Official all things Princess Half Weekend 2015 thread! DOoneY and offical mErcH on DisneyParksBLOg

[keahgirl8]

Thanks for the advice. "Take a deep breath" is the hard one for me - if you see someone at the 5K wearing a jean skirt and hyperventilating that's me! I'm planning to stop for almost every character (maybe even every character ... depends on how many characters there are at the 5K), so I'm hoping that helps me enjoy the experience. I'm training by running 2x/week and trying to up my distance (this morning's run was 2.37 mi) and actual running time (I'm currently doing intervals of 2:00walk/3:00 run, but I'm hoping to actually get the to the point where I can just do straight running the whole time ... but taking it slow). I think I should be in good shape for the 5K ... assuming I keep running once the weather starts getting colder. I just finished reading through all 90+ pages of the thread ... you people are all amazing. That's all I have to say.

If you want to run the whole time, you can. Just don't feel like you have to. Run/walk is a totally valid form of training/racing. That being said...you can do anything you set your mind to. If I can be a runner, I guarantee you can.

 

[FrenchSnowWhite]

Hey guys any of you going on the DCL Dream 4 days cruise to do the Castaway Cay challenge after de 1/2 marathon????

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I was thinking about stopping by the Tower Expo this weekend (around 4:30pm Friday) with the hopes of trying to get a pair of the Disney shoes. Is it possible to get them without being a runner in that race? I saw for some races you can preregister but have to be a runner. Any help would be great, I've never been to an expo!

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Hey guys any of you going on the DCL Dream 4 days cruise to do the Castaway Cay challenge after de 1/2 marathon????

Unfortunately, no. That adds more expense, my DH would not be pleased. Also, I'd be away from home for quite some time.

 

[pinkvol7]

So a 69 year old male runner was attacked here in my city and raped by a 17 year old male!! Absolutely horrific. Now, I'm a little nervous running. Do any of y'all carry mace or anything with you while running? If so, where do you keep it so you can get it quickly? I'm not a paranoid person, but I run with my dd8. She rides her bike while I run through our county park. I've always felt safe until now.

 

[steph0808]

So a 69 year old male runner was attacked here in my city and raped by a 17 year old male!! Absolutely horrific. Now, I'm a little nervous running. Do any of y'all carry mace or anything with you while running? If so, where do you keep it so you can get it quickly? I'm not a paranoid person, but I run with my dd8. She rides her bike while I run through our county park. I've always felt safe until now.

Check at a sporting goods store (I bought mine at Gander Mountain and have seen them at Cabela's), but they make pepper sprays with a strap that goes around the palm of you hand - so when you are running, it is always ready to be used in case you need it!

 

[pinkvol7]

Check at a sporting goods store (I bought mine at Gander Mountain and have seen them at Cabela's), but they make pepper sprays with a strap that goes around the palm of you hand - so when you are running, it is always ready to be used in case you need it!

Thanks! I was just in Gander a mountain yesterday!! I'll go back today!

 

[cannmom]

So, the Galloway training plan for PHM started this week. Is anyone else following that or are you doing your own plan? I'm very much a beginner runner so I think I need the structure of someone else telling me what to do.

I noticed when I downloaded the calendar for the plan on my phone it's from 2013 and the dates are wrong. It doesn't start until Oct 29th. Just a heads up if anyone was going by that date, because I looked at it several times before I noticed it was from last year.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

So, the Galloway training plan for PHM started this week. Is anyone else following that or are you doing your own plan? I'm very much a beginner runner so I think I need the structure of someone else telling me what to do.

I noticed when I downloaded the calendar for the plan on my phone it's from 2013 and the dates are wrong. It doesn't start until Oct 29th. Just a heads up if anyone was going by that date, because I looked at it several times before I noticed it was from last year.

Funny you should mention that. I was just looking at the GSC plan and it mentions DDD. Disney should really proofread for those types of small changes. I wrote the GSC plan on my calendar already. I don't think the wrong dates affected me.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Hi Everyone!

I'm running the 10k and my sister is doing the GSC. Since this is my first race, we are trying to figure out what the difference is with all the Cheer Squads and if they are worth it.

Based on the runDisney site, it seems that the top two packages for the half are explained pretty well but not so much for the bronze and silver.

Do either of those include seating for the 10k or half?

What is included in them, ie.: cheer squad gear???

Are the packages worth it? We are staying at BLT for the race weekend.

If you don't do the package, is there an area where you just wait? What are the advantages/disadvantages?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[tammyroo]

Hi Everyone!

I'm running the 10k and my sister is doing the GSC. Since this is my first race, we are trying to figure out what the difference is with all the Cheer Squads and if they are worth it.

Based on the runDisney site, it seems that the top two packages for the half are explained pretty well but not so much for the bronze and silver.

Do either of those include seating for the 10k or half?

What is included in them, ie.: cheer squad gear???

Are the packages worth it? We are staying at BLT for the race weekend.

If you don't do the package, is there an area where you just wait? What are the advantages/disadvantages

Thanks in advance!!!

My daughter and I went to the PHM this year to support a friend. We didn't do any package and didn't get up early to see her off at the start or anything. We had some pre-made signs and caught the bus from the resort to the race about an hour before she was due to finish. Didn't have a spot right at the finish line but around the corner after she had received her medal. Lots of spectators but room enough and people were kind enough to let us close to the barrier to take pics.
The best thing we did was have her sign us up for texts that alerted us at each of her 5k intervals along the way so we were able to keep up with her progress.

 

[tammyroo]

Hey everyone,
This will be my first (and last half marathon) so I'm wondering what more experienced runners take with them on race day. My phone is a given so I can take pics. But I'm not sure what nutrition or hydration needs to be packed in the race pack for the day. Is the hydration along the route sufficient?
What about other items. I don't want to be a pack mule but I don't want to leave out something essential either.

Thanks for your input.

 

[joan4mickey]

Heads up…just called to book hotel this morning and disney visa discounts came out today!

 

[Luv2Run]

Hey everyone,
This will be my first (and last half marathon) so I'm wondering what more experienced runners take with them on race day. My phone is a given so I can take pics. But I'm not sure what nutrition or hydration needs to be packed in the race pack for the day. Is the hydration along the route sufficient?
What about other items. I don't want to be a pack mule but I don't want to leave out something essential either.

Thanks for your input.

This really varies by person. For instance, I don't take any fuel with me besides a packet of Sport Beans that I eat about a half hour before race start. I find the water stops along the race route to be more than sufficient for my needs, but I've seen other runners bring their own fuel belts so they have their own supply of water/Gatorade (since the water stops only provide Powerade). If you're not a fan of GU gels, then I suggest you bring your own fuel, as that's the only fuel they provide on the course (around mile 9, if I remember correctly). If you get injured, there's lots of staff around to help, even at the end of the race. In the past, I've picked up bags of ice for my ankles after I've crossed the finish line.

I suggest you use the next few months to try out different types of fuel & hydration strategies to figure out what works best for your stomach. I know it took me a while to figure out what works with my tummy, and what doesn't.

Oh, and I always pack a jacket in my the bag I keep at bag check, since I always am chilly after I finish the race. Just a suggestion. It's always best to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Heads up…just called to book hotel this morning and disney visa discounts came out today!

Held out and booked a pool view at POR this morning. Used the discount.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Hey everyone,
This will be my first (and last half marathon) so I'm wondering what more experienced runners take with them on race day. My phone is a given so I can take pics. But I'm not sure what nutrition or hydration needs to be packed in the race pack for the day. Is the hydration along the route sufficient?
What about other items. I don't want to be a pack mule but I don't want to leave out something essential either.

Thanks for your input.

I'm a low maintenance runner. I don't use headphones or run with a fuel belt. I take a wash cloth with me, because I can't stand a sweaty face. I try to hydrate properly, so I don't need fluids on the course. I refuel with a powerbar or Cliff bar every ten minutes at some point on the course. There will be six of us running. Between us a camera and smartphone will be used.

 

[keahgirl8]

I eat 5 Honey Stinger chews every half hour or so. I also have an 8 oz bottle attached to my belt in case I need water between stops. This year I carried a WDW fanny pack with my fuel, camera, phone, portable charger, lip balm, and iPod shuffle. I had a lightweight rain jacket that folds into itself hooked onto the belt. It was pretty lightweight and flat, considering all I had in there!

 

[Neesy228]

Hey ladies, hope everyone is doing well and making some progress on the training! I'm going slower than I did last autumn, in the hopes of avoiding the shin splints I suffered through for last years Half, and so far, so good.

I hoping someone can help me.

I thought I read somewhere that there was a link to discount tickets for the race, but I can't find any info! Did I imagine it?

Thanks and good luck with the training! For anyone doubting themselves: You've totally got this!

ETA: I think I just figured out that the discount tickets are for the Wine & Dine Half.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Hey ladies, hope everyone is doing well and making some progress on the training! I'm going slower than I did last autumn, in the hopes of avoiding the shin splints I suffered through for last years Half, and so far, so good.

I hoping someone can help me.

I thought I read somewhere that there was a link to discount tickets for the race, but I can't find any info! Did I imagine it?

Thanks and good luck with the training! For anyone doubting themselves: You've totally got this!

ETA: I think I just figured out that the discount tickets are for the Wine & Dine Half.

They used to offer runners a discount on tickets, but it seems like they did away with that.

 

[jdd]

Heads up…just called to book hotel this morning and disney visa discounts came out today!

Yay! I got this too. Saved $210 at CBR, so I'm pretty excited