Calling all Princesses! (2014 Princess half marathon board)

[afnaechiquita]

I think I'm in! I turn 40 (*gulp*) less than a week after the PHM next year...and I think that completing it is going to be my goal for my 40th birthday. Plus, then I have a valid reason to spend my actual birthday in Disney! Bonus!

Now, here are the hard parts: I'm hopelessly out of shape and motivation is not my strong suit (and while I'm at it, willpower and I aren't great friends either)

I also don't really have any Disney crazed friends nearby that are willing to enter into this insanity with me, so I'm looking for company during the training and maybe the race too. It would be cool if we could form a beginners thread to keep each other going. Or is there one already?

anyway, does anyone have a specific app or training program that they would recommend when you're starting from scratch?

And one last question: shoes. Can anyone tell me what kind of shoes I should be looking for? My tennis shoes are just cheap ones that won't hold up to running for any length of time.

I apologize if I repeated questions - I didn't read through all of the pages! Looking forward to following along with everyone! Thanks for humoring a newbie!

My aunt turned 29 for the 22nd time the year of our first PHM. She had never even run a full mile before, but when I said I wanted to sign up she wanted to join me. We trained separately, ended up running separately (she was gracious enough to tell me to go on ahead without guilt ), and then she signed up again for the following year! So, you can definitely run a successful half from the point you're at right now! Like PPs said, try the C25k program and then from there, google some other training guides to get what you want.

There really are quite a different training guides out there so you should be able to find one that works for you. Disney also provides one, but you'll have to check it out for yourself to see if you like it!

 

[jodipaige2004]

The 2013 PHM was my first half and my first Disney race! Last year at this time, I was taking in all of the information I could to prepare...so hopefully my recap will help someone in training know what to expect for the big day:

http://2princessesontherun.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/race-weekend-recap-part-3/

Or if you were there, relive it with me!

Princess Jodi
www.2princessesontherun.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/2princessesontherun

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

The 2013 PHM was my first half and my first Disney race! Last year at this time, I was taking in all of the information I could to prepare...so hopefully my recap will help someone in training know what to expect for the big day:

http://2princessesontherun.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/race-weekend-recap-part-3/

Or if you were there, relive it with me!

Princess Jodi
www.2princessesontherun.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/2princessesontherun

Jodi, I have read a LOT of reports over the last two years (injury kept me from running but 2014 will be my year!) But NONE of them have moved me to tears the way yours did! Thank you so much for sharing, I WILL have a report to share of my own next year at this time, I hope it is as motivational as yours!!!

 

[CruiseBoundnKY]

Am I the only one who is excited about the race from daylight to dark. I just thought my Disney OCD planning was bad, Princess planning is way worse. Lol

I look at skirts, I check Facebook princess boards, I come here, I look up run Disney on Etsy, I train, I train some more, I text dsil because she's coming too, I inform dh of travel ideas, aghhhhhh!!!!!

Super overly obsessed Princess, Karen

 

[11point5]

I'm in for Princess 2014!! I'm Suzi and this will be my first half marathon AND my first runDisney event! I just finished reading through everyone else's posts here and I'm very glad to see I'm not the only out of shape/beginning runner here! I am SO excited for this race weekend!!!

I started C25K last year but quit at week 5 because the Canadian winter weather happened. Just starting back into running now, and I'm planning to sign up for a 5K around May-June, and a 10K around July-August if possible (hopefully it will be nice and hot and humid here then so I can practice what running will be like in Florida conditions!)

Also --very much hoping for some kind of solo-runner meetup! I'm worried I might be lonely not knowing anyone at the race I'll probably be traveling solo, definitely running solo, and it seems like many of you are a lot older than me (which is completely awesome, don't get me wrong!! I just feel like a minority being in my early 20s lol!) For those of you who have done the PHM solo before, how did you deal with the not-knowing-anyone factor?? Any tips or suggestions?

 

[joan4mickey]

Also --very much hoping for some kind of solo-runner meetup! I'm worried I might be lonely not knowing anyone at the race I'll probably be traveling solo, definitely running solo, and it seems like many of you are a lot older than me (which is completely awesome, don't get me wrong!! I just feel like a minority being in my early 20s lol!) For those of you who have done the PHM solo before, how did you deal with the not-knowing-anyone factor?? Any tips or suggestions?

There is a dis meet up...only about 10-12 showed this year. Also I was just hanging at the pool Friday and some dis girls showed up to chat. Also some one got an illuminations cruise, boat ride to see epcot fireworks, together and 10 girls meet up, some knew each other, others not, like me. I think sunnygal, Cindy, meet up with some new dis folks for a Friday night dinner.
As time comes closers, people will start talking about paces and who runs what and can we meet together. I have run solo twice, but had family at the finish line. With 25,000 princesses, you will find plenty of girls and people are so nice in the corrals and will chat up each other.

 

[WishingMom]

The 2013 PHM was my first half and my first Disney race! Last year at this time, I was taking in all of the information I could to prepare...so hopefully my recap will help someone in training know what to expect for the big day:

http://2princessesontherun.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/race-weekend-recap-part-3/

Or if you were there, relive it with me!

Princess Jodi
www.2princessesontherun.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/2princessesontherun

Great article! Now I'm weepy! Congrats on your run! I just cannot imagine how you must have felt.

 

[sunnygal041]

There is a dis meet up...only about 10-12 showed this year. Also I was just hanging at the pool Friday and some dis girls showed up to chat. Also some one got an illuminations cruise, boat ride to see epcot fireworks, together and 10 girls meet up, some knew each other, others not, like me. I think sunnygal, Cindy, meet up with some new dis folks for a Friday night dinner.
As time comes closers, people will start talking about paces and who runs what and can we meet together. I have run solo twice, but had family at the finish line. With 25,000 princesses, you will find plenty of girls and people are so nice in the corrals and will chat up each other.

Shout out to Perfect Princess Joan! Yes, five of us met for dinner at Kona on Friday night. It was very cool to meet new Internet friends in person.

 

[jodipaige2004]

Jodi, I have read a LOT of reports over the last two years (injury kept me from running but 2014 will be my year!) But NONE of them have moved me to tears the way yours did! Thank you so much for sharing, I WILL have a report to share of my own next year at this time, I hope it is as motivational as yours!!!

Great article! Now I'm weepy! Congrats on your run! I just cannot imagine how you must have felt.

Thanks ladies! I'm glad my rambling inspired you! It was such a huge experience, larger than life really. See you at PHM 2014!!!

Princess Jodi
www.2princessesontherun.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/2princessesontherun

PS Also can anyone tell me in Idiots 101 language how to add a profile pic???

 

[WishingMom]

Ok, maybe somebody can answer this question for me! Lots of pictures are taken, do most people take their camera with them, also I see that people use energy gels, sticks etc. for refuelling...how do people carry this stuff with them during a race?

Thanks!

 

[afnaechiquita]

Ok, maybe somebody can answer this question for me! Lots of pictures are taken, do most people take their camera with them, also I see that people use energy gels, sticks etc. for refuelling...how do people carry this stuff with them during a race?

Thanks!

I took a small point and shoot with a wrist strap. It is a bit of a pain to hold on to the actual camera the whole time, but worth it in the end for all of the photos you're not paying for!

A lot of people use running belts. I used to, but now use a wrist wrap with a pocket in it. The running belts LOOK like they can't hold a lot, but you'd be surprised what you can fit.

 

[Jenn310]

Ok, maybe somebody can answer this question for me! Lots of pictures are taken, do most people take their camera with them, also I see that people use energy gels, sticks etc. for refuelling...how do people carry this stuff with them during a race?

Thanks!

spibelts are perfect for holding your stuff,and you can't even feel it when you run. I am probably one if the pickiest people who can't be confined when running,and spibelts are wonderful IMO.
Otherwise,there is also the option of a hydration belt,I used one for princess,by Nathan.

 

[jpeka65844]

spibelts are perfect for holding your stuff,and you can't even feel it when you run. I am probably one if the pickiest people who can't be confined when running,and spibelts are wonderful IMO.
Otherwise,there is also the option of a hydration belt,I used one for princess,by Nathan.

I second Spibelts. DH bought me one and I was skeptical. I can't stand the thought of anything around my waist. I put in my small Canon Powershot camera, a Gu, and my ID. I was also able to secure it tight around my hips and it did NOT ride up at all. However, it blended in funny with my black running pants and in all my race pics, it looks like I have......um...man parts.

 

[joan4mickey]

Love ,love , love a spibelt. But so important when I buy a running skirt, that it has pockets.
Fuel is very personal. Start trying stuff now. Personally I love stinger chews.

 

[LoveMyMoos]

Ok, maybe somebody can answer this question for me! Lots of pictures are taken, do most people take their camera with them, also I see that people use energy gels, sticks etc. for refuelling...how do people carry this stuff with them during a race?

Thanks!

I used my phone. I had a little IPod for music, a garmin watch for time/distance, so I just put my phone in my arm pouch and took it out for pics. But I didn't take many, I didn't stop for my first character pic until after mile 10. For my fuel, I had a hydration belt, it carried 2 water bottles(they were needed!!) and it has a pocket in the middle for fuel. My running skirt also had a few pockets.

 

[jastark]

Love ,love , love a spibelt. But so important when I buy a running skirt, that it has pockets.
Fuel is very personal. Start trying stuff now. Personally I love stinger chews.

Stinger Chews are great! My favorites are the Fruit Punch.

 

[joan4mickey]

Stinger Chews are great! My favorites are the Fruit Punch.

And you can buy them at running warehouse dot come with the 15% discount code and free shipping

 

[longhorns2]

I finally got started on my blog report for PHM. Wanted to share- as it involved a couple of the Disboards familiar faces: TinkerAmy, SaySay, KindaKrazy, LovinMyMoos

Hope you guys enjoy! Click here

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I finally got started on my blog report for PHM. Wanted to share- as it involved a couple of the Disboards familiar faces: TinkerAmy, SaySay, KindaKrazy, LovinMyMoos

Hope you guys enjoy! Click here

Reading!!...you had me at DRINKS and Expedition Everest!

I just started a blog, I really want to document this year of training and hope it will keep me on track and injury free. Any of you Princesses with tips or suggestions, please feel free to jump in and help me!

Losing The Glass Slippers

 

[WishingMom]

Love ,love , love a spibelt. But so important when I buy a running skirt, that it has pockets.
Fuel is very personal. Start trying stuff now. Personally I love stinger chews.

I bought a spibelt this morning