Official 2015 Disneyland Half Marathon Thread.

[Keels]

Besides---if you run too fast, you might not decide to do the character stops or write your great trip reports. If you don't do it, who can we count on? (No pressure)

100x this!

 

[zanzibar138]

Ugh, same. Although I think I'd have to take 60-90 seconds off of my 10K time, which seems like not a lot and a ton at the same time. Like...saying 1-1:30 off of the total time doesn't seem like a lot but that means 10-15 seconds per mile faster, which seems impossible.

To reach my 10k goal time that I'd hoped to submit to RunDisney, I still need to lose 6 minutes from my total time I don't think that will be happening...

I guess I'm in the minority. When I'm in a race I don't want to stop for anything. I bypass all the photo stops and head directly for the finish line. That's the photo I want! On the plus side I don't have to worry much about what corral I'm in. They are all the same to me.

I'm a little bit like that SgtTibbs. Our plan is to use the 5k to goof off and stop for all the characters/entertainment/mile markers etc. For the half, we'll probably just do what we did for the 10k last year. We stopped for photos, but didn't wait in any lines - more just briefly paused for a photo and kept running. For the WOC fountains etc, we just stepped to the side rather than lining up at the official spot. It takes the pressure off realising that I don't need to stress that much about what corral I'm in.

True, but I've been focusing so much on my pace lately that it's starting to burn me out and make me really not enjoy running right now...so I'm not sure that the mental stress I am experiencing now is worth it.

Of course I'll probably feel differently come September!

I think I'm getting this too. I just haven't felt motivated to get back into it since my last 10k (nearly 3 weeks ago!). I think it's because I'm dreading all the speed work. I might just start with some nice easy runs and see if that helps me get my mojo back.

 

[Ariel484]

@Ariel484 I have been doing the same thing. I think for me it's the transition from interval training for Dopey to straight running during my training now. During that 6 months of training it was all about distance for me, and I didn't care about time. Now that I've gotten the marathon bug out of me, I really want to push for some new PR's this year, but I'm struggling because during Dopey training, even a 4-miler was all about intervals.

I don't know what my deal is right now. I'm thinking with the weather finally getting nicer, that will help me. This winter really bummed me out!

Same thing with the intervals during Dopey training. Like you, I didn't care about my times AT ALL. Plus, I'd hurt my foot in September and had 3 weeks of no running, so I think I lost speed during that time and didn't really try to gain it back since I didn't care about it during Dopey training...

Ariel---I totally understand about working hard and how it takes the enjoyment out of running. I am going through the same thing right now. But all of that hard work will hopefully pay off for PRs at some events and a slower, easier, MORE ENJOYABLE run at Disney in the fall. At least that's my plan (I reserve the right to change my mind in the future).

That is always my "strategy" - work harder for the races at home and then reward myself with a a fun Disney race (or races, as the case may be)! Hopefully this little funk of mine will pass.

Besides---if you run too fast, you might not decide to do the character stops or write your great trip reports. If you don't do it, who can we count on? (No pressure)

LOL!! Thanks for the kind words!!

Oh I'll stop for the characters. That and the bling are the main reasons why I do these things!

YES! Love her trip reports!

Aw shucks, thanks!

That's the way I think about Disney races too but honestly for the half there isn't much to see after the first few miles. That's not say they don't have entertainment on the course but other then maybe Angel Stadium I don't recall there being much memorable. Does anyone recall much once you are out of the parks?

I've heard that once you're gone from Disney property, the characters aren't out but they have bands, cheerleading squads, etc. I need to start digging around for a detailed, picture-heavy Disneyland Half Marathon trip report.

100x this!

Well thanks! Y'all really do know how to make a gal feel special.

To reach my 10k goal time that I'd hoped to submit to RunDisney, I still need to lose 6 minutes from my total time I don't think that will be happening...

Maybe you and I will just get some magical burst of speed on race day...adrenaline and all that.

 

[IamTrike]

Ugh, same. Although I think I'd have to take 60-90 seconds off of my 10K time, which seems like not a lot and a ton at the same time. Like...saying 1-1:30 off of the total time doesn't seem like a lot but that means 10-15 seconds per mile faster, which seems impossible.

10 seconds per mile over your current PR or 10 seconds per mile over your current training pace? If it's the latter it's probably very doable. I think a lot of the training stuff I was looking at estimated you could run about 15-30 seconds faster per mile on race day.

 

[Ariel484]

10 seconds per mile over your current PR or 10 seconds per mile over your current training pace? If it's the latter it's probably very doable. I think a lot of the training stuff I was looking at estimated you could run about 15-30 seconds faster per mile on race day.

10 seconds/mile over my current PR. I haven't done speedwork in months and the race is in mid-May, so that seems like a tall order to me.

 

[croach]

Ariel484 - this blog does a decent job of laying out the course for you.

http://whyirundisney.com/rundisney-half-marathon-courses/

 

[Ariel484]

Ariel484 - this blog does a decent job of laying out the course for you.

http://whyirundisney.com/rundisney-half-marathon-courses/

EERIE...I literally JUST finished reading that. Are you psychic??

 

[Chiomaca]

Ariel---I totally understand about working hard and how it takes the enjoyment out of running. I am going through the same thing right now. But all of that hard work will hopefully pay off for PRs at some events and a slower, easier, MORE ENJOYABLE run at Disney in the fall. At least that's my plan (I reserve the right to change my mind in the future).

Besides---if you run too fast, you might not decide to do the character stops or write your great trip reports. If you don't do it, who can we count on? (No pressure)

Agreed! On strategy and trip reports. I work on speed at local races and just expect a slower time at RunDisney events because I'll want pictures and to do somepeople watching. For Goofy this year, I ran the half and played with friends for the full. Disneyland offers more chances to just open up and run since there is so much on city streets.

Slogger - I'm running Shamrock, too. Just the half because I'm running with a group and we can't all be together until Saturday evening. Weren't there a lof of people who ran WDW Marathon weekend who were also going to be at Shamrock?

That's the way I think about Disney races too but honestly for the half there isn't much to see after the first few miles. That's not say they don't have entertainment on the course but other then maybe Angel Stadium I don't recall there being much memorable. Does anyone recall much once you are out of the parks?

Once you're out of the park the entertainment is more like a standard road race - cheerleaders and bands. For Star Wars and Avengers, rD recruited co-players so there were Superheros/Star Wars characters out for a section of the run. For Avengers, it was wonderful because they were along the dry riverbed that leads to the Stadium. The Red Hat ladies are out for Tinkerbell, last year they were right at the Downtown Disney entrance and were lots of fun.

 

[croach]

EERIE...I literally JUST finished reading that. Are you psychic??

I can neither confirm or deny my psychic abilities.

 

[Slogger]

Slogger - I'm running Shamrock, too. Just the half because I'm running with a group and we can't all be together until Saturday evening. Weren't there a lof of people who ran WDW Marathon weekend who were also going to be at Shamrock?
.

Chiomaca--yes, my family of 4 will be running Saturday and then just my wife and I for the half on Sunday. Weather looks good.....so far.
Seemed like quite a few people on this forum were going to be there too, but I can't remember all of them at the moment.

Hope to see you there....especially in the big tent!!

 

[ANIM8R]

That's the way I think about Disney races too but honestly for the half there isn't much to see after the first few miles. That's not say they don't have entertainment on the course but other then maybe Angel Stadium I don't recall there being much memorable. Does anyone recall much once you are out of the parks?

I like the classic cars that are on the street leading to and past the hockey arena. Hundreds of them.

 

[zanzibar138]

Went for my first proper run yesterday. I decided to just 'go for a run', left all my devices at home, and just ran at a pace I was comfortable with for a distance I was comfortable with. I really enjoyed it! DH came with me and wore his running watch, just to record our run, we didn't look at it as we went. Turns out we held a really decent pace, much faster than my usual 'easy' pace!

Makes me feel pretty good that now I call 20 minutes an 'easy run'. I still remember the first time I broke that 20 minute mark - I cried all the way home lol!

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

Ariel484 - this blog does a decent job of laying out the course for you.

http://whyirundisney.com/rundisney-half-marathon-courses/

Thanks for the link. Great read!! So excited to see California. I just realized that the first time I see DCA and DL will be during the race. Our plans are to go to the parks on Sunday and Monday. Hope I don't trip over myself or anyone else while I am mesmerized by the sites!!

 

[FFigawi]

I've heard that once you're gone from Disney property, the characters aren't out but they have bands, cheerleading squads, etc. I need to start digging around for a detailed, picture-heavy Disneyland Half Marathon trip report

It's a few years old, but here's my report from the 2010 race.

http://jmsenger.blogspot.com/2010/09/disneyland-half-report.html

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

Thanks, John. Great recap!!

 

[MeridaAndAngus]

Some questions:

1. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to submitting my current best proof of time for Dumbo, and then possibly updating it in about a month when I run my next race? I'm mostly wondering if anyone has had trouble with their better times not submitting correctly.

2. If I submit one time now, and have a better time to submit later, do I still use the online form or do I need to contact Track Shack directly?

3. Based on the corral assignments from 2014, it seems like there is a huge gap between corral G (<2:30 half) and corral H (<3:13 half). My current best half time is 3:05. I'm hoping to knock a few minutes off to make it a sub-3:00 half, but there's no way I'm getting below 2:30. Does anyone know if these projected pace times are accurate from last year? Just wondering if it's even worth it to try to get a proof of time down to 2:58, or if it's just a waste of my money on another (somewhat boring) local race.

 

[Keels]

I finished a half marathon today. I may sleep with my medal.

... if I can ever stop crying about the whole accomplishment thing.

 

[zanzibar138]

Way to go Keels! You are amazing

 

[FFigawi]

I finished a half marathon today. I may sleep with my medal.

... if I can ever stop crying about the whole accomplishment thing.

Congrats!

 

[Slogger]

I finished a half marathon today. I may sleep with my medal.

... if I can ever stop crying about the whole accomplishment thing.

Way to go Keels. Knew you would do it. Now you need to post a pic of you and your medal.
....btw....there's no crying in running, we experienced runners just get something in our eyes right around the finish line, but it's definitely not crying.