Calling all Princesses! (2014 Princess Half Marathon Weekend)- thread #2

[Koda]

I wore my Yak Trax today too! Only went 3 miles, but it felt good to get outside, even if it was -5 wind chill! Schools are closed in our area tomorrow because of the expected dangerous low temps (-35-- -50 below). It will be indoor runs for me the next few days. I go to our local Y, or indoor Rec center...I feel like a hamster running in circles!

 

[jbish]

Is it time to push the panic button????

First, I'm dreadfully behind on my training. I mean, give me an excuse and I'll use it - holidays (with travel) bookended by kids' birthdays, family in town, bad weather outside, loss of a pet - I mean, I've got them all. But, the reality is, I haven't been running outside, much, I hate the treadmill and the longest I've run is 10K back in September. OMG, I'm in so much trouble.

Add to that, I don't have flights yet and they are just SO expensive!!! What the what???

Please, tell me I'll be okay. Life does return to "normal" this week - no travels planned until PHM. Weather stinks, but I'll just have to deal with the TM, right? And when I do run, I can do 10:30/11 minute miles - usually do 3 or 4 miles. Also, I haven't been keeping up with this message thread, but I'm back and I know that there's a good support group here.

 

[Twingle]

Is it time to push the panic button????

First, I'm dreadfully behind on my training. I mean, give me an excuse and I'll use it - holidays (with travel) bookended by kids' birthdays, family in town, bad weather outside, loss of a pet - I mean, I've got them all. But, the reality is, I haven't been running outside, much, I hate the treadmill and the longest I've run is 10K back in September. OMG, I'm in so much trouble.

Add to that, I don't have flights yet and they are just SO expensive!!! What the what???

Please, tell me I'll be okay. Life does return to "normal" this week - no travels planned until PHM. Weather stinks, but I'll just have to deal with the TM, right? And when I do run, I can do 10:30/11 minute miles - usually do 3 or 4 miles. Also, I haven't been keeping up with this message thread, but I'm back and I know that there's a good support group here.

NO! No panic button! It'll be okay - you still have time to train WITHOUT getting hurt, and it'll be okay

As a fellow VA Princess, I found MUCH cheaper flights going through Regan then Dulles - is that an option for you?

 

[jbish]

NO! No panic button! It'll be okay - you still have time to train WITHOUT getting hurt, and it'll be okay

As a fellow VA Princess, I found MUCH cheaper flights going through Regan then Dulles - is that an option for you?

Thanks! Reagan is definitely an option. (Baltimore is NOT - how is that even a "DC" airport???) But I'm not finding anything less than $380 for either airport. When did you buy your ticket?

 

[PrincessV]

NO panicking, Princesses!!! You really do still have time to prepare.

In case it helps anyone... I had to take several weeks off running entirely to deal with an injury back in early Nov. Then, I couldn't return to any sort of distance for a couple more weeks. At first I thought I'd have to DNS the WDW Half - how could I possibly have time to build up mileage in time?! Well, I went with a "go by how my body feels" plan and ditched the rigid training plan entirely... and found that, fully healed and healthy, I was able to build up quickly over a short period of time and hit 11 miles two weeks out. It's enough and I'm totally ready to handle Donald this weekend!

I don't mean to say that a fast ramp-up works for everyone, but I really believe if you listen to your body and push when warranted, rest as needed, you can revise the plan and find a way to get to a comfortable place. That final long run wasn't even planned; I decided 9.5 the week before was plenty. But I felt good that morning and went for it.

We can DO this, folks! Keep your focus, and don't give up early!

 

[FSUWXGirl]

Is it time to push the panic button????

First, I'm dreadfully behind on my training. I mean, give me an excuse and I'll use it - holidays (with travel) bookended by kids' birthdays, family in town, bad weather outside, loss of a pet - I mean, I've got them all. But, the reality is, I haven't been running outside, much, I hate the treadmill and the longest I've run is 10K back in September. OMG, I'm in so much trouble.

Add to that, I don't have flights yet and they are just SO expensive!!! What the what???

Please, tell me I'll be okay. Life does return to "normal" this week - no travels planned until PHM. Weather stinks, but I'll just have to deal with the TM, right? And when I do run, I can do 10:30/11 minute miles - usually do 3 or 4 miles. Also, I haven't been keeping up with this message thread, but I'm back and I know that there's a good support group here.

As far as flights go, I have found the absolute best deals with Allegiant Airlines. My flights for Princess from Newport News/Williamsburg VA were $69 each nonstop flying to Orlando-Sanford, which is just around 30-45 mins to the parks but so worth the prices! I use this airline all the time to go home to FL and regularly fly for $42 each way. The don't have that many destination cities, but for any princesses still looking for flights, it's worth a shot to see if there is an airport that Allegiant flies through near you

You will definitely be fine with training! I've been using my own training plan for princess each year and usually by this time, my longest runs are between 6-7 miles. I don't do a longer run than that until mid-January! This year may be different because I am battling hip pain that appeared about a month ago and have been taking is slower, but this plan has worked really well for me in the past and I've been very prepared for Princess weekend with it! I feel that that I don't need to train the full 13.1 miles for my body, and 10 miles is enough for me to be more than adequately prepared. You still have plenty of time to get it done so definitely don't panic!!

 

[jdd]

Count me in as another one tired of this weather!! I'm only doing the 10K, but I still feel the need to train. I only started running about 8 months ago and was too chicken to attempt a half marathon yet (but thinking about it for 2015 ).

I was able to get in 5 miles on the trail near my house yesterday, but it was completely snow covered and I was about 30 seconds off my pace (which isn't very fast to begin with). Honestly felt like my feet were slipping back with each step. Need to look into those Yaktraks if I'm going to try to train next winter!

On the bright side, my running skirt came today and got me excited all over again!!

Good luck to everyone - and stay warm this week

 

[Bookwood]

We are still in a weather emergency here also- not allowed out on the roads yet where I live, love the country most of the time LOL. I'm wrestling with an IT band issue from running my 7 in the cold and now can't get into the track at the Y to work it out- so frustrating. Hopefully tomorrow! (and I'll keep rolling and stretching)

 

[emilyindisney]

Ditto on the weather being a downer! I usually don't run outside when it's below 20 so this week has been a killer. I hate running on the dreadmill but I'm going to have to stop digging my heels in at some point until it warms up!

 

[kappyfamily]

We are still in a weather emergency here also- not allowed out on the roads yet where I live, love the country most of the time LOL. I'm wrestling with an IT band issue from running my 7 in the cold and now can't get into the track at the Y to work it out- so frustrating. Hopefully tomorrow! (and I'll keep rolling and stretching)

might be a blessing in disguise for you! Giving it a bit of rest isn't a bad thing! Hang in there.

 

[Twingle]

As far as flights go, I have found the absolute best deals with Allegiant Airlines. My flights for Princess from Newport News/Williamsburg VA were $69 each nonstop flying to Orlando-Sanford, which is just around 30-45 mins to the parks but so worth the prices! I use this airline all the time to go home to FL and regularly fly for $42 each way. The don't have that many destination cities, but for any princesses still looking for flights, it's worth a shot to see if there is an airport that Allegiant flies through near you

You will definitely be fine with training! I've been using my own training plan for princess each year and usually by this time, my longest runs are between 6-7 miles. I don't do a longer run than that until mid-January! This year may be different because I am battling hip pain that appeared about a month ago and have been taking is slower, but this plan has worked really well for me in the past and I've been very prepared for Princess weekend with it! I feel that that I don't need to train the full 13.1 miles for my body, and 10 miles is enough for me to be more than adequately prepared. You still have plenty of time to get it done so definitely don't panic!!

Interesting! I've not looked at the Newport News airport, because it's almost three hours from my home! Do you rent a car at Orlando-Sanford? Very curious about this option

 

[emilyindisney]

Has anyone seen any GSC/Princess half facebook banners? I've been poking around but I haven't seen any.

 

[Mouseketeer Heather]

Is it time to push the panic button????

First, I'm dreadfully behind on my training. I mean, give me an excuse and I'll use it - holidays (with travel) bookended by kids' birthdays, family in town, bad weather outside, loss of a pet - I mean, I've got them all. But, the reality is, I haven't been running outside, much, I hate the treadmill and the longest I've run is 10K back in September. OMG, I'm in so much trouble.

Add to that, I don't have flights yet and they are just SO expensive!!! What the what???

Please, tell me I'll be okay. Life does return to "normal" this week - no travels planned until PHM. Weather stinks, but I'll just have to deal with the TM, right? And when I do run, I can do 10:30/11 minute miles - usually do 3 or 4 miles. Also, I haven't been keeping up with this message thread, but I'm back and I know that there's a good support group here.

Don't panic...there's absolutely still time! Sorry to hear about your pet loss, that's so hard...but returning to "normal" this week is a boon! By my count, we're looking at just over 6 weeks, right? Is my math correct or has the cold affected my cognitive abilities (lol!)?
If you plan, no ifs ands or buts, and commit to your "long and slow" days the next 5 weekends...you could do 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 - whatever mileage works for you (I noticed in reading the older threads quite a few are in great shape training-wise going up to 10 and then doing the half) and be all set with time to spare for tapering back and getting that all important rest-up prior to the big day. Channel your inner postman ("neither rain, sleet, snow or dead of night shall deter me from my appointed task"...) and YOU WILL BE FINE! PROMISE!

Today is a day off for me...too darned cold to deal with outdoor training today, and the indoor track at my local rec center is a whopping .10 of a mile and I just can't bear to go around that itty bitty circle umpteen times today! So I think I will pop a walk aerobics dvd in tonight and get some really good stretching in.

Warmish FL is calling my name...here's hoping the weather breaks for us all soon!!!

 

[mog]

NO! No panic button! It'll be okay - you still have time to train WITHOUT getting hurt, and it'll be okay

As a fellow VA Princess, I found MUCH cheaper flights going through Regan then Dulles - is that an option for you?

Are you close enough to try Richmond? We got our flights direct on Southwest from Richmond for under $200.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Is it time to push the panic button????

First, I'm dreadfully behind on my training. I mean, give me an excuse and I'll use it - holidays (with travel) bookended by kids' birthdays, family in town, bad weather outside, loss of a pet - I mean, I've got them all. But, the reality is, I haven't been running outside, much, I hate the treadmill and the longest I've run is 10K back in September. OMG, I'm in so much trouble.

Add to that, I don't have flights yet and they are just SO expensive!!! What the what???

Please, tell me I'll be okay. Life does return to "normal" this week - no travels planned until PHM. Weather stinks, but I'll just have to deal with the TM, right? And when I do run, I can do 10:30/11 minute miles - usually do 3 or 4 miles. Also, I haven't been keeping up with this message thread, but I'm back and I know that there's a good support group here.

I am in the same boat as you and Im not panicking, yet. DH is hemming and hawing about going down. I need to pull the trigger on flights today or tomorrow or there won't be seats for the 6 of us.
I also pretty much took off the whole month of Dec due to the holidays and our school auction being delayed. I got back to the gym today, and I actually did ok, better than I thought I'd do.

 

[STILLWISHING]

Interesting! I've not looked at the Newport News airport, because it's almost three hours from my home! Do you rent a car at Orlando-Sanford? Very curious about this option

I would try BWI too - it's only 1/2 hour from DC and way more convenient - you can also access it through amtrak/Marc train via new Carrollton.

 

[DVCFan1994]

I am among those who was starting to think it was time to panic. But I remembered why I agreed to do this in the first place. To have fun with my sister, who was the instigator Now, I am no longer running it with her, she is pregnant. But, my goal was always just to finish. I had a very loose goal in mind of 2:00, but that has gone out the window with my three injuries since June, the most recent in November. So my goal for the 10k now is to run it slow and comfortable. I am comfortable with that distance now, so I want to get through without setting myself up for disaster Sunday. My goal for the half is simply to finish. My training pace has been very consistent. Before, in the midst of and after injuries, I just always end up at the same average pace according to my Garmin. I try to slow down and then I look a minute later and I'm back at my norm. Same thing if I try to speed up (which is rare). Due to my injuries I've never gotten into speed work, so I am not disappointed I haven't gotten faster. I'd like to stay under 11 minute miles (10 is my training pace). But if I don't, I don't. Im not doing any back to backs with long distance, so I really don't know what to expect.

A runner with a 8 min mile pace will get the same medal as me. I am just really looking forward to the experience. I love Disney and I was in Disney back in the 90s when the first marathons happened. We just happened to be there every year at that time. I always thought "I could never do that". I was in my early 20s then. I am proud of myself for even thinking now that I can do it, and can't wait to prove myself right.

And...Sunday my sister completed the deferral process which requires you to register for next year. Which means...yup I will be doing it again. So I have decided to embrace this race as a warm up and a way to have inside info to share with my sister so we can really make the most of it together

Im also considering finding a local spring half to do (maybe the Runners World Heartbreak Hill Half) so I can train in some better weather and see what I might be capable of then

 

[charmed1212]

Being a first timer I am loaded with questions.

When is packet pick up? Can I only do it at the expo? As much as I would like to go to the expo, I could go without it. I really can't afford to miss school since I am really busting my butt to get into our RN program so I am trying to leave at the last possible minute to do packet pick up and the race. I am driving since I only live 6 hours away.

Like many of you I didn't do so well over the holidays, but I braved 2 miles today in 22 degree weather. Btw, I live in Florida so that is cold for me. Lol stayed at a pretty good pace so hoping I can ramp it up. I am signed up for the 10k so I don't have much to ramp up to, but being overweight and a beginner runner I want to make sure I finish the race.

I hope everyone's schedule is slowly moving back to normal. I know it is frigid up North. Brrrrrrr

 

[jmasgat]

Being a first timer I am loaded with questions.

When is packet pick up? Can I only do it at the expo? As much as I would like to go to the expo, I could go without it. I really can't afford to miss school since I am really busting my butt to get into our RN program so I am trying to leave at the last possible minute to do packet pick up and the race. I am driving since I only live 6 hours away.

The only place to pick up your race bib and shirt is at the expo. There is a way for someone else to pick that up for you (with signed waiver, copy of photo ID, etc).

I am one of those is the frozen north and am looking forward to a really quick trip this weekend to cheer on WISHers doing the marathon weekend events. Hoping to get in a run--although not the 13 I have scheduled.

 

[DVCFan1994]

The only place to pick up your race bib and shirt is at the expo. There is a way for someone else to pick that up for you (with signed waiver, copy of photo ID, etc).

This brings up what is probably a silly question for me. What about kids? I'm planning to go to packet pick up alone and leave my kids with my parents. I assume I don't need anything special to pick up their bibs for the kids races. If I'm wrong, please correct me