Official 2016 Princess Half Marathon Thread

[Ariel484]

I am running the Princess half in February. I've ran many half and full marathons but never at Disney. In fact this will be my first trip to Disney as well as my family. I am getting really nervous about logistics to expo and then start line. is there transportation from all resorts on property? I will be going to start alone . Just wanting to know what to expect.

Thanks!

It can definitely seem overwhelming the first time, but you've gotten some good advice in the above posts. I'd recommend looking on this board for some Princess Half trip reports...they might help give you a good idea of what to expect.

 

[bananabean]

That said in 2014 I did a 12 miler on the treadmill due to no roads I felt safe on because of a big storm the day before, and last year I did 10 miles where 5 were on the treadmill, then the waiting line for treadmills forced me off, and the last 5 were on my gyms indoor track, where 19 laps = 1 mile. Thats right 95 laps. Blech.

Haha! I think I might be the only one that likes to run on the indoor track. The track at my gym is 12 laps per mile and I did a practice half on it. 158 laps!

 

[DVCFan1994]

Haha! I think I might be the only one that likes to run on the indoor track. The track at my gym is 12 laps per mile and I did a practice half on it. 158 laps!

Wow! That's some staying power. I'd definitely take the track over the treadmill, but I did have to stop a few times because I felt dizzy going in quick circles like that. Props to you for seeing it through!

 

[Luv2Run]

I am running the Princess half in February. I've ran many half and full marathons but never at Disney. In fact this will be my first trip to Disney as well as my family. I am getting really nervous about logistics to expo and then start line. is there transportation from all resorts on property? I will be going to start alone . Just wanting to know what to expect.

Thanks!

Transportation to/from the Expo and on race day has greatly improved over the years. rD has pretty much gotten it down to a science. The buses are not Disney Transportation buses (the ones that have DISNEY in red on the sides), they're separate tour-bus style buses that will have placards in the front that indicate that they are for the Princess Half Marathon, with a letter designating which resort they are assigned to, so that you know which one to queue up at when you want to return to your hotel. They usually pick up/drop off in a separate location than the Disney Transportation buses, too, and there will be a sign in the front of the lobby telling you where to find it. If not, you can always ask someone at the front desk to point you in the right direction.

I've run rD races solo, with another person, and in groups, and have enjoyed myself every time. What I like about going solo is you can really soak in the atmosphere on race day. It's electric! It's pretty incredible to look ahead of you at the hundreds (sometimes thousands) of people getting ready to cross the start line, and then turn around and see even more people just behind you! I love it. The only race that waiting around seemed like torture was this year's Frozen 5K. We got there extra early, and wound up going numb in the process. Eeek!

 

[srauseo]

rD posted cover photos to their Facebook page officially confirming a Little Mermaid-themed weekend...YAY!!!

I'm really glad to see this - otherwise we might have felt a little silly in our Flotsam and Jetsam costumes!!

 

[IrishMel21]

I am running the Princess half in February. I've ran many half and full marathons but never at Disney. In fact this will be my first trip to Disney as well as my family. I am getting really nervous about logistics to expo and then start line. is there transportation from all resorts on property? I will be going to start alone . Just wanting to know what to expect.

Thanks!

I did my first runDisney event last year and went to the Expo/ran by myself. If you are staying at a Disney resort, signage as to where to go was really easy to find. I found it really easy to get to & from the Expo and then grabbing a bus from my resort to Epcot to get to the starting lines. It can be nerve-wracking at first but the signage is helpful & in the wee early morning hours, just follow the crowds.

Enjoy it!

 

[IrishMel21]

rD posted cover photos to their Facebook page officially confirming a Little Mermaid-themed weekend...YAY!!!

Will you be dressing as Ariel in one of the races?

 

[IrishMel21]

Yay, my official results from my 10k were posted and I was able to update my POT. My new results helped take 9 minutes off my expected finish time. This makes me very happy, especially because we still have all these months to train.

 

[preciouspups]

Running outside has provided me something that indoor just can't... distractions that will mimic the character stops! This morning it was two very excited little puppies that just begged for me to stop and pet them. How could I say no? That never happens on the treadmill!

Our indoor track is a nightmare. Not sure who designed it, but it definitely wasn't someone who has run before. Half of it is over the basketball court and the heat stays down there. The other half is open and overlooks the rest of the gym. That half gets boiling hot! Like can't breathe, kind of hot. Then three feet later you get to the part that is very cold. And the stairs to get up there end right at the track so you always have to stop for someone entering the track with their cane! I've had too many near collisions on that damn thing.

 

[Ariel484]

Will you be dressing as Ariel in one of the races?

Sadly, no. I thought about getting a custom SparkleSkirt made with Ariel fabric but I don't think it would be ready in time.

But I'm sure there will be a LOT Of Ariels on the courses!

Yay, my official results from my 10k were posted and I was able to update my POT. My new results helped take 9 minutes off my expected finish time. This makes me very happy, especially because we still have all these months to train.

That's awesome!! Great job!

Running outside has provided me something that indoor just can't... distractions that will mimic the character stops! This morning it was two very excited little puppies that just begged for me to stop and pet them. How could I say no? That never happens on the treadmill!

Best run ever!


I can't do indoor tracks...I lose count of my laps and I just get SO BORED. I don't like treadmills either, but at least with those I can stare at a TV the entire time and vary the speed to break the run up into smaller goals ("I'll go this speed for a mile...then up to this speed for a mile..." etc.). My longest run on a treadmill was a 12.5-miler training for the 2011 Princess Half...looking back on it now I have no idea how I did it. Now I'll only do my long runs inside if the weather is unsafe (lightning, icy roads, tons of snow, below-freezing temperatures, etc.).

 

[MyFavEeyore]

Wondering if anyone knows or has heard what the PHM 5k will be themed by in 2016? I'm helping my significant other complete his first ever run his 58 years of age (by then) and am hoping its one of his more favorite characters or movies (i.e. Frozen). Though we love them all of course!

 

[Ariel484]

Wondering if anyone knows or has heard what the PHM 5k will be themed by in 2016? I'm helping my significant other complete his first ever run his 58 years of age (by then) and am hoping its one of his more favorite characters or movies (i.e. Frozen). Though we love them all of course!

The Little Mermaid!

 

[Ariel484]

^^ Thinking that the pink portion with Ariel, Sebastian and Flounder is the finisher medallion?

Here are the other cover photos for those that don't have Facebook:

 

[Ariel484]

Has anyone started training with the Galloway plans this week? I'm using a 12-week plan, so I don't *officially* start training until November 30, but it's exciting that those using the Galloway plans are starting this week! Makes the race weekend feel just a bit closer...

 

[Ariel484]

Also...decent chance that we're getting a sneak peek at what the 5K medallion and medals will be from these cover photos, right?

 

[Luv2Run]

Yes, finally! Colors I actually like! Aqua is my favorite color, so I'm happy to see it's pretty dominant this year. I'm so excited - I get all FOUR shirts this time!

Those doing the W&D next month, you know the drill: take pics of the PHM medals at the rD booth at the Expo and post them here, please.

 

[princessluna14]

Ahhh I hope the half marathon ribbon is aqua and not that horrid green of the text!!

Also...decent chance that we're getting a sneak peek at what the 5K medallion and medals will be from these cover photos, right?

 

[Anisum]

Also...decent chance that we're getting a sneak peek at what the 5K medallion and medals will be from these cover photos, right?

Thanks for sharing!

I will say my only complaint is that the pink in the background of the 5k photo looks washed out because of all the vibrant red. Perhaps they would have done better with more aqua or even green. Ahhh well! I'm still super excited.

Also, I noticed in the past that the 10k medals have had a symbol that represents the princess theme for that year. Is it possible we might have a shell on the 10k medal?

 

[DVCFan1994]

I am guessing you are correct. That 5k image is probably going to be the 5k medal. The other medals are the same every year, but with different colors correct? Ive only done them two years, but my 10k, half and glass slipper medals are almost identical from 2014 and 2015. Most people think they are identical, I have to show how they are different. But the the differences are medal color, gold vs. silver and ribbon color. Also, on the 10k medal there is an image of cinderella's carriage above the "10k" vs a snowflake for 2015. I'm guessing 2016 will have a seashell there.

I'm guessing those exact images will be our t-shirts, because those images look a lot like my other 7 t-shirts

 

[Ariel484]

I am guessing you are correct. That 5k image is probably going to be the 5k medal. The other medals are the same every year, but with different colors correct? Ive only done them two years, but my 10k, half and glass slipper medals are almost identical from 2014 and 2015. Most people think they are identical, I have to show how they are different. But the the differences are medal color, gold vs. silver and ribbon color. Also, on the 10k medal there is an image of cinderella's carriage above the "10k" vs a snowflake for 2015. I'm guessing 2016 will have a seashell there.

I'm guessing those exact images will be our t-shirts, because those images look a lot like my other 7 t-shirts

Yeah I'm assuming the half and GSC medals will be the same as previous years. Hoping the 10K medal is the shell!