Official 2016 Princess Half Marathon Thread

[JenniferJuniper]

In my experience, they're very serious about you having your ID when you pick up your bib. There were too many people reselling their bibs to people who couldn't get in, or because they could not run and missed the deferral window. Only possibility would be if your niece is under 18. ID is only required for those 18 and over I believe. I know I can pick up my kids 5k waivers without them there.

Edited to add: found this on runDisney.com. Looks like 18 is the cutoff:

Waivers

• Waivers will be provided online approximately two weeks before the race.
• You must have your signed waiver and a Photo ID with you to pick up your race packet.
• A parent or legal guardian must complete and sign the waiver for any participant under 18 years old. No exceptions will be made.

Packet Pick-Up

• You must pick up your own participant packet (which includes your event-issued bib number and timing device) during regularly scheduled hours. Individuals will no longer be able to pick up participant packets on behalf of others.
• Download and complete your personalized race waiver on-line (available approximately one month prior to event).
• Visit the Disney Health & Fitness Expo at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to pick up your Race Packet
• You must have a valid ID in order to pick up your packet (driver's license, passport, Military ID, Government issued ID.)
• If you do not have a valid photo ID we cannot issue you your race bib. No exceptions will be made.

Yes, I saw all of that very serious language on the runDisney site! I figured it was a long shot, but you guys would know for sure. Did you also see that it says waivers are available one month prior in the packet pick-up spot? hee-hee.

Niece is over 18 & will just have to fend for herself.

 

[SherryinBA]

I'm adding to @Keels packing list again... Voltaren gel and my stretchy band and my spikey ball. All going in the suitcase for these crazy muscle spasms.

Just realized I have a tube of Voltaren gel the doc prescribed for my tennis elbow. Thanks for the reminder! I'll put that on my packing list too.

 

[DVCFan1994]

Yes, I saw all of that very serious language on the runDisney site! I figured it was a long shot, but you guys would know for sure. Did you also see that it says waivers are available one month prior in the packet pick-up spot? hee-hee.

Niece is over 18 & will just have to fend for herself.

Typical runDisney. The waiver section says they will be available 2 weeks before, the Packet Pick-Up sections says a month. They are not even consistent on the same page of information!

They used to allow others to pick-up bibs with a signed waiver, but alas that has ended.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Can we go back to shopping talk? I have never run with sunglasses before, but watching video of the half marathon makes me wonder if I am going to want some. Does anyone have a brand they can recommend?

I bought a pair of light weight sunglasses at the Star Wars Light Side Expo - $35! So worth it! I'll have to figure out the booth's name.

 

[joan4mickey]

Can we go back to shopping talk? I have never run with sunglasses before, but watching video of the half marathon makes me wonder if I am going to want some. Does anyone have a brand they can recommend?

Obvious at first you won't...it will be dark, unless the artificial light that is added to help us make our way through the dark. Not sure what your pace is...but for me right around mile 7, heading back up the highway, right around the Hess Station, we run right into the rising sun. I have started in corral B/C (change in corral arrangement, fewer people in each pushed me back) and starting about 10 minutes after the first gun puts me into the sun around 7am. Hope that helps, of course the rising sun area will last for some time before and after 7.

 

[Dis5150]

Can we go back to shopping talk? I have never run with sunglasses before, but watching video of the half marathon makes me wonder if I am going to want some. Does anyone have a brand they can recommend?

At home I run in tinted wrap around style safety glasses I bought at Lowes, lol! But they fold HUGE so they are not making the trip. I am thinking of just getting a pair at Dollar Tree. That way I can just shove them in my (SparkleSkirt!) pocket and not worry about them. I typically buy 5-6 pairs there if I find a style I like and keep them in each car, in my purse, etc. so I always have a pair.

 

[JenniferJuniper]

Did you guys see the new runDisney shirts at disneystore.com? I'm loving Anger:

 

[Fruto76]

That had me & my BF on it with different BIB #s ...we might be getting closer.

And did someone say if you are doing GSC, you get one Bib # but two different corrals for 10k/Half? Which corral grids do you go by?

There is a separate Glass Slipper Corral list to use.

This is my first runDisney event. How serious are they about not picking up packets for others? I fly in Thursday afternoon & was was going to head to the expo right from the airport. My niece is flying in Friday -- if I have her waiver, can I pick up for her? Do they check IDs with the waivers? (Most other races that I have done it is totally okay to pick up other people's stuff.)

Quite serious and the volunteers have always asked for and verified my ID at pick up.

Can we go back to shopping talk? I have never run with sunglasses before, but watching video of the half marathon makes me wonder if I am going to want some. Does anyone have a brand they can recommend?

I used to run with Oakley glasses. They had a drawstring fabric pouch for storage that I would hoop onto my spibelt or fuel belt for when I needed them. I now skip the glasses and use a visor. I pull it down a little when running directly into the sun.

 

[butiflfeet]

So I'm trying to plan out my race in my head and just wondering, does anyone remember if Merida has been on the half marathon course and if so where she might have been in previous years? Just want to get an idea of where I'll be taking a break because she's really the only princess I want a picture with!

 

[DVCFan1994]

So I'm trying to plan out my race in my head and just wondering, does anyone remember if Merida has been on the half marathon course and if so where she might have been in previous years? Just want to get an idea of where I'll be taking a break because she's really the only princess I want a picture with!

I do not remember seeing her in 2014 or 2105. I googled quick, and found a few recaps bloggers posted with a list of characters and the approximate mile where they saw them, and did not see her listed. Sorry. But characters can change year to year, so you never know!

 

[Anisum]

I'm adding to @Keels packing list again... Voltaren gel and my stretchy band and my spikey ball. All going in the suitcase for these crazy muscle spasms.

Oh, I need to pack my spikey ball. So much easier to put in luggage than my spikey log.

 

[bethan92]

It's now less than 2 weeks until I fly to Florida!

I've never done a runDisney race or a 'racecation' before. Does anyone have anything they consider a 'must pack' item?

 

[Enchanted10x]

Can anyone tell me if you need to present your id when you pick up a kids bib? I know the parent or guardian needs to sign the waiver but if someone else has the waiver signed by a parent can they pick up the kids bib?

 

[Anisum]

It's now less than 2 weeks until I fly to Florida!

I've never done a runDisney race or a 'racecation' before. Does anyone have anything they consider a 'must pack' item?

@Keels posted some packing tips a few pages back see it here. and then @preciouspups added to it here and here. Plus there's this one which many have recommended.

Adding to this a tip I got from my friend not to overpack shirts because depending on what you're running you may end up with 1-4 extras that you'll have to bring home. Plus there's all the goodies at the expo.

 

[Keels]

Adding to this a tip I got from my friend not to overpack shirts because depending on what you're running you may end up with 1-4 extras that you'll have to bring home. Plus there's all the goodies at the expo.

100-percent THIS. Also, make every attempt possible to go carry-on only. If you can't do carry-on, then make sure you have everything you need to physically run your races in your carry-on (shoes, running attire, undergarments, etc.). With weather still being crazy every where, the last thing you need to end up with is a missing checked bag containing all of your run gear.

I'll be carrying on and I'm only bringing a couple of casual outfits and then extra capris/skirts to wear with race shirts or anything I buy at the Expo after each race.

 

[Mil leech]

So I'm trying to plan out my race in my head and just wondering, does anyone remember if Merida has been on the half marathon course and if so where she might have been in previous years? Just want to get an idea of where I'll be taking a break because she's really the only princess I want a picture with!

I saw pictures with her from before and after the race but not I the course.

 

[butiflfeet]

I do not remember seeing her in 2014 or 2105. I googled quick, and found a few recaps bloggers posted with a list of characters and the approximate mile where they saw them, and did not see her listed. Sorry. But characters can change year to year, so you never know!

Thank you! I guess I don't need to worry about pictures taking too much off of my finish time then!

 

[bethan92]

@Keels posted some packing tips a few pages back see it here. and then @preciouspups added to it here and here. Plus there's this one which many have recommended.

Adding to this a tip I got from my friend not to overpack shirts because depending on what you're running you may end up with 1-4 extras that you'll have to bring home. Plus there's all the goodies at the expo.

Oh goodness, sorry I must have missed these!

Great tips though, thank you very much. Added them to my packing list (and taking some shirts off it).

100-percent THIS. Also, make every attempt possible to go carry-on only. If you can't do carry-on, then make sure you have everything you need to physically run your races in your carry-on (shoes, running attire, undergarments, etc.). With weather still being crazy every where, the last thing you need to end up with is a missing checked bag containing all of your run gear.

I'll be carrying on and I'm only bringing a couple of casual outfits and then extra capris/skirts to wear with race shirts or anything I buy at the Expo after each race.

Definitely taking my shoes and costumes in my carry on!

Don't think I'll be able to do carry on only. I feel I'll need all the extra packing room I can get for all these sparkle skirts and raw threads shirts I can't get in the UK!

 

[DVCFan1994]

@Keels posted some packing tips a few pages back see it here. and then @preciouspups added to it here and here. Plus there's this one which many have recommended.

Adding to this a tip I got from my friend not to overpack shirts because depending on what you're running you may end up with 1-4 extras that you'll have to bring home. Plus there's all the goodies at the expo.

100-percent THIS. Also, make every attempt possible to go carry-on only. If you can't do carry-on, then make sure you have everything you need to physically run your races in your carry-on (shoes, running attire, undergarments, etc.). With weather still being crazy every where, the last thing you need to end up with is a missing checked bag containing all of your run gear.

I'll be carrying on and I'm only bringing a couple of casual outfits and then extra capris/skirts to wear with race shirts or anything I buy at the Expo after each race.

I will definitely third this sentiment about the shirts. The last two years I have brought outfits for each day. But, on race days, I (and half the parks in my experience) end up wearing the race shirt of the day with the accompanying medal(s). So this year, just shorts/capris/skorts for post race days and I will wear race shirts with them. I like to wear my compression socks (even if it looks dorky) post 10k and 13.1, so the race shirt/athletic bottom/compression socks and sneakers work well.

I will be there long enough I can't quite get everything in a carryon. In part because we do dressy dinners each night. But I put all my sneakers, clothes and everything I need for racing in my carryon. I've never had an airline lose my baggage, and I don't want the first time to be when its full of race necessities, so I carry it all!

 

[lovingeire]

I also can't do all carry on. Mostly becaues my crazy, curly hair needs too much product for the new TSA rules! So I pack all of my race gear: costumes, shoes, socks and undies in my carry on. Then I pack everything else in mmy checked bag. Plenty of room for my purchases going home. I actually have a packing spreadsheet. I have a list of days and outfits and costumes as applicable for the trip. Then I have a checked bag section (lists item and a place to check it off) and a carry on bag section (also with the item and place to check it off). It worked really well last year in keeping me organized.

I also plan to wear race shirts, although I will pack one or two shirts for the beginning of the trip and as a backup in case they don't match any of the Sparkle Skirts or other bottoms that I packed.