Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[NCrunner]

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!!

YES! I think they need to have a class on customer service in those specialty running stores, I too got the "runner?" look and with the smirk, totaly dis-hearting! We Princessess have to stick together and just learn to smile and say YEP, I'm a runner!

 

[Twingle]

Look what my friend made me!!!!

This is super cute! Mind if I share on Facebook?

 

[NCrunner]

I see all the Princess themed cuteness happening....wanted to add one more....I got this for my car and it is too cute! on ebay type in search box:

13.1 Half-Marathon Princess Tiara Vinyl Decal Sticker
Item number: 140400582803

Rhonda

PS. I dont know how many of you have RunDisney subscribed for their daily text for inspiration but todays said: pay yourself to run....for every mile you run pay yourself $1, then you will have enough to treat yourself (at expo everybody raving about is my thought!)

 

[TMcDwyer]

This is super cute! Mind if I share on Facebook?

Feel free to share with anyone.

 

[TMcDwyer]

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?

I have never stayed in either, but we are staying at POFQ for the Wine & Dine based on the recommendations of other WiSHers.

 

[KathleensKid]

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?

I asked on the resort board which they though was better for a group of women, and the overwhelming answer was POFQ.
I would choose that just b/c the Aligator Bayou section of POR is not my style (too rustic looking).
Have you checked out this site? Very helpful:
http://www.portorleans.org/

 

[fashionista311]

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

but to be fair, if you had just dedicated the past 5-10 years of your life running anywhere from 50-100 miles/week to just get to the point where you are close enough that you can actually have a shot to bq at your next race too...you would be quite upset, too!

and then there are those who are very naturally quite speedy, and can chase a bq after their first marathon and run somewhat minimally...those are the ones i want to smack! but i think you'll find that most of those who have bqed have worked very, very, hard to get there.

but guys - seriously - don't stress about your pace compared to others. there is always going to be someone stronger, faster, fitter than you...it's the nature of the sport. you're just racing against yourself, the clock...and ok maybe the sweepers, too but there's so much time before the race...i just know all of you are going to do fantastic.

 

[mickey's miles]

Feel free to share with anyone.

Love it!! Thanks - and thanks for the ok for us to use!!

Your friendly is a genius!!

 

[disneyfreak1]

but to be fair, if you had just dedicated the past 5-10 years of your life running anywhere from 50-100 miles/week to just get to the point where you are close enough that you can actually have a shot to bq at your next race too...you would be quite upset, too!

and then there are those who are very naturally quite speedy, and can chase a bq after their first marathon and run somewhat minimally...those are the ones i want to smack! but i think you'll find that most of those who have bqed have worked very, very, hard to get there.

but guys - seriously - don't stress about your pace compared to others. there is always going to be someone stronger, faster, fitter than you...it's the nature of the sport. you're just racing against yourself, the clock...and ok maybe the sweepers, too but there's so much time before the race...i just know all of you are going to do fantastic.

I will just be running against the sweepers!

 

[tinkeramy]

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?

I was under the impression that to be placed in some of the first corrals, actual proof of time was required, not just the estimate you put on your registration. No proof of time would be placed by declared estimate in some of the later corrals. Now, I haven't read this anywhere; this is just what makes sense to me, so I could be completely off. Regardless, I'm sending in a proof so I have a good shot at "B" again - I'm not worried about sweepers, but I sure do hate standing around waiting for it to start!!!!

 

[tinkeramy]

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.

Coach is correct - only some of the characters had the ASI photographers and the pics were VERY pricey. A little while after the run (a week, maybe?) you get an e-mail with all the pics the pros took of you along the race and at the finish. Make sure your bib is visible! So even if you are on vacation and you are doing the photopass thing, these will not go on it since the photographers are contracted.

Another photo tip - after you run through the castle, look to the left - there will be a line by the fence so you can get your pic taken in front of the castle. They have it set up nicely so that there is nobody else in the background and you look like you are the only one there! I ran by the line, realized what it was, and ended up being the fish going upstream to get back in line! (This did NOT make me any friends!) Also, this sounds so silly, but think about your pose for this shot. I looked at the pic online and ended up not getting it b/c the way I had my legs bent made me look like I was doing the potty dance - lovely!

 

[miralys]

This looks interesting. Do you mind if I ask how much it costs?

Sorry for the late reply. I don't visit as much as I should!

It depends on your insurance, but my insurance (Cigna) considers this a chiropractor visit, so I get charged the $25 copay. It's well worth the money to me, especially since I don't have to spend money on NSAIDs, cream rubs, braces, etc anymore. I was going twice a week, but now I am up to visiting every 8 weeks. At no time did the guy I go to ever tell me to stop running either. In fact, he said if he can't get me back to running he is doing something wrong! Your mileage may vary, but I am pleased. I wish I had learned about ART sooner.

 

[orlandogirl81]

Question about the sweepers....

I've seen finish line photo of someone finishing at 4 hours 9 minutes.... this is a 19 minute pace.... how come up they didn't get swept if the minimum requirement is 16 minutes/mile?

what am I missing? I'm about an 18 minute pace right now...

 

[tinkeramy]

Question about the sweepers....

I've seen finish line photo of someone finishing at 4 hours 9 minutes.... this is a 19 minute pace.... how come up they didn't get swept if the minimum requirement is 16 minutes/mile?

what am I missing? I'm about an 18 minute pace right now...

The time on the clock is when the first corral left. By the time the last corral left, the clock had already been ticking for a while. If you are not running with a garmin or some app that tracks your personal time, they will post results on the website that afternoon that will tell you your clock time - what you saw when you crossed the line - and your chip time - what your personal time is from the minute YOU crossed the start line to the finish line.

 

[cewait]

Question about the sweepers....

I've seen finish line photo of someone finishing at 4 hours 9 minutes.... this is a 19 minute pace.... how come up they didn't get swept if the minimum requirement is 16 minutes/mile?

what am I missing? I'm about an 18 minute pace right now...

With the wave starts of the race, the last corral pushes off about 28-30 minutes after the first corral. In addition, the race results currently on the RunDisney site do not reflect the corrected results. The 4:12 time for the last runner would actually be 3:44 ish.

You really need to be in the 16 minute range later in the year. Currently with the heat of the summer, an 18 minute pace is not too far away from a cool weather 16 minute pace. The last real firm sweep point in the rce is in the 10-12 mile range. Once past this point you are good to go as you are off the streets.

 

[NewfieMom]

So, for arguements sake, if you started in an earlier corral but took longer than expected - say, close to 4 hours, but not swept - you'd still be considered to have finished and would get a medal? My fear would be going over the recommended time and not getting credit for finishing it!

 

[cewait]

So, for arguements sake, if you started in an earlier corral but took longer than expected - say, close to 4 hours, but not swept - you'd still be considered to have finished and would get a medal? My fear would be going over the recommended time and not getting credit for finishing it!

Yes, regardless of how long it takes if you cross the finish line you will get a medal. They have no real way of knowing your personal chip time in the medal area.

No, you may not have an official time or get a certificate of completion - this will vary from year to year. I am betting that if you were to look up the finish line photo for the last person listed on the finisher list you would see folks behind them. Disney tries to make sure that all folks who finished in the official time limit are listed on the official finisher list, usually going up to 10 minutes or so longer than the 3:30 limit. For most folks, missing out on the official finisher list is not as critical as getting the bling.

I hope I answered your question. Train hard and rest hard and you will get there in good order.

 

[saysay]

I was under the impression that to be placed in some of the first corrals, actual proof of time was required, not just the estimate you put on your registration. No proof of time would be placed by declared estimate in some of the later corrals. Now, I haven't read this anywhere; this is just what makes sense to me, so I could be completely off. Regardless, I'm sending in a proof so I have a good shot at "B" again - I'm not worried about sweepers, but I sure do hate standing around waiting for it to start!!!!

Do you have to have proof for UNDER 2:45? Is that the difference? Oh and I submitted 1:12 10K last year with proof and was also in Corral B...nice surprise to be up close to the front - I felt like a super athlete! Hoping to beat it to keep me in Corral B, still feel like it was a fluke!

Just got back from WDW.....I cannot wait for the next race....but I sure need to start training again. This weather is crazy hot.....and the humidity, sheesh....

 

[NewfieMom]

Yes, regardless of how long it takes if you cross the finish line you will get a medal. They have no real way of knowing your personal chip time in the medal area.

No, you may not have an official time or get a certificate of completion - this will vary from year to year. I am betting that if you were to look up the finish line photo for the last person listed on the finisher list you would see folks behind them. Disney tries to make sure that all folks who finished in the official time limit are listed on the official finisher list, usually going up to 10 minutes or so longer than the 3:30 limit. For most folks, missing out on the official finisher list is not as critical as getting the bling.

I hope I answered your question. Train hard and rest hard and you will get there in good order.

Thanks Coach, you definitely answered the question, and it's one I'd been wondering about for ages. And I want to whole prize package - official time, completion certificate, and bling - so the sneakers will be laced up again tomorrow!

Keep training, Princesses!

 

[stitchfan18]

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!

Definitely true! If I would have known this tip this year I probably would have cut about 10 minutes off my finish time. I was in coral B when I passed the Pirate and Princes photo opps and the lines were already really long for them. I'm sure they got longer and longer as the race went on.
This is my picture from the first time I passed the pirates and waited several minutes to get.

I waited less than a minute for this picture the second time I passed. I only wish the photographer would have framed the picture with more of the boat, and would have held the camera higher so I didn't look like a giant