*Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Runners' Thread!*

[VernRDH]

Thanks to all who had posted on my earlier question re: Goofy. I have decided to run a local full in October as my first, then maintain/continue to train until Goofy. Biggest reason for this: winter here in the NE can be dicey at best, figured if I got the bulk of my training done in the good weather and completed a full, then the Goofy would not be as daunting.

Another question for those who have experience: are there shuttles from the Downtown Disney area hotels (namely Best Western)? We are dealing with some interesting logistical issues, and trying to work out the bugs already, even though its a long way away.

 

[DVCMAUREEN]

Thanks to all who had posted on my earlier question re: Goofy. I have decided to run a local full in October as my first, then maintain/continue to train until Goofy. Biggest reason for this: winter here in the NE can be dicey at best, figured if I got the bulk of my training done in the good weather and completed a full, then the Goofy would not be as daunting.

Sounds like a plan!

Another question for those who have experience: are there shuttles from the Downtown Disney area hotels (namely Best Western)? We are dealing with some interesting logistical issues, and trying to work out the bugs already, even though its a long way away.

Your best bet might be to walk to SSR to catch a race shuttle. What I can't remember is - would you be able to walk to the stop closest to the Best Western or would you have to walk all the way to the Carriage House? Anyone else know?

 

[NitroStitch]

I love this thread. I read through the entire thing last night. After reading that 2013 is the 20 year anniversary I thought "hmmmm, can I do a full marathon" -- Something I said I would NEVER do -- Now all of you crazy people have me reconsidering!

I am still not sure yet -- I may just stick with the half

I've been thinking the same crazy thoughts!

 

[RunRookie]

Beachgirl2000 and NitroStitch: You can accomplish anything if you do the right preparation. You have a full year to train your bodies for the Marathon. You have run a Half Marathon already so you are already ahead 13.1 miles in your training.

 

[NitroStitch]

Beachgirl2000 and NitroStitch: You can accomplish anything if you do the right preparation. You have a full year to train your bodies for the Marathon. You have run a Half Marathon already so you are already ahead 13.1 miles in your training.

Thanks for the vote of confidence! Before I started training for a Half, I never could have imagined running 6 miles or 9 or 12. Certainly not 13.1! After finishing the Half, I was glad to be done, but not totally wiped out or exhausted, so that does give me hope. Having a year to train certainly helps, and there will be two more (at least) half marathons before next year's half or full.

 

[TinyDancer]

I started using the Jeff Galloway Easy 10k app. Today was my first long run of 5 miles and I survived!!

 

[jmasgat]

Congrats, Brea!

Maura

 

[kim3339]

Today was my first long run of 5 miles and I survived!!

Congrats! That's awesome!

Question for the experienced marathon weekend runners~ how early/fast does the Pop sell out that weekend? I'm upgrading to the Premier Pass and they told me that if they do offer AP discounts for that weekend, they're released about 3-4 months out, I'm just wondering if Pop will be gone already. Is that the cheapest way to get discounted rooms? I went last year w/ my dad so the cost was split which helped a lot, but this year it's just me, so I'm trying to keep it as budgeted as possible. Well that, and the following weekend is the Tink 1/2.

 

[disney_runner]

Congrats! That's awesome!

Question for the experienced marathon weekend runners~ how early/fast does the Pop sell out that weekend? I'm upgrading to the Premier Pass and they told me that if they do offer AP discounts for that weekend, they're released about 3-4 months out, I'm just wondering if Pop will be gone already. Is that the cheapest way to get discounted rooms? I went last year w/ my dad so the cost was split which helped a lot, but this year it's just me, so I'm trying to keep it as budgeted as possible. Well that, and the following weekend is the Tink 1/2.

I don't know how fast it sells out. There were lots of runners there this year wearing medals all weekend. But I just wanted to mention that you can book a room way in advance (even right now) to secure your room, and then change the rate to the Annual Passholder rate when it comes out. I do this all the time!

 

[VernRDH]

Question for anyone who has done this before:

Do you have to pay to park at EPCOT if you drive to the race? We will be driving all three mornings, DH was wondering.

Thanks!

 

[RadioFanatic]

I started using the Jeff Galloway Easy 10k app. Today was my first long run of 5 miles and I survived!!

Congrats - great job!

 

[RadioFanatic]

Hey everyone! I've been off the grid for awhile - my son's 4th birthday party weekend extravaganza was this past weekend (dang he has a lot of friends!) plus crazy at work had me not running since last wednesday - just started back up this morning. thankfully, I knew that going in so I ran three 10k's on my treadmill M,T and W last week to compensate but was ready to run this morning.

Rented points from a DVC'er for next year and just waiting for the 11 month mark on 2/10!

 

[bigtony777]

Is there anyone that ran this year's race and can tell me about the finish area? I am wishing to know if on Sunday, after the marathon, can you enter Epcot to walk to BW or BC? Wishing to know if I can bypass the bus if staying at one of these resorts.

 

[disney_runner]

Question for anyone who has done this before:

Do you have to pay to park at EPCOT if you drive to the race? We will be driving all three mornings, DH was wondering.

Thanks!

No, they don't charge for parking until 7am or something like that. I guess they figure if you're crazy enough to get up that early just to snag free parking (and you're not running), then you deserve it!

 

[RadioFanatic]

Is there anyone that ran this year's race and can tell me about the finish area? I am wishing to know if on Sunday, after the marathon, can you enter Epcot to walk to BW or BC? Wishing to know if I can bypass the bus if staying at one of these resorts.

I can tell you that the finish area is OUTSIDE Epcot in the parking lot; so I'm unsure if you need a ticket to then reenter Epcot to then get to BW or BC. I would hope that if someone saw how you were dressed, with a medal, etc. they wouldn't, but you never know. Hopefully someone can give you a better answer.

 

[bigtony777]

I can tell you that the finish area is OUTSIDE Epcot in the parking lot; so I'm unsure if you need a ticket to then reenter Epcot to then get to BW or BC. I would hope that if someone saw how you were dressed, with a medal, etc. they wouldn't, but you never know. Hopefully someone can give you a better answer.

Thanks for the quick reply. The ticket will not be an issue as we will have AP. It looks like Epcot opened at 9am this year. I will be booking at Boardwalk Villas, but wanted to know if I should try to switch to the Bay Lake Towers for ease of transportation.

Any marathon weekend veterans advice would be appreciated as to which of the two resorts would work out best for transportation or if there really is no difference. I know from running the Wine and Dine that nothing compares to the Epcot resorts. It is so nice to be able to simply walk a few minutes to your room versus waiting in line for a bus and spending another 20 minutes getting back to your room.

 

[Ariel484]

Is there anyone that ran this year's race and can tell me about the finish area? I am wishing to know if on Sunday, after the marathon, can you enter Epcot to walk to BW or BC? Wishing to know if I can bypass the bus if staying at one of these resorts.

Thanks for the quick reply. The ticket will not be an issue as we will have AP. It looks like Epcot opened at 9am this year. I will be booking at Boardwalk Villas, but wanted to know if I should try to switch to the Bay Lake Towers for ease of transportation.

Any marathon weekend veterans advice would be appreciated as to which of the two resorts would work out best for transportation or if there really is no difference. I know from running the Wine and Dine that nothing compares to the Epcot resorts. It is so nice to be able to simply walk a few minutes to your room versus waiting in line for a bus and spending another 20 minutes getting back to your room.

I ran the full this year and stayed at BCV...here's what I remember:

If you want to walk through Epcot, you would need to bring your AP with you. I was planning on doing this after the race but changed my mind...I'm guessing it would've been a 30-45 minute walk (may be overestimating) to walk from the finish area in the parking lot to the entrance, then through the park to the International Gateway, especially since I was moving much more slowly than usual after the race.

The bus transportation was good. There was a bus waiting at the finish area, I hopped on, and after waiting for the bus to fill up, the driver announced the order of the stops: Boardwalk, Swan/Dolphin, then Yacht, then Beach. I ended up getting off at the first stop (Boardwalk) and walking back to Beach from there. The ride itself was very short (maybe 5-7 minutes).

In general I think that the runDisney transportation is very good - I thought the same thing during the Princess Half in 2011 when I stayed at PORS. CMs were near the bus stops with walkie-talkies, so if a bus wasn't there yet they would know to call one. I think the bigger issues come on the day of the WDW Half because it's such a huge race. I don't think you'll have issues if you stay at the Boardwalk. I cannot comment on the monorail resorts transportation as I haven't used it for a race yet, but we're planning on staying at the Polynesian for Marathon Weekend 2013.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I ran the full this year and stayed at BCV...here's what I remember:

If you want to walk through Epcot, you would need to bring your AP with you. I was planning on doing this after the race but changed my mind...I'm guessing it would've been a 30-45 minute walk (may be overestimating) to walk from the finish area in the parking lot to the entrance, then through the park to the International Gateway, especially since I was moving much more slowly than usual after the race.

The bus transportation was good. There was a bus waiting at the finish area, I hopped on, and after waiting for the bus to fill up, the driver announced the order of the stops: Boardwalk, Swan/Dolphin, then Yacht, then Beach. I ended up getting off at the first stop (Boardwalk) and walking back to Beach from there. The ride itself was very short (maybe 5-7 minutes).

In general I think that the runDisney transportation is very good - I thought the same thing during the Princess Half in 2011 when I stayed at PORS. CMs were near the bus stops with walkie-talkies, so if a bus wasn't there yet they would know to call one. I think the bigger issues come on the day of the WDW Half because it's such a huge race. I don't think you'll have issues if you stay at the Boardwalk. I cannot comment on the monorail resorts transportation as I haven't used it for a race yet, but we're planning on staying at the Polynesian for Marathon Weekend 2013.

It may have been good for the full this year, but it was AWFUL for the 1/2. For some reason, we stayed at BCV and they lumped all the epcot resorts together on one bus while all the other resorts had their own buses and it took about an hour to get on one - our line literally looped back and forth three or four times and were right at the latrines which were NOT smelling pretty by that time.

 

[dcr]

DW and I are still up in the air over running this one or the "26.2 with Donna". I want to run through 4 parks. My wife likes the cause at the Donna. We'll have to come to an understanding fairly soon, because I'm getting ready to finish up the training calendar through Feb '13.

Derek

 

[Ariel484]

It may have been good for the full this year, but it was AWFUL for the 1/2. For some reason, we stayed at BCV and they lumped all the epcot resorts together on one bus while all the other resorts had their own buses and it took about an hour to get on one - our line literally looped back and forth three or four times and were right at the latrines which were NOT smelling pretty by that time.

Yeah, I heard the half was crazy! I guess because so many more people run the half compared to the full? I'm with you, I was shocked to see that all of the Epcot resorts were sharing buses. For the Princess Half last year we stayed at PORS, which had a dedicated bus, so I had no idea that there was any bus sharing going on. It seems like a mistake. I must've gotten lucky on Sunday. I'm sorry it was so crappy for you.