Princess Half Marathon Tips
About This Page: This is a discussion on Princess Half Marathon Tips within the Running at Walt Disney World, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; Hello fellow PPers! I am excited that I finally decided which Disney World Half I am going to do, and ...
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Hello fellow PPers! I am excited that I finally decided which Disney World Half I am going to do, and I have picked the Princess Half! I have read a lot of reviews and it seems that there are both pros and cons between the Princess and the DW Half, but in the end I wanted more of a Girl Power experience.
I was just looking for any tips or words of wisdon for those that have previously run the Princess this will be my first half marathon!!!
Also, I am reading that throughout the course, and especially in the beginning, because there are so many walkers, it was taking people over 20 minutes to complete some of the miles because it was hard to get around. My question is, do they really enforce the rule that you have to maintain a 16 minute mile or less pace or they will pull you off the course?
Congratulations!! My friends and I did the Princess Half last year! IT WAS TONS OF FUN! They did enforce the time requirements! We trained to run the entire thing and it was extremely difficult because of the large number of walkers. It seemed as though the majority of the walkers did do the Jeff Galloway program so they were walking/running. My advice would be to run a 10K prior and submit your time to get a high corral. We were in Corral D - but we stopped for EVERY picture!! We felt as though we did all the work before the race and just completely enjoyed the race! Again, enjoy the venue it is the BEST!
Thanks so much for the info! I have been training for four months and just completed by 7 mile long run. Thanks for the tip about submitting a 10K race time to get in a better corral.
Based on your experience, how fast should I be training per mile to account for taking pictures, being stuck behind walkers and stopping for photos?
I'm a ralker myself (someone here coined that term - run/walker = ralker ) and usually average about a 12 minute mile. Sometimes slower, sometimes faster. That tends to work out fine to allow for slowing down (or walking) when stuck amongst the walkers, and then picking up that running pace again when some space opens up in front of you. But I can't say much about the characters as I have yet to actually wait in line to meet any. I've met some, yes, but I only meet those without a line or just 1 person waiting. I do stop and take pictures though. In fact, for the princess half in 2010 I think I took something like 50 pictures along the way! So if you definitly want to meet those characters and are willing to wait in lines to meet them, I would say maybe an 11 minute or 10 minute mile. And I mean like every character!
Most characters are not until at least mile 4 or 5, and then there's much more about mile 6 and later when you're inside MK, and then on the road after you leave MK. (at least that's the way it's been for the last few Half's I've run, maybe that will change, so don't count on it!) So even though training programs and smart runners will tell you not to run too fast too soon, if you are intending on waiting in character lines, you may have to run a wee bit fast a wee bit early in the race. If you're running solo, you can weave around the walkers, even if you go in the grass (just be careful!). If you're running with a friend, well, you may get separated. Just call out behind the ladies that you want to pass, "excuse me," "coming through please," "on your left," etc... I hear that all the time and move over for the runners if I can. And then when I'm running I do the same. Now if they can't hear you cuz they have their headphones too loud, well then that's their problem since Disney officially discourages that anyway! But my point is, you can pass the walkers. I've done it. And it won't take up too much of your time. But if you plan on waiting in lots of character lines, you may have to haul a** if you're concerned about sweepers!
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@Disney Duke- awesome! Thanks so much for all the tips. I love the word ralker- I have never heard it before, but that is what I am too I appreciate the advice of trying to go a bit faster in the beginning when there aren't really any characters to meet. I definitely want to get some pictures, but will make sure I pay attention to my time so I don't get swept up! Again, I appreciate the advice
About This Page: This is a discussion on Princess Half Marathon Tips within the Running at Walt Disney World, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; Hello fellow PPers! I am excited that I finally decided which Disney World Half I am going to do, and ...
this will be my first half marathon!!!
HOOKED ON DISNEY!!! 
) and usually average about a 12 minute mile. Sometimes slower, sometimes faster. That tends to work out fine to allow for slowing down (or walking) when stuck amongst the walkers, and then picking up that running pace again when some space opens up in front of you. But I can't say much about the characters as I have yet to actually wait in line to meet any. I've met some, yes, but I only meet those without a line or just 1 person waiting. I do stop and take pictures though. In fact, for the princess half in 2010 I think I took something like 50 pictures along the way! 
So if you definitly want to meet those characters and are willing to wait in lines to meet them, I would say maybe an 11 minute or 10 minute mile. And I mean like every character!
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