Official 2016 5th Anniversary Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend!

[Anisum]

Summited initial PoT. I'll probably run at least one more 10k to update it (and hopefully move up a corral) but I'm good to go for now.

in other news the 1/2 is now up to 62% on the runDisney website. Not that it's a big jump.

 

[VickiHD]

I've got a question....does your result time have to match up with your anticipated finish time now?
Before I remember just entering an anticipated finish time and it was off of my actual finish by a couple of mins. I'm confused.

 

[Ariel484]

I've got a question....does your result time have to match up with your anticipated finish time now?
Before I remember just entering an anticipated finish time and it was off of my actual finish by a couple of mins. I'm confused.

When you say "result time," do you mean the time you're submitting for corral placement?

 

[The_Banking_Scot]

Hi,

I was surprised the TB HM was not sold out. I entered the WDW Star wars HM and 10k for April 2016 and I want to get the coast to coast medal so just entered the TB HM. I have just returned from the DL HM ( I forgot to submit a proof of time so got put in corral g ( normally I'm a 1hr 45min) and did it in 2hr) but it was such an experience in DL and DCA during the HM that I'm looking forward to another HM.

 

[Ariel484]

@The_Banking_Scot welcome to the runDisney addiction!!

 

[VickiHD]

When you say "result time," do you mean the time you're submitting for corral placement?

Yes....my time I'm submitting is slightly off from when I finished last THM. If that makes any sense.

 

[ashleysev]

I have no experience with cheer squad but there are places that people can stand for free to cheer. Downtown Disney is one of them as is the esplanade. There's lots of areas out on the streets of Anaheim as well. Depending what hotel you're staying at you may even run by your hotel!

I was wondering about this. My husband will definitely be there (but not running). I haven't purchased a cheer ticket for him yet because I was wondering this. My Garmin will allow him to track me so he can see when I'll be coming up, so I don't know if I need it or not.

Thoughts?

I'd also love recommendations for a hotel.

 

[Keels]

I was wondering about this. My husband will definitely be there (but not running). I haven't purchased a cheer ticket for him yet because I was wondering this. My Garmin will allow him to track me so he can see when I'll be coming up, so I don't know if I need it or not.

Thoughts?

I'd also love recommendations for a hotel.

My mom and two others in our traveling party did ChEAR for Disneyland Half. My mom LOVED it - so much so that's she's bought it for Marathon Weekend and Princess Weekend.

She loved being able to get in to see all of us on Main Street of the Half (the only way you could do that was with the ChEAR package, I believe). She loved being able to go back to a tent to wait until we all started finishing the race (my husband was in B, M was in C and I was in D). She can't taste or smell, but she said the coffee and pastry assortment was nice and serviceable (about on par with a free continental breakfast at a Holiday Inn or something like that). But, she REALLY loved the sofa/table areas they had set up in the shade RIGHT at the finish line. They were able to relax and watch us finish - and as our alerts signaled we were getting close, whoever they wanted to see could go right up to the gate at the finish line). There are also a nice set of exclusive bleachers right at the finish line too.

The swag is pretty nice as well. The t-shirts were soft cotton, the clappers were a fun cheering device and the stadium blanket you get with the Platinum package is soft on one side, waterproof on the other and rolls up and snaps with a carrying strap. It probably would retail for $40 at a sporting goods store.

Anyway - just her experience with the Platinum ChEAR at Disneyland!

As far as hotels - we stayed at the Fairfield Inn on Harbor for the Disneyland Half. It was a really great value for the price - about a 15-20 minute walk to the starting line, depending on how fast you walk. You can see parts of the park - and the fireworks - from the walkways and pool area at the hotel. I think we paid $138/night.

I have it on hold again now for Tinkerbell, but we're planning on staying at the Grand Californian this time around - on husband's orders! I hope he's looked to see how much it is ...

 

[SarahDisney]

I have it on hold again now for Tinkerbell, but we're planning on staying at the Grand Californian this time around - on husband's orders! I hope he's looked to see how much it is ...

If he's willing to stay there without looking at the price, maybe you shouldn't encourage him to look it up...

 

[Keels]

If he's willing to stay there without looking at the price, maybe you shouldn't encourage him to look it up...

When we had dinner at Napa Rose on Labor Day night (which ... OMG. SO. AMAZING.), he said that we should stay at the GCa next trip. I was like "Ha Ha. Whatever, buddy. It's like $600/night - you hidin' a money tree you didn't tell me about?" And he basically shrugged and said it might be nice.

 

[kirstie101]

I was wondering about this. My husband will definitely be there (but not running). I haven't purchased a cheer ticket for him yet because I was wondering this. My Garmin will allow him to track me so he can see when I'll be coming up, so I don't know if I need it or not.

Thoughts?

I'd also love recommendations for a hotel.

Just about any of the hotels on Harbor and Katella are walking distance. So far for race weekends I've only stayed at Hojos (twice) and Paradise Pier Hotel (twice). PPH is AWESOME because it is right where the corrals are. But its also pricey. Hojo's offers a discount to runners (and is right next door to the Fairfield Inn that Keels mentioned) if you call them directly. The beds are amazing and they're right across the street from Mimi's restaurant which comes in pretty handy. I'd say the walk to the corrals in the morning is about 20 minutes. On the way back after the race its more like 30 cause you have to walk through security at the esplanade by then. For non race weekends I've also stayed at Desert Inn and Suites which is right at the crosswalk to the esplanade so a slightly shorter walk than Hojo's. And we've also stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn which is also right at the crosswalk. This year for Star Wars we're going to stay at the BW Stovalls on Harbor that everyone recommends for races. Its a shorter walk to the corrals than the Harbor hotels but a slightly further walk to the park entrance. For Tink I have reservations at a few places and haven't decided where to stay yet.

 

[Keels]

Oh! Also, there will soon be a Panera Bread off Harbor at the front of the property of the Fairfield Inn - they were building it while we were there!

And the McDonald's came in handy for a quick, on-the-go breakfast.

 

[FFigawi]

Yes....my time I'm submitting is slightly off from when I finished last THM. If that makes any sense.

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking, but your estimated finish time does not need to be the same as the time in which you finished the race previously. Your estimated time and your proof of time are used to place you into a corral. I don't know if they ever look back at your finishing times to compare how you did vs. how you said you'd do. I kind of hope they don't because I submit and seed at a sub-2 half, but I usually take longer than that due to character stops.

 

[ksinglet]

Wondering if there's anyone here that can talk me into or out of signing up for this? I keep going back-and-forth. I am not a runner, and have never done a half marathon. I am signed up to do the Princess half Marathon in February, I have no intentions on doing any running beyond this, so and I am really stuck on if I'm going to do this once I want the coast-to-coast medal. I'm not sure if I'm even going to be able to make it through one half marathon, let alone signing up for another. I would be coming to do this one all by myself. I can't find anyone who would be willing to come out with me.

Thoughts? Pros. Cons.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

jumping on because i'm seriously considering doing this one. won't decide until december but given the fact that avengers still isn't sold out now, i think i may actually stand a chance.

 

[Ariel484]

Wondering if there's anyone here that can talk me into or out of signing up for this? I keep going back-and-forth. I am not a runner, and have never done a half marathon. I am signed up to do the Princess half Marathon in February, I have no intentions on doing any running beyond this, so and I am really stuck on if I'm going to do this once I want the coast-to-coast medal. I'm not sure if I'm even going to be able to make it through one half marathon, let alone signing up for another. I would be coming to do this one all by myself. I can't find anyone who would be willing to come out with me.

Thoughts? Pros. Cons.

Personally, I think it's a decision that you and you alone need to make. It's still 13.1 miles, and the only way that will be enjoyable is if you train for it - and no one but you can *make* you train for this. That is the hardest part, in my opinion - actually training for the event that you sign up for, putting those miles and hours in at home. The race is the reward for a successful training cycle.

I'd suggest looking at race reports from past years and see what you think about the on-course experience and if you think it's something that will appeal to you. But only you can decide whether or not you should do it!

jumping on because i'm seriously considering doing this one. won't decide until december but given the fact that avengers still isn't sold out now, i think i may actually stand a chance.

Definitely keep an eye on those percentages on runDisney.com! I can't believe the half is only 62% full...

 

[margitmouse]

Personally, I think it's a decision that you and you alone need to make. It's still 13.1 miles, and the only way that will be enjoyable is if you train for it - and no one but you can *make* you train for this. That is the hardest part, in my opinion - actually training for the event that you sign up for, putting those miles and hours in at home. The race is the reward for a successful training cycle.

I'd suggest looking at race reports from past years and see what you think about the on-course experience and if you think it's something that will appeal to you. But only you can decide whether or not you should do it!

Definitely keep an eye on those percentages on runDisney.com! I can't believe the half is only 62% full...

Really sound advice!
It's so easy for those of us who have taken the plunge on so many of these events, to say ya sure do it!!..... but you are right Ariel484, it IS still 13 miles!

... But the most fun 13 you can imagine!

Another thought is-
beware!
it might just turn you into another rD addict! PHM 2014 did it to me!
Lol!

 

[FFigawi]

Wondering if there's anyone here that can talk me into or out of signing up for this?

I can! I can! Talking people into things is my specialty, right @Keels?

I keep going back-and-forth. I am not a runner, and have never done a half marathon. I am signed up to do the Princess half Marathon in February, I have no intentions on doing any running beyond this, so and I am really stuck on if I'm going to do this once I want the coast-to-coast medal. I'm not sure if I'm even going to be able to make it through one half marathon, let alone signing up for another. I would be coming to do this one all by myself. I can't find anyone who would be willing to come out with me.

I think @Ariel484 said it best. This is a decision that only you can make. That said, I think you're selling yourself short on wondering if you can make it through the Princess half. Of course you can! With a good training plan and some hard work, a half marathon is not insurmountable. You need to trust in yourself and your training. Follow the plan as best you can, and you'll be just fine. As for being all by yourself if you go and run Tink, that's not really true at all. Not only will there be thousands of other runners there with you, many of whom love to talk to the people around them during the race, there will be many people from this board at the race too. Have a read through some of the discussions about other race weekends, and you'll be pleased to see how many meet-ups there are and how often people here get together and see each other at the races. Even if you're traveling by yourself, you won't be alone once you get there.

 

[kirstie101]

Wondering if there's anyone here that can talk me into or out of signing up for this? I keep going back-and-forth. I am not a runner, and have never done a half marathon. I am signed up to do the Princess half Marathon in February, I have no intentions on doing any running beyond this, so and I am really stuck on if I'm going to do this once I want the coast-to-coast medal. I'm not sure if I'm even going to be able to make it through one half marathon, let alone signing up for another. I would be coming to do this one all by myself. I can't find anyone who would be willing to come out with me.

Thoughts? Pros. Cons.

I think everyone here has given you some great advice. Its really a decision that only you can make for yourself. 13.1 miles is no joke. I've now done 8 halfs since October 2012. I can't get enough. But after the first two (Nike SF and Tink) I swore never again. I changed my mind the following day but it goes to show you the mental struggle that comes to some (me!) with running. That being said though you absolutely 100% can do it if you train properly for it! Dont let traveling by yourself be a factor though. You can make so many friends online to meet up with in DL. RunDisney is really a great fun running community thats full of supportive people!

 

[ksinglet]

Thanks for the thoughts. I think I just need to buck up & register. I am using Jeff Galloways 10k training plan to do a 10K next month for POT. I'm up to 6 miles & am supposed to do 7 tonight
I will continue my training for the 1/2. Depending on my mood my runs so far have been averaging anywhere between a 10 1/2 & 12 1/2 min miles. So u know I'm under the 16 min requirement. My thing is I don't enjoy running. I'm doing it for the end aka Disney run & medal! decisions......decisions....