Official 2016 Princess Half Marathon Thread

[keahgirl8]

ETA*- Also, how should we planning our days? We arrive on the 11th and I'm a bit confused/overwhelmed over picking packets up, etc.. Id like to spend as much time in parks as possible. Also, do you take a break after races, or just go right to the parks? I'm afraid we will miss something cool lol

I would not arrive that early, if it were me. Intense park touring is better for after the races. You don't want to get hurt/exhausted/sick before. These races are hard under the best circumstances and you have to take care of your body.

How important is a POT The GSC will be my first ever race period although I am anticipating participating in a 10k late this year (probably won't make the cutoff time) ... Are you alway in the absolute last corral ... Someone told me this would be a problem for me because I'm extremely heavy and probably would get swept if I start last... I am training well and losing weight but I just don't want to set myself up for failure

That is really rude what this person said to you. If you train, you will do fine. However, I do think POT is important if you can get it. If nothing else, it helps you mentally, because you are giving yourself a cushion. That way, if you want to take pictures, or if the heat affects you more than you expect, or if you get injured, you have plenty of time.

Thank you to everyone on this board!!! Thank you, thank you. I live in Oklahoma and it's been so hot. I've been training on my treadmill. Last night we had a nice rain and the temp was down to 74 this morning. I thought I'd have a wonderful walk/run outside today!!! OMG. It was brutal. It was awful and made me question my ability. The humidity was probably 100%. I was a little discouraged. Then I started catching up on this board and got excited and motivated all over again. So again, thank you.

Welcome! I am from Oklahoma too, but currently transplanted to California.

 

[Anisum]

Thank you to everyone on this board!!! Thank you, thank you. I live in Oklahoma and it's been so hot. I've been training on my treadmill. Last night we had a nice rain and the temp was down to 74 this morning. I thought I'd have a wonderful walk/run outside today!!! OMG. It was brutal. It was awful and made me question my ability. The humidity was probably 100%. I was a little discouraged. Then I started catching up on this board and got excited and motivated all over again. So again, thank you.

You go! I ran yesterday in similar conditions and it was awful. Luckily we should be half way through the hot weather so running outside shouldn't be a problem for long.

 

[Luv2Run]

So, those that ordered the "In Training" shirts from the Disney Store - I checked my order status, and it still says "Active", but the charge is no longer pending in my bank account, and did not clear, so...I have no idea what's going on with that. I just want my shirt, dang it!

 

[SarahDisney]

I agree with Keels. Give it a shot! I made one a couple weeks ago. I have a sewing machine, I'm not super skilled at it but have made a couple things in the past. I went to Pinterest and look up several ways people did it and picked the one that made most sense to me. I ended up only following about half her instructions and modified the rest for a way that worked better for me. I won't lie, there was some frustrating moments, but it was the first one I made. When I make another, I know it will go smoother now that I've figured a few things out. Mine isn't fancy with pockets or anything. It's more a pretty/decorative one to wear over shorts or pants. I've got to actually re-do the waistband as I don't like it. A lot of it is trial and error. But it cost me about $8 (with coupons from JoAnn's) so you can't go wrong and I'm really happy with how it turned out!

Thanks. I will definitely check out Pinterest for ideas - I hadn't thought of that (despite the fact that I know you can find anything on Pinterest, I rarely use it because I forget). I'm going for pretty/decorative mostly (I wear capris or leggings underneath anyway), so I'm sure I'll find a lot of ideas and can find something that even I can work with!

 

[Psvenndex]

You sound so much like me. I'm extremely heavy too -- and old!! I'll be 60 in October. I am training well and not losing weight, but there are so many subtle changes I am seeing that I know I'm improving and improving. I have a 15K to do on Halloween and am hoping for a POT to get me out of the last corral. We'll see. And you're doing the GSC. I'm just doing the half. I was never an runner... still not, more a walker. But I absolutely know I can do this. P.S. I'm doing a 5K this weekend. Good luck to you!!!

I will be 60 in October as well! I have never done any kind of race, so I'm doing the 10K and I'm terrified of being swept, I don't need another failure in my life right now....

 

[DVCFan1994]

How important is a POT The GSC will be my first ever race period although I am anticipating participating in a 10k late this year (probably won't make the cutoff time) ... Are you alway in the absolute last corral ... Someone told me this would be a problem for me because I'm extremely heavy and probably would get swept if I start last... I am training well and losing weight but I just don't want to set myself up for failure

Good grief. Some people are just plain rude. As others have said, training is key. The need for it can not be understated. Especially if you have signed up for the GSC, which means you'll be starting with tired legs on day two. If you want to finish strong you have plenty of time to train to do so. The cut-off being 16.5 min/mile, I would try to train for 15.5, so that if you stop for a selfie in a couple of quick places, or if you need the bathroom it doesn't derail you entirely.

The last corral does have the least buffer to the balloon ladies. All the racers who do not provide proof of time are at the end. That can be one or more corrals, I recall it being at least two corrals last year, as people on that thread said they got corral O despite giving no proof of time. If you can find a 10k near enough to where you live anytime between now and the cutoff in November, I'd try for it. Even if you take 90+ minutes to complete it, by providing a proof of time, even a slow one, you will move ahead of those with no proof of time. That could buy you an extra 5 or 10 minutes of time starting before the balloon ladies. I'm not saying you'll need it if you've put the training in, but it sure is great mentally to feel like you have given yourself some extra buffer in front of the balloon ladies.

Good Luck with the training and enjoy the process! I hated running when I first started, now I feel miserable when I go more than a few days without a run.

 

[Keels]

So, those that ordered the "In Training" shirts from the Disney Store - I checked my order status, and it still says "Active", but the charge is no longer pending in my bank account, and did not clear, so...I have no idea what's going on with that. I just want my shirt, dang it!

We didn't get out Marathon weekend shirts until about a month after they closed orders.

For Princess, I believe they were closing orders on the 25th and said to expect shipping 4-6 weeks after that.

Sorry. The wait sucks.

 

[SherryinBA]

So I experienced my first issues with chaffing while running a 5k tonight. I guess my new climate difference is what did it because I've run several 5k's back in AL/TN and never had this issue. Yay FL. Lol.
So... suggestions for easing the current discomfort? My thighs are on FIRE!
Also, what are some of your favorite preventative products? I have a 5k event this Saturday and do not want to experience this again, haha.
Thank you!!!

Gold Bond makes a chafing stick. It's in a container like a stick of deodorant. Worked great last year when I was trudging around WDS in late August.

 

[SherryinBA]

That's amazing running a ½ at 60!!!! Good luck on your 5K!!! And I absolutely know we can do this too!

My body may be 60, but my mind is 30!! Thank you.

 

[ReLiMe]

Signed up for my 1st 10k in the end of October... Probably should start with a 5k but I need time to train and I need POT hopefully I'll finish in 90 mins or less... It also has a very liberal 18 mpm pace requirement so no fear of being swept in my first race

Thank you to everyone for you words of encouragement and wisdom...

 

[princessluna14]

Does anyone know what the hours are for the expo? I checked on the runDisney website but I could only find the dates.

 

[Ariel484]

@princessluna14 i found this in last year's program:

 

[pixarmom]

Just wanted to add for inkedupmomma that it really depends on your touring style and your individual needs/preferences. My feelings regarding arrival date and pre-race activities are entirely opposite from conventional wisdom. We have APs and tend to tour at a more leisurely pace. Well, it's not really leisurely with three boys, park time, pool time, transition time, etc, but we don't try to do everything - just prioritize our favorites. I love having time to adjust to the weather in Florida before the race, get to the expo early, eat well enough (I eat way better at Disney than at home because I have to sit down and eat at least two meals/day.) Because of the change in weather and all the activity with the kids, I sleep better. For me, the races are the highlight of the trip, so once they are over, it's just time to go home. And if I'm giving the race all I have, I don't want to worry about the impact on my husband and kids if I don't conserve energy for post-race activities. So our Disney time is all before the race. This year for the marathon we arrived on January 3 and I ran the marathon on the 11th. We flew home on the 12th.

But that's all very individual, and varies significantly for all of us. Just wanted to mention it because I know the overwhelming majority work best with the races at the start of their trips.

 

[princessluna14]

@princessluna14 i found this in last year's program:
View attachment 111563

Awesome, thanks!! I just booked our flights and we won't be landing in Orlando until 2:30pm, so we still should be able to make it to the expo the first night if they are open til 8!

 

[Planner2012]

Hi all! I'm wondering if anyone can offer some advice on which hotel to stay at for the princess half marathon weekend. I'm debating between Coronado Springs business class and Hilton Bonnet Creek. It will be 2 adults, we won't have a car and won't be going to the parks (except possibly Epcot one day). I keep going back & forth, but can't decide. I would appreciate any help. TIA

 

[srauseo]

I've also planned the majority of my trip in advance of the race - but mostly because my sister is a teacher and even taking just that Monday as a personal day will be a hassle. (It's her vacation week the week prior.) So we are flying down early Thursday and flying back late Monday. We do plan to visit the parks, but since we've been many times we'll just be hitting our favorites and spending more time at nice table service places we don't usually visit when she's got her kids with her. We will go to the Expo after we arrive on Thursday and then to AKL for the afternoon/evening (Jiko!), Friday we'll split between MK and HS (Brown Derby!), Saturday will be MK/Epcot (still deciding), Sunday afternoon/evening will be DTD and Poly, and we'll do Monday morning at EPCOT.

 

[bcarey2k]

I've also planned the majority of my trip in advance of the race - but mostly because my sister is a teacher and even taking just that Monday as a personal day will be a hassle. (It's her vacation week the week prior.) So we are flying down early Thursday and flying back late Monday. We do plan to visit the parks, but since we've been many times we'll just be hitting our favorites and spending more time at nice table service places we don't usually visit when she's got her kids with her. We will go to the Expo after we arrive on Thursday and then to AKL for the afternoon/evening (Jiko!), Friday we'll split between MK and HS (Brown Derby!), Saturday will be MK/Epcot (still deciding), Sunday afternoon/evening will be DTD and Poly, and we'll do Monday morning at EPCOT.

We always do Brown Derby post race lunch!

 

[beachta1]

For the two Disney races I've done, we've arrived and run the race in the middle of the trip. I like to get there a few days before, get to the expo and have a good park day or two. Before the princess this past year, we had a really long MK day on friday, followed by the expo on Saturday and then some time in AK. Sunday, my legs were tired. I should have skipped AK and just done the expo and some resting by the pool. I don't mind walking and know the parks can tire you out even if you don't feel it right away. If you do a park the day before the race, I'd suggest maybe just the morning or something. After the race, I like having a few days to celebrate the accomplishment by drinking around the world and not worrying about hydrating, my legs, etc!

 

[TangledUp]

Hi all! I'm wondering if anyone can offer some advice on which hotel to stay at for the princess half marathon weekend. I'm debating between Coronado Springs business class and Hilton Bonnet Creek. It will be 2 adults, we won't have a car and won't be going to the parks (except possibly Epcot one day). I keep going back & forth, but can't decide. I would appreciate any help. TIA

I know that the Hilton Bonnet Creek has a runner's package that you can book with some nice perks (including late checkout the day of the half). I was seriously looking into staying there but it ended up being a little too expensive for my grad student budget. But I've heard really good things - particularly for the marathon weekends.

 

[Anisum]

My friend has had the opportunity to do the princess before and we decided to do most of the park after. We plan to get down there late Wednesday and stay until the next Tuesday (Unless we find a superior airline deal for Wednesday). We chose that because then I can't eat all of the unhealthy foods that slow me down and so we don't tire ourselves out too much before hand.