Princess Half-Marathon - It's Official

[Caitsmama]

I have a question for those who have done these before - will the transportation be JUST for those who book thru a designated TA (aka Anthony Travel - or whoever) ? Or will the travel be available to anyone registered and staying at the listed resorts?? We are booking a room at the Poly on our own - concierge, and hoping i don't have to book thru a specific agency just to get the travel...

 

[twoWDWfools]

Well, really glad we got to do the last Minnie. This is too close to marathon weekend, plus the cost and it's more crowded in March due to spring break.

I realize Disney wants to make money just like any other corporation but this is getting out of hand. Increased costs, no discounts, restricted trans, required park tickets. Looks like we may just hold to only doing one event per year at WDW.

 

[acourtwdw]

I am thinking of doing the Princess, but that time of year is crowded already. It will cost us 106 DVC points for that weekend (Thu-Tue). That is 2 weeks during value season. I am up in the air about it.

Why it doesn't go through the Castle? Isn't that what being a princess is all about.

I want to do the full marathon in 2010 and I thought that this would be a good race to try, but I'm not sure. Somebody talk me into it!

 

[Caitsmama]

Somebody talk me into it!

Well, for me, i can only do one WDW event per year, and being that it's the first year for this, i am gonna try it -- I think it will be fun, despite it's growing pains.. I don't care too much about the parks being crowded, as i will only do the parks for a few hours at night -- this trip wouldn't be so much about the parks and rides, as it will be for my mental and physical health and well being. I plan on hanging by the pools all day, (weather permitting!) and walking parks at night.
I am not ready for Jan. marathon weekend, so having a couple extra months to prep is key for me -- as well as going in november, i can't do another trip only 2 mo. after that - so march is better for me. Yes, may would be ideal, but hey.. i want that princess tiara medal!!!

 

[joan4mickey]

During my 9th mile Sunday I thought "why am I doing this?" But two days out and I'm thinking the Princess would be okay. I have college kids and they or at one is on spring break and would love to go to WDW.

I like the 15K as it was a challenge, but not too long and I'm worried about 13 miles.

 

[ghoulishgirl]

My mom and I are also in for the princess. We want that tiera medal! we're also hoping for lots of pink merchandise! I also wish it went through the castle, but to me it's an excuse to go to WDW again! what I don't like is having to train through the winter for this race and I live in California, where the weather is relatively mild. How do people who live in states with "real" winters do it?

 

[Briarmom]

I was thinking of doing this as well. I'm a total running newbie, so it would take me this long to get ready.
So, you have to be able to run 16 minute miles, is that what that means?

 

[Caitsmama]

Yes, Briarmom, you have to be able to maintain a 16 min. mile pace thru the whole race, if you fall below that at any time, you can be swept (taken off the course).

 

[Briarmom]

Yes, Briarmom, you have to be able to maintain a 16 min. mile pace thru the whole race, if you fall below that at any time, you can be swept (taken off the course).

Thanks for the reply. I also didn't realize that it was Spring Break so early. It's Peak season at that time?

I'd have to get there a few days in advance so my body could adjust to the time change...

ETA: as I'm texting my military dh on our cruise for July, I'm realizing there's no way we can know his schedule for March. Grr.

 

[Rora]

While I'm a newbie runner, I'm very interested in the Princess marathon.. I haven't participated in the other Disney Marathons so I really don't have any opinions to compare this too. But I do need some more experienced runner's opinions:
My mother (52) and I (23) would like to do this but we're afraid that it would be too much for our first race. How would the 5k be? Any info/opinions on that? Sorry if my question is in the wrong place, please feel free to direct me to anyone else! Thank you!!

 

[Caitsmama]

Rora, hi, i just did my first race - the 5k. It was fun!! Knowing that you have 10 months to prep, i would say that depending on your fitness level, you could do this! However, if you aren't fit (meaning you aren't doing any activity every week) then i would say maybe to start with the 5k.
I started training /jogging for the first time last December (then took like a month off - bad idea! LOL) and just did the 5k, so that was about 5 mo. of training -- but i had never run before - (I just turned 30) - so i felt that was good enough for me -- i would have been way over my head if i would have jumped into the 1/2 though..

I am glad i took the time to train slowly for the 5k as my first -- but now i am taking the plunge to the 1/2 - knowing i have 10 more months to train... I am scared, but feel if i train faithfully i can do it.

 

[Rora]

Thank you Caitsmama!! Anyone else have any words of encouragement for the 5k? Thank you again.

 

[syko]

Go for it!!!!!!

I just did my first 5k & 15k at the Minnie and I did not do any training at all, and I managed to get around in a non racing wheelchair.
I am gonig to sign up for the 5k & and 1/2 but I can not sign up on line, so I am waiting for track shack to get back to me.

 

[ms.mightyduck]

Just pitching in my 2 cents here.

At the end of the Minnie, I was looking for, well, Minnie. A rep from WWoS who was standing there surveying the crowd with a big smile was nearby, so I asked him where minnie was.

He said she was "tired" and the other characters were taking over.

She's tired? I asked him. I just did a 15K!

I pointed out that I finished in the required time, albeit at the end, and that I thought they really should have put Minnie out there for ALL of us to take photos with.

After all, I said, the Minnie is CANCELLED for next year.

No, it's not, the WWoS guy said. It's a Princess race!

No, that's a different race. The Minnie is no more.

He continued to tell me that they JUST moved it to March.

And changed the distance to a half. And changed the theme. Sounds like a new race to me, I told him.

He assured me it would be fun.

Too close to Marathon weekend, I said. I can't come down six weeks apart. And the flower show won't be going on, I added.

And besides. I'm not seven. I think a Princess race is stupid.

He looked SHOCKED.

Now... he said, in that tone parents use when children are a bit too bold.

It's true, I told him. Minnie is cool. Princesses don't interest me.

Then I threw in DH's idea for Go RED for Women: How about the Queen of Hearts and the villains? (DH decided THIS was the way to go at the expo, feeling the pirate and princess thing is now played out).

So I did tell him how I felt. I didn't feel like he thought how I felt was so important. *shrug* I'm going for the Donald.

But DH was eyeing that ToT medal, I must say....

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Well said Mel.

I missed this the 1st time. I guess the race will feel like a 5:00 am start. Better get a early night rest.

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon
Sunday, March 8, 2009
6:00 AM
**Please note: Daylight Saving Time will occur on Sunday, March 8, 2009. Clocks will need to be set ahead one hour when going to bed on Saturday, March 7, 2009.**

All I can think is Eek! I'm exhausted from too much weekend right now.

I know there are quite a few interested in that inaugural medal. I'm not able to be there, but will be cheering on from the homefront any WISH Team members who will be going.

Rora, Yes, you and Mom can make that event as a 1/2 if you begin your training now and set a good base, doing some walking/running/wogging, core strengthening and general XT. There is time to make it work for those going.

 

[suzannews]

Just pitching in my 2 cents here.

At the end of the Minnie, I was looking for, well, Minnie. A rep from WWoS who was standing there surveying the crowd with a big smile was nearby, so I asked him where minnie was.

He said she was "tired" and the other characters were taking over.

She's tired? I asked him. I just did a 15K!

Amen sister! I didn't see any characters at or near the finish line when I crossed, maybe I was still in the zone. I agree that Minnie should have been there the whole time no matter what even if they had to change out Minnie's every 1/2 hr or so because of the heat.

 

[pinky4disney]

So I was looking at the registration page for the Princess 1/2. Not only did the geniuses that planned it put it too close to Marathon weekend...they also picked Daylight Savings Day. So the 6AM start will really feel like 5AM (not to mention how early the 3AM wakeup call to get up and find your own transportation to the start will feel)!! Damn them for tempting me with the princess tiara medal!!

 

[RoyalCinderella]

Hi, all, new to the WISH competition board, throwing my tiara into the ring for the Princess Half next March! I was an avid runner in high school, but have concentrated on college the last 10 years, not so much my health and fitness. Bet you couldn't tell from my DISboards name that I'm a big Disney princess fan (and Cinderella's story is my favorite) and the race is on the first day of Spring Break for both myself and my fiance, so it looks like this race is on for our trip next March to WDW! What an exciting, different take on Disney vacations! Glad to be a part of this WISH group!

 

[getnthinr]

Hi, all, new to the WISH competition board, throwing my tiara into the ring for the Princess Half next March! I was an avid runner in high school, but have concentrated on college the last 10 years, not so much my health and fitness. Bet you couldn't tell from my DISboards name that I'm a big Disney princess fan (and Cinderella's story is my favorite) and the race is on the first day of Spring Break for both myself and my fiance, so it looks like this race is on for our trip next March to WDW! What an exciting, different take on Disney vacations! Glad to be a part of this WISH group!

Welcome, RoyalCinderella!

You know, the toughest question on the race app for me was "what is your favorite princess". I finally settled on Belle because of her ability to be her own person (and complete disregard for what others thought). They all have great qualities -- and some of those stories have been with me for many many years. It was a difficult choice!

 

[getnthinr]

Well, I am offically signed up for the Princess 1/2. I just did the Minnie 5k -- and it was my first, but i knew i wouldn't be able to get down in Jan, since we go every november -- so, March for me works out better.... Even though i agree that the transportation and fees are a lil' nuts..
I just really want to do a 1/2 and since Jan. was out -- this was the next best -- however, i also agree the course isn't great.. but, maybe that will change in the future after the first one..?

I signed up for this one too. I am not a DVCer or annual passholder so my situation is a bit different than most. As for the crowds in the parks, truthfully I do not typically spend much time in the parks during race weekends (other than on the race course). Park time is for when my family comes along -- and they are usually in school when the races are scheduled. I'm not really the princess type, but I enjoy the pirate aspect of the pirate and princess party -- which means I'll get a taste of the MK without paying for a full-price park ticket. I'm happy about the switch to March -- hoping it stay cooler later in the day than the May temps are. As a back-of-the-packer, temps are always a concern for me. I like Pop Century and they are offering bus transportation from there, so I should be in a lot better shape transportation-wise than the Minnie (where I drove all weekend). The race entry fee is ridiculously expensive, but I expect Disney to be ridiculously expensive.

I agree it seems completely unfair to the DVCers, though. I also agree that it seems only the upper class can do all the races in the Endurance series. It a ton of money. I loved ToT but can't afford to go back. And I'd love to try the Everest race. Like everything else, I have to pick and choose where to spend my money. I'm going to do this princess half the inaugural year and that may be it for me.

Looking forward to seeing any WISHers who decide to join me!