Official 2012 Princess 1/2 marathon thread part 2

[Jubilee]

So I called in regards to the pins and a woman @ the ESPN sports welcome center said last year they sold pins at the expo. I voiced my unhappiness with not being able to "for sure" have one secured and possibly having to purchase one from someone who may have bought one just to resell it at a jacked up rate but she didn't really offer any peace of mind.

 

[Qltrgrl2]

Did I read somewhere that the timing chips will be attached to our bibs this year? I know at last year's princess, we had the "D" tags that we attached to our shoes. Those stress me out just a little (wondering if I attached it right). I would love to have 1 less thing to worry about this year!!

Yes, Disney has changed to the chips imbedded in your race bid. Much easier for everyone and one less thing to worry about!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

As for the pins- The basic one is LE 7500 and they've had left overs every year for atleast the last 3 years. There is also a 2nd pin this year thats LE 2000 so statistically there will be plenty of pins to go around.

I ordered the pin via registration last year but when I saw how many were at the expo have never ordered it again and never (baring everest which they only made 500 and presold double of that) had issues getting one (and I get my cast discount at the expo but not if I pre-order)

-em

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Yes, Disney has changed to the chips imbedded in your race bid. Much easier for everyone and one less thing to worry about!

I am so pleased! Last year I didn't record at 10K, and had to do a series of e-mails to get myself added to the official results. It was really frustrating not having my time, when I knew I had a PR...and my friends who were tracking me thought something bad happened. I am very relieved they have moved on to the bib technology!

Maria

 

[saysay]

Possibly slacking today - big thunderstorms predicted. I COULD have gotten out a little bit ago, but didn't want to get 2 miles out and caught in ugliness. At least, that's my excuse. I did 10 miles last weekend so this weekend was just a scheduled 4 - a lot easier to squeeze in somewhere tomorrow and not be too taxed for a regular run on Monday.

Talked with a friend yesterday who clearly is not one of "our kind" - she seems mystified that 2 adult women would want to go and spend time in the parks. "You mean, you two are going to go out and ride the rides?" Um, yeah! That's what Disney World is all about, Charlie Brown! I mean, you don't have to love rollercoasters to go and have a great time at Disney World.

HAHA she would totally think I am a nut to dance down main street to Move it Shake It.....! What IS it about Disney that has sucked me in? Oh and Amy today we watched the Netflix Disney Cruise movie and now we all want to go see the Flying Dutchman in Castaway Cay. ;-)

And eh, I was only supposed to do a short run or go to gym.....tornado warning and weird weather had me housebound. Tomorrow....I am so at the gym!

I decided today to add 1 day to our hotel ressie....since tomorrow is the last day of AP discounts for Feb. Now I have not gotten email confirmation AND my login is not working....more stressed about this than finishing the race.

 

[Michele325]

if you've run a race where heat sheets were handed out, those are great to keep warm with pre-race. You can buy them in the camping section (emergency blankets.) I used a heat sheet and gloves with some hot hands to keep warm during marathon weekend and it was super easy to pack. I'll probably do the same for princess since I'll be packing for the weekend in a carryon and won't have room for an extra set of clothes to toss.

What a great idea! I have some old blankets I was going to use, but I need to only bring a carry on and was trying to figure out how i was going to pack it all. This will be really helpful.

 

[kappyfamily]

Just got my Magical Express stuff!

 

[TMcDwyer]

Just got my Magical Express stuff!

 

[slp1650]

Just got my Magical Express stuff!

which means... it's getting close!

 

[Drgirl]

Hi Princesses - Question about after the race. Staying at Port Orleans riverside and planning on going to Epcot for the day afterwards. however don't want to waste time going from the run back to hotel, back to epcot. I assume I will be done around 8:30 - but think parks open at 9. What have the rest of you done in the past as I don't want to lose park time. Do I just take stuff to do the shower in a bottle idea?
If you have done the race before, I would appreciate it if you could let me know what you did. I assume, Epcot doesn't have showers

 

[HockeyKat]

Hi Princesses - Question about after the race. Staying at Port Orleans riverside and planning on going to Epcot for the day afterwards. however don't want to waste time going from the run back to hotel, back to epcot. I assume I will be done around 8:30 - but think parks open at 9. What have the rest of you done in the past as I don't want to lose park time. Do I just take stuff to do the shower in a bottle idea?
If you have done the race before, I would appreciate it if you could let me know what you did. I assume, Epcot doesn't have showers

We've just gone into Epcot dirty. I pack a fresh shirt (usually the "official" race shirt), new socks/shoes or sandals, and shorts/pants into my gear check bag, along with fresh wipes, sunscreen, and deodorant. I figure the medal and shirt cues anyone into the "I just ran a race" thing.

 

[Jubilee]

In terms of the "checked bag" can you please explain that? Are we all able to bring backpacks to the start or is it just those who pay for chear or something?

 

[HockeyKat]

In terms of the "checked bag" ican you please explain that? Are we all able to bring backpacks to the start or is it just those who pay for chear or something?

Almost all races, Disney included, provide a gear check service for free for all participants. Either you are provided a bag or you provide one, you detach a tag is part of your bib and has a hole, put a (usually provided) zip tie through the hole on the tag and then around your bag. You allow 10 min or so before the start to check your bag, and then you can retrieve it at the end.

 

[Jubilee]

Thank you! That was one of many of the myriad of questions I have for you race veterans. I have been training as sort of a minimalist not knowing if there would be somewhere safe to leave things.

Anyone that has done this particular race in the past have any feedback in terms of how you feel afterwards? Are you usually so hyped up you stay up all day or do you typically need a nap? Approx how many stops are there along the way in terms of pics with chars? If you do not bring your own camera, are you able to take a pic and if so, is it Photopass and if that is the case, is it the normal rate of purchasing Photopass? Thanks in advance.

 

[HockeyKat]

Thank you! That was one of many of the myriad of questions I have for you race veterans. I have been training as sort of a minimalist not knowing if there would be somewhere safe to leave things.

Anyone that has done this particular race in the past have any feedback in terms of how you feel afterwards? Are you usually so hyped up you stay up all day or do you typically need a nap? Approx how many stops are there along the way in terms of pics with chars? If you do not bring your own camera, are you able to take a pic and if so, is it Photopass and if that is the case, is it the normal rate of purchasing Photopass? Thanks in advance.

Sure!

How you feel depends on you, your training, and how hard you run (or run/walk, or walk) the race. My group usually heads for breakfast and drinks in Epcot during the day, has some pool time in the afternoon, goes back to Epcot for Illuminations and then closes JellyRolls, but we are crazy!

Character stops are at least every mile, sometimes more.

It's professional photographers who are NOT Photopass. They generally charge more for their photos, and they are offered a few days after the race from a website.

Almost all character stops also have a cast member who will take a photo with your camera.

 

[ColleenG]

On the subject of bags to check, does Disney give you a bag or do you bring your own? What are some key items to back in your bag? I've never done more than a 5 mile race and never brought anything with me beyond my phone and car key.

 

[stitchfan18]

On the subject of bags to check, does Disney give you a bag or do you bring your own? What are some key items to back in your bag? I've never done more than a 5 mile race and never brought anything with me beyond my phone and car key.

You'll get a bag at packet pick up. You'll get a sticker with your bib that you'll stick on your bag. I've only checked a bag once but I put in some flip flops and a sweatshirt. I ended up going straight back to the hotel and didn't even need to check a bag since I didn't take anything out post race. You aren't required to check anything, so don't feel like you have to. The check bags make a nice bag to put sweaty post race clothes in

 

[ColleenG]

You'll get a bag at packet pick up. You'll get a sticker with your bib that you'll stick on your bag. I've only checked a bag once but I put in some flip flops and a sweatshirt. I ended up going straight back to the hotel and didn't even need to check a bag since I didn't take anything out post race. You aren't required to check anything, so don't feel like you have to. The check bags make a nice bag to put sweaty post race clothes in

Thanks Heather!

 

[Bookwood]

I almost always check a bag- I just need to get out of my sweaty shoes/socks asap. Depending on the weather I also sometimes pack a dry shirt/sweatshirt to put on as I sweat alot and get really cold after I stop running (even at home).

I've never gone straight to a park but have always gone back and showered first (again it's partially a sweat thing- eventually the body glide stops gliding and the salt on my skin gets irritating.) I don't think I've ever napped the afternoon of a race - even those not at Disney, although often take a break and go out later 1-2 ish to a park to let the legs loosen up. At Disney I often do the race laundry before heading to a park because I don't want to pack wet sweaty clothes in a suitcase (or dry sweaty ones for that matter- I think it's the mom in me.)

I got my 8 miles done yesterday- it was a tough run because I tried to do it without my power ade and with just water, leg cramps started about 5.5 miles until the end even with my compression sleeves on my calves, so I won't do that again.

Have a great running week Princesses!

 

[babyball]

I did my 8 two days ago. Again, my longest ever. I have NEVER been this sore in my thighs. Muscle soreness! I feel like I zipped thru 7.3 with no soreness, now pushing the 8 has me really sore! Are you guys sore to the point that stairs are a little scary after a long run? the pavement was quite slick as it has snowed about an 1/2 inch the night before. Maybe this affected how I was recruiting my muscles.

Amy