Official 2011 Princess Half Thread Part II!!!

[v22wifey]

Hi,
Last 1/2 I did (Jan 2010) at Disney we got on the bus at around 3:55am, but I heard people saying that the buses from the hotel kept running until 5am. Given how ridiculous it is to be there 2 hours early (for corral c, for example) and since there is no race retreat at the Princess 1/2 (boo!) I would love to not sit around for 2 hours prior to running.

I did all 13.1 miles today (on a treadmill -- bad weather) and also got my bib # - 5315 - so I am super psyched!

thanks for any advice,
Karen

I'm not going to carry a bottle because there are 9 water stops according to the map, so that takes care of one thing. The camera I'm going to carry in my hand. I usually carry a handheld bottle on my long runs, so I'm used to having something in my hand. My 2 big problems are fuel and my phone. The fuel (2 gu gels) I can probably stick inside the waistband of my shorts and be okay. I don't really want to have to carry my phone, but I was going to use it to tell my mom when I was getting close to MK so she could get to a good spot to see me. I've got her signed up for runner tracking, but I've heard it's spotty, so it's a little bit of a conundrum. Everything else I can live without for 3 hours. I'm already going to have the wings and tutu, so I'd love to go without a pack, but we'll see how I feel at the expo.

As far as "Nothing new on race day" I guess I have too much of a c'est la vie attitude. I figure if it isn't comfortable, it's only 3 hours, and if I get a blister, I have a battle scar I can talk about. Now, I would never wear a brand new pair of shoes on race day, but waist pack, headband, tutu, those are items that I really don't think will make that much of a difference. But that's just me, your mileage may vary .

I'm using an armband for my phone and credit card/room key. I usually run with it anyways so it works out. Then I'll hand carry the camera and tie it around my wrist just in case it jiggles out of my hands accidentally, but I don't see that happening. AND as for the GU or beans, I think I have a pocket in my sparkle skirt I can cram a couple in. But don't they have stuff like that at the beverage stops? Gatorade/powerade, etc?

 

[joan4mickey]

My 2 big problems are fuel and my phone. The fuel (2 gu gels) I can probably stick inside the waistband of my shorts and be okay. I don't really want to have to carry my phone, but I was going to use it to tell my mom when I was getting close to MK so she could get to a good spot to see me. I've got her signed up for runner tracking, but I've heard it's spotty, so it's a little bit of a conundrum.
.

Last year my DD was on Main Street and seeing me without a call was fine. All the spectators are on the left side of Main St (as you face the castle). She did not get the updates until I finished the race. If you know an appox. pace and then find out your corral then you should have a good guess as to when you will be on Main ST. Main St is after mile 5 and before mile 6.

 

[marathonmommy]

agreed....love the ifitness belt. I carry my phone, camera, etc. With no bounce. Saw spi belt runners and they were bouncing!

With all the talk of the Spibelt, I just want to throw this out there...

I started with a Spibelt but found that when I had both my iPhone and camera in it it would bounce, horribly.

Then I got a Fuelbelt but found that because it wasn't stretchy it would slide up onto my waist (I prefer to wear my belts low, right on my hips).

Finally, at last month's Marathon Weekend I saw the Double Pouch iFitness Belt. It had been recommended here on the board by marathonmommy(Laura) so I checked it out. I tried it on and it felt great. The price was lower there at the Expo than online, so I decided to give it a go. I wore it for the half and LOVED it. I had my iPhone and my room key, id, cash on one side, and my camera on the other. I've used it multiple times since then for my training runs here at home and I highly recommend it!! It is so much better than the Spibelt or Fuelbelt! You can see it here on their website, but they will be at the Princess Expo so I would buy it then, for cheaper!
http://www.ifitnessinc.com/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=8

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

I'm trying to order a spibelt (which may or may not arrive in time) and I'm not sure which one to get, but I remembered a few of you Princesses have experience with them.

I just ordered one on Monday and it came today, but I am also in Texas so the shipping time is very minimal for me. One down side is it said I would get a notice when it ships and I never did.
If I were in your position and never got a shipping confirmation I know I would be stressing.

I had my first race dream last night! I'd just finished the race and was feeling great and when they gave me my medal they said that they had run out! So, they gave me a little kiddie necklace (where it is just a piece of rainbow colored string) with a little plastic disc as the medal with Piglet's head on it. I was soooo disappointed, lol. So, apparently, it is ALL about the bling in my sub-conscience

LoL That gave me a good laugh. I had a dream a few weeks ago that I was there at the start line but I couldn't find my running shoes so they wouldn't let me run in the race. I swore I was wearing them when I lines up. LoL

Finally, at last month's Marathon Weekend I saw the Double Pouch iFitness Belt. It had been recommended here on the board by marathonmommy(Laura) so I checked it out. I tried it on and it felt great. The price was lower there at the Expo than online, so I decided to give it a go. I wore it for the half and LOVED it. I had my iPhone and my room key, id, cash on one side, and my camera on the other. I've used it multiple times since then for my training runs here at home and I highly recommend it!! It is so much better than the Spibelt or Fuelbelt! You can see it here on their website, but they will be at the Princess Expo so I would buy it then, for cheaper!
http://www.ifitnessinc.com/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=8

I wish I had known that before. I just got my spi belt in the mail today. I will keep my eye out at the expo and see if one of those will work better for me, since as it is I can take either my tissues or camera, but they wont both fit.

Is anyone planning on getting "princessy" for the Expo?

It sounds fun, but I'm not. I am getting to MCO about 1 on Friday, doing the ME dance checking into POR and off to the expo I go.

AND as for the GU or beans, I think I have a pocket in my sparkle skirt I can cram a couple in. But don't they have stuff like that at the beverage stops? Gatorade/powerade, etc?

I'm bringing my own Shot Bloks since that is what I have been using during training and I usually start taking them one at a time at about mile 6 or 7 and I believe the ones provided by Disney are not until about mile 9??

 

[stitchfan18]

I'm using an armband for my phone and credit card/room key. I usually run with it anyways so it works out. Then I'll hand carry the camera and tie it around my wrist just in case it jiggles out of my hands accidentally, but I don't see that happening. AND as for the GU or beans, I think I have a pocket in my sparkle skirt I can cram a couple in. But don't they have stuff like that at the beverage stops? Gatorade/powerade, etc?

The only food stop is after mile 8, and they usually have Clif shot bloks.

 

[chernabogfamily]

I am getting to MCO about 1 on Friday, doing the ME dance checking into POR and off to the expo I go.

That is too funny. My mom and I will be arriving around 1 pm Fri as well, taking ME, and checking in to POR too. Where are you flying from? Staying at Riverside or French Quarter?

 

[mla1977]

The only food stop is after mile 8, and they usually have Clif shot bloks.

Actually, prior to the W&D half I had only seen Clif shot gels during the Disney races. They also had the gels during the marathon in January. I would expect that they will have gels again.

 

[stitchfan18]

I hope they have gels instead of the shot bloks. I always carry my own gels, but if they are giving gels out I can save mine and take one of theirs. What flavor do they usually have?
I didn't know gels were the norm. The race program just says clif products, but doesn't specify which kind.

 

[mla1977]

They have a variety. I remember seeing strawberry, mocha and vanilla, but they might have more flavors.

 

[Saylan]

That is too funny. My mom and I will be arriving around 1 pm Fri as well, taking ME, and checking in to POR too. Where are you flying from? Staying at Riverside or French Quarter?

We're also coming in at around 1 on the Friday, though we're at CBR. Crazy.

 

[ban26ana]

I went hard core. My flight leaves at 6am and gets to MCO at 8:19 on Friday! I fully intend on eating lunch at the Flame Tree in AK. It's a tradition for me, and I'll drag my race partner with me if I have to.

 

[stitchfan18]

We're getting in around 1 on friday as well, but we're heading to the BW. I'm planning on wearing some running or race shirt so at least others running will be able to figure out I am running too.

I have a question for all your solo runners. What do you do in your coral for an hour to occupy yourself when you are by yourself? My mom is coming to watch the race, but obviously she can't come to the corals. I was thinking about bringing my ipod, but I don't want to have to carry it during the race since I'm not going to listen to it after the race starts.

 

[Swmr359]

We're getting in around 1 on friday as well, but we're heading to the BW. I'm planning on wearing some running or race shirt so at least others running will be able to figure out I am running too.

I have a question for all your solo runners. What do you do in your coral for an hour to occupy yourself when you are by yourself? My mom is coming to watch the race, but obviously she can't come to the corals. I was thinking about bringing my ipod, but I don't want to have to carry it during the race since I'm not going to listen to it after the race starts.

I've been thinking about this also...last year I had my mom. I was also thinking about bringing my ipod, but I don't want to carry it with me (I'm not going to be using it while I run) Maybe I'll bring a sudoku book...

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

I went hard core. My flight leaves at 6am and gets to MCO at 8:19 on Friday! I fully intend on eating lunch at the Flame Tree in AK. It's a tradition for me, and I'll drag my race partner with me if I have to.

I went hadcore the other way.....we get in midnight on Sunday the 20th....probably not the best idea with an 8 year old who will be tired or sleepy but there was no other choice

We're getting in around 1 on friday as well, but we're heading to the BW. I'm planning on wearing some running or race shirt so at least others running will be able to figure out I am running too.

I have a question for all your solo runners. What do you do in your coral for an hour to occupy yourself when you are by yourself? My mom is coming to watch the race, but obviously she can't come to the corals. I was thinking about bringing my ipod, but I don't want to have to carry it during the race since I'm not going to listen to it after the race starts.

I always have my ipod, even during the race, nothing worse than those boring long miles with nothing to see or entertain you so I will be listening to that in corral, jumping aroun, stretching, making sure my garmin is working, probably try to take some pics of me waiting in the corral Hopefully meet some nice people too!

Did everyone get an email yesterday with all the final details? I was soooo excited when I say that in my inbox

Starting packing yesterday, we leave in 9 days, woohoo

 

[jeanigor]

For the Wine and Dine Half, I found another WISHer in my corral and we chatted to pass the time. For the Donald, I was a teeny tiny bit late and made it to the corral about 2 minutes before the wave left.

I will be bringing my iPod, in an arm band. I will be listening to it part of the way (one ear only, quietly).

 

[chernabogfamily]

I went hard core. My flight leaves at 6am and gets to MCO at 8:19 on Friday!

My flight leaves at 6 am, but I still don't get there until 1:00. I hate layovers!

We're getting in around 1 on friday as well, but we're heading to the BW. I'm planning on wearing some running or race shirt so at least others running will be able to figure out I am running too.

I have a question for all your solo runners. What do you do in your coral for an hour to occupy yourself when you are by yourself? My mom is coming to watch the race, but obviously she can't come to the corals.

My mom is coming to watch me as well. I've been trying to figure out how to work it with her. I don't want her there for the start (I'd rather her sleep in a little so that she is fresh enough to tour a park later that day). But, I'd like her at the finish. Anyway, all still comes back to-- trying not to wake her while getting ready before the crack of dawn, and what to do to entertain myself for so long. I've never had this much time to wait in a corral before a race before, at least not alone.

I've been thinking about this also...last year I had my mom. I was also thinking about bringing my ipod, but I don't want to carry it with me (I'm not going to be using it while I run) Maybe I'll bring a sudoku book...

Can you stand and do a book with a pencil in the dark? I hadn't thought about anything like that yet.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Yay! Waivers are out. Woo Hoo.

Bib Number : 1487

 

[Swmr359]

Can you stand and do a book with a pencil in the dark? I hadn't thought about anything like that yet.

I'm going to bring a blanket to wrap around me, so I'll just sit down. I really haven't decided what to bring yet. I'll have my spibelt so I can carry my ipod without any issues and I do have a couple disney movies on it. I'll probably bring both with me and make a decision Sat. night!

I would love to chat with people around me, but I'm so not out going...

 

[Cotillard]

don't they have stuff like that at the beverage stops? Gatorade/powerade, etc?

They will have lemon lime PowerAde

I have not been on the Dis in months and months - but I have been training and two weeks from today I'll be driving down to orlando. I cannot wait

I'm so excited to experience my first half marathon. I hope the weather is perfect. I'm so sick of being cold.

I'll be running with my phone which is also my camera. Can't wait to get some good shots, although i won't be stopping for character pics. Would love to fininsh in 2.5 hrs.

Good luck everyone!

 

[Saylan]

I hope to run into some WiSHers too but like Swmr, I'm not outgoing. I found some 'print your own temporary tattoos' sheets at the local craft store and I'm considering designing a small tattoo for my shoulder for my dis team and for WiSH. If I do, if any WiSHers see it, feel free to come up and say hi!