Mother-Daughter 13th Birthday/Princess Half Celebration - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Ah, the frozen fridge! I had that happen in a fridge at POR. For the W&D Half actually. So my chocolate milk and yogurt I bought was frozen too - not completely, but like halfway.
Sounded like a nice and leisurely day. Perfect for pre-race day! Dinner at Tutto Gusto sounded good too. I have yet to try it! Thanks for the info on that.
I heard/read about the Princess Expo being a zoo at CSR! Usually it's at the WWoS and the layout is very similar to the Disneyland race. Very large and much more able to handle the crowds. If I remember right, the DL one had it split in 2 places, one downstairs (bib pick up) and one upstairs (bag/shirt pick up)? And the bulk of the expo was upstairs, I think? That's how it is at WWoS in WDW too, bib pick up in one building with some merchandise for sale, and bag/shirt pick up in another building with a larger area of merch. for sale and the Expo too. It's a shame they had to movie it all over to CSR, especially for any first-timers. Likely gave a bad impression.
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Sounds like a nice relaxing day - and probably exactly what you needed as well. I had no idea they'd re-themed the meeting area for the characters in the United Kingdom - I'll have to check it out on our next visit.
Originally Posted by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince
Well, we haven't started training yet...I don't want her to burn out. February is a long way away! She doesn't really enjoy running, but neither do I! I just like RACES! We are planning to walk a lot. In fact, I broke my ankle last month and will not be able to run until May, so we'll BOTH be doing a lot of walking at first. Glad you enjoyed the marathon weekend report. I'm skipping marathon weekend 2014 in favor of the Princess with DD, then the plan is Goofy 2015!
So sorry about your broken ankle! I hope you are soon fully recovered.
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Originally Posted by Amy L
Great job! I'm so impressed by how much you guys were able to do in one day!!
Thanks! It was a lot of fun.
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Originally Posted by Cam22
Sounds like a relaxing day with a couple of hours at Stormalong Bay! And you still managed a few rides at DHS and Epcot.
Wish I was back at Stormalong Bay right now! (It's snowing again) Felt so good to float along in the lazy river. It's not very big, but moving with the current was relaxing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disney_duke
Ah, the frozen fridge! I had that happen in a fridge at POR. For the W&D Half actually. So my chocolate milk and yogurt I bought was frozen too - not completely, but like halfway.
Sounded like a nice and leisurely day. Perfect for pre-race day! Dinner at Tutto Gusto sounded good too. I have yet to try it! Thanks for the info on that.
I heard/read about the Princess Expo being a zoo at CSR! Usually it's at the WWoS and the layout is very similar to the Disneyland race. Very large and much more able to handle the crowds. If I remember right, the DL one had it split in 2 places, one downstairs (bib pick up) and one upstairs (bag/shirt pick up)? And the bulk of the expo was upstairs, I think? That's how it is at WWoS in WDW too, bib pick up in one building with some merchandise for sale, and bag/shirt pick up in another building with a larger area of merch. for sale and the Expo too. It's a shame they had to movie it all over to CSR, especially for any first-timers. Likely gave a bad impression.
I don't buy a lot of merchandise anyway, so I wasn't too bothered by the expo. It was more frustrating for people who really wanted to shop. DL was my first big race, so it was fun there just to soak up the energy and vibe of the expo. I doubt they'll use Coronado Springs again for such a big race.... there were a lot of problems with parking, transportation, etc there as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Sounds like a nice relaxing day - and probably exactly what you needed as well. I had no idea they'd re-themed the meeting area for the characters in the United Kingdom - I'll have to check it out on our next visit.
Oh - I didn't know it was rethemed either! I've never seen this area before, but thought I must just have missed it when looking around that shop (I usually have a little one I'm chasing around.) The back area is set up like Christopher Robbin's bedroom - very cute and lots of detail. Did it use to be something else?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince
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(Sorry for the long delay... Easter is a big work day for me... plus we celebrated my youngest's 6th birthday and had a 15 yr. old home sick all week.)
The Disney Princess Half Marathon! I'd been working towards this day for so long. As it turned out, I ran my first half-marathon at Disneyland in September...but I would never have jumped on that chance if I hadn't been working towards the Princess Half.
If you read my pre-trip report, you know that I was undertrained for this race. A wicked sinus infection in November, followed by a new job and LOTS of snow in New England meant I was on the low end of prepared. I was really hoping to make a 2:15 time.... but it was not going to be easy.
My alarm went off at 2:30 and I was hopping on the first bus just after 3:00 a.m. We got dropped off a long way from the race area, but I didn't mind the walk. Loved, loved, loved checking out all the costumes. There was a great buzz of energy and excitement in the gathering crowds.
I don't think I would do well running the actual race with a friend - it takes all my focus to keep running - but I was envious of all the groups of friends waiting together. It's a LONG time to wait around alone. I started out to the corrals early on... and a couple of minutes in to that hike I heard my name. Turned around and there was a DailyMile friend! We'd never met in person and I still can't believe we connected in the swarm of 25,000 people. We had a great chat on the way to the corrals, then parted ways as we were in different corrals.
More waiting, but again, it was fun to watch the costumes. I was standing on the very edge of Corral B and got to watch the "VIPs" escorted to the start line, including Dimity and Sarah from AnotherMotherRunner dressed as matching (tall) Tinkerbells. My advice to anyone thinking about running the Princess Half.... try to get a time at a 10K or Half so you can be in one of the first few corrals. I heard it was super crowded towards the back.
We started out about 5:45 a.m. So fun! I realized almost immediately that my knee sock princess arm warmers were not going to last. It was humid (95% ) and already over 70 degrees. I peeled them down to my wrists. The course was wide open so I had no trouble getting into a good pace.
Sorry I have no race photos to share.... I went back and forth on whether to take a camera and in the end I think I made the right decision for me. I started the race strong, but even by mile 4 the heat and humidity were starting to get to me. I kept up my target pace OK, but it felt like running in a sauna.
Running through the Magic Kingdom was awesome!! I pulled my knee-socks back up to look like princess sleeves for this section of the race. Loved having the spectator support at Ticket and Transportation Center and on Main Street. Once we were out of the Magic Kingdom it was a bit of a bummer to realize we were just running back to Epcot along the highway again... but there was plenty of entertainment along the way. I peeled off my arm sleeves and ditched them as well as my "Merida" belt at the next water stop.
I started taking two cups of water - one to pour over my head and one to drink. It was hot and humid! (at least for this New England princess). By mile 10 I realized I had pretty much no chance of making my 2:15 goal but if I kept pushing I could at least get a PR (anything under 2:19:30 would do the trick).
Those last 3 miles were painful. I always, always run negative splits (last 5K faster than the first 5K)... but not that day. The humidity left me feeling icky and sticky. I did pick up my pace on the last mile and finished it just barely under 10 minutes - but I had been counting on getting in the last mile around 9:00. Early on I was bummed we weren't running through World Showcase, but once I passed the gospel choir and came in to Epcot, I was delighted not to have those extra steps.
Back out into the parking lot and I crossed the finish line at 2:17:57. It wasn't my goal time, but I felt great about how I did. When I finished the Disneyland Half, I thought I could have pushed harder earlier in the race and finished a little faster. At the Princess finish, my tank was empty. I don't think I could have run any faster. That's a good feeling.
Originally, I thought I would hang out around the finish line until the park opened at 9 and then walk back to the Beach Club. But I had no energy for that. I picked up my snacks, got some ice for my knee, and headed towards the bus line. Made it on to a bus going my way and was back in my room before 8:30 a.m. DD was just waking up!
Here's a sweaty, post-race photo on our balcony:
Bottom line: I'm SO glad I ran this race. It was a ton of fun, and a big challenge for me. Looking back over my 2 Disney halfs, it is hard to say which I enjoyed more. Running with 25,000 women was an incredible thrill. But the crowd support through the streets of Anaheim was awesome and running through Angels stadium was a kick and a half. Maybe I need to try them both again to decide!
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Congrats on your finish and awesome time!! Great job!! Happy to hear that the DL Half is a lot of fun too, as I am running in the Dumbo Double Dare this summer. I have been wondering if it would be as fun as running through WDW.
Congrats on your finish and awesome time!! Great job!! Happy to hear that the DL Half is a lot of fun too, as I am running in the Dumbo Double Dare this summer. I have been wondering if it would be as fun as running through WDW.
You'll love the DL Half! I think it's just about as much park time as the Princess (running past World of Color and through Cars Land is awesome). I was worried about all the "non-Disney" time.... but it was really a blast. The cheerleaders, bands, hula dancers, old cars, etc provide entertainment and encouragement the entire course.
Fantastic run!!! I'm not a fan of running in the heat and humidity and I imagine it's even harder when you go from winter conditions in training to tropical type temps. Good for you for finishing strong.
Congrats on finishing the Princess Half! Awesome job!
Thank you!!
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Originally Posted by lauriep
Congratulations on a great race! I really don't know how you runners do it in that heat and humidity.
Thanks! At least I don't have to train in that heat and humidity all summer!
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Congrats on the PR! Great job!!
Thank you!
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Originally Posted by chezp
Congrats on finishing the race, especially in such horrible humid conditions.
Thanks so much! I have a new respect for people who run in the south all summer.
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Originally Posted by rlb38
Fantastic run!!! I'm not a fan of running in the heat and humidity and I imagine it's even harder when you go from winter conditions in training to tropical type temps. Good for you for finishing strong.
Thanks! It was quite an adjustment.... but the flip side is that I LOVED having 4 days of tropical temps while I wasn't running. It's still cold up here!
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And you still managed a few rides at DHS and Epcot. 
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I had no idea they'd re-themed the meeting area for the characters in the United Kingdom - I'll have to check it out on our next visit.
I hope you are soon fully recovered.
Deer Isle Mom
Awesome job!
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