2019 Princess Half Marathon Weekend

[Livelovedance]

I've booked a room and flight, so now I'm waiting for registration. My DD and running partner will be off to college this year, so I will be going solo. I'm planning to run all three races this year. I skipped the 5K last year and instantly regretted it.

Princess 2018 was my first runDisney event. I ran the 5K and the 10K. After catching the runDisney bug I decided I'm going to do the Fairy Tale Challenge this time. As it got closer to registration, I decided that I NEED to do the 5K too! What would I do if they announced the themes and the 5K is a princess I love?!? FOMO is way too real...

 

[lisatav]

I did the princess half last year with a 10K POT submitted 1hr 9mins and I was in corral E. Just to give you guys an idea of where I started. This year I'm submitting a 1hr 4min POT. Hoping to move up to at least D preferablly C. I have 1 more 10k planned before we need to submit times.

I'm booked with a TA for the challenge. It was well worth it since there are 4 of us running. Nobody wanted to take the chance with the new system and it worked out well last year.

 

[KaitlynJ]

I did the princess half last year with a 10K POT submitted 1hr 9mins and I was in corral E. Just to give you guys an idea of where I started. This year I'm submitting a 1hr 4min POT. Hoping to move up to at least D preferablly C. I have 1 more 10k planned before we need to submit times.

I'm booked with a TA for the challenge. It was well worth it since there are 4 of us running. Nobody wanted to take the chance with the new system and it worked out well last year.

I'm in the same boat! Last year it was only two of us and we were both doing the half so we weren't that concerned. This year there are three of us - my husband doing the 10K, me the challenge, and my BFF the half. It seemed too risky that one of us wouldn't get our race. So we pulled the trigger and put down a deposit with a TA this morning.

That's a super helpful data point on corral placement too. My most recent 10K is 1:08:21. Last time I was in F (I just put an anticipated time because I didn't have a recent 10K). My BFF forgot to put a time altogether and ended up in H so I went back to be with her. This year our plan is to try to get into at least E, because we were within about 30 mins of the balloon ladies this year. So we have a couple of 10Ks planned this fall to try to get her a qualifying time before the deadline.

 

[Livelovedance]

I did the princess half last year with a 10K POT submitted 1hr 9mins and I was in corral E. Just to give you guys an idea of where I started. This year I'm submitting a 1hr 4min POT. Hoping to move up to at least D preferablly C. I have 1 more 10k planned before we need to submit times.

That's a super helpful data point on corral placement too. My most recent 10K is 1:08:21. Last time I was in F (I just put an anticipated time because I didn't have a recent 10K). My BFF forgot to put a time altogether and ended up in H so I went back to be with her. This year our plan is to try to get into at least E, because we were within about 30 mins of the balloon ladies this year. So we have a couple of 10Ks planned this fall to try to get her a qualifying time before the deadline.

I’m really trying to push myself for a good 10K POT. This is the first time I’ve had to do one, so I know I’ll probably be a nervous wreck the day of! I just keep reminding myself of the goal and doing the best I can! I’m hoping to at least get into corral D or E!

How does corral placement work for the fairy tale challenge? Do they place you in a 10K corral based on your half marathon POT?

 

[KaitlynJ]

I’m really trying to push myself for a good 10K POT. This is the first time I’ve had to do one, so I know I’ll probably be a nervous wreck the day of! I just keep reminding myself of the goal and doing the best I can! I’m hoping to at least get into corral D or E!

How does corral placement work for the fairy tale challenge? Do they place you in a 10K corral based on your half marathon POT?

Yep, that’s my understanding. This is my first year doing the challenge and I haven’t registered yet, but AFAIK you submit POT for the half and they base your 10K and half corral placements on that.

I desperately want to buy some time for princess photos for the half. We only got one photo last year because the balloon ladies were on our tail.

 

[Livelovedance]

Yep, that’s my understanding. This is my first year doing the challenge and I haven’t registered yet, but AFAIK you submit POT for the half and they base your 10K and half corral placements on that.

I desperately want to buy some time for princess photos for the half. We only got one photo last year because the balloon ladies were on our tail.

Okay, thanks!

This is my concern as well. This will be my first half, and I’m hoping for a little cushion so I can enjoy it! I was so stressed out about the 5K time (first runDisney nerves - didn’t realize it wasn’t timed ) that I only stopped for one photo and really didn’t get to enjoy the run! The 10K I stopped for more photos, walked when I needed to, and had a blast! I just don’t want be stressed out over being swept and it being my first long distance run that I don’t take the time to enjoy it!

 

[KaitlynJ]

Okay, thanks!

This is my concern as well. This will be my first half, and I’m hoping for a little cushion so I can enjoy it! I was so stressed out about the 5K time (first runDisney nerves - didn’t realize it wasn’t timed ) that I only stopped for one photo and really didn’t get to enjoy the run! The 10K I stopped for more photos, walked when I needed to, and had a blast! I just don’t want be stressed out over being swept and it being my first long distance run that I don’t take the time to enjoy it!

I feel the exact same way. I just want to enjoy it! Not only were we in the last corral this year, but my friend was under-trained (I didn’t know it at the time - she had not been completely honest with me about her training). It resulted in us walking the last 5ish miles at a very slow pace (probably 17-18 min miles). To me, the princess/character photos are the best part of the race! It was so disappointing to be in line for Cinderella and being told that the balloon ladies were 30 mins away and having to make the decision to get out of line. So this year we’re going to run together at least once a week so I can keep her honest with training, which will hopefully also buy us some extra time in addition to being bumped up a couple of corrals.

 

[MarBee]

Just double checking- 5k doesn’t require POT, correct?

 

[Livelovedance]

I feel the exact same way. I just want to enjoy it! Not only were we in the last corral this year, but my friend was under-trained (I didn’t know it at the time - she had not been completely honest with me about her training). It resulted in us walking the last 5ish miles at a very slow pace (probably 17-18 min miles). To me, the princess/character photos are the best part of the race! It was so disappointing to be in line for Cinderella and being told that the balloon ladies were 30 mins away and having to make the decision to get out of line. So this year we’re going to run together at least once a week so I can keep her honest with training, which will hopefully also buy us some extra time in addition to being bumped up a couple of corrals.

I completely agree! Where else can you stop in the middle of a run for character photos?

That is an excellent idea! It’ll keep both of you motivated, trained, and (like you said) hopefully in an even better corral! It will be completely worth it come race day! Wishing all of us a FUN and successful princess weekend!

 

[Livelovedance]

Just double checking- 5k doesn’t require POT, correct?

Correct! Just the half marathon and fairy tale challenge.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

I feel the exact same way. I just want to enjoy it! Not only were we in the last corral this year, but my friend was under-trained (I didn’t know it at the time - she had not been completely honest with me about her training). It resulted in us walking the last 5ish miles at a very slow pace (probably 17-18 min miles). To me, the princess/character photos are the best part of the race! It was so disappointing to be in line for Cinderella and being told that the balloon ladies were 30 mins away and having to make the decision to get out of line. So this year we’re going to run together at least once a week so I can keep her honest with training, which will hopefully also buy us some extra time in addition to being bumped up a couple of corrals.

You are a MUCH nicer friend than me lol

Princess 2017 my running friend AGAIN wasn’t honest with me about her lack of training. She did it in 2016’s Wine & Dine Half. We took a picture with Maleficent & the Evil Queen around mile 4 or 5 ish and I told her “sorry, I have to keep running!”. She was walking way too much for me. Honestly, if i don’t keep up my own personal pace it makes my run off and I didn’t want to take that chance of burning out too soon.

Hoping your next race goes smoother for you. That’s tough when you’re trying to stay together.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I feel the exact same way. I just want to enjoy it! Not only were we in the last corral this year, but my friend was under-trained (I didn’t know it at the time - she had not been completely honest with me about her training). It resulted in us walking the last 5ish miles at a very slow pace (probably 17-18 min miles). To me, the princess/character photos are the best part of the race! It was so disappointing to be in line for Cinderella and being told that the balloon ladies were 30 mins away and having to make the decision to get out of line. So this year we’re going to run together at least once a week so I can keep her honest with training, which will hopefully also buy us some extra time in addition to being bumped up a couple of corrals.

You’re a better friend than me! I totally would have left her behind those last few miles.

 

[KaitlynJ]

You are a MUCH nicer friend than me lol

Princess 2017 my running friend AGAIN wasn’t honest with me about her lack of training. She did it in 2016’s Wine & Dine Half. We took a picture with Maleficent & the Evil Queen around mile 4 or 5 ish and I told her “sorry, I have to keep running!”. She was walking way too much for me. Honestly, if i don’t keep up my own personal pace it makes my run off and I didn’t want to take that chance of burning out too soon.

Hoping your next race goes smoother for you. That’s tough when you’re trying to stay together.

You’re a better friend than me! I totally would have left her behind those last few miles.

Honestly, depending on how training goes this year, that may be the deal for 2019 Princess. I might just tell her that if we get to the point where we’re doing more walking than running, I’m going to go ahead. I don’t mind walking a little or slowing my pace down (a lot) to stick together, because for me that’s part of the fun of it. But I run a 2:30-2:40 half on my own. Even in the last corral, I wouldn’t have been at risk of getting swept on my own even if I stopped for 4 or 5 character photos.

My biggest fear is that without me pushing her, she would have gotten swept. But at the same time, we’re both grown ups and she is responsible for her own race. So I might be more firm with her next year.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Honestly, depending on how training goes this year, that may be the deal for 2019 Princess. I might just tell her that if we get to the point where we’re doing more walking than running, I’m going to go ahead. I don’t mind walking a little or slowing my pace down (a lot) to stick together, because for me that’s part of the fun of it. But I run a 2:30-2:40 half on my own. Even in the last corral, I wouldn’t have been at risk of getting swept on my own even if I stopped for 4 or 5 character photos.

My biggest fear is that without me pushing her, she would have gotten swept. But at the same time, we’re both grown ups and she is responsible for her own race. So I might be more firm with her next year.

I am a part of a rD group and we have a pact to remain together during the races, but we also train together 3-4 days every week so we know where everyone is when we arrive. We ran the WDW Half about 5 years ago with a friend who trained separately and she was very under-trained and had not been honest with us. We decided to leave her behind because my wife was struggling with IT Band issues and just needed to run her own race to be sure that she would finish. My' wife's friend barely finished, but that was on her. Had she been swept we would have felt bad for her, but we would not have felt responsible.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

My biggest fear is that without me pushing her, she would have gotten swept. But at the same time, we’re both grown ups and she is responsible for her own race. So I might be more firm with her next year.

YES!!! This exactly!! My friend tried to give me so much grief about running ahead without her and I basically had to flat out tell her that. I agree, the race is also a time of fun to enjoy along the way, but it's still a half marathon. I run about the same pace as you. For me, I nearly always do great until about mile 10. I walked miles 10-12 last time, but I know myself. If I don't run at least the first 6-8 miles, my body is kinda like, "yeah we don't wanna do this today." LOL.

Another girl who was running with us in 2017 stayed to pace with her and was so mad by the time the race was over, she didn't enjoy herself at all. Not worth that frustration when as a grown up you should have trained better!

 

[FFigawi]

I am a part of a rD group and we have a pact to remain together during the races, but we also train together 3-4 days every week so we know where everyone is when we arrive. We ran the WDW Half about 5 years ago with a friend who trained separately and she was very under-trained and had not been honest with us. We decided to leave her behind because my wife was struggling with IT Band issues and just needed to run her own race to be sure that she would finish. My' wife's friend barely finished, but that was on her. Had she been swept we would have felt bad for her, but we would not have felt responsible.

Sometimes you have to leave people behind. It helps if you've discussed in advance how or when or why people will stay together or be left on their own. When we ran Comrades, my running spouse and I agreed we'd never leave each other because we trained together and were going to succeed or fail together. We didn't make this arrangement with some of the other people in our group, and one woman ended up being dropped and finishing 15 minutes after the cut-off time. Had we stuck with her, we wouldn't have made it either.

 

[KaitlynJ]

Had she been swept we would have felt bad for her, but we would not have felt responsible.

I think this is where I am mentally this year. Last time I would have completely felt responsible (which I know is still irrational). But this year (1) she's done it once, so she knows what to expect (it was her first half and only her second race ever), and (2) she actually specifically reached out to me the other day and asked me to help her stay accountable to her plan (which I am happy to do). So there's no doubt that she has the tools to succeed and can do it if she puts her mind to it. If she chooses not to use those tools, that's on her.

It helps if you've discussed in advance how or when or why people will stay together or be left on their own.

This is a great idea. I think I will have this discussion with her next time we get together to talk training schedules. To her credit, like I mentioned above she seems much more serious about training this year. But I think what I'll propose is that we set parameters for when it's "fair" for me to run ahead on my own - if our overall pace dips below X:XX, if we're walking more than 50% of the time, etc. Something like that. I also hope having that figured out in advance will also give her motivation to actually train - she definitely wouldn't WANT me to leave her behind if she could help it. And we might be able to reach some happy medium - at a certain point I can run ahead and get a few solo character pics and then meet up with her before the finish line or something like that.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Another girl who was running with us in 2017 stayed to pace with her and was so mad by the time the race was over, she didn't enjoy herself at all. Not worth that frustration when as a grown up you should have trained better!

These races cost too much money for someone to not enjoy herself because a friend undertrained.

 

[lovingeire]

My BRF and I pretty much have agreed to stick together come hell or highwater. LOL! We don't live near each other so we train separately. I know that due to various reasons one of us has not been as well trained or healthy as we would like on occasion, both personally and in regards to the other. We always offer for the other to go ahead and even if we're frustrated we stick together! She hasn't started training for W&D and I have, but hopefully she is doing alternate cardio to keep her fitness up! (And at least I'm running Hershey two weeks prior if I want a good time! )

 

[ohdanalee]

I am a strong believer in running your own race! I was at a small half marathon earlier this year and this lady in front of me kept running really fast for 30 seconds then stopping, turning around, and walking back to the people she was with. The ENTIRE time! It was very frustrating to watch and she clearly wanted to go ahead but felt bad about it.

@lovingeire I'm running the Hershey half too! It'll be my first time running a race outside of Florida so a race with a chocolate aid station sounded amazing.