Calling all Princesses! (2014 Princess half marathon board)

[Gryhndmom]

I am excited to make the Disney Princess Half Marathon 2014 my very first half marathon! I will be running for charity (TAPS program). So not only am I doing it for me but for all fallen American heroes! Any tips that well-experienced runners can offer would be greatly appreciated!!

PHM 2013 was my 1st half marathon and what a way to start ! This thread was INCREDIBLE and lots of great advice from experienced disney race folks .
What was most beneficial for me were the folks that talked about where to stay....how long the walk from tram to start....benefits of race retreat and what to expect during the race. Don't be afraid to ask any question...you will find plenty of people who have been there before.

Training can vary from person to person since we all are all different in goals and abilities. I never once felt inferior since I knew I would be around a 3hr race time. Best of luck and keep plugging along !

 

[Ateam97]

I don't have diabetes, but I do run longer distances while sticking eating low carb. Usually, I eat 20-25g of net carbs a day with most my calories coming from fat (initially to lose weight but continuing now that I met my goal because I enjoy it). I usually just have coffee with cream and mct oil about an hour before runs. I've also tried having about 20g of carbs (through gels or honey usually) every hour for runs longer than an hour. I don't have issue with this, at least up to half marathon distance.

I'd recommend talking to your doctor and see what he or she suggests. But it can definitely be done on minimal carbs!

This is almost exactly what I do, as well. It works.

 

[Ladydonna1965]

Hi Missing,

Thanks for the nutrition info I did talk to my diabetes specialist and he was clueless too, but I figure if I continue to stick to my healthy eating i will probably be good.

 

[Ladydonna1965]

Ladydonna, your post made me feel warm and fuzzy all over! Crisis, schmisis - I think you ROCK!

I'm pretty clueless on the intricacies of managing diabetes, but I can speak in general terms about distance running and food from the perspective of one who deals with blood sugar issues. I'm chronically hypoglycemic and exercise makes my glucose crash HARD. I absolutely do not carbo load because doing so would just land me in insulin shock. My everyday diet includes a good blend of lean protein and complex carbs and I don't stray from that pre-race. What I do in the days before a race is stick to easily digestible food items that aren't overly spicy, fatty or fibrous. Alfredo sauce is the devil, FYI. Don't ask. I might have some pasta, but as a side dish with chicken and veggies. Baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, brown rice, wheat toast/bagels, peanut butter, eggs, fish, chicken, fruit, veggies, yogurt, cottage cheese - all staples for me leading up to long runs.

Princess V,

Thanks for the words of encouragement and nutrition advice. I basically eat like you do, but do 5-6 small meals a day. I guess I'm good for running if I stick to the meal plan

 

[Ladydonna1965]

I have no advice for diabetics but Congrats on starting! I was you 4 almost 4 years ago. I am still slow (I run walk) but 2014 will be my 4th princess and I will be doing my 7th half next month. Don't let what anyone says take your joy away!!!

Thanks Cantwait

I'm excited too! I will be walking and running too. I bought a Gym Boss to help me build up endurance and it has really helped me with my run/walk ratio. I was up to 4 miles of running 3 days a week, but had an emergency appendectomy 2 1/2 weeks ago and just got cleared Monday to resume exercise so running last night was lot less, but I'll build it back up!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Thanks Cantwait

I'm excited too! I will be walking and running too. I bought a Gym Boss to help me build up endurance and it has really helped me with my run/walk ratio. I was up to 4 miles of running 3 days a week, but had an emergency appendectomy 2 1/2 weeks ago and just got cleared Monday to resume exercise so running last night was lot less, but I'll build it back up!

Ouch! Glad you are better.
I have the gymboss also, I do a 3 min run 45 sec walk.

 

[MRS AR]

Just made reservations at California Grill for Sunday - 7:35 so I hope we'll get to catch the fireworks!

Jenny

We're CG 7:05 Sunday night. Looks like it will be full of runners

 

[JRM393]

Hi All ,

This is my 1st marathon ever. I decided in late June that I wanted to run this race as a life goal that I have set for myself. I started Weight Watchers and am at the gym 5 days a week for 2 hours a day which is part of the new "me" journey. I am signed up to run 3 5K's by the end of the year. I haven't run for many years and my friends joke with me that this is my "mid-life" crisis, but I can't believe the joy I get from running. I still feel like I'm a turtle, but I know that one day I will be miles ahead Is there any advice that anyone could give about carbs and running? I am a Type 2 diabetic and there isn't a whole lot of info about this issue for carb load days.
Thanks

Don't worry about those nay sayers. At least you are out there trying something they probably aren't. If you get enjoyment out of it good for you!

When I started running about 4 years ago, I was 235 lbs and our son was 4 months old. I decided I needed to turn my life around. When I started, I couldn't run 1/4 mile and the first time I ran a mile it took me about 14 minutes. To date I weigh 144 lbs, I've run 3 full marathons (with a 4th coming up in about 4 weeks). I can run a 5k in sub 22 minutes. Basically what I mean by all that is just stick with it, with the right training you'll get where you want to be.

As far as eating, you might instead try going to a sports nutritionist. In fact the food book my nutritionist gave me is a diabetes book. So my meal plan that was made for me I use serving sizes based on that. But I couldn't tell you what to eat, basically my breakdown is 3000-3600 calories a day with 57% carbs, 15% protein and 28% fat. Which is meant for me based on activity level weight, height and metabolism. Good luck though, all the boards on here are always helpful.

 

[Ladydonna1965]

Thanks JRM,

Congratulations on your achievements. I will definitely be sticking to my lifestyle changes as this is the 1st time in at least 15 years that I feel really good I will have to goggle a sports nutritionist in my area. Thanks for the tips

 

[donaldandpirates]

I went out this morning for my training (walking the PHM) and the MapMyRun app said I did 4 miles, when I mapped out my route on MapQuest it said 3.5 miles, and when I drove the route the mileage on my car was 2 miles. This is frustrating! Does anyone else have this problem with this app, or is there a better way to do this to figure out the mileage/pace? I'm also somehow faster outside than I am on the treadmill at the gym??? Is this normal?

This is my first race; total newbie to running/walking. Right now I'm building my fitness level up so I can start the Galloway plan in October. I just want to be able to accurately gauge my progress.

 

[amingione]

I went out this morning for my training (walking the PHM) and the MapMyRun app said I did 4 miles, when I mapped out my route on MapQuest it said 3.5 miles, and when I drove the route the mileage on my car was 2 miles. This is frustrating! Does anyone else have this problem with this app, or is there a better way to do this to figure out the mileage/pace?

If I use an app on my phone, it does can get really inaccurate measurements too. I think that if the phone's GPS signal isn't strong, it causes your path to bounce around. So when you went 100 feet straight, it might think you went 60 feet out to the left first and then back to the right spot (making zigzag sort of). Sometimes you can't see it on the app's map of your run until you zoom in.

If that's the cause, you might want to consider a GPS watch. It tends to be more accurate!

 

[PrincessV]

I went out this morning for my training (walking the PHM) and the MapMyRun app said I did 4 miles, when I mapped out my route on MapQuest it said 3.5 miles, and when I drove the route the mileage on my car was 2 miles. This is frustrating! Does anyone else have this problem with this app, or is there a better way to do this to figure out the mileage/pace? I'm also somehow faster outside than I am on the treadmill at the gym??? Is this normal?

This is my first race; total newbie to running/walking. Right now I'm building my fitness level up so I can start the Galloway plan in October. I just want to be able to accurately gauge my progress.

I don't use Map My Run, so I can't speak to its accuracy, but I've found Runkeeper and iSmoothRun to be very accurate in area, as tested with my Garmin. My car is accurate, I'm sure, but can't follow my exact route, since I don't run exclusively on the roads; all of the little turns and step-arounds on sidewalks and trails add up. Have you tried Google mapping it, too, set to walking instead of driving?

As for treadmills - they lie. Mine is terribly off on distance and/or speed. I've used iSmoothRun and Nike+ apps set to treadmill and they're clocking me at, for instance, 3.5 miles when my 15yo treadmill shows 2.10 miles. I don't believe either of them, so I run by effort for a set amount of time and take the average distance for data collection, lol!

 

[1MCSCROOGE]

Be careful on any GPS device... I live in the trees and run my driveway: GARMIN is NOT accurate there... Tho my cell apps are close: WIFI.

 

[disneyhorselover]

I went out this morning for my training (walking the PHM) and the MapMyRun app said I did 4 miles, when I mapped out my route on MapQuest it said 3.5 miles, and when I drove the route the mileage on my car was 2 miles. This is frustrating! Does anyone else have this problem with this app, or is there a better way to do this to figure out the mileage/pace? I'm also somehow faster outside than I am on the treadmill at the gym??? Is this normal?

This is my first race; total newbie to running/walking. Right now I'm building my fitness level up so I can start the Galloway plan in October. I just want to be able to accurately gauge my progress.

This happens on mine too. I use the map my run website to map my route beforehand and then use the phone app to keep track of how far Ive gone mid run.
Most phone apps have a problem with accuracy because the GPS is only good within a few feet, so the discrepancies can add up over a whole run.

Others have mentioned good thoughts on the treadmill, and also--running on the treadmill is an entirely different stride and feel from running outside, so that could explain the speed difference too.

Best of luck in your training!

 

[donaldandpirates]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm really hoping to work out all of these little frustrations before starting the official training plan. Who knew there were so many options in the life of a runner (or walker, as the case may be)? It's a little overwhelming -- sport watches, apps, properly fitted shoes, sports bras, gels/fuel, carb-loading, training plans, who knows what else. Right now, I'm just putting one foot in front of the other on my way to getting a princess medal.

 

[disneyhorselover]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm really hoping to work out all of these little frustrations before starting the official training plan. Who knew there were so many options in the life of a runner (or walker, as the case may be)? It's a little overwhelming -- sport watches, apps, properly fitted shoes, sports bras, gels/fuel, carb-loading, training plans, who knows what else. Right now, I'm just putting one foot in front of the other on my way to getting a princess medal.

You're very welcome! As for the overwhelming part-dont over think it! You are exactly right about putting one foot in front of the other! Coming from a runner who still goes without fancy shoes, carb loading, and sports watches, trust me you can get by without all that for a long time. Have fun and take the time to experiment and figure out what works for you

 

[PrincessV]

Who knew there were so many options in the life of a runner (or walker, as the case may be)?

Right?! Don't let it overwhelm you - in the long run (hee!) a 1/2 mile discrepancy in mapping doesn't make a difference in your training. On a good day, go a little farther; on a rough day, go a little shorter. It all evens out in the end!

 

[JRM393]

I went out this morning for my training (walking the PHM) and the MapMyRun app said I did 4 miles, when I mapped out my route on MapQuest it said 3.5 miles, and when I drove the route the mileage on my car was 2 miles. This is frustrating! Does anyone else have this problem with this app, or is there a better way to do this to figure out the mileage/pace? I'm also somehow faster outside than I am on the treadmill at the gym??? Is this normal?

The online tools use the middle of the road (map my run, google, ext) so the mileage will be off because most people, at least those who don't want to be hit by cars run on the side.

GPS is usually the best way to go whether watch or phone. I've used both and as long as your signal is ok it should be fairly accurate.

There are a couple of ways to figure it out. If your bike has a speedometer and you can hold it, see if they match (since the bike speedometer is probably based on wheel rotations. If you can't then time for some math.

Measure the treadmill belt in feet, put a mark on the belt (chalk, sticker, tape). Run the treadmill at a speed where you can count the number of times your mark comes around do this for 3 minutes. Then you need to multiply the length of the belt by the rotations by 20 (60 divided by the 3 minutes counting). Then divide by 5280. This should give you miles per hour. You can at least see if its close.

Hope that helps!

 

[JamieLM]

Is it safe to make a reservation for Sunday if I am also flying out that evening? If it is, can someone provide guidance on time, when we should expect to return to the hotel from the race, etc. Thank you!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I went out this morning for my training (walking the PHM) and the MapMyRun app said I did 4 miles, when I mapped out my route on MapQuest it said 3.5 miles, and when I drove the route the mileage on my car was 2 miles. This is frustrating! Does anyone else have this problem with this app, or is there a better way to do this to figure out the mileage/pace?

I generally map out a run first of Map My Run online because I like the functionality of the site while mapping -- I'm trying to avoid some of the MASSIVE hills in my area and need the better elevation features. Once I settle on a route, I map it into Runkeeper.com, and have that sync up to my Runkeeper app. I've found Runkeeper to be far more reliable generally as an app, as well as for the specific distance. I've occasionally run with my Garmin watch as well, and it seems to line up pretty well with Runkeeper.

In my area, I find that if Runkeeper has been thrown for a loop, so has my watch -- working off the same satellites, basically, after all.