The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[Cripey]

Originally Posted by happybaker

For those that have run the Princess before (or any half), how important was it for you to run the distance prior?

Holly

You'll probably get alot of different answers on this one...I really think it's more of a mental thing for most so everyone's gonna see it differently for different reasons. For me, Princess 2011 was my first half marathon...it was a BIG deal to me, as I'm sure it is for most. My training plan took me to 10 miles max. For very strange convoluded reasons in my head that only make sense to me I'm sure, I needed to run 11, so that's what I did on my last run before starting to taper. However, I never wanted to go all the way to 13.1 for training. I wanted my first time at that distance to be at the race itself! I religiously stuck to my training plan and had some really great supporters in my family and trainer so I was pretty confident by that time that I could do those extra 2 miles on race day...probably on adrenaline alone if I had to. It felt great, and I'm glad I stuck to my plan. I don't think there's anything wrong with doing the full distance before the race itself though if that's what you feel you need to do! Whatever is going to make you more relaxed and confident on race day is good

[longhorns2]

Glad you had a pain free race Julie! Yay! I ran a miserable--- miissserrraabblleee 10K in March. Humidity through the roof, hot day too (90s I think) and it was a nightmare. I swore I wouldnt be back to that race ever again, even though it's one of my favorite ones in Austin. 6 miles can be really long when it's hot and gross. Glad you guys made it through!

Holly- For my first race I KNEW I had to do 13 or more before race day to prove to myself I could do it. I was pregnant and walking the whole thing and concerned mostly about just finishing and not getting swept. My second half marathon I was more laid back. I knew I had done the training runs and I think I only went up to 11 miles before the race. The next race was a month later for the Princess and I think I only did a 10 miler before it.

So I did 11 miles, 2 weeks later a 13.1 mile race, 2 weeks later 10 miles, then 13.1 PHM.

I finished both races feeling great. I am NOT a seasoned or professional or expert runner at all, but I have learned one thing. Trust the training. Put in the miles ahead of time and you will finish just fine!

[freepixie]

Originally Posted by happybaker

For those that have run the Princess before (or any half), how important was it for you to run the distance prior? I know a lot of training plans don't go as high as 13 miles, but even if I don't run a practice half race I still intend to at least run the distance in training. I figure since my long runs are already up to 6 - 7 miles, I'll have time to run the 13 miles a couple of times prior to the Princess and I may have a little more endurance/speed near the end of the race.

For me, I felt it was important to know how that distance "felt" to me, so about 3-4 weeks before the Princess, I actually did the 13.1- I didn't time it, I just wanted to know to myself that I "could" actually do that distance.

As far as how it "felt" I was so way off the mark on that one Training run for 13.1 feels totally different than racing 13.1 I was so sore after the Princess I swore I'd never run again, but here I am training for the TOT 10-miler LOL

[saysay]

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://

[DeerIsleDisney]

Originally Posted by Mamasmurf227

There's the Smuttynose Hampton Rockfest Half at the end of Sept. I'm doing that as my "am I sure I can do this?" half before the Princess. It is supposed to be a fairly flat, scenic course. I figure that if I can't run the whole thing, I'll at least have a nice walk along the ocean those last few miles.

That sounds fun! Do you get a Smuttynose at the finish? I'm going to look it up. I've been looking only at races in Maine, but NH is not much further.

[DisneyLoveOCNJ]

Hi all!

This will be my first runDisney half marathon and I am doing it with my friend. My main question was, does registration fill up fast? How many people are allowed to run the marathon?

Any tips from others?

[Tinker Gal]

Originally Posted by tinkeramy

What race did you do? That's horrible! But it does happen. I had a friend do her first IronMan triathlon in a summer month and they ran out of water - seriously?! Glad you refocused and I can assure you that the Dis will not disappoint!

It was the Firecracker in Dahlonega (avoid Five Star NTB events).

BTW, I'm an Amy, too, so I really dig your screen name!

[Tinker Gal]

Thanks for the encouragement after the botched 10k. I knew I came to the right place for a reinforced pick-me-up! Keep running, Princesses.

[Mamasmurf227]

Originally Posted by DeerIsleDisney

That sounds fun! Do you get a Smuttynose at the finish? I'm going to look it up. I've been looking only at races in Maine, but NH is not much further.

Yes! You should come do it!

[scrapAM]

Originally Posted by happybaker
For those that have run the Princess before (or any half), how important was it for you to run the distance prior?

Holly


2012 was my first half marathon, and I had the same question then. Before the Princess the most I had run was 8 miles. This was due to numerous things, the main one being shin splints! Myself and 2 friends followed the galloway plan except for the high mileage at the end. We continued to follow the 3 runs per week though. We ended up completing the princess strong! Now we did not break any speed barriers, but we did not get swept and felt good at the finish line. We were nervous because we had not done the 13.1 miles prior, and were very happy to be sporting that medal at the end!

[J3nn78]

I am in, along with DH.

I completed the 2011 WDW Full and W&D Half. My last race was the 2012 Half in January and then I found out I was expecting baby #3. We thought we were done, but looking forward to this surprise.(Except for having to postpone Goofy 2013 to 2014)

Anyway, I was planning on running throughout this pregnancy to stay in shape and not lose much running fitness. But, this pregnancy had other plans and complications for me. I have not been able to run since April when I got put on bed rest for a uterine prolapse. Now(26 weeks) I am just trying to start walking with a little sprint here and there, when I can. It really sucks because I am now so out of shape and gained so much already.

I am due in late Sept/Early Oct. I need a goal to get back into shape, so decided collecting the Princess medal would be it. I will have to start my training back right at 6 weeks so hopefully all goes well. I know it will suck to start running all over again. Doing the full in 2011 was the goal that got me started running. I went from Couch to marathon, LOL. So hopefully this will do the trick again to keep me motivated when it is difficult!

We are going to just fly in late Friday night, Expo Saturday, race Sunday, and fly back Sunday night. We won't be touring the parks at all this time. I don't want to be away from my nursing baby any longer than necessary.

[longhorns2]

Originally Posted by DisneyLoveOCNJ

Hi all!

This will be my first runDisney half marathon and I am doing it with my friend. My main question was, does registration fill up fast? How many people are allowed to run the marathon?

Any tips from others?

It didn't sell out until Dec 2010 or early Jan 2011 for the 2011 race, and Feb 20,2012 this year, I believe.

But this is an anniversary year, so it may sell out faster this time around.

[JerzPrincess]

So looking forward to the Princess 1/2 this year!! Can not wait to sign up on Tuesday. Has anyone heard if there will be anything special going on for the 5 year??

[stamot]

HI!!
My name is Desiree and I will be running the Princess half again with my husband. This is the first time my husband is going to run it with me and Im very excited. We are now thinking of costumes.

[poohbear8]

I spent much of today reading most of the posts here. Please add me to the list, I will be there!

Here's my story:
My name is Peg. My first ever race was the Royal Family 5k back in Feb. My DH and I were on a short anniversary trip in Jan. during Marathon weekend and he offered to fly me back down if I would train for the 5k. So I started c25k the day after we got back and never looked back. I have always loved the idea of being a runner, but never thought I could run.

I trained on the treadmill for the race, mainly due to the cold. DH kept telling me to run outside, but I mentally wasn't ready. I was so scared I would get out there and realize I could not run like I was able to on the TM. I had the time down and was planning on stopping for photos, but the lines were so long, my running buddy and I just kept going. My goal had been if my feet were moving, I wanted to be jogging. (I didn't want to have to walk it. I had NO idea that walking was ok. I always thought that ALL runners did that...they RAN, or else they weren't runners. Little did I know!!) In the end, we ran the whole thing, with no stops for photos. I thought I was going to die and realized later the reason was I had run faster than I had ever done on the TM!

Thankfully, I had signed up for the ToT at the Expo since I knew I would be there with my DD and her friend. (had I waited to sign up after the race...I might not have, I was that tired!)

Fast forward to now and I am on week 6 of Jeff Galloway's training program for the ToT. I have increased my speed both on the treadmill and I run outside now. I'm still not sure which plan is the best one for me, but for now, I'm sticking with Jeff's.

I have a 10K scheduled for 7/28 at night, so I will hopefully get a good time and get the "night" feeling also. I am also kicking around the idea of doing the VA Beach Rock & Roll 1/2 in early Sept., but DH is busy and there is no one who would be there to cheer me on.

I've enjoyed reading about everyone and look forward to getting to know you through the posts between now and then!