Princess 1/2 walkers?

[PrincessRhi]

Thanks PrincessRhi! All the blogs I've read and other material from Run Disney etc, it really seems beginner friendly. I'm relieved to hear that I can just go out, enjoy and finish under my own power to get my medal

No problem! I wish you all the best and perhaps we'll see each other out there!

This past weekend after thinking my phone fell in the porta potty at one of my many stops before mile 5, I wasted a bunch of time going back to the porta potty and looking for it only to find it in my bra strap (DOH!) and fell behind. The sweepers on bikes basically told me that I needed to keep the balloons in my view and never forced me off the course, despite the sag wagons being behind us. This was a complete contrast to my experience at a RnR event this past summer. The race started 45 min late, I stopped to use the porta potty a few miles in and was picked up coming out of the porta potty by the sag wagon without being given a chance to get back out there and catch up because "they needed to open the roads". Total disappointment. So glad Disney doesn't operate like that.

Lesson learned by these experiences: wear Depends

 

[TinksApprentice]

Being a first timer, I'm SO glad Disney will give us every possibility to finish! I'm working so hard to meet the requirements and plan to do the very best I can. It takes a lot of pressure off knowing that it's not a hard and fast minimum!

I will be there with my daughter, in a sparkly black skirt and pink blingy crown. I'm making my daughter (16) a blue and white tutu (my little Country Belle) and attaching a big blue bow to her hat.

We're SO excited!

 

[PrincessRhi]

Awesome! My friends and I are debating between getting costumes as Disney Princesses or ridiculously outlandish tutus in the brightest colors we can find.

It's kind of amazing-- before last weekend's events, I thought it would be my last distance run for at least a year so I could get back into running shape. Now a few days later we're registering for the Princess and eagerly awaiting the registration dates for the the DL 1/2, Tower of Terror 10 miler, and the Wine and Dine 1/2. I may need a self-help group for addiction to Disney running events!

 

[Dreamer2012]

Hello old friends and hello new friends! I can not believe what a twist of fate has happened and I WILL MAKE THE PRINCESS 1/2 THIS YEAR ON MY BIRTHDAY!! If some of you remember from earlier posts when I started this thread I was very excited and training for this event (tried running/not for me - decided to walk it!) and then we had a freak October snowstorm which forced me to make a difficult decision which in turn made me unable to participate in the Princess 1/2 - well because of the support and well wishes and on the advice of some of you I continued to train and in a marvoulous unexpected twist of fate I WILL BE THERE THIS YEAR!! I am beyond excited and grateful to my friends and family for helping me to keep this dream alive! I walked my longest walk two weekends ago - doing 10 miles @ 15min per mile pace the entire time!! Granted I was a the treadmill - but I still made it! I was both excited and proud of myself!! I remember at one point we had all talked of possibly meeting up - did any of you continue on that path? If so can I re-join the party? If not is there any interest? I am sooo HAPPY to be back!! THIS WILL BE A GREAT BIRTHDAY!! Can't wait to hear from you!!

 

[John VN]

Hello old friends and hello new friends! I can not believe what a twist of fate has happened and I WILL MAKE THE PRINCESS 1/2 THIS YEAR ON MY BIRTHDAY!! If some of you remember from earlier posts when I started this thread I was very excited and training for this event (tried running/not for me - decided to walk it!) and then we had a freak October snowstorm which forced me to make a difficult decision which in turn made me unable to participate in the Princess 1/2 - well because of the support and well wishes and on the advice of some of you I continued to train and in a marvoulous unexpected twist of fate I WILL BE THERE THIS YEAR!! I am beyond excited and grateful to my friends and family for helping me to keep this dream alive! I walked my longest walk two weekends ago - doing 10 miles @ 15min per mile pace the entire time!! Granted I was a the treadmill - but I still made it! I was both excited and proud of myself!! I remember at one point we had all talked of possibly meeting up - did any of you continue on that path? If so can I re-join the party? If not is there any interest? I am sooo HAPPY to be back!! THIS WILL BE A GREAT BIRTHDAY!! Can't wait to hear from you!!

Welcome back. I am so pleased to read of your good fortune and your fantastic walk. I wish you and all the other Princess Athletes a wonderful race.

BTW, I completed my 2nd Dopey by WALKING this past weekend and maybe next year I will see you at WDW's 2013 Marathon Weekend.

 

[TinksApprentice]

I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!! Such great news! You were SO sad when things went sour! Aren't you glad you kept up with the training!!!! HURRAH!!!

I don't know that there's been any official talk about meeting up but I'm hoping to at least say hello to as many as possible! Especially the people on this thread who have been so helpful in keeping me on track!

Thanks for sharing your joy Dreamer! SO happy for your change in fate!

 

[TinksApprentice]

BTW, I completed my 2nd Dopey by WALKING this past weekend and maybe next year I will see you at WDW's 2013 Marathon Weekend.

Wow! Good for you John! Congratulations! Walkers Rule

 

[suzysharp]

I think its awesome that you have your own thread for walkers for the Princess half! I'm doing the Tinkerbell 1/2 in 2 weeks and am nervous/excited for it. I hope I will be able to complete it b4 being swept as I do a run/walk combo! I am doing my last long training tomorrow with a minimum of a 10 mile goal. It sounds like you have quite the team of awesome walkers, you make me wish I was doing the princess with you!!

 

[Dreamer2012]

As you can tell my level of excitement is just growing daily! I will be enjoying a fun weekend at an indoor water park this weekend with my family celebrating my youngest childs 14th birthday! I am looking forward to the incredible indoor/outdoor hot tub there! Dont worry I will be bringing my sneakers and taking advantage of thier gym to do my miles while I am there. I did not stop training when I didnt think I would make it - so I am not about to start now.... Next week is the longest scheduled walk of 12 miles....I must admit I am a bit nervous to see if I am able to keep the pace for that long? I have been reading on other threads about what everyone is wearing - has anyone over here given any thought to that? are you going all out Princess mode/ or just a touch or not dressing up at all? Are any of you signed up for the Pasta in the Park or the race package? Hope to hear from you soon!

 

[TinksApprentice]

Hope you enjoy the water park Dreamer. I had a 7 mile walk planned for tomorrow, but we got snow and a huge dip in temps. I guess I'll have to do it on the elliptical... but boredom sets in looooooong before exhaustion. However, like you, I'm very determined so I'll give it a good shot.

I'm wearing a sparkle skirt from sparkleskirts.com (I think they are vendors at the expo too) and a pink crown. My daughter is walking with me, she's wearing a blue and white tutu and a big blue bow.

Suzy, good luck on your event! I'm sure you'll finish without being swept. My other Princess buddy wants to do the DL 1/2 in Sept. I'm not sure I can commit to another long distance event... but when it's a Disney event it might be hard to say no to! Please let us know how the event goes and how you make out! Cheering for you from here in snowy Southern Ontario!

Penny

 

[hunner]

Hi All! I have loved reading these boards as I prepare for the Princess. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories; they have helped calm my nerves and ease my guilt about not being a runner.

I have a dilemma, and I hope ya'll have some advice for me. I am walking this race with a very dear friend of mine. She has had some health troubles lately, so walking any long distance might be a challenge for her. However, she really wants to at least try the race and get to the Magic Kingdom. After that, she will be okay getting picked up by the sag wagon.

I want to walk with her as long as possible, but I also want to finish the race. If we get to the point where the sag wagon is about to pick us up, will they let me try to hustle up and run ahead of them, or will they pick me up too? I don't want to abandon her, but I also want to try to cross the finish line.

As an aside, my friend is very supportive of me finishing the race even if she gets picked up.

Thanks for any advice or insights you might have.

 

[tink2007]

I went a week ago to have a small crack in my tooth fixed. The small crack has turned into a full blown abscess and now a bone infection. Of course all training has been put on hold which makes me feel soooo guilty.
No amount of antibiotics or pain killers seem to be working. My face is so swollen and painfull. Going back tomorrow to dentist to find out what method of treatment is next. What ever it is, it has got to hurry up and work. I have 13.1 to train for.
Thanks for letting me whine

 

[tink2007]

Hi All! I have loved reading these boards as I prepare for the Princess. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories; they have helped calm my nerves and ease my guilt about not being a runner.

I have a dilemma, and I hope ya'll have some advice for me. I am walking this race with a very dear friend of mine. She has had some health troubles lately, so walking any long distance might be a challenge for her. However, she really wants to at least try the race and get to the Magic Kingdom. After that, she will be okay getting picked up by the sag wagon.

I want to walk with her as long as possible, but I also want to finish the race. If we get to the point where the sag wagon is about to pick us up, will they let me try to hustle up and run ahead of them, or will they pick me up too? I don't want to abandon her, but I also want to try to cross the finish line.

As an aside, my friend is very supportive of me finishing the race even if she gets picked up






You are a great friend. I am in kinda the same situation with my best friend. I ran/walked the Princess last year. This will be my friends first half marathon. She has knee issues so she cant run but she is afraid she wont finish if we walk. She keeps telling me she will get swept and that she would feel bad for holding me back. She has come so far since we started training. She could not do 3 miles in under an hour and now she is doing 15 minute miles.
If she is not able to finish, I think she will be fine if I go on with out her. We can always try it again next year.

 

[John VN]

tink2007, really sorry to read this. Best of luck to you and here's some to help.

Hi All! I have loved reading these boards as I prepare for the Princess. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories; they have helped calm my nerves and ease my guilt about not being a runner.

I have a dilemma, and I hope ya'll have some advice for me. I am walking this race with a very dear friend of mine. She has had some health troubles lately, so walking any long distance might be a challenge for her. However, she really wants to at least try the race and get to the Magic Kingdom. After that, she will be okay getting picked up by the sag wagon.

I want to walk with her as long as possible, but I also want to finish the race. If we get to the point where the sag wagon is about to pick us up, will they let me try to hustle up and run ahead of them, or will they pick me up too? I don't want to abandon her, but I also want to try to cross the finish line.

As an aside, my friend is very supportive of me finishing the race even if she gets picked up.

Thanks for any advice or insights you might have.

You will be alerted to possibly being swept. At that point you should leave and complete your half. To give your friend the greatest chance of making it to MK, get to the staging area as early as possible so you can get to the front of your corral when they release everybody to walk to the corrals.

Best of luck.

 

[AussiePossum]

Hi Everyone..
I survived my first week of training for the upcoming ToT race in October (and long term 1/2 marathon next year).
I am hoping that someone who has walked/raced before can answer a question for me that I haven't been able to find in other threads.
Does everyone wear throw away clothes when it's a bit chilly?
How often do they have water stations or do you carry a bottle of water?
And what do you "carry" when you race?

I was thinking about a little camera in a bum bag for the characters along the way... I've also read some where that some have shot bars, gel's? (no idea if these are available here in Australia)

 

[hunner]

Tink2007 and JohnVN, thank you for your replies! Nice to know I won't be the only one in a slower team, and I'll be sure to try to get us to the waiting point early for a better corral.

 

[PrincessRhi]

tink2007, really sorry to read this. Best of luck to you and here's some to help.



You will be alerted to possibly being swept. At that point you should leave and complete your half. To give your friend the greatest chance of making it to MK, get to the staging area as early as possible so you can get to the front of your corral when they release everybody to walk to the corrals.

Best of luck.

I mean this with the most respect possible, but I don't think going to the front of the corral is good advice, especially if there are two racers.

Being at the front of your corral or placed in a faster corral than your actual anticipated finish will only give you anywhere from a 30 second to 10 minute head start, depending on how many corrals there are and where you are lined up compared to the sweeper. It's not nearly enough to make a difference if you're slower than pace and worried about falling behind, and a possible safety hazard if you're a rolling roadblock for faster people to go through.

The sweeper is the last person to step over the start line, and the pace cutoff is measured by them. As long as you stay in front of this person or keep them in your sight, you'll be fine. Like I've mentioned before, I literally was with the bike riders at the back for a while-- they don't kick you off if you think you can do it. Disney really tries to get everyone to finish.

 

[TinksApprentice]

Hi Everyone

This post came up on my Facebook today. I found it very interesting reading especially right now! I'm sharing in case you didn't get the link.

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/pdf/Motivation.pdf

 

[PrincessRhi]

Hi Everyone..
I survived my first week of training for the upcoming ToT race in October (and long term 1/2 marathon next year).
I am hoping that someone who has walked/raced before can answer a question for me that I haven't been able to find in other threads.
Does everyone wear throw away clothes when it's a bit chilly?
How often do they have water stations or do you carry a bottle of water?
And what do you "carry" when you race?

I was thinking about a little camera in a bum bag for the characters along the way... I've also read some where that some have shot bars, gel's? (no idea if these are available here in Australia)

I gauge what I wear by a few things: what the temp is going to be at the start line, what the temp will be when I finish, how long I'm going to be standing around waiting, and how much I plan on sweating once I'm going. If it's going to be cold, I wear light layers on top and top it with a garbage bag-- those suckers insulate like anything!-- or I'll bring a mylar blanket from a previous event for when I'm just standing around. I tend to underdress, knowing I sweat like a hog once I get going. But you can always pick up something cheap from a consignment store that will be adequate. The clothes will be donated at the end of the day.

Usually there's water stations every mile or so, and there's water and electrolytes-- once the race course is published, you can tell where the water stops will be. During your training sessions, really gauge your hydration needs. If you think you'll need more than what the race provides, fuel belts work well, and you can usually fill them up at water stops if you run out.

When I race, I only carry my iPhone and two packs of Shot Bloks. The phone doubles as a camera, and if I feel that I am injured and need to get off course, it helps me notify people I'm with. I don't ever use headphones on bigger races since the crowd can be awesome, but if I needed music I could just turn it on and rudely subject others to my music.

 

[John VN]

I mean this with the most respect possible, but I don't think going to the front of the corral is good advice, especially if there are two racers.

Being at the front of your corral or placed in a faster corral than your actual anticipated finish will only give you anywhere from a 30 second to 10 minute head start, depending on how many corrals there are and where you are lined up compared to the sweeper. It's not nearly enough to make a difference if you're slower than pace and worried about falling behind, and a possible safety hazard if you're a rolling roadblock for faster people to go through.

The sweeper is the last person to step over the start line, and the pace cutoff is measured by them. As long as you stay in front of this person or keep them in your sight, you'll be fine. Like I've mentioned before, I literally was with the bike riders at the back for a while-- they don't kick you off if you think you can do it. Disney really tries to get everyone to finish.

If there are 2 racers with different corrals, the slower racer CAN NOT move up to the faster racer's corral.

If one wishes to arrive at the staging area earlier than others, getting to the front of your assigned corral is by all means allowable and there is no reason not to do so. Once over the starting mat simply move to the side of the road and maintain the desired pace.