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

[BwoZoo22]

I found it amusing I can register for the Race Retreat and commemorative items through Active, even though race registration isn't open to me. So excited to register!

 

[whamma]

Thanks CynthiaRebeca for the input. I'm running with a friend and I think we're just going to take our chances and wait to register for the GSC on July 15th. Your info makes me feel better about waiting. I will get on the computer (direct link--good idea and I'm going to try not to be on wifi!) early that day and be ready to enter! Thanks!!!

 

[joan4mickey]

Thanks CynthiaRebeca for the input. I'm running with a friend and I think we're just going to take our chances and wait to register for the GSC on July 15th. Your info makes me feel better about waiting. I will get on the computer (direct link--good idea and I'm going to try not to be on wifi!) early that day and be ready to enter! Thanks!!!

I think you should wait and hopefully get in.
If you register for the half and 10k separately you don't get the special GSC medal.
Hope you are successful.

 

[jdd]

Well, I bit the bullet and registered today It really made me nervous when I saw the GSC sold out so fast. I won't be able to be at my computer at noon next Tuesday, and I didn't want to miss out! I was able to register myself, a friend and my niece - so excited, yet a little overwhelmed that I'm really going to do this

I really hope this winter is more conducive to training...

 

[InspiredbyMadi]

Congrats to everyone who registered today! I'm so excited for next year. I will be at my computer Tuesday morning ready and waiting (I'm the anxious one who requested the day off ). I completed my first PHM this year and some dear friends and family members have been bit by the RunDisney bug after my experience. We have a little group formed.

Quick question...when registering, am I able to add another runner with me or will I need to complete two separate registrations (we are paying with two separate credit cards)? My sister-in-law has decided to run with me next year and because she is working Tuesday, I volunteered to register for her.

On another note, I'm a bit envious of those running in the GSC. I soo wanted to try it next year but in February, I will be in my second month of a full-time nursing school program and I think it would be too stressful for me. I've decided the Half will be enough of a challenge with balancing school and training. Please tell me I'm making the right decision here...

 

[Octoberbeauty]

On another note, I'm a bit envious of those running in the GSC. I soo wanted to try it next year but in February, I will be in my second month of a full-time nursing school program and I think it would be too stressful for me. I've decided the Half will be enough of a challenge with balancing school and training. Please tell me I'm making the right decision here...

You have to do what's best for you. If you think it's going to be too stressful, then go with your gut. The GSC will still be there in 2016.

I'm kind of the same way though. Still wondering what to sign up for. I'd like to have all those medals. I'm easily swayed by shiny things, but not sure I want to tackle 3 early mornings when I'm not even sure I can train for a half. I'm scared to sign up for it and not be able to finish it. I don't have any running friends, and no one to travel with, so I'll have to pump myself and cheer myself on. Everyone seems to already have their 'groups'.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Congrats to all those in so far.
I want to be one of you but I don't think it's in the cards this year and I know it will sell out before I would know if I could swing it. Plus I don't think DH is really on board with it.

I hope it's a Frozen theme even though I will be more bummed of it is.
I can't wait to see the medals!

 

[jacquelinemc]

I will be trying to register for the first time next week. I am also a long time Disney Visa holder and have not been able to find any info on discounts, etc. even when I called Disney Visa Rewards they say the incentives are provided by Disney, not them. So how do I find out what I maybe entitled to?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

You have to do what's best for you. If you think it's going to be too stressful, then go with your gut. The GSC will still be there in 2016.

I'm kind of the same way though. Still wondering what to sign up for. I'd like to have all those medals. I'm easily swayed by shiny things, but not sure I want to tackle 3 early mornings when I'm not even sure I can train for a half. I'm scared to sign up for it and not be able to finish it. I don't have any running friends, and no one to travel with, so I'll have to pump myself and cheer myself on. Everyone seems to already have their 'groups'.

Sherry, I went with my family last year but trained and ran by myself.
Everyone on the course was wonderful. Cheering each other on, watching out for one another.
The 3 early mornings weren't as bad as I thought they would be, just plan accordingly and don't try to do a ton in the parks. The 5K was pretty easy and quick. The 10K was fun because we got to run around the Boardwalk, that was exciting. The 1/2 was good, I struggled between mile 8 and 10 but I had bought myself enough time that I walked most of those 2 miles and was still within my target time.
I know you can do it! Follow that Galloway run/walk plan. Lots of people used that plan, especially those who tackled 2 or 3 races. It is totally doable if you set your mind to it.

 

[capecodgoofy]

So upset with myself, I didn't understand that there are a limited number of GSC spots open for early registration so I missed my opportunity. Now I have to decide what to do. Do I just register for the half and the 10K separately now? Or do I wait and take my chances on July 15th and register for the GSC? Any suggestions?

Same thing happened to me and I'm SO upset! I got halfway through registering earlier via my phone as we were out of the house and had to stop and look up my last 10k time and then got pulled away by one of the kids! UGH! So I'm trying to decide the same thing.

I really had my heart set on the GSC but I suppose I could do just the two individually...

 

[capecodgoofy]

I think if you have your heart set on that extra GSC medal then you're better off waiting until general registration and being on the site 15 minutes before and refreshing one minute before (with a direct link if possible as the rundisney site has been known to crash) As long as you do that then I would say you will get it with a 95% chance. And even if that sells out then you will still have the same option of buying both races separately (though get the 10k first as that will go before the half) since those sell out slower then the GSC will. Good luck!

Probably a dumb follow up question from me on this... do you mean a direct link to the active site? will the same link that i have now via the early registration work? this is my first (well, hopefully my first!) Disney race and i am really clueless about all of this!

 

[jco_direwolf]

had to stop and look up my last 10k time

Does it make a difference?

I put in the default 3:15 (?) planning on sending in my proof of time later.

I figured since I had to send proof of time later anyway, I would just do the whole thing later and get registered now. It also draws out the dream of mine of having a 12 minute per mile time. (13-14 I can do.. but I'm finding 12 over 10k to be hard to do. )

 

[capecodgoofy]

Does it make a difference?

I put in the default 3:15 (?) planning on sending in my proof of time later.

I figured since I had to send proof of time later anyway, I would just do the whole thing later and get registered now. It also draws out the dream of mine of having a 12 minute per mile time. (13-14 I can do.. but I'm finding 12 over 10k to be hard to do. )

Had I known that it would sell out that quickly, I would have put it the default. I knew I had my results via email and figured I would just look it up then. It's totally my fault that I didn't finish the registration when I started and I have learned my lesson but I'm still bummed.

 

[Octoberbeauty]

Sherry, I went with my family last year but trained and ran by myself.
Everyone on the course was wonderful. Cheering each other on, watching out for one another.
The 3 early mornings weren't as bad as I thought they would be, just plan accordingly and don't try to do a ton in the parks. The 5K was pretty easy and quick. The 10K was fun because we got to run around the Boardwalk, that was exciting. The 1/2 was good, I struggled between mile 8 and 10 but I had bought myself enough time that I walked most of those 2 miles and was still within my target time.
I know you can do it! Follow that Galloway run/walk plan. Lots of people used that plan, especially those who tackled 2 or 3 races. It is totally doable if you set your mind to it.

Thank you. I'm sorry you are going to miss it. I would love to meet you in person. I remember talking to you a lot after I lost Macy. Thank you for that. It meant a lot to me.

 

[InspiredbyMadi]

Sherry, thank you for your wise words. I really do think I'm making the right choice by sticking with the Half again. In 2016, I will be closer to finishing school so the GSC may be in the cards for me.

Don't stress not having a group. I have a group traveling with me but we will all be running at different paces. I ran with a friend this year and after the first ten minutes, we didn't see each other again. As BernardandMissBianca said, the other runners are so encouraging. You will not feel alone. So many times I wanted to stop and someone would run by and yell something motivating and off I'd go. If your heart is in it, you can absolutely do this. If you check back in my profile you will come across a thread I started last year when I was apprehensive about signing up. This community was so positive! It's a great read.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Hopping in to the thread.

I registered for the 10K yesterday. It will be my first Disney Run. I'm super excited.

As of right now this is going to be a solo trip. My DH will be away for work. I'm not sure if I'm going to bring my DD15 with me. We are planning a June trip for her 16th Bday next year.

Any one else go solo? Any tips?

 

[Luv2Run]

Hi HockeyMom! Congrats on your first runDisney race! I've done the PHM solo twice now, and one good thing about is you're able to weave around the groups easier without worrying about ditching your running buddy.

There are a couple low points to running the race by yourself: hanging out in the corrals alone can be kinda boring/lonely. I busy myself by watching the corrals fill up, complimenting other runners on their outfits, asking where they're from, if this is their first time running this race, giving advice on which port-o-johns to use/skip, talking about photo ops along the course, etc. It's also kind of a bummer running the race and not seeing anyone you know cheeering you on (my bf met me at the finish line last year, but wasn't able to get out to meet me along the course), but there are lots of people out there cheering on people they don't know, so I'll pretend they're there for me.

It really is a great race to run alone, despite those minor complaints I mentioned.

Oh, side note: were you the one posting in the Decorating Magic Bands thread? If so, you're awesome! I can't wait to see what you come up with for the race!

 

[jco_direwolf]

Had I known that it would sell out that quickly, I would have put it the default. I knew I had my results via email and figured I would just look it up then. It's totally my fault that I didn't finish the registration when I started and I have learned my lesson but I'm still bummed.

I am curious if I made a mistake by doing it this way. I'm really wondering why they ask at registration since it seems to be all handled post registration.

I feel for you but I will tell you I missed pre reg for rebel challenge (my case it was just me waffling.). But at noon on reg day I got in.

Coast to coast here I come.

 

[jdd]

Hopping in to the thread.

I registered for the 10K yesterday. It will be my first Disney Run. I'm super excited.

As of right now this is going to be a solo trip. My DH will be away for work. I'm not sure if I'm going to bring my DD15 with me. We are planning a June trip for her 16th Bday next year.

Any one else go solo? Any tips?

Congratulations on registering for the 10K! I ran it this past February, and it was awesome It was a really fun distance and the course was great IMO. I had planned it to be a solo trip, but several of my family members ended up joining me (parents, son, sister, nieces). I did run the race solo though, and it was fine. As mentioned before, I found everyone to be considerate and very encouraging. I wouldn't hesitate to run solo again!

 

[zefyr]

Hopping in to the thread.

I registered for the 10K yesterday. It will be my first Disney Run. I'm super excited.

As of right now this is going to be a solo trip. My DH will be away for work. I'm not sure if I'm going to bring my DD15 with me. We are planning a June trip for her 16th Bday next year.

Any one else go solo? Any tips?

Solo trips can be fun because it's totally up to you what you want to do and when. The worst part is eating by yourself and not having much conversation. Running solo can be fun too... you can focus on your own pace and you can decide if you want to take photos along the way (don't worry even if there's no photopass person other race participants are always willing to snap photos).

I did my first 5k two years ago at WDW Royal Family 5K and had a blast! Last year I ran the same 5k with my sister. While I loved having her with me pre and post race, during the race it was a tough go. This year I'm doing both the 5K and 10K solo.