The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[PrincessV]

Anybody have a certain mileage that you just hate?

Yep - 4 miles. More specifically, that 4th mile, no matter how long my total distance. Can't begin to explain why!

Not sure, but I have heard that there are balloon ladies...people carrying balloons that you have to stay in front of.

Somewhere someone posted a pic of the elusive Balloon Lady... and when I saw it, I realized that I'd been cheering for her counterpart at the 2012 WDW marathon! At the time, I thought she was in last place, but she looked so happy and determined to finish, despite dragging a couple balloons through 26.2 miles - I was totally rooting for her not to be swept!

 

[christinascreative]

What do you think is "unlocking" on the Run Like a Princess (sweepstakes) page on Nov 19th? Do you think it's Princess themed merch- tees etc? What else could it be?

 

[sissy_ib]

What do you think is "unlocking" on the Run Like a Princess (sweepstakes) page on Nov 19th? Do you think it's Princess themed merch- tees etc? What else could it be?

Princess merchandise is exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Cripey]

Princess merchandise is exactly what I was thinking.

What do you think is "unlocking" on the Run Like a Princess (sweepstakes) page on Nov 19th? Do you think it's Princess themed merch- tees etc? What else could it be?

I WISH! They haven't sold official "Princess In Training" merch since 2010 and I never could figure out why they stopped. I always saw it in 2010 and thought it was really cute, but didn't gather the courage to try a half until the 2011 regitration opened up...watched for the merch month after month and it never came...I was so disappointed! With the way the stuff flies off the shelves at the Expo, you would think that stuff would sell pretty good throughout the months prior to the race? I'd buy it!

 

[haleofafamily]

Not sure, but I have heard that there are balloon ladies...people carrying balloons that you have to stay in front of. Hopefully some one that has been in danger will show up here and help.

It would be good if you could get a 10k time to help move you up a corral and that would give you some cushion. There are lots around Thanksgiving, just make sure it is chipped timed and don't get at the back of the pack. Use it as a "training/dress rehearsal". If you are doing the walk/run test it. Give it all you got, maybe it will work into your training schedule distance too.

This past race ~ 2012 PHM ~ they had "balloon people" (men and women) that were pace runners. The first one the went past me scared me to death. I was sure I wasn't going too slow, but a person with balloons was passing me. It took me a little while to realize what was going on.

I wondered if they were always there and I just missed them my first PHM. Does anyone know?

 

[JerzPrincess]

This past race ~ 2012 PHM ~ they had "balloon people" (men and women) that were pace runners. The first one the went past me scared me to death. I was sure I wasn't going too slow, but a person with balloons was passing me. It took me a little while to realize what was going on.

I wondered if they were always there and I just missed them my first PHM. Does anyone know?

I remember the balloon people from the race last year. It a group of people who are pace runners. Lets say you want to run the race in 3 hours. You find the pace runner in your corral who is the 3 hour pace runner and you stay with that person. You can meet the pace runner for each corral at the expo

 

[Cripey]

This past race ~ 2012 PHM ~ they had "balloon people" (men and women) that were pace runners. The first one the went past me scared me to death. I was sure I wasn't going too slow, but a person with balloons was passing me. It took me a little while to realize what was going on.

I wondered if they were always there and I just missed them my first PHM. Does anyone know?

Yeah, these are different from the sweeper balloon lady Usually they will have their finish time written on the balloons that they are carrying so you can keep up with them if that's your goal time. Also, they'll be followed by a large pack of people usually...on the other hand, if it was THE balloon lady, you'd see people scattering in front of her trying to get away!

 

[SmartGuyCEO]

What do you think is "unlocking" on the Run Like a Princess (sweepstakes) page on Nov 19th? Do you think it's Princess themed merch- tees etc? What else could it be?

I'm thinking a discount on entry if you haven't registered already.

 

[joan4mickey]

If you don't send in a time at all what happens? I have never done a 10K, only 5Ks so I just put that I could finish in 2:45 since that was the minimum time without proof. Will they throw me in the last corral? Do they use your 10K min/mile time and assume that will be your half min/mile time?

Lots of questions I know! I am doing another half in January so I will have that time. (I signed up for that a few weeks ago then this week found out I can go to WDW)

Bring with you any time you get and visit the runner relations booth..it's worth trying for a better corral.

As for the balloon people.. the pacer do have a balloon and a flag with finish time, but it is just one person per pace group. I thought some posted a pix one time of a group with balloons that pick up the rear.

 

[MRS AR]

Will a 5K time move you up or does it have to be a 10K. I work most Saturdays so the one 5K I've found to run in might be my only opportunity for a time.

 

[Cripey]

Will a 5K time move you up or does it have to be a 10K. I work most Saturdays so the one 5K I've found to run in might be my only opportunity for a time.

The race has to be 10k or longer to be submitted to runDisney.

 

[sau418]

Yay, I was hoping to find a pace group to run with. Has anyone run with one of these groups and is it hard to stick with them with having so many people around?

 

[MRS AR]

The race has to be 10k or longer to be submitted to runDisney.

Thanks I'll probably still run for the experience

 

[JerzPrincess]

Yay, I was hoping to find a pace group to run with. Has anyone run with one of these groups and is it hard to stick with them with having so many people around?

As long as you are able to keep the pace it isn't hard at all. They usually have balloons and you just have to keep them in your sight. The one I saw was a walk/run group and they were loud calling out when they were going to run and when to stop to walk.

 

[kindakrazy2]

I'm so bummed I can't enter the Castle contest. I went to enter it as soon as it was posted on the RunDisney FB page but nope, I'm in Canada so no Castle for me.

Oh well...

I'm still worried about a costume. Does anyone have a good Pinterest board they want to share the link to? Pretty please with sugar on top?

I just booked my hotel and flights yesterday! Yay for me, boo for my bank account. LOL!

 

[JCH]

As long as you are able to keep the pace it isn't hard at all. They usually have balloons and you just have to keep them in your sight. The one I saw was a walk/run group and they were loud calling out when they were going to run and when to stop to walk.

My husband was amused by the 3 hour guy last year. Since I finished in 3:11, I assume they were a few minutes ahead of me, so he saw him at every viewing stop while waiting for me (it's how he knew I was coming!) yelling "Pick up the pace! P A C E!" and doing all sorts of yells and cheers...the entire 13.1 miles! Then DH imitated him the entire time we were in Epcot...while I was just trying to walk without limping...I wanted to punch him, lol. I think the next half I do I'll try to stick with the 3 hour group.

 

[sissy_ib]

I'm thinking a discount on entry if you haven't registered already.

This will make me so mad! lol After I registered I realized I could have gotten a $10 discount for being a DVC member!

 

[kindakrazy2]

Oh....and just so you know, I'm now afraid of balloon ladies thanks to this thread. I must not get swept....I must not get swept....

Has anyone heard back from trackshack about their proof of times yet? I still haven't heard.

 

[JerzPrincess]

My husband was amused by the 3 hour guy last year. Since I finished in 3:11, I assume they were a few minutes ahead of me, so he saw him at every viewing stop while waiting for me (it's how he knew I was coming!) yelling "Pick up the pace! P A C E!" and doing all sorts of yells and cheers...the entire 13.1 miles! Then DH imitated him the entire time we were in Epcot...while I was just trying to walk without limping...I wanted to punch him, lol. I think the next half I do I'll try to stick with the 3 hour group.

I was in corral F last year and the 3 hour guy was bald dressed like Snow White. He was so funny. Full length dress, looked like velvet wearing a red bow head band. He was a sweaty mess but did it in 3 hours

 

[MRS AR]

Exactly how many corrals ate there? I'm starting to worry what time the later corrals will start. I haven't found a 10K I can run in to improve my corral and I need to be finished with the race by 11 to shower and catch a taxi to the airport.