Need Feedback on the Disney Princess Half Marathon!

[disneygirlRN]

Well....I never thought I'd be enquiring about this, but here I am...wanting to do the Disney Princess Half marathon! I've been working out with a trainer three times a week since April and I've lost 22lbs. My trainer actually just completed the Chicago Marathon on the 10th of this month and she FREAKED when I told her last night I was looking into doing a 5k next month. I was just looking for some feedback from you Dis ladies who have done this marathon. Right now in the state I am in physically....I think I might die trying lol but training with my marathon-er for the next 128 days, I just really would like to try this!!

Jess

 

[bunnyfoo]

First off Jess, congrats on your 22lb loss! That's amazing!!

Did she freak out like she was happy for you or did she freak out like "OMG what are you thinking???"

I think a 5K is a great place to start and there's nothing saying that you have to run the entire thing. You can do run/walk intervals or even just walk the whole thing. Plus it will give you a feel for the atmosphere on race day. Personally I think it's a great idea

The Princess race is a half, not a full. Since it's at the end of February, I think you have more than enough time to train for it. Your trainer has some running experience so make sure she focuses on improving your overall strength and corporating some core/leg/hip exercises into your routine.

Also go onto Google and take a look at some of the training plans out there. See which one works for you the best in terms of weekly mileage. Oh! And if you have been running yet, make sure you go to your local running store and get fitted for the proper running shoes

Good luck!!

 

[queen mimi]

Having never done anything remotely athletic in my life, I decided to do the Princess Half Marathon a couple of years ago. I was overweight and completely out of shape as well as , how shall I say this, a senior citizen with arthritic knees!! By following the Hal Higdon program for walking your first half marathon, I was able to walk and successfully complete the Princess Half Marathon. I started my walking program in September and finished with the Half Marathon in March. Don't let anybody talk you out of it. You can do it! I am set to do my 6th Half Marathon this coming Saturday. Good luck to you.

Meg

 

[disneygirlRN]

First off, thank you both for your feedback...it means so much to know people that i don't even know have faith that i can do this!!! vicky, she freaked out in a good way!! she was so excited and went home and printed up our game plan for the next 19 weeks!! Meg, you are such an inspiration! I don't even care what kind of time i get, i just want to finish!! my trainer toni, has me started on the jeff halloway program (i think that's his name) and he says you need 18-19 weeks to train for a half marathon and that is exactly what we have!!! i'm pretty sure that was God! SO, last night for the first time i ran/walked 3 MILES!! i honestly think that was my first time running EVER. i was born with a dislocated hip and have had 4 surgeries. growing up running hurt so bad so i never use to do it! it hasn't been til recently that i have been having an easier time with this crummy hip of mine. walking around disney is a breeze compared to the pain i use to feel. after last night, continuously running/walking real fast, and NO stopping...i actually think i just might be able to do this!! thank again, and i will definitely keep you posted!!

jess

 

[jmasgat]

Jess There are lots of (Jeff) Galloway people on the WISH boards, so you will have lots of company with that type of training.

Good luck and congrats on beginning an exciting and sometimes scary adventure. Looks like you found the Princess thread, so you'll have lots of company.

Maura

 

[disneygirlRN]

thanks maura! i'm so glad i found you guys! i am nervous, anxious, excited, and determined all at the same time! i'm excited we've decided now, and that i do have time to improve and do this! i can't wait til 3 miles seems like nothing!



jess

 

[queen mimi]

Keep checking in. I'll be looking to see how you are doing. You will absolutely hooked on it after the Princess!

Meg

 

[disneygirlRN]

thanks meg! i feel so much better after doing the 3 miles....i know that's just a fraction of what the princess will be, but hey...you gotta start somewhere! just to know that i'm right on track with starting the halloway program. i'm going for my 25min run today, so we'll see how much i can do in that amount of time. i feel more excited than scared now, but i think that also comes from having a great trainer who knows what the heck she's doing with me l= thanks for checking in...i will definitely be keeping you posted!

jess

 

[disneygirlRN]

ran another 3 yesterday!! i think my pace is improving...still not where i want to be, but it's only been a week since i started! i keep having to remind myself that speed will come, but i'm just glad i'm finishing what i set out to do! i feel like i'm able to run for longer intervals, so that to me is a BIG accomplishment already! next sunday 4 miles!

jess

 

[queen mimi]

I'm impressed! That is great to be at that distance already. You will definitely be ready for the Princess. Start thinking about your outfit!

Meg

 

[disneygirlRN]

thanks meg!! it means so much to have your encouragement! it sure helps make me believe i can do this!
my trainer says fairy wings for sure...as long as they don't get in the way of my running lol i'm not so sure! today will be a 30 minute run/walk, so we'll see how far i can go.

Jess

 

[jmasgat]

Jess Keep up the good work---slow and steady will definitely get you there by Princess.

Maura

 

[disneygirlRN]

thanks maura! I ran 1.6miles in about 25 minutes yesterday....tried my hardest to do that first mile in 16 minutes, but made it in around 17 and a half....i know i'll get there, this is only the second week and i'm already almost there!!! with 120 more days to go i am SURE i can do it!! i already see such an improvement even in a week! ran at a 4.5 pace yesterday when last week i could only set it to a 4.0 pace on the treadmill! thanks again for all of your encouragement and support! it means the world to me!

jess

 

[queen mimi]

don't push yourself too hard. You don't want any injuries. (That from my own experiences as a beginning racer!) Just keep working consistently and slowly increasing your distance and your speed. You definitely have time to get to the point you need to be for the Princess.

Meg

 

[verticalchaos]

don't push yourself too hard. You don't want any injuries. (That from my own experiences as a beginning racer!) Just keep working consistently and slowly increasing your distance and your speed. You definitely have time to get to the point you need to be for the Princess.

Meg

Yep. You want to increase your weekly distance by no more than 10%.

Trust me. I did a 10K with about 2 weeks notice after only having done 5Ks, and my IT bands HATED me for it. Now I'm being more diligent about watching my increases.

 

[disneygirlRN]

thanks for your input guys....i really appreciate it. i ran 1.74 miles in 30 minutes yesterday. i was SO close to a mile in 16 minutes...did a mile in 17:26...i know i shouldn't push myself, it's only my 2nd week training, but i want to do it so bad! i will definitely take it slow and steady though. sunday is my 4 miles and one of my friends from church is going to run it with me. she's a lot better than i am, but she said she'd stick with my pace. so that makes me feel better thanks for the info guys, and i'll definitely keep you posted!

jess

 

[Kensgirl519]

Jess - I'm in kinda the same boat as you! I did 2.9 miles in 42 mins Wednesday night. I was pretty happy about that. I have never run but training for this has turned me into a different person! I sooooo look forward to the gym - who would have ever thought that???? I don't know if it's the time without the hubby and kids or the night long shower at the end without interruptions! Anyway - I have been training only since Oct. 9, 2010 and I have lost 8 pounds. I'm really excited. Are you doing the princess with anyone?

 

[disneygirlRN]

that's awesome!! good for you!! i am doing the princess with someone...my trainer is going with me. she's not only my trainer at the gym, but she's also become one of my greatest friends! she hasn't been to disney in a long time so i'm so excited to show her around!! i joined the gym in april and have been training with toni 3 times a week. i've lost 22lbs and counting...hopefully this extra running training will help me out with that! i've only been running for the last two weeks and i can't believe i'm actually doing it! i feel so accomplished already and i can't wait for february!

jess

 

[NCrunner]

Jess Congrats! It will be my first 1/2 too....There are a lot of us out there. Be sure to go to the official Princess 1/2 marathon forum site on the boards too. It is everybody talking about doing the same race. so you know who is going to be there, all kinds of tips and tricks....Rhonda

 

[queen mimi]

Congratulations to all you first time Princesses! I am proud of all of you.

Meg