Official 2016 Princess Half Marathon Thread

[preciouspups]

No, your husband won't need a pass to go to the finish area. He can just take the race transportation.

When you say "walk in" during the half, where do you mean? If you mean the start/finish area, you can head in there (though at both there is a certain point where it's "runners only" from there on out).
If you mean the Magic Kingdom to watch from Main Street USA, you can go in there.
If you mean Epcot to watch the end of the race, you'll need park admission as the park will be open at that time.

Thanks! Yeah, I just meant to go over and see her finish or even just cheer her on part way. I wouldn't go for the beginning of the half because I just don't love anyone enough to get up that early a second day in a row!

 

[Ariel484]

Thanks! Yeah, I just meant to go over and see her finish or even just cheer her on part way. I wouldn't go for the beginning of the half because I just don't love anyone enough to get up that early a second day in a row!

Bwahahahaha

Yeah spectating the half is a process! My 2 BFFs and I spectated in 2014 (BFF #3 was doing the half) and we were at the Magic Kingdom pretty early (5 maybe? Definitely by 6 ). I think we waited there for her for at least 2 hours! And from there we headed to Epcot to catch her again a couple of times. It was an early - and long - morning, but we had fun!

 

[Dis5150]

So I have been hobbling around since my half on Saturday. I started feeling pain around mile 10 and was like "no way am I stopping now", lol, so I am paying the price now! Actually walking much better today, so that's a plus. I ran across the finish line, stopped for my medal, grabbed a water and Gatorade and met DH. When I started walking again, I literally felt my ankle give out and I couldn't even walk. I can't believe I was running 1 minute earlier. Adrenaline is a real thing, lol!

Anyway.. Race time weather was about 68 with 100% humidity. So hot! But there was a breeze off of the water (we ran past a lake, then along the Arkansas River) so that helped a lot with the humidity. I started at the back of the pack and met a lady who was in my corral at W&D (I was wearing my purple tank so she started talking to me)! From the very first mile I stuck to my intervals, so proud of myself! I think the only time I missed one was when I was at a water stop and then started running afterward when I was supposed to be walking. It was a nice course with local Sheriff's department blocking off all the roads. One deputy was blasting "Eye of the Tiger" on a loop thru his loudspeaker that I could hear for about 3 miles. So I heard that song for about 40 minutes straight, lol. There were real bathrooms at the 2nd water station so I took advantage of them and avoided the porta potties. They gave out GU gels at mile 8 which was nice. I started doing "running math" in my head and figured out that if I stayed on track I could finish under 3 hours so I stuck with it and finished at 2:57:41.

I posted a picture in the Sparkle Addicts facebook group (as I was wearing my first Sparkle Skirt) and found out there were a bunch of "Sparkle Sisters" both in the same race or that live pretty close to me.

Swag... Besides our medals, we got gender specific tech shirts, purple, with our names on the back! Lol, it was a list of everyone who registered by a certain point. But my name is there, albeit in tiny, tiny print. And we also got a cookbook in our race packets, from the local Junior League. That was a nice surprise.

All in all it was a nice race for my first Half and one that I will do again! Now, bring on Princess, cuz I know I can go the distance!

ETA: The race was to benefit a local Women's Abuse shelter and they gave us a free pancake breakfast after we finished.

 

[MyFavEeyore]

Ok, this question might have been answered a million times already, so I'm going to be the million and one. Is there a bus that runs from the theme parks to WDWESPN Center, and back. We have a lunch at MK and are trying to figure the best way to get our packets and make our ADR for Be Our Guest. I know the Disney buses run from park to park and hotel to park, and host buses run from hotel to pick up. But the ESPN center is a whole new ball game for me.

 

[Ariel484]

Ok, this question might have been answered a million times already, so I'm going to be the million and one. Is there a bus that runs from the theme parks to WDWESPN Center, and back. We have a lunch at MK and are trying to figure the best way to get our packets and make our ADR for Be Our Guest. I know the Disney buses run from park to park and hotel to park, and host buses run from hotel to pick up. But the ESPN center is a whole new ball game for me.

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I am 99% sure that the buses DO NOT go from the theme parks to WwoS - just the resorts. I think your best bet is to go to WWoS, then grab a bus on the MK loop and take the monorail to MK. Or something similar.

ETA: Page 8 of last year's Event Guide mentioned transportation to and from Host Resorts, doesn't mention to and from parks. http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/pdf/princess/2015/2015-princess-race-weekend-program.pdf

 

[Ariel484]

I posted a picture in the Sparkle Addicts facebook group (as I was wearing my first Sparkle Skirt) and found out there were a bunch of "Sparkle Sisters" both in the same race or that live pretty close to me.

CREEP MODE: I just went and looked at your pic that you posted. You look great in your skirt!

Sounds like it was a great race!!

 

[Dis5150]

CREEP MODE: I just went and looked at your pic that you posted. You look great in your skirt!

Sounds like it was a great race!!

Lol, I know my white legs looked FANTASTIC! I have to thank you (and the other Sparkle Skirt enthusiasts!) for talking so much about them. I loved it to run in! The pockets are awesome, didn't even feel my phone (iPhone 6) in my leg pocket, and had plenty of room for race fuel, chapstick, tissues, etc. I could have fit a TON more in those pockets! I will for sure be getting some more!

 

[Ariel484]

Lol, I know my white legs looked FANTASTIC! I have to thank you (and the other Sparkle Skirt enthusiasts!) for talking so much about them. I loved it to run in! The pockets are awesome, didn't even feel my phone (iPhone 6) in my leg pocket, and had plenty of room for race fuel, chapstick, tissues, etc. I could have fit a TON more in those pockets! I will for sure be getting some more!

I'm not exactly tan myself over here! So glad you love your skirt!

 

[bumbershoot]

Adrenaline is a real thing, lol!

It truly is. At RnR Vancouver I did my first back to back event, with the 10K then the Half over the weekend. After the Half I was hurting, then stood in line for the extra medal then got my beer and chatted with DH and DS (on the other side of the beer garden fence LOL), then we were slowly walking to the hotel. Got a few blocks away and realized I didn't have my CC or hotel keycard. When I took my flipbelt off they had fallen out (it had to have been then b/c I was checking for them every few minutes, and checked that they were there just before I took off the belt). I was hobbling one second, and RUNNING back to the event area the next. It was crazy, to feel that adrenaline and to have such a difference in how my entire body felt. Even my lungs were OK.

One deputy was blasting "Eye of the Tiger" on a loop thru his loudspeaker that I could hear for about 3 miles. So I heard that song for about 40 minutes straight

Love that song, but that's a bit much. Though the poor deputy had to hear it much longer.

Is there a bus that runs from the theme parks to WDWESPN Center, and back. We have a lunch at MK and are trying to figure the best way to get our packets and make our ADR for Be Our Guest.

No. Get to packet pickup from wherever you are, then take an event bus back to the Contemporary and walk to MK.

 

[keahgirl8]

So I have been hobbling around since my half on Saturday. I started feeling pain around mile 10 and was like "no way am I stopping now", lol, so I am paying the price now! Actually walking much better today, so that's a plus. I ran across the finish line, stopped for my medal, grabbed a water and Gatorade and met DH. When I started walking again, I literally felt my ankle give out and I couldn't even walk. I can't believe I was running 1 minute earlier. Adrenaline is a real thing, lol!

Anyway.. Race time weather was about 68 with 100% humidity. So hot! But there was a breeze off of the water (we ran past a lake, then along the Arkansas River) so that helped a lot with the humidity. I started at the back of the pack and met a lady who was in my corral at W&D (I was wearing my purple tank so she started talking to me)! From the very first mile I stuck to my intervals, so proud of myself! I think the only time I missed one was when I was at a water stop and then started running afterward when I was supposed to be walking. It was a nice course with local Sheriff's department blocking off all the roads. One deputy was blasting "Eye of the Tiger" on a loop thru his loudspeaker that I could hear for about 3 miles. So I heard that song for about 40 minutes straight, lol. There were real bathrooms at the 2nd water station so I took advantage of them and avoided the porta potties. They gave out GU gels at mile 8 which was nice. I started doing "running math" in my head and figured out that if I stayed on track I could finish under 3 hours so I stuck with it and finished at 2:57:41.

I posted a picture in the Sparkle Addicts facebook group (as I was wearing my first Sparkle Skirt) and found out there were a bunch of "Sparkle Sisters" both in the same race or that live pretty close to me.

Swag... Besides our medals, we got gender specific tech shirts, purple, with our names on the back! Lol, it was a list of everyone who registered by a certain point. But my name is there, albeit in tiny, tiny print. And we also got a cookbook in our race packets, from the local Junior League. That was a nice surprise.

All in all it was a nice race for my first Half and one that I will do again! Now, bring on Princess, cuz I know I can go the distance!

ETA: The race was to benefit a local Women's Abuse shelter and they gave us a free pancake breakfast after we finished.

Congrats! You did an amazing job!

I do have to do my little public service announcement here for new runners or first time halfers as an injured runner. While it is a total rock star move to push through the pain, and I am by no means suggesting anyone quits, please listen to your bodies. I was in extreme pain for most of the half this year, and didn't really stop or increase my walk breaks at all. I would give anything to be able to go back and walk more (or walk completely). I am now on month 10 of an injury and I am missing the half next year. Being a bada** is great, but please race wisely. Thank you for reading!

 

[pigletliz]

Congrats! You did an amazing job!

I do have to do my little public service announcement here for new runners or first time halfers as an injured runner. While it is a total rock star move to push through the pain, and I am by no means suggesting anyone quits, please listen to your bodies. I was in extreme pain for most of the half this year, and didn't really stop or increase my walk breaks at all. I would give anything to be able to go back and walk more (or walk completely). I am now on month 10 of an injury and I am missing the half next year. Being a bada** is great, but please race wisely. Thank you for reading!

Great advice! Sometimes I cringe when I see "pixie dust will get you through" as advice to an injured runner. I pulled my hamstring during a marathon and continued to run. I actually thought it was a cramp. Took a full year to recover. I missed out on a lot of races, but I am actually stronger since I followed the doctor's orders. The races aren't going anywhere. Safe running everyone!

 

[preciouspups]

I'm planning out reservations for the weekend. We are not on a meal plan and probably not doing any of the parks so I think we will stick to Disney Springs (that name still doesn't stick for me!). I'm thinking an early dinner at the Italian place on Friday night and then a nice dinner at the steakhouse on Saturday night. No kids means we can eat where we want and when we want!!

 

[purplekicks]

I'm planning out reservations for the weekend. We are not on a meal plan and probably not doing any of the parks so I think we will stick to Disney Springs (that name still doesn't stick for me!). I'm thinking an early dinner at the Italian place on Friday night and then a nice dinner at the steakhouse on Saturday night. No kids means we can eat where we want and when we want!!

I'm thinking of not doing any parks, either. Everywhere I want to eat is in Disney Springs.

I'm really just looking forward to 5 days of me time away from the kids.

 

[Ariel484]

Great advice! Sometimes I cringe when I see "pixie dust will get you through" as advice to an injured runner. I pulled my hamstring during a marathon and continued to run. I actually thought it was a cramp. Took a full year to recover. I missed out on a lot of races, but I am actually stronger since I followed the doctor's orders. The races aren't going anywhere. Safe running everyone!

I roll my eyes soooooo hard whenever I read that...

 

[Panikim]

Ok.....I know I am probably not the only one but......goodness!!!! We are a little over 60 days out and no news as to theme or medals or really.....anything! I am a planner and this is killing me!!! Ok. So I'm done venting. Thanks!!

 

[keahgirl8]

Ok.....I know I am probably not the only one but......goodness!!!! We are a little over 60 days out and no news as to theme or medals or really.....anything! I am a planner and this is killing me!!! Ok. So I'm done venting. Thanks!!

I know it's frustrating. Hopefully we'll hear something soon. Theme is Little Mermaid. I'd bet money on it.

 

[Panikim]

I know it's frustrating. Hopefully we'll hear something soon. Theme is Little Mermaid. I'd bet money on it.

Yeah. After "seaing" (I know...cheap joke!) the training wall papers or whatever they are called I would venture to agree with you. I am stoked because A. I had already made my costume about 6 months ago and I am Ariel for the half and B. My husband loves Ariel (what guy doesn't?) and C. it reminds me a lot of my childhood because it was one of my favorites.

I have become almost fanatical about check for the medal designs. I know it simply doesn't matter but after being misdiagnosed last and and living with cancer for 7 months without even knowing it, I didn't know if I would be alive to complete the 2016 run let alone see how it all turned out. On my bucket list too.

 

[Dis5150]

Congrats! You did an amazing job!

Thanks!

 

[Luv2Run]

Did anyone else get an email about a survey from runDisney? I just finished mine.

 

[srauseo]

So I ran out of day on Sunday and did my long run on the treadmill at the gym last night. 8.5 miles. Had to stop at 60 minutes as the treadmill has an automatic shutoff so I went to the ladies' room, ate a gel, and then got back on the treadmill for another 30 minutes. My sister also did around 8 miles and her pace is improving a lot. I don't think we'll be placed in the same corral as my POT was quite a bit lower than hers but I'm hoping by race day we'll actually be pretty close and can run together comfortably.