at all and prior to that I was soooo excited. It was such a disappointing day I actually cried as I ran. I ran 13.1 miles with a fever, a headache and going in and out of chills and hot flashes. I had to stop at every port-a-potty I saw and I had to stop at every water station and drink atleast 2 cups to get me hydrated. I couldn't breath, I was sooo miserable, I have never felt so bad WHY oh WHY did I have to get sick that weekend? I am so disappointed in my time, I have always been a sub 2 half marathon and my time on this race was HORRIBLE. I am reading everyone's fabulous experience and its honestly such a blur to me and I have no good memories......I did really enjoy running the 5K with my daughter, great memories there. I guess I need to get over my disappointment and try to run it again next year

 

[dumbo_buddy]

So glad most people had a great race.

Me this was my WORST RACE EVER I was sick as a dog after the 5K on Saturday. Went to bed with a fever and woke up at 3am Sunday with a fever. Decided I HAD to just go and finish the race. I was so unhappy and not into this race at all and prior to that I was soooo excited. It was such a disappointing day I actually cried as I ran. I ran 13.1 miles with a fever, a headache and going in and out of chills and hot flashes. I had to stop at every port-a-potty I saw and I had to stop at every water station and drink atleast 2 cups to get me hydrated. I couldn't breath, I was sooo miserable, I have never felt so bad WHY oh WHY did I have to get sick that weekend? I am so disappointed in my time, I have always been a sub 2 half marathon and my time on this race was HORRIBLE. I am reading everyone's fabulous experience and its honestly such a blur to me and I have no good memories......I did really enjoy running the 5K with my daughter, great memories there. I guess I need to get over my disappointment and try to run it again next year

aw you poor thing. so very sorry to hear you were sick. i hope you feel better soon and don't beat yourself up. i'm sure it was really disappointing to be sick.

 

[stitchfan18]

So glad most people had a great race.

Me this was my WORST RACE EVER I was sick as a dog after the 5K on Saturday. Went to bed with a fever and woke up at 3am Sunday with a fever. Decided I HAD to just go and finish the race. I was so unhappy and not into this race at all and prior to that I was soooo excited. It was such a disappointing day I actually cried as I ran. I ran 13.1 miles with a fever, a headache and going in and out of chills and hot flashes. I had to stop at every port-a-potty I saw and I had to stop at every water station and drink atleast 2 cups to get me hydrated. I couldn't breath, I was sooo miserable, I have never felt so bad WHY oh WHY did I have to get sick that weekend? I am so disappointed in my time, I have always been a sub 2 half marathon and my time on this race was HORRIBLE. I am reading everyone's fabulous experience and its honestly such a blur to me and I have no good memories......I did really enjoy running the 5K with my daughter, great memories there. I guess I need to get over my disappointment and try to run it again next year

Oh no! I'm glad you were still able to run and finish. I would have been so upset! Hopefully you can run again next year and have a much better time!

 

[saysay]

So glad most people had a great race.

Me this was my WORST RACE EVER I was sick as a dog after the 5K on Saturday. Went to bed with a fever and woke up at 3am Sunday with a fever. Decided I HAD to just go and finish the race. I was so unhappy and not into this race at all and prior to that I was soooo excited. It was such a disappointing day I actually cried as I ran. I ran 13.1 miles with a fever, a headache and going in and out of chills and hot flashes. I had to stop at every port-a-potty I saw and I had to stop at every water station and drink atleast 2 cups to get me hydrated. I couldn't breath, I was sooo miserable, I have never felt so bad WHY oh WHY did I have to get sick that weekend? I am so disappointed in my time, I have always been a sub 2 half marathon and my time on this race was HORRIBLE. I am reading everyone's fabulous experience and its honestly such a blur to me and I have no good memories......I did really enjoy running the 5K with my daughter, great memories there. I guess I need to get over my disappointment and try to run it again next year

I am so sorry you were so sick, how horrible. What an amazing athlete you are to do the race! Be proud of yourself for doing it. Its a good thing you got to do the 5k with your daughter, focus on that.

 

[HockeyKat]

I had a great time and I have memories that I will treasure forever and yes, I will do it agin next year. I will just make sure I get plenty of sleep.

From everything I have read and experienced, it is the two nights sleep BEFORE the night before the race that really matter. So, for a Sunday AM race, be sure to get good sleep on Thurs and Fri nights.

Sorry you were so tired!

Wow, nice video.

I'm amazed how many people ran in outfits that I would not think were necessarily conducive to running 1 mile in, forget 13.1.

I saw some outfits that I was going Whaaa?? It was HOT there and the no-breathe nylon princess dresses? Craziness.

So they kept the medal exactly the same as last year and just replaced the middle stone with the Peridot colored "stone". Very cool race reports!

Next years weekend is February 24-26th. They moved it to February from now on I guess instead of the first weekend in March for the first two years.

Once you leave the Expo, your chances of getting any merchandise are slim. They always have the tent at the finish area but it has always been slim pickings. As far as people selling their medals, you see that happen a lot. It makes no sense to me at all! Why run those 13.1 miles and not keep your medal, especially when you pay so much for the weekend. I wouldn't give up any one of my medals. They are mine, mine, mine!!

I wouldn't give up one of my medals either!

You can try calling run disney for merchandise. You can also check the Disney Outlet store (in the Orlando premium outlets) in a week or two if you are close to Disney. I saw TONS of marathon weekend merchandise there, the last week in Jan.

On the topic of potty breaks, was anyone else lucky enough to have mother natures monthly gift bestowed upon them for the race? I couldn't believe it, same thing happened to me for the January Half. I had NO choice but to stop in a bathroom once. That added a couple minutes to my time.

By the way, if you want a nice bathroom during the race use the one by Pinnocchios in Fantasyland. I was the only one in there! Only downside is it's a bit further off the course. I think its worth it though. My goal this race was to finish in under 2:30 and my time was 2:28:50. So it would have been around 2:26/7 without my stop.

Yes, I was TOTALLY with you on the monthly gift!!

I also did the Fantasyland potty break!


I just got home tonight... had an incredible weekend with my 7 WISH Team Goddess friends. The race was pretty miserable for me (not well trained with the stress fracture and some weight gain), but I finished thanks to 2 of them helping me along, and wouldn't trade the weekend with my friends for anything.

 

[WVUFan]

I was lucky that my pictures turned out well. This is my favorite.

I hope everyone who was sick is feeling better. It is so disappointing to be excited and ready for a race only to be sick.

 

[Korileigh]

are you from chicago? I walked epcot with someone from Chicago a nice girl who was having PF issues as was I. We jogged over the finish line together. My time was 3:29:51. Really helped finishing and that last mile to have someone to chat with who was dealing with same foot issue. i never got a name. I had on the red hat with tiara and bow sewn on.

Nope- that wasn't me. I am from Nashville - but it sounds like we had a similar experience. I think the girl I was with was named Amy and was from GA. Way to go finishing - I know how hard that was with pf!

 

[tink2007]

I viewed my race pictures last night. Ugh, I look a mess!The only one I might purchase is the one I had made at the Castle. The one they took as I crossed the finish line, I was holding 2 thumbs up but in the picture, it looks like I am flipping off the camera. My children thought that was funny. I know now where the cameras are for next year. I will be sure to look like a princess not a royal mess.

 

[tinkeramy]

I am laughing at the bullet I apparently dodged! I knew I was due for "that time of the month" this past weekend, but it mercifully came Sunday NIGHT! Just the same, I kept quarters in my shoe pocket just in case I had to stop in the Fantasyland bathroom and make a purchase!! You know what they say, when you get that many women thogether.....

Mermaid & Cinderella - I'm so so so sorry you had that experience this weekend! But how impressive that you did it AND finished! Wow! Definitely go for next year!

Congrats again to ALL you athletes - finishers or not. You trained and you tried - that's the good result in itself.

Looked at my pics from ASI last night. Most are okay, but the pose I did in front of the castle and the photog's angle make me look like I'm doing the potty dance. Noting my race experience, that's highly likely.