ToT or Princess 1/2 marathon?

[belledreamer]

So in order to keep myself motivated on my weight loss and exercise, I've decided to take the leap and train for a Disney Marathon! After reading everyone's experiences, I knew it was something I wanted to experience myself.

The question is, which marathon to do?

My original plan was just the Princess 5k (Just over 3 miles by next year seemed like an attainable goal for someone who had never run in her life.) But after three months of exercise, I can already do about 2.5 miles at about a 16-18 minute mile pace (just need to get my speed up and build my endurance a little more.) So I'm thinking that the Princess 1/2 may be possible since I have almost a year to train.

But then I found out about the ToT 10 mile marathon in September, and with the shorter distance, running at night, and the fact that the race is being held during a time that we usually go to WDW anyway, I'm starting to wonder if that would be a better option.

So I'd love to hear your recommendations. The Princess 1/2, the ToT 10 mile, or should I just concentrate on building speed and endurance and just do the 5k?

Also, at the pace I'm going now, is it even possible for me to be ready for the ToT in September and what are some tips for building up my endurance and time?

 

[fashionista311]

well first off - neither race is an actual marathon. a marathon is a 26.2 mile race I don't mean to nit-pick, but it's just a total pet peeve of mine when I hear other races being called a marathon!

That being said, if you could only do one event, I would probably go for the princess. I think finishing the half marathon distance is a huge sense of accomplishment. Not a 10 mile race isn't a huge accomplishment either - because it is - but I think just crossing that 13.1 benchmark for the first time is just so satisfying.

The weather has a much better chance of being better for Princess than ToT. I mean it's Florida, so it can be anything, but I think the likelihood of cool weather is far higher in the end of Feb than in end of Sept. Ideal running temps for your body is actually around 55 degrees, and you'll start to feel the heat effects around 65 degrees. Anything at that temp or warmer, you'll have to slow your pace accordingly. Same thing goes with humidity as well. If you are concerned about making the cut-off to begin with, I would definitely take the possibility of hot weather into account.

Also the, the ToT is an inaugural event, and inaugural events (even Disney ones) tend to have their hiccups.

Anyways, that's just some things to take into account. I'm sure there are some arguments to be made for the ToT race as well. Whatever you decide o do, you'll be great I'm sure!

 

[hotblooded]

I would do ToT, largely because of personal preference for the theme and atmosphere among fellow runners. RunDisney races are typically extremely welcoming and full of camaraderie, but I've heard that Princess weekend can get a little diva-like. I think the idea of a villains race at night is brilliant, and the 13K version of the race was very popular. Plus the after party is sure to be fun!

 

[hotblooded]

[Double post, sorry!]

 

[stitchfan18]

First off, Congrats on your weight loss so far! A rundisney race is a great reward for your hard work, and an awesome motivation to push yourself more. If your family is usually at WDW around the time of the 10 miler, I would shoot for that race. It's new this year, but I ran in the first wine and dine 1/2 marathon relay, and running at night was a lot of fun. Sure, there were a few things that turned out 'bad,' but I think disney is really working on correcting past mistakes and preventing those from happening again. I didn't personally encounter most of the problems people complained about, so I thought the race was awesome! That being said, the Princess 1/2 is a whole different feel than any other race weekend at Disney. It's an amazing experience, and so awesome to run with thousands of other women who empowered to do something healthy for themselves, and accomplish an awesome goal. I've had fun at princess the last couple years, and if that type of girl power feel is what you are looking for, definitely do princess. Rundisney races can get addicting, so be warned that after you do your first, there is a good chance you'll be very tempted to keep signing up for more races in the future!

 

[Rose&Mike]

I think you can't go wrong with either race, and I think you have time to get ready for the TOT by September if you make a plan and stick with it.

I have done w&d twice and Princess twice.

They are two very different races.

Evening races, are in my opinion a little more mentally challenging. It WILL be warm for TOT. We had great weather last year for w&d and it was still warm and humid. That is just what it's like at that time of the year. I really enjoyed running at night, and would be doing w&d again this year if we didn't have a scheduling issue.

The day time races start really early in the morning and the temps can be chilly. I am NOT an early morning person so I struggle a little more with this. I did not encounter any diva like behavior, but I had a group of people that I hung out with. Everyone we encountered over the weekend seemed excited to be there. We are from the South and will talk to anyone and we met lots of really nice athletes and their families. Mike has run the Princess twice too, and he has had a positive experience both times.

I think the best thing to do is to figure out which one best fits into your schedule and which one you are best able to train for. No matter what, I think you will have a great time!

 

[Disfan11]

I think that if you decide to do the Tower of Terror race you will enjoy it so much that you will probably want to run the Princess 1/2 as well!
I'm not planning on doing the ToT race because of budget, but if I could, I would sign up!
I have run 2 Princesses and they were both so much fun!
I love stopping and taking lots of pictures.
Sounds like from your training you would have no problem running either race!
Good job!
Check out the 2012 Princess picture thread to see some photos that I and others have posted.
If you are interested in doing the Coast to Coast for 2013, you can do any DW 1/2 (Princess or DW 1/2 or Wine & Dine) and either the Disneyland 1/2 in Sept (but watch out it gets sold out fast) or the Tinkerbell in January.

No matter what you decide, you will have a great time!

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

I think you have time to train for either race and will have fun no matter which you choose. I don't have a recommendation because it's really all about your personal preference, but here are some things to consider:

Are you a morning or night person? I'm a night person and getting up at 3am is not my idea of a good vacation. Overall I find that night races disrupt my vacation less. I like that for the night races I don't have to worry about getting to bed early enough. And going to the after party isn't that much different than staying up late for EMH.

Where do you live? Will it be difficult to train through the winter for the Princess or are you okay with either colder temps or staying inside on the treadmill?

If you usually go to WDW in September, do you want to see WDW at a different time of year? Maybe that's a good reason to aim for the Princess.

Do you have any thoughts about which parts of WDW you'd like to run through? With the Princess you get to see MK and Epcot. With ToT you get HS and the WWoS. I really enjoyed seeing HS at night during W&D, but to me there's something extra special about running through the castle.

Whichever you choose, my tip is to take your training slow and steady. Find a plan to follow and don't push yourself too hard. Ramping up too quickly can lead to injury. (Now if only I could learn to take my own advice... )

Also, I know that some people like to wait for Disney as their very first race which I totally respect. But you may want to consider finding a local 5k sometime in the next few months just to get a feel for the race atmosphere.

 

[escape]

It's good to have choices, isn't it?

You've been given some good advice. I do have to ask - does the heat and humidity bother you? More than likely, you will encounter this for the ToT. It bothers me somewhat and zaps my energy. My pace gets a bit slower under these conditions, yours may not. Of course, proper training is the key.

With this being said, I did the inaugural ToT when it was a 13K a few years ago. The race was held in late October and the heat and humidity did bother me a little but I still had a blast and I LOVE the medal we got. I suspect that this new ToT medal will be super cool. I would love to do it this year but several issues are keeping me away - money and the heat and humidity. If the new ToT gets positive reviews, I may go for it next year.

Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you'll have fun at either event.