Calling all Princesses! (2014 Princess half marathon board)

[kappyfamily]

Just wanted to say that I walked/jogged for a bit over a mile (2500 steps!) in about a half an hour last night
First time I've ever done anything like that!

Is that a good time?

Great job getting out there! Just remember to have the goal of 16 minute per mile or faster. Best to train for a 15 minute mile because you will have some type of stopping during the race (to take a pic, bathroom break, etc). They will "sweep" people if they are over that amount, not to scare you but to also make you aware of it. I've always found it's a bit more incentive to know those things. It's possible, just make sure you are training correctly so you dont get hurt. I've done 9 half's now and have never trained over 10 miles. If you can get to 10 you can get to 13. BUT you need to add the miles correctly no more then 10% a week. I suggest the Galloway training. Great job! Just remember you will feel some pain and your body is starting to get used to this new goal. Now go get those miles and DIG DEEP! Michele

 

[EpicBilynn]

Have you considered Galloway method or a run/walk option? I was a competitive swimmer in HS/college and tore my MCL/medial meniscus. I had my first knee surgery in college. I started running in my mid-twenties and hit a roadblock when I had to have my second knee surgery. I continued to try an straight run option and would have flare-ups. My friend introduced me to Galloway and I've become a running addict. It took me awhile to adjust b/c I had this silly ego that walking didn't qualify me as a "runner." However, I'm running faster than I ever did with a straight run method. I've completed 1/2 & full marathons, and 2 Goofy challenges. Several of the runners in my group have also qualified for Boston. So it's totally possible to be a "runner" with the Galloway method.

I wouldn't start wearing a running brace without conferring with an ortho or PT. The brace will change your gait which may snowball other issues (hip, ankle, etc.).

Post long runs, I use compression sleeves, biofreeze, and ice.

Competitive swimming is exactly how I tore my meniscus! Haha! I do currently train on intervals to increase my miles with the end hope that I can do a solid run. It just doesn't seem to matter if I walk/run/jog/gallop, once I hit a certain mile range I just feel my knee start to give. I may just make an appointment with my ortho and see if he has any ideas. I do use a heating pad and occasionally biofreeze. Thanks for the advice

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

10 km or 1/2 - thats the big question....

I guess I am a semi-runner in that I did complete the EE Challenge in May where I did average about a 12:30 min/mile but since then I havent done a lick of exercise or running so I am starting from scratch...

I guess im just worried that the 1/2 is too ambitious although really I did do about 8-9 km with the EE challenge since we did run to all the stops for clues on the scavenger hunt part as well...

I think im just really nervous about not finishing. I do plan on starting the Galloway plan in the next week or so to get a head start on training. Problem is the race is so far away and sometimes I have an issue with motivation and maintaing my training. Which is exactly what happened with the EE challenge - I didnt do much of anything 3 weeks prior and that really hurt me. I thought I was dying for the entire race. If it wasnt for my friend literally pulling me by the hand I may not have made it...

So what should I do? Should I register for both the 1/2 and 10 km in case I get closer to the date and dont think I can complete the 1/2 and run the 10 km instead...I'd hate to register for the 1/2 and not be able to do it and want to default to the 10km and have it be sold out and vise versa with switching from the 10km to the 1/2...

Any advice? And any advice to keep the motivation and training up over the next 8 months?

 

[PrincessV]

10 km or 1/2 - thats the big question....

I guess I am a semi-runner in that I did complete the EE Challenge in May where I did average about a 12:30 min/mile but since then I havent done a lick of exercise or running so I am starting from scratch...

I guess im just worried that the 1/2 is too ambitious although really I did do about 8-9 km with the EE challenge since we did run to all the stops for clues on the scavenger hunt part as well...

I think im just really nervous about not finishing. I do plan on starting the Galloway plan in the next week or so to get a head start on training. Problem is the race is so far away and sometimes I have an issue with motivation and maintaing my training. Which is exactly what happened with the EE challenge - I didnt do much of anything 3 weeks prior and that really hurt me. I thought I was dying for the entire race. If it wasnt for my friend literally pulling me by the hand I may not have made it...

So what should I do? Should I register for both the 1/2 and 10 km in case I get closer to the date and dont think I can complete the 1/2 and run the 10 km instead...I'd hate to register for the 1/2 and not be able to do it and want to default to the 10km and have it be sold out and vise versa with switching from the 10km to the 1/2...

Any advice? And any advice to keep the motivation and training up over the next 8 months?

I think it's maybe a matter of "know thyself" - only you can say if you'll be able to keep up the motivation to do the training for a 1/2. I'm probably not a lot of help in that department; if I decide to do something, by golly, I'll DO it or die trying. (This is not always a great attribute as a runner, FYI. Just ask me knees. And my ankle. And my IT Band... )

Maybe focus on the non-personal motivating factors if you feel the physical desire waning? Getting the most out of that hefty registration fee. The uber-fancy medal. The thrill of running through WDW.

FWIW, I went from throwing in sprint intervals with my daily walks (read; NOT distance running), to the EEC in 4 months. I went from the EEC to the TOT 10-Miler in 4+ months. I went from the 10-miler to the PHM in 5+ months. Due to injury, I went from run/walking around a 12:30/mile avg pace to not being able to run at all between the TOT and PHM. Much of my PHM training wound up being walking, just to get the mileage in. I was near 95% healed by the race, but didn't want to chance not finishing, so I walked most of the first half and ran more of the second half - I finished super strong, albeit with a 3:23:xx time. Point is, I couldn't train nearly the way I wanted to, but I got enough in to finish and enjoy the race. And you can, too!

ETA: As to registering for both the 10K and half... that's a LOT of money if you only intend to run one or the other. Personally, I'd pick one and go for it!

 

[FloridaNative8]

Just wanted to say HI on this thread... I've been on the GSC thread, and didn't think to join this one!

I'm hoping to register early via the Disney VISA, but still no word on if that will be possible!

This will be my first Princess (and 4th Disney race weekend)... nice to meet you all!

 

[tinydancr06]

10 km or 1/2 - thats the big question....

I guess I am a semi-runner in that I did complete the EE Challenge in May where I did average about a 12:30 min/mile but since then I havent done a lick of exercise or running so I am starting from scratch...

I guess im just worried that the 1/2 is too ambitious although really I did do about 8-9 km with the EE challenge since we did run to all the stops for clues on the scavenger hunt part as well...

I think im just really nervous about not finishing. I do plan on starting the Galloway plan in the next week or so to get a head start on training. Problem is the race is so far away and sometimes I have an issue with motivation and maintaing my training. Which is exactly what happened with the EE challenge - I didnt do much of anything 3 weeks prior and that really hurt me. I thought I was dying for the entire race. If it wasnt for my friend literally pulling me by the hand I may not have made it...

So what should I do? Should I register for both the 1/2 and 10 km in case I get closer to the date and dont think I can complete the 1/2 and run the 10 km instead...I'd hate to register for the 1/2 and not be able to do it and want to default to the 10km and have it be sold out and vise versa with switching from the 10km to the 1/2...

Any advice? And any advice to keep the motivation and training up over the next 8 months?

My only race before doing the Princess this year was the EE Challenge and I made it through all 13 miles! Not to say you don't need to train but its possible! Just a thought, if you have an issue with keeping up the motivation with the longer training plans there are a lot of plans out there that aren't as long as the Galloway ones. I kind of did a combo of the Galloway and other shorter plans to make it fit my needs. This time I plan to do the full official plan because once I was done training I actually missed it! You just have to know your body and what amount of training will be necessary for you. I would say just keep up with your cardiovascular fitness and leg strength in the time before you start training and you will be good to go no matter which plan you choose

 

[steph0808]

In January 2012, I started running after eating too many Christmas cookies - April I did a 10k, July a 15k, October 2 half marathons, and January 2013 the Disney Marathon.

I always went to the gym and did strength training and was in pretty good shape (I'd say skinny fat) but not really cardio-wise, but it really just takes the dedication. I firmly believe that if I can do it, anyone can.

 

[dminnie]

I'm wondering about pictures on the course. I see so many great pictures of people on the course in some of your blogs. Does Disney use someone like Marathonfoto to do pics during the races? Those, of course, cost a bundle to buy. Can you use the Disney photopass on the course for pictures with characters? Can you just hand the photographer your cell phone to take a picture?

 

[Caucus Racer]

Has anyone else heard that people with the upgraded AP cannot use the AP site for preregistration? Apparently if we changed to the RFID pass it's not valid?

If so, do we call the AP phone number? Do you think they'll have any clue how to do the registration?

 

[TMcDwyer]

I'm wondering about pictures on the course. I see so many great pictures of people on the course in some of your blogs. Does Disney use someone like Marathonfoto to do pics during the races? Those, of course, cost a bundle to buy. Can you use the Disney photopass on the course for pictures with characters? Can you just hand the photographer your cell phone to take a picture?

From what I remember there are people who will use your camera to take pics for you. I know there is no PhotoPass on the course, and I don't remember Marathonfoto being with the characters.

 

[MRS AR]

I'm wondering about pictures on the course. I see so many great pictures of people on the course in some of your blogs. Does Disney use someone like Marathonfoto to do pics during the races? Those, of course, cost a bundle to buy. Can you use the Disney photopass on the course for pictures with characters? Can you just hand the photographer your cell phone to take a picture?

On last years course lots of people handed their phone to cast members to take their photo. I ran sick and was worried at the beginning whether I would be able to finish and DNS or DNF was not an option for me so I didn't stop for many pics. I did get a cast member to snap a pic on the back side of the castle. So glad I did. Not many good photos of me by marathon photo. I so want to do this race healthy and enjoy it. Hoping early registration really comes through for Disney chase.

 

[longhorns2]

Has anyone else heard that people with the upgraded AP cannot use the AP site for preregistration? Apparently if we changed to the RFID pass it's not valid?

If so, do we call the AP phone number? Do you think they'll have any clue how to do the registration?

Was told by ap cm that you can register using the new passes now. They fixed it! Supposedly. . Good luck. Let us know

 

[pagirlinnc]

Thanks for all the support guys! I don't know how to multi-quote so can only do one...

First off, do you run some of those intervals? Then you ARE a runner!

Second, oh boy, do I ever understand where you're coming from! I was injured throughout training for this year's PHM. The race was fine, but it sure wasn't what I thought I'd be doing; because of the injury, I trained to walk most of the distance. I finished and I'm proud of that, but yeah - I want another crack at doing it the way I'd intended. So I signed up for the WDW Half, since it runs the same course. But now, with GSC... I'm leaning toward Princess Half 2, The Remix.

I struggle with that a lot. I do run during my intervals but feel like I can't truly call myself a runner because I'm not a skinny minnie out running five miles a day. I love Princess Half 2, The Remix! May have to steal that. I thought about the GSC but with my fitness level I'm thinking that might be putting too much on myself.
My sister says she's going to sign up to. So maybe with her & the support of y'all I can make myself go out for those sessions on the days I just don't feel like it & improve over the next few months.

 

[Figment1990]

I have a couple of questions regarding the spectator viewing areas. On the runDisney site, it says they can view runners from inside the MK park by the castle and at Epcot finish line. Can you also see runners from anywhere inside Epcot or around the Seven Seas Lagoon (such as near the Polynesian or Grand Floridian?)

Also, if anyone has purchased the ChEAR squad packages, I'd be interested in your experience.

I've decided that if I'm going to be crazy and do W&D-Tink-GSC/Princess, my family (at least DH & DS) deserves to be treated to a nice finish line experience at the end of it all!

 

[goofyshell]

Anyone know if I can sign up both me and my friend early with the visa?

 

[sunnygal041]

I just read that the PrincessGate registrants WILL be allowed to keep their spots. This makes me sad that folks who cheated have been rewarded for their bad behavior. I am very sad with this RunD decision.

 

[keahgirl8]

Thanks for all the support guys! I don't know how to multi-quote so can only do one...

I struggle with that a lot. I do run during my intervals but feel like I can't truly call myself a runner because I'm not a skinny minnie out running five miles a day. I love Princess Half 2, The Remix! May have to steal that. I thought about the GSC but with my fitness level I'm thinking that might be putting too much on myself.
My sister says she's going to sign up to. So maybe with her & the support of y'all I can make myself go out for those sessions on the days I just don't feel like it & improve over the next few months.

If you run, you're a runner! It doesn't matter how far or how fast. I struggled with that at first, but it was in my head. The majority of the running community seems to have this opinion.

 

[Cripey]

I just read that the PrincessGate registrants WILL be allowed to keep their spots. This makes me sad that folks who cheated have been rewarded for their bad behavior. I am very sad with this RunD decision.

Lame. Where'd you read that? I haven't seen any activity on the FB page that I originally saw it on, but I know it spanned several different pages...may not have trickled down to the one I'm on yet!

 

[sunnygal041]

Lame. Where'd you read that? I haven't seen any activity on the FB page that I originally saw it on, but I know it spanned several different pages...may not have trickled down to the one I'm on yet!

It's on margaritas, miles and the mouse blog. I'm soooo disgusted.

 

[Cripey]

It's on margaritas, miles and the mouse blog. I'm soooo disgusted.

that is REALLY crummy.