Princess or 1/2 during marathon weekend? MORE QUESTIONS on post 8

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I have DREAMED of doing a 1/2 marathon at Disney for a long time. Was supposed to be one of the original innagural WISH runners, but didn't get healthy for it. Long story... many years later... I am determined to achieve that goal. So for 2013 I am determined to run one of those races. I just can't decide which one I want to go for. This will be my first 1/2 marathon and have alot of work to do to get there. I am extrememly overweight, but I am making the commitment and excited about this goal. Now, I need to finalize the goal as to which one I want to do.

Can you tell me about these 2 races... the good and the bad. I am also looking to completely enjoy the experience since it has been a dream of mine for so long, I want to enjoy, immerse myself in it, but also do not want to get too overwhelmed. I don't think I will have a running buddy for either race, so just me. Which is OK with me, as this has been my dream to run this race and I don't want to worry about how someone else is doing, I need to and want to focus on me.

Any suggestions?

 

[cewait]

I have DREAMED of doing a 1/2 marathon at Disney for a long time. Was supposed to be one of the original innagural WISH runners, but didn't get healthy for it. Long story... many years later... I am determined to achieve that goal. So for 2013 I am determined to run one of those races. I just can't decide which one I want to go for. This will be my first 1/2 marathon and have alot of work to do to get there. I am extrememly overweight, but I am making the commitment and excited about this goal. Now, I need to finalize the goal as to which one I want to do.

Can you tell me about these 2 races... the good and the bad. I am also looking to completely enjoy the experience since it has been a dream of mine for so long, I want to enjoy, immerse myself in it, but also do not want to get too overwhelmed. I don't think I will have a running buddy for either race, so just me. Which is OK with me, as this has been my dream to run this race and I don't want to worry about how someone else is doing, I need to and want to focus on me.

Any suggestions?

I would point you to that as your race. It gives you a little buffer and frankly, the weekend is a lot more relaxed AND you do not have to survive the training and the holidays.

The January race is tied with the Goofy and Full so there are a lot more folks around and in the events. I know I was a little intimidated in my first couple events. Large events with lots of folks and I thought I was a slug when I started comparing myself with others.

The Princess is much less crowded, fewer guys in the race and seems a little less intimidating.

From a course perspective - they are the same course. Both start outside of Epcot on Epcot Dr and then run up to MK and back through Epcot.

Weather - February is a little wetter, but still chances are you will have a great weekend in either race. The average temps are just a little warmer for the Princess.

Regardless of all this.....

Be yourself. Hold your head high. Even if you are the very last one in the road, YOU ARE running either event you enter. Maybe do both??

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Vija! You CAN do this! I love that you are going to do the half!

Which half? Well, I am biased and thrilled that I was able to do the Donald Half as my first. I have never done the Princess so cannot speak to that other than what Coach Charles has said: same course, different crowd sizes.

The Half Marathon/Marathon weekend has transportation to/from the events for all on property hotels where, I believe, Princess weekend has transportation from some designated hotels. If you are looking for something a bit smaller, I am sure Princess will be great.

Any choice you make will be the best of fun and the best you can do for yourself. Don't worry too much about being solo on the course. You do have to take those steps yourself, but WISH is a great support and you will hopefully have great support along your way before the event as you take those training steps and during the event as you get to the finish line.

 

[DrMomof3]

My first race ever was the half marathon in 2011. I was a little intimidated by the crowds and I didn't know what to expect at all. Everyone was so incredibly nice and supportive and helpful! I met lots of people from WISHers to elite runners in Corral A to first timers like myself. Every single one was friendly and nice. The experience was amazing! And there were people of all shapes and sizes running the races.
I've never run the Princess so I can only tell you what I liked about the Donald. I liked seeing people wearing Donald medals and Mickey medals and Goofy medals. I found it incredibly inspiring and motivating. When I came home from that weekend I KNEW that I would some day run the full marathon. Nobody made me feel any less for running the half - just the opposite, everyone was great!
I can see that a smaller, more low-key race might be a better starting point for some but I loved the energy of marathon weekend.

CONGRATS on making such a great decision to run and GOOD LUCK with whichever race you choose!!!

Amanda

 

[cewait]

My first race ever was the half marathon in 2011. I was a little intimidated by the crowds and I didn't know what to expect at all. Everyone was so incredibly nice and supportive and helpful! I met lots of people from WISHers to elite runners in Corral A to first timers like myself. Every single one was friendly and nice. The experience was amazing! And there were people of all shapes and sizes running the races.
I've never run the Princess so I can only tell you what I liked about the Donald. I liked seeing people wearing Donald medals and Mickey medals and Goofy medals. I found it incredibly inspiring and motivating. When I came home from that weekend I KNEW that I would some day run the full marathon. Nobody made me feel any less for running the half - just the opposite, everyone was great!
I can see that a smaller, more low-key race might be a better starting point for some but I loved the energy of marathon weekend.

CONGRATS on making such a great decision to run and GOOD LUCK with whichever race you choose!!!

Amanda

I want to add that at road races MOST folks are nice and supportive. Many will notice your dear in the headlight look and pick up a conversation. The really good news about a large race is that you cannot go the wrong way if you follow the crowd.

 

[Bookwood]

I have done both and IMHO if you aren't worried about a great time and just want to do a half and finish? do the Princess. It's so much more fun and there's so much more to see during the race. The Princess has more of a feeling of comradery, again IMHO and lots more costumes.

 

[El&Asmom]

This year will be my first marathon weekend, (and my first full!), so I can't comment on the half there. I did the Princess as my first ever half last year and LOVED the experience. I also do triathlons, and there is just something about women's events that is so supportive compared to co ed events. Not that co ed events are bad or worse, they're just different. I know there are varying opinions on if it's fair to have women's centered races when there are no comparable men's only races but thats another subject.

I loved that it was "princess" heavy, and it was so well run. Such a great environment. I also feel like women's races are a bit less competitive but that's just the vibe I get.

For me the only downfall is time of year. Since I live in Chicago, training for marathon weekend means that there are fewer long runs in the really bad winter weather since it's earlier in the winter. I had to do several long runs last year in the snow. Crossing my fingers right now that we won't get too much snow in December. The weather has been beautiful so far.

Either way, just have fun. It is such an amazing feeling of accomplishment and worth every mile you log to get there.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all the input. I think I have narrowed it down to the Princess. If DS changes his mind, then I will do the January half, but for right now if it is just me then I do the Princess. I watched some YOUTUBE videos and the princess videos got me very excited.

HOWEVER, just a quick question about crowds...

I KNOW Disney is crowded now whenever you go, but the family is going to be with me part of the time, I might fly down a few days earlier to get used to the weather as I am from Wisconsin. It seems like the Princess is at the tail end of Presidents week, and from all the research I've done over the years here on the DIS that is one of the weeks to avoid at WDW.

I would stay at a hotel that has transportation service to the race, but how easy is it for the family to get around to cheer me on?
How crowded are the hotels/parks when comparing the 2 different events?
What about crowds in the parks during non race time?

 

[HockeyKat]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all the input. I think I have narrowed it down to the Princess. If DS changes his mind, then I will do the January half, but for right now if it is just me then I do the Princess. I watched some YOUTUBE videos and the princess videos got me very excited.

HOWEVER, just a quick question about crowds...

I KNOW Disney is crowded now whenever you go, but the family is going to be with me part of the time, I might fly down a few days earlier to get used to the weather as I am from Wisconsin. It seems like the Princess is at the tail end of Presidents week, and from all the research I've done over the years here on the DIS that is one of the weeks to avoid at WDW.

I would stay at a hotel that has transportation service to the race, but how easy is it for the family to get around to cheer me on?
How crowded are the hotels/parks when comparing the 2 different events?
What about crowds in the parks during non race time?

The best thing to do with the Princess is come in on Friday evening or Sat AM, and stay a few days after the race.

There are a few reasons for this... the crowds, of course, but also you don't want to tire yourself out too much walking the parks on the days before the race. You will enjoy the days after sooo much more, since this will be your first, plus you can wear your medal all around the parks.

The weather is a crapshoot - 2010 it was cold, and 2011 it was warm. If you do some of your short or long runs inside on a TM (which I imagine you will coming from WI), you should be fine with climate.

Assume that Sat is a visit the expo and rest and go to bed early day, and Sunday you probably want to make an ADR for lunch or dinner and assume a nap or some recovery time in the pool or hot tub.

Even though it will can be a bit painful to walk around after the race, it actually really helps with recovery soreness.

Please feel free to join us over in the Princess thread, even if you are planning on 2013. There is a lot of good advice over there about training, and a lot of us have been in your shoes. It will also help with motivation.

FWIW, my first race was the Princess 2010, and I was (and still am, although less so) significantly overweight when I started training for it. Almost 2 years later and Princess 2012 will be my 3rd Princess and 9th half!! It's addicting.

If you have other questions or want an email buddy about it, please feel free to PM me. if it weren't for WISH, I wouldn't be where I am today. WISH has changed my life and I am happy to help anyone get into running.