Official 2014 Tinker Bell Half Marathon

[DVC Daisy]

Ok - I signed up for the email alert. I really think I want to do this. Major props for indygirl99 for inspiration :-)

[kim3339]

Originally Posted by DVC Daisy

I have NEVER been in any race before, ever! But I really want to do the 5k & the 1/2 if I could qualify.

Do husbands do the 5k?

If they are both on the same day, as a non-runner (as of now) I could not do both.

Advice? Ideas? Hints? HELP LOL?

Reg should open in June or July like last year. You mentioned that you signed up for the email alerts, but make sure to reg as soon as possible. Last year it sold out in a month, the DL 1/2 sold out a few weeks ago in 1 day!

You can do both the 5k and the 1/2!! I do and it's so much fun. The 5k is Sat at 5:45 am and the 1/2 is Sun at 5am, if they keep the times like last year. The 5k is entirely in both parks and back stage, the 1/2 is around the parks, in the parks and then around Anaheim. The 5k is a fun run where there is no time chip, but they have times at the mile markers and the finish. As long as you're moving forward and not dawdling, you won't get swept. If you are going to do both, go easy on the 5k that way you're not too tired for the 1/2. It's also a good way to take pics in the park w/ the characters and that way you don't have to carry a camera during the 1/2. They have mostly bands and cheerleaders outside of the parks, but no characters.

The 1/2 has a 16min time limit/3:30 overall, and the time starts when the last person crosses the start line. They have different points along the course where they have sweepers. You're corral is based on the time you think it'll take you to finish. You can submit any time you'd like, but if it's under 2:45, you need proof from a previous race over 6 miles. You submit a time when you reg, and if you run a faster time before the race there's a time period when you can submit it to move up. You can also do this at the expo.

As for your husband, he can actually do both! W/ the 1/2, the closest corral he could be placed in, regardless of time, is in C (he submits time just like everyone else). That's mostly b/c the race is geared towards women. I think there were 1,300 men that ran this year. But if he does do the 1/2, make sure he checks the t-shirt w/ the unisex/men's sizes, they have both.

Hope that helps a bit!

[DVC Daisy]

Originally Posted by kim3339

Reg should open in June or July like last year. You mentioned that you signed up for the email alerts, but make sure to reg as soon as possible. Last year it sold out in a month, the DL 1/2 sold out a few weeks ago in 1 day!

You can do both the 5k and the 1/2!! I do and it's so much fun. The 5k is Sat at 5:45 am and the 1/2 is Sun at 5am, if they keep the times like last year. The 5k is entirely in both parks and back stage, the 1/2 is around the parks, in the parks and then around Anaheim. The 5k is a fun run where there is no time chip, but they have times at the mile markers and the finish. As long as you're moving forward and not dawdling, you won't get swept. If you are going to do both, go easy on the 5k that way you're not too tired for the 1/2. It's also a good way to take pics in the park w/ the characters and that way you don't have to carry a camera during the 1/2. They have mostly bands and cheerleaders outside of the parks, but no characters.

The 1/2 has a 16min time limit/3:30 overall, and the time starts when the last person crosses the start line. They have different points along the course where they have sweepers. You're corral is based on the time you think it'll take you to finish. You can submit any time you'd like, but if it's under 2:45, you need proof from a previous race over 6 miles. You submit a time when you reg, and if you run a faster time before the race there's a time period when you can submit it to move up. You can also do this at the expo.

As for your husband, he can actually do both! W/ the 1/2, the closest corral he could be placed in, regardless of time, is in C (he submits time just like everyone else). That's mostly b/c the race is geared towards women. I think there were 1,300 men that ran this year. But if he does do the 1/2, make sure he checks the t-shirt w/ the unisex/men's sizes, they have both.

Hope that helps a bit!

Thank you. That helps a lot! My husband would only do the 5k.

You said the DL one sold out a few weeks ago in one day. That is the one I was considering - Tinker Bell in Jan. I think I am confused now. I thought that was the DL one & reg opened in June or July.

I don't wanna get sweept I am hoping that I will be ok by Jan to do it & have enough time by then to get my time down. I just want to finish

So - could a COMPLETE non-runner be ready to go by Jan & finish? I don't want to get excited about something that I can't do. I am NOT an athlete. Nor a runner. But I am competitive & I really do want to do this.

Like I said, I am not looking to get some great time or anything. Just to be able to complete it & not get swept

Thanks so much.

[helloirishkitty]

Originally Posted by DVC Daisy

Thank you. That helps a lot! My husband would only do the 5k.

You said the DL one sold out a few weeks ago in one day. That is the one I was considering - Tinker Bell in Jan. I think I am confused now. I thought that was the DL one & reg opened in June or July.

I don't wanna get sweept I am hoping that I will be ok by Jan to do it & have enough time by then to get my time down. I just want to finish

So - could a COMPLETE non-runner be ready to go by Jan & finish? I don't want to get excited about something that I can't do. I am NOT an athlete. Nor a runner. But I am competitive & I really do want to do this.

Like I said, I am not looking to get some great time or anything. Just to be able to complete it & not get swept

Thanks so much.

Disneyland has two race weekends- the Disneyland half marathon over Labor Day weekend and the tinker bell half in January. The Disneyland half sold out in one day a few weeks ago. Registration for the tinker bell half opens in July. Hope that helps!

And you can totally so it! I went from non runner to finishing the tower of terror 10 miler in 8 months, it's completely doable.

[momto3gr8boys]

Originally Posted by DVC Daisy

Thank you. That helps a lot! My husband would only do the 5k.

You said the DL one sold out a few weeks ago in one day. That is the one I was considering - Tinker Bell in Jan. I think I am confused now. I thought that was the DL one & reg opened in June or July.

I don't wanna get sweept I am hoping that I will be ok by Jan to do it & have enough time by then to get my time down. I just want to finish

So - could a COMPLETE non-runner be ready to go by Jan & finish? I don't want to get excited about something that I can't do. I am NOT an athlete. Nor a runner. But I am competitive & I really do want to do this.

Like I said, I am not looking to get some great time or anything. Just to be able to complete it & not get swept

Thanks so much.

I think you can do it! 9 weeks ago I was a complete non-runner and I'm up to 3.5 miles now and it's not that hard. There is plenty of time between now and when registration opens. Start now and see how you feel in a few months. If training is going well and you enjoy it you will be fine. Have you started any running program yet?

[momto3gr8boys]

Originally Posted by indygirl99

I'm 50 and still quite a bit overweight, have had a spinal fusion and have asthma. I started running June 24 2012 using Jeff Galloways programs. Joined a Galloway running group in November and ran/walk/ran the Tinker Bell half in January. I finished in the upright position, never saw the balloon ladies and enjoyed the parks after the race.

Jeff has several programs available but not alot of support on the cross training non running days.

I am running the Nike DC womens half marathon in April and downloaded their half marathon training program and the Nike training club app to my phone and am using that for training. I still do the Galloway for my runs but am really seing a big difference having a personal trainer in my phone for the cross training portion.

I do better if I have something planned out that holds me accountable and I like seeing the "rewards" and pats on the back I get from the NTC and running app.

Look around, there are tons of different programs out there. Hope you find one that clicks with you. Looking forward to running next year with you.

I love hearing stories like yours! You are a great inspiration!

[DVC Daisy]

Originally Posted by momto3gr8boys

I think you can do it! 9 weeks ago I was a complete non-runner and I'm up to 3.5 miles now and it's not that hard. There is plenty of time between now and when registration opens. Start now and see how you feel in a few months. If training is going well and you enjoy it you will be fine. Have you started any running program yet?

No - I have not started a running program yet.

What has inspired me is I got a Fitbit about 3 weeks ago & it is amazing. I went from less than 3000 steps a day (I just wore it the first 2 days) to well over 10,000 steps a day. Immediately. I usually average between 12,000 - 14,000 steps, depending on how much time I have to walk.

Their website is incredible. Fun, competitive if you want it to be, whatever. We have a group there for anyone who does not know, DIS Frriends. Indygirl99 is on there and directed me here.

Well as I have gotten to know people on the website I have found such inspiration that I CAN do things that before I thought were impossible for me. Just getting my 15,000 step badge - 15,000 steps in one day was so motivating!

So, basically I have heard so many inspirational stories about 5ks & 1/2 marathons, that I am seriously considering it

So I am basically a couch potato who works at a desk job that had a little tiny piece of plastic get me moving to the tune of over 5 miles a day walking and over 30 flights of stairs a day in under 2 weeks.

If I can do that, maybe I could do this

[momto3gr8boys]

Originally Posted by DVC Daisy

No - I have not started a running program yet.

What has inspired me is I got a Fitbit about 3 weeks ago & it is amazing. I went from less than 3000 steps a day (I just wore it the first 2 days) to well over 10,000 steps a day. Immediately. I usually average between 12,000 - 14,000 steps, depending on how much time I have to walk.

Their website is incredible. Fun, competitive if you want it to be, whatever. We have a group there for anyone who does not know, DIS Frriends. Indygirl99 is on there and directed me here.

Well as I have gotten to know people on the website I have found such inspiration that I CAN do things that before I thought were impossible for me. Just getting my 15,000 step badge - 15,000 steps in one day was so motivating!

So, basically I have heard so many inspirational stories about 5ks & 1/2 marathons, that I am seriously considering it

So I am basically a couch potato who works at a desk job that had a little tiny piece of plastic get me moving to the tune of over 5 miles a day walking and over 30 flights of stairs a day in under 2 weeks.

If I can do that, maybe I could do this

That sounds great! I am going to check out fitbit.

Ok, so then the couch to the 5k is for you! Check out some of the programs - Jeff Galloway who works with runDisney has a very easy one, but there are lots out there. Check out this thread as well: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2370270
Everyone has been very helpful and supportive!

[DVC Daisy]

Originally Posted by momto3gr8boys

That sounds great! I am going to check out fitbit.

Ok, so then the couch to the 5k is for you! Check out some of the programs - Jeff Galloway who works with runDisney has a very easy one, but there are lots out there. Check out this thread as well: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2370270
Everyone has been very helpful and supportive!

Thank you! I will check them out.

The Fitbit thread is on the community board. Lots of good info. That is where I first heard about it. I then went to Amazon & read the reviews. The words life-changing kept coming up! It truly has been

[kim3339]

Originally Posted by DVC Daisy

You said the DL one sold out a few weeks ago in one day. That is the one I was considering - Tinker Bell in Jan. I think I am confused now. I thought that was the DL one & reg opened in June or July.

So - could a COMPLETE non-runner be ready to go by Jan & finish? I don't want to get excited about something that I can't do. I am NOT an athlete. Nor a runner. But I am competitive & I really do want to do this.

Like I said, I am not looking to get some great time or anything. Just to be able to complete it & not get swept

I'm so sorry for the confusion! Didn't mean to scare you, I meant the Labor Day races that sold out. But Tink does sell out, last year in the 1st month, so just make sure to stay on top of it. Once the races get up to 50%, they'll start posting the % full on the site.

As for finishing and not getting swept, I totally think you can do it! You have 11 months to get ready for the race so you shouldn't have any problems. Like someone mentioned above, start w/ the Couch to 5k and then just keep going and work your way up w/ a 1/2 training program. Most of the training programs are 12 weeks, which would mean starting around the end of October, so you have tons of time to get ready and being able to finish! A lot of programs have run/walk ratios or you can make up a run/walk ratio on your own, or you can even walk the whole race. Another thing to keep in mind is that the adreneline from your 1st race, or any race really, will help you along the way. And people along the course, especially disney races, are really encouraging along the way.

[DVC Daisy]

Originally Posted by kim3339

I'm so sorry for the confusion! Didn't mean to scare you, I meant the Labor Day races that sold out. But Tink does sell out, last year in the 1st month, so just make sure to stay on top of it. Once the races get up to 50%, they'll start posting the % full on the site.

As for finishing and not getting swept, I totally think you can do it! You have 11 months to get ready for the race so you shouldn't have any problems. Like someone mentioned above, start w/ the Couch to 5k and then just keep going and work your way up w/ a 1/2 training program. Most of the training programs are 12 weeks, which would mean starting around the end of October, so you have tons of time to get ready and being able to finish! A lot of programs have run/walk ratios or you can make up a run/walk ratio on your own, or you can even walk the whole race. Another thing to keep in mind is that the adreneline from your 1st race, or any race really, will help you along the way. And people along the course, especially disney races, are really encouraging along the way.

Thank you! Very encouraging

[VickiHD]

Originally Posted by DVC Daisy

Thank you! Very encouraging

Like Kim said, you can do this.

You might want to ck out Jeff Galloway's programs. He has training programs for Tink and other RunDisney races. There are a couple to choose from depending what your goal is.

You have 11 months to do this and if you stick with it you will not be sorry. The Tink 1/2 is SO much fun and the feeling you get when crossing the finish line is kind of habit forming. I bet before you know it you too will be planning vacations around race weekends. Hey---anything to get to be back to the parks is fine with me.

I heard about fitbit and I really really want one !!!!!!!!!!!

[indygirl99]

Registration


Registration for the 2014 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend will begin on July 9, 2013

From the rundisney website and now noted on my calander. But I did sign up for the email notification just in case they open registration earlier.

[StarGirl11]

Leaning towards returning again for this. I am itching to return to the full marathon distance. However I am having that surgery in early fall so this would probably be my first big race after it so probably best I have a chance to experiment with food here and plan for a full later in the year if I want to do Goofy in 2015.

[VickiHD]

Originally Posted by indygirl99

Registration


Registration for the 2014 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend will begin on July 9, 2013

From the rundisney website and now noted on my calander. But I did sign up for the email notification just in case they open registration earlier.

Yeah--made notes on ALL calendars to register on July 9th.