On Saturday, I’ll be completing my very first Disney race and the first of 2017: The Disney Princess Enchanted 10K!
I’m so excited (and still packing) for a weekend at Disney World. My sister and I will be running together and more than anything, I want to have a fun time! Since the race is just a few days away, I thought I would share my goals with you!
I’m linking up with Ilka and Angela for Sunday Fitness and Food, Susie, Debbie, Lora, and Rachel for the Running Coaches Corner and Annmarie, Nicole, Jen, and Michelle for Wild Workout Wednesday!
[bctt tweet=”Sharing my goals for the Disney Enchanted 10K for Princess Weekend! #runchat” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Goals for Disney Enchanted 10K
Are you going to Disney Princess Weekend? If so, let me know! I’ll be spectating at the 5K and running the 10K so I hope to share some fun pictures on Instagram! This weekend is all about having a fun time. It’ll be my first racecation so I want to make sure that I do it right!
Logistics
The race starts at 5:30 am, the earliest I’ve ever run a race! And with 5,000 participants, this will be the largest 10K I’ve ever run. I’m hopeful that race morning won’t be too chaotic. I’ll need to figure out an appropriate pre-race snack. I’m an early bird, but getting up earlier than 4:30 is a little rough for me…hopefully everything will go smoothly!
Racing Strategy
When you’re running a race with a large crowd, all of the typical “racing 101” tips apply. Don’t start out too fast, don’t waste energy bobbing and weaving through runners, no matter how frustrating it is. The nice thing about the Disney Princess 10K is that I’m not running the race for time but for fun! Here is my game plan:
- Keep at my sister’s pace – The point of this race is for my sister and me to run together. I can get competitive during races, but I’m not going to let that happen this time. I’ll follow her cues while also encouraging her along the way.
- Enjoy the Disney experience – I want to admire all of the crazy costumes from fellow runners, get pictures with my favorite Disney characters, smile for the cameras on the course…this is a unique experience!
- Finish strong – Any time I race I love to surge through the finish line. My last race was the Philly Marathon and that was a very anticlimactic ending…I’d love a more memorable finish for Disney!
Fueling and Hydration
It’s Florida in winter, what’s not to love, right? While the 60-degree temperature is my sweet spot for running, the 96% humidity will really be a challenge for me. I’m sure I’ll be a sweaty mess by the time the race is over!
I’ll be using my Nathan Quick Shot handheld water bottle so that I’m readily hydrated on the course. There are 3 water stops during the course, but I think it’ll be too chaotic trying to push through the crowds. The distance isn’t too long so I’m not going to worry about fueling during the race, but it’ll be important to make sure I’m properly fueled that morning!
I’m really excited about the Disney experience and I can’t wait to tell you all about it when I get back!
Any last-minute tips for my first runDisney experience? Do you have any races this weekend?
I just love that you are running this with your sister! You are going to have a blast enjoy everything there is to love about Disney
Thanks, Deborah! I need to make sure to take a lot of pictures!
I did the half many years ago and I’d say make sure you give yourself enough time to get to the start line. If it’s the same way, I had to park a good way out and then it was a nice walk to the line.
Disney is so good at logistics though! They think of everything!
Ooh thanks for the tip, Julie! I can’t recall how we’re getting to the start line but I know it’s going to be a very early morning!
Looks like perfect conditions for a PR! And a 10k won’t sap you too much so you can enjoy your WDW experience. Have fun!
Humidity kills me, but I can’t wait to run in such great weather! Looking forward to a weekend!
Have a great time! Running with your sister will be a blast. Make sure you enjoy the experience above anything else.
Thanks a lot, Jen! You are so right 🙂
That is early. I have a half on March 5 in Fl that starts at 6:30. I am hoping that the weather is not too warm or humid.
Good luck with your race! Hope you crush your goals.
Thanks a lot, Darlene! I’m used to races starting at 7 or 7:30…but hopefully I’ll be well rested! Hope you have a great race next weekend!
I’m so excited for you and it’s awesome that you will be running the race with your sister! I wish I could get my sister to run with me, lol
I hope that you’ll be able to meet up with Steff this weekend – make sure you take a photo if you do!
I hope we have a great time! My sister isn’t as crazy about running as I am lol, but I’m looking forward to doing this together!
Yes, I need to make sure I see Steff too!
I’m early bird too, but the wake up call at WDW races is a bit early. I’d say have some salt packets, just in case, with that humidity! My fingers swelled up during my last Disney half, and I wasn’t even halfway! I didn’t have any salt until after I finished.
Oh wow, I didn’t realize dehydration could get that serious! Thanks for the tip 🙂
I have actually never done a Disney race but have heard a lot of great things about them! I can’t wait to hear about your experience- I bet it’ll be a blast!
I’m so excited! Hoping to have a great time 🙂
Low 60s is my sweet spot for running too! Best of luck to you and your sister!
Thanks a lot, Emily!
I can’t wait to read about your Disney race experience! I signed up for my first RunDisney later this year and it’s all I’ve been thinking about for the last month! I’ll be looking to you for tips on my own race. 🙂
Thanks, I hope you enjoy your upcoming race! Hopefully I come back with some handy tips 🙂
WOW. 5:30 and 5K runners?! That’s so early and so many.
You’re going to have a BLAST. I can’t wait to read your recap!!
I know…I’m trying not to think about how early it is, LOL! I know it’ll be an experience unlike any other!
SQUEEE!!! I’m so excited!!! I hope to see you there!
Oh snap! How did I forget you were running? We HAVE to meet!!
Only tip, take the first shuttle to the start area. Worth it!
Thanks! We got there super early for the 5K but we ended up just driving from our hotel!
No races. Never done Disney.
Such fun to run it with your sister! Good luck on all the logistics and here’s hoping it’s not TOO humid.
So much fun that you’ll be running with your sister! Disney is all about soaking in the experience – so have a blast!
5:30 is such an early start time! This sounds like so much fun- Ive never done a Disney race! I definitely wouldn’t be ready right now to run in that humidity. Have a great time!!