Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[Neelym]

There is only one sweeper. They sweep based on a 16 min mile finish time (3:30) from the last person to cross the start line.

Therefore, you would have a cushion based on the time that you cross in relation to the time the last person crosses, unless of course you *are* the last person to cross!

I started in corral C (barely trained due to rehabbing from a stress fracture), walked most of it, finished in 3:33 and did not see a sweeper at all, including from the overpass looking back. A friend started with me in corral C and finished in 3:48.

I have heard that they will not sweep you once you make it into Epcot (mile 11-12ish) regardless of when you will finish, but that's just a rumor.

...Thanks Kat! This makes me feel better. I am running a 10K this weekend and may use it for my qualifying time at the Princess. I am shooting for Coral C now!
- neelym

 

[MamaWolf]

daily mile users - stupid question, but where can i find my shoe tracker thingy on the site? i can't seem to find it anywhere on the site..so frustrating. thanks!

I've been wondering the same thing

 

[lisah0711]

I was swept at the Princess this year a little past mile 8. It happened for a variety of reasons -- some of which were in my control (I should have trained for a faster time throughout my runs, lost more weight) and some which were not in my control (it was hot and humid, I had stomach issues and I am 50) but it all boiled down to I was too slow. It was a disappointment but it wasn't the end of the world and I'm trying again in 2012.

It's not like the sweepers jump out of the bushes and tell you that you're done. You get plenty of warning. I got behind in a portapotty line. I caught up once and was fine for quite a bit longer but got to the point where balloon lady would pass me then I would pass her and finally I could not dig down anymore to chase her for another 5 miles. I felt like I could have gone the distance -- it was the distance at that pace on that day that did me in. They do help you as much as they can but they also stick to the time. Just know that and prepare for it in your training.

Good luck!

 

[MeredithRX]

I know they swept a lot of people at mile 10 this past Princess. Apparently the really cut people off there at a strict time limit. They actually had security stop people and load them all onto the bus. It sounded a bit drastic to me, but I guess they have to draw the line somewhere. Thankfully we were ahead of the sweepers, but I did run into the balloon lady coming into the Magic Kingdom and was worried about it from that point on. I moved back to Corral F to walk with a friend and we stopped at the TTC for the bathrooms and ended up coming out and being face to face with the balloon lady.

It was a bit confusing though because they would tell us between mile markers that we were just on pace or slightly below pace (even though I knew we weren't under!) and then when we'd get to the mile markers, we'd be several minutes ahead of pace. It was really confusing.

 

[Qltrgrl2]

This year was a difficult year at the Princess due to the heat/humidity. The number swept had to be large...there were 17,000+ who started the race and only 14,000+ finished. We were in corral B and still felt the heat once we got to the highway. Because the first corral (A)has the elite runners, I think the number of runners is smaller than the other corrals. Those starting in the early corrals had a huge advantage due to to the unexpected high temperature.

 

[HockeyKat]

Lisa, sorry to hear it. What corral did you start in?

For those of you starting now, I would train to be at least a 15mm and then you will have plenty of cushioning and time for port-a-potty stops and such.

I am far from fast (obviously) but have tried to increase my walk pace as well as my running intervals, just in case I need to walk.

 

[mla1977]

In all the races I've done I've only stopped for a potty break twice. In Disney I needed to stop in Epcot during the marathon this year. It didn't really have an effect on my time thank goodness.

 

[KellBellC]

I've been wondering the same thing

daily mile users - stupid question, but where can i find my shoe tracker thingy on the site? i can't seem to find it anywhere on the site..so frustrating. thanks!

Ok girls to track the miles on your shoes here's what you'll want to do...

When you add your workout click on "more detail" under that tab you will see "attach gear" from there you can click "new gear" and give your shoes a nick name. Once you have them saved you will simply click the "more detail" tab each time you log a run and choose the shoes you used that day. When you click on the shoe you want the tab changes color.


I hope this helped!

Kelly

 

[lisah0711]

Thankfully we were ahead of the sweepers, but I did run into the balloon lady coming into the Magic Kingdom and was worried about it from that point on. I moved back to Corral F to walk with a friend and we stopped at the TTC for the bathrooms and ended up coming out and being face to face with the balloon lady.

It was a bit confusing though because they would tell us between mile markers that we were just on pace or slightly below pace (even though I knew we weren't under!) and then when we'd get to the mile markers, we'd be several minutes ahead of pace. It was really confusing.

I think there was confusion in the MK. I was by the balloon lady at mile 5 and part of the group that ran backstage in Tomorrowland -- didn't even get to go down Main Street. Then in Tomorrowland balloon lady disappeared and I saw all the people coming from Main Street and I knew there was no way I was behind pace then and kept on going through Fantasyland. I didn't see balloon lady again until mile 6 or 7.

It was bad enough being swept past mile 8. At mile 10 it would be heart breaking.

This year was a difficult year at the Princess due to the heat/humidity. The number swept had to be large...there were 17,000+ who started the race and only 14,000+ finished. We were in corral B and still felt the heat once we got to the highway. Because the first corral (A)has the elite runners, I think the number of runners is smaller than the other corrals. Those starting in the early corrals had a huge advantage due to to the unexpected high temperature.

It was hot and humid especially to somone from Idaho!

Lisa, sorry to hear it. What corral did you start in?

For those of you starting now, I would train to be at least a 15mm and then you will have plenty of cushioning and time for port-a-potty stops and such.

I am far from fast (obviously) but have tried to increase my walk pace as well as my running intervals, just in case I need to walk.

I was in Corral D -- I had registered early and didn't have a time submitted so I suggest that if you can register early because it could help your corral placement.

Also, train for that 15 minute pace for the long runs. I think one of my problems was I could do great and on pace for short runs. As I got into longer runs, I didn't worry so much about keeping the pace -- because that was what my plan said and I was more worried about the distance. I also counted on the fact that everything that I read said that you would speed up during the race -- and I did for the first three miles -- but then I slowed down as the heat and mile increased until I was a bit above 18 min/mi and that was not good enough.

It was a bummer but I had so much fun meeting my WISH friends. It was a truly wonderful experience and something that I will never forget. I did get a medal and it is a good reminder of the day I tried something totally different and outside my comfort zone, even if I did not finish -- this time.

 

[HockeyKat]

Also, train for that 15 minute pace for the long runs. I think one of my problems was I could do great and on pace for short runs. As I got into longer runs, I didn't worry so much about keeping the pace -- because that was what my plan said and I was more worried about the distance. I also counted on the fact that everything that I read said that you would speed up during the race -- and I did for the first three miles -- but then I slowed down as the heat and mile increased until I was a bit above 18 min/mi and that was not good enough.

I would agree with this. You will speed up some on race day, but IMO a goal would be to have short run (3 miles or under) paces in the 13-14mm and long runs in the 15-16mm at minimum. This will give room for issues, like weather or unexpected bathroom stops.


FWIW, I am 35, at least 50 lbs overweight, and fairly new to this (started run/walking in Jan 2010). Because of the training group that I belong to, I have done over twenty long runs at or over 10 miles, including 4 half marathons. Of all of those, exactly one had a potty stop, during the Princess 2011, because my friends were going and I figured why not.

 

[tmbacon]

Hello, Princesses! Hope you don't mind me joining this thread - I am fairly certain to run the Princess half-marathon in 2012, it will be my first. I just returned to running last year, after taking an 8-year hiatus (when I became pregnant with DS#1). I run my first 10K in about 2 weeks, so I am making slow and steady progress!

I never, ever, EVER thought I would be one to run a half-marathon - but I've discovered that running is a huge stress reliever for me, and has made me feel so much more strong and confident about myself. Clearly I am hooked. I really do think I can do this!!!

I worry a lot about injury - to be honest I don't think I am genetically set up for running - I am not very strong at all, I have flat feet, I have terrible bunions, I overpronate, I have bad knees especially the left one, blah blah blah - so I am going to need to be very careful in my training.

But after reading this ENTIRE thread I am much more motivated to run my first half-marathon! And I can honestly say I can think of no better place to do it than at Disney.

 

[tinkeramy]

I know water consumption will depend largely on the weather next year, but with all the talk about sweeping I thought I would throw this in.... I was concerned with staying hydrated, so I took a cup at every water stop. BAD idea for me! I had to stop to pee repeatedly!!! I promise you, I could have cut at least 10 minutes off my time, possibly more, if I didn't have to keep going to the bathroom. At 40 and having had 3 kids, the bladder is not what it used to be as it is, so I will most likely go MUCH easier on the H20 next year!!! If you are worried about your pace, I would try to find that line between hydrated and saturated!!!

 

[tinkeramy]

Proof of time: Julie, to answer your question, I *think* the proof of time could come from a race in the past 2 years, so last year's race would still be good.

 

[MamaWolf]

Ok girls to track the miles on your shoes here's what you'll want to do...

When you add your workout click on "more detail" under that tab you will see "attach gear" from there you can click "new gear" and give your shoes a nick name. Once you have them saved you will simply click the "more detail" tab each time you log a run and choose the shoes you used that day. When you click on the shoe you want the tab changes color.


I hope this helped!

Kelly

Thanks Kelly. I'll check it out.

 

[MamaWolf]

I was in Corral D -- I had registered early and didn't have a time submitted so I suggest that if you can register early because it could help your corral placement.

:

This raised an interesting question for me... something I hadn't thought of or planned on.

When you register do you have to already have a time to submit? Or is it something you can do later BEFORE you show up at the Expo??

 

[Cripey]

This raised an interesting question for me... something I hadn't thought of or planned on.

When you register do you have to already have a time to submit? Or is it something you can do later BEFORE you show up at the Expo??

You can do either one of those OR bring proof to the expo as well. I did not have proof of time last year at time of registration and did a 10k in December. On the race website there are (or will be) instructions on what to do if you need to submit time after registration. It's as simple as an email...then you'll get a confirmation email back showing your new expected finish time. If you miss the deadline to submit time via email to have your corral changed, you can bring proof to the expo and they will change your corral there...I believe they do that by placing a sticker on your number where the corral is already printed....so, if that would bother you aesthetically, make sure you plan a 10k or longer before the deadline!! (I should also note that proof of time for corral placement is only accepted if you plan to finish in 2:45 or under and are submitting a time to support that.)

 

[fashionista311]

Ok girls to track the miles on your shoes here's what you'll want to do...

When you add your workout click on "more detail" under that tab you will see "attach gear" from there you can click "new gear" and give your shoes a nick name. Once you have them saved you will simply click the "more detail" tab each time you log a run and choose the shoes you used that day. When you click on the shoe you want the tab changes color.


I hope this helped!

Kelly

Thanks! I think my problem was I've been updated my workouts via the iphone app and there's no option for that...so now I already lost track of my shoes. gah!

 

[MamaWolf]

You can do either one of those OR bring proof to the expo as well. I did not have proof of time last year at time of registration and did a 10k in December. On the race website there are (or will be) instructions on what to do if you need to submit time after registration. It's as simple as an email...then you'll get a confirmation email back showing your new expected finish time. If you miss the deadline to submit time via email to have your corral changed, you can bring proof to the expo and they will change your corral there...I believe they do that by placing a sticker on your number where the corral is already printed....so, if that would bother you aesthetically, make sure you plan a 10k or longer before the deadline!! (I should also note that proof of time for corral placement is only accepted if you plan to finish in 2:45 or under and are submitting a time to support that.)

Thanks
I have a 10k planned for Oct. and I just wanted to make sure cause I am registering as soon as I can. I figure if I have already paid I can't chicken out.

 

[Jeannekay]

I know water consumption will depend largely on the weather next year, but with all the talk about sweeping I thought I would throw this in.... I was concerned with staying hydrated, so I took a cup at every water stop. BAD idea for me! I had to stop to pee repeatedly!!! I promise you, I could have cut at least 10 minutes off my time, possibly more, if I didn't have to keep going to the bathroom. At 40 and having had 3 kids, the bladder is not what it used to be as it is, so I will most likely go MUCH easier on the H20 next year!!! If you are worried about your pace, I would try to find that line between hydrated and saturated!!!

For this year's Disney World Princess, I drank a lot the day before, Then, carried my own water belt and just took sips to wet my throat. I ended up almost finishing the two bottles by the end. I took one cold cup of water towards the end because I was so darn hot! And an ice pack from the medic tent. They had tons!

I wished I would've taken one Gatorade at least. I hate the taste of it and thought the GU would be good enough. But, I found I had a hard time thinking towards the end of the race. Lol

Those electrolytes are important in preventing death no matter how fit you are.

 

[kelly L]

OK, hello I'm Kelly!! First "real post". I joined because I plan on running the 2012 half princess. It's impossible to get any sort of info from Disney or the ESPN people.
I see some people have already done the half, I have so many questions I don't know where to start. I am running my 10k at the end of next month for proof of time.
Resort reservations? When can they be made and do the runners get a discount? I have looked through this year's info at the website and everything is so vague. Thursday-Monday or Friday-Sunday? On the day of the ESPN get together, is there time to do anything else? Will my husband need a ticket to meet me at Epcot? I have 2 of my friends ready to run and I can't do anything!! Any help and info would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks