Hi friends! I was trying to put together some combination of the words Princesses, Biggest, and Losers.....but it was not coming together well!
Yesterday was a shovel XT day for me (almost 2 hours, because though we didn't get THAT much, there was a bunch from the plow blocking our driveway, and our pile is now big enough that I end up moving the snow essentially up and over the mountain) . I was smart and subbed in in for Bodypump - I really am going to try to avoid going into Princess overtrained, but it's still technically the recovery period for WDW 1/2 so we'll see if I manage to take it easy enough.
On the other hand, I really did not pull out all the stops for that race, which makes a difference as well in how much recovery is needed, I believe.
Yes, OK, Jellyrolls is very fun! I am so glad it went smoke-free a few years ago because honestly, the idea of a smoke-filled bar never appealed to me, whether or not there was great entertainment. So glad you're planning for it, Rose!
Oh, I kind of like the idea of having the meet at one of the ALL STARS. I don't think it's been done before, but a lot of the people I know are staying there, and there will be Expo busses. We could get a photo on that winner's stand thing.
I will look into it.
So now because this is the first longer race for many of us, I am going to give some unsolicited clothing and general racing advice. I know it's fun to think about how fabulous we want to look during a race, less fun to think about this stuff, but it is very important to your race experience that you think about these issues as well as you prepare what you want to wear. Here's some of the wisdom on race gear that I've learned over the years. I am also including some non-wardrobe race tips, just to get them out there.
1. "Nothing New on Race Day." This applies to things like GU and Powerade, as Maria mentioned (I've seen more people feel bad after the GU station) BUT even more of the time, it refers to clothes and shoes. It is tempting to buy something awesome at the expo and show up with it on race day, BUT if you wear something you've never done a long run in before, you don't really know how that garment is going to work for you or where it might chafe, bind or ride up. Even things like a tag you didn't notice or a thread that didn't get trimmed quite right can leave you with a nasty, bloody chafe at the end of 13.1 miles, so you want to start trying out your race outfit in the next couple of weeks so you have a few long runs to tweak and refine. And learn where to put the bodyglide. And if running in a tutu or tiara is going to drive you nuts, it's better to know now than to figure it out at mile 3 of 13.
Frankly, you don't even want to try new combinations on race day. Here's a true story from last year's January half. It was so cold, I decided I had to run in tights, but wanted to wear a skirt over it for, you know, looks. The skirt I had along had no drawstring and I hadn't worn it over tights before. Around the mile 1 marker, I notice...my skirt is practically around my knees! Turns out that particular skirt, while I'd run in it many times with no problems, does not stay up well over the slicker spandex running tights.
I couldn't just ditch the skirt, even if I wanted to because that is where I had my number!! I managed to work it out by putting my spi-belt UNDER the skirt, but talk about un-ideal.
2. Use bodyglide. I almost never need it for runs less than 10 miles, but going up to the half distance...I put it on my feet to prevent blisters, my bra band and certain places on the straps and under my iPod clip to prevent chafing. You can get it at running stores, obviously, but other good places to find Bodyglide so you can try it before the race: Bike stores, sporting goods stores (Dick's and REI usually have it) and
Amazon.com.
3. Cotton Kills. I am guessing most of you know this by now, but I am throwing it in there just in case. You don't want to wear cotton because it gets wet and chafes. No cotton underwear, shirts, pants and especially NO cotton socks in a half marathon.
4. Eat carefully the night before. Many of us are making ADR's for this weekend, but please be careful what you choose to eat the night before the race. It should not be too different from what you would eat at home and it should not have a ton of fiber or spice. They do pasta dinners before races for a reason - everyone thinks it is all about the carbs, but me? I think it's because it is simple food, easy to digest. Personally, I also avoid Mexican food right before a race.
5. Don't wear your race "finisher's" shirt on race day. Unless your other option is to freeze or roast, many people consider it bad luck to wear your race shirt before you've finished the race. Many others consider it to be in bad taste. Almost everyone considers it to be a "Newby" thing to do. I consider it to come under the heading of "nothing new on race day."
6. Pin your number to your front. Every race, I see people with their numbers pinned to their backs. I guess there are some sports where this is the thing to do, but in running....it's the front for a couple of reasons:
A. Identifying you in photos - if your number is visible, after the race, you will be able to go to the ASI website and find a folder of all your photos and videos. If your number is not visible, you will be sifting through lost and found for a few hours.
B. They sometimes announce your name as you're crossing the finish line. They can't do that if they can't see your number!!
C. Crowd Support. There there will be some in the Magic Kingdom and some outside of Epcot,and if cheerers can read your name, they may just call it out!! Even at the water stops, you may find yourself addressed by name if your bib is in front.
D. If there is a problem with your chipped time (as Maria had happen this year) they will use your photo to calculate your official time. Good thing Maria's number was visible in her photos!
7. Don't go out too fast - the start of the race is exciting and you may be swept along in the excitement, but every second you gain at the start, you'll lose two at the end because of the fatigue. Plan to pace yourself as you've done in your training runs and you'll finish strong!
8. Fueling: Plan to eat something on race morning. Whatever is usual for you, OR something bland that will sit well. I never eat this except before a race, but I like a plain bagel, some peanut butter, banana and milk in the room. People often bring a clif or luna-type bar to the start if they aren't hungry when they first wake in the room. One of my good friends likes the uncrustables sandwiches available at the resorts. They are incredibly caloric, however, so beware. Again, this is not time to try out new fueling strategies - make sure you try running after eating whatever you decide you want to eat pre-race.
9. Water: They will have Powerade at the front and Water in the back of the stop. The cups will be different for both, and the volunteers will shout what they are holding. Water stops vs. bringing your own water: I don't want to be alarmist, but I know Disney did run out of water during one of the races that year it was really hot. I think they had a lot more demand than they expected. It has not been a problem since, and knowing Disney, they would not let that happen again. Last year, I waited 20 minutes in line to get my checked bag in January. This year, I walked up to a table and the bag was in my hand in literally 10 seconds. I would expect that Disney will have the water covered. I do always like to run with my water belt, though - I can sip more neatly from it while running, I can also decide myself when I want a drink instead of wondering where that next water stop is. It is a matter of personal preference.
10. Bathrooms - There are port-a-potties at the start, both at the Epcot parking lot and out by the start area. Many people recommend getting into line and then getting back into line again.
There are also port-a-potties near each water stop on the course and you can stop at the TTC bathroom or the bathrooms in the parks if you know where they are. For myself, I always figure I do better by just stopping and using the facilities rather than by getting uncomfortable and having to slow down. But that's just me.
11. Checking a bag - Some people prefer not to as it's one less thing to worry about. People who drive often keep a few things in their car. I always check a bag. I pack warm clothes to change into and also my own favorite post-race snacks. For some reason, the snacks at the end of a Disney race always seem to be a little light on salt for my preferences. Typically they have Bananas, Oranges, Protein Bars, Muffins, water and Powerade in bottles. I like to bring along some pretzels or other salty food, and my favorite energy bar.
12. D-Tags - there are elaborate instructions for attaching this look to your shoe, but really it is not that hard. Dont' be tempted to squish it flat under your laces - it could impact the machine's ability to collect your data.
13. If you want a massage after the race, they are available (in a tent before the bag claim exit) for $1 per minute, cash. I suggest 10 minutes - it is enough to get you a little loosened up, not so long that you start to get cold. Again, bring CASH with you in the race if you have an interest in this. This is BEFORE the bag claim tent. Depending on your finish time, there may be a wait for a massage.
And my last, favorite tip:
14. If you are going back to your hotel room after the race, be sure to leave the "Do Not Disturb" sign out! Nothing is more frustrating than getting back to your room wanting nothing more than a shower and rest to find that the maid is in the middle of things in your room. In fact, I usually put this sign out the night before so I don't have to think of it as I am leaving in the early morning!
All right, I've said too much. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!
P.S. Maria - I am hoping I will be in Corral A for this race again this year. If it's a lot bigger than last year, it may be B, but a girl can hope!
Don't know if I will be brave enough to wear them for the race but they are so cute. I have another sparkleshirt that I can wear over my capris. Can't decide which one I will try for my run today but I know I will be one sparkley runner today! 
, Those are some great adjectives chirppy and sparkly. Cant get much better than that.
I hope the skirts worked well for you. I bet it looks great.
can you tell? So it might be TM for me tonight or I might just push it off until tomorrow where I have to juggle a few more things around to fit it in.
I totally get the 2-parent runner issue, particularly since dh just trained for his first Full. It's hard when one spouse is running for over 4 hours at a time on the weekend. Even though my ds is older, just getting him where he needs to be is time-consuming. DH is now training for the Boston Marathon in April, and he's decided he didn't do enough cross-training or hill training last time, so he's going to be spending even more time on it...it's a good thing I can mostly do my runs in the morning before work. DS leaves for school around 6:30, and I'm already on the TM...
I hope you are able to enjoy the weekend, even with some work thrown in. 
Hulahoopy!
I think that is a fabulous idea! I will not be in early enough Friday to meet at the Expo, so something later would be great for me as well. I will also wait at the W tent, but my wait won't be as long as Corinna's! Corral B or C, whatever, she is rockin' out the Half times! 
I basically had to spit it out because I could feel it making me sick a few years ago. Only ingest things your body is familiar with! This means if you don't normally use Powerade, don't start it at Mile Whatever. I only run with water, and it's fine for me. If you want to drink the Powerade, be sure you train with with on your long runs. 
See above about Jelly Rolls.
bow down to you for wearing the sparkleskirt at the gym. I did think about wearing mine out, but just don't think I can do it. 
