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

[G&GMom]

The bib number thread had some projected finish times...anyone looking to do 9:30 -10:00 average mile with a few stops for photos with princess' and in from of the castle? Don't know what corral I'll be in and probably won't be at the dinner Sat. night, but I'll be wearing a raspberry color running skirt, white shirt with picture of Princess Minnie on the back and the words Princess Joan around picture. I'll have a pink hair bow printed with green castles.

Hi, I will be aiming for a similar pace, I will say hello if I see you there. Right now I am planning on wearing a snow white costume and putting some lime green ribbon on the sleeves.

 

[Jenner24_3]

Jenner - Final instructions can be downloaded here:

http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/princess-half-marathon/

There is a menu bar at the top right corner of the page that includes download links.

According to the final instructions, Corral E will be starting at 6:28am.

Your pace sounds pretty speedy - will this be your first timed race? I had to change my corral time in the January half and they took a printout from a 10K, no problem. Even if you have an official time for a 5K, it would be worth a try. Weaving around walkers is not the end of the world, of course, but it does not sound like the experience you are looking for. If you do end up in corral E, I would suggest getting there early and getting to the front of the corral - It seems they may be starting each corral as its own wave and if you're at the front, you have a little more elbow room once you start.

Like Christine said, the course is pretty flat - the ramps are a beast with the banking, but they make up a relatively small part of the course. There are also a few bridges and underpasses, but nothing to huge or incredibly long.


Mickey's#1Fan - I think everyone has training that doesn't go as well as they hoped from time to time. You can definitely still finish - it may not be as comfortable in the end, but you can do it! It's absolutely right that the medal is the same for the rest of us as it is for the first 10 people across the line. Training can make a difference in time, but for most people, it is the difference between 10-20 minutes. Just think of it as more time to enjoy the course. More minutes per dollar spent on registration. And never forget:
Dead Last Finish is greater than Did Not Finish which greatly trumps Did Not Start. DLF>DNF>>DNS!!

See you all soon!

Thanks for your responses! This will be my first timed race...I just did a 10 mile on the treadmill this weekend in 1.5 hours so I am thinking 13 miles will be around 2 hours...plus a little time for broom breaks and maybe some pics so I am thinking around 2:15 or 2:20?? We will see though. I want to try to get a decent time, but I also want to be sure to take in the sites so I will just play it by ear, I was hoping to be in an earlier coral, but I guess I will just have to work my way to the front.

Quick question about getting there...we are staying at the Boardwalk and trying to find the best way to get there...I am thinking about just taking a cab, but don't want to be stuck in traffic racking up the cab fee for 1/2 hour. Do you know if traffic is so bad that I would end up paying $30++ in a cab fare just to go a mile or two? Also, I see the registration stuff says the corals are a 20 minute walk from the parking lots where you arrive...is this really the case or are they just trying to scare you into getting there early? Is there any reason in getting there early other than to get a good spot in your coral? Do you have to check in when you get there in addition to checking in at the expo? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks for your help!!!

 

[HockeyKat]

Quick question about getting there...we are staying at the Boardwalk and trying to find the best way to get there...I am thinking about just taking a cab, but don't want to be stuck in traffic racking up the cab fee for 1/2 hour. Do you know if traffic is so bad that I would end up paying $30++ in a cab fare just to go a mile or two? Also, I see the registration stuff says the corals are a 20 minute walk from the parking lots where you arrive...is this really the case or are they just trying to scare you into getting there early? Is there any reason in getting there early other than to get a good spot in your coral? Do you have to check in when you get there in addition to checking in at the expo? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks for your help!!!

We are leaving from the BW as well. I think we will likely drive. If you need a ride, we have 7 people so will likely have to take 2 cars, and probably have room for one more? PM me.

 

[corinnak]

Hi, I will be aiming for a similar pace, I will say hello if I see you there. Right now I am planning on wearing a snow white costume and putting some lime green ribbon on the sleeves.

I am also planning for 9:30-10 and will wear my WISH singlet and visor. Hopefully they'll get the corrals right and we'll be in the same one. I'll look for you both!

 

[Caitsmama]

I am just amazed at you all with that pace!! LOL I am quite content with my 13:45 pace.. I can't imagine doing a 10 min pace!!!

 

[joan4mickey]

G&GMom and Corinnak hopefully we can locate each other my number is 2698. My husband confessed he is worried about me-DD will be at the finish line.

Stacy At my age, I don't think I will continue to keep that pace-I'd love to do one half marathon in 2 hours, but it won't be a Disney race as the character pictures and castle picture are way more important.

 

[princessbride6205]

Are there photographers at each character, too?
I'm wondering if it's a waste to carry my own camera because I'm not running wtih anybody - who will take my picture?

 

[joan4mickey]

Princessbride6205 Not at each character-but at the castle and some other places I can't remember, but at the expo I think there is a map showing where they will be. Hopefully some one else will be by soon that remembers more than me-oh. at the finish line. There are CM with the characters that will use your camera to take photos.

 

[hoosmi]

If you want pictures with characters, definitely take a camera. I carry a small digital one in my hand and just try not to slosh water on it at the waterstops! I don't remember any characters until the Magic Kingdom. Then you have a bunch of them from all behind the Castle (Tomorrowland/Fantasyland) and when you go backstage by the floats. They'll also have characters (mostly princesses last year I think) along the roads after the Castle. Each one will have a cast member. Just give them your camera and they'll take the picture. If there is a line, it usually moves fast. After the finish, look for some big backdrop things- they will have some characters or princesses for photos. You use your own camera for those too.

Can you tell I have an embarassing number of pictures? I never want to be in pictures with characters (or really anyone) in normal life, but if I'm hot and sweaty, I want to capture the moment! I also like to get pictures of the mile markers and just random shots of runners... last year I had pictures from the last mile that were mostly of the ground at Epcot- I think I was so tired I kept putting my arm down too soon. Horrible picture quality, but make me laugh whenever I see them!

Jen in GA

 

[momto2littlemonsters]

I am just amazed at you all with that pace!! LOL I am quite content with my 13:45 pace.. I can't imagine doing a 10 min pace!!!

Me too! I think I've done a 9min mile once! I'll be happy if I finish with a 13min pace and don't have to be dragged across the finish line!

 

[Swmr359]

The bib number thread had some projected finish times...anyone looking to do 9:30 -10:00 average mile with a few stops for photos with princess' and in from of the castle?

Hi, I will be aiming for a similar pace, I will say hello if I see you there. Right now I am planning on wearing a snow white costume and putting some lime green ribbon on the sleeves.

I am also planning for 9:30-10 and will wear my WISH singlet and visor. Hopefully they'll get the corrals right and we'll be in the same one. I'll look for you both!

I'm hoping to do a 10 min. pace, I'll be starting in the last corral probably. If you see me I'll be in a green skirt and purple top, tiara visor and a green mickey head tied to my ponytail!


I'm starting to get excited, tonight I went to k-mart to get a sweater for the start. I found Disney ones for 5.99 but I knew I woudn't be able to throw a Disney sweater on the side of the road, I would end up carrying it the whole way! (I may go back to get one though...)

 

[HockeyKat]

I bought my throw-away as well! Walmart had gray velour zip up thingies for $3. It is far from pretty, but will do the job and I won't feel bad about donating it.

9 min mile! I have done one just around 11, once. Dragging across the finish line... that is more than likely!!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Sooo....I just got off the phone with my mom. We are going to Disneyland Labor Day weekend (I want to do that half for the Coast to Coast...if I'm gonna do one, might as well do the other!)

I have not told her I'm doing the Princess. She has no clue. She sent me dieting articles a few weeks ago because she says I've gained weight and she thinks I need to do exercise. She probably thinks those articles prompted me to want to do the DLR half in September. She thinks I've been lazy and has no idea I've been training for the Princess since October. The conversation went like this:

Her: You know, you could probably find a running group in the area to get tips from.
Me: I'm going with my friend. She's done 3 of these.
Her: Well, YOU need to get in shape. You can't just go out and do 13 miles tomorrow.
Me: Actually, I probably could.
Her: You need to train for these things. You need good shoes...
Me: I have good shoes.
Her: ... you need a sports bra...
Me: I got that too...
Her: Well, I better let you go. It's getting late.
Me: Um, yeah.

My real rationale for wanting to do the Princess was because I wanted to do SOMETHING to get up off my computer, and the medal and the park time is a VERY good motivator! I feel good after walking/jogging/running but it's not yet a habit, thus the plan to do the Disneyland half also. It will give me 6 more months of strong motivation, and hopefully I'll build good habits.

Then maybe I can just go run in the park for free.... These trips are turning a free activity into something quite expensive!

 

[treehugnmama]

Ok I am totally in denial . I leave in 3 days and I haven't even packed. I am just wanting to get the race done so I can stop worrying.....I am startign to have the what were you thinking thoughts?? I just wish I wasn't doing this alone. My dh and kids aren't even meeting me at the finish line. I am ok with that because I won't have to worry about my dh loosing one of them in the parks as they are only 3 and 5....sorry my just getting very very scared.

 

[princessbride6205]

Ok I am totally in denial . I leave in 3 days and I haven't even packed. I am just wanting to get the race done so I can stop worrying.....I am startign to have the what were you thinking thoughts?? I just wish I wasn't doing this alone. My dh and kids aren't even meeting me at the finish line. I am ok with that because I won't have to worry about my dh loosing one of them in the parks as they are only 3 and 5....sorry my just getting very very scared.

You will be great! You're not doing it alone - there will be thousands of princesses and a bunch of WISHers along the way. Maybe you'll find a run/walking buddy in the start corral. You can meet up with the WISH team after the finish line. I think a bunch of us are running without family at the finish (myself included). I know it can be scary, but I also think that you can totally handle this race.
I haven't packed either, but that's normal for me.

If you want pictures with characters, definitely take a camera. I carry a small digital one in my hand and just try not to slosh water on it at the waterstops! I don't remember any characters until the Magic Kingdom. Then you have a bunch of them from all behind the Castle (Tomorrowland/Fantasyland) and when you go backstage by the floats. They'll also have characters (mostly princesses last year I think) along the roads after the Castle. Each one will have a cast member. Just give them your camera and they'll take the picture. If there is a line, it usually moves fast. After the finish, look for some big backdrop things- they will have some characters or princesses for photos. You use your own camera for those too.

Can you tell I have an embarassing number of pictures? I never want to be in pictures with characters (or really anyone) in normal life, but if I'm hot and sweaty, I want to capture the moment! I also like to get pictures of the mile markers and just random shots of runners... last year I had pictures from the last mile that were mostly of the ground at Epcot- I think I was so tired I kept putting my arm down too soon. Horrible picture quality, but make me laugh whenever I see them!
Jen in GA

Princessbride6205 Not at each character-but at the castle and some other places I can't remember, but at the expo I think there is a map showing where they will be. Hopefully some one else will be by soon that remembers more than me-oh. at the finish line. There are CM with the characters that will use your camera to take photos.

Thank you both so much for your responses!
Jen - I'm looking forward to a bunch of photos too. LOL on your grounds of Epcot shots.

 

[tinashaver]

Ok I am totally in denial . I leave in 3 days and I haven't even packed. I am just wanting to get the race done so I can stop worrying.....I am startign to have the what were you thinking thoughts?? I just wish I wasn't doing this alone. My dh and kids aren't even meeting me at the finish line. I am ok with that because I won't have to worry about my dh loosing one of them in the parks as they are only 3 and 5....sorry my just getting very very scared.

this is for you and anyone else.... I am sending an open invite for anyone to tag along with myself and my mom!!!! we will be walking and jogging at just about a 16min mile!!! I would love to have fellow wishers/dis hang with us! one more person to get me to the finish line!!!! we leave wen morning and have a ton oh stuff to do tomorrow!!!! I wish there were more of you staying at SSR!!!! I will be hangin my little signs on our door and windows feel free to say hello!!! see you guys soon, we will be there sat!

 

[Princess Bmoney]

Sooo....I just got off the phone with my mom. We are going to Disneyland Labor Day weekend (I want to do that half for the Coast to Coast...if I'm gonna do one, might as well do the other!)

I have not told her I'm doing the Princess. She has no clue. She sent me dieting articles a few weeks ago because she says I've gained weight and she thinks I need to do exercise. She probably thinks those articles prompted me to want to do the DLR half in September. She thinks I've been lazy and has no idea I've been training for the Princess since October. The conversation went like this:

Her: You know, you could probably find a running group in the area to get tips from.
Me: I'm going with my friend. She's done 3 of these.
Her: Well, YOU need to get in shape. You can't just go out and do 13 miles tomorrow.
Me: Actually, I probably could.
Her: You need to train for these things. You need good shoes...
Me: I have good shoes.
Her: ... you need a sports bra...
Me: I got that too...
Her: Well, I better let you go. It's getting late.
Me: Um, yeah.

My real rationale for wanting to do the Princess was because I wanted to do SOMETHING to get up off my computer, and the medal and the park time is a VERY good motivator! I feel good after walking/jogging/running but it's not yet a habit, thus the plan to do the Disneyland half also. It will give me 6 more months of strong motivation, and hopefully I'll build good habits.

Then maybe I can just go run in the park for free.... These trips are turning a free activity into something quite expensive!

That's just how my mom has been. I'm 20 and in shape, and I chose to go to the gym on my own watch, so she doesn't see me (more to avoid her nagging me while trying to work out, plus so she cant use me as her distraction). I go running when shes not home also, that way I know she wont try to get me to bring her dog (its a beastly mean german shepard). Then she went out on a flip out over me and never seeing me run... I average about 8:40min. My last disney 5k was 24:40, w/ taking pics w/ characters (idk how). She tried to say she would do the race this weekend instead of watching me.... So I dared her to do the Gasparilla this past weekend here in Tampa and said I'd let her pick 5k, 10k, or 15k... She backed out when it came to registering... haha! So just the motivation is enough in my book. I started running about a year ago when I worked at a gym and saw everyone w/ their disney race shirts. And since I'm close to disney world and have an annual pass I was willing to try to achieve something new... Good luck in the coast to coast, and finishing was enough with me. I never thought I'd actually excel in running, lol and finishing is still my mindset. So just finish, get your medal, and maybe some motivation will be hidden along the race this sunday!

 

[Swmr359]

this is for you and anyone else.... I am sending an open invite for anyone to tag along with myself and my mom!!!! we will be walking and jogging at just about a 16min mile!!! I would love to have fellow wishers/dis hang with us! one more person to get me to the finish line!!!! we leave wen morning and have a ton oh stuff to do tomorrow!!!! I wish there were more of you staying at SSR!!!! I will be hangin my little signs on our door and windows feel free to say hello!!! see you guys soon, we will be there sat!

Will you be at dinner on Sat. night? My mom might want to walk with you and I would feel better knowing she had someone to walk with.

 

[lolafrances]

Ok I am totally in denial . I leave in 3 days and I haven't even packed. I am just wanting to get the race done so I can stop worrying.....I am startign to have the what were you thinking thoughts?? I just wish I wasn't doing this alone. My dh and kids aren't even meeting me at the finish line. I am ok with that because I won't have to worry about my dh loosing one of them in the parks as they are only 3 and 5....sorry my just getting very very scared.

Treehugnmama, I understand where you are coming from. I am running alone and my DH will not be coming to the finish with a 4 and a 3 year old and a baby! It is enough for him to hold down the fort with them during the race. But I am not feeling "lonely" about it because there will be so many people at the race to keep me company! We will have a great time and the excitement will keep us from feeling alone, you'll see. Good luck and have faith in yourself. A long race like this is largely mental so feeling confident will go a long way.

 

[leeshiebean]

Treehugnmama, I understand where you are coming from. I am running alone and my DH will not be coming to the finish with a 4 and a 3 year old and a baby! It is enough for him to hold down the fort with them during the race. But I am not feeling "lonely" about it because there will be so many people at the race to keep me company!

No worries, you'll all have a whole message board of people to support you! It'll be funny if a non-DISer decides to wear bright green to the race - they'll get so many cheers and people coming up to them to say hi, they'll have no idea! haha

I made 2 signs for our window at POR - I took 2 quick pics with my iPhone: