As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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I set myself the goal of running the Princess 1/2 but then they started the Tinker Bell 1/2 in Disney Land! I haven't been back to DL since I left CA when I was 18 (23 years). We were planning our next DVC trip to be DL in 2013. So I think it's the perfect time to start seriously training and setting the goal and having the vacay coordinate. I bought Jeff Galloway's book and promptly injured my knee and had to go through the summer of PT 2x a week. I just got cleared this week to try running again. Of course now the weather is turning and I have no access to a treadmill. So my questions are as follows... 1. Does anyone do outdoor running in winter and where? 2. What small race / goals do you set for yourself before a 1/2? 3. What is an appropriate training length of time? 4. Is there anyone that wants to set up a motivation training and running team with me?
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Congrats on your new goal! I did the Disneyland half, and it was great. I'll try to answer a couple of your questions.
I live in MI, and we've still got some good running weather coming, but when it starts to get snowy, I've got a great metro park that clears off their 6 mile path so I can still train outside. I can do the treadmill, but I'd rather run outside, even if it's cold. The only trouble I have is the wind coming off the water at the park. There was only one time where the wind drove me indoors.
I like to do at least one 10K before a half. Gets you used to the race atmosphere and shows you that you can do about half the distance of a 13.1.
You've got plenty of time to train! Galloway has training plans available for all of the Disney races. Check out the RunDisney site for this year's plan to give you an idea of what to expect.
As far as support goes, this is a great forum. Hang out here for a while, and you'll be sure to get some inspiration!
1. Does anyone do outdoor running in winter and where?
I only run outside if it's warmer than 50 degrees! I either use the treadmill at the gym OR the local ice rink. what?? Milwaukee has a large ice rink (they use it for Olympics time trials, hockey, and such) and a large running track that circles around it. So, yes it's cold inside (colder than 50 degrees) but it's snow and wind free. Check local ice rinks or colleges to see if they allow access to indoor tracks. There's also an indoor track at a local college I can use here too. But it really and truly is best to run outdoors. Layer up!
2. What small race / goals do you set for yourself before a 1/2?
I just follow Hal Higdon's training program. And I've run enough to know my pace. So my goal is to stick to my pace for the entire distance. If I can do that, I'm a happy camper. I don't run any extra local races or anything unless a friend asks me if I'm interested. I guess I no longer need to be re-assured since I have a few under my belt. But I totally understand that you may want to do that, if only to get the "feel" of a race environment. Just know that Disney's environment is much better!!
3. What is an appropriate training length of time?
For most Half's, it's about 12 weeks. BUT, before that 12 weeks starts, you should be able to finish 3 miles comfortably, easy peasy. So, plan on a wee bit more than 12 weeks. Again, I follow Hal Higdon's Novice Half program (have for 4 Half's and 1 Full) and managed to comfortably finish each race. Take a look if you want: Hal Higdon
4. Is there anyone that wants to set up a motivation training and running team with me?
Your local city/community might have a running club! Years ago when I started training, I did a simple google search and found one. So that's one angle. Otherwise, just what Beth said - this is a great board for support and advice too. Just post when you need motivation or have questions and we'll be here for ya!!
I also wanted to comment about your knee. I also injured my knee in March - torn meniscus. Surgery and physical therapy and 5 months later, I finished the Wine and Dine Half marathon. So you will do just fine!! Take it reeeeeaallly easy in the beginning and don't push too hard. Your knee will tell you when it's OK to go further. Remember, everyone has good running days and bad running days. So don't over-do it on a bad day. Just walk and get those miles in instead. Once you get going (usually once you get over that 3 mile barrier), it really gets to be much more fun. Keep your eyes on the prize!!!
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Tanya
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I just finished week 1 of Running Getting Started by Jeff Galloway. I feel great! It's such a slow and easy program that is really working for me! No issues with my knee or the shin splints I often deal with. I called an acquantance (sp?) that also struggles to stay physically fit. She is going to join me on Monday and do some of the program with me. Still early days but looking forward and feeling positive. For those that have seen other posts by me, this is coinciding with me weaning off an anti-depressant that I've been on for the last 8 years.
I just want to say good luck! Tanya (Disney Duke) said all I would say! I will add that I will run outdoors as long as it is safe to run, ie-roadways clear of snow/ice etc. I have a hard time inside. Due to the darkness however, I have reflective gear and lights I carry as well if I am pushing it at the end of the day with light. I am just enjoying the cooler weather running so much more than the summer! Best of luck to you and your buddy!
I set myself the goal of running the Princess 1/2 but then they started the Tinker Bell 1/2 in Disney Land! I haven't been back to DL since I left CA when I was 18 (23 years). We were planning our next DVC trip to be DL in 2013. So I think it's the perfect time to start seriously training and setting the goal and having the vacay coordinate. I bought Jeff Galloway's book and promptly injured my knee and had to go through the summer of PT 2x a week. I just got cleared this week to try running again. Of course now the weather is turning and I have no access to a treadmill. So my questions are as follows... 1. Does anyone do outdoor running in winter and where? 2. What small race / goals do you set for yourself before a 1/2? 3. What is an appropriate training length of time? 4. Is there anyone that wants to set up a motivation training and running team with me?
We were looking to do a DVC trip in 2013, and I was just looking at the Tink Half! Very ironic you posted this! I live in St. Louis and run outside all winter. The only times I do not run outside is when the temps drop below 20 degrees and/or when there is snow and ice on the ground. I don't do too many races less than a half marathon. I like to run longer distances. (Doing the WDW marathon in a few weeks!) As for half marathon training, you should give yourself twelve weeks if you're recovering from an injury like that. You don't want to take chances on re-injuring yourself just for the sake of running a race.
I would love to get a running team going! Feel free to PM me!
I'm doing pretty well. Taking it nice and slow. I'm following the Jeff Galloway program and most of the way through week 3. Only jogging for 10-15 seconds at a time every 2 mins. My DD has now joined me. I have even gone out on a chilly days. I would love to know if you decide to run with Tink (and me) in 2013!