As I mentioned in my recent goals, I’d like to run a half marathon by the end of 2013. Get it, 13.1 by 1.13? I know, I’m a dork. Anyway… there are a couple races I’d like to run, and they are coming up quickly.
1. Dream Race: Disney Princess Half Marathon
- Pros – It’s awesome. You run through the park. You can dress up like a princess.
- Cons – It’s almost full already. It would cost $$$ to fly there, get a room, & register.
- Pros – This is what I’m pumped to run since it’s the first one I picked. It’s affordable. It’s not too far from home. It’d be interesting since I’ve never been to Columbia.
- Cons –It’s the first year for this race, which could lead to poor water station planning, porta-john planning, parking planning, and overall organization/logistics
- Pros – It’s closer to home. My normal running buddy + her other running buddy are registering. I might be able to coerce more friends into cheering for me.
- Cons – Running too close to home isn’t as exciting. It ends on a hill. <– Seriously
Here are my thoughts on running a half marathon in the relatively near future. I don’t think I can do it. There. I said it. I’m not registering for anything until the last minute.
I feel like the underdog sports team in a 90s movie. You know, the one who expects to get knocked out of the playoffs with every game but somehow keeps pushing through to the next level? That’s me with every week of training I finish. In short, even if I don’t make it to race day, I’m already so pleased with how far I’ve come.
- Which would you choose?
- How do you choose worthy races?
January 20, 2012 at 7:25 am
I would TOTALLY choose the Disney one!! I’m a psycho for all things Disney! Not only would it be super fun to dress up, but you could go on some rides after you’re done for your cooldown heehee
January 20, 2012 at 8:37 am
The Disney one looks so fun and u could make it a mini vacation after. Although Disney is quite pricey! Toucan definitely do it – gotta believe in urself and get a long run in here and there and u’ll be all set!
January 20, 2012 at 8:56 am
I would choose the Disney one I think- I would LOVE to do a Disney race but they are never in the school holidays (plus of course the flight would be much more from the UK etc). But for a first one I bet it is special. For my first (and only…. so far!!) marathon we went to Stockholm- it was the biggest race I have ever done but brilliantly organised- we had to pay for flights and we stayed there a few days after to see the sights, and it made it more of a holiday and a special event.
January 20, 2012 at 9:07 am
This is a hard question.If you’re really nervous about the race, the half near home with others you know running and cheering would probably be the best – you have a built-in support system and others to help you stay motivated to train.
The Disney race is sure to be awesome – my first marathon was there and it was a great experience. I can’t speak for that half, but I do know many disney races aren’t in the parks as much as you would expect (only about 6 miles of the 26.2 for the marathon), so just keep that in mind. I still recommend them, but I wish I had known that before doing my race.
Whichever you decide – you CAN do it!!
January 20, 2012 at 10:34 am
I completely know how you feel about thinking you can’t run that far. Last week I did my first half marathon. Before starting the 12 week training plan I had only ever run 4 miles consecutively and I have never been a good long distance runner. I followed the plan, but didnt register until 2 weeks before the race as it was expensive and I didnt want to register and then find out I couldnt make the distance. It was only after I did a 9 mile run that I decided I would register after all. Im so glad i did, a half has always been on my bucket list and it was worth the challenge.
As far as choosing a race goes, I would do the Disney run. Personally, there is nothing ‘fun’ about running that far for me so running through Disney would have come in handy!!
January 20, 2012 at 11:20 am
The Disney would be an awesome experience, but I’m cheap when it comes to registering and paying for races! I ran my first (and only) one that was two hours away from my house. It was nice because I went and stayed the night before (so it was like a mini-vaca) but I was glad I was able to go home right after and wasn’t too too far from home!
I’m sure you’ll do great in whichever one you choose!
January 20, 2012 at 11:33 am
I’d go for one with beer at the end. Like this one: http://www.greatbayhalf.com/ I’ll be there, but doing the 5k. I’ll have your beer waiting for you at the finish line.
January 20, 2012 at 12:28 pm
The Disney one sounds awesome! But, it seems like you should do one closer to home, especially if you’re going to wait till last minute to sign up.
January 20, 2012 at 12:29 pm
If I could do a destination one, it’d totally be one from the Disney series! I think they look like so much fun and it’s totally an excuse to go to Disneyworld bc I haven’t been there since I was 4.
I think you should sign up for one in the fall. That way, it’s on the calendar and you have plenty of time before training would have to start to pysch yourself up!
January 20, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Oh man…I don’t know which one I would choose. But the Disney one does sound awesome just because you can dress up like a princess!
January 20, 2012 at 1:25 pm
None of the above – run the Nashville Rock ‘N Roll Half with meeeee!
January 21, 2012 at 7:16 am
Sounds like a good one! I’ll look into it, though I think the hubs might go crazy hearing country music for 2 hours.
January 20, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Princess!!!
January 20, 2012 at 2:46 pm
I’ve done the Disney Princess Half twice (it was actually my first half) and I LOVED it. Disney is really good at making the race entertaining and memorable
January 24, 2012 at 8:08 am
I bet it is super memorable. Obviously you liked it enough to do it again, so that’s a good sign!
January 20, 2012 at 3:30 pm
I so badly want to do the disney race too but hate how $$$ it is to do those races. I would say go with option two unless its really not a stretch to do the travel thing.
January 20, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Does it count that I think that you can do it? And that I think that you need to think that you can do it so you will??
Disney looks like a great experience for a first 1/2 and atmosphere can really help you mentally during the race so if you can afford it I vote Disney!
January 20, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Why don’t you think you can run one?
In my opinion pick the race with the nicest weather and make it a mini vacation
January 24, 2012 at 8:07 am
I’m so darn injury-prone. Of course, bad knees are mostly to blame. So far I’m hanging on there with training though!
January 20, 2012 at 6:06 pm
That Disney princess race sounds like so much fun!! You should definitely give it a try!! You could do it!!!
January 20, 2012 at 6:39 pm
I choose races based on location for the most part. If I had unlimited funds then maybe I would be a bit more adventurous! Don’t doubt yourself. With your current training and fitness level you could easily run a half marathon. Sure it may not be in record speed, but no point in setting much of a time goal other than to finish for your first distance race (in my opinion). Good luck choosing and preparing!!
January 20, 2012 at 8:22 pm
The Disney one is guaranteed to be awesome! I think you should pick that one – make a vacation out of it.
January 24, 2012 at 8:06 am
You’re probably right. Who can turn down a trip to the happiest place on earth?
January 21, 2012 at 12:28 pm
I LITERALLY JUST SIGNED UP FOR THE DISNEY HALF MARATHON IN SEPTEMBER! I have been DREAMING about running that one forever..I wanted it to be my first..and I finally found someone willing to go with me. So I put the money aside..and said I’m going for it!! It will be a mini vacation and a half marathon all in one! DO IT!!
January 24, 2012 at 8:05 am
You have plenty of time to save and to train. You’ll rock it!
January 24, 2012 at 11:44 am
I want to run the Disney one too!!! ugh, I signed up for the Rock and Roll 1/2 up here in DC, if it wasn’t sold out I would suggest you come up here to run that!
January 25, 2012 at 9:49 am
I’m so proud of you too…that’s how I feel. I did my 10 last Saturday and am shocked I finish every week. Today is speed work – but even though Im in super cold calgary – I’m headed out in an hour to go do it with my blate from Monday. Promise to poast all about it later today!
xoxo from Trinidad
Trackbacks
January 21, 2012 at 7:15 am