Calling all Princesses! (2014 Princess half marathon board)

[keahgirl8]

I am using the Jeff Galloway app. I did the 5K, I am now on the 10K, and will start the half after I finish that. It seems to be working well for me. I was doing a 3:1 run/walk, but I had to dial it back due to an injury. Now I am back to a 1:1 and I really like the results! I am actually faster than I was at 3:1!

 

[hollypoast]

For those of you who have run in a tutu before, did you make your own? Or did you buy it? I might try to make mine but wondering if anyone has a link to a good tutorial… I want to make sure whatever I end up with is comfortable.

 

[PrincessV]

How long does everyone usually train for?

Since this race is only 4 months away, and probably sold out, I'm looking at 2015.

Also, I'm not a diagnosed asthmatic, but my Dr. has told me I'm "slightly asthmatic", and running long distance is super hard on my lungs. Which is so not fair since my legs can keep up. I noticed this in high school, too, when I ran for track & field and played soccer. I get winded sooo fast. dde14 It took a few years to figure it out, so I'm wondering if anyone else suffers from this? If so, how do you train? I just want to finish the race in the allotted time too!

Thanks in advance!!

When am I NOT training?! I've got a full race schedule of TOT 10-Miler, a Halloween Half, WDW Half, Glass Slipper Challenge and then a few spring 5Ks... lots of overlapping training plans. I'd guess each long race is about 12-16 weeks of training.

I have exercise-induced asthma, which, as its name implies, shows up when doing aerobic exercise. It's worst in dry, cold air, so I use an albuterol inhaler before each run in winter. I'm usually okay without it in warm humidity, excepting speed work.

Like Gryhndmom, run/walk intervals are key for me to go long distances. Those walk breaks are 100% for my lungs' benefit - makes a huge difference!

Just got advair about a month ago and wow what a difference...I can breathe better during my training !

Oh I'm so glad!!!

I'd like to know what training plans you all are using. This will be my 6th half, and I would like to change up my training a bit. I've used Hal Higdon Novice 1 and 2 in the past. What training plans does everyone else use??

I made my own, more or less - parts of Galloway's Time Improvement and DDD plans with a little Higdon and my non-running preferences. I basically do a 2-week set of strength train, short run, Pilates, short run, rest, long run, yoga, short run, strength train, short run, ballet, rest, speed or hill run, easy run+ yoga. I alternate speed work with hill work every 4 weeks and the long runs increase 1-1.5 miles every two weeks before tapering down 2-3 weeks out from race day.

 

[Twingle]

We booked BWV at 11 months. We r a group of nine with 1 or 2 running (depending on if number 2 gets pregnant). Some of the 9 wanted BLT (I was fine with BW). At 7 months we got BLT 2 bedroom for the whole 7 nights and a studio we need for 4 nights. We had to waitlist one night in the studio, but we are all set now. I'm now excited for BLT. I just don't think I'll have any spectators for the 10k. But that's fine, they'll all be at the half.

So try wait listing. Lots of people complain about waitlisting but in 20 years we've only not gotten off the waitlist a few times. And for 12 years we only went the week between Christmas and New Years. Give it a go

Just wanted to add to this - I booked at AKV in early July, and waitlisted for BWV or BCV - I really wanted to stay in an EPCOT area resort. My BWV waitlist came through quick, I want to say I booked on Saturday, and by the following Wednesday it came through?

 

[belle2211]

yeah, I dont remember 2012 being super cold either. I know I had a long sleeve tee on and by mile 2 wish that I hadn't. Someone said there was frost flakes on their shirt, and I mustve spaced that because I dont remember that at all. In fact we were swimming and at the water parks that week. My first time down Summit Plummit was that vacation! I always pack for "whatever" weather when I am in Florida. Doesnt matter what month.

maybe I was wrong and it was WDW half...

 

[dminnie]

I'm ready to book our room for the PHM weekend. I tried calling the runDisney number for travel and can't get through. They seem to have it hooked up to a fax machine or something.

My question is: is it even worth checking with them or should I just book on-line with Disney? It seems like I've read on here that RD isn't giving any discounts on rooms or tickets. Is this what people are finding when they do get through to them?

 

[krn82259]

Just booked at BWV!! Wanted a monorail resort this time, so we're waitlisted for BLT. Didn't realize how late we were in getting our room- but we did!!!

 

[pixarmom]

I'd like to know what training plans you all are using. This will be my 6th half, and I would like to change up my training a bit. I've used Hal Higdon Novice 1 and 2 in the past. What training plans does everyone else use??

With all the talk of training plans, I often think I should follow something more official. I usually run 2-3 miles each day with a 6-mile run on the weekend. I promised myself I wasn't going to time my 6-mile runs, but then I did last weekend and I'm at 56 minutes for 6 miles (including one huge hill!) Not sure how that will all translate to the Princess Half, but it's a comfortable routine for me. On the other hand, if this is a bad idea, I'm open to additional suggestions. I've been a runner off and on for many years, but don't usually run more than 6 miles.

P.S. I mentioned this earlier, but I can't do a run/walk program. I really have to keep running!

 

[joanzie72]

I really like this plan for running. Super easy to adjust if need be. http://www.marathonrookie.com/half-marathon-training.html

 

[Ettalynn]

I've only been running for a few months, and I've read a lot of articles that stress that it's important to limit your distance increases to only 10% per week to avoid injury. But most (if not all) of the half marathon training plans, including the one the PP linked to, show varying "long run" distances that result in increases of > 10% from week to week.

I'm confused...is the 10% limit not really a big deal, or are the training plans not safe? I'm not sure what the best way to get ready for February is. I'm curious what the more experienced runners think!

 

[mickeymom629]

I really like this plan for running. Super easy to adjust if need be. http://www.marathonrookie.com/half-marathon-training.html

For any walkers out there - this schedule is similar to the one I did (just on my own) in 2010, but I walked fast rather than ran and I did not have rest days. I jogged a short bit during each mile to get my time closer to 13.5-14 min/mile so I wouldn't get swept, but endurance was my goal on the longer walks.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I've only been running for a few months, and I've read a lot of articles that stress that it's important to limit your distance increases to only 10% per week to avoid injury. But most (if not all) of the half marathon training plans, including the one the PP linked to, show varying "long run" distances that result in increases of > 10% from week to week.

I'm confused...is the 10% limit not really a big deal, or are the training plans not safe? I'm not sure what the best way to get ready for February is. I'm curious what the more experienced runners think!

I'm in a very similar place. Started running for the first time back in April. I've done two 5Ks and a 10K so far, and have the ToT 10-miler planned for Oct, then this race in Feb.

I was not comfortable with the training programs that increased weekly totals too quickly, since this is my first go at this. My sister uses Marathon Rookie and swears by it, but she's done a number of 10-milers and halfs.

I ended up essentially using Marathon Rookie (http://www.marathonrookie.com/half-marathon-training.html), but stretching it to 12 weeks instead of 10, such that the long runs increase by only 1 mile per week (instead of jumping by 2 miles in weeks 4 and 5). I also kept Mon and Thurs runs to 3 miles the whole way (like Higdon does) rather than bumping those to 4 miles in week 6.

My sister keeps saying it would be fine to jump by 2 miles those weeks, and she's probably right... but it felt like too much for me... perhaps just psychologically??

 

[PrincessV]

With all the talk of training plans, I often think I should follow something more official. I usually run 2-3 miles each day with a 6-mile run on the weekend. I promised myself I wasn't going to time my 6-mile runs, but then I did last weekend and I'm at 56 minutes for 6 miles (including one huge hill!) Not sure how that will all translate to the Princess Half, but it's a comfortable routine for me. On the other hand, if this is a bad idea, I'm open to additional suggestions. I've been a runner off and on for many years, but don't usually run more than 6 miles.

P.S. I mentioned this earlier, but I can't do a run/walk program. I really have to keep running!

It's different for everyone, and I know there are plenty of folks who've never done more than 6 or so miles before a half, but NO WAY could my body do that. I absolutely need those long runs in training to be adequately prepared for the 13.1 on race day. I never did more than 14 in training before Princess this year, and a good portion of that 14 was walking due to injury, but double digit miles was a completely different experience than 6 for me. The difference between 10 and 13 was negligible, at best, but I honestly don't think I could've finished the race had I only trained up to 6.

Have you already gone beyond that in a race? If so, you already know what your body can take. If not, I strongly encourage you to do some longer runs before Feb, just so you'll know!

I've only been running for a few months, and I've read a lot of articles that stress that it's important to limit your distance increases to only 10% per week to avoid injury. But most (if not all) of the half marathon training plans, including the one the PP linked to, show varying "long run" distances that result in increases of > 10% from week to week.

I'm confused...is the 10% limit not really a big deal, or are the training plans not safe? I'm not sure what the best way to get ready for February is. I'm curious what the more experienced runners think!

This, too, I think is different for everyone. At my prime, at a younger age and before any injuries, I'm pretty sure I could have handled a little more than a 10% increase. But not now, in my 40s and with too many previous injuries to mention. I've stuck with a 10%(ish) increase every two weeks (I do a cut-back run every other week) for over a year and a half now and feel like that method works well to prepare me without causing overuse injuries.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Speaking of training issues... Rather than wait until the "official" start of Glass Slipper training, I've started doing back-to-back runs every other week now, just to see how it feels. Nothing crazy at this point - just an easy walk/run of 1-2 miles the day after speed or hill training of 4-6 miles. Know what? I like it! I actually think it's aiding recovery; I feel so much better two days out from those hard runs than I did making the day after a rest day. IDK how "good" it'll feel when that second run becomes 13 miles after a 10K, but I'm feeling a lot more optimistic now, lol!

 

[Meggysmum]

Another from "that" side of the world here, flying from Ireland! At least we'll be prepared for all race conditions most likely haha

That was my thinking as well as having no trouble getting up early!

 

[Crown_princess]

Hi All

So to respond to the question about increases, I think I am in a good place to give feedback.

I am running the Disneyland Half Marathon Sept 1 as my first half. I'm at the end of the Galloway training. In Saturday I ran 12.5 miles. In two weeks I will run 14 miles and two weeks later I will run the race. Between each of those long runs is a shorter (6 mile type) "long run"...kind of a rest type week long run. Still running 30-45 min 2x during the work week.

I started the Galloway training plan about two months early and started over in month three because I joined a Galloway group and wanted to be on the same schedule as them. Even with this gradual and extended initial training the rapid increases at the end of the plan have been allot tougher. For example, the increase to 12.5 from 10 was a hard jump, especially since the plan only had the runner run each new longer distance once before going on an increasingly longer run. I expect the 14 miler will be very difficult. I would prefer if the plan were extended several weeks to allow for more gradual increases to build strength and endurance. I believe I will be successful in the race but would not be if it were not for the 12+ mile run. Do not train without running the full distance at least twice. You NEED it for confidence and to prepare.

 

[JRM393]

Speaking of training issues... Rather than wait until the "official" start of Glass Slipper training, I've started doing back-to-back runs every other week now, just to see how it feels. Nothing crazy at this point - just an easy walk/run of 1-2 miles the day after speed or hill training of 4-6 miles. Know what? I like it! I actually think it's aiding recovery; I feel so much better two days out from those hard runs than I did making the day after a rest day. IDK how "good" it'll feel when that second run becomes 13 miles after a 10K, but I'm feeling a lot more optimistic now, lol!

When I trained for the goofy this.is actually how I trained with back to back saturday and Sunday runs. The plan I used for that was actually a plan for a 50 mile ultra and it worked well. The basic rule with it was just that (surprise shocker here) your Saturday run was half of what you run on Sunday.

Right now I've got my own plan I'm using for a marathon in September (we will see how that goes) and then I have no idea what to do. I was thinking about sswitching up some days and then also throwing in some different types of runs, maybe more or different intervals than .25 mile, maybe do .50 repeats.

 

[Bookwood]

Hi All

So to respond to the question about increases, I think I am in a good place to give feedback.

I am running the Disneyland Half Marathon Sept 1 as my first half. I'm at the end of the Galloway training. In Saturday I ran 12.5 miles. In two weeks I will run 14 miles and two weeks later I will run the race. Between each of those long runs is a shorter (6 mile type) "long run"...kind of a rest type week long run. Still running 30-45 min 2x during the work week.

I started the Galloway training plan about two months early and started over in month three because I joined a Galloway group and wanted to be on the same schedule as them. Even with this gradual and extended initial training the rapid increases at the end of the plan have been allot tougher. For example, the increase to 12.5 from 10 was a hard jump, especially since the plan only had the runner run each new longer distance once before going on an increasingly longer run. I expect the 14 miler will be very difficult. I would prefer if the plan were extended several weeks to allow for more gradual increases to build strength and endurance. I believe I will be successful in the race but would not be if it were not for the 12+ mile run. Do not train without running the full distance at least twice. You NEED it for confidence and to prepare.

For a different perspective, I train with John Bingham's Marathoning for Mortals plan (for all 15 of my half marathons and my full) and the plan only goes to 10 miles at any one time before the race. The anticipation and race excitement gets you through (as long as you have the mileage base to begin- just don't do 1 10 mile run and never train in between!!! I normally run 4 miles 3 times a week unless on the program which starts out being really like a vacation for the first few weeks.) The confidence is all mental and you may need to go longer than 10 miles to know you can do it and you may not!
Bingham's programs generally have lower long run week between the increased mileage but the "daily runs" on the "off" weeks add 5 minutes of running to keep the total mileage increase in the right 10% area.

 

[kappyfamily]

Hi All

So to respond to the question about increases, I think I am in a good place to give feedback.

I am running the Disneyland Half Marathon Sept 1 as my first half. I'm at the end of the Galloway training. In Saturday I ran 12.5 miles. In two weeks I will run 14 miles and two weeks later I will run the race. Between each of those long runs is a shorter (6 mile type) "long run"...kind of a rest type week long run. Still running 30-45 min 2x during the work week.

I started the Galloway training plan about two months early and started over in month three because I joined a Galloway group and wanted to be on the same schedule as them. Even with this gradual and extended initial training the rapid increases at the end of the plan have been allot tougher. For example, the increase to 12.5 from 10 was a hard jump, especially since the plan only had the runner run each new longer distance once before going on an increasingly longer run. I expect the 14 miler will be very difficult. I would prefer if the plan were extended several weeks to allow for more gradual increases to build strength and endurance. I believe I will be successful in the race but would not be if it were not for the 12+ mile run. Do not train without running the full distance at least twice. You NEED it for confidence and to prepare.

I'm about ready to run my 11th 1/2 marathon in 18 months and have never trained to or past 13 miles. Please be very cautious when giving suggestions like your last statement that tells people they NEED to do something. There are a lot of new runners here that really take everyone's advice to heart, I was one of them! Every person is different so no one has to do what someone else does. Before my first race the princess in 2012, I only went 10 miles, did run/walk intervals and finished in 2:53. All my other races I have only gone up to 9 or 10 miles before race day. The only time I have ever gone to the full 13 is on race days. Also, people's activity levels weigh into this too. I'm about 20 pounds overweight and have torn both of my ACLs years ago, so have knee issues as well. And again, have never needed to go the full 13 before race day. As far as it is needed for your confidence, everyone gets race jitters, I still do. But if you feel you need to go past 13 miles before raceday then by all means do.

Everyone is different. Again just please just be cautious when giving advice and telling people they NEED to do something. Happy running everyone and DIG DEEP!

 

[jmasgat]

I believe that Galloway plans always go race distance and beyond for the "long run", so that's important to keep in mind for context for Crown_Princess's comments.

That said, I agree with the previous comments that for most run-based training plans you do not need--nor do they include-- to do a long run that is race distance. Keep in mind that training is more than just your weekly long run. Your other runs during the week add to you overall fitness/aerobic capacity/muscle memory in order to see you through your race distance.

If one wants to do a race-length LR for metal preparation, that is one thing. (Mental state is most of the game in the latter portion of a marathon!) I can see why that might be helpful. I would certainly do it at a gentle training pace and would not short-change the taper period.

Maura

Maura

 

[Cripey]

Hi All

So to respond to the question about increases, I think I am in a good place to give feedback.

I am running the Disneyland Half Marathon Sept 1 as my first half. I'm at the end of the Galloway training. In Saturday I ran 12.5 miles. In two weeks I will run 14 miles and two weeks later I will run the race. Between each of those long runs is a shorter (6 mile type) "long run"...kind of a rest type week long run. Still running 30-45 min 2x during the work week.

I started the Galloway training plan about two months early and started over in month three because I joined a Galloway group and wanted to be on the same schedule as them. Even with this gradual and extended initial training the rapid increases at the end of the plan have been allot tougher. For example, the increase to 12.5 from 10 was a hard jump, especially since the plan only had the runner run each new longer distance once before going on an increasingly longer run. I expect the 14 miler will be very difficult. I would prefer if the plan were extended several weeks to allow for more gradual increases to build strength and endurance. I believe I will be successful in the race but would not be if it were not for the 12+ mile run. Do not train without running the full distance at least twice. You NEED it for confidence and to prepare.

10-miler max during training for me too...I never felt like I needed to do the full race distance to know that I could do it on race day. In fact, I wanted my first half to be the furthest I had ever gone, so was glad my plan didn't call for that distance. But like everyone else has said, everybody's different and plans can be adjusted to fit your needs. Usually, there comes a time during training for your first distance race when you think "yep, I know I'm gonna do this." For me, it was during my first ever 8 mile run...for some reason I just felt it after that one...all the doubt I had for months prior went out the window and I knew at that point if I had to go five more miles I could. I plan to use the Galloway plans posted for the Glass Slipper Challenge since that will be my first back-to-back race experience, but I'll end up adjusting the mileage towards the end I'm sure and won't do anything longer than 10...possibly 11 depending on how I feel my training has gone towards the end of the plan.