Official thread for the 2010 Princess 1/2 Marathon & 5k- REGSITRATION IS OPEN!

[queen mimi]

I am one of those who walked the princess half last year. We did finish in the time frame allotted from the time the last person left the gate, just a little over 3 and a half hours. That was with a lot (!!) of pictures and more potty breaks than we really needed. I am retired, a grandmother and have bad knees and could not jog this race. Well, actually, my jogging is slower than my walking! I have never been an athlete. I personally know that with adequate training, it is possible that a person can walk the half marathon in 3 and a half hours. Physically, I felt a little sick to my stomach after the race. That was my only problem. Once I got over that, I felt fine. We even went to the Magic Kingdom for a while before we headed home. I hope that this encourages anyone out there who is "sitting on the fence" about whether or not to do this. If a half marathon is on your bucket list, go for it! I am signed up to do the half marathon at Disney with my daughter in January. Tomorrow, I am in the Air Force 10 K, just to stay in shape for the half. I never in my life thought I would be saying anything like that! Good luck to all you princesses!

Meg

 

[mickeymom629]

Thanks Meg!

So, the time doesn't start until the last person leaves your corral? So if I am not in the rear and keep a steady pace, I can get photos and potty breaks and not worry about my time?

Or does my own time get "recorded" and I have to keep up with my pace to finish in 3:30?

Sorry, I'm just not quite sure I understand how someone can walk, take photos, "potty" more than once and still walk in the time allowed. But I want to understand! You have bad knees?!

Okay, you are my inspiration! Thanks!

 

[swim-mom]

Count me in for running outside I did my whole C25K program two years ago on my TM. Then went outside and feared everything was going to get me - the truth is, I love it and miss it now that i can't do it YET!!

When the sun is shinning I feel as if my best friend is waiting, but I am not allowed out!!

To be outside even in DEC in southern NJ is a dream!! Even with snow, I run it is so beautiful and peaceful - that I really just feel great!

On a side note: I miss my TM too, when it is 12:30 am like it is now and I cant sleep I could go on it. ---- I have an elip, but I am hoping that DH will agree to a new TM as mine died when I started running outside.

 

[grstink]

I am one of those who walked the princess half last year. We did finish in the time frame allotted from the time the last person left the gate, just a little over 3 and a half hours. That was with a lot (!!) of pictures and more potty breaks than we really needed. I am retired, a grandmother and have bad knees and could not jog this race. Well, actually, my jogging is slower than my walking! I have never been an athlete. I personally know that with adequate training, it is possible that a person can walk the half marathon in 3 and a half hours. Physically, I felt a little sick to my stomach after the race. That was my only problem. Once I got over that, I felt fine. We even went to the Magic Kingdom for a while before we headed home. I hope that this encourages anyone out there who is "sitting on the fence" about whether or not to do this. If a half marathon is on your bucket list, go for it! I am signed up to do the half marathon at Disney with my daughter in January. Tomorrow, I am in the Air Force 10 K, just to stay in shape for the half. I never in my life thought I would be saying anything like that! Good luck to all you princesses!

Meg

Oh thank you so much Meg for sharing this information.
I am just like you; retired and a grandmother. My daughters got me to do the Family 5K last year and now want me to do the Princess Half this year with them. I was all for it but am dragging my feet to register because I am a bit worried I will not be able to finish in the allotted time frame. You have truly inspired me to go forward and bite the bullet to register. Thank you again for the inspiring words.

 

[queen mimi]

Okay, girls! Here's the grandmother's report from the USAir Force Marathon 10 K. (6.1miles). I walked the entire way(as I stated before, I don't jog). I finished the race a little under an hour and a half, with a pace of 14:32. My best ever!! I don't know if I could have kept that up for 13 miles. However, there were some steep(!) hills. Thankfully, they were at the beginning of the race. I did not need to stop during the race, so that helped a lot.

I think the confusion about the time they allow you is based on two different things. Your chip time is your personal time that is recorded. The sweep time is the time based on when the last person crosses the start line. At least that is my understanding. I am a novice at this, though I am sure other more experienced participants will correct me if I am wrong.

Keep training, ladies. Try some shorter races and see how it goes. Good luck!

Meg

 

[UGAFan0829]

Hello, fellow Princesses!
It seems like it's been forever since I've checked in over here. We just got back from our 2 week Disney vacation, and boy am I trying to get caught up.
To be honest, I had actually thought about cancelling on the Princess while we were on vacation. But after I got home, I remembered how much I really want to do this. Thankfully my DH has been encouraging. Some of you may remember that I had actually started the C25K, but in the choas of getting ready for vacation, I feel off track and haven't ran in quite a while. I asked the DH if he thought I could get back on track and still make the 1/2, and he thinks so. I sure hope I can. I plan to get started back this week, so I'm going to count on y'all for encouragement.
BTW, have they released the course for the race yet? I'd love to see where we're going to be running!
I hope everyone has a great rest of the day, and a wonderful week!!

 

[lolafrances]

UGAFan, I think you can totally get back on track and still make the half. I just started training for it last week. I took the C25k plan and added a half marathon training program after it and made a little excel spreadsheet combining the two. It is 25 weeks long and I started with the running 5/walking 3 week of the C25k plan. Now there are 24 weeks to go which I think is enough time for sure. I just had a baby (well, three months ago) so it has been a year since I have run so I have to ease back into it. You can do it! Let us know how it goes!
Amy

 

[UGAFan0829]

Ooops, I just realized that I have a question for those of you who fly to Orlando. Where is the best place to find the cheapest fares for flights? Normally, we drive, but I thought that since this was going to be such a short stay that we may try flying instead--if we can find a flight that's cheap enough. The DH has never flown, and really isn't crazy about the idea, but he said he would do it if I could find something that isn't outrageous. We'd be flying out of Atlanta, which is only an hour to an hour and a half drive for us, so flying would be much, much quicker than a 7.5 hour drive. It may be wishful thinking that I can get something cheap, but does anyone have any advice for me? TIA!!

 

[lolafrances]

Meg, congrats on walking the Air Force 10k. I am in awe of ladies that can walk long races and stay on pace! Walking fast is not easy!! How impressive. I hope you are proud of yourself!

 

[mickeymom629]

Yes, Congrats Meg! You are my inspiration, so keep those inspiring words coming!

 

[mla1977]

Hello ladies! I finished the Philadelphia Distance Run today! It was my first race since this year's Princess. I improved my half marathon time by 8 minutes. I'm training with Team in Training for the WDW full in January so hopefully my times will keep getting better. Next weekend will be *only* 8 miles!

 

[swim-mom]

UGAFan, I think you can totally get back on track and still make the half. I just started training for it last week. I took the C25k plan and added a half marathon training program after it and made a little excel spreadsheet combining the two. It is 25 weeks long and I started with the running 5/walking 3 week of the C25k plan. Now there are 24 weeks to go which I think is enough time for sure. I just had a baby (well, three months ago) so it has been a year since I have run so I have to ease back into it. You can do it! Let us know how it goes!
Amy

Amy - would you mind PM'ing me your spread sheet? February was the last time that I ran due to my neck. It would be a great way to figure out where to start (since the work is already done ).

Needless to say, I have my 2 month appt on Thursday to see how I am fusing (after having cervical aka neck surgery with a titaniam plate and screws and cadaver bone). I am hoping to just get some sort of approval here to run! I have been doing my elip for 20 min 4 days a week, but when the sun is shinning I feel like I miss my best friend!

So my game plan rides on Thursday's appt................

 

[lolafrances]

Swim-mom, I PM'd you.

 

[Caitsmama]

Congrats to all of you who have just completed a race this weekend!!

As for timing -- the OFFICAL 16min time starts when the last racer crosses the start line -- not the last racer in your corral, the last racer in the whole race..
So, if you are in the 2nd corral, it's really nice, b/c you know you have quite a bit of people behind you... even in the last corral i believe, if you can manage to squeak up front, then all the better! However, keep in mind, they do place you in corrals based on the finish time you predicted when you signed up.. And yes, there are people there checking bib's (since it lists your corral on your bib) when you are lining up.. so you really can't "jump" corrals..

Your CHIP time, as a pp said, is your personal time -- this is all that beeping you will hear when you cross the strips they lay down.. and this is what will be posted as your time. But, don't count on it for the 16 min time -- as i said, that won't start at the same time as your chip unless you happen to be the last person starting.. LOL

 

[kjccr]

Hi ladies, quick question. Is there some type of "after-party" after the race?? I thought I read something a while back about this, but not sure. I am trying to figure out reservations for our dining plan, but want to know if there is something going on that evening. Thanks

 

[BlakeNJ]

Hi ladies, quick question. Is there some type of "after-party" after the race?? I thought I read something a while back about this, but not sure. I am trying to figure out reservations for our dining plan, but want to know if there is something going on that evening. Thanks

There was ticketed party at DHS that night but a few people on here went and said they would not pay the extra money again. I have not read anything about a party this year.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Swim-mom, I PM'd you.

lolafrances-Would you mind sending me the spreadsheet as well, if it's not too much trouble!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Ooops, I just realized that I have a question for those of you who fly to Orlando. Where is the best place to find the cheapest fares for flights? Normally, we drive, but I thought that since this was going to be such a short stay that we may try flying instead--if we can find a flight that's cheap enough. The DH has never flown, and really isn't crazy about the idea, but he said he would do it if I could find something that isn't outrageous. We'd be flying out of Atlanta, which is only an hour to an hour and a half drive for us, so flying would be much, much quicker than a 7.5 hour drive. It may be wishful thinking that I can get something cheap, but does anyone have any advice for me? TIA!!

I would suggest setting up a fare watcher through travelocity. Delta and AirTrain have some last minute fare sales that are pretty competitive. You just have to be willing to wait so that you get the best deal. I would decide what you are willing to spend and when that price comes up, book it. I have seen flights for less than $100 each way many times from ATL. Good Luck! I still haven't decided if we are driving from Atlanta. The drive is pretty long but could be worse!

 

[TaraBelle1069]

I'm training to do the Princess Half as a walk. I am currently in training for a 10 km walk (figured I should start somewhere) at my local Running Room/Walking Room. I was very encouraged that both of my clinic leaders did the WDW Half as a walk. They will also be the leaders of my half clinic which starts after my 10 km in October. I don't run. I'm very happy that it's possible to do the half as a walk without getting swept!!

I was actually on here to see if I could find information on getting to the event if you stay at a non-host hotel. I prefer Pop Century. I know I can't get transportation from there, but can we drive? Or can we drive to a host hotel and get transportation from there? I'm asking not just for me but for my mom who will be a spectator.

I haven't been able to go through all 35 pages to see if there is an answer!!

 

[UGAFan0829]

I would suggest setting up a fare watcher through travelocity. Delta and AirTrain have some last minute fare sales that are pretty competitive. You just have to be willing to wait so that you get the best deal. I would decide what you are willing to spend and when that price comes up, book it. I have seen flights for less than $100 each way many times from ATL. Good Luck! I still haven't decided if we are driving from Atlanta. The drive is pretty long but could be worse!

Thanks so much for that info! I'm aware of Travelocity, but had no idea that the fare watcher even existed. I'll go check it out.

I totally agree about the drive. I don't know why but this past trip just seemed like it took forever to get down there and back!

By the way, you weren't affected any by the floods were you? My heart goes out to all those who were!