Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[disneyfreak1]

This is me too!! I am so scared of being swept. I am in fairly good shape, but haven't ran in so long. I know I have plenty of time to train, but still it scares me. LOL!! I am starting C25K this week, and will figure out my next plan from there. LOL! I don't intend to run the whole thing. I just want to finish and not be last. LOL!

I told my husband that and he said "well somebody has to be last", but I assured him it doesn't have to be me!

 

[disneyfreak1]

Look what my friend made me!!!!

That is super cute, Taryn! You need to make an iron-on transfer out of it.

Pam

 

[TMcDwyer]

That is super cute, Taryn! You need to make an iron-on transfer out of it.

Pam

I love it!!! I may try that...can you iron on a tech shirt???

 

[stitchfan18]

I told my husband that and he said "well somebody has to be last", but I assured him it doesn't have to be me!

Not that you will be last, but I'm pretty sure that the characters waiting at the finish line cross the finish line with the last person. So if you do happen to be pulling up the rear you'll get a super fabulous finish line photo!

 

[TMcDwyer]

Not that you will be last, but I'm pretty sure that the characters waiting at the finish line cross the finish line with the last person. So if you do happen to be pulling up the rear you'll get a super fabulous finish line photo!

Wow, I never thought I would be motivated to try to be last!!!

 

[disneyfreak1]

Not that you will be last, but I'm pretty sure that the characters waiting at the finish line cross the finish line with the last person. So if you do happen to be pulling up the rear you'll get a super fabulous finish line photo!

Very true and definitely something to ponder!

 

[stitchfan18]

Wow, I never thought I would be motivated to try to be last!!!

I know! It's kind of tempting to park myself on a bench in Epcot, safe from the sweepers, and wait till everyone else goes by.

 

[TMcDwyer]

We could have an unofficial "Be the last to Finish Meet!"

 

[disneyfreak1]

I don't wanna be THAT close to the sweepers!

 

[rundisneymom]

Look what my friend made me!!!!

Love it! I may steal it for my FB profile pic. Is that ok?

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

Love it! I may steal it for my FB profile pic. Is that ok?

I would love to steal that too. I might would make an iron on transfer to practice in Make me even more motivated. LOL

 

[Mama_Dis]

Thanks for the tip Susan! I think I could just run in our neighborhood (the place we are staying is gated and has sidewalks) but I wish I could at least take the dog out with me or something. Our dog is still recovering from a torn ACL, so no running for him.

Dh has seriously fallen off the wagon- I'm not sure he's even going to run anymore. But it's really hard for him with the new job and everything. We were YMCA members in Ohio, so I need to look into which YMCA we can/should transfer to, then I can just dreadmill it.

I love the tennis dresses!! I am still planning on going as Tiana, so I didn't see any that looked like they would work for my costume, but I have found light green running tops and skirts, so I think I'll be ok.

Whoever mentioned needing to buy a small camera to run with, I'm in the same boat. I'm sure that will be my Christmas present.

 

[tinkeramy]

As for the camera issue, I just carried mine in my hand the whole time last year - and it's not super compact. I usually run with my phone in my hand so I can see my app, so I guess I was just used to it. However, I've seen in Target and places like that camera pouches that you can just clip onto a running belt and it only closes with velcro, so you are not fumbling with a complicated clasp each time you want to take a pic.

On being "scared to death" - that's how I was when I was faced with running 5 miles for the first time!!! At that point, I was still running the whole way through and I just didn't think I could do it. Once done (under so much effort that I just thought there was no way I could make 13.1) I realized I did NOT have to run the whole way and started incorporating regular walk breaks. And once I hit the 8 mile mark, I knew I could do anything. Not quickly, mind you, but I could do anything.

If anyone is super worried about the sweepers - do your best to train for at least a 14 min. pace, and getting in a higher corral gives you that extra buffer of time. For your 10K proof of time, pick a super-flat, easy course in comfortable weather to give yourself your best shot at making a good time. The better your time, the higher your corral will be. But the good news is, you don't have to be super-human. I submitted a proof of just over 10 min. pace, and I ended up in Corral B. I know of others who were closer to 11 that ended up there, too. So "C" and "D" are completely do-able.

I wanted to smack this guy while I was waiting for my PT appt. the other day. He was talking to the tech about trying to qualify for Boston and said, "Since this thing with my leg, I just haven't been able to run under a 7 min mile." Oh, poor thing. That same day, a cutie-patootie was in there for back problems and she & the PT were talking about their cheerleading days and all the crazy things they did to their bodies. The girl said something about being "old and washed up". I asked the PT later how old that girl was - 26. Ummm... come see me in 15 years and we'll talk about it!

Hang in there, Princesses - once I get this shin splint / tight leg thing under control, I feel like I will be right back at square one with everyone else, so let's keep encouraging one another!

 

[tinkeramy]

Oh - and one more tip I discovered - the first couple of photo ops were with Capt. Jack, the pirates and a big 'ol pirate ship, and then a bundle of men - Prince Eric, Flynn, Tarzan (what in the world?), Aladdin...That was within the first mile or two, and the lines were so long I didn't stop. Well...guess what? We ran back up that same highway on the way back, and they were still there in the middle, with virtually no lines. Now, depending on your time, I can't guarantee that the characters will still be there, but if you are killing yourself to make good time, you may be able to catch them on the way back with a much shorter wait!

 

[MaMa3Princess]

I wanted to smack this guy while I was waiting for my PT appt. the other day. He was talking to the tech about trying to qualify for Boston and said, "Since this thing with my leg, I just haven't been able to run under a 7 min mile." Oh, poor thing. That same day, a cutie-patootie was in there for back problems and she & the PT were talking about their cheerleading days and all the crazy things they did to their bodies. The girl said something about being "old and washed up". I asked the PT later how old that girl was - 26. Ummm... come see me in 15 years and we'll talk about it!

Hang in there, Princesses - once I get this shin splint / tight leg thing under control, I feel like I will be right back at square one with everyone else, so let's keep encouraging one another!

TinkerAmy,

I had a similar encouter at the running store. I told the person who was doing my shoe analysis that I was more in the 12-13 ish mile pace and, she kind of looked at me and said " oh so you are more of a walker". I just keep telling myself keep at it and the pace will pick up and speed will come but for now I am just glad to be able to get out there and do this!!

 

[cewait]

...

If anyone is super worried about the sweepers - do your best to train for at least a 14 min. pace, and getting in a higher corral gives you that extra buffer of time. For your 10K proof of time, pick a super-flat, easy course in comfortable weather to give yourself your best shot at making a good time. The better your time, the higher your corral will be. But the good news is, you don't have to be super-human. I submitted a proof of just over 10 min. pace, and I ended up in Corral B. I know of others who were closer to 11 that ended up there, too. So "C" and "D" are completely do-able.

You know you don't NEED a proof of time to declare a 2:46 expected time. I will more than likely keep you out of the last corral and who will know?

 

[rundisneymom]

TinkerAmy, Thank you for the great advice from your last Princess race. The whole "sweeper" thing scares the heck out of me...and I really don't want to pay all that money for a race and come home empty handed (i.e., with no medal).

I have a question on all the photo ops. Do you have to have your own camera, or are there Disney photopass photographers there? I'd much rather slip the little photopass in a pocket near my GU (which I haven't tried yet and need to) and use that. I can't see myself holding onto anything for 13 miles.

 

[cewait]

TinkerAmy, Thank you for the great advice from your last Princess race. The whole "sweeper" thing scares the heck out of me...and I really don't want to pay all that money for a race and come home empty handed (i.e., with no medal).

I have a question on all the photo ops. Do you have to have your own camera, or are there Disney photopass photographers there? I'd much rather slip the little photopass in a pocket near my GU (which I haven't tried yet and need to) and use that. I can't see myself holding onto anything for 13 miles.

Either bring a camera OR starting last year, Disney started positioning ASI (the official photographer) folks with many of the characters. ASI tends to be pricey

 

[KathleensKid]

Oh - and one more tip I discovered - the first couple of photo ops were with Capt. Jack, the pirates and a big 'ol pirate ship, and then a bundle of men - Prince Eric, Flynn, Tarzan (what in the world?), Aladdin...That was within the first mile or two, and the lines were so long I didn't stop. Well...guess what? We ran back up that same highway on the way back, and they were still there in the middle, with virtually no lines. Now, depending on your time, I can't guarantee that the characters will still be there, but if you are killing yourself to make good time, you may be able to catch them on the way back with a much shorter wait!

I was reading someones's blog about last year's race and she said the same thing - she waited in the long line and got a bad photo w/Jack b/c it was still so dark. Then near the end she passed them again w/a shorter line and got a good photo b/c the sun had come up.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

All of my Princesses who are staying on Property, can you help me out? I am trying to book for my group. We are wanting to stay in the Moderates because of price split by the 4 of us. Which is better the POFQ or the PORiverside?

We are not picky but wanted to know if there is a better between the two?