Calling all Princess 1/2 Marathoner's! Check in here! *UPDATE* PRE-RACE MEET INFO!

[Jyl189]

biofreeze is great
My doc also advised me to take Magnesium vitamins to help with cramping and sore muscles...
i take one or two every day depending on my work out...
every little bit helps!!

 

[DISNEYDUET]

biofreeze is great
My doc also advised me to take Magnesium vitamins to help with cramping and sore muscles...
i take one or two every day depending on my work out...
every little bit helps!!

Just be careful taking the vitamin and eating bananas! Very nasty side affects!!

 

[Alphabetsoup]

Ohhh...the biofreeze stuff sounds like just the ticket!! I'm having a hard time finding some locally. Have any of you seen it online anywhere?

 

[Caitsmama]

Also Soupy -- I can't help with the cramping issue, as i am a newer person too (only have done one 5k), but as for the race -- if you feel that the 1/2 is too much, what about signing up for the 5k -- at least it will give you a push in the right direction without the fear of really hurting yourself! No medal is worth months of physical therapy after!! I am just saying, it's an option. But, keep in mind, we are all here for you and will do anything we can to help you through to get that medal!!

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

I was just coming here to ask about calf cramping as well.

I am desperately trying to train but my cramping and soreness is holding me back. I can get about 4 miles in before it feels like my calves turn into rocks. After that starts happening my legs burn so bad that I can't keep up the pace. I don't seem to cramp as bad when I do the treadmill, although I still do. I get horrible ones when I run/walk outside. I stretch before, multiple times during, and after. Yesterday I did 6 miles and an hour later I couldn't walk down the steps properly. LOL I know from experience this will last the week. Every time I do a long run my calves hurt for the rest of the week so much that I really can't run/walk at all. I do step aerobics two days a week and barley can even do that anymore because my legs are burning so badly. By the end of class I don't even feel like I have control of my legs. LOL

I will also look for the biofreeze. I had my running shoes fitted to me so I don't know if that could be a factor or not. Hmmm...

Any other advise would be really appreciated!!

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

I was just coming here to ask about calf cramping as well.

I am desperately trying to train but my cramping and soreness is holding me back. I can get about 4 miles in before it feels like my calves turn into rocks. After that starts happening my legs burn so bad that I can't keep up the pace. I don't seem to cramp as bad when I do the treadmill, although I still do. I get horrible ones when I run/walk outside. I stretch before, multiple times during, and after. Yesterday I did 6 miles and an hour later I couldn't walk down the steps properly. LOL I know from experience this will last the week. Every time I do a long run my calves hurt for the rest of the week so much that I really can't run/walk at all. I do step aerobics two days a week and barley can even do that anymore because my legs are burning so badly. By the end of class I don't even feel like I have control of my legs. LOL

I will also look for the biofreeze. I had my running shoes fitted to me so I don't know if that could be a factor or not. Hmmm...

Any other advise would be really appreciated!!

You're already stretching a lot so that's good. Are you also doing a light warm-up before you stretch? A month ago I had this problem where I couldn't run more than a mile without getting this horrible pain in my lower leg/ankle area. I ended up visiting a physical therapist who told me to really focus on warming-up and stretching. Now for every run, I have to plan in an additional 40 minutes so that I can warm-up for 10 minutes, stretch for 10 , do my run, then cool-down for 10 and stretch for 10 at the end. It's hard to make such a huge time commitment, but I think it's helped me stay pain free.

The other thing is that I also had my running shoes fitted. They were working fine until I started running longer distances. The physical therapist suggested orthodics. When I went into a sports medicine store to get the orthodics, the employee said my shoes were the right type for me, I just needed a bit of extra support.

Sorry I don't have any specific advice, just my own stories to share. I hope you're able to figure out the cause of the cramping and continue on with your training. Best wishes!

 

[mla1977]

Pocahantas,

Have you tried icing after a long run? I tried that after my LR last week and had no problems the next day. I also iced yesterday after my LR and I'm a little sore today, but nothing like I have been in the past without icing.

 

[Alphabetsoup]

I found this info out and thought I might share it with the rest of you in case it helps anyone else.

1. HYDRATE: If cramps are coming on later in your workout (after the first couple of miles), chances are that you are not hydrated enough. Remember we even lose H20 when breathing, so between breathing harder and sweating, we are losing some serious water. Make sure you are taking some additional water periodically. Also, don't forget to hydrate after your work out to replace what you have lost. I think that I am learning the hard way - 1 bad day of not getting all of my water in, then trying to exercise the next day...I'm already at a water deficit, so a little bit of exercise just makes it worse.

2. When sweating, we also lose valuable nutrients and minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium). So you need to make sure you are eating a balanced diet. (I'm upping my vitamin intake to 2 capsules a day from now on...just in case).

3. WARM UP: yeah... we all know we should do it, but how many of us are guilty of cutting it short just to get our 'real time' in? I try to warm up for a solid 10 minutes, but am starting to think (for me at least) that this is not enough. Oh yeah...and along with warm up - don't push too hard too fast -- that will make cramps worse.

I'm going to order some Biofreeze, but until that gets here I'm going to get some of the aspercreme and try that as well.

If you have dealt with cramps, please shout out and let us know what worked or didn't work for you. I'd like to compile a master list we can refer too for inspiration in dealing with the buggers.

 

[iceberg1912]

I'm going to order some Biofreeze, but until that gets here I'm going to get some of the aspercreme and try that as well.

Before you order it check with any chiropractor in the area they should have it.

I am not dealing with cramps but pain across the top of my foot. From what I can figure out it is tendinitis and may be from my shoes. I am going the local running store to get fitted for shoes. I was going to go tonight but my 4 yo son has been puking since 12:30

 

[Alphabetsoup]

I was doing more research on cramps and such and was reading about how certain nutrients and minerals (or lack thereof) can cause cramps. Then it dawned on me, I have a thyroid mass that is screwing around with my levels a bit (but not enough for the doc to put me on meds). The thyroid regulates some hormones including magnesium, potatssium and calcium!!! Three of the nutrients/minerals that scientists think are links to cramps!!

So, time to up my vitamin intake and see if that helps matters any!! *woot* I hope this works!!!

 

[mla1977]

Eat Bananas! Before my hypothyroid (now Hashimoto's) was diagnosed, I used to get horrible cramps during swimming. I would eat at least 1 banana per day, but usually 2 or more (breakfast for dinner was better than dorm food).

 

[iceberg1912]

Ok the shirt I ordered from Zazzle has been cancelled because they wont do the Mickey head because of copyright. So how do I do it myself? Would the craft store have the iron on stuff for a tech shirt? And do I just print it off my home printer?

 

[DianeL]

I found BioFreeze at CVS drug store. Both the roll-on and the lotion type bottle. They had another brand too and I think it is suppose to work as well. I bought my friends the roll-on of the other brand and brought the lotion type as a back up. The other brand was like $5 cheaper.

If my memory is good, I read on Robert's site that someone found BioFreeze at Bed, Bath & Beyond I think.. This was back before Christmas and I was going nuts getting ready for the Marathon trip. I only was able to get to CVS.

At CVS it was on a lower shelf. DH say sit was in the aisle with the Bengay. And they didn't have a lot of it so it was getting pushed back from the front of the shelf.

I *knocking on wood* have yet to need it but I will probably bring it with me again and toss it in my bag drop for the Princess. I did this for the Marathon weekend but thankfully no one needed it

 

[UP Disney]

Eat Bananas! Before my hypothyroid (now Hashimoto's) was diagnosed, I used to get horrible cramps during swimming. I would eat at least 1 banana per day, but usually 2 or more (breakfast for dinner was better than dorm food).

When I took my lifeguard training class, I got really bad leg cramps and the other lifeguards who were recertifying told me about the bananas. They were so bad the first night I could barely walk. It was amazing. As long as I had at least one banana a day while training, I didn't get any more cramps at all.

 

[twoWDWfools]

Ok, so here's my tiara hat for the 1/2. Tried it out and it sits quite nicely after tacking it down in 4 spots.
It's a $3 tiara from Party City with the hair tangs cut off and a pink running hat I already owned. Whip stitched it on and I'm good for the race!

 

[Alphabetsoup]

I'll wait until I see how my training goes before I go about getting a tiara hat to wear...

I think your hat rocks!!

 

[DianeL]

Great hat/tiara!


Alphabetsoup, Disney had I think 3 hats at least with Princess or Tiara themes to them. I picked up a pink visor that has a gold tiara embriored on it and says Disney Princess on the bill.

I think there was a typical baseball cap. There are of course the Mouse ears with the princess veil and now they have that wonderful build your own mouse ears.

Plus there is the Mouse ears you can order thru the Event, which I will eventually because I have my Inaugural DL mouse ears in the shadow box So I have to have the Princess Ears too, probably won't wear the ears in the race but I might who knows. Maybe in the 5K instead.

Hope the weather is treating everyone's training well!!!!

 

[daisylove]

Can someone run me through the 5k. What time to get there? how are the corrals? etc. I will be walking with my stroller.
TIA

 

[syko]

I will be getting there just before they close the roads
As you are in the stroller section you will be last to start, there are no corrals for 5ks, wheelchairs first then runners / walkers together and then stroller.
Don't forget that your child must wear a helmet!!!!!!!
My husband will be with you in the stroller section.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hello Princess Racers....

I will be taking off from training for the rest of this week. After doing 2 Halfs in a 2 1/2 week span my feet are not happy with me. I need to give my one toe and ball of the other foot some rest.

Cramping: never had much of it, had a horrible charley horse about 4 days after the WDW Half Marathon that had me screaming!!! Can also be caused from pushing yourself too fast in your training. I also suggest for those new to training that your first mile should be like your "warm up". Take it easy the first mile. Then if you feel the need, stop and do some stretching - especially of the calf area. Hold your stretch for like 20-30 secs and don't bounce. Stand on the curb - holding onto a stop sign or something and lower your heels to stretch out the calf. When cramping you should massage in a downward motion. You can also try a foam roller to massage the calfs (can find at Target). Some people buy "The Stick" it kinda is like a roller pin.

Take care of yourself and hydrate well.

Tired Tracy