Official 2016 Princess Half Marathon Thread

[lovingeire]

I am signing up for GSC! I ran the 5K and 10K last year and have signed up for W&D. Since Princess weekend was my first races ever I'd like to round it out with the GSC! Fingers crossed I get in during AP registration. It's my first time doing AP registration and I'm nervous about something new!

I was where you are last year. I decided on the 10K as my first race ever. It was terrific, a long enough race to feel like a real challenge, but not so overwhelming as the half.

We had so much fun that I'm planning the next trip now. I want to do all three races!

I also was where you were last year and think it's a great way to start! I'd probably do 10Ks all the time because I like that distance a lot. Just beware, the runDisney bug is extremely contagious! That's howni found myself registered for W&D and planning on GSC!

Starting to get into the Princess mindset over here...one of these beauties is on its way to my house this week! It's definitely not something I would normally go for (the princess design, not the Dooney...I LOVE Disney Dooneys!) but I just love it!

These are so cute! I have the similar PHM one and love it, although I have a smaller size.

 

[britterbell]

I am signing up for GSC! I ran the 5K and 10K last year and have signed up for W&D. Since Princess weekend was my first races ever I'd like to round it out with the GSC! Fingers crossed I get in during AP registration. It's my first time doing AP registration and I'm nervous about something new!



I also was where you were last year and think it's a great way to start! I'd probably do 10Ks all the time because I like that distance a lot. Just beware, the runDisney bug is extremely contagious! That's howni found myself registered for W&D and planning on GSC!



These are so cute! I have the sinat PHM one and love it, although I have a smaller size.

Love the purse! And as you said, so excited to catch the runDisney bug, even though it is an expensive bug to catch for a college student!

 

[keahgirl8]

Honestly I don't have any tips to add about the eating other than...you just have to do it. If doing these races (and being able to enjoy them) is important to you, make it happen. Period.

I eat pretty bland leading up to the races. Nothing too crazy, spicy or greasy. I do allow myself one dessert and one Diet Coke each day, but I make sure they are early in the day.

 

[Ariel484]

What @keahgirl8 said. At some point, self-discipline needs to take over. Eyes on the prize!

 

[Luv2Run]

My apologies for being absent lately - my notification settings must be screwy, because I had no idea this thread has gotten so much chatter lately! If you don't see your name on the list in Post #1, can you please shoot me a PM so I can add you? I want to make sure we're all covered so we can support each other. Also, if you want to join our FB group too, it's called "DisGirls & Guys Princess Half Marathon". I'm not the Admin for that group, but I joined it last year, and it's nice to have that tool as a way of encouraging each other, especially on registration day & race day.

Update: my boyfriend's brother & his girlfriend backed out, so it'll just be us two running next year's races. I've decided to run the Triple Crown (5K & GSC) instead of the GSC, so that my boyfriend won't have to run the 5K alone (he was going to run it with his brother while us girls cheered them on). I'm a little intimidated, but I think I'm to the point in my running career that I welcome the challenge. Now I just need to decide on what to dress up as for the 3 races!!

 

[hauntedcity]

My wife and I are in for the GSC this year! We've done Marathon Weekend four times, but this is our first time trying a different WDW race. What differences should we expect?

 

[Ariel484]

My wife and I are in for the GSC this year! We've done Marathon Weekend four times, but this is our first time trying a different WDW race. What differences should we expect?

So I've done Marathon Weekend 3 times and Princess once...

Before I give my opinion, to anyone else reading, please know that I'm trying to say this as carefully as possible, and don't mean to offend anyone.

Differences: There's the theming of the races, obviously, but I think the biggest difference is the crowd of runners. A majority are women, and there are significantly more first-timers at Princess compared to January. This means that race etiquette may not be the best. Again, not trying to offend - just a fact. Oh, and lots more tutus! And the official race merch sells out way faster, from what I have heard (I haven't done Princess since 2011...had no trouble getting what I wanted back then!). And all of the race shirts are short-sleeved, unlike January where you get the long-sleeved tech shirts.

Similarities: Not sure what races you have done in January, but the 5K, 10K and half marathon courses are exactly the same for January and Princess. I think the characters even meet in similar locations. And all resorts are host resorts, just like in January.

That's all I've got for now.

 

[hauntedcity]

So I've done Marathon Weekend 3 times and Princess once...

Before I give my opinion, to anyone else reading, please know that I'm trying to say this as carefully as possible, and don't mean to offend anyone.

Differences: There's the theming of the races, obviously, but I think the biggest difference is the crowd of runners. A majority are women, and there are significantly more first-timers at Princess compared to January. This means that race etiquette may not be the best. Again, not trying to offend - just a fact. Oh, and lots more tutus! And the official race merch sells out way faster, from what I have heard (I haven't done Princess since 2011...had no trouble getting what I wanted back then!). And all of the race shirts are short-sleeved, unlike January where you get the long-sleeved tech shirts.

Similarities: Not sure what races you have done in January, but the 5K, 10K and half marathon courses are exactly the same for January and Princess. I think the characters even meet in similar locations. And all resorts are host resorts, just like in January.

That's all I've got for now.

Thanks! I've done everything except the 5K in January. We love the half marathon course, so no problems there. We recently posted a sub 2:30 PR in a half marathon, so we're not fast by any means, but hopefully we'll be ahead of the first-timers. We'll probably stop for lots of pictures, though, so time isn't really a priority for us.

And I don't own a tutu, but I already have plans for a Princess Leia themed outfit for the 10K. We'll see if my wife will admit to knowing me / running with me that day.

 

[Ariel484]

Thanks! I've done everything except the 5K in January. We love the half marathon course, so no problems there. We recently posted a sub 2:30 PR in a half marathon, so we're not fast by any means, but hopefully we'll be ahead of the first-timers. We'll probably stop for lots of pictures, though, so time isn't really a priority for us.

I'm sure you both know this, but definitely make sure to submit a proof-of-time. Because this race is sort first-timer friendly, the corralling is different than in January. Same number of corrals but your same proof should move you up. For example: based off of last year's Glass Slipper Challenge corrals, my proof of time that had me in Corral I for January (for the half marathon/marathon...B for the 5K/10K) may get me in Corral E or F for the Princess Half (and I'd assume A or B for the 10K).

And I don't own a tutu, but I already have plans for a Princess Leia themed outfit for the 10K. We'll see if my wife will admit to knowing me / running with me that day.

She's technically a Disney Princess now, no?!

 

[keahgirl8]

My apologies for being absent lately - my notification settings must be screwy, because I had no idea this thread has gotten so much chatter lately! If you don't see your name on the list in Post #1, can you please shoot me a PM so I can add you? I want to make sure we're all covered so we can support each other. Also, if you want to join our FB group too, it's called "DisGirls & Guys Princess Half Marathon". I'm not the Admin for that group, but I joined it last year, and it's nice to have that tool as a way of encouraging each other, especially on registration day & race day.

Update: my boyfriend's brother & his girlfriend backed out, so it'll just be us two running next year's races. I've decided to run the Triple Crown (5K & GSC) instead of the GSC, so that my boyfriend won't have to run the 5K alone (he was going to run it with his brother while us girls cheered them on). I'm a little intimidated, but I think I'm to the point in my running career that I welcome the challenge. Now I just need to decide on what to dress up as for the 3 races!!

It is a challenge, but as long as you take it easy in the parks and get plenty of sleep, you should be fine...if you train!

 

[lovingeire]

My apologies for being absent lately - my notification settings must be screwy, because I had no idea this thread has gotten so much chatter lately! If you don't see your name on the list in Post #1, can you please shoot me a PM so I can add you? I want to make sure we're all covered so we can support each other. Also, if you want to join our FB group too, it's called "DisGirls & Guys Princess Half Marathon". I'm not the Admin for that group, but I joined it last year, and it's nice to have that tool as a way of encouraging each other, especially on registration day & race day.

Update: my boyfriend's brother & his girlfriend backed out, so it'll just be us two running next year's races. I've decided to run the Triple Crown (5K & GSC) instead of the GSC, so that my boyfriend won't have to run the 5K alone (he was going to run it with his brother while us girls cheered them on). I'm a little intimidated, but I think I'm to the point in my running career that I welcome the challenge. Now I just need to decide on what to dress up as for the 3 races!!

My friend who ran with me last year wants to do the Triple Crown. So I may be doing that. For sure GSC, but I'm nervous about three early mornings. I know some friends who ran all three walked the 5K this year so they saved energy for the 5K and half. Hopefully I'll be ready!

 

[Ariel484]

My apologies for being absent lately - my notification settings must be screwy, because I had no idea this thread has gotten so much chatter lately! If you don't see your name on the list in Post #1, can you please shoot me a PM so I can add you? I want to make sure we're all covered so we can support each other. Also, if you want to join our FB group too, it's called "DisGirls & Guys Princess Half Marathon". I'm not the Admin for that group, but I joined it last year, and it's nice to have that tool as a way of encouraging each other, especially on registration day & race day.

Update: my boyfriend's brother & his girlfriend backed out, so it'll just be us two running next year's races. I've decided to run the Triple Crown (5K & GSC) instead of the GSC, so that my boyfriend won't have to run the 5K alone (he was going to run it with his brother while us girls cheered them on). I'm a little intimidated, but I think I'm to the point in my running career that I welcome the challenge. Now I just need to decide on what to dress up as for the 3 races!!

My friend who ran with me last year wants to do the Triple Crown. So I may be doing that. For sure GSC, but I'm nervous about three early mornings. I know some friends who ran all three walked the 5K this year so they saved energy for the 5K and half. Hopefully I'll be ready!

The wake-ups are definitely tough. In January I started out going to bed the first couple of nights a little after 10. By the third morning I felt terrible. Then I went to bed at 8 that night and woke up feeling awesome. The running wasn't tough (because I'd trained my butt off) - I just had not been getting as much sleep as I needed. Lesson learned, sleep will be a priority in February!

If you train well and are smart about what you eat that weekend and about staying off of your feet, you should be okay. I'm using Galloway's Dumbo Double Dare plan right now (also doing the 5K that weekend) and if it works well for September I'll be using it again for GSC + 5K.

 

[SherryinBA]

I'll soon be 60. I weigh too much. But I am going to do the Princess Half!! I've gone from couch to 3 miles in 2 and a half weeks. My daughter and niece will be joining me. What a motivator this race will be. I'm exciting to find this forum.

 

[girliea]

That is so great SherryinBA!! Can't wait to hear how you're doing and hope to see you there!

 

[BriarRose59]

My daughter and I will be trying to sign up for the 5K and 10K on Tuesday. We're running the Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K in November. It's our first runDisney race!

 

[huggybuff]

You guys, I had a dream that I missed registration on Tuesday. Hoping it's not a premonition!

 

[Ariel484]

You guys, I had a dream that I missed registration on Tuesday. Hoping it's not a premonition!

Every time I've done a Disney race I've had dreams where I oversleep and miss the start...I haven't actually missed on yet (knock on wood). Totally normal!

 

[Ariel484]

Thought y'all would like today's running outfit!

The shirt is from Designz by Michelle (she sells her stuff on Facebook) and the skirt is a custom SparkleSkirt...fabric from eBay.

 

[huggybuff]

Thought y'all would like today's running outfit!

That's adorable! And glad to know that I'm not the only one with runDisney anxiety dreams, lol.

 

[Ariel484]

That's adorable! And glad to know that I'm not the only one with runDisney anxiety dreams, lol.

Thanks!