Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[DisneyParrothead]

Very cool blog & photos! I was wondering if most people wait in the long, long lines for characters or not. I chose not to when I did the 5K at Animal Kingdom last weekend - just couldn't imagine stopping the run and just standing still in a line for a long time...

I didn't during the Halloween 5K last year. What I did get was a picture of me and Marie with me wearing my medallion. My parents and I opened the W&D festival that morning and were finishing our food from France when Marie emerged. I got to hug a giant kitty

 

[tinkeramy]

Very cool blog & photos! I was wondering if most people wait in the long, long lines for characters or not. I chose not to when I did the 5K at Animal Kingdom last weekend - just couldn't imagine stopping the run and just standing still in a line for a long time...

For the princess, I didn't stop at everything, just the characters that I really liked. Some of the characters that had a long line in the first 2 miles (Jack Sparrow, the princes), were still there on the way back with NO line at all. You really just go with what strikes you the most. Some of the lesser-known characters had very few people in line and you could jump right in with others - I got my picture taken with the guys from the Richard Petty Experience b/c there was almost no line and my niece is a race car nut. I couldn't pass up Tiana, Capt. Hook & Mr. Smee (I was in a Tink-like outfit), and the 3 fairies from Sleeping Beauty! Honestly, I remember waiting in bathroom lines longer than character lines!

Which reminds me - make sure your D-tag (timing chip) is SECURE on your shoe! I remember coming out of the porta-potties in the first mile or 2 and seeing someone's tag lying on the ground. I thought, "They are going to be devastated when they realize it!"

 

[plutolovr]

Added another mile this morning. 10 miles, 1 hour 44 minutes.

 

[pjpoohbear]

PlutoLovr, That is awesome, you are going to be so ready for the race! I do 10k in almost the same time, lol.

I see you are sailing on the Dream this week, I head out the week after. Are you thinking of doing the Castaway 5k? If yes, can you report back on how it went?

Thanks

Pj

 

[rebapple]

Hey all i've never really run and I just decided to do this run and I was wondering what tips and advice that you might have on a non runner getting the pacing and how you know your pacing and distances. Also I don't want to register just yet so that I know I'm sort of on pace to being able to do this and I was wondering when does registration usually close? Can I safely wait a few months?

 

[tinkeramy]

Hey, all - talking about pictures got me thinking - I just posted most of my pics from last year on my blog (under my signature) so you could get a small sense of what to expect. This isn't a detailed race report, just pics with captions. I hope to get a TON more pictures this year!

 

[katepass72]

Hey, all - talking about pictures got me thinking - I just posted most of my pics from last year on my blog (under my signature) so you could get a small sense of what to expect. This isn't a detailed race report, just pics with captions. I hope to get a TON more pictures this year!

AWESOME pictures, Amy - went to your blog and checked them out, and ended up reading your older WDW post; you sum up my thoughts exactly. Dang, I was really hoping to run this thing without crying but that early morning MK run-through is going to get me

 

[Namsupak]

I hope it is just a freak thing and nothing serious!!

i put ice on it and told DD that I couldn't carry her Sat or Sun which is difficult cause she's mommy's girl but she did very well with it. It feels so much better already and I also got a brace. Should be good to go tomorrow but won't push it too much.

12:26 pace is great. Take it easy and put ice on that ankle. I hope you get better.

Thanks for the advice. That's exactly what I did and it feels tons better already. I was just so mad because it was only the first week of training but I think I'm just going to routinely wear an ankle brace from now on. I had surgery on it but that was in 1999 so I figured I would be fine... guess not.

Added another mile this morning. 10 miles, 1 hour 44 minutes.

That's awesome! It's so great to hear other people's times and mileage. Keep up the good work

 

[Nishmom]

Hey all i've never really run and I just decided to do this run and I was wondering what tips and advice that you might have on a non runner getting the pacing and how you know your pacing and distances. Also I don't want to register just yet so that I know I'm sort of on pace to being able to do this and I was wondering when does registration usually close? Can I safely wait a few months?

Two words: JEFF GALLOWAY! Seriously, you can start now and be ready to run the Princess. I'd recommend reading one of his books for runners to get an idea of what he teaches, and download his training plan from the Princess website. Follow that, and you will be good to go!! Oh, and don't skimp on shoes (or a good sports bra). Go to a running store and let them look at your gait and footfall. It's well worth it to spend extra on shoes. And Body Glide is your friend!

Pattie

 

[flgirl36]

Very cool blog & photos! I was wondering if most people wait in the long, long lines for characters or not. I chose not to when I did the 5K at Animal Kingdom last weekend - just couldn't imagine stopping the run and just standing still in a line for a long time...

I only stopped for pics with Goofy and Donald at the Halloween 5k. Luckily the lines for them were short and moved pretty quick. As far as Princess goes, I think I will wait and see how the lines are and which characters I really want.

Julie

 

[stamot]

Hi everyone! Im so excited!!!
I have my flight, my reservation and everything set now I just need to run and run some more
Im already in talk with the owner of sparkleskirts to do my costume. Im thinking a Tiana costume will suit me well.

Hey, all - talking about pictures got me thinking - I just posted most of my pics from last year on my blog (under my signature) so you could get a small sense of what to expect. This isn't a detailed race report, just pics with captions. I hope to get a TON more pictures this year!

Love the pictures! thanks for posting, this is my first marathon and it seems so fun.

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

Which reminds me - make sure your D-tag (timing chip) is SECURE on your shoe! I remember coming out of the porta-potties in the first mile or 2 and seeing someone's tag lying on the ground. I thought, "They are going to be devastated when they realize it!"

I second this. I saw one in MK as we entered Frontierland. My heart broke for that poor person.

Hey all I've never really run and I just decided to do this run and I was wondering what tips and advice that you might have on a non runner getting the pacing and how you know your pacing and distances. Also I don't want to register just yet so that I know I'm sort of on pace to being able to do this and I was wondering when does registration usually close? Can I safely wait a few months?

I was a non-runner when I decided to do this year's princess. I read the book Marathoning for Mortals and followed their run/walk plan. They have several different plans (walk, walk/run, run/walk, and run) I would probably suggest starting with the walk/run plan and if you are comfortable with that switch over to the run/walk plan, or Galloways, which is what I ended up switching too a couple months out.
For pacing you have several different options. If you have a smart phone or an iPod touch they have apps you can download. I haven't used these so I can't say how well they work or not. Also if you have a nano you can get the Nike+ for the nano and it comes with a shoe sensor. I started out using the Nike+ sports band and it was okay but I switched over to a Garmin for the GPS and then switched from the Garmin to the Nike+ watch that has the shoe sensor and GPS. Really it depends on how much you are willing to spend.
The race is currently 50% sold out. You can keep an eye on it at the race page but once it gets to 80% or so I would sign up because it tends to fill pretty quickly by then. I think last years didn't sale out until a couple weeks before, but the race seems to be gaining in popularity so I would wait too long.

 

[katepass72]

Hey all i've never really run and I just decided to do this run and I was wondering what tips and advice that you might have on a non runner getting the pacing and how you know your pacing and distances. Also I don't want to register just yet so that I know I'm sort of on pace to being able to do this and I was wondering when does registration usually close? Can I safely wait a few months?

Welcome! If you have a smartphone, the Nike+ app works really well - has a GPS so you'll know your distance, average pace, etc. You can also set it up for voice notifications of when you've gone a mile, 1/2 mile, etc. - really great when you're not sure how far you've gone (not so great when you swear you've gone 3 miles but have only made it to 1 ). I haven't tried the Garmin watches but it sounds like they have similar features. LogYourRun app is pretty good too - it lets you upload a running history including average pace, routes, etc.

I would go ahead and register if I were you - nothing works as a better workout incentive than putting some cash on the line . Good luck!

 

[plutolovr]

PlutoLovr, That is awesome, you are going to be so ready for the race! I do 10k in almost the same time, lol.

I see you are sailing on the Dream this week, I head out the week after. Are you thinking of doing the Castaway 5k? If yes, can you report back on how it went?

Thanks

Pj

Thanks PJ, I've been trying to add a mile a week, but only run long distance one day a week. I'll run between 5 and 8 miles the other 2 days of the week that I run.

We are doing the 5K while on the cruise. My DH runs too, but not as much as I do. It's funny, a couple months ago I was wondering if I would be able to finish the 5K, I can't believe now that I'm training for a half-marathon. I'm hoping to finish the 5K in 25 minutes, but we'll see.

 

[stitchfan18]

Very cool blog & photos! I was wondering if most people wait in the long, long lines for characters or not. I chose not to when I did the 5K at Animal Kingdom last weekend - just couldn't imagine stopping the run and just standing still in a line for a long time...

I stopped at most of the characters during the 1/2. (You can check out the pictures on my princess blog post: http://runningechols.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/disney-princess-12-marathon-february-27-2011/)
I noticed that the lines for characters weren't too bad from corral B. They got longer during the later parts of the race for popular characters, but most characters I waited less than a minute for. It was nice to take a short break waiting in line in my opinion, but I also had no time goal at all.

 

[kappyfamily]

Question:So why are Disney prices so expensive? Answer: because suckers like me pay them! Just reserved a spot for the race retreat and also got one for my sis in law who is running with me! It will be her Xmas present, hope she likes it!

I figured I'm running "the princess", will be dressed like a princess, might as well spoil myself like a princess! Here's hoping it's worth the $!

Michele

 

[sunshine269]

Question:So why are Disney prices so expensive? Answer: because suckers like me pay them! Just reserved a spot for the race retreat and also got one for my sis in law who is running with me! It will be her Xmas present, hope she likes it!

I figured I'm running "the princess", will be dressed like a princess, might as well spoil myself like a princess! Here's hoping it's worth the $!

Michele

I just registered for the retreat too, It's a lot of money, hope its worth it.

I registered for the Princess at the expo at Wine & Dine. I received my confirmation email, but when I went to the site to check my registration, it said no record found. I emailed active, but no answer yet

Jennifer

 

[stitchfan18]

I just registered for the retreat too, It's a lot of money, hope its worth it.

I registered for the Princess at the expo at Wine & Dine. I received my confirmation email, but when I went to the site to check my registration, it said no record found. I emailed active, but no answer yet

Jennifer

I've found the online record system to be very hit or miss. I registered for Goofy using the visa discount, so it doesn't recognize my registration. I think the online records only really work when you register online the traditional way.

 

[DisneyBoyz]

Awesome pictures ladies! Thank you all for sharing!! I know have a few characters in my mental list...Phineas and Ferb?!! How awesome! I am a bit hesitant though, I want to make good time and not be standing in lines. I too have a honking camera that I always take on vacation, but doesnt exactly fit in my pocket. Would love to rent a good little camera with a long battery life as I would only use it during races. Wonder if anyone does that?!

 

[stamot]

Sundenly reading about the race a lot of questions came to mi mind.

1. How do they measure the time? Does your time start when Corral A start or when your Corral start?? I will be in the last corrals so I worry that if the time start before my Corral start that means I have less time to finish the race

2. I call Run Disney today and ask them about the Retreat and the girl said she didnt know what I was talking about. Where do you call for the Retreat?

3. Are there a lot of water break a long the race? I drink water every 30 minutes. Do I need to bring my own bottle of water?

4. After the race starts how does the family members get around?? Does Disney provide transportation for them?? How my husband will know where to go??

Some one help!!!