Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread - Take 2

[Gryhndmom]

It's home tomorrow for me and DH...believe the fur kids are missing us as Madeline the new 18 mo old brought a bunny inside the house for the pet sitter. After what can only be described as America's funniest home videos...bunny is alive with no wounds and is back hopping around in the country.

If anyone is still at WDW tomorrow....go by MK and the theater right by the train and get your pics with the princesses inside. MIckey Mouse is also there...

DH and I still haven't decided on doing another Disney half...like others I would
like to see runners limited. Wish the race had been this coming weekend...39 for a low...69 for a high ! what a difference a week makes ! TOTALLY loved meeting soooo many of my DIS friends in person, many in line for park rides

 

[MRS AR]

I agree with everyone talking about how the race is too large.

It was back to work for me today with a trip to the dr thrown in this afternoon. He's afraid I might have pneumonia. I guess running sick might not have been the brightest thing I've ever done.

 

[joan4mickey]

PP Joan is a celeb! I drove back home this morning to continued heat and aches, oh well. I have done the ice bath for feet, Epsom salts/ice/tiger balm for thighs, but I'm still stiff and hobbling. Just did the foam roller gig, and my doggie gave me some funny looksdde00. Any advice for the aches or is it normal? Thanks.

Glad you made it home safe. Go get a massage, that may help.

So glad Mamasmurf got a shirt replacement.

Tomorrow DH and I are off to do the Safari Trec at AK. A splurge but these last two day have been to celebrate out 29th wedding anniversary on March 3. Then we fly home tomorrow night.

 

[belle2211]

Woohoo! We did it! We stopped for tons of pics..every mile marker, lots of characters (the first picture with the princes was 11 minute wait!!!) and a bathroom break. We finished in 3:16:16...we normally do 2:45 so this was the longest we've ever run and I feel it! I thought the extra breaks in line would help us, but they definitely made us tighten up. I was so tired by mile 12 that I said we were never gonna stop for pics again. And since we waited in lines, we were behind a lot of slower runners. We ended up running on the grass to the side a lot just so we could get past a lot of people. I'm glad we took pictures this one time, but it wouldn't be worth it again.


But I had NO knee pain! I don't think I updated but a while back I had commented that I was going to PT and diagnosed with ITband syndrome and I kept saying it wasn't. Well, 2 times ago at PT, he finally said that he thinks maybe it's femoral head tendonitis (or something like that). He started working at the top of the bone and it worked...I haven't had knee pain since!! I just wish he and the docs had listened when I told them I didn't think it was ITBand syndrome. I was definitely tired and sore after the race but was so happy to have no pain!

Overall, yes it was crowded but we still had so much fun! Looking forward to DDD and signing up for ToT!

 

[ColleenG]

About the peeing....I got a few burrs peeing outside my corral in the trees

Oh the princesses I caught peeing are not the pretty kind!

 

[queen mimi]

Thank goodness for cloud Coverage. I was really worried about the heat and humidity. But it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I wonder if they are going to change the pace requirement. When we started doing this race 5 years ago, a walker could maintain a 16 minute pace. This year, we got to the castle and literally had to stop before we could shuffle through the castle.

The expo was terrible! We were there about 11 on Friday morning and the line to pick up your shirt etc was well over an hour and a half long. People left rather than wait in the Disney merchandise line. That was at least an hour just to get in the vendor area.

The major problem that we have had is that my daughter cannot find any trace of her participation. Not only her number is missing from the results but the number before hers as well as the number after hers are missing from the results. She has contacted run Disney but has not heard back from them. She is not worked about getting her time. We are Perfect Princesses and she does not want to lose the continuity. Has anybody else had this problem? Did you get it resolved?

The entertainment along the course was better than ever. All the volunteers deserve a huge thank you! They were fantastic! The costumes of the racers were great. All those things help keep me putting one foot in front of the other for 13.1 miles!

 

[MissBenilda]

For my first 1/2 i loved it! It wasnt as bad as i thought it would be. I found out i was pregnant 2 days before i left for Orlando so i ran my first 1/2 marathon 6 weeks pregnant, LOL. I appreciate every water/powerade stop they set up because i stopped at each one. I kept myself really hydrated the day before the run and the day of so the heat/humidity didnt affect me. It actually felt nice running in that weather. It was a bit overcrowded, but i dont have any other race to compare it to. I had to walk a lot mainly because there would be walls of walkers that I had no other choice. I did run in the grass a lot because of the walkers which hurt my ankle a little bit. Im a newbie runner and am not exactly fluent in race etiquette, but i do know how to be courteous towards others in general, so whenever i did stop running i tried to go all the way in the grass and out of the way of runners (i know ppl on FB are saying to go to the right to walk, but rather than trying to weave in and out of all of the ppl i figured moving out of the way into the grass would be my best option). I didnt have a good finish time (3:xx) due to mobs of walkers not letting me get thru and that darn line for the princes but im gonna try again next year. My only complaint is that i wish i couldve ran through the castle instead of shuffling through it .

I ran behind a W.I.S.H.er in epcot during the race but i dunno who she was and didnt wanna be weird saying "hi! im on disboards too!" lol. She had a lime green WISH shirt on .

I loved seeing everyone's outfits! I was Princess Jasmine and i had a jeweled top if anyone saw me. I wish i knew who all of you were running so i couldve said hello.

Looking forward to 2014!

 

[sunnygal041]

Oh the princesses I caught peeing are not the pretty kind!

EWE, oh boy, can't wait to see!

 

[wdwpluto]

The major problem that we have had is that my daughter cannot find any trace of her participation. Not only her number is missing from the results but the number before hers as well as the number after hers are missing from the results. She has contacted run Disney but has not heard back from them. She is not worked about getting her time. We are Perfect Princesses and she does not want to lose the continuity. Has anybody else had this problem? Did you get it resolved?

Are there photos of her doing the race at marathonfoto.com? If so, I'd imagine you could submit that to Disney as proof that she did the race to maintain her PP status

 

[mickeysgal]

For my first 1/2 i loved it! It wasnt as bad as i thought it would be. I found out i was pregnant 2 days before i left for Orlando so i ran my first 1/2 marathon 6 weeks pregnant, LOL. I appreciate every water/powerade stop they set up because i stopped at each one. I kept myself really hydrated the day before the run and the day of so the heat/humidity didnt affect me. It actually felt nice running in that weather. It was a bit overcrowded, but i dont have any other race to compare it to. I had to walk a lot mainly because there would be walls of walkers that I had no other choice. I did run in the grass a lot because of the walkers which hurt my ankle a little bit. Im a newbie runner and am not exactly fluent in race etiquette, but i do know how to be courteous towards others in general, so whenever i did stop running i tried to go all the way in the grass and out of the way of runners (i know ppl on FB are saying to go to the right to walk, but rather than trying to weave in and out of all of the ppl i figured moving out of the way into the grass would be my best option). I didnt have a good finish time (3:xx) due to mobs of walkers not letting me get thru and that darn line for the princes but im gonna try again next year. My only complaint is that i wish i couldve ran through the castle instead of shuffling through it .

I ran behind a W.I.S.H.er in epcot during the race but i dunno who she was and didnt wanna be weird saying "hi! im on disboards too!" lol. She had a lime green WISH shirt on .

I loved seeing everyone's outfits! I was Princess Jasmine and i had a jeweled top if anyone saw me. I wish i knew who all of you were running so i couldve said hello.

Looking forward to 2014!

In a perfect world, yes you move to the right and begin walking. In this race, it was next to impossible at times due to the heavy crowding. I would glance over my shoulder and move as much as I could to the right.

Until Disney either limits the runners, changes the course such that it isn't so narrow at times, puts more spacing between corral starts, or all of the above, I don't see how conditions will improve. We may have to tough it out and try to score a higher corral placement. My daughter was in the B group. I was in D but started with DH in F. She didn't experience the crowding we did.

The hill at the Contemporary...one lane for 24000 runners? I had to run on the sidewalk. It was hard to break free of the crowds. I don't like running on the grass - due to the unevenness. Saw one lady down on the ground with medics - an officer was yelling "stay on the road". She must have turned an ankle on the grass - poor thing.

Question: I thought they started the guys back more. My daughter - B group - said there were guys in her corral.

 

[yulilin3]

For my first 1/2 i loved it! It wasnt as bad as i thought it would be. I found out i was pregnant 2 days before i left for Orlando so i ran my first 1/2 marathon 6 weeks pregnant, LOL. I appreciate every water/powerade stop they set up because i stopped at each one. I kept myself really hydrated the day before the run and the day of so the heat/humidity didnt affect me. It actually felt nice running in that weather. It was a bit overcrowded, but i dont have any other race to compare it to. I had to walk a lot mainly because there would be walls of walkers that I had no other choice. I did run in the grass a lot because of the walkers which hurt my ankle a little bit. Im a newbie runner and am not exactly fluent in race etiquette, but i do know how to be courteous towards others in general, so whenever i did stop running i tried to go all the way in the grass and out of the way of runners (i know ppl on FB are saying to go to the right to walk, but rather than trying to weave in and out of all of the ppl i figured moving out of the way into the grass would be my best option). I didnt have a good finish time (3:xx) due to mobs of walkers not letting me get thru and that darn line for the princes but im gonna try again next year. My only complaint is that i wish i couldve ran through the castle instead of shuffling through it .

I ran behind a W.I.S.H.er in epcot during the race but i dunno who she was and didnt wanna be weird saying "hi! im on disboards too!" lol. She had a lime green WISH shirt on .

I loved seeing everyone's outfits! I was Princess Jasmine and i had a jeweled top if anyone saw me. I wish i knew who all of you were running so i couldve said hello.

Looking forward to 2014!

OMG I think we waited together for the Heroes picture, you were in front of me in line and then you left cause it was taking too long, then I ran into you (not literally) on the overpass...that was you right?

 

[WVMomof3]

My friend and our girls had a great time racing. They started in D corral, they can't wait to do it again next year and start in the A corral. Only 2 of them had done a half before and qualified for A, but they wanted to start together so they all started in D. As a spectator, it was very stressful trying to find all 4! I tried the Find Friends app that someone on here suggested, but it was not especially helpful. I think I missed one because I was looking at my phone as she must have passed! I only got 1 update for the 5k split, but I did get the rest of the updates for all. I only spotted 3 of them on the course, never saw the fastest one. I had a great spot right at the turn of entering Main Street, though this group of kids cheering on SBH (??) rudely pushed their way in front of me one at a time, till there was 10 of them in front of me. I thought they would cheer on their runners and leave, but it turns out they were cheering on 200 people, so they were not leaving anytime soon!! But I did make them let me get in front when I thought my daughter was coming, so I got a shot of her and her friend running up Main street towards the castle. Because I thought I had my friend and my daughter on find friends, I thought I had already missed my friend going past so I left. It turns out, my friend and her daughter must share their Apple ID on their phones or something, because it was really her daughter I was tracking and not her. It took me a long time to figure that out. So I lost the first one in the crowds and left before the 4th made it through. I then hopped on the monorail and waited around the Epcot bus stops (mile 12) and I again somehow missed the first runner! I was there in plenty of time, I just must have missed her in the crowds again, even though it was not that crowded at this point, I think I may have been trying the find friends app and totally missed her. I didn't realize it till I got the finish update. I did get a shot of my daughter and her friend, so glad they stayed together. I then ran to the finish and got a video there. I ran back to mile 12 to see my friend go by and ran back to the finish to get a video of her. I ended up doing a lot of walking/running all while carrying a HUGE bag of all of their stuff, they thought it would be easier for me to carry than them to bag check!! Won't let them trick me into that again.

Anyway, if any of you started in Corral D and saw a girl at the beginning running in 1 shoe, that would be my daughter! She thought she was Cinderella running with 1 shoe! Someone right out of the start stepped on her shoe and it came off, and she had to run for a little while to get over to safely put it on without being trampled! They finished in 1:50, 2:15, 2:15, and 2:39. They will do a local half this summer to get their times down enough where they can all start in A. Maybe, I might venture doing it too!

 

[tink2007]

For what it's worth, I sent Rundisney an email this morning. I poiletly asked that they concider limiting the amout of participants in future events. We registered for the TOT 10 miler in October but now I'm reconcidering after Sunday's race. My friends and I trained very hard and even with stopping for a few pics, trained to finish in 2:35. Well, that did not happen. I am not downing on anyone who walks or run walks. I've done that myself in previous events. I felt like there we more walkers than runners and I'm fine with that as long as there is enough space for everyone. I never got in a good pace because of the congestion. It's not fair to participants who train to run and are not allowed enough space to break free from the pack. I hope I'm not hurting anyones feelings. I really love that Disney has these events but hope they make some changes.

 

[SAHDad]

Question: I thought they started the guys back more. My daughter - B group - said there were guys in her corral.

They should not have been any farther forward than C. Of course, the numbers of runners in the corrals is almost big enough that the last of one is barely through before the first of the next are getting started. And people do jump into the "wrong" corral. (Of course, one could argue that a guy who runs a 1:45 or so is trying to avoid running over people by not starting in the proper corral.)

DW and I were talking about this the other day - not just about the Princess & the Tink, but all the runDisney races. We wonder if many (most?) of the runners are there as more of a "girls weekend, hey, we should run the half/full/10-miler," and so you have a lot of runners who are a little less experienced with race etiquette. Add in Disney's attempt to skew corral placement, people not submitting proof of time, and groups wanting to stick together, and you get a crowded, frustrating course.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

DW and I were talking about this the other day - not just about the Princess & the Tink, but all the runDisney races. We wonder if many (most?) of the runners are there as more of a "girls weekend, hey, we should run the half/full/10-miler," and so you have a lot of runners who are a little less experienced with race etiquette. Add in Disney's attempt to skew corral placement, people not submitting proof of time, and groups wanting to stick together, and you get a crowded, frustrating course.

I think it is a combination of all the above. I have been on the Princess thread since 2010 and here over and over advice for people to submit a 10k time to get your corral boosted. Most of the time walkers or slower runners are very noticeable in races because you have room on open streets to dodge around them. However with Disney being a sort of closed course it is difficult. I live in Atlanta and have done large races even did Miami InG this year and it is not the 20,000-25,000 people who run them that's the problem. Disney do not know how to properly corral people or space the corrals out more.
I think just the shear energy of the Princess run and the fact alot of ladies do get together and do this as their big girl weekend will continue. I know for 2014, I am aiming for corral B, to atleast minimize frustration. It's no ones fault but every major race corrals for a reason. That is to put like speed runners with like speeds!!!

 

[mickeysgal]

This goes beyond the frustration factor. There is a safety component to this as well. When others stop abruptly in front of you in a crowded field because they either don't know they need to move over or simply can't due to the crowds, then you run the risk of getting plowed into from behind. Even if you don't slam into someone in front of you, stopping abruptly can cause injury to joints, tendons, muscles, etc. No one wants this to happen. And it's hard to get mad at other runners when they simply can't move to the side. Disney needs to widen the course in spots or space out the corral releases more. I don't see them limiting spots...it's too big of a money maker all around for them (hotels, meals, shopping, entry fees, etc) and I think they want to evolve into the biggest one-stop venue for 1/2 marathons (my opinion only).

 

[mrsdrake625]

Hey - crashing the thread (I have really enjoyed reading about everyone's race experiences!) to ask about corral placement in reference to crowds.

Reading everyone's comments about the crowding, bad race etiquette, and basically getting trapped behind 10,00 other people, I am curious to correlate the comments to where you started the race.

In other words, if you were in the back of A vs. the front of B, does that make a huge difference? Back of B or front of C? etc. Also, if you submitted a time, what times match up with which corrals? A few people have commented and mentioned where they were, but it would be helpful to compare directly everyone's experiences. Also, if someone next year wants to start in a certain corral, having a general "goal time" for that placement 10k would be helpful.

It seems that if you want to get at least a decent time and not get run over, not planning on stopping for pictures, etc., that the best route to go is to (a) submit a race time and (b) try to get as far forward as possible without being too slow for those behind you.

It is a bummer that it seems like the crowds are kind of dampening the experience for everyone - first race and veterans alike. I really want to do a runDisney race but reports like these are seriously making me reconsider, unless I become a stellar racer overnight and get placed near the front. Which isn't likely!

 

[cukal6]

Congratulations everyone! I just got home from the weekend (long flight back to Switzerland). This was my very first race and I thought it had it's good points as well as bad. The expo was a nightmare!
However, I thought the race itself was okay. A little tight in some spots, but I don't have any other races to compare it to. Also very humid. We don't have that here!!!
I finished in 2:46 and was thrilled. Started in Corral E and did a lot of weaving around walkers. My Nike app said I did 13.9 miles by the time it was done. It will be my last for a while, but would like to do the Wine and Dine 2014 after we move back to the States.

Again, congratulations everyone!

 

[Mamasmurf227]

Hey - crashing the thread (I have really enjoyed reading about everyone's race experiences!) to ask about corral placement in reference to crowds.

Reading everyone's comments about the crowding, bad race etiquette, and basically getting trapped behind 10,00 other people, I am curious to correlate the comments to where you started the race.

In other words, if you were in the back of A vs. the front of B, does that make a huge difference? Back of B or front of C? etc. Also, if you submitted a time, what times match up with which corrals? A few people have commented and mentioned where they were, but it would be helpful to compare directly everyone's experiences. Also, if someone next year wants to start in a certain corral, having a general "goal time" for that placement 10k would be helpful.
!

I was at the front half of C and have previously run a 2:45 half. We quickly caught up with runners from B who had stopped for pictures. I did stop for some pictures and by the time I got to MK, there were runners from further back (saw lots of D, E and F's) that had caught up. I feel like it was very crowded in the middle corals. Hubby ended up running the same pace as I did but started in coral F and said that there were only a couple spots that it was really tight. I just couldn't get a faster pace going. My average pace was over a 15 mm (pic stops included in that time) and trained for between 12-12:30mm

 

[Mamasmurf227]

For those that have done other Disney races (W&D or the half in Jan)--- is the atmosphere different? I'm sure people still do it for fun, but would you say there is more of a race vibe than a party with your girlfriends vibe? Hubby and I both agree we'd like to do another Disney race, but trying to decide which one. (Unfortunately, west coast is not an option in the near future). Thanks!