Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[DisneyParrothead]

Hi to all,

I am planning to register for this Princess 1/2 Marathon before the Aug 7 price increase. This will be my first 1/2 marathon, I have done two 5k races, and a 4 mile on July 4th race- posting respectable times -32.25 first 5k, 32.19 2nd 5k and 42.23 for the 4 miler and will run my first 10k in September. I'm up to 5 1/2 miles on my long run and did that in about an hr.- I'm wondering if I should wait till after the 10k to register for the Princess just to be sure I can handle the distance. Still trying to decide between staying on site or off.

Have found this forum extremely helpful- usuaaly I'm hanging out on the cruise site.


Thanks,
Dottie

Hi Dottie! I'm also at 5.5 miles, though my time is much slower, and I've taken the plunge for the Princess. I'd so go for it. You'll have something to keep you motivated and then there's all of us. I never thought I'd do a half but now I want to push myself. Even though there are many half's before the Princess, I wanted to make a runDisney race my first half. I even have the course from this year taped on my wall at work across my desk. Extra motivation

 

[mountaineer]

I'd be in for a Bondi Band...the heavy wicking ones are great.

I'm running around 5 miles right now. I'm trying to build endurance in my legs before starting a training plan. I can't decide which training program I want to use.

 

[mickey's miles]

I apologize if this has already been clarified ... but I looked at host hotel prices ... and it says per person. If I paid that rate per person for my family (3 of us) ... I would be paying more than if we were going to Disney without having any involvement with the half marathon ... so could someone explain it to me? For some reason I've called at the same time for the past two nights (6:01 p.m. Texas time) and their office closed one minute earlier ....

Thanks!!

 

[freepixie]

I'm curious if anyone would be interested in ordering some custom WISH princess bondibands. They have lime green headbands (http://www.bondiband.com/products/Solid-Bright-Neon-Green-Wicking.html) and I was thinking it would be cute if there was the Tiara on it (http://www.bondiband.com/products/Princess-Tiara-%28pink-ink%29.html) with 'WISH Princess' below it.

Thoughts? Interest?
I'm not sure how much they would cost. Normally bondibands are $8, so I imagine it would be comparable. I can organize this if anyone is interested, but we have to have 12 for a custom order. Let me know!

Edited:
I'm going to start a list of people who are interested to better keep track of how many people are interested. Let me know if you are interested and your name isn't on the list!
Heather (Stichfan18)
Michele (Michele325)
Maria (Worfiedoodles)
Julie (SaySay)
Marty (mountaineer)

I'd like to order one too! I don't know if I will be able to do the Princess in 2012, but for sure I will do the Princess 2013

Til then, I'm up to running 4-5 mi at a time, I'm signed up for my first 10K in August, and I have applications out to about 20 places so I can find a new job Once I get a new job I will find out if I will be able to do Princess in 2012 or not!!

PS my name is Barb

 

[kmchisholm]

Up to 6 miles now on my long runs but it is nasty hot here in VA. Have run inside a few times but that is just so boring. Trying to go in the evenings, am slower but hoping it will build endurance so when it gets a bit cooler I can rock and roll.

Know many people are making room reservations right now and trying to find the best cost. My parents are DVC members and although they're using all their points next year, I rented some points and was able to get a studio at BWV for $475 for 3 nights. Know it's not a host hotel, but figured the worst is that we'd have to take a cab to ESPN for the expo and then again to the front of the park. Then again, if anyone else is staying there maybe we could hop a ride as well

Know it's not an option for everyone, but the transaction and booking was very easy. Usually I travel to Disney when my parents are there (pull out sofa's aren't bad), but if I take any trips in the future I might consider this as an option.

 

[kmchisholm]

Has anyone ever strained/damaged their facet joint? Or their Sacroiliac Joint? I had and injection for the facet joint last week, but I am beginning to wonder if it is the sacroiliac joint. No running for two weeks, at least!
So bummed.

I've actually had neck problems for years and started running as it was something I could do without my neck flaring up. Have done PT (which was great) and now doing acupuncture. That's been great for keeping my knees and ankles in great shape. Can't use insurance, but can run through my flexible spending account at work.

 

[DisneyBoyz]

Up to 6 miles now on my long runs but it is nasty hot here in VA. Have run inside a few times but that is just so boring. Trying to go in the evenings, am slower but hoping it will build endurance so when it gets a bit cooler I can rock and roll.

Know many people are making room reservations right now and trying to find the best cost. My parents are DVC members and although they're using all their points next year, I rented some points and was able to get a studio at BWV for $475 for 3 nights. Know it's not a host hotel, but figured the worst is that we'd have to take a cab to ESPN for the expo and then again to the front of the park. Then again, if anyone else is staying there maybe we could hop a ride as well

Know it's not an option for everyone, but the transaction and booking was very easy. Usually I travel to Disney when my parents are there (pull out sofa's aren't bad), but if I take any trips in the future I might consider this as an option.

I LOVE renting points! September we are staying at AKL for my DS's birthdays. They have no idea! We've got a Savannah view. For the Princess Half, we are staying at BLT. I know it's not a host hotel, but I will drive to EPCOT and my DH can walk down with the boys and watch me run by. Then when they're ready, they'll take the monorail over to EPCOT. Hopefully it wont take me all five hours! I figured there would be a number of people doing the same thing as I. As I walk through the lobby, I'll be sure to check and see if anybody needs a ride. It's crazy to pay for a cab!

 

[stitchfan18]

Know many people are making room reservations right now and trying to find the best cost. My parents are DVC members and although they're using all their points next year, I rented some points and was able to get a studio at BWV for $475 for 3 nights. Know it's not a host hotel, but figured the worst is that we'd have to take a cab to ESPN for the expo and then again to the front of the park. Then again, if anyone else is staying there maybe we could hop a ride as well

Know it's not an option for everyone, but the transaction and booking was very easy. Usually I travel to Disney when my parents are there (pull out sofa's aren't bad), but if I take any trips in the future I might consider this as an option.

I always rent points for our trips. I'm staying at AKV this time since AK is a host resort. I'm paying about $1000 less than Disney is charging for 3 nights We stayed at the BWV last year and lucked out because TNT was staying there so there was bus transportation for them that non-TNT guests were also allowed to use. It was so nice to not have to wait in a long line for a bus in the morning or on the way back to the hotel after the race. Hopefully that will be the case again for you this year.

 

[hvivona]

I have to ask... how does on go about renting points? and hw d you know how many points to rent? Its so confusing to me. I've heard that people do save a lot by doing so but everytime I try to look into it i get mind boggled and lost. can someone PLEASE help me with this

 

[stitchfan18]

I have to ask... how does on go about renting points? and hw d you know how many points to rent? Its so confusing to me. I've heard that people do save a lot by doing so but everytime I try to look into it i get mind boggled and lost. can someone PLEASE help me with this

For first time renters I would recommend going trough a company that acts as the middle man for renters. I know David's DVC rentals is a sponsor of DVC boards, but I've never personally used them. I have rented from D V C - R e n t a l dot com (without the spaces) and had a great experience. They are slightly cheaper, and it was an easy, quick transaction. You can also google 'renting DVC points' and the first hit should be another board you can go to find owners to rent from. Many of the owners are charging as much as the companies though.

 

[ColleenG]

I did it! I am officially registered! Holy cow I am really going to do this! Now to get the pain in my knee to stop. I go to the orthopedist next Thurs. I think it's just tendonitis. (I hope). So I've been trying to ice it a lot.

 

[kappyfamily]

I LOVE renting points! September we are staying at AKL for my DS's birthdays. They have no idea! We've got a Savannah view. For the Princess Half, we are staying at BLT. I know it's not a host hotel, but I will drive to EPCOT and my DH can walk down with the boys and watch me run by. Then when they're ready, they'll take the monorail over to EPCOT. Hopefully it wont take me all five hours! I figured there would be a number of people doing the same thing as I. As I walk through the lobby, I'll be sure to check and see if anybody needs a ride. It's crazy to pay for a cab!

Staying at BLT too! My sis in law is running it with me. We way bum a ride off you!

 

[kappyfamily]

Hi everyone- thought I would start a list on who is staying where. I'm going to see if I can edit one of my earlier posts to use as the "hotel" spot. Go ahead and PM me with which hotel you are staying at on race day as well as if you want your real name used. So it would look something like : kappyfamily/Michele- Bay lake tower.

I will post again which # the post will be on. Just private message me, don't post it on this thread so people that don't want to know won't be bugged. Of course only pm me if you are interested in being on the list!

 

[kappyfamily]

Ok a big duuuuuhh! My first post on this thread #1 will be the new home for looking at where everyone is staying. Remember PM me don't post on the thread! I will try and update it nightly.

 

[tiggerunner]

Today I did a 6 mile walk/run, took my time wanted to just get some easy miles in and was amazed how good I felt when I was done. I have my first 10K coming up in less than 2 weeks. Now I want to work on ramping up the runs and walking less.

There is a lake in orlando (google Luckys Lake Swim Orlando) that's kinda a thing to do. I will start hitting the pool this week so I can do that swim on October 30th 7 am. It's 1K and since I am thinking about going for a "sprint Tri" next year, the open water swim is something I need to work on.

I am really excited that I have 6 friends and relatives already signed up to run the Princess half with me!! This will be a first Half marathon for all of them!! I just sent out a general email letting everyone know I was doing this and that if anyone was interested I would love the company. I'm just blown away by the response!

I have to say that my husband (not a runner) has been really good so far about late dinners and my non-stop running conversations. It is hard to get out and run when you have little kids. I do most of my running on a treadmill set at a 5% incline.

SO HEAR is a BIG QUESTION: I promised my spine doctor that I would only do this for one year. SOOOOO I am trying to find a half marathon anywhere on the planet with a truly "COOL" factor to wrap this phase of my life up. Any suggestions? I have iceland and finland (artic circle race) already on the board and in the running.

Have a good week out there, WATCH out for that heat!

Cool Factor race-The Great Wall of China Marathon. I did this for my 50th bday and had the greatest time. I did the Half marathon and you are on the wall for about 3 miles and running through a small town and rice paddys.
This has to be done with a tour group and we went with Kathy Loper tours and even the other groups said she was the best. My husband travels all over the world and he even had a great time with the whole group.
Private message me if you want more details and photos. I am also in the DC area.

 

[Bookwood]

The bondi bands I bought at the expo last year were $5 apiece- 2 with tiaras on them and one that said "You don't smell so much like a Princess anymore" (which I changed to I don't smell like a Princess anymore LOL) I bought them directly from the bondi band booth.

I'll PM where we are staying after friday when the person I'm renting points from is try to switch us to AKL (I so hope we can switch I've never stayed there).

I have rented twice now and have always rented from friends I've met online.

 

[stitchfan18]

The bondi bands I bought at the expo last year were $5 apiece- 2 with tiaras on them and one that said "You don't smell so much like a Princess anymore" (which I changed to I don't smell like a Princess anymore LOL) I bought them directly from the bondi band booth.

I got a couple of the tiara bands from their booth as well, which is why I didn't get the official Disney princess ones from the Disney merch area. Usually at expos their bands run 1 for $8, 2 for $15, or 3 for $20 unless they have a special band for the event that they are selling for $5. I love the 'you don't smell like a princess anymore' band

 

[schmass]

Hi everyone! I ran the 2011 Princess 1/2 (first 1/2 ever) and am planning on doing it again in 2012! I haven't registered yet, but plan to do so before the Aug. 7th price increase!

As of right now I'm staying at BWV, but we're trying to get that switched to BLT. I'll be happy either way!

 

[DisneyBoyz]

I have to ask... how does on go about renting points? and hw d you know how many points to rent? Its so confusing to me. I've heard that people do save a lot by doing so but everytime I try to look into it i get mind boggled and lost. can someone PLEASE help me with this

I also have used the site referenced in another post as he charges only $12 per point vs. David's who charges $13 per point. However, I prefer to go onto another forum called m o u s e o w n e r s dot c o m (without the spaces). There is a section there you can look up for renters. Very nice people there too. I am renting in September at AKL for only $11 per point. I've seen some people go as low as $9 even.

Saving money is exciting, especially when it involves Disney!!

 

[Twingle]

I'm curious if anyone would be interested in ordering some custom WISH princess bondibands. They have lime green headbands (http://www.bondiband.com/products/Solid-Bright-Neon-Green-Wicking.html) and I was thinking it would be cute if there was the Tiara on it (http://www.bondiband.com/products/Princess-Tiara-%28pink-ink%29.html) with 'WISH Princess' below it.

Thoughts? Interest?
I'm not sure how much they would cost. Normally bondibands are $8, so I imagine it would be comparable. I can organize this if anyone is interested, but we have to have 12 for a custom order. Let me know!

Edited:
I'm going to start a list of people who are interested to better keep track of how many people are interested. Let me know if you are interested and your name isn't on the list!
Heather (Stichfan18)
Michele (Michele325)
Maria (Worfiedoodles)
Julie (SaySay)
Marty (mountaineer)
Barb (freepixie)

We're halfway to 12 bands!

I'd be interested in one! I'm Jennie