Calling all Princesses! (2014 Princess half marathon board)

[PrincessV]

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.

Oh my... I've looked at my GSC plan repeatedly and not once did I catch - DUH! - that my Sat. runs are about half the distance of my Sunday runs! Can you tell that math isn't my thing?! Thanks for sharing your success - it always helps to hear real-life stories!

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!

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.

ITA - sooo much of distance running is mental. By the time I'd done 10 miles in training, I knew I could finish 13.1. I opted to go beyond 10 in training simply because I had the time to do it and recover and wanted to see just how much I could push my pace coming back from injury. I didn't physically need those extra miles to get through the race, but doing them helped me fine-tune some details about how I wanted to approach my race - which aided my mental preparation, if that makes sense. I was glad to have found out ahead of time that I get really, really, REALLY hungry around mile 12, lol!

 

[Gryhndmom]

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.

Soooo agree with your posting and princess V...my 1st half marathon at PHM only took me up to 10 mi on my long runs and running coach had me do various maintenance runs during the week varying from 4-6 mi. Just did an 11 mi run this past sat for the DL half and felt good...now taper time.

Got me a pair of sole flip flops when they were on sale...like them and rotate between wearing them and orthaheel with my fav...birki's Disney

 

[capeseal]

So great to hear from so many folks who did the half after a 10-mile max long run. I remember reading one of Hal Higdon's plans which said that if you trained to 10, the adrenaline on race day would take you the rest of the way but I didn't quite believe it until hearing it now from all of you

That said, I'm following Higdon's novice 2 program so, barring any back issues, I'll run 12 miles for my last long run before tapering. I feel great about that but think when I start training for Princess, I may just go to a 10/11-mile max. I'm not sure how I will alter my training for Princess after Wine and Dine yet, but I know I won't be able to sustain high mileage for three months while staying injury-free so I imagine I will begin focusing on a little speed work. I'd love to get my pace down to 9:30 a mile or less...

 

[kathleendsm]

I've done 3 half marathons and never gone over 10.5 miles in training. I've never had any trouble at all with the distance. In my first one I was sore in the last mile or so, but during the 2012 Princess I stopped at a med tent and took some Tylenol and that magically kept the soreness at bay, so I now carry a couple with me and pop them mid-race at a water stop.

I also carry Gu's and take one every 4 miles or so. That helps with energy!

 

[BlazerFan]

So great to hear from so many folks who did the half after a 10-mile max long run. I remember reading one of Hal Higdon's plans which said that if you trained to 10, the adrenaline on race day would take you the rest of the way but I didn't quite believe it until hearing it now from all of you
...

I still hear my first coach in my head at mile 10, "you can do this, it's only a 5k to go". Or a 5k with a 10 mile warmup

 

[xCourxCorex]

Do any of you PHM/runDisney veterans know if you are able to use a Disney gift card at the expo? I have a few cards with $10-25 on them and wonder if I can use them for the official race gear? If not I'll just use them for food and drinks/on another trip but would be nice since I know I'll be dropping quite a bit in the expo

 

[joan4mickey]

Do any of you PHM/runDisney veterans know if you are able to use a Disney gift card at the expo? I have a few cards with $10-25 on them and wonder if I can use them for the official race gear? If not I'll just use them for food and drinks/on another trip but would be nice since I know I'll be dropping quite a bit in the expo

I'm pretty sure you can use them at the runDisney store only. Not independent vendors.

 

[fashionista311]

If you're a new runner/new to distance just looking to finish, then going to 10 miles is absolutely fine. My first half I did something similar to a basic very beginner plan (ran 3 times/week mostly 3-5 miles during the week and then one long run) - I only made it to 9 miles because I forgot to build in a taper and didn't realize that until too late. Although the last three miles were tough, I was able to run the whole thing, which was an incredible accomplishment at the time.

Nowadays, I'm much better trained. I have a very solid base (I run 30-40 miles/week when I'm not in a training cycle, and it just goes up from there when I am training for a specific goal), so when I'm training for a PR half, I'll routinely go up to 16 miles for a long run. The half differs from the full because you don't actually hit "the wall" (a physiological experience when your body runs out of glycogen stores)...although if you go out too fast or don't have enough endurance, you can certainly "bonk" which feels just as terrible (been there, done that!). So while it's not really advisable to run the full distance when training for a marathon (because you are depleting your glocyocen stores too close to race day), the half marathon is a different ballgame. If you have the base to support the long runs (remember, long runs should never be more then 50% of your weekly mileage...some would even argue 20-30%), definitely go for it. It's helped my endurance tremendously

 

[xCourxCorex]

I'm pretty sure you can use them at the runDisney store only. Not independent vendors.

Like the "I did it" t shirts, hoodies etc? I wouldn't think I'd be able to use them at a random vendors booth, but if I can use it for run Disney gear that would be great!

 

[PrincessV]

Do any of you PHM/runDisney veterans know if you are able to use a Disney gift card at the expo? I have a few cards with $10-25 on them and wonder if I can use them for the official race gear?

I'm pretty sure you can use them at the runDisney store only. Not independent vendors.

Like the "I did it" t shirts, hoodies etc? I wouldn't think I'd be able to use them at a random vendors booth, but if I can use it for run Disney gear that would be great!

Yes and no... Yes, the official runD booth was accepting them last year - but not every register was taking them. Bad tech, I guess, but some machines in the long line of check-outs just wouldn't accept the gift cards. Mine worked, but my friend got a window that wouldn't take her gift card. After waiting in that line for 45 minutes, we were DONE - she just paid by credit card and used her GC elsewhere. Hopefully, with the expo back at WWOS, this won't be an issue... but I suggest having a back-up plan, just in case!

 

[xCourxCorex]

Yes and no... Yes, the official runD booth was accepting them last year - but not every register was taking them. Bad tech, I guess, but some machines in the long line of check-outs just wouldn't accept the gift cards. Mine worked, but my friend got a window that wouldn't take her gift card. After waiting in that line for 45 minutes, we were DONE - she just paid by credit card and used her GC elsewhere. Hopefully, with the expo back at WWOS, this won't be an issue... but I suggest having a back-up plan, just in case!

good to know, thanks!

 

[MRS AR]

If you're a new runner/new to distance just looking to finish, then going to 10 miles is absolutely fine. My first half I did something similar to a basic very beginner plan (ran 3 times/week mostly 3-5 miles during the week and then one long run) - I only made it to 9 miles because I forgot to build in a taper and didn't realize that until too late. Although the last three miles were tough, I was able to run the whole thing, which was an incredible accomplishment at the time.

Nowadays, I'm much better trained. I have a very solid base (I run 30-40 miles/week when I'm not in a training cycle, and it just goes up from there when I am training for a specific goal), so when I'm training for a PR half, I'll routinely go up to 16 miles for a long run. The half differs from the full because you don't actually hit "the wall" (a physiological experience when your body runs out of glycogen stores)...although if you go out too fast or don't have enough endurance, you can certainly "bonk" which feels just as terrible (been there, done that!). So while it's not really advisable to run the full distance when training for a marathon (because you are depleting your glocyocen stores too close to race day), the half marathon is a different ballgame. If you have the base to support the long runs (remember, long runs should never be more then 50% of your weekly mileage...some would even argue 20-30%), definitely go for it. It's helped my endurance tremendously

Thanks for your perspective on distance. I'm also training for the Mickey as well as the GSC. I was planning on pushing my longest training run to 23 miles instead of 20 just for the mental factor. Now I might need to rethink that. I don't want to cause a problem but I know from my 1/2 marathons when I pass 10 miles I know "I've got it". Somehow I'm afraid with 6 miles to go mile 20 won't have me convinced I'll be able to finish. It's a mental battle for me.

 

[pixarmom]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the very helpful training information and perspectives. Great to hear feedback regarding various training plans, methods, etc!

 

[ColleenG]

Thanks for your perspective on distance. I'm also training for the Mickey as well as the GSC. I was planning on pushing my longest training run to 23 miles instead of 20 just for the mental factor. Now I might need to rethink that. I don't want to cause a problem but I know from my 1/2 marathons when I pass 10 miles I know "I've got it". Somehow I'm afraid with 6 miles to go mile 20 won't have me convinced I'll be able to finish. It's a mental battle for me.

I did Mickey and Princess last year. Mickey was my first ever marathon. I only went up to 20 in my training. I know exactly what you mean, that last 6.2 miles is still 6.2 miles. As long as you have a good base you will be fine. Most recommend not going over 20 and risking injury. The atmosphere of Mickey will get you through those last 6 miles. You go through Hollywood Studios, Beach Club & Yatch Club area and then into Epcot. There are lots of spectators along the way, which really gives you that boost. I honestly never felt like I hit a wall. I did do some Gatorade at each of the water stops and used gels and some candy along the way. Don't know if that gave me enough of a boost, but I felt like I finished strong.

 

[kappyfamily]

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!

Just want to throw in there that a 10k is a much different race then the half. 6 miles is great but highly recommend to go to a least 9 miles. The differences when you get to 8/9/10 miles is significant compared to only going 6. Just my two cents worth....

 

[charmed1212]

Oh, I know that tune! I think the hardest thing is trusting the training plan - even having completed a few long races, I reach a point in training every time where I start doubting what I'm doing. If it helps, know that come race day, you may well find yourself running more, or walking more, or stopping to stretch, or never stopping at all... but it'll be okay, because you've done the training; what we do in training doesn't always (um, NEVER for me) match exactly how we end up racing, but it's the base that gets us ready for whatever comes on race day. I, too, find it so helpful to read so many different perspectives and experiences - this is a great group!

Thank you! I think the fear has overcome me. I have never done a race of that distance so I am nervous. I appreciate all the help and motivation.

 

[pixarmom]

Just want to throw in there that a 10k is a much different race then the half. 6 miles is great but highly recommend to go to a least 9 miles. The differences when you get to 8/9/10 miles is significant compared to only going 6. Just my two cents worth....

Thanks, kappyfamily! I think that's what I'll do. Honestly, my biggest concern about going more than 6 miles is that I start to get bored. But I have a route along the lake that I could stretch a little further to keep it interesting. And some new music on my ipod shuffle might help!

 

[joanzie72]

Thanks, kappyfamily! I think that's what I'll do. Honestly, my biggest concern about going more than 6 miles is that I start to get bored. But I have a route along the lake that I could stretch a little further to keep it interesting. And some new music on my ipod shuffle might help!

switching up your route and add new music will help.

 

[mommy2lt]

For any Princesses still trying to figure out their costume, I have the Rapunzel costume from Iglow running for sale for $75 (I paid $100). It is brand new, never been worn and a size Medium. I hate to part with it, but changed my mind about what I wanted to do and now have to many costumes ( if there were such a thing). Message me if interested.

 

[forever11709]

I don't know if this has been posted but we need a baby sitting solution for race morning! We will be taking my almost 4 year old with us and all the adults in our party will be running, anyone have an idea what to do with her that morning? Is KNO open that early?