Official 2016 5th Anniversary Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend!

[Anisum]

I agree, I would like it to be slow since I'm going for general reg. Luckily I work at a desk so I'll be able to watch for the links.

 

[Ariel484]

For the order I'd definitely say 10K first, then PDC, 5K and then the half. As for times, I have no idea - I know things took a long time compared to other Disney races last year, but with it being an anniversary year...who knows.

 

[kirstie101]

We've been minimalist packers for a few years now. Travelling for races used to be a challenge. Not anymore. We each have one carry on and personal bag each. My DW carries her purse and I carry a camera bag / backpack. We each have a Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45. Bihn bags are quite amazing and very versatile. http://www.tombihn.com/backpacks/TB0906.html Definitely one of the best investments we've made in our travels. Also we've been quite surprised by how little we need for a DL trip. The clothes we wear to fly in are also our EXPO and Day one clothing. If you're doing PDC you'll be receiving 3 tech shirts at the Expo. Throw in the 5K and that's 4 shirts. Cali weather makes a tech shirt perfect for wearing around the parks. This year post Expo I simply rinsed the shirts with water and some shampoo in my hotel room and hung them up near the A/C. Dry by morning. Post race changed into one of the shirts and shorts. We were there for 5 days total. Only had to pack 2 shirts.

And I still have room in my carry on for 2 pairs of running shoes, a pair of sandals, hydration belt, running kilt, stick roller, moji mini pro massager, roll of KT Tape, knee brace, other misc running gear, nutrition, and all my socks, underwear, and toiletries. All with plenty of room to spare to bring back goodies from the EXPO and parks.

Wow that is impressive!

I'm a crazy overpacker - I'll be checking a bag and taking a rolling carry-on as well, and that will hold all of my running stuff. I over-packed for Dopey this year, as per usual, and it ended up being a good thing as there was a crazy cold snap in Orlando. Thankfully I had a bunch of extra throwaway clothes I could use for the races so I wasn't freezing. And as @dec2009mama says...more room four souvenirs that way.

Is it bad that my main motivation for the checked bag is the souvenirs?

I haven't done Disneyland for a race. I'm fairly certain I could do a regular size backpack and purse though. I travel with someone who packs so well we only took backpacks and purses for a weeklong trip to the UK. The biggest tip I have is to pack skivvy rolls especially for clothes that don't wrinkle (I do it for clothes that do and hang them in the bathroom while I'm taking a shower so the steam gets the worst of the wrinkles out) they keep outfits together as well so you're not digging through to find what you want. I usually wear whatever jacket or jackets I bring because I get cold on planes. I also bring a folding duffle that I can pack as a check bag if necessary on the way home to store souvenirs. The nice thing about throw away clothes too is that you don't come home with them so bring some if they fit into what you're wearing.

Those are good ideas too. I could always do that! Thanks!

I have a over packing problem. We have a good size SUV so we drive down for the DL races so thankfully I CAN over pack. It's something I really try not to do but I tend to panic and just start bringing all this extra stuff "just in case we need it". And it's always fun to try and bring our mouseketeer's mickey mouse balloon back home too.

This is normally me! We're driving, I have an SUV, lets just bring everything with us! lol!

How far is the walk from a hotel on Harbour to the corrals in the morning? I'd like to stay at one of the Disney hotels, but the price may be pushing it a bit. If any of you go alone, where do you feel most safe?

Depends which hotel you're at. I stayed at Hojo's for two races and I'd say my walk in the morning was 20 minutes and my walk post race was 30. I didn't travel alone but I was running alone so no one was with me in my walk to the corrals but there were tons of other runners walking over with me so I didn't feel alone. Felt totally safe.

 

[Ariel484]

My phone calendar just alerted me that registration opens in exactly 24 hours...!!!

 

[Ariel484]

Is it bad that my main motivation for the checked bag is the souvenirs?

No, that's just good planning!

 

[kirstie101]

Confession time: I kinda think I might want to go to do the 5k and 10k...but fly to DL solo and stay solo and just do it for myself. Eep. I have not fully told hubby so that talk is coming this weekend.
We are doing a big trip for Disney marathon weekend in Jan 2016, staying at deluxe property, taking my daughter to all the expensive castle breakfasts, dessert parties and BOG dinners, etc etc.
But I may need a mommy break...vacations are full "mom mode" and let's face it...are mom's of toddlers ever really relaxing totally on vacation?

So should I? My main reasons are 1) I want to go to DL so badly. 2) I'll only get to run through Epcot in Jan, and it's my dream to go by a castle. 3) I'm actually a huge fan of the theme and I'm a pandora fanatic too 4) I could do it on the cheap if it's just me.

I guess I need to decide by the end of this weekend! I have no interest in pushing myself to do the half though yet. Even if it meant more medals. I will still be jealous of people with lots of medals though.

DO IT! Our situations are similar. For Star Wars in Jan I'm traveling with my mom and bringing both my kids. Yes we take things easier than a non running trip but its still a vacation with the kids and I'm still trying to keep everyone happy the whole time. Its not easy! For Tink, after much thought and initial guilt, its going to be just me! My first solo trip and I am actually super excited about that aspect now! I'll get to hang out at the expo for as long as I want, eat wherever/whenever I want, and just worry about me for a couple days. Its actually a pretty fitting gift for Mothers Day I've decided!

 

[SarahDisney]

My phone calendar just alerted me that registration opens in exactly 24 hours...!!!

Don't remind me. I still haven't decided if I'm trying to register or not ... I feel like I should probably make that decision within the next 24 hours or so...
Life was so much easier when I "knew" Tink didn't fit into my schedule. I hate when my schedule changes!

 

[roxymama]

Don't remind me. I still haven't decided if I'm trying to register or not ... I feel like I should probably make that decision within the next 24 hours or so...
Life was so much easier when I "knew" Tink didn't fit into my schedule. I hate when my schedule changes!

I feel exactly what you are feeling right now. I'm still hemming and hawing about if I do Tink this year or put it on hold. I literally don't think I will have my mind made up until tomorrow morning.

 

[roxymama]

I think I've talked myself into waiting and putting Tink on hold until 2017. My Disneyworld trip is so close and it would be more fun if I can talk my sister, my mom, or some girlfriends into a trip with me. Also I'll have more time to save save save. Too bad these sell out so fast that you can't decide at the last minute. It's easy to get addicted to the fun. But that's ok. I'll check back on this thread as it gets closer to offer my RAH RAH cheers.

I have decided to register for a "me" race for this Labor Day weekend. It's a Chicago women's mag mile race and it comes with some epic swag.

Now that I've decided against Tink I'm gonna guess the medals will be super cute this year, so you can all thank me for that.

 

[Ariel484]

I think I've talked myself into waiting and putting Tink on hold until 2017. My Disneyworld trip is so close and it would be more fun if I can talk my sister, my mom, or some girlfriends into a trip with me. Also I'll have more time to save save save. Too bad these sell out so fast that you can't decide at the last minute. It's easy to get addicted to the fun. But that's ok. I'll check back on this thread as it gets closer to offer my RAH RAH cheers.

I have decided to register for a "me" race for this Labor Day weekend. It's a Chicago women's mag mile race and it comes with some epic swag.

Now that I've decided against Tink I'm gonna guess the medals will be super cute this year, so you can all thank me for that.

Sorry you're passing for 2016, but going with friends will be a blast! Your Labor Day race sounds fun - a 1-mile race? I've never done that distance in a race before (except for PE class in school...it was a nightmare!).

RE: medals...I hope you're right. I didn't like last year's medals AT ALL.

 

[roxymama]

Oh it's more than a mile. It just ends on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago where all the fanciest stores are. Window shopping while I run? It's a half and a 5k.
They send you a swag bag in the mail with spa stuff and coupons and things prior to the run which is kind of fun.

 

[Ariel484]

Oh it's more than a mile. It just ends on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago where all the fanciest stores are. Window shopping while I run? It's a half and a 5k.
They send you a swag bag in the mail with spa stuff and coupons and things prior to the run which is kind of fun.

Ohhhhhh duh. Love the Mile.

Nice to get some swag you may actually use...that seems to be rarer and rarer with race goody bags these days.

 

[sperkins921]

I think I've talked myself into waiting and putting Tink on hold until 2017. My Disneyworld trip is so close and it would be more fun if I can talk my sister, my mom, or some girlfriends into a trip with me. Also I'll have more time to save save save. Too bad these sell out so fast that you can't decide at the last minute. It's easy to get addicted to the fun. But that's ok. I'll check back on this thread as it gets closer to offer my RAH RAH cheers.

I have decided to register for a "me" race for this Labor Day weekend. It's a Chicago women's mag mile race and it comes with some epic swag.

Now that I've decided against Tink I'm gonna guess the medals will be super cute this year, so you can all thank me for that.

I'm sorry but you had me at epic swag....lol

The only thing keeping me from registering is that I KNOW what kind of trouble I get into on the Mag Mile, and I'm flying to HKG/Tokyo the 11th- too much travel in one month makes the wallet (and DH!) unhappy

 

[SarahDisney]

I have decided to register for a "me" race for this Labor Day weekend. It's a Chicago women's mag mile race and it comes with some epic swag.

I think epic swag absolutely makes it worth it... I wish all races had better swag (I'm sorry, but the rD "swag" is terrible)!

I'm also out - we decided that it makes more sense for us to wait a few months and do the Disneyland Half. But I will still be here to cheer for everyone who is participating!! (And to get myself excited for when I eventually do Tinker Bell, whenever that is)

 

[huggybuff]

I'm also out - we decided that it makes more sense for us to wait a few months and do the Disneyland Half.

Aww, too bad for Tink. But yay for the DL Half 2016!

 

[Keels]

For those on the fence -- for reference, TAs STILL have half and DDD bibs left for a DLH race weekend in less than 30 days. And most of them are waving the original "package" you had to buy.

I bought a bib for the PDC (the inaugural) last year in early April.

With the exception of Wine & Dine - which is a very unique race - race registration has stayed open much longer and many bibs are available through TAs or charity partners ... so I wouldn't stress!

The only caveat - the 10k. If that's your end-all, be-all race for that weekend, then yeah. You need to buy it in advance or gird your loins for registration. Challenges seem to be taking up more than half of registration spots for the 10k distance, which is also becoming INCREASINGLY popular among all running communities - not just rD.

Good luck everyone!!

 

[Keels]

Oh it's more than a mile. It just ends on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago where all the fanciest stores are. Window shopping while I run? It's a half and a 5k.
They send you a swag bag in the mail with spa stuff and coupons and things prior to the run which is kind of fun.

Tell me more ... I love Chicago and the Mag Mile!

 

[VickiHD]

Good luck everyone registering tomorrow !!!!! Sending pixie dust your way!!!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Good luck to those registering today,
Hope to see you in May!

 

[Anisum]

I was in a panic because the internet at work was down. It's back up now and hopefully it will stay up.