Half Marathoners!: Give the Princesses some advice!

[MISSINWDW]

So in a few short weeks, we princesses hope to do what you half marathoners just accomplished... Congrats! I want to know what was AWESOME about your weekend. Also, what would you do differently if you had it to do over again? Any Expo buyers remorse? Any wishing you had bought it when you saw it? How about race advice, course advice, night before advice, heck anything helps! First time marathoners, your input is especially valuable as I know there are a ton of first time Princesses out there and it's great to get a fresh perspective. Ready? GO!

 

[verticalchaos]

1. DON'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT ON RACE DAY!!!

2. RELAX and TRUST YOUR TRAINING! If you've put in the training, you'll be ok. It's understandable to be a bit nervous, but getting hyper and tensed up about it isn't going to help you and will most likely hurt you.

2. Don't be afraid to walk if you need to. I walked more than I'd planned, but that allowed me to finish. If I'd tried to push through and run in all my run intervals when things like my IT band were flaring, I would have likely ended up being transported to the finish in a vehicle. But walking allowed me to finish on my own - and still under 3 hours.

3. DON'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT ON RACE DAY!!!

4. If you see something you want at the expo, BUY IT THEN. I did buy my "I Did It!" shirt when I picked up my packet and was VERY glad I did.

5. Eat the elephant one bite at a time. Don't look at the start line and think 13.1 miles. Break it into little bites.

6. TRUST YOUR TRAINING.

7. DON'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT ON RACE DAY!!!

 

[NelleBelle50]

1. DON'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT ON RACE DAY

3. DON'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT ON RACE DAY!!!

7. DON'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT ON RACE DAY!!


Someone read John binghams book! Good advice though.

After reading these boards I would suggest running with a spibelt or equivalent to keep hands free for taking pictures.
I run half marathons this is my first disney. If you see it at the expo and sorta think you want it, get it anyway.
Just trust your training and you will probably be faster than training just be cause you are surrounded by thousands to help keep your pace. Love the runs, hate the training. Hope to finish 2:30 but with all the stopping for pictures and crowds I will be happy with 2:45.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

1. I plan to stop for more pictures. I didn't stop at all during the half and I kind of regret it. I was so focused on a good time (1:58 ) that I didn't really have "fun". I plan on enjoying the Princess.

2. Try to carry some sort of energy supplement.

3. Parts of the course are very dark. There was one particular underpass ( I think coming in front of the Contemporary) that was very dark and several people came close to colliding. Don't be afraid to call out your location if you need to pass someone.

Have fun!

 

[Bephus]

1. Have fun! We run Disney for oneain reason, it is FUN! Stop and enjoy the race. I run most of my races without a watch and end up running faster than I think I will (even stopping for pictures I PRed both races for the Goofy).
2. Trust your training. It WILL get you to the finish.
3. Don't try anything new. Trust me, you will regret it.
4. Give yourself a budget at the expo bit don't try to rush through. Soak in the excitement of the crowds and browse the booths. But the best advice for the expo, go on the first day in the morning. It will be less crowded and you will feel less stress.
5. HAVE FUN!

 

[lisah0711]

Thanks OP for starting this thread! As a first time half marathoner doing the Princess soon this is just the kind of info I need!

 

[verticalchaos]

1. DON'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT ON RACE DAY

3. DON'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT ON RACE DAY!!!

7. DON'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT ON RACE DAY!!


Someone read John binghams book! Good advice though.

After reading these boards I would suggest running with a spibelt or equivalent to keep hands free for taking pictures.
I run half marathons this is my first disney. If you see it at the expo and sorta think you want it, get it anyway.
Just trust your training and you will probably be faster than training just be cause you are surrounded by thousands to help keep your pace. Love the runs, hate the training. Hope to finish 2:30 but with all the stopping for pictures and crowds I will be happy with 2:45.

Swear by it! He and especially Jenny have been invaluable to me in my training and starting running. They are the BEST!

 

[MinnieRx85]

I would have NOT walked so much the day before the race. We went to Hollywood Studios and Epcot the whole day before, and I should have spent time off my feet and by the pool!

Don't get frustrated, there is going to be A LOT of people there, try to talk to some of them..I made LOTS of friends at the start of the race!!!

Take everything in! There is NO WAY you can take too many photos!!!!

 

[fashionista311]

for those of you who are running for the first time (not run/walking) - be aware that if you stop late in the game (for bathroom, pictures, whatever) be aware the longer you are stopped for, the harder it will be to start back up and run again since your legs will cool down

bring every combo of running clothes you have - long sleeved, short sleeved, tank, shorts, capris, tights - because you never know what you will want on race day and the weather can change on a moment's notice, especially in florida

if you like music when you run but want to keep it off during the race, it's not a bad idea to keep your ipod on you ready to go..so if you need some motivation, you can turn it on at a moment's notice. i particularly like a nice energy burst right after you leave you the magic kingdom

if you are running in a group, particularity if everyone will be coming in at different times, carry your cell phone on you and sign up for tracking for everyone. that way you know exactly where everyone else is on course and know when you can expect them in. plus it's nice to have your splits right when you finish

enjoy the ride!!! the princess race is my favorite disney race...and i think my favorite half marathon i've ever run. it's just so girly and FUN

 

[Pumbaa80]

I just completed my first half, and I agree with the pp that you can't have enough pictures and that a spybelt is fantastic!

Some of the characters with long lines, we just stood away from and snapped a picture with us and the characters in the background instead of waiting in the line.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Maddykins06]

Having a mantra helped me.
Disney was my first marathon and I kept telling myself:

"It's supposed to be hard.
If it wasn't hard everyone would do it.
The hard....is what makes it great."

-A League of their Own

and HAVE FUN!!!

 

[verticalchaos]

Mantras rock! But keep it SHORT!!!! Runner's World just had an article about this. SHORT AND SWEET!

Mine was/is: Be strong; Embrace power!

 

[fashionista311]

some girls in front of me at the nyc marathon had the best mantras on their shirts. i was totally cracking up...

how to run a marathon
step one: start running
step two: THERE IS NO STEP 2!!

 

[rubato]

My mantra has always been:
You can do anything for a mile!

Just repeat it 13.1 times, and you're set.

Actually, during the marathon, that turned into things like: You can do anything for 10 miles. Or, you can do anything for 1 minute. Whatever I needed at that time. At the end of my half marathon the day before, my goal was to beat this cute little 20 year old in her sports bra and short shorts. Mean and petty, I know, but it got me through the last mile or so.And, then, in the full, it was trying to beat Jeff Galloway. So, basically, whatever motivates you.

 

[verticalchaos]

My mantra has always been:
You can do anything for a mile!

Just repeat it 13.1 times, and you're set.

Actually, during the marathon, that turned into things like: You can do anything for 10 miles. Or, you can do anything for 1 minute. Whatever I needed at that time. At the end of my half marathon the day before, my goal was to beat this cute little 20 year old in her sports bra and short shorts. Mean and petty, I know, but it got me through the last mile or so.And, then, in the full, it was trying to beat Jeff Galloway. So, basically, whatever motivates you.

Yep. The old eat the elephant one bite at a time thing! Chunking is a GOOD thing.

 

[deleckidesign]

I second everything everyone has said above...

also, don't start out too fast. I find that even though I don't think I'm going too fast at first, I usually am. I always feel so good to start, but have to remind myself I have a long ways to go and need to hold onto some of that energy for later in the race!

 

[johde]

some girls in front of me at the nyc marathon had the best mantras on their shirts. i was totally cracking up...

how to run a marathon
step one: start running
step two: THERE IS NO STEP 2!!

That was from "How I Met Your Mother". It's a real funny episode where Barney takes Marshals bib in the NYC Marathon and runs it with no training.

Another John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield fan here. Used their plan twice and I'm basing my plan this time on it, with a little bit of Galloway thrown in.

Most of the suggestions I would have given have already been said. But I did think of a couple.

1. Start off slower than you think you should be. The excitement of race day along with all the people wil lead you to start off fast.

2. Try to make one of your runs a "dress rehersal" as best you can. You may not want to go quite as early as race start but. Get up early, eat the breakfast your planning on eatting. Bring Gu, Chomps, etc. that your planning on using during the race. Preferably do this on one of your longest runs (9+ miles).

3. Study the basics of the course map, to get a basic idea of where you're going. Disney is fairly flat but look for the "hills". I've never done Disney but people have talked about the tunnel under Bay Lake near MK and a couple of the overpasses.

4. If this is your first half, don't worry about time (Other than not getting swept).

5. Did someone mention "don't try anything new"

Good luck.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

Having a mantra helped me.
Disney was my first marathon and I kept telling myself:

"It's supposed to be hard.
If it wasn't hard everyone would do it.
The hard....is what makes it great."

-A League of their Own

and HAVE FUN!!!

One of my all-time favorite quotes and words I live by

 

[MISSINWDW]

You are all AWESOME! Thanks so much for all the great advice! Loved reading through all the posts. I have a long run today (11 miles) and you've given me new motivation - Thanks! Love being able to check these boards over my morning coffee and get a little more excited every day!

 

[verticalchaos]

That was from "How I Met Your Mother". It's a real funny episode where Barney takes Marshals bib in the NYC Marathon and runs it with no training.

Another John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield fan here. Used their plan twice and I'm basing my plan this time on it, with a little bit of Galloway thrown in.

Most of the suggestions I would have given have already been said. But I did think of a couple.

1. Start off slower than you think you should be. The excitement of race day along with all the people wil lead you to start off fast.

2. Try to make one of your runs a "dress rehersal" as best you can. You may not want to go quite as early as race start but. Get up early, eat the breakfast your planning on eatting. Bring Gu, Chomps, etc. that your planning on using during the race. Preferably do this on one of your longest runs (9+ miles).

3. Study the basics of the course map, to get a basic idea of where you're going. Disney is fairly flat but look for the "hills". I've never done Disney but people have talked about the tunnel under Bay Lake near MK and a couple of the overpasses.

4. If this is your first half, don't worry about time (Other than not getting swept).

5. Did someone mention "don't try anything new"

Good luck.

Hee - three times. I think I phrased it as don't do anything new, but yes! Definitely words to live by!!