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

[corinnak]

I wasn't very worried about the bag in January. The bag check was separated into smaller groups by letter (most people went to the letter for their last name). For there being as many people as they had, getting my bag back didn't take very long at all.

I put my crocs in my bag in January too, but it was way too cold to switch into them. I carried my id, room key, phone and camera with me and I had no problems with it. I may through $10 in the bag so I can get a massage though.

I'm glad you didn't have to wait long. I didn't want to be a Debbie Downer, but I waited at least 15 minutes in the cold after the race before I got my bag. It's not going to be that cold this time, and hopefully they have more volunteers on the S-Z tent. They actually allowed us back into the bags to find our own and it was an organizational disaster. Probably won't be an issue this time, of course.

 

[hoosmi]

Another bag thought-

Don't overpack! It's farther to the buses/parking lot than you think... that bag can get really heavy, especially if you've loaded it down with extra shoes and maybe a sweatshirt and powerade bottles. Yep, learned that one the hard way.

Jen in GA

 

[BlakeNJ]

Just want everyone to be aware, they are saying this year, you HAVE to use the bag provided to you at the expo, for your bag check.. Which, to be honest, i don't like -- last year, i used a bag that is the same size as the one they gave us at the expo, but it was just from the DCL and it was bright red.... so there was no mistaken it in the sea of black princess bags (why they go with black, i don't understand - not very "princessy"! LOL ) but, if they will ALL be the same bag this year, it may be easy for bags to be mistakenly given to the wrong person - even though we have numbers tacked to them.. mistakes could happen. Bottom line - do NOT check anything valuable in your bag!!

This is a bummer...last year for the 5K I used a Mets drawstring bag. Same size but it was easy to point out. I guess they are worried about the size of the bags. Would they refuse a bag if it wasn't the princess bag? I like the idea of a bow so I might go with a lime green bow

As far as i can tell, they never showed us a pic anywhere... Are we SURE that it was changed from last year's?

I have been searching too. I hope they keep the tiara shape. I had medal envy last year (ran the 5K) and that medal is what motivated me to run this year! Hopefully they'll just change the color of the stone. Pink would be nice

I put my crocs in my bag in January too, but it was way too cold to switch into them. I carried my id, room key, phone and camera with me and I had no problems with it. I may through $10 in the bag so I can get a massage though.

Tell me more! Massage? Is it the kind in a chair? If so, how are the lines? I'd love to treat my sister who is running with me!

Lastly, who all is planning on attending the meet? My group will be my mom, sister (who is BinkBlum on the boards) and my three (loud!) kids 8, 5 & 2. I am not familiar with the food court so are we meeting in a certain spot within the food court?

I am getting so excited!!!

 

[mla1977]

The massage is on tables by students from Celebration Hospital (with teachers there). You pay by the minute. After the Donald, I paid for only 5 minutes because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get up. I may go for longer this time.

 

[momto2littlemonsters]

I am terrified of 4:30AM. Terrified.


Maroo, I would like to see a picture that you could read, as well. Even super magnified that was like looking at a blurry mess.

I'm glad that you didn't give up and that you found good shoes!!

So far I have only had one blister, on the inside of my right heel. I think because I skate so much (at least once or twice a week), that my feet are a mess of calluses.


Btw, what does everyone think of getting a pedi before the race? My last pedi was at least a year ago and I am afraid that getting one might erase some of those calluses.

I'll get one the Monday before the race. I've never had a problem and I've done it the day before a race, lol. I never let them shave the bottom of my feet. It's illegal here in FL but some places will still do it. It's terrible for skin and can cause your skin to crack especially on your heels. Anyways I love them and it makes my feet feel pretty! I also plan on getting a massage a few days before and one right after the race or the next day depending on if we stay another night or not.

 

[momto2littlemonsters]

You may want to consider putting an identifying item on the outside of the checked bag this year since they'll all look the same. We tie a bandana to our stroller so it's obvious which Disney Stroller is ours without looking at every tag. It may make it faster for the person at bag check if you can say "Here's my number - it has a green bow on top, as well" I got to try to track down my bag after the half when they didn't have enough volunteers, and it is not always easy with those numbers as the only identifying mark!

Great idea, I will be doing this for sure!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Lastly, who all is planning on attending the meet? My group will be my mom, sister (who is BinkBlum on the boards) and my three (loud!) kids 8, 5 & 2. I am not familiar with the food court so are we meeting in a certain spot within the food court?

I am getting so excited!!!

I will be at the meet along with my DH! I am really excited about meeting everyone!!!

 

[treehugnmama]

maroo I will be in a wish shirt and black bottoms. I will look for you. I am not sure if we are going to the meet. I would really like to go to the meet however we have sana booked and we have never been to that resort. I am going to see how the kids are before i decide.

 

[mickeymom629]

If you have to keep your bib # showing, what do you do when you throw off one of your layers? How is it stuck to you?

I think I will be in the last corral. We are staying at POFQ. DH doesn't want to leave to catch the bus until 3:30. I want to be there at 3. Do you think he is right to be there a little later?

Also, what do people put in the bags that you wouldn't just carry with you? I don't plan on changing shoes and I will be wearing everything at the start and then taking things off, maybe.

Do you think I should practice walking this coming weekend carrying my camera and phone? I haven't even practiced with a fanny pack because I think it would ache my back, so I don't plan to use one. Do any of you walk/jog with a lightweight drawstring backpack? Maybe I should practice with one of those.... I was really thinking of just putting that in my sweatshirt pockets.

I'm getting nervous! I'm especially nervous about waking up at that time of the morning and having the energy to go go go go (but I don't feel like waking up early this weekend to practice that )

 

[BlakeNJ]

If you have to keep your bib # showing, what do you do when you throw off one of your layers? How is it stuck to you?

I think I will be in the last corral. We are staying at POFQ. DH doesn't want to leave to catch the bus until 3:30. I want to be there at 3. Do you think he is right to be there a little later?

Also, what do people put in the bags that you wouldn't just carry with you? I don't plan on changing shoes and I will be wearing everything at the start and then taking things off, maybe.

Do you think I should practice walking this coming weekend carrying my camera and phone? I haven't even practiced with a fanny pack because I think it would ache my back, so I don't plan to use one. Do any of you walk/jog with a lightweight drawstring backpack? Maybe I should practice with one of those.... I was really thinking of just putting that in my sweatshirt pockets.

I'm getting nervous! I'm especially nervous about waking up at that time of the morning and having the energy to go go go go (but I don't feel like waking up early this weekend to practice that )

I'd love to know about the bib numbers too. I am assuming everyone just wears it under their throw away layer but not sure if there is a rule that it must be showing.

As for the backpack--I don't know how comfortable that will be. I suggest a spi belt (spibelt dot com). I bought one at the expo last year and it is great! Just enough room for my room key, id, credit card and a camera! It stays nicely in place with no "bouncing" around. I have done all my workouts wearing it. It's about $20 and worth every penny!! I could see other uses for it too--like traveling on vacation and not wanting to carry a purse.

ETA: The spi belts come with a clip of sorts that attaches your bib to your belt with having to use safety pins. You could wear the belt over your sweatshirt and easily unclip the belt and move it to your tshirt--or even just slide it down a bit without even having to take it off! That is going to be my plan.

ETA (again!): I see a lime green belt on their site in clearance for $15.

 

[Swmr359]

You may want to consider putting an identifying item on the outside of the checked bag this year since they'll all look the same. We tie a bandana to our stroller so it's obvious which Disney Stroller is ours without looking at every tag. It may make it faster for the person at bag check if you can say "Here's my number - it has a green bow on top, as well" I got to try to track down my bag after the half when they didn't have enough volunteers, and it is not always easy with those numbers as the only identifying mark!

Great idea! Thanks

Lastly, who all is planning on attending the meet? My group will be my mom, sister (who is BinkBlum on the boards) and my three (loud!) kids 8, 5 & 2. I am not familiar with the food court so are we meeting in a certain spot within the food court?

I am getting so excited!!!

My mom and I are planning on being there!

 

[Mickeys#1Fan4ever]

If you have to keep your bib # showing, what do you do when you throw off one of your layers? How is it stuck to you?

Last year at the Disneyland half I pinned my bib to the leg of my shorts. I've pinned it to my "bottom" shirt before too so that when I was ready to pull my jacket or top layer off it was already attached to my shirt. They give you small safety pins to pin it to your shirt. For this run I've bought a "race belt"....so I'll see if I like that or not.

 

[UGAFan0829]

FWIW, I also thought about wearing my bib on my leg-like my thigh so that I wouldn't have to worry about it if I do have to shed a jacket or something. Just a thought...hopefully it will work okay. I think I've seen pics of others who've worn theirs that way.

 

[swim-mom]

OMG, I am so excited!!! I can not believe it is almost here!!

I am flying down next Friday (a week from tomorrow) with bounceliketigger - although it is a late flight down, it does start my official run weekend!!

Thanks for the info about the massages!

Question: Are the massages as soon as you finish, which would mean I have to carry cash with me. OR will I be able to go get my bag with my cash in it and then then GET the massage?

Having had surgery in July, my neck always gets sore after running so for $10 to get that massaged right away would be a dream!!

Any thoughts??

 

[hoosmi]

Your bib is fine under your throw away layers. You just lift your jacket or sweatshirt or whatever so the people at the corral gates can see it. I always put on my race shirt the night before and put the bib on so I can keep moving it around until I like it. Then I carefully pull it off and put it in my little pile of race clothes- that way I won't poke myself in the wee hours of the morning or forget my bib! (Shorts would be fine too, I've just never done it).

By the way, if they are the usual type bibs, they have 6 holes- use the two at the top and the two on the bottom of the big part of the bib. The other two holes are part of the stub you use to turn in your bag. If you don't check a bag, make sure the stub thing won't fold up and block part of your numbers. (A WISHer taught me that at my first race- right after she helped me put my water bottles in my brand new belt.)

Massages- they are in the same general area as the bag check. (Marathon weekend they are in a huge tent- I can't remember the Princess). I've always taken cash in a shoe wallet but I didn't check a bag because I drove.

Jen in GA

 

[bgenew1]

Hi Jen , we are doing the 5K on Saturday. You said you drove to the race, did you have any problems with that and what time did you leave the hotel to get there?

I think I would rather have our car than do the bus and leave too early and then do the bag check. This is our first Disney race so I am unsure.

Thanks, Amy from North Georgia!

 

[Caitsmama]

Ok, here are my thoughts:

Attaching a ribbon to my bag -- now i will not use lime green, as i am sure most of us would be using that color now.. LMAO - i will go with a funky print or curly ribbon i think!

I also attach my race bib to my undershirt (first layer) then cover it up at the corrals, b/c my overshirt (throwaway layer) won't be on long anyway..

As for the meet - you will see us in the food court - i will be there with my mom and my sis and my 9 yr old dd. I will try to wear my WISH lime green shirt. It's not that big of an area - so we should be an easy group to spot!

As for arriving - i plan on catching the next to last bus - mabye around 3:45 am.. I don't want to get there too early, and have to stand around and freeze -- and watch everyone wait in the porta-potty lines, b/c then i have to keep going! LOL Being there by 4:15 is plenty of time!

As for what i pack in my bag - it will be a handtowel, tshirt ( i will HAVE to get off my sweaty top - i can't stand walking around all nasty.. LOL, and i tend to sweat alot), not sure what else yet..
I will probably carry ON ME race day - my iphone, a few dollars, room key and camera. I am wearing a running skirt, that has zip up pockets. I also hold a small powerade bottle when i race - i am a sipper. I was thinking of getting a SPI belt at the expo, and i may do that but not sure yet.. but my sis and mom both have them, and swear by them!!

I will also definately be wearing my Bondi-Band from last year --- love that!

I leave WEEK FROM TODAY!!!!

 

[momto2littlemonsters]

Question about the massages.... is it full body or sit in a chair neck/back massage kinda thingy? I would much rather get down to my bday suit and get a relaxing full body massage to loosen up those muscles!

Is anyone going to the parks after the race or on Monday? Haven't figured out if I'm going to take the kids out of school Monday and hang out for an extra day or just drive home Sunday.....

Sat. POR meet, I'm guessing I'll see a bunch of people with WISH shirts on??? How will I find you??

I am getting sooooooo EXCITED!!!!!!! I cannot wait to be able to put a 13.1 sticker on the back of my car!!!!!!! LOL. Anyone know if they sale them at the Expo, anything cute with a princess tiara and 13.1 on it???

Thank for reading my rambling this a.m.!!!!!

 

[momto2littlemonsters]

Ok, here are my thoughts:

Attaching a ribbon to my bag -- now i will not use lime green, as i am sure most of us would be using that color now.. LMAO - i will go with a funky print or curly ribbon i think!

I also attach my race bib to my undershirt (first layer) then cover it up at the corrals, b/c my overshirt (throwaway layer) won't be on long anyway..

As for the meet - you will see us in the food court - i will be there with my mom and my sis and my 9 yr old dd. I will try to wear my WISH lime green shirt. It's not that big of an area - so we should be an easy group to spot!

As for arriving - i plan on catching the next to last bus - mabye around 3:45 am.. I don't want to get there too early, and have to stand around and freeze -- and watch everyone wait in the porta-potty lines, b/c then i have to keep going! LOL Being there by 4:15 is plenty of time!

As for what i pack in my bag - it will be a handtowel, tshirt ( i will HAVE to get off my sweaty top - i can't stand walking around all nasty.. LOL, and i tend to sweat alot), not sure what else yet..
I will probably carry ON ME race day - my iphone, a few dollars, room key and camera. I am wearing a running skirt, that has zip up pockets. I also hold a small powerade bottle when i race - i am a sipper. I was thinking of getting a SPI belt at the expo, and i may do that but not sure yet.. but my sis and mom both have them, and swear by them!!

I will also definately be wearing my Bondi-Band from last year --- love that!

I leave WEEK FROM TODAY!!!!

Hee hee hee, you answered some of my questions before I even posted! LOL
Love my SPIbelt! I also have the SPIband and it works great to but I figured it would be hard to get my camera in and out if it was on my arm. I'm a sipper too and hate wearing a sweaty shirt after a long run, ewwwww! Plus it makes me break out, double ewwwwwww!

I second the bib on the shirt under your layer. One race I changed things up and put it on the top layer and ended up having to run while trying to take it off and put it on the 1st layer because I got hot! I can't stand being hot on my arms/chest so I will be doing the bib on my first layer..... did this even make sense..... not enough coffee and too much pre-Princess race excitement!!!!!

 

[Caitsmama]

Yup made sense!!

I think you should DEFINATELY pull the kids out and hang out for monday!! I am planning on hitting the pool (fingers crossed) after the race and relaxing for the afternoon, then i think we are heading over to the Beach Club to get early dinner at Beaches and Cream (ya, can you say -- BIG Ice Cream Sundae!!!?!)
I may go over to MK Sunday night since they have EMH til midnight..

Monday we are going to a late breakfast at Ohana's, then hanging by the pool (again, crossing fingers here!) for the rest of the day.