Post detail
747.6 #136 (DL Qual #68)
January 12, 2013 6:42 PM
I know a lot of us will be participating in the Tinkerbell Half/Neverland 5k and I wanted to see if anyone had any advice for us newbies who are doing it for the first time. I've talked to a fair amount of people but would love to hear from some of you who have actually ran a disney race. Thanks in advance!
Everyone has FABULOUS advice & I "second" it all. Something i'd add is that u are out there in the corral EARLY & to stay warm we brought cheap small fleece blankets from Walmart (like $2) & gloves ($1). It's far more cozy than a garbage bag & u can leave off to side when you start-or gloves along the way; they collect & donate. YOU'LL have plenty of time-so get all those special photos taken. Bring $ for the expo on Fri/Sat-good stuff there! Don't feel weird wearing some kind of costume-it's very common (expo even has cute sparkly running skirts & wings etc, I bought green sparkly one from Team Sparkle last year). Remember it'll be dark(ish) a long time so somethibg that lights up is fun too-i wore my Tinker Bell pin from the main street carts. Smile at & hi-five those cheering u on! After, the post race is organized well & is quick & easy to use bag-check. Finally-I've found that if I keep moving that entire day/evening after-I'm not sore the next day. So put that Tinker Bell wing medal on with pride and head into Disneyland. It's the best feeling ever!!🏁✨ - TinkerSchelle
632.3 #170 8:10PM
This is wonderful! I have realized that if I keep moving and then soak in a hot tub before bed I rarely feel the pain the next day. Thank you!! Can't wait meet you! - AshleyLynn22 747.6 #136 9:05PM
I absolutely love uour advice about cheap blankets, gloves that you can just cast aside. You are a smart cookie! Wish I was gonna be there to cheer you all on! - meridafan 1032.4 #84 9:54PM
Thanks MF-this is my 9th half so you figure stuff out along the way! Btw-I'm the suckiest half marathoner ever and don't train-so if anyone is scared to try-if I can-you can! You just aren't fast like AshleyLynn!!! 😜 - TinkerSchelle 632.3 #170 10:00PM
This is great advice. This past Labor Day was my first Disney 1/2 marathon and it was such a great experience. I found it helpful to walk for about an hour after the race, then take a quick nap, and finally venture out into the park for the rest of the day! I felt great after the race and wasn't sore at all. Good luck and have a great time! Wish I would have entered this one too. - PrincessLeia 263.4 #883 12:59PM
Stop at the rare characters if you have time. Enjoy the time through the parks. You will be going backstage and last year at my first race I loved it! Take pics- I just use my phone. Get water and powerade at every stop. Run some, walk some, and sign up for runner trackin so that you know along the course what Disney has your pace registered at. - LilSterner
2656.0 #17 7:12PM
This is AWSOME!!! I'm so glad you did this!! I'm getting very very nervous but I know I will be fine!! Thank you everyone for all the advice I will really need it!! - CourtyAstroBlisters
431.2 #289 9:12PM
You will do fabulously!!! - TinkerSchelle 632.3 #170 9:31PM
Have you been having the crazy dreams yet where you don't finish? Lol. I had my first last night - AshleyLynn22 747.6 #136 9:33PM
NOOOO that's sounds ubber awful!!! I always dream about finally finishing!! - CourtyAstroBlisters 431.2 #289 9:40PM
Yes! I had those a million times last year!!! I was literally being FOLLOWED and then sweeped by two CM following behind me with a rope from the parade!!!!😱😱😱😱 worst dream ever!😂😂😂 - TinkerSchelle 632.3 #170 9:44PM
Guilty. I have had multiple dreams like that! - ladylikesdisney 921.5 #95 12:42PM
If you are running in costume, be sure to do a "test" run and make sure that nothing hurts, rubs, chafes, etc. They have photographers at the character stops so you don't have to necessarily bring your own camera. They have port-o-potties along the path but if you wait, you can use the ones that are in the Parks (much better in my opinion!). Enjoy the moment because it'll be over before you know it! If you have anymore questions, let me know! This is my 3rd runDisney race and I'm already signed up for the Dumbo Challenge 🐘 - PirateQueenBriezy
291.4 #660 7:33PM
Bring your camera or cell phone during the run. Also hope you are not running for time since so get to see the back of DL and DCA and you might stop for picture. - VfxGenie
1352.8 #59 6:48PM
Also there will be allot going on around you during the run. Which is really fun. - VfxGenie 1352.8 #59 6:51PM
Definitely take pics! - LilSterner 2656.0 #17 7:09PM
Run until you can't run anymore, then walk a little. Repeat. - Mouse4life
1037.7 #82 6:49PM
I have absolutely NO advice since I'm lucky if I can run to my mailbox. I just want to wish everyone good luck and find out who all will be participating. - RCmom
2588.3 #20 6:52PM
We'll be there. Which are you running? the 5K is not hard. Walk a lot run a little! The 1/2 is not easy. Finished the Disney half in Sept. Need to run more and walk less. Is awesome tho! - goofygal
2334.9 #28 6:57PM
If you're doing the 13.1 Half be sure to hydrate well at water stops! Get to start line early to get to the front of your corral. Have fun! - jacdanfan
2607.4 #19 7:07PM
I'm personally running the half and I can do it in a little over 2 hours so I'm not too concerned about my time. I think my biggest concern is water/gel breaks. I don't eat before I run but I do go through a water, Gatorade, and two gel packs. Any advice here? Thanks you all already, I'm loving your inputs! - AshleyLynn22
747.6 #136 7:23PM
You know what you're doing. Take advantage of all the water and Gatorade and hydrate well before. - goofygal 2334.9 #28 7:31PM
Do you have a running belt? I may have an extra - ladylikesdisney 921.5 #95 10:15PM
Yes I do! I've decided to carry my own just in case - AshleyLynn22 747.6 #136 11:58PM
I do the Gu and Nuun for my water. I don't eat before either but I've been having a Gu like 15 min before a long run than another 45 min in and another if I need it later. I have pockets in my running pants so I keep the Gu's in there plus being near my body they stay warm and don't get too hard to eat. I also read they will be giving out Cliff Shots at the 8 mile marker so that's good to know. I take a walk break when I need a Gu and I really think the Nuun helps in the water to replace what you are sweating out. I was going to run with my hand water bottle but I don't know if I will now knowing there is water at pretty much every mile and a half. Good luck to you!!! Maybe we will see each other!!!!! I'm in corral C. - drmwshhrt 13.5 #5902 12:27PM
How do you guys know your corrals already? - TinkerSchelle 632.3 #170 12:17AM
All your fantastic information has me really wishing I had signed up For one of these!! It sounds like a lot of fun! Good luck and have fun, to all those participating! And post your pix!! - meridafan
1032.4 #84 9:24PM
Have fun! This is my 5th Disney Half ( 7th total). They give gel at mile 9. I took pictures at each mile sign during my first race. Definitely bring "throw away" clothes. It's cold that early! Wear your medal in the parks after! And don't forget to visit Pixie Hallow for a picture with Tink after. - MXPrincess399
482.1 #244 9:35PM
Great Pixie Hollow tip! Never thought about that!!👍 - TinkerSchelle 632.3 #170 9:45PM
I visited Pixie Hollow after last year! - LilSterner 2656.0 #17 12:46PM
This is really good information since I would like to do the next run. Is there one in the summer?or, September? - 7mouskedoodles
161.1 #2137 9:51PM
The Disneyland half, 5 and 10k's are labor day weekend. I think sign ups are soon. I believe LilSterner posted about it-you can probably search it!!! She even had info for early reg if you have Disney Visa! - TinkerSchelle 632.3 #170 10:03PM
Thanks TinkerSchelle! - 7mouskedoodles 161.1 #2137 6:06AM
Oh also try to get a good rest the night before. It's been study that you cant really sleep the night before the big race. It's true because it happen to me. LoL So try to go to sleep early since its going to take you a long time to fall asleep. - VfxGenie
1352.8 #59 9:55PM
This👍 great advice. I'll make sure to bring my Spanish homework along with. That usually works
To put me to sleep. - AshleyLynn22 747.6 #136 12:02AM
By the time you've waited a while for the race to begin, you might have to make a bathroom stop. Don't stop at the first set of port-a-potties!! The lines are generally pretty long at the first ones. Keep going to the next ones and you will likely wait a lot less time. Also, the restrooms in the park were open for the DL half and of course they are far cleaner and nicer than port-a-potties!! - Mimmy
1405.4 #57 11:55PM
Loved reading all this advice. Thanks! - PrincessKristin
774.5 #124 12:06AM
Good luck to all. This is on my disney bucket list. But I am so out of shape I might just fall over and pass out if I was doing it this year. - Pinup Princess
167.4 #2039 12:53AM
You can do it! When I first started running, I could barely run 30 sec without stopping! Yesterday i ran 10 miles! You build up to it! As much as I hate it I love it too! - drmwshhrt 13.5 #5902 12:30PM
I agree, drmwshhrt! When I started running, I thought I was going to die after 3 minutes. I still mostly hate running, but it feels so good after! It becomes addicting, really. - SneakyStella 292.9 #656 12:41PM
Drmwsshrt, do you run streets or treadmill? - SneakyStella 292.9 #656 12:42PM
I only ask👆because I'm getting tired of my usual loop and was wondering if you knew of any good roads for running. - SneakyStella 292.9 #656 12:52PM
You can do it, Ash. Can't wait to wear our medals afterwards! - Jacqueline
546.7 #204 5:59AM
Celebratory drinks with our victory medals after. Yeah? - ladylikesdisney 921.5 #95 12:43PM
Would love to do the 5k someday - Betsyboo
5.6 #319 6:07AM
Me too! - LaPearleNoir 561.5 #197 9:50AM
Thank you for doing this! I learned some great tips! - ladylikesdisney
921.5 #95 12:41PM
Wear clothes that you can take off and throw on the street once you warm up. Get to the start line early so that you are first in line for the bathrooms, the lines get very long. PACE yourself, the first mile has a hill over the freeway and I could hear people breathing loud trying to run fast over it. Try not to stop at every water station. Take an imodiom the night before and right before the race, it will stop any bad stomach problems that running can cause...I dont need to go into detail. And most important, HAVE FUN!! - diznymommy84
215.3 #1411 6:56PM
Besides that first mile is it mostly a flat course? - AshleyLynn22 747.6 #136 7:18PM
Yes. There's the two overpasses in the first like then mostly flat. - LilSterner 2656.0 #17 7:23PM
Oh huh I'm super glad you guys said this!! I just speed walk up hills!! - CourtyAstroBlisters 431.2 #289 7:25PM
Awesome! Thank you' - AshleyLynn22 747.6 #136 8:04PM
And right after the race you can switch off tylenol and motrin every so many hours. It helps the pain. I did this my last half marathon and it worked like a charm. - diznymommy84
215.3 #1411 6:57PM
Thank you everyone again!! You guys are all putting ALOT of my fears to the side!!! I know I will be ok! I just have to keep pace and cross the finish line!! - CourtyAstroBlisters
431.2 #289 7:26PM
This was all great advice to hear! Ilk be missing the one this weekend but hope to sign of for the one in Sept. I'm still tempted to just walk it I know it's silly - Goofymom2
5.1 #10304 11:53PM
Do it! You can easily power walk it! :) - AshleyLynn22 747.6 #136 12:03AM
Totally!!!! We will peer pressure you!!!😃 - TinkerSchelle 632.3 #170 12:24AM
:) I just might! It should be good for my circulation after laying about for days if its too much I might just get rescued by Mickey or goofy :) - Goofymom2 5.1 #10304 9:58AM
Hey everyone! So I'm just wondering what kind of belt (if any) some of you will be wearing. I'm probably way over thinking this...might just be pre race jitters lol - AshleyLynn22
747.6 #136 11:38PM
I have one from addicts. It carries one bottle and has a small pouch for my gels. - ladylikesdisney 921.5 #95 12:19AM
More importantly it matches my shoes. - ladylikesdisney 921.5 #95 12:20AM
And that was asics, not addicts. Autocorrect never fails. - ladylikesdisney 921.5 #95 12:20AM
I have an amphipod one or something-two waters and two pockets for stuff. I'm the opposite of a minimalist! I'm cray-cray-but it makes me feel better! - TinkerSchelle 632.3 #170 12:21AM
And btw I told myself becuz I went to the dentist today I don't have to run; WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!😂😂 - TinkerSchelle 632.3 #170 12:23AM
Omg! 😂😂😂 I find any excuse not to run! - ladylikesdisney 921.5 #95 12:29AM
I have one that I wear when I train that carries a big bottle of water with one pocket and one for races that has 2 pockets only. - LilSterner 2656.0 #17 3:32PM
I run with a small belt that is just big enough to carry some salt tablets and gels, I always run the whole thing so you dont want a lot of water on you weighing you down, there are enough water stations where I dont think you will need to carry any with you. - diznymommy84
215.3 #1411 10:37AM
Thank you for this! - AshleyLynn22 747.6 #136 3:03PM
I'm walking it. I'm anxious, but excited. - JenAnneWho
300.7 #609 7:59PM
Yay!! You go girl! - AshleyLynn22 747.6 #136 9:09PM
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