The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[Heatherann1015]

I started walking/running in February. I did my 1st 5k in March with a walking time of 47:22. I just did my 2nd 5K June 23rd with a time of 41:53. It was super hot and we were racing to be a tropical storm. I really want to do the Princess 1/2, but I am really hesitant to register on Tuesday. I am really trying to get a couple of friends to join me, but it's not looking good!

I have not done anything since the 23rd, I guess I need to get back at it!!

This board has inspired me to keep on keeping on!! Thank you ladies!!!

 

[mahipp]

I started walking/running in February. I did my 1st 5k in March with a walking time of 47:22. I just did my 2nd 5K June 23rd with a time of 41:53. It was super hot and we were racing to be a tropical storm. I really want to do the Princess 1/2, but I am really hesitant to register on Tuesday. I am really trying to get a couple of friends to join me, but it's not looking good!

I have not done anything since the 23rd, I guess I need to get back at it!!

This board has inspired me to keep on keeping on!! Thank you ladies!!!

Great job improving your time!

I understand the hesitation. I'm scared, too. I plan on walking it. I know my ankles and knees will never survive running.

I posted this question on another thread, looking for input on walking training plans. I've found two so far. I'm currently walking 5-6 times per week for 3-4 miles at a time. My pace is a little under 16 minutes.
Right now, I'm concentrating on walking to lose weight. I've probably lost about 60 pounds and have almost as much left to lose. Come October or so, I plan on starting a true half marathon training program.

I've found these training programs. Anyone have any experience with them or any other?


http://media.spryliving.com/uploads/...iningGuide.pdf
http://www.halhigdon.com/assets/_leg...n/halfwalk.pdf
__________________

 

[MaMa3Princess]

The Galloway plan goes up beyond race distance so mentally you know you have done it and can do it. That being said, I have done 4 half marathons.....2 I followed Galloway to a tee, 2 I was injured and only got up to 10 or 11. Finished them all. I say pick a training plan and just stick with it whatever it says......many say if you are up to 10 you are good..... YOU know what you need to do, find one that fits your schedule, psyche and goals.

OH I made a video of the 10K I did 4th of July here in Hotlanta.....I had it to James Brown Livin in America which was better, but I changed it on youtube due to copywriting stuff..... It was a huge race 60k people, fun times...almost as fun as Disney! Enjoy.....my race report is in the link by my signature.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMeyxcZLMkchttp://

I LOVED your video!!!!!! I was in corral K as well and enjoyed seeing all your shots I remember so many of the high lights of your pictures! Thanks so much for sharing your video! I need to start wearing lime green so I can meet my Disers!

 

[mickeysgal]

The Galloway plan goes up beyond race distance so mentally you know you have done it and can do it. That being said, I have done 4 half marathons.....2 I followed Galloway to a tee, 2 I was injured and only got up to 10 or 11. Finished them all. I say pick a training plan and just stick with it whatever it says......many say if you are up to 10 you are good..... YOU know what you need to do, find one that fits your schedule, psyche and goals.

OH I made a video of the 10K I did 4th of July here in Hotlanta.....I had it to James Brown Livin in America which was better, but I changed it on youtube due to copywriting stuff..... It was a huge race 60k people, fun times...almost as fun as Disney! Enjoy.....my race report is in the link by my signature.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMeyxcZLMkchttp://

Great video! We were there too...my DD, DH, and myself. It's the second time I've run the Peachtree. I enjoyed it far more than I did the first time - I was much more trained for it and far more relaxed. Shaved 8 minutes off my time from last year! My DH's time was about yours...you must have been running together at some point.

 

[Mamasmurf227]

Anyone have tips or book recommendations for developing that mental toughness that I seem to be lacking????

Ugh! I had a great race this week but I'm struggling to stay with it mentally. I have no problem getting out there for my runs. I love it. But, once I start running, everything in me says to stop. There's always that little voice that tells me my legs are tired or that I'm out of breath or not to do the second loop of the run since I'm already running past my driveway.

I can't get myself to shut up and I'm very convincing.

I was able to race a 5K this week without stopping to walk, but yet I can't convince myself to run the 1/2 mile to the end of my road without stopping to walk. It's very discouraging since I've seen my pace improve dramatically when I started logging more miles during training runs.

Anyone else deal with this?

 

[longhorns2]

I do it too. I'm terrible.

A couple things I did to change my mindset.

No loops--- out and back only. If I loop past my house, then yep, I want to stop. If I convince myself to keep going, the next loop is pure torture. So see if you can find another running route. I have to drive to another location to run on the park trail but I found that the change of scenery inspires me for longer runs.

Are you doing set intervals? This helped me get over the wanting to walk so badly I couldn't focus on anything other than walking. If you are running consistently, maybe allowing yourself to walk one min every mile will be enough to push you through. A mental promise that if you run for the first 10 min, you get a deserved walk break at the end.

I also do the "see that mailbox at the end of the street? Get to that, and you can walk" discussion. Once I get there, I look far up the street to the next goal, and set my sights and run to that. Breaks things up a bit into mini goals.

 

[thebr0kenwriter]

Hey, my name's Kasey! I'm new to the thread but not a new runner.

I plan to do the Disney Princess Half in 2013 as well! I am a huge Disney fan and I just decided to do this one because it'd be about one of the best things ever to me.

I've done 5 5ks, 1 10k, and 1 half-marathon so far (planning a second for November) and the Princess Half will be my 3rd. I developed a love for running while losing weight (120lbs) and I've become addicted to racing and running!

 

[LuLuO]

Anyone have tips or book recommendations for developing that mental toughness that I seem to be lacking????

Ugh! I had a great race this week but I'm struggling to stay with it mentally. I have no problem getting out there for my runs. I love it. But, once I start running, everything in me says to stop. There's always that little voice that tells me my legs are tired or that I'm out of breath or not to do the second loop of the run since I'm already running past my driveway.

I can't get myself to shut up and I'm very convincing.

I was able to race a 5K this week without stopping to walk, but yet I can't convince myself to run the 1/2 mile to the end of my road without stopping to walk. It's very discouraging since I've seen my pace improve dramatically when I started logging more miles during training runs.

Anyone else deal with this?

The first mile is tough for me. I have a hard time getting into a good form and finding my pace. After that I'm usually good to go until the last half mile. After that, it is a struggle for me to stay in the zone, no matter what my goal distance.

It is a bit crazy, but when I start to struggle, I imagine myself running the last half mile of the Princess. I picture people cheering me on, Spaceship Earth, and other landmarks in Epcot and finally I picture myself crossing the finish line. Like I said, a bit crazy, but since that is my big goal right now, it is helping to give me that final push of my training runs.

 

[longhorns2]

Hey, my name's Kasey! I'm new to the thread but not a new runner.

I plan to do the Disney Princess Half in 2013 as well! I am a huge Disney fan and I just decided to do this one because it'd be about one of the best things ever to me.

I've done 5 5ks, 1 10k, and 1 half-marathon so far (planning a second for November) and the Princess Half will be my 3rd. I developed a love for running while losing weight (120lbs) and I've become addicted to racing and running!

Welcome Kasey! WTG on the weight loss!

 

[WsPrincess]

I do it too. I'm terrible.

A couple things I did to change my mindset.

No loops--- out and back only. If I loop past my house, then yep, I want to stop. If I convince myself to keep going, the next loop is pure torture. So see if you can find another running route. I have to drive to another location to run on the park trail but I found that the change of scenery inspires me for longer runs.

Are you doing set intervals? This helped me get over the wanting to walk so badly I couldn't focus on anything other than walking. If you are running consistently, maybe allowing yourself to walk one min every mile will be enough to push you through. A mental promise that if you run for the first 10 min, you get a deserved walk break at the end.

I also do the "see that mailbox at the end of the street? Get to that, and you can walk" discussion. Once I get there, I look far up the street to the next goal, and set my sights and run to that. Breaks things up a bit into mini goals.

I do these same things but I use fire hydrants. I know, strange, but they are bright red and they are spaced evenly so I basically get to one every 2 minutes.

I also use intervals so I go with I can always make it XXX then I get a break. I am using Jeff Galloway and they walk time helps me mentally.

I like looping past my house because I use it for a water break though only on longer runs (over 3 miles). Then I make deals with myself of if I can get there I can rest for the next interval or whatever it is.

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

Anyone have tips or book recommendations for developing that mental toughness that I seem to be lacking????

Ugh! I had a great race this week but I'm struggling to stay with it mentally. I have no problem getting out there for my runs. I love it. But, once I start running, everything in me says to stop. There's always that little voice that tells me my legs are tired or that I'm out of breath or not to do the second loop of the run since I'm already running past my driveway.

I can't get myself to shut up and I'm very convincing.

I was able to race a 5K this week without stopping to walk, but yet I can't convince myself to run the 1/2 mile to the end of my road without stopping to walk. It's very discouraging since I've seen my pace improve dramatically when I started logging more miles during training runs.

Anyone else deal with this?

I agree with Longhorns... I often end up stopping if I loop past my house. Also, regular walk intervals were a lifesaver for me when I was starting out. I'm looser about when I walk now, but when I knew "just 2 more minutes until I can walk" it made it SO much easier to keep going. I used the Galloway plan. (I'm still loosely doing Galloway but tend to save my walk segments for steep hills rather than specific times).

I recently read Run Like A Mother and found it to have some good inspirational tips.

 

[jodipaige2004]

So excited for registration on Tuesday! Now that July 1 has passed, I would guess a lot of us are racing for times we can submit for corral placement. I hope everyone has great races in the coming weeks. I did a 10k race in May, but obviously it was too early to submit the time. But I ran another one today with my running partner and it went so well, despite the heat and a course that didn't thrill me. This was her first time running 10k ever so she did awesome! Her time was 1:18. And, I ended up with 58:35 which I was happy with. Does anyone know what corrals those times would have put us in last year? I know it can change year to year, but just trying to get an idea! And we have a few more 10k races before the Princess too so hopefully we can improve. I can't wait to register and make this official!!!!!!

Jodi

 

[JCH]

So excited for registration on Tuesday! Now that July 1 has passed, I would guess a lot of us are racing for times we can submit for corral placement. I hope everyone has great races in the coming weeks. I did a 10k race in May, but obviously it was too early to submit the time. But I ran another one today with my running partner and it went so well, despite the heat and a course that didn't thrill me. This was her first time running 10k ever so she did awesome! Her time was 1:18. And, I ended up with 58:35 which I was happy with. Does anyone know what corrals those times would have put us in last year? I know it can change year to year, but just trying to get an idea! And we have a few more 10k races before the Princess too so hopefully we can improve. I can't wait to register and make this official!!!!!!

Jodi

I'm pretty sure you can use a time from May. Last year they had to be since July 1st, 2010, so I would assume this year will be since July 1st, 2011. I know for sure you can us last year's Princess race for proof.

 

[longhorns2]

So excited for registration on Tuesday! Now that July 1 has passed, I would guess a lot of us are racing for times we can submit for corral placement. I hope everyone has great races in the coming weeks. I did a 10k race in May, but obviously it was too early to submit the time. But I ran another one today with my running partner and it went so well, despite the heat and a course that didn't thrill me. This was her first time running 10k ever so she did awesome! Her time was 1:18. And, I ended up with 58:35 which I was happy with. Does anyone know what corrals those times would have put us in last year? I know it can change year to year, but just trying to get an idea! And we have a few more 10k races before the Princess too so hopefully we can improve. I can't wait to register and make this official!!!!!!

Jodi

Rockstar Princess! AWESOME!

You would be most certainly in A corral. Possibly B, but I would be 95% sure you would be in A. And you CAN use that time. So submit it when you register on Tuesday!

Your friend - WTG BTW!- depends on a lot of factors. I think she should go ahead and register with that time, and just send an email to update it if she runs a faster one later. I truly think there is some "preference" to people who submit times and register early vs those who register much later and don't submit times. That's just my personal observation- I have no proof.

Last year that would probably put her in D corral, maybe even E, but I would lean toward D. I had a 1:18 or 1:19 the year before and got into B corral with the time, but I know people with a much faster 10K time than I had were put into C corral last year.

 

[amykay9377]

No loops--- out and back only. If I loop past my house, then yep, I want to stop. If I convince myself to keep going, the next loop is pure torture. So see if you can find another running route. I have to drive to another location to run on the park trail but I found that the change of scenery inspires me for longer runs.

Are you doing set intervals? This helped me get over the wanting to walk so badly I couldn't focus on anything other than walking. If you are running consistently, maybe allowing yourself to walk one min every mile will be enough to push you through. A mental promise that if you run for the first 10 min, you get a deserved walk break at the end.

I also do the "see that mailbox at the end of the street? Get to that, and you can walk" discussion. Once I get there, I look far up the street to the next goal, and set my sights and run to that. Breaks things up a bit into mini goals.

Yep, I agree with all of these!

I try very hard not to Loop, well, except for the past 2 Sundays (which have been horrendously hot), when I went to the local track by my house. I knew that it was very hot and I would probably not be able to breathe because of hte heat, and I didn't want to get 'stuck' 2 miles from home.
Other than that though, I always out and back. It's a good feeling to get to the end of the Out, and start heading Back because you know you are halfway done and the Back seems to actually go faster than the Out!

Hey, my name's Kasey! I'm new to the thread but not a new runner.

I plan to do the Disney Princess Half in 2013 as well! I am a huge Disney fan and I just decided to do this one because it'd be about one of the best things ever to me.

I've done 5 5ks, 1 10k, and 1 half-marathon so far (planning a second for November) and the Princess Half will be my 3rd. I developed a love for running while losing weight (120lbs) and I've become addicted to racing and running!

Welcome!! Congrats on the awesome weight loss!

It is a bit crazy, but when I start to struggle, I imagine myself running the last half mile of the Princess. I picture people cheering me on, Spaceship Earth, and other landmarks in Epcot and finally I picture myself crossing the finish line. Like I said, a bit crazy, but since that is my big goal right now, it is helping to give me that final push of my training runs.

I love this! Totally stealing your idea

 

[Mommy to Two Princes]

Does anyone know if you get a discount off the registration price if you use the Disney Visa card?

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Does anyone know if you get a discount off the registration price if you use the Disney Visa card?

Good Question

 

[happybaker]

A big thanks to everyone who offered up their opinion on whether or not to run the distance prior to the race itself. I'm still torn. My original thoughs were to save the 13.1 for the actual race. If I did that I would probably train running between 12-13 miles on the high end (following Galloway) and save that last .1 for the Princess.

But then I love a good race and having the chance to do a practice race and meet some fellow Princesses (mamasmurf227 and DeerIsleMaine) would be really nice too. And having an ice cold beer at the end of the race doesn't hurt either. I guess I have some thinking to do.

No loops--- out and back only. If I loop past my house, then yep, I want to stop. If I convince myself to keep going, the next loop is pure torture. So see if you can find another running route. I have to drive to another location to run on the park trail but I found that the change of scenery inspires me for longer runs.

I do this too. I can't quit halfway by doing it this way. There was once when I just couldn't continue my intervals that day and I walked most of the return back, but I still got the miles in.

I'm excited for registration tomorrow! I can't wait to make it official! Anyone doing both the half and the 5K? If so, are you registering for both tomorrow?

Holly

 

[Heatherann1015]

So I broke the news to my hubby last night that I wanted to do this. He thinks that I have lost my mind. He also thinks that I should know for sure that I can go 13.1 miles before I put the $$ out. He isn't much support in that department. He likes the idea of me trying to better myself. (he was the same way when I told him I wanted to do a 5K)

When I first started running in February I wasn't able to run for 30 seconds without feeling like I was going to die! In my second ever 5K a couple of weeks ago I averaged a 13.5 minute mile. I was very proud of myself. And it was HOT!!

So I guess I'm just rambeling... With or without his support I AM DOING THIS!!

 

[Stitch Pelekai]

So I broke the news to my hubby last night that I wanted to do this. He thinks that I have lost my mind. He also thinks that I should know for sure that I can go 13.1 miles before I put the $$ out. He isn't much support in that department. He likes the idea of me trying to better myself. (he was the same way when I told him I wanted to do a 5K)

When I first started running in February I wasn't able to run for 30 seconds without feeling like I was going to die! In my second ever 5K a couple of weeks ago I averaged a 13.5 minute mile. I was very proud of myself. And it was HOT!!

So I guess I'm just rambeling... With or without his support I AM DOING THIS!!

Good for you, Heather! I can admit that I am waffling a bit on whether or not I can do this, especially considering the cost, but I am also afraid that if I back out of it, I'll never do something like this in the future!

I like your determination, and your speed is awesome for a relatively new runner. Can't wait till I can boast the same results!