Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[mamacate]

Congrats to all on your fabulous races this past weekend! I had planned to do the Pell Bridge Run in Newport RI, but I had the chance to spend the weekend in NYC with my 9-year-old daughter and her two best friends (and my mom) going to The Chocolate Show. I figure that's kind of the ultimate in "unhealthy choices" but still it was fun.

I walked a bunch in NYC, but no running this weekend. Last week I did 8.7 miles. I have been flirting with a 10-miler for a while now and it feels like a bit of a mental block. I turn 42 this Sunday--maybe I'll do that 10-miler on my birthday! I'll earn that birthday dinner!

All this corral talk is making me wish I could move up. I put 3:15 down as my projected time, which is probably pretty realistic. I did the Tufts 10K (I'm also in MA, but in the western part), and my time was 1:27. I thought I could do better, but went out too fast, and then the shin pain that had been dogging me kind of hit me hard at mile 2. I wish I could try another 10K to see if I can improve on that, but there aren't many around here in the winter.

I haven't been posting much, but I've been checking in regularly and keeping up with you all. Keep up your awesome training everyone--you're inspiring me!

Cate

 

[FlowersCroon]

We're staying at PO-Riverside, flying in Saturday & staying a few days past the race.

Can't wait to meet y'all!!!

My daughter and I are also staying at POR - Riverside. This is going to be my first 1/2 also - just started running like 4 weeks ago. LOL We'll see how it goes. Hope to see you there!

 

[FlowersCroon]

I would go ahead and send it it....the Princess is chocked full of character and photo opps, so even if you aren't worried about getting swept, it just could put you closer to the front giving you more time for those photos!

Yikes! So is that to say that because of characters and photo opps - us slower folks are going to be swept?

All this corral talk is making me wish I could move up. I put 3:15 down as my projected time, which is probably pretty realistic. I did the Tufts 10K (I'm also in MA, but in the western part), and my time was 1:27. I thought I could do better, but went out too fast, and then the shin pain that had been dogging me kind of hit me hard at mile 2. I wish I could try another 10K to see if I can improve on that, but there aren't many around here in the winter.

I put down 3 hours and am not trying to let the above post freak me out too much, but I'm worried. I don't want to get swept.

 

[schmass]

I just got the response from Run Disney letting me know they have updated my time, so right now they are taking about 6 business days for those of you still waiting...

Congrats to all on your fabulous races this past weekend! I had planned to do the Pell Bridge Run in Newport RI, but I had the chance to spend the weekend in NYC with my 9-year-old daughter and her two best friends (and my mom) going to The Chocolate Show. I figure that's kind of the ultimate in "unhealthy choices" but still it was fun.

I walked a bunch in NYC, but no running this weekend. Last week I did 8.7 miles. I have been flirting with a 10-miler for a while now and it feels like a bit of a mental block. I turn 42 this Sunday--maybe I'll do that 10-miler on my birthday! I'll earn that birthday dinner!

All this corral talk is making me wish I could move up. I put 3:15 down as my projected time, which is probably pretty realistic. I did the Tufts 10K (I'm also in MA, but in the western part), and my time was 1:27. I thought I could do better, but went out too fast, and then the shin pain that had been dogging me kind of hit me hard at mile 2. I wish I could try another 10K to see if I can improve on that, but there aren't many around here in the winter.

I haven't been posting much, but I've been checking in regularly and keeping up with you all. Keep up your awesome training everyone--you're inspiring me!

Cate

Hello from the other side of the state! I briefly thought about the Pell Bridge Run in Newport as well, but ultimately couldn't make it. I did the Amica 1/2 marathon in Newport in October, and that is a race I HIGHLY recommend - it was beautiful!!

Are you near Springfield at all? I saw several 10ks in Springfield on coolrunning.

Happy Birthday!

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

All this corral talk is making me wish I could move up. I put 3:15 down as my projected time, which is probably pretty realistic. I did the Tufts 10K (I'm also in MA, but in the western part), and my time was 1:27. I thought I could do better, but went out too fast, and then the shin pain that had been dogging me kind of hit me hard at mile 2. I wish I could try another 10K to see if I can improve on that, but there aren't many around here in the winter.

Cate

I would just go ahead and submit that time; it will still move you up. Last year I didn't submit a time at all and was in corral D because I put an EFT of 2:56. I had a friend who submitted 1:17 and was in corral B so you would probably be in B or C with that time.

Yikes! So is that to say that because of characters and photo opps - us slower folks are going to be swept?

I put down 3 hours and am not trying to let the above post freak me out too much, but I'm worried. I don't want to get swept.

They suggest that you train at a 15 min/ mil pace to allow for bathroom breaks and photo ops. If you are worried about being swept I would just stick to the characters you really want pics with.
I actually didn't take any character pictures this year and only stopped for a castle pic, which didn't turn out too good, but next year I plan to take some more pics since I run a bit faster now.

 

[JCH]

How many corrals are there? I am signed up for a 10K on Thanksgiving, but am wondering if I should do another afterwards to try to get a decent time. How fast do you need to do a 10k to make it worth sending it in as opposed to an estimated time of 3 hours?

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

How many corrals are there? I am signed up for a 10K on Thanksgiving, but am wondering if I should do another afterwards to try to get a decent time. How fast do you need to do a 10k to make it worth sending it in as opposed to an estimated time of 3 hours?

Last year there were 6 corrals, which I believe was 1 more then the year before, but I am not positive since I didn't run it that year.
My philosophy is it is better to submit a time, if you have, then not.
Disney is very generous in the estimates and they put those that do submit a time in front of those who don't.
I can not say what you would need since I have no clue, but I will say that I did not submit a time for this year's princess and I was in corral D, so submitting a time should put you in B or C (depending on how many people submit and time and the times they submit).
I probably wouldn't stress too much about doing another 10K since chances are your time would not change enough to make a difference, corral wise, unless you are right on the cut off line, which there is no way to know anyway. I had friends who submitted 65 minutes, 1:13 and 1:17 last year and they were all in B, which was said to be for those with estimated finish times between 2:00 and either 2:30 or 2:45, I don't remember which it was now.

 

[saysay]

Yikes! So is that to say that because of characters and photo opps - us slower folks are going to be swept?



I put down 3 hours and am not trying to let the above post freak me out too much, but I'm worried. I don't want to get swept.

NO NOT AT ALL - don't want to freak anyone out!!!!! Just if you can get in a corral closer to the front, then you will have "more time" to finish. I was in corral B last year based on a 10K I did at 1:12. In January I got a bad case of Plantar Faciitis and basically stopped my training to try to recover for the race. I finished in 3:30ish I think....my avg pace was just at the minimum but because I was up in the 2nd corral I never saw the sweepers. The sweepers start when the last runner crosses the starting line for the race, so if you are in that corral then you HAVE to maintain the race pace....if you are up in any of the other corrals you get a little cushion and more time before you would see the sweepers. I think the Corrals start like 6 or 10 minutes apart, so the closer to the front, the more time you have before you get swept. Hope I am making sense.

 

[mamacate]

Thanks for all the awesome advice! I had asked a question about submitting a time that wouldn't get me to a 2:45 half, and was advised against it, but I figure it can't hurt, so perhaps I will.

FlowersCroon, don't stress! As a beginner, I am always having to remind myself not to compare myself to more experienced/younger/thinner/fitter/more athletic runners who are so much faster with less training. It's challenging, but my favorite thing about this board (and Disney races in general and the Princess in particular) is that it seems quite supportive of all kinds of runners. If you're able to run 15mm in training, you'll probably never see the sweepers! (And you'll be in the back of the pack with the fun people...like me!)

Are you near Springfield at all? I saw several 10ks in Springfield on coolrunning.

Happy Birthday!

Schmass, I am near Springfield (Northampton). I just looked at Coolrunning and I see those too, now. I hadn't see anything on Active a month or so ago, and I hadn't known about the Jolly Jaunt, which would be perfect, but there's a big 5K here in Northampton that I've already signed up for on that day. Drat. There are some other 10Ks, but they're recurring club races, and with my penguin speed, I am just too scared to be the last person by a 15 minutes or something, so I try to stick to bigger races.

I don't NEED that cushion of an earlier corral, it would just be nice to have it. I don't expect to want to wait in line for photos, and I gather only the folks up front don't have to wait in line. I suppose it's just more reason to chill out and have fun. And that's why I'm doing this! Then I'll have plenty of chances to improve my time (and run spring and fall 10Ks to prove it) for next year! And if I happen upon the perfect 10K between now and then, well, I'm in! (Keep me posted, New England peeps, on penguin-friendly runs this winter.)

Schmass, Thanks for the birthday wishes, and congrats on having your time updated!

Cate

 

[Bookwood]

I'd just like to ask people not to turn in a time they don't think they can maintain. (I understand about injuries/illness ect) but if you start with a deflated time you may keep someone from getting the time they need if you're in front of them. So please (for those of us that can't zig and zag as well anymore) don't turn in a time to start that you don't think you can maintain.

 

[stitchfan18]

I'd just like to ask people not to turn in a time they don't think they can maintain. (I understand about injuries/illness ect) but if you start with a deflated time you may keep someone from getting the time they need if you're in front of them. So please (for those of us that can't zig and zag as well anymore) don't turn in a time to start that you don't think you can maintain.

I don't think people intentionally turn in a time a lot faster than they plan to run at Disney. You have to have a reasonable proof of time to get into an earlier corral (ie: I can't turn in a 3:00 1/2 time and say I plan to run a sub 2:00 1/2 at Disney...) There are a lot of factors outside of actually running that can make your finish time go up, and cause concern to finish under the cutoff time. I know I personally never plan to finish anywhere near my PR at Disney, but I still submit that time to get an earlier corral placement. While I'm running I maintain that pace, but I stop for pictures with characters, so naturally my finish time is greater than most in my corral. I don't really have an opinion of the times people put down if they aren't submitting a proof of time, but for those that are giving proof of time, I don't see anything wrong with starting in a corral that pace. That's something they worked hard to earn, and obviously they can run that pace for at least 6 miles. With adrenaline and a flat course, that puts them well into the areas where crowds aren't a concern anymore on the course.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

This year I ran both the WDW Half and the Princess. I used my WDW Half time from 2010 for placement for both races. Prior to this year's Half, I started running 10M every weekend. My time really improved. Then I was in great shape (for me!) for the Princess. As I was running, it became clear I started a corral behind where I should have -- but it was ok with me. I was passing people left and right and had a new PR!

My point is, even if you wind up in a corral that is "slower" than you are, it really won't hold you back. First, people are stopping for pictures, so the course isn't quite as crowded. Second, you will just pass the people who are ahead of you, and you probably will do it before the course really narrows and that becomes tough.

Maria

 

[tinkeramy]

Now that we are getting into the higher mileages and colder weather, I just want to throw some encouragement out there! Seems like lots of people are showing concern over corral placement, sweepers, getting the job done, et cetera. I had every single one of those worries this time last year! I was a new runner and couldn't imagine this half-marathon thing. If it helps at all, let me reassure you how much FUN the Princess was!!! There was SO MUCH support from fellow runners, the crowd & cast members. The characters / cast members were fabulous, the atmosphere was fun and the photo stops provided the perfect breaks! I was in Corral B, but from a photo standpoint (because let's not forget that!) a lower corral would be better - my pics prior to getting into the MK were darker than I would have liked! It was really a great experience. Julie (SaySay) and I ran separately last year, but this year I have pledged to stick together because I can only imagine how much MORE fun it will be with a pal! But if you are running solo, don't worry - I only ran into one snotty runner on the course; everyone else was lovely and chatty and silly. The snotty girl made a snide remark to me when I shouted out something about "the money shot" as we were approaching the castle. So I shot past her and got through the castle first The crowd is great, too. Approaching the finish, one runner yelled out, "This is my mom's first half!" Everyone around her and the whole crowd started clapping and cheering even louder - I still get kinda choked up just thinking about it! So, bottom line - keep up the training, take care of yourself, and enjoy the day!!!

 

[LaurieG]

Good Morning all,
Great jobs on the runs! I am going to start running again on Monday, have been sidelined with a stupid, stupid, foot injury, not sure what I did,but have followed, the RICE with some ibuprofen thrown in and I am am good to go! So excited to get the sneakers back on! I have been doing the elliptical for 5 miles every morning instead, just not the same

 

[AliceSpark]

First, congrats to all on all the races and prs it is so inspirational.!

Thanks Tinkeramy for the encouragemnet. I teared up a little at your description of the crowd - I am running solo but I am hoping my daughters (24 & 22) will be in the crowd cheering me on.

I get nervous about being swept a recently ran my mm at 13.5 which gives me right at 16 minutes estimate but I am just trying to trust in the process that I will improve over the next 3 months of training. Long run this weekend of 6 miles. For me every long run from now on will be the longest distance I have ever run or run/walked. Have a great weekend.
Martha

 

[Tabetha]

We're a day or two behind in our training thanks to rocky seas, but we're still going strong. We've got the Galloway Princess training program printed up and taped to our cabin wall, and we're crossing off the days as we go - and we've finished page one yesterday! That felt like a milestone.
Its great to see the progress in a visual way.

Also great is to finish a run and feel strong and happy! I'm really enjoying running, it's a very empowering thing to do, I'm discovering. I get why people do it - those same people I used to think we're 'kooks'. Apparently, I'm a kook, too.

I can't wait to see all of you out there on the course, and cheer for each and every one of you!

 

[Tabetha]

Good Morning all,
Great jobs on the runs! I am going to start running again on Monday, have been sidelined with a stupid, stupid, foot injury, not sure what I did,but have followed, the RICE with some ibuprofen thrown in and I am am good to go! So excited to get the sneakers back on! I have been doing the elliptical for 5 miles every morning instead, just not the same

Good for you for finding a way to keep up with your training! That's dedication!

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

Thanks for all the awesome advice! I had asked a question about submitting a time that wouldn't get me to a 2:45 half, and was advised against it, but I figure it can't hurt, so perhaps I will.

FlowersCroon, don't stress! As a beginner, I am always having to remind myself not to compare myself to more experienced/younger/thinner/fitter/more athletic runners who are so much faster with less training. It's challenging, but my favorite thing about this board (and Disney races in general and the Princess in particular) is that it seems quite supportive of all kinds of runners. If you're able to run 15mm in training, you'll probably never see the sweepers! (And you'll be in the back of the pack with the fun people...like me!)

I am honestly not sure how Disney uses the times to decide your estimated finish, but I have heard from many people that it is quite generous so really unless you submit it you wont be sure where they would place you.

I often have to remind myself not to compare myself to others either. I have been running for just about 2 years now and I tend to get very frustrated when I hear people who just started a few weeks ago are running farther and faster then me, but I just try to remind myself of what my distance and pace use to be and how far I have came, with no real injuries and I get over it.

I don't think people intentionally turn in a time a lot faster than they plan to run at Disney. You have to have a reasonable proof of time to get into an earlier corral (ie: I can't turn in a 3:00 1/2 time and say I plan to run a sub 2:00 1/2 at Disney...) There are a lot of factors outside of actually running that can make your finish time go up, and cause concern to finish under the cutoff time. I know I personally never plan to finish anywhere near my PR at Disney, but I still submit that time to get an earlier corral placement. While I'm running I maintain that pace, but I stop for pictures with characters, so naturally my finish time is greater than most in my corral. I don't really have an opinion of the times people put down if they aren't submitting a proof of time, but for those that are giving proof of time, I don't see anything wrong with starting in a corral that pace. That's something they worked hard to earn, and obviously they can run that pace for at least 6 miles. With adrenaline and a flat course, that puts them well into the areas where crowds aren't a concern anymore on the course.

ITA. They earned that time and have just as much right as anyone else to submit it as proof for placement.

 

[fashionista311]

I'd just like to ask people not to turn in a time they don't think they can maintain. (I understand about injuries/illness ect) but if you start with a deflated time you may keep someone from getting the time they need if you're in front of them. So please (for those of us that can't zig and zag as well anymore) don't turn in a time to start that you don't think you can maintain.

normally i'm a huge stickler for this stuff too (this was HUGE issue in the new york marathon this year), but i honestly think for this particular race, you don't really have anything to worry about. there's such a huge range in the corrals up front compared to other races (anything sub-2 corral a, 2-2:30 corral b) that everyone spaces out and there's not much of a difference in corral placement between their race and training paces anyways

 

[saysay]

We're a day or two behind in our training thanks to rocky seas, but we're still going strong. We've got the Galloway Princess training program printed up and taped to our cabin wall, and we're crossing off the days as we go - and we've finished page one yesterday! That felt like a milestone.
Its great to see the progress in a visual way.

Also great is to finish a run and feel strong and happy! I'm really enjoying running, it's a very empowering thing to do, I'm discovering. I get why people do it - those same people I used to think we're 'kooks'. Apparently, I'm a kook, too.

I can't wait to see all of you out there on the course, and cheer for each and every one of you!

I know what you mean about the kook thing...totally me last year. I love my running....ok, my run/walking.

Last year I was amazed at how many people I recognized form Disboards. We shared our outfits and some pictures so I saw some people and was able to say Hi along the way. I have to tell you I hurt my foot as my disboarders knew and I got SO much encouragement from the Disboarders I met, it was amazing. Really meant so much to me!

As for the Corral thing....I think if you submit a time from a race - you earned a spot in that corral. If you know you can't maintain the pace of the corral you are in, just go over to the right or in the back of the pack and be courteous. I had literally thousands of people passing me last year and I didn't get one ill glance or voice, on the contrary people were so nice and polite. If you are a Gallowalker, just start to notice what is behind you when you are going from run to walk. and get in the practice of letting the people behind you know with words or a gesture, I got SO many thank yous last year for saying "WALK" and the moving over to the side...again, people were so nice.

I ran alone most of the race, but finished the last mile with a nice girl who also had Plantar Faciitis. It was a great way to finish and we both ran the last 100 yards or so after hobbling on our sore feet through Epcot chatting about our injuries. It was great encouragement and I finished feeling so good about what I had done. Who cares how long it took!

I can't wait. Its fun when you get in your training where you say "I ONLY have to do 3 miles this day" when you think about how far that seemed when you started training!