The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[VickiHD]

Yes, RunDisney doesn't exactly spread the hotel discount love.....

The park ticket discount is good, but the room rates? Not so much. Depending on how long you are planning to stay or if you want to visit WDW again within a year, you might want to consider an annual pass. My running buddy Julie had one last year since she knew she was making multiple trips to WDW / DL that year. When the AP room rates came out - early fall? - we got a pretty good deal for a room at POFQ.

No, they don't.

We have premium AP's for DL already and I just have to "crunch" the numbers to see if the upgrade to the "premier" AP for both DL and WDW is worth it. It also depends on our DL AP renewal schedule too.

 

[longhorns2]

No, they don't.

We have premium AP's for DL already and I just have to "crunch" the numbers to see if the upgrade to the "premier" AP for both DL and WDW is worth it. It also depends on our DL AP renewal schedule too.

I did it. I bought the WDW AP in Feb, and then went to DL last week for 4 days. I am going back to DL for Tink for another4 days, so it made sense to buy the upgrade. I come out ahead based on the discounts for food and merchandise (and again, possible room discounts! Hoping for one for DL as well as WDW)

 

[TinyDancer]

thanks for the resort tips... i priced out a few with our mil discount so that should do it. i'm really on the fence about trying the 1/2 marathon this year. i am not a runner but this is on my big goal list i am not currently in running shape however did a 5k last month with a time of 35 minutes... did i mention im not a runner my husband and brother were planning on running with me for this and making a big family trip of it but i'm getting cold feet! reservations look good though so maybe, just maybe i'll commit to the plunge. 13.1 definitely would be a major jump for me!

Are you kidding? 35 minutes is a runner!! That's an awesome time for a beginner

 

[MoonFaerie]

Everyone that said that it would be easier once it cooled off was so right! I'm not fooling myself thinking that this cool snap will last, but I'll enjoy it while I can. It was 59 degrees when I started, and mid-60s when I got back home. Humidity was still high, but I didn't feel like I was breathing water. I compared to an almost identical in length, time of day run, and run/walk intervals from a week ago. Then - 17:45 min mile, and I was really pushing. Today - 15:08, and I was taking it really easy as I took a 5 day break from running.

 

[PrincessV]

I have what may be an odd question, but it's really been nagging at me!

Once you're in your corral, can you get out and back in it easily? What I really mean is, can I get out to use the porta-potty?! Oh, so I guess my question, too, is, are there porta-potties right near the corrals?

I just read someone's review of the Princess last year and she said they were in their corral 45 minutes before starting... I'll never make it that long if I'm properly hydrated, lol! Once I'm running, I'm good, but standing around, especially if it's chilly? Fahgetaboutit.

 

[PrincessV]

Everyone that said that it would be easier once it cooled off was so right! I'm not fooling myself thinking that this cool snap will last, but I'll enjoy it while I can. It was 59 degrees when I started, and mid-60s when I got back home. Humidity was still high, but I didn't feel like I was breathing water. I compared to an almost identical in length, time of day run, and run/walk intervals from a week ago. Then - 17:45 min mile, and I was really pushing. Today - 15:08, and I was taking it really easy as I took a 5 day break from running.

Oh my gosh - I can't thank you enough for posting this! It's so hard to imagine cooler temps here, where it's only getting hotter every day. It definitely helps to hear someone live it for real!

 

[longhorns2]

You can leave and go back. You may feel like a salmon swimming upstream, but it is possible to leave the corral once you entered. They just look at your bib when you go back in.

Last year was a crazy rush to get to corrals for me so I can't tell you how close the potties were to C corral, but there are potties located in the general corral area.

 

[longhorns2]

Great job moon faerie! It dies get easier with cooler temps. Totally jealous. Another 100 degree day here.

 

[tinkeramy]

I have what may be an odd question, but it's really been nagging at me!

Once you're in your corral, can you get out and back in it easily? What I really mean is, can I get out to use the porta-potty?! Oh, so I guess my question, too, is, are there porta-potties right near the corrals?

I just read someone's review of the Princess last year and she said they were in their corral 45 minutes before starting... I'll never make it that long if I'm properly hydrated, lol! Once I'm running, I'm good, but standing around, especially if it's chilly? Fahgetaboutit.

The potties are pretty close to the corrals, and there are potties (though not many) near the first mile marker. Really, though, I would stick a bandana or pack of tissues somewhere on you b/c you would definitely NOT be alone if you decided to commune with nature for a minute....

 

[PrincessV]

You can leave and go back. You may feel like a salmon swimming upstream, but it is possible to leave the corral once you entered. They just look at your bib when you go back in.

Last year was a crazy rush to get to corrals for me so I can't tell you how close the potties were to C corral, but there are potties located in the general corral area.

Awesome - thank you!

The potties are pretty close to the corrals, and there are potties (though not many) near the first mile marker. Really, though, I would stick a bandana or pack of tissues somewhere on you b/c you would definitely NOT be alone if you decided to commune with nature for a minute....

Hee hee - as a one-time touring Deadhead I have no problem communing at all, but I suspect I could be wearing multiple layers for warmth and, despite my love of yoga, I may not be agile enough to make that work!

 

[MoonFaerie]

Oh my gosh - I can't thank you enough for posting this! It's so hard to imagine cooler temps here, where it's only getting hotter every day. It definitely helps to hear someone live it for real!

It was one of those things that I kept hearing and thinking people were just saying it to make me feel better. I was amazed today that every time Nancy (my phone) told me to walk, I was amazed that it walking time again already. It was so much easier.

I am kicking myself a little though. I kept repeating days of C25K because they were so hard. I knew I shouldn't be struggling as much as I was, so I figured I needed more time. Now I've only done 2 weeks of C25K in a month.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

It was one of those things that I kept hearing and thinking people were just saying it to make me feel better. I was amazed today that every time Nancy (my phone) told me to walk, I was amazed that it walking time again already. It was so much easier.

I am kicking myself a little though. I kept repeating days of C25K because they were so hard. I knew I shouldn't be struggling as much as I was, so I figured I needed more time. Now I've only done 2 weeks of C25K in a month.

I think what you are doing is smart. Consider it building your base mileage right now. Jeff Galloway's Princess training plan starts in October and it will be cooler and very much easier to run then. But glad you and Nancy had an amazing run.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

Hi! I'm new here.
I haven't run a race in (gulp) 9 years and I WANT to do this in 2013. I'm 34, have lost 22 lbs since May on WW and have about 35 ish more to go.
I want to do this for ME but I would prefer to buddy up and run with someone but, alas, I don't have any takers ;-)
I also have to figure out the finances-- for those who have done this before:

Is it feasible to stay off property and still feel like you got at least most of the experience or is it just a total pain in the you know where?

If staying on property for 2 nights, for just the hotel room-- what's the price range per night at minimum?

Would you rather stay on property and forego the Retreat OR do the Retreat and stay off property?



Do you dress up for the race? Why / why not out of curiosity?

Have you done it alone? What was your experience?

Thanks for your help!

Hi Christina,

I personally stay off property because we are a family of 8 and we love Disney to pieces but we a) do not like sleeping on top of each other and b) can't afford to pay 5,000 to 6,000 for us all to stay on property.

we rent pool homes for the week. WE try to find homes that have disney themes to help us "feel" the atmosphere at Disney. We hang out a down town disney or this year the water parks if it is warm enough.
The park pricing discount is extremely worth it to us. I know our situation is unique but we love Orlando and we get the best of both worlds when we are there.

can't answer no.2

3) I am doing race retreat off property because again my hubby has been to enough races and dragging all the kiddies out to see me cross the finish line is well.... so this year I will do race retreat so that I can keep warmed up and also cool down without feeling like I have to rush back to get to every one and I can enjoy the moment with the girls.

I wore a tutu and a head band that was about creative as I can get. I will do another tutu and head band. 13.1 miles was a bit long with the tu tu scratching me so I am still up in the air about costuming.

Last year about 4 of us got together and did the race. Money is tight for everyone and I very well may have to run alone this year. Last year I ran with a friend for 10 miles and then she ran ahead. I run locally by myself so I do not mind running alone. I will attend more of the meet and greets this year just to see some familiar faces and get to know some people from this board.

Hope this helped some

 

[VickiHD]

I wore a tutu and a head band that was about creative as I can get. I will do another tutu and head band. 13.1 miles was a bit long with the tu tu scratching me so I am still up in the air about costuming.

I was wondering about that....I am going to GET creative and make a tutu but I was wondering how it would feel running in one.

I'm not exactly going to try and test it out at the track on the weekends or running in the neighborhood. (I just would feel really weird) I'm thinking if I can run in Tink wings why not a tutu.

 

[Lauraldawn]

The potties are pretty close to the corrals, and there are potties (though not many) near the first mile marker. Really, though, I would stick a bandana or pack of tissues somewhere on you b/c you would definitely NOT be alone if you decided to commune with nature for a minute....

Seriously? I'm all about communing with nature, but I don't get the bandana thing. I thought people wore bandanas to wipe sweat. Do you wrap it back around your wrist?
I'm bringing toilet paper. and a ziploc.

 

[TinyDancer]

Everyone that said that it would be easier once it cooled off was so right! I'm not fooling myself thinking that this cool snap will last, but I'll enjoy it while I can. It was 59 degrees when I started, and mid-60s when I got back home. Humidity was still high, but I didn't feel like I was breathing water. I compared to an almost identical in length, time of day run, and run/walk intervals from a week ago. Then - 17:45 min mile, and I was really pushing. Today - 15:08, and I was taking it really easy as I took a 5 day break from running.

It is awesome right! It is low 80s here this week and feels so much better already.

 

[SuperHappyFunTimes]

It is awesome right! It is low 80s here this week and feels so much better already.

Ugh, I'm so jealous! We won't see highs in the low 80's until October at the earliest. I love living in Florida except for the months of August and September. I've forgotten what cool weather feels like!

 

[sau418]

Hi all! I will be running my first half at the PHM . I am running my first 10k in a few weeks and feeling pretty good for that. I did 5 miles on Saturday in 1:07, 8 minutes better than my goal. There are two large hills where I do my long runs and they slow everyone down. Not sure who I am dressing as, but for now need to focus on the 10k. The course for that is primarily flat so I am working for a 1:05.

DH will be coming with me and we were able to use miles for our flights, great bonus . Staying at Coronado Springs.

 

[Mrs D]

Hi all! I will be running my first half at the PHM . I am running my first 10k in a few weeks and feeling pretty good for that. I did 5 miles on Saturday in 1:07, 8 minutes better than my goal. There are two large hills where I do my long runs and they slow everyone down. Not sure who I am dressing as, but for now need to focus on the 10k. The course for that is primarily flat so I am working for a 1:05.

DH will be coming with me and we were able to use miles for our flights, great bonus . Staying at Coronado Springs.

and congrats on the super run this weekend!
Good luck on the 10K (mine isn't until Nov).

 

[PrincessV]

I love living in Florida except for the months of August and September. I've forgotten what cool weather feels like!

Exactly! I spent two weeks in western NY last August - heaven! I must remember to get out of FL at the end of summer each year...