runDisney Events and Information / Runner's Discussion Thread

[mshalloween]

I've heard differing opinions, but supposedly the last month or so should be a taper.

It's a shame the weather isn't holding out! 60 would seem great for having to tackle a 22-miler, but then it had to go get all warm again.

Unrelated question: anyone ever tried running with a bone bruise on your shin? It's past the sort of dull achiness, but I'm still reluctant to test it.

I'm tapering the last 2 weeks or so. I actually have a half marathon two weeks beforehand.. plus a 15K and 5K that same weekend (the Beck's Light Challenge if anyone really cares ). Not entirely sure what I was thinking there, but it actually kind of fits in with my training schedule, so I just went for it.

I am so bummed about the weather. It was absolute perfection last weekend but seems to be steadily rising. I really do not want to be doing 18-, 20-, 24-mile training runs in 70+ degrees! Sigh.

I've never ran with a bruise on my shin but I can imagine it is a little uncomfortable. I occasionally get shin splints and those are SO annoying. I don't think a bruise should affect your running too much unless it gets painful, but that's just a guess. I say take it easy and see how it goes; your body will tell you if you're pushing too much.

[Belle Ella]

Ooops. I fell off the wagon and haven't been able to get online here in quite some time! But my first half marathon is only a few days away. Eek! But I'm so excited for the Tinkerbell.

I have a random question about the Expos that maybe someone can answer for me. The little 'shop' they have set up ... are we able to use our AP discounts and giftcards in there?

[mshalloween]

Ooops. I fell off the wagon and haven't been able to get online here in quite some time! But my first half marathon is only a few days away. Eek! But I'm so excited for the Tinkerbell.

I have a random question about the Expos that maybe someone can answer for me. The little 'shop' they have set up ... are we able to use our AP discounts and giftcards in there?

How exciting!!! Have an amazing time, Belle Ella!

I am pretty sure you can use your gift cards at the expo shop, but I am not sure about the AP discount.

[Belle Ella]

Thanks. So it's sounding like I should be able to use both but maybe I should try sending in a question and see if I get a response. My friend thinks she used her AP discount last year. I sure hope so. With the registration filling up so fast for the Disneyland Half I registered yesterday to be sure I got in which was a portion of money I had set aside for this trip. Any bit I can save I will try. Still gotta use all of my Christmas giftcards!

Does anyone get completely nervous before their race? Or maybe before your first one? I think a big part of how much I'm stressing out right now is that I haven't been able to train for a long while because I got sick this winter. I just really, really, really want to be able to cross the finish line and say I did it.

[mshalloween]

Does anyone get completely nervous before their race? Or maybe before your first one? I think a big part of how much I'm stressing out right now is that I haven't been able to train for a long while because I got sick this winter. I just really, really, really want to be able to cross the finish line and say I did it.

Getting nervous before your first race is completely normal since you really don't know what to expect! I guarantee you'll be able to finish, though, and you won't be the last one to cross the finish line! No one cares if you walk, run, or do both. If you get tired, walk. It's no big deal! Lots of people go into these races with no plans to run at all and walk the entire thing. No matter if you walk or run, you'll get to the finish line, I promise!

[Belle Ella]

Thanks. I keep telling myself that, and it's always nice to hear it from someone else. I met a lot of people at the 5K last year who said they walk the Halfs and yet it still doesn't seem to stop me from stressing out about it. Which is no fun because this is supposed to be fun. I'm sure once I get there and get going I'll be too wrapped up in what's going on. Hopefully once I hit the road and am on my way to Disneyland tomorrow I can relax a little bit. The anticipation is driving me batty!

[CrustyJuggler]

Good luck Belle Ella! If the half was anything like the WDW version a few weeks ago then you'll have loads of fun! My wife and I enjoyed the 5K this year and are going to start training for the Tower of Terror Ten-miler in September. Anyone else doing this?

[mshalloween]

Good luck Belle Ella! If the half was anything like the WDW version a few weeks ago then you'll have loads of fun! My wife and I enjoyed the 5K this year and are going to start training for the Tower of Terror Ten-miler in September. Anyone else doing this?

I'm doing the ToT 10-miler!!! I can't wait. I am so excited for that race!! I plan on doing the Wine & Dine Half in November as well.

[redtop]

With the registration filling up so fast for the Disneyland Half I registered yesterday to be sure I got in which was a portion of money I had set aside for this trip.

Good luck with the tinkerbell one and the DL one. I did the DL one last year and doing it again, you get to run around Angel Stadium which is kind of cool. Its better to sign up now if you do want to do it anyway because it would only go up in price or fill up.

Got a PR at WDW half and my mom ran the goofy challenge. It was first time I went to WDW so that was pretty awesome. So I will be able to get Coast to Coast this year since last year I did not do one in WDW. I got a bag at least with the expensive DL registration that says Coast to Coast on it as well.

On another note I have a half on the 5th at Huntington Beach.

[Phylers]

You can use your AP discount at the expo, but only at the Disney merch booth.

Does anyone get completely nervous before their race? Or maybe before your first one?

Um, YES! I get nervous before every race! Use the nervousness - your head knows you can finish; it's just an issue of realizing, "no, it's not that I can finish; I'm going to finish. Let's find out how."

For me, the nerves usually peak on the transportation to the starting line. There are hundreds of questions and scenarios in your head, and you just want that start to come, why is it taking so long, who are all these people, and Aaaah!

Focus on your breathing. Don't go out too hard. If you have some, try to let your music take over (yes, I run with an earbud in, and yes, just one - it's enough to keep me calm, and it also keeps one ear completely open for safety). You've got this. And you see these other people? One of them is going to be last. A third of them probably won't finish at all. Suckers. You're going to finish. Let's find out how.

[Belle Ella]

Thanks everyone! It's good to know it's not just me who gets nervous. I leave for Disneyland today after work and then it's only 3 1/2 days until my very first half ever!

[Chris 101009]

My wife and I signed up for the DLR 1/2 this year. It's my wifes second time running this event and my 3rd or 4th. Last year I ran with her the whole way through and didn't leave her side, but this year she's on her own. I'll try to go for time this time around. We'll see how the training goes this year for me to get a PR.

[mshalloween]

I did my first 16-miler yesterday and it went about as good as I could have hoped The weather had actually cooled down yesterday so I could get the run in without dying in the 80-degree weather that has been taking over Tampa throughout most of January. Next up: I *hope* to get in a 19-miler on Sunday, but my husband and I are going to Universal Thursday - Saturday so I'm not sure how chipper I'm going to be feeling Sunday morning... Guess we'll see! I'm considering doing the run on Thursday morning before we leave, but I think that might be too close to the 16-miler I just did. Sigh.

[Belle Ella]

Got home a little bit ago, but I did it! I finished my first 1/2 I had a lot of fun with the Tinkerbell and am really looking forward to the Disneyland 1/2 which I'll be more prepared for. I'm even thinking of signing up for another one closer to home before then.

[Phylers]

Got home a little bit ago, but I did it! I finished my first 1/2 I had a lot of fun with the Tinkerbell and am really looking forward to the Disneyland 1/2 which I'll be more prepared for. I'm even thinking of signing up for another one closer to home before then.

Congrats! How was the route? And I don't want to be pushy or anything, but let's see that bling!

I *hope* to get in a 19-miler on Sunday, but my husband and I are going to Universal Thursday - Saturday so I'm not sure how chipper I'm going to be feeling Sunday morning...

There's a pretty good loop around the lagoon at Universal. Just saying. (It's probably too hilly for a good training run, though).

[aug4457081]

So im thinking I might run the disneyland half marathon. Ive never run any kind of race before though. I'm 17 play football and when I go out for a run I usually run like 1 mile jog another in like 25 min. Is there any training advise anybody could give me? Im kind of concerned about the pacing requirement :/

[mshalloween]

Got home a little bit ago, but I did it! I finished my first 1/2 I had a lot of fun with the Tinkerbell and am really looking forward to the Disneyland 1/2 which I'll be more prepared for. I'm even thinking of signing up for another one closer to home before then.

Awesome!!! I definitely recommend signing up for more.. they are addictive, those little races

Congrats! How was the route? And I don't want to be pushy or anything, but let's see that bling!

I'm with Phylers - bling picture, please!!

There's a pretty good loop around the lagoon at Universal. Just saying. (It's probably too hilly for a good training run, though).

Yeah, I don't think that'll happen. I am setting my sights on Sunday back at home.. I really hope I can squeeze it in and the weather cooperates. If it's too hot I'm going to have a really tough time getting all 19 miles in!

So im thinking I might run the disneyland half marathon. Ive never run any kind of race before though. I'm 17 play football and when I go out for a run I usually run like 1 mile jog another in like 25 min. Is there any training advise anybody could give me? Im kind of concerned about the pacing requirement :/

If you want to run a half marathon, you're going to have to build up more mileage (it sounds like you're doing about 2 miles split up right now?) You have time until the half marathon so just work on adding some mileage to your run every so often. You also don't have to run the entire thing; you can run, walk, jog, in any combination you want. I recommend looking into Jeff Galloway's method of running and walking - it's an easy way to maintain and conserve your energy while still tacking on miles. The pacing requirement for Disney runs is usually 16 minutes per mile - you should be able to meet that as long as you get some training in.

[Belle Ella]

Congrats! How was the route? And I don't want to be pushy or anything, but let's see that bling!

I don't have anything to compare the route to but it was good but I could have done without starting the whole thing off by going over the freeway. Starting off with the only hill had me cringing but I guess it's better than at the end.

Awesome!!! I definitely recommend signing up for more.. they are addictive, those little races

I'm with Phylers - bling picture, please!!

I'm so in love with it. And I had a lot of fun wearing it around Disneyland and getting photos with it.

I started off the weekend just hoping that I would finish and not collapse or anything. I was pretty sure I could stay on pace the whole way through but I was starting in corral E, lol. Halfway through I started to realize I might be able to make it in under 3 hours and I did. My final time was 2:55:58 and that was with a restroom break. Depending on how well I'm doing preparing for the Disneyland 1/2 I might even stop for a character photo or two.

I'm thinking of signing up for the Diva Half Marathon in the bay area in May. Just trying to get someone to do it with me.

So im thinking I might run the disneyland half marathon. Ive never run any kind of race before though. I'm 17 play football and when I go out for a run I usually run like 1 mile jog another in like 25 min. Is there any training advise anybody could give me? Im kind of concerned about the pacing requirement :/

I second looking into Jeff Galloway's walk/run method. I started off giving the Couch to 5K program a try but it didn't really work for me but then I started with some of Galloway's stuff (there's even an App I got for my iPhone to help me train for my first 5K and I really liked it). And I started off not running at all. I did my first 5K last summer and just finished my first 1/2.

[mshalloween]

BE - that medal is AWESOME! I am SUPER jealous and want one!! Disney always has amazing medals and bibs. I save all of my bibs along with my medals and Disney definitely makes some of the best of both!! Congrats on finishing under 3 hours!! Doesn't it feel so amazing to meet your goal and actually exceed it?? It's so motivational

[Belle Ella]

I knew I had to get that medal when I saw it in person at the Expo back in September. Had to, had to have it. Then again all the medals are so shiny that I want them all, lol. But there's something about this one. And I love that Tinkerbell spins. They had a mini one that was a pin at the Expo and I had to get that as well. At the end, when everyone standing on the sidelines cheering us on included people who had already finished and they had their medals around their necks that really gave me some motivation to get a strong finish in.

My dad is a cabinet maker and I'm going to see if he can make something special for my bib and medal.

[mshalloween]

I knew I had to get that medal when I saw it in person at the Expo back in September. Had to, had to have it. Then again all the medals are so shiny that I want them all, lol. But there's something about this one. And I love that Tinkerbell spins. They had a mini one that was a pin at the Expo and I had to get that as well. At the end, when everyone standing on the sidelines cheering us on included people who had already finished and they had their medals around their necks that really gave me some motivation to get a strong finish in.

My dad is a cabinet maker and I'm going to see if he can make something special for my bib and medal.

You should definitely get something to display your medal and bib! You deserve to show them off I love that Disney has pins that go with their race events. I'm not actually a pin collector, but I always make sure to get the race pins. They look so nice on the medal ribbons If your dad ends up making you a display for your medal and bib, please share it! I love seeing how others display their collections. Speaking of, I should probably update my display - I recently ran out of room on my first medal display and really need to get another! I will be earning six medals between now and March 18th and definitely need somewhere to hang them!

[Belle Ella]

I will be sure to share whenever I get around to it. They go through busy times and down times so as soon as their next downtime happens I'm asking. I'm thinking of maybe doing something like a shadow box and then put the pins I got in there as well. I got the mini medal and then there was the one that I ordered when I registered. I'm not really a big pin person either. I have tons left over from when I was a kid so I've been steadily trading them whenever I find a Snow White one or Thumper. But it's nice to have them to commemorate something big and half marathons definitely qualify! I don't know anybody in my immediate group of friends and what not who has done a half marathon or even a 5K.

But wow! 6 medals between now and March? Go you!!

[Chris 101009]

Wow that's a nice looking tinkerbell 1/2 medal! My wife was going to sign up for that one too! I'll show her the pic of the medal and I bet she will regret not signing up for that on!

[Belle Ella]

Well, I signed up for another 1/2 to keep me going before the Disneyland 1/2 this summer!!

[aspen_snow04]

My wife ran the Tinkerbell 1/2 too. It was her first 1/2 and now she's addicted. We ran the 5K with 3 other friends (we all dressed as Tink's, Peter's and Wendy) on Friday and it was a nice preview for her 1/2. We've done several 5K's at DL before and they have always been a blast.

My wife was hooked when she saw the theme was Neverland / Peter Pan and then when she saw the metal. It's stunning in person. Also, she purchased extra incentive at the Expo because they released an exclusive Dooney and Bourke Tinkerbell 1/2 marathon purse collection. She said she loves it almost as much as her real medal! haha.

I saw the Expedition Everest medal @ the Run Disney booth and now I want to do that one! The medal is super cool!!