2013 Princess Half Marathon

[stan4d_steph]

This year is the 5th anniversary of the Princess Half Marathon! The race follows a similar route to the WDW half marathon, but it's focused on women, so get a group of friends and head down for a fun weekend! The event is on February 24, 2013 and registration opens today, July 10 at 12 PM EDT. Register and find more information on the event page.

I'll be there for the first time! Who's in?

[adriennek]

'll be there for the first time! Who's in?

I'm sooo jealous! A 5th anniversary medal would be so cool. And I could C2C if I did it. Princess was my second half, the first I did alone and my first (and to date, only,) WDW event.

But. The money tree that I planted still isn't blooming so I won't make it this year.

(ETA: Ok, that sounds like I'm snarking about people having money. I'm NOT!!! Woah nelly! I'm not!!! I'm snarking at ME and my other financial commitments. Just to clarify because sometimes you can't "hear" how things sound. I'm very happy for people whose budgets have room. This year is Doc's turn to do a WDW event and he's doing Donald to get his C2C. Yeah!!)

[stan4d_steph]

Choices for your favorite princess include Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Snow White, Tiana, and the newest addition: Merida!

There will also be a special 5th anniversary medal, but no details yet.

The host resorts that will provide transportation are:

Disney Value Resorts

• All-Star Movies Resort
• All-Star Music Resort
• All-Star Sports Resort
• Art of Animation Resort
• Pop Century Resort

Disney Moderate Resorts

• Caribbean Beach Resort
• Coronado Springs Resort
• Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Orleans Resort – Riverside
• The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

Disney Deluxe Resorts

• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Beach Club Resort
• BoardWalk Inn
• Contemporary Resort
• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Polynesian Resort
• Wilderness Lodge
• Yacht Club Resort

[Pammer]

Signed up for the 5k this morning!

[Lani]

Choices for your favorite princess include Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Snow White, Tiana, and the newest addition: Merida!

I picked Belle... but I don't know what that means. Will they want me woggling in a Belle yellow wardrobe?

[stan4d_steph]

I picked Belle... but I don't know what that means. Will they want me woggling in a Belle yellow wardrobe?

No, they put the princess' name on your race bib.

[adriennek]

I picked Belle... but I don't know what that means. Will they want me woggling in a Belle yellow wardrobe?

Like Steph said, it just means what color your bib is. There's really nothing else that goes with it.

[jenjustinsmom]

I am thinking about signing up but I am nervous about being by myself and being pulled

[Drince88]

I am thinking about signing up but I am nervous about being by myself and being pulled

If you follow a training plan, you should be ok. Even walking 100%. The key that I've found is that it's not just the long weekend run/walks that you have to do (they build endurance) but also the weekday run/walks (usually at least 2, and usually the sum of their distances = long one that week) which help build speed.

You can also sign up for something like Team In Training, where you have to raise some money, but you get great coaching and support. (You need to check if your local team is doing Princess, or you might have to do a virtual team. I've not talked to anyone who did it virtually.)

[Mommy2NicknMax]

Just registered for this last night! Can't miss out on the 5 year bling! This will be my first time doing the Princess 1/2 and the last of runDisney's big races that I haven't done yet. All that's left is Expedition Everest. Still need to sign up for the 5K for Princess weekend though.

[jenjustinsmom]

I have myself all worked up about weather or not to do the Princess. I want to do it so bad but the thought is scaring me. I am worried I won't be ready I am worried about being pulled and I am worried about being by myself. I don't know what to do.

[Drince88]

Have you done a half before?
Will your family come with you to cheer for you/be with you?

[stan4d_steph]

I have myself all worked up about weather or not to do the Princess. I want to do it so bad but the thought is scaring me. I am worried I won't be ready I am worried about being pulled and I am worried about being by myself. I don't know what to do.

Don't get yourself worked up! For one thing, there is still time to decide; the race just reached 51% capacity this week, so it has a ways to go before it's full.

Are you walking/running regularly? At this point you don't really need to be on a training plan, but getting your base mileage in place will help get you in the habit and prepare you for the increase in effort it will take as you approach the race. We're here to help! Post in the "How's your training going" thread so we can help cheer you on.

Luck favors the prepared.

[jenjustinsmom]

Thanks guys I don't think anyone will be coming with me. I am trying to get my miles in, my fil is in the hospital so my dh is there after work. I think I am going to keep track of how it is selling then decide. One thing I wanted to do was go out on a Saturday and see how far I get in 3 and a half hours. What do you guys think? I don't want to be disappointed in myself in not even attempting.

[Drince88]

I wouldn't try to do that kind of time/distance unless you've built up to it. WAY to tempting for injuries and pain to creep in!

I had my TNT coach tell us that if you can do a 10K, (6 miles, basically) you can do a half - but then you may need to work on speed and overally conditioning to get you across the half line without too much distress.

[jenjustinsmom]

It is my speed I need to work on. Would you consider the course difficult? I did a 5k last month and struggled because it was mostly gravel.

[Lani]

It is my speed I need to work on. Would you consider the course difficult? I did a 5k last month and struggled because it was mostly gravel.

When you say you're concerned about your speed, is it because you're not sure if you can meet the pacing requirement of 16 minutes per mile?

I believe there is no gravel on the Princess route. The surface does change depending on the part of the course, but there are no trails or gravel you have to worry about.

You have about five months until the event, and I think that's plenty of time to get in basic shape and then work on a training program. I personally like the various half-marathon training plans offered at HalHigdon.com -- he even has one for walkers.

Just remind yourself not to feel overwhelmed by the thought of doing a huge distance... everybody gets there one step at a time. The hardest part for me has always been putting my sneakers on and stepping out the door (or these days, going to the gym to hit the treadmill). You can do eet!

[adriennek]

It is my speed I need to work on. Would you consider the course difficult? I did a 5k last month and struggled because it was mostly gravel.

When you say you're concerned about your speed, is it because you're not sure if you can meet the pacing requirement of 16 minutes per mile?

I believe there is no gravel on the Princess route. The surface does change depending on the part of the course, but there are no trails or gravel you have to worry about.

You have about five months until the event, and I think that's plenty of time to get in basic shape and then work on a training program. I personally like the various half-marathon training plans offered at HalHigdon.com -- he even has one for walkers.

Just remind yourself not to feel overwhelmed by the thought of doing a huge distance... everybody gets there one step at a time. The hardest part for me has always been putting my sneakers on and stepping out the door (or these days, going to the gym to hit the treadmill). You can do eet!

What Lani said. It's only September. You have a LOT of time to work on Speed. And I'll totally repeat what Drince said - don't push yourself so hard that you risk injury.

You have LOTS of time to get there. May I ask what your pace is now?

I remember training for my first DL Half and being SO worried that I couldn't make the pace. But you can get there!

[stan4d_steph]

Registration fees increase on September 26, so make sure you register this weekend to save money! I just reserved a room at the Art of Animation for race weekend. We'll be staying with Princess Ariel!

[stan4d_steph]

Today's the last day to register for the Princess Half at the current price!

[stan4d_steph]

Final price increase tomorrow, so today is the last day to register at $155. Race is currently at 88%.

[RunningFool]

So the Princess Half sold out on 11/23/2012 (3 months faster than in 2012) but the pasta party and breakfast are still lagging at 74% capacity (amazing how they are at the exact same %). Wonder if runners who previously did the pasta party went for the breakfast instead as the pasta party sold out last year on January 3rd. Anyone signed up for pasta or breakfast? What made you choose one over the other (or are you doing both)?

[Lani]

So the Princess Half sold out on 11/23/2012 (3 months faster than in 2012) but the pasta party and breakfast are still lagging at 74% capacity (amazing how they are at the exact same %). Wonder if runners who previously did the pasta party went for the breakfast instead as the pasta party sold out last year on January 3rd. Anyone signed up for pasta or breakfast? What made you choose one over the other (or are you doing both)?

Maybe us ladies are a little more careful about how much pasta we eat!! ;-)

[RunningFool]

Maybe us ladies are a little more careful about how much pasta we eat!! ;-)

To true (although today it jumped to 82%). I attended the pasta party last year and left early. The noise level was pretty intense.

[stan4d_steph]

Hey Princesses (and Princes), when is everyone getting into town? MousePlanet will be hosting a meet over Princess Half weekend, but we want to make it the most convenient that we can for those who will be in attendance (participants and supporters).

The MousePlanet staff will not be at the resort until Saturday, probably around midday. One option is to meet at the expo. A second would be to meet up in the early evening on Saturday as a send off, or early afternoon on Sunday as a congrats/war story swapping meet.

ETA: Please post your preference for a meet time/place.