The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[Lauraldawn]

Originally Posted by SuperHappyFunTimes

Ugh I had a terrible long run today. I got up to 6.2 miles two weeks ago and felt fine after the first one. I doubled my running intervals last weekend (and did a 20 mile bike ride the day before) and felt ok on the run but kind of sick after. This weekend, I skipped the bike ride and dropped the running intervals back to 2/2 and just had a rough time.

1. My toddler had a rough night, up repeatedly crying and taking hours to settle again and wanting to nurse all night. Teething? Gas? Getting sick? Who knows??

2. Because of that, we slept in and I didn't start my run until blose to 10am. It was in the mid 80's, humid and very sunny.

3. It was my second run in new shoes and socks.

4. My run Friday with the jogging stroller was kind of hard and then I took DS to an indoor gym/play center that involved lots of climbing up ropes after him and holding him up on gym equipment.

5. I tried orange sports beans. Disgusting!!! Ugh, they almost made me puke. There is no way I could eat a whole bag of those.

So, I ran out of steam around mile 3, stopped for water and the gross beans, pushed myself to run/walk another mile or so and then just trudged the last mile home. I know I go too fast on my long runs, but feeling this wrung out is not usual for me. I don't know what caused it, maybe all of the above. I'm thinking of taking a week off, maybe I'm burned out? It just seems strange for the same distance to be getting harder each week. I hope everyone else is having better long runs this weekend.

Ugh.
When I have that problem I take a break. I'm still trying to get over feeling guilty when I take a break, but truthfully when I take that break I always come back stronger.
Last week I had a really rough long run, and it was a series of things also - too much going on, sore muscles, and my 4 year old had nightmares which not only woke me up but gave me nightmares!
My coach's advice - give myself a break. (I'm not sure she meant sleep in, eat crap and have pumpkin spice lattes, but it worked!)

[KristinU]

Originally Posted by cjnix29

I keep stalking this thread! I haven't registered yet, but keep watching how it is filling up too. I am running my first half marathon in about a month, and hoping my second will be the Princess Half. Hoping I can trade my timeshare into DVC, and keep thinking that if it comes up for the right week, it means I need to register! A year ago, I was 60 pounds heavier, and never in my LIFE did I ever think I would run a half marathon! But did 9 today, and think I just may make it to 13 in time for the Grand Rapids Half. Love seeing all the enthusiasm here, it's inspiring!!!

Congrats on the new you! And lol, I would be doing the same waiting for the sign to sign up. I don't know how the timeshare trade works...but sending pixie dust your way for it to fall into place

[teacher31]

I registered today! Ironically this morning's run was horrible. Hopefully Wednesday will be better. I can't wait til February!

[MouserQ]

Hey Princesses! Just checking in! I started this process as a total newbie with nothing but treadmill miles under my belt and within one month and some new shoes I'm now someone who thinks "I feel like going running!" I'm still slow, but I seem to get faster every time I'm out -- just keep imagining running through that castle!

I also thought this would be the perfect place to mention that I think Colonel Hathi's March from the Jungle Book is the absolute perfect warm up song. I've also been pretty inspired by One Jump Ahead from Aladdin. :

Got my first 5k in 3 weeks! Eek!

[VickiHD]

Originally Posted by MouserQ

Hey Princesses! Just checking in! I started this process as a total newbie with nothing but treadmill miles under my belt and within one month and some new shoes I'm now someone who thinks "I feel like going running!" I'm still slow, but I seem to get faster every time I'm out -- just keep imagining running through that castle!

I also thought this would be the perfect place to mention that I think Colonel Hathi's March from the Jungle Book is the absolute perfect warm up song. I've also been pretty inspired by One Jump Ahead from Aladdin. :

Got my first 5k in 3 weeks! Eek!

I also just love running to Disney songs and even music from the park.

[Figment1990]

Originally Posted by VickiHD

I also just love running to Disney songs and even music from the park.

I'm not running in the princess (doing W&D this november though) but i wanted to chime in and say that I added "Remember the Magic" from the MK's 25th anniversary show/parade to my playlist this weekend and it was inspiring! Maybe it was all the "our park guests will take to the streets and join us as we celebrate" announcing but I could almost pretend I was running down Main Street....

[CruiseBoundnKY]

Coming out of lurk-dom. Lol

I'm 37 yo, mom of 2. I've always wanted to run but never convinced myself that I could until now.

I've been working out for about two months. I'm def still considerably over weight but I've been doing walk/ run events the past few weekends.

I really want to sign up but part of me is terrified. I'm scared I won't get my time under the 16 before then, I'm scared of injury and mostly I'm scared of being swept.

Today I went to work and received a bonus out of nowhere. Not alot but enough to cover the entry fee and then some.

So now I have no excuses but my own. I went to the dr today and he cleared me to train. I know I'm very comfortable after working out an hour and could go again. Ugh idk. Advice on taking the plunge anyone?

Thanks! Karen

[creativeamanda]

Joining in--I've registered and will be running my second half--first Disney race.

[dmonroe]

Originally Posted by CruiseBoundnKY

Coming out of lurk-dom. Lol

I'm 37 yo, mom of 2. I've always wanted to run but never convinced myself that I could until now.

I've been working out for about two months. I'm def still considerably over weight but I've been doing walk/ run events the past few weekends.

I really want to sign up but part of me is terrified. I'm scared I won't get my time under the 16 before then, I'm scared of injury and mostly I'm scared of being swept.

Today I went to work and received a bonus out of nowhere. Not alot but enough to cover the entry fee and


So now I have no excuses but my own. I went to the dr today and he cleared me to train. I know I'm very comfortable after working out an hour and could go again. Ugh idk. Advice on taking the plunge anyone?

Thanks! Karen

Just do it! Seriously, for years I said I wanted to run this, but always found an excuse and put it off until the next year. This year when registration opened, I just filled out the form and submitted it. I did not give myself time to think about it or talk myself out of it.
You have time to train and get under the 16 minute mark. And even if you don't get there, so what? You trained, you tried and you will be a heck of a lot healthier than before! Go register now!

[Princess Sleepy]

Hi fellow princesses! This will be my first half marathon and my second Disney race (I did the Expedition Everest Challenge with a friend last spring). I am so excited to find this thread.

I have not read all 100+ pages yet, but am wondering about where and when to send my DM and DDs (6 and 9) as spectators. Not sure they want to get up as early as I plan to, but I know they will want to see me finish. Any advice? Should we splurge on the spectator package? It would be kind of a lot of $ for three people.

I was so psyched to see the costume ideas here too. I wasn't sure wearing a villain costume to a princess race was ok. Will everyone be in a costume? Is it uncomfortable to run that far in one?

I am looking forward to reading more as the weeks go on.

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

I ran my first 10K race yesterday. It was about 1000 people. Largest race I have been in. It was a blast.
My time was 1:21. Very, Very happy with that.

Here is my comments about my first race:
I ran alone, but met lots of nice women along the way.
It was fun to see the creative costumes people wore.
I paced with a Jeff Galloway group most of the way.
Going down hill was harder on me than going up hill

After the race I tried to drive the course to show it to my husband. I could not remember the course. . Note to self next race pay better attention to my surroundings not just the 20 feet in front of me.

For all the newbies I started run/walk/run this past March. If I can do this, at age 51, never very athletic, I have MS, then anybody can. Next goal will be a half. and I use to think 3 miles was impossible

[ncsjodi]

I'm coming out of lurkdom too.

The Princess will be my first half as well. I started my "get healthy and lose weight" journey back in January 2011 and have lost 100 pounds since then. I'm about 15-20 pounds from my goal weight. Back when I started my journey, running a half marathon wasn't really a goal of mine, but as I started running, I realized that I could totally do this!

I've done quite a few 5K races (PR=32:05) and did my first 10K last Saturday (1:06:38). I'm not sure where that will land me in terms of corrals, but I'll be happy not being in the last one.

I'm all registered for the race and the race retreat. I've got my flight booked and my room reserved at BWV. Going to start the Galloway plan at the end of October. Now all I can do is wait and read along....

[yulilin3]

Originally Posted by Princess Sleepy

Hi fellow princesses! This will be my first half marathon and my second Disney race (I did the Expedition Everest Challenge with a friend last spring). I am so excited to find this thread.

I have not read all 100+ pages yet, but am wondering about where and when to send my DM and DDs (6 and 9) as spectators. Not sure they want to get up as early as I plan to, but I know they will want to see me finish. Any advice? Should we splurge on the spectator package? It would be kind of a lot of $ for three people.

I was so psyched to see the costume ideas here too. I wasn't sure wearing a villain costume to a princess race was ok. Will everyone be in a costume? Is it uncomfortable to run that far in one?

I am looking forward to reading more as the weeks go on.

I would love to hearr your report on the Expedition Everest Challenge, my DD11 and I will do it next year.

Originally Posted by Strawberry's mom&dad

I ran my first 10K race yesterday. It was about 1000 people. Largest race I have been in. It was a blast.
My time was 1:21. Very, Very happy with that.

Here is my comments about my first race:
I ran alone, but met lots of nice women along the way.
It was fun to see the creative costumes people wore.
I paced with a Jeff Galloway group most of the way.
Going down hill was harder on me than going up hill

After the race I tried to drive the course to show it to my husband. I could not remember the course. . Note to self next race pay better attention to my surroundings not just the 20 feet in front of me.

For all the newbies I started run/walk/run this past March. If I can do this, at age 51, never very athletic, I have MS, then anybody can. Next goal will be a half. and I use to think 3 miles was impossible

Same here, I also used to think a 5K was crazy talk and look at us now.

Originally Posted by ncsjodi

I'm coming out of lurkdom too.

The Princess will be my first half as well. I started my "get healthy and lose weight" journey back in January 2011 and have lost 100 pounds since then. I'm about 15-20 pounds from my goal weight. Back when I started my journey, running a half marathon wasn't really a goal of mine, but as I started running, I realized that I could totally do this!

I've done quite a few 5K races (PR=32:05) and did my first 10K last Saturday (1:06:38). I'm not sure where that will land me in terms of corrals, but I'll be happy not being in the last one.

I'm all registered for the race and the race retreat. I've got my flight booked and my room reserved at BWV. Going to start the Galloway plan at the end of October. Now all I can do is wait and read along....

Wow!! Great story, the Princess Half will also be my first half and probably not my last, already looking into doing the Wine and Dine next year

[KristinU]

Originally Posted by Princess Sleepy

Will everyone be in a costume? Is it uncomfortable to run that far in one?

Not everyone will be in a costume, so don't worry about feeling out of place if you don't wear one. I'm very much not a costume or tutu girl (I'm all about the comfort of tech fabrics), but I wanted to try to do something slightly princessy when I ran it in 2011...so I wasted a lot of time and energy (and $$$) worrying about trying to find a running skirt that was comfortable for me. In the end I just wore a pair of my regular old running shorts and comfortable tank like I always do...but I did pick up a bondiband with a sparkly crown on it that I wore, so I did have my small princessy thing on and my tank was kinda Cinderella blue

Whatever you choose to wear, be sure to run a long run in it before race day. I learned that lesson the hard way with a hydration belt for my first half...the forecast was warmer than average so I freaked out and went and bought it maybe 4 days before the race, ran a little 3 miler with it and thought it was fine...that thing was literally the worst part of my first half. Had I not coughed up almost $50 for it I would have chucked it to the side of the road long about mile 5 or 6 - it chafed my back in an awful way. So I definitely adhere to the NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY mantra now!

[Princess on the Run]

Originally Posted by KristinU

NSo I definitely adhere to the NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY mantra now!

On this note...

I did a little 5K on 4th of July and thought I'd be cute and wore red, white ad blue beads (you know the Mardi Gras kind?) I had 6 strands. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal but by the 2nd mile they were really bugging me banging up and down and pulling on my neck.

I am planning to runt he Princess dressed as Tink and have an adorable dress that is actually a dance costume so it's very movable and breathable. But the wings are my only concern since I have never run int hem before. I got them from Team Sparkle and I know people do it all the time but I don't want to be the one on race day discarding parts of my costume. I also don't really want to run through my neighborhood in wings if I can avoid it.

Does anyone have tips for running in wings? I saw the Tam Sparkle tip on how to wear them, but for anyone who has done a longer run in wings, what was your experience in terms of how they affect you?