Which race for first half? Princess or Marathon weekend?

[princessnpirate]

Hi,

I am training for my first half and it will be Disney! I considered the October Wine and Dine but not sure nighttime is a good "first" half. That leaves me the Princess or January Marathon weekend. Any opinions? The Princess seems to be less crowded...

If it matters, my kids (7 and 2) would be travelling with me and DH.

I would love to hear opinions!

 

[verticalchaos]

I had thought mine would be the Princess, but ultimately I decided I didn't want to wait a year longer to run a half, and I'm going to Italy the week before the Princess this year and didn't think running a half marathon jet lagged would be fun. So I went with the one in January.

Personally? I don't regret my decision AT ALL. Since it's most definitely more of a mixed race, I didn't have to plan out the cutest outfit or anything. I could focus on my training (granted, I probably would have done that for the Princess as well, but I would have felt much more weird being in "standard running gear"). The more I thought about it, the more I realized I'm NOT a girly-girl (not a tomboy either, but not overly girly) and was never really into Princesses, so I don't know how happy I'd be in the Princess environment. It's fine if that's your thing, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it. But it's the wrong thing for ME.

Personally, while the corrals were definitely full, I never felt crowded on the course at all. I don't know if that's reality or if that's because I'm used to big NYRR races. I also actually LIKE the fact that it was bigger. There was a TON of energy, and that helped a lot.

Given that you have kids, it would be fun over Marathon Weekend for them to get to do the Mickey Kids Races - share in Mom's experience.

IDK, that's just my opinion. I'm so glad I chose the regular half, and I don't see myself changing the option any time soon.

 

[princessnpirate]

Thanks! I see you are doing the marathon next year? Someone else suggested the same.

Hey it is Disney - I assume kids are included in all of them!!

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I have recently been bit by the racing bug. My first ever race was the 5K during the Wine and Dine weekend because I wanted something that I knew I could do distance wise and still be able to have fun. I wanted a shorter distance just so I could go through the adrenaline rush and I'd say having kids in that race helped pace me during the first mile since I had to pay attention to where they could be and not rush off and ruin my pacing.

I have chosen my first half to be the Princess in 2012. I thought about doing the one in January, but this year's field was 27,000 and it wouldn't surprise me if Disney increased the number again. I also realized I'll be apartment hunting next January and that weekend will be spent looking.

I just get this feeling that the Princess weekend is just a little more laid back and since it'll be my first, I want to be able to relax a little, though knowing me I'll be a bundle of nerves at the starting line.

 

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

I chose the princess! I kinda am the girly girl type. I have always loved pink and the princesses. I read that the princess is more women friendly and less competive. Since this will be my first, I wanted something fun and uplifting. I am sure you will enjoy marathon weekend just as much! Good Luck!!!

 

[stitchfan18]

I'm running the princess for the first time this year, so I don't know what Disney is like that weekend. That being said, the atmosphere surrounding marathon weekend in January is AWESOME! I actually came home from a normal trip that weekend and started running because it was so inspirational to me, and I wanted to be one of those runners. I'm looking forward to the princess 1/2 and 5k next month, but I absolutely cannot wait to finally go back and run the races during marathon weekend!

I'm sure you'll be happy whatever you pick. Disney races are so much fun!

 

[verticalchaos]

Thanks! I see you are doing the marathon next year? Someone else suggested the same.

Hey it is Disney - I assume kids are included in all of them!!

Yeah. I love the half, but I want to give the full a go.

They do have kids races on Princess weekend - I just looked.

FWIW, ANY race has the potential to be "competitive", even girly ones. It's all in who you choose to surround yourself with. My running partners and I went in with a "have fun" attitude, and that's what we did. Some running club teammates went in with a competitive attitude and at least one was disappointed in his time.

Regarding the other comments about competition and support...

Personally, I felt TOTALLY supported and in a community of like-minded people during the January weekend. Someone stopped and helped me when I pulled to the side because of a toe issue I wanted to check. Other racers encouraged me along the way, and it was mutual. I really don't think one is "less competitive" or "less supportive" than another. (I haven't BEEN to the Princess weekend, but my sister is a CM and has, and SHE said she saw no difference in community support or competitiveness level between the two - as an observer.)

I don't think it's fair to classify the January race as "more competitive" or "less supportive" simply because it's blatantly co-ed.

Sorry...the word used was "uplifting". Trust me. REGARDLESS of where you are, if you go into the race with the right attitude, just being a part of it, wherever it is, is uplifting.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I chose the Princess 2010 and it was the best decision. I thought was great to run a race that had mostly ladies, and the support from each other race day was awesome. Plus, I liked the medal a lot better than the Donald one you get for the WDW half. I did the Marathon this year and it was great too, but I would have never continued running in all these races if I had started with a race other than the Princess. It got me hooked! . I just think that there is a lot less pressure with that compared to the WDW half because there aren't as many runners, not as many elite runners and you don't have all the Goofy runners to be in awe of. . I was going to the Princess this year again but injured my Achilles during the Marathon. But, I will definitely be there with my Mom next year so she can complete her first half!

Good Luck!

 

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

Yeah. I love the half, but I want to give the full a go.

They do have kids races on Princess weekend - I just looked.

FWIW, ANY race has the potential to be "competitive", even girly ones. It's all in who you choose to surround yourself with. My running partners and I went in with a "have fun" attitude, and that's what we did. Some running club teammates went in with a competitive attitude and at least one was disappointed in his time.

Regarding the other comments about competition and support...

Personally, I felt TOTALLY supported and in a community of like-minded people during the January weekend. Someone stopped and helped me when I pulled to the side because of a toe issue I wanted to check. Other racers encouraged me along the way, and it was mutual. I really don't think one is "less competitive" or "less supportive" than another. (I haven't BEEN to the Princess weekend, but my sister is a CM and has, and SHE said she saw no difference in community support or competitiveness level between the two - as an observer.)

I don't think it's fair to classify the January race as "more competitive" or "less supportive" simply because it's blatantly co-ed.

Sorry...the word used was "uplifting". Trust me. REGARDLESS of where you are, if you go into the race with the right attitude, just being a part of it, wherever it is, is uplifting.

I did not in any way mean or imply that because there are men, it has to be competitive or less supportive. What I was saying is that the princess, to ME anyway, is meant to me more of a fun focused and less serious of an event than the January races. That is MY opinion from the people I know who have experienced both. I am sorry if you don't like the "words" I use.

The great thing about Disney is they offer something for everyone. The OP asked for opionions...I was offering mine.

 

[verticalchaos]

I did not in any way mean or imply that because there are men, it has to be competitive or less supportive. What I was saying is that the princess, to ME anyway, is meant to me more of a fun focused and less serious of an event than the January races. That is MY opinion from the people I know who have experienced both. I am sorry if you don't like the "words" I use.

The great thing about Disney is they offer something for everyone. The OP asked for opionions...I was offering mine.

Ah electronic communication. Isn't it fun? I'm sorry. To me the statement that "the Princess is more women friendly and less competitive" and "fun and uplifting" did seem to imply that the January race is none of those. I was just pointing out that it definitely is fun, uplifting, and only as competitive as you want it to be! That's all.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

Ah electronic communication. Isn't it fun? I'm sorry. To me the statement that "the Princess is more women friendly and less competitive" and "fun and uplifting" did seem to imply that the January race is none of those. I was just pointing out that it definitely is fun, uplifting, and only as competitive as you want it to be! That's all.

I know people who are competitive about running no matter the race or distance. My mindset is to have fun, but I've never been a long distance runner. I've always tried to create playlists that will keep me entertained as I run, and I have a list that is strictly Disney

 

[verticalchaos]

I know people who are competitive about running no matter the race or distance. My mindset is to have fun, but I've never been a long distance runner. I've always tried to create playlists that will keep me entertained as I run, and I have a list that is strictly Disney

Exactly! I'm sort of afraid of the couple of women's events that NYRR puts on - there are some competitive women around! I'm of the same mindset! For me, running is about celebrating my life - not what place I end up in. If I'm not having fun, it's not worth it.

 

[fashionista311]

having done both...i vote princess. the emptier course is a huge perk, plus i think it's really nice for your first half to be an event where the half is the crown jewel of the weekend, rather than the little sister to the marathon. and i'm just completely biased toward the princess theme, so i loved the on course entertainment. i also think the timing is a bit better for princess. marathon weekend is right after new years so the winter fun has just begun, whereas princess is end of feb/beginning of march...when i've really about it and need to get some sunshine in my life!

 

[FireDancer]

I'd go with January. Of course being a guy the princess weekend has no appeal to me. Ok, thousands of female runners all in one place at one time appeals to me, but the event itself? Not so much.

My reason for picking January though isn't about what the Princess race is but because the January event is the showcase event. The atmosphere surrounding the whole weekend is electric and not only at the events but with all the runners in the parks the days before and after. I've heard from people that people doing the half feel second-fiddle because the main event is the full (or the goofy I guess). I've done the half twice and the full once and can say I never felt like the half was treated as less important.

 

[verticalchaos]

I'd go with January. Of course being a guy the princess weekend has no appeal to me. Ok, thousands of female runners all in one place at one time appeals to me, but the event itself? Not so much.

My reason for picking January though isn't about what the Princess race is but because the January event is the showcase event. The atmosphere surrounding the whole weekend is electric and not only at the events but with all the runners in the parks the days before and after. I've heard from people that people doing the half feel second-fiddle because the main event is the full (or the goofy I guess). I've done the half twice and the full once and can say I never felt like the half was treated as less important.

YES! I've only done the half once, but I never in any way felt inferior or like my accomplishment was in any way "less than". Actually to the contrary, many people other than cast members congratulated me on finishing - up to and including people running the marathon who congratulated myself and my running partners as we cheered them on. I'm choosing to do the full next year, but that doesn't mean I don't love the half. I want the experience of doing a full marathon, and I like the symmetry of keeping my first half and first full in the same place.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

having done both...i vote princess. the emptier course is a huge perk, plus i think it's really nice for your first half to be an event where the half is the crown jewel of the weekend, rather than the little sister to the marathon. and i'm just completely biased toward the princess theme, so i loved the on course entertainment. i also think the timing is a bit better for princess. marathon weekend is right after new years so the winter fun has just begun, whereas princess is end of feb/beginning of march...when i've really about it and need to get some sunshine in my life!

Another reason for me picking the Princess. I work at a University and the week after New Year's is our first week back from Christmas break. I went to Disney this year on Marathon Weekend just to have fun, but it came so close to Christmas break that I felt a little guilty when I put in for the Friday off. If I do Princess, I won't feel bad putting in for a few days off around that weekend.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Truth be told - no matter what race you choose, you are always going to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in the race you just completed. It doesn't matter if it is Disney or your hometown race. There is nothing like completing your first race so that one will always be special. I think I wouldn't have noticed things as much if the DL half was my first race or the WDW Marathon was my first race. No, people don't look down at you at Marathon weekend for running the half - you congratulate everyone regardless of if they were completed the Kid Races, 5K, Half or Marathon.

 

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

Exactly! I'm sort of afraid of the couple of women's events that NYRR puts on - there are some competitive women around! I'm of the same mindset! For me, running is about celebrating my life - not what place I end up in. If I'm not having fun, it's not worth it.

I am sorry to. I did not mean to put down the January race, at all. I am a very uncompetive person. Just finishing is enough to me! I guess my main point was, to me, the Princess seams less intimidating for my first try. You said it great above! To me, its a celebration, not a comptetion.

 

[longhorns2]

I am doing the Princess as my first half.

1) the weather is *usually* warmer and more stable in Central Florida in Feb vs Jan. We lived there for a couple years and by end of Feb I was almost back to shorts and flip flops. Weather is KEY for me. I do not do cold. lol

2) the lower crowds appealed to me. As a Disney fan, if I am going to the parks, I look for as low crowd a weekend as I can find. The marathon weekend always seems more busy due to all the GREAT fans who come out to run and support people.

3) The girl friends on my running group thread all voted to go to Disney for the Princess about a year ago. So that solidified it for me. I wanted to run/walk with my girlfriends!

 

[MikeofRose&Mike]

Having not done Princess or January, I will still point out you may be throwing out Wine&Dine prematurely.
It has the advantage of being about the right distance from now to get ready for it. It was DW and my first disney race. I would recommend running a local race before travelling for Disney, it takes a lot of the pressure off.