2017 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

Did anyone else staying at the Beach Club getting a message offering to be moved to the Polynesian or the Grand Floridian due to a refurbishment? I booked the Beach Club for the proximity to Epcot during race weekend. Not sure what to do.

Yes, my ILs did (we rented DVC points but they're booked through the TA). I don't think they're moving, mainly because we can't move and the point was to be all at the same resort. For the races, though, I'd totally move if I could - pretty sure you need to be at the front of the park, so the Monorail would be optimal (if it's running for the races?). Otherwise, it's a bus from the BC around to the front of Epcot (bc the races are before the park is open...). We'll be at CR the second half of the week when I do the 5k. So in summary, yes I got the offer but not for me bc I booked my ILs and yes BC is close to Epcot but I think GF could be better - translation: I have no clue, don't listen to me :D
 
Yes, my ILs did (we rented DVC points but they're booked through the TA). I don't think they're moving, mainly because we can't move and the point was to be all at the same resort. For the races, though, I'd totally move if I could - pretty sure you need to be at the front of the park, so the Monorail would be optimal (if it's running for the races?). Otherwise, it's a bus from the BC around to the front of Epcot (bc the races are before the park is open...). We'll be at CR the second half of the week when I do the 5k. So in summary, yes I got the offer but not for me bc I booked my ILs and yes BC is close to Epcot but I think GF could be better - translation: I have no clue, don't listen to me :D

Are you in my head? Because I feel like this.
 
Did anyone else staying at the Beach Club getting a message offering to be moved to the Polynesian or the Grand Floridian due to a refurbishment? I booked the Beach Club for the proximity to Epcot during race weekend. Not sure what to do.

Yes, I was contacted as well. I opted to move pending availability at GF. I'll stay where I am if all that is left is the Poly. I believe it's just a refurbishment happening at YC which is impacting reservations and they are trying to move those people over to BC which means all these rooms booked under that special TA rate are being given options. I'm not complaining. If I can get GF at BC rates, I'm going to run with it!!!!
 
Yes, my ILs did (we rented DVC points but they're booked through the TA). I don't think they're moving, mainly because we can't move and the point was to be all at the same resort. For the races, though, I'd totally move if I could - pretty sure you need to be at the front of the park, so the Monorail would be optimal (if it's running for the races?). Otherwise, it's a bus from the BC around to the front of Epcot (bc the races are before the park is open...). We'll be at CR the second half of the week when I do the 5k. So in summary, yes I got the offer but not for me bc I booked my ILs and yes BC is close to Epcot but I think GF could be better - translation: I have no clue, don't listen to me :D

We were traveling with another family and staying at Caribbean Beach once. They wanted us to move to Boardwalk Inn, but we told them we couldn't unless they moved the other group too. So they did. Boardwalk for CB price -- awesome! Since then I have stayed at GF and would move in a heartbeat if it were feasible.
 


For those speedy folks who can do the 2:44:59 half (or the 1:14:59 10K), I'm curious as to how you were able to increase your speeds.

This last weekend marked the first time since I've started running 14 months ago that I ran both a 10K and a half marathon ... like, actually ran the entire thing without stopping for walking breaks. As I mentioned before I earned a 2:53:14 HM time --- which is so awesome (Yay me!), but sadly still not speedy enough for runDisney's awesome placement corrals. My goal is to reach that "yes, you do need proof of time" corral and I want to get faster and stronger with each race to earn that goal.


So for you speedsters, how did you get faster? Did you train on hills? Did you start to add sprints? Do you move up into a different corral surrounded by faster people and just sort of mimic their speeds? Do you find a pace rabbit and follow them?


I appreciate any suggestions or advice :)
 
@courtneybeth speed intervals and lifting helped me. :)

I was going to say the same. Making one of my weekday runs a tempo run, and doing some cross-training in alternate days (I do a random combo of exercises from the fitzness YouTube page).

Ironically, I also find that my pace is the same, if not faster, when I do run walk intervals. I usually do 2/1, but yesterday decided to try 2/:30 and my pace was faster and I felt great, and have experimented with a few others too - so still trying to find my optimal combo - but I can do a better pace over longer distances when I have walk breaks.
 


@courtneybeth speed intervals and lifting helped me. :)

I agree with the speed drills once a week or at least every other with tempo runs as well. Hal Higdons training
Plans use this method. I only run three times a week. Long run...near race pace. I know most plans say a minute slower but it doesn't work for me. Speed drills of half mile at 10 k speed ( or a mi use faster then goal pace) and quarter mile recover and increase from six rotations to ten. These runs build to over an hour. Tempo is just upping the speed through out the run. My three weekly runs are all over an hour and I ran up to twelve miles this year for my long runs. T I finally made my goal of sub two hour half this year and I know that the twelve mile run for me helped as I usually crash and burn around mile eleven.
I was so excited after the Princess that signed up for the Tinkerbell and used the same plan and was successful again.
 
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I also agree with speed drills, lifting, and I also incorporate yoga and hill training. I've been using Hal Higdon's training plan for my upcoming half on 11/12 and hope to beat my time from my half this past March. His includes tempo runs, hill training and speed work. I also make sure I pace myself at the beginning of the race, I know if I start out to strong I will be struggling by the end so I like to start out about 30 seconds slower than my goal pace and work my way up. I try to stick close to people with similar paces, but once I get close to the end, I start finding people and trying to catch them which normally helps me. Another thing I do is rarely run on a treadmill, I always try to run outside if possible. Great job on your most recent half, and I am sure you won't have a problem reaching your goal in the future!
 
I also make sure I pace myself at the beginning of the race, I know if I start out to strong I will be struggling by the end so I like to start out about 30 seconds slower than my goal pace and work my way up.

I do exactly the same and I must say, it's been a hard thing to do.

It's a mental exercise to let folks sprint by at the start, especially at Disney. But once you do it once or twice, you start getting better at it.

Then your favorite song comes on or you see someone you know and it all goes by the wayside!

Brian
 
Making one of my weekday runs a tempo run, and doing some cross-training in alternate days (I do a random combo of exercises from the fitzness YouTube page).

I like the idea of cross-training, as that builds muscle in other areas. Obvious option, didn't think of it. Thank you! I have a gym membership and should jump on a bike a couple days a week to give my muscles a break and work other ones.

Speed drills of half mile at 10 k speed ( or a mi use faster then goal pace) and quarter mile recover and increase from six rotations to ten. These runs build to over an hour. Tempo is just upping the speed through out the run

Thank you for explaining what a 'tempo run' is because for the life of me couldn't wrap my head around the concept. Definitely will work on this, as I want to stay at around a 12:30 pace, presently at 13min.

I also make sure I pace myself at the beginning of the race, I know if I start out to strong I will be struggling by the end so I like to start out about 30 seconds slower than my goal pace and work my way up. I try to stick close to people with similar paces, but once I get close to the end, I start finding people and trying to catch them which normally helps me.

I think we're all guilty of starting out the chute so fast because it's like running with the bulls -- run fast or get trampled. I am going to try to stay to the right side for this weekend's race and go at my own speed and let people pass me. Maybe start a little slower and get those negative splits. :)
 
Anyone know what the "commemorative item" is that comes with buying entrance to the race retreat typically is?
 
Started my training for the 5K last week. I'm doing a modified couch to 5k because I can only run 2 days a week. So I'm doing each week twice. Anyway, I was just wondering are there any hills on the 5K course?
 
Started my training for the 5K last week. I'm doing a modified couch to 5k because I can only run 2 days a week. So I'm doing each week twice. Anyway, I was just wondering are there any hills on the 5K course?
Nothing super noticeable. Just some slight inclines and declines.
 
@pluto377 here is the elevation chart from when I did this 5K in 2014 (the course will likely be exactly the same). When I said there was no noticeable elevation change, I mean it! :rotfl2:
29949785463_57e624735b_z.jpg
 

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