Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[fashionista311]

Not to dissuade you, but I don't think it's the people who could qualify for Boston who need to worry. My dh and another WISHer who did Boston also did this race, and finished an hour ahead of me -- and they did not have anyone dropped off in buses in front of them. I think it's just the slower people, who usually take 2:45 and over for a Half who were affected by people being dropped in front of them. They're just trying to clear the course, so if you had a chance at BQ, I don't think you would be slow enough to get picked and dropped

Maria

But if the official time limit for Vegas is 4:30 - won't the be trying to clear the course to make that limit?

for women 45+ - a BQ is 4:00 hrs. for 55+ it's 4:15. and for 60+ it's 4:30.

So if someone can't make the 4:30 time limit, and they get transported and drop off a few miles from the finish, and then pick up the pace again...and get an official time....of let's say 4:29...well that's a BQ for someone if they are a woman 60+. What the odds are of that I don't know....but even if there is a chance of that actually happening, and then the person trying to use it to enter Boston...I do think the BAA needs to know about it

 

[HockeyKat]

Something else I just thought of...

So let's say they do the same thing for Vegas, transport ppl who can't keep up and they finish. Get an official time and medal and everything. Suppose some folks end up with a finish time of 4 hours that they didn't earn.

Well - for some age brackets....that 4 hour is a BQ time.

So now on top of a false placement and false medal....someone might be racing Boston with a BQ they didn't earn.

Someone close to me knows several members of the BAA....I think I just might let them know this is going on with RnR races.

RnR Vegas full marathon time limit is 4:30. However, if they pick you up and shuttle you and still let you finish ahead of the 4:30 finishers, it's possible to be close to that 4 hour mark.

Maria, it's the full marathon that fashionista is referencing.

I still think it's complete crap that you finish in the required time limits "naturally" and cheaters get a free pass in front of you and an official time. I don't mind the shuttle but I agree the timing chip should be removed and you should have to show the chip to get your medal.

 

[NCrunner]

I really wanted to run in a tiara, but I just don't think I could go 13.1 miles without wanting to rip it off my head. So I went ahead and ordered this visor:

I know I can run and be comfortable in a visor.....with my WISH BondiBand underneath of course

I am a visor girl too! your link did not come across though....could you put it on again or private message me the link? I have looked all over the web for a visor!!!

 

[Michele325]

I totally agree that that is wrong. Definitely no time if you didn't really finish on your own 2 feet. Isn't the goal for most people to finish the event? I can't imagine feeling good about it if I was bussed and missed a few miles.

 

[saysay]

No, I don't think it's fair to give out medals just because you paid your registration fee. I am not even sure I could wear the t-shirt of a race I didn't finish - it would be too painful. I wouldn't even *want* the medal.

Yes, it's a lot of money, and yes, everyone has bad days, but this is a race. Do you give gold medals to the team or individual that finishes 4th at the Olympics?

Btw, technically the shirts they give you at races are "finishers" shirts and you aren't really supposed to wear them on race day. Exceptions would be charity races like the Komen 5K.

Years ago with my first go round of running I had signed up for the WDW 1/2 with my then boyfriend. We broke up at Thanksgiving and I had been running "for him" and quit running. I didn't do the race, yet they mailed me my tshirt. I thought that was weird, I mean, I didn't even go down for the race.... let alone finish. I gave it away, I didn't earn that shirt!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

But if the official time limit for Vegas is 4:30 - won't the be trying to clear the course to make that limit?

for women 45+ - a BQ is 4:00 hrs. for 55+ it's 4:15. and for 60+ it's 4:30.

So if someone can't make the 4:30 time limit, and they get transported and drop off a few miles from the finish, and then pick up the pace again...and get an official time....of let's say 4:29...well that's a BQ for someone if they are a woman 60+. What the odds are of that I don't know....but even if there is a chance of that actually happening, and then the person trying to use it to enter Boston...I do think the BAA needs to know about it

Ah, now I understand. By all means, anything that might help this policy go away is good by me! I agree, it absolutely wouldn't be fair, and there might be someone desperate enough (or not realizing that is just not the standard practice) who would try to use that time for BQ. Maybe if they get enough bad feedback from other race officials they will reconsider the bussing...

Maria

 

[rundisneymom]

I am a visor girl too! your link did not come across though....could you put it on again or private message me the link? I have looked all over the web for a visor!!!

I noticed that the picture I tried to post did not work. Is there a "DIS trick" to posting photos that this newbie is unaware of?
The visor is for sale at runningprincess dot com. You can get it plain or with different color "gem" stones to custumize it.

 

[rundisneymom]

Ok. I think I've figured out the photo posting thing...Let me try this again. This is the tiara visor I ordered that I plan to wear with my WISH BondiBand. I'm sorry the image is SOOOO BIG...I'm still learning! )

 

[Twingle]

rundisneymom - I love that! Super cute - where did you order it from?

Had an idea while I was running this morning, didn't know if anyone that has participated in the Princess half before has had the characters sign their bib number after the race, while they were touring the parks? Thought that might be a fun way to remember the experience.

Also, has anyone put a note on their room door that they were participating in the 1/2? I have friends that cruise every year, and they always put a poster on their cabin door for people to sign. Didn't know if anyone had done that.

 

[mountaineer]

Had an idea while I was running this morning, didn't know if anyone that has participated in the Princess half before has had the characters sign their bib number after the race, while they were touring the parks? Thought that might be a fun way to remember the experience.

That's a great idea.

 

[stitchfan18]

http://www.shop.runningprincess.com/product.sc?productId=69&categoryId=3

This is the link for the princess visors. I would recommend poking around the website in other areas too. I wore one of their tech tees for the half this year and it was super cute and comfy!

 

[runchica]

I am a decent runner (abt 9 min miles) and planning on doing a run/walk combo at the Princess. I read somewhere that someone at this pace should go for 3:1 run:walk ratio on the race day. So 1/4 of the distance is about 3.5 miles.

My question, especially for those of you who plan to run/walk, is how do I distribute this time? I had been thinking maybe run 5 mi (my max I can run at a good pace), walk 4 and take in the experience, then run the final 4 again. A colleague then suggested I run for 10-15 min, walk for 5 and repeat throughout the course.

Any advice on which would give me a stronger finish. I am already a pretty fit person, but have never done such a long distance before. Thanks in advance!!

 

[nancytoby]

I am a decent runner (abt 9 min miles) and planning on doing a run/walk combo at the Princess... how do I distribute this time?

The key question is whether you are going to strictly go for best half marathon time without stopping or have fun, take pictures, and run between photo-ops.

The choke point on the course is from when you enter the MK (about mile 6?) until you get past the Grand Floridian on the other side (about mile 8?). The route is narrow and crowded and it will be difficult to run freely in that area.

Characters are from Tomorrowland all the way through the back half of the course and Epcot until nearly the finish line, but from about mile 8 to the finish the roads are wider and you should have ample running room.

 

[saysay]

I am a decent runner (abt 9 min miles) and planning on doing a run/walk combo at the Princess. I read somewhere that someone at this pace should go for 3:1 run:walk ratio on the race day. So 1/4 of the distance is about 3.5 miles.

My question, especially for those of you who plan to run/walk, is how do I distribute this time? I had been thinking maybe run 5 mi (my max I can run at a good pace), walk 4 and take in the experience, then run the final 4 again. A colleague then suggested I run for 10-15 min, walk for 5 and repeat throughout the course.

Any advice on which would give me a stronger finish. I am already a pretty fit person, but have never done such a long distance before. Thanks in advance!!

To get to this distance you need to follow a solid training plan that gradually adds distance each week to your runs. Jeff Galloway is the RunDisney race consultant and last year Disney put a plan on the Princess Race site that was the Jeff Galloway Run/walk plan. You can view it now Wine N Dine or WDW 1/2 race site now I believe. It gives you the week by week suggested distances to prepare.

As for intervals, you would run for 3 minutes, walk for 1 minute, then repeat run 3 walk 1...through the whole race. You could keep up with this on a watch, some running watches you can program to beep OR I have an Iphone/IPod Touch app that cues me when to walk and when to run. Of course everyone is different so run its up to you what interval you do.

There are lots of people who follow Galloway at Disney races, so if you stop to walk frequently its no biggie.

 

[stitchfan18]

I am a decent runner (abt 9 min miles) and planning on doing a run/walk combo at the Princess. I read somewhere that someone at this pace should go for 3:1 run:walk ratio on the race day. So 1/4 of the distance is about 3.5 miles.

My question, especially for those of you who plan to run/walk, is how do I distribute this time? I had been thinking maybe run 5 mi (my max I can run at a good pace), walk 4 and take in the experience, then run the final 4 again. A colleague then suggested I run for 10-15 min, walk for 5 and repeat throughout the course.

Any advice on which would give me a stronger finish. I am already a pretty fit person, but have never done such a long distance before. Thanks in advance!!

I remember reading that a 9 min/mile pace should do a 4:1 run: walk ratio. I would recommend reading up on the method to determine which is the best ratio for you.

 

[misskitkat]

I've only been running since April. The Princess is what motivated me to finally get active. Surprisingly I love it, except for the heat of course. I've run 2 5ks so far but have been having problems finding a 10k or 15k near me in the fall for corral placement. I just saw an ad for the Blue Moon Wicked 10k in Virginia Beach near Halloween. Has anyone run this race before? Is it flat? I live in the mountains and would love to try running on flat. My husband thinks we could plan our vacation around a fun race like that.

 

[stitchfan18]

Team Sparkle ladies, I need your help with sizing. I wear a size 10-12 in pants, and can't decide whether to order a medium or a large sparkle skirt. Do the skirts run really true to size? Would you think it's better to order a size slightly bigger or a size slightly smaller?

 

[stitchfan18]

I just found out about a cool costume opportunity for anyone interested. Team sparkle has traveling sparkle skirts that you can request to wear during a special race you are running. Unfortunately the only sizes for the skirts listed in the drop down menu are small and medium, and the only colors are pink and turquoise. I don't know if they have been reserved for the Princess yet, but thought I'd post a link if anyone is interested.
http://www.team-sparkle.com/join/traveling-skirts/

 

[kappyfamily]

Just to let everyone know that I just found out that the Grand Floridian spa is closing down in september for 18 months. I was planning on booking a massage there after the race, but now I can't! Bummer, since I was staying at BLT!

I just booked it at Saratoga Springs spa instead. Just an FYI in case you want to book one, now there is one less to choose from!

Michele

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Finally joining the party for the 2012 Princess Half!