Official 2012 Princess 1/2 marathon thread part 2

[kathleendsm]

I am so excited! I will probably be alone because my DH will spectate a bit later, so hopefully I can make some friends on the bus or in the corral.

My arm is feeling good, ankle is still sore so I did the elliptical yesterday instead of a real run. And we're away this weekend, so my plan is to do a moderate run on Friday (maybe 5 miles or so), then next weekend do 8, then the weekend after that do 10-12, and then taper the week beforehand.

I SOOOO need to work on my costume. I should get my Sparkle Skirt in a week or so, and then I need to find me a yellow shirt, a tiara, and maybe some yellow compression socks if I can find them!! Oh, and capris to wear under the skirt lest I get kicked out of the race.

 

[stitchfan18]

The people that run into bus problems are the people who wait to get on a bus at 4. Disney sets the "cut off" time to 4 to allow for the rush of people that arrive at the bus stop around that time. I was at the bus stop at 3:30 both days during marathon weekend and got on a bus right away with no wait.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I got my compression tights today! Boy, they are TIGHT!!! It was tough getting them on but I could feel the grip around my knees! It felt like a knee brace.

I wanted to try them, but here's the bad...I got rear ended today. I was waiting at a red light for it to be clear to make a right (you can do that here) and this WACKO hits my van!!! I got out and went to her window and yelled out, " are you serious?". She said she was distracted because her baby was screaming yet I didn't hear or see a baby. I told her to get out her insurance info and when I turned around to grab a piece of paper she took off! My stupidity was in not looking at her plate and memorizing the number. I've never been hit before so I was so flabbergasted. I filed a police report and told them I felt fine but all of a sudden my back, right thigh and hips are really, really stiff. I think I might take a visit to my doc tomorrow before I do any exercising.

I seriously hope that I'm just a little sore from tensing up so much after the accident. I don't want this to throw me off for the 1/2!

 

[freepixie]

I got my compression tights today! Boy, they are TIGHT!!! It was tough getting them on but I could feel the grip around my knees! It felt like a knee brace.

I wanted to try them, but here's the bad...I got rear ended today. I was waiting at a red light for it to be clear to make a right (you can do that here) and this WACKO hits my van!!! I got out and went to her window and yelled out, " are you serious?". She said she was distracted because her baby was screaming yet I didn't hear or see a baby. I told her to get out her insurance info and when I turned around to grab a piece of paper she took off! My stupidity was in not looking at her plate and memorizing the number. I've never been hit before so I was so flabbergasted. I filed a police report and told them I felt fine but all of a sudden my back, right thigh and hips are really, really stiff. I think I might take a visit to my doc tomorrow before I do any exercising.

I seriously hope that I'm just a little sore from tensing up so much after the accident. I don't want this to throw me off for the 1/2!

Oh no!!! That really sucks!! Some people are just insane out on the roads!! Hope your back and everything feels better soon!!

 

[kappyfamily]

Any advice on Race Retreat timing? I purchased it for my sis and I and want to get "ample use" of it. Is taking a taxi from BLT at 3:00am too early? I know the race retreat opens at that time. Our thinking is we can eat bfast there, check bags before people come in and camp out and get a good spot in there.

Any advice? thanks!

 

[bellerunner]

I'm so excited! I found Disney Princess Window Clings for my window, foil hanging decorations of the Disney Princesses, temporary tattoos of Tinkerbell (close enough), and sew on gems so I can bling out my arm warmers! All in the last 24 hours!

I also got new running sneakers (after cracking the midsole of my old pair, and after only 200 miles too...), hot pink laces for them, and a super pretty bondi band!

So much for being anything resembling productive this weekend... I plan to lay out my window decoration and create a team sign for the window, as well as sew the gems onto my arm warmers.

 

[TiggerAllie]

Finished 5 mi of speed training in the sleet (on the outside track) tonight-- I think we were the only crazies training outside at 7PM!

Exciting news: We just convinced our good friend to come run the Princess with us! I just registered her (race registration was her b-day present). If any of you are holding out: the race is 95% full!

 

[ColleenG]

Just ordered my Sparkle skirt and Tiara visor! Can't wait to get them. I can't believe it's only a month away! Loving my new shoes. Wore them around today without my orthotics and they are sooooo comfy! hoping to get in 5 or 6 miles over the weekend. Held off running today since my patellar tendon is sore after running 11 miles the other day. I slept with my knee bent last night and it was really sore this morning. I'll try to keep it straight tonight.

 

[Bookwood]

Thanks for the link on the sports bra.

Race morning (especially at Disney- because I stay at a host resort and take their transportation) I try to be out as close to 4am as I can. Last year at Pop we got to the bus line just before 4am and there was still at least a bus load of people behind us and we both had time to leave the line (after standing for at least 10 minutes) and use the indoor facilities once again (1 at a time of course.) We still got to the race start in plenty of time and checked bags ect. Why stand outside in the corral any longer than necessary is now my mantra. Disney has stated often if you are on their transportation you will get to the race before it's too late. This is especially helpful if the weather isn't great.

 

[stitchfan18]

Thanks for the link on the sports bra.

Race morning (especially at Disney- because I stay at a host resort and take their transportation) I try to be out as close to 4am as I can. Last year at Pop we got to the bus line just before 4am and there was still at least a bus load of people behind us and we both had time to leave the line (after standing for at least 10 minutes) and use the indoor facilities once again (1 at a time of course.) We still got to the race start in plenty of time and checked bags ect. Why stand outside in the corral any longer than necessary is now my mantra. Disney has stated often if you are on their transportation you will get to the race before it's too late. This is especially helpful if the weather isn't great.

This is true if you are not wanting to start in an earlier corral, but some of my family waited to get on a bus until later and almost missed the corral A start. I think it depends a lot on how many runners they know are staying at a resort. Some resorts get more buses than others because they know more runners need that transportation. I agree that you should get to the start line on time though!

Just in case anyone doesn't check the main page and is interested. I have a few of the plain WISH bondibands left if anyone is wanting one for the race weekend. I wear mine with my hair down when I'm not running, or after I swim when my hair looks gross. Definitely multipurpose headbands!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2835832

 

[Michele325]

I too am trying to figure out logistics for race morning. I have been looking at a map of the Princess (a tip I got here!) while I am running my long runs on the treadmill. Trying to drink water at the water stop times. I am wondering if anyone remembers around what mile stop the real restrooms are? Somewhere between 5 and 6 maybe? I have been trying to do my restroom stop at 5.5

I got my 11 done on the treadmill yesterday. But I have a cold and really feel tired today from the cold plus the long run. But atleast I got it done! Working on my costume too
Oh, and I tried out my Go Belt. If anyone is look for a small belt to hold things, it worked great. No bounce. I didn't try it with my camera or phone yet though. Just my fuel. It has 2 small pockets and 4 loops for gels.

 

[slp1650]

I too am trying to figure out logistics for race morning. I have been looking at a map of the Princess (a tip I got here!) while I am running my long runs on the treadmill. Trying to drink water at the water stop times. I am wondering if anyone remembers around what mile stop the real restrooms are? Somewhere between 5 and 6 maybe? I have been trying to do my restroom stop at 5.5

I got my 11 done on the treadmill yesterday. But I have a cold and really feel tired today from the cold plus the long run. But atleast I got it done! Working on my costume too
Oh, and I tried out my Go Belt. If anyone is look for a small belt to hold things, it worked great. No bounce. I didn't try it with my camera or phone yet though. Just my fuel. It has 2 small pockets and 4 loops for gels.

The real bathrooms are usually in the parks, so when you're going through Magic Kingdom around mile 5 and 6.

I usually take my walking breaks at the water stops to make sure I get enough water, refuel, and catch my breath. I love that idea of looking at the map of the run while on the treadmill... when I'm eventually forced back onto one (aka when the humidity starts back up here in FL).

 

[joan4mickey]

I too am trying to figure out logistics for race morning. I have been looking at a map of the Princess (a tip I got here!) while I am running my long runs on the treadmill. Trying to drink water at the water stop times. I am wondering if anyone remembers around what mile stop the real restrooms are? Somewhere between 5 and 6 maybe? I have been trying to do my restroom stop at 5.5

The first bathroom in the MK is in Tomorrowland. Just past Buzz Lightyear ride the course bears to the left and once around the corner there are bathrooms on the left almost opposite the car ride. This bathroom is more around 5 3/4 miles past start. The next bathroom is in Frontierland just past mile 6. It is on the left as well. It is in the cut through from Frontierland over to the Aladin Ride.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Don't the real bathrooms get crowded? I'd hate to waste time if I could just use a port a potty and carry some hand sanitizer.

 

[joan4mickey]

Don't the real bathrooms get crowded? I'd hate to waste time if I could just use a port a potty and carry some hand sanitizer.

I am sure that has to do with when you start, ie. corral placement and time it takes to get to point "a", ie. real bathroom.

I have started in corral b for all 3 princess' I have run, and have been to the first bathroom within the hour and the bathroom has not been crowded.

Perhaps other can add their experiences too.

 

[schmass]

There is also a real bathroom at the Ticket and Transportation Center, so before you even get to the MK. I went last year (started in Corral B) and was the only person in there. I think it's around mile 4-4.5? It was right by the Japanese drummers, if anyone remembers where they were.

 

[rebapple]

Any advice from the few of you that I know are staying off property? What time do you make sure to drive there? Do you drive to epcot or do you try to take a resort bus? I'm just trying to figurre out the best way to get there in the morning and to be able to get out of there since we have reservations at like 11:15 at Chef Mickeys (my reward!) and I would like to be clean!

 

[dopey22]

Any advice from the few of you that I know are staying off property? What time do you make sure to drive there? Do you drive to epcot or do you try to take a resort bus? I'm just trying to figurre out the best way to get there in the morning and to be able to get out of there since we have reservations at like 11:15 at Chef Mickeys (my reward!) and I would like to be clean!

I am staying off property and I have been wondering this as well. Are we allowed to take a bus from a host resort if we are not staying there? I was thinking I would have to go straight to Epcot.

 

[tinkeramy]

Any advice from the few of you that I know are staying off property? What time do you make sure to drive there? Do you drive to epcot or do you try to take a resort bus? I'm just trying to figurre out the best way to get there in the morning and to be able to get out of there since we have reservations at like 11:15 at Chef Mickeys (my reward!) and I would like to be clean!

Last year we drove from the Swan which is an Epcot resort, so it didn't take us long to get there. We left just a few minutes after 4, I believe, and had no problem. As far as getting back to your hotel, it depends on where you are staying. If you are staying on property, but not at a host resort, you may be able to get on a host resort's bus. However, the non-host resort buses will not be running that early, so you would have to drive to the host resort. Last year when I finished (I was in Corral B and it took me about 2:45 finish) I tried to get a resort bus back to the Swan b/c Epcot was open and I was told resort buses were running up front. That wasn't the case as that road was still closed for runners, so I had to hoof it all the way through Epcot (don't forget your park pass!) and catch a boat back. May want to verify at your hotel exactly what kind of transport will be available after the race. As a safety, you might want to check a bag with clean clothes, deoderant and baby wipes just in case you have trouble getting back to your room and need to go straight to Chef Mickey's!

 

[NitroStitch]

Don't the real bathrooms get crowded? I'd hate to waste time if I could just use a port a potty and carry some hand sanitizer.

Many porta potty lines along the (WDW Half Marathon) course got very long, so real bathrooms may have had better capacity than the one or two portables available at most areas on the course.

I haven't done the Princess Half before, so I don't know how different the crowd volume is.