Official 2011 Princess Half Marathon Thread - Link to new thread Post 3703!

[HockeyKat]

Rose, I think we left BWV at about 4:15-4:30. It seemed to be plenty of time. You have to be in your corral at 5:30 and it's about a 20 min walk from the bus drop-off/parking lot to the corrals.

I have two approaches for your sisters... one, just be up front which is preferable, or two, "lose" them at the start. I think it will be fine, though, if they have each other?

I don't like the cold either. I am doing all of my short runs/speed work inside right now, on the treadmill, and then long runs outside. Our lows are also in the mid-70s right now.

 

[joan4mickey]

About the winter training...

I don't do cold and it doesn't matter how many layers I put on, as there is going to be some body that is exposed and it's going to be cold. Socks and shoes don't keep my feet warm-how many of you ran the Princess half this year? By the time the race started I could barely feel my feet. The TM is boring-10 miles with the same scenery , but I listen to my music and watch Sports Center on ESPN (because most in the gym are men and that's what they watch).
Hot and humid I do better. I got up this morning just after 5, ate half a banana and drank some juice, stretched and was out by 5:45 for an 8 miler. It was 75 with 99% humidity. I was drenched, but I felt good when I finished.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Here in the upper midwest, winters can be downright cold and I am talking around ZERO. I am stubborn enough to just keep piling on layers and donning my Balaclava so there is pretty much nothing exposed except for my eyes. I hate that treadmill that much and here if we waited for temps to get decent, we would be on the treadmill all winter long.

 

[Cripey]

About the winter training...

I don't do cold and it doesn't matter how many layers I put on, as there is going to be some body that is exposed and it's going to be cold. Socks and shoes don't keep my feet warm-how many of you ran the Princess half this year? By the time the race started I could barely feel my feet. The TM is boring-10 miles with the same scenery , but I listen to my music and watch Sports Center on ESPN (because most in the gym are men and that's what they watch).
Hot and humid I do better. I got up this morning just after 5, ate half a banana and drank some juice, stretched and was out by 5:45 for an 8 miler. It was 75 with 99% humidity. I was drenched, but I felt good when I finished.

Jealous! oh how I wish I could get my runs over with in the morning! Unfortunately, I am already up at 4:30am to get ready for work and then start my commute so I'm forced to run on weekdays after work...and since I run alone I will only run in daylight at crowded parks...fortunately there's one near my work that is geared toward and marked for runners...however, on the bright side, I'm getting a KILLER tan this summer and it gave me a great excuse to go out and buy a pair of Oakleys to run in...my regular "fashion" sunglasses just weren't cutting it!

 

[HockeyKat]

About the winter training...

I don't do cold and it doesn't matter how many layers I put on, as there is going to be some body that is exposed and it's going to be cold. Socks and shoes don't keep my feet warm-how many of you ran the Princess half this year? By the time the race started I could barely feel my feet. The TM is boring-10 miles with the same scenery , but I listen to my music and watch Sports Center on ESPN (because most in the gym are men and that's what they watch).
Hot and humid I do better. I got up this morning just after 5, ate half a banana and drank some juice, stretched and was out by 5:45 for an 8 miler. It was 75 with 99% humidity. I was drenched, but I felt good when I finished.

Joan, I am SO with you!! I had an entire sweatsuit on, on top of a long sleeve tech shirt, a tech singlet, running tights, and shorts. Oh, and gloves. I ditched the sweatpants at the start but I didn't ditch the fleece zipup or gloves until about mile 3-4!

TM is boring but I turn it into headgames, esp with the short run speedwork.

 

[joan4mickey]

Kat TM is a head game-sometimes I just imagine that I'm running the Princess course. On a short run I might just imagine I'm doing the finish.

2010 Princess-took a while to drop the extra layers...for those who wonder about all the extra clothing on the course...well, they pick it up and donate to Goodwill. I keep a few "give away" clothing articles around to use on race day. I had to ditch my mittens this year when I got to the ship with all the heros so that I could take a picture. Oh yes, you will want to carry a camera with you when you run for all the Magically pictures on the course.

 

[HockeyKat]

Kat TM is a head game-sometimes I just imagine that I'm running the Princess course. On a short run I might just imagine I'm doing the finish.

2010 Princess-took a while to drop the extra layers...for those who wonder about all the extra clothing on the course...well, they pick it up and donate to Goodwill. I keep a few "give away" clothing articles around to use on race day. I had to ditch my mittens this year when I got to the ship with all the heros so that I could take a picture. Oh yes, you will want to carry a camera with you when you run for all the Magically pictures on the course.

Mine is all about competing with myself, and messing around with intervals. Like today I did 3/1 run/walk and was trying to see how fast I could get the 2nd minute of the 3 min run. Managed my best time yet, in the process.

I actually bought something new for the throw-away jacket... it was only $3 at Walmart but was big and warm and worked great. Ugly as sin, though! I had forgotten gloves but one of my friends was smart and had brought the $1 stretchy pairs from the dollar store for each of us as a gift.

No pictures here, my focus was completely on finishing! Maybe in 2011 I will want pictures.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Are there places that you can possibly hand off your discarded clothes to a loved one? Tech clothes are expensive!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Are there places that you can possibly hand off your discarded clothes to a loved one? Tech clothes are expensive!

Amy, that is why you obtain thrift clothes, old clothes or very cheap clothes to discard so you keep your good stuff.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Amy, that is why you obtain thrift clothes, old clothes or very cheap clothes to discard so you keep your good stuff.

Yikes, okay.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Yikes, okay.

It the norm in all marathons and the discarded clothing goes to charity. Pretty cool!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

It the norm in all marathons and the discarded clothing goes to charity. Pretty cool!

I like the idea. I just don't like the idea of having to go out and purchase more clothes and then training in them, training taking them off, etc.

 

[HockeyKat]

Amy, most of it is for waiting around. You get to the bag checkin at 5AM or earlier, and don't start your race until sometimes up until 6:30AM. It's a lot of slow herding-style walking and then standing around.

I would recommend wearing the clothes you are used to training in at that temperature, and then using old or thrift store clothing just until the start on top of your training clohtes. Mine wasn't tech gear, it was a pair of paint stained old sweatpants and a $3 icky fleece from Walmart.

You could even use an old blanket.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Amy, most of it is for waiting around. You get to the bag checkin at 5AM or earlier, and don't start your race until sometimes up until 6:30AM. It's a lot of slow herding-style walking and then standing around.

I would recommend wearing the clothes you are used to training in at that temperature, and then using old or thrift store clothing just until the start on top of your training clohtes. Mine wasn't tech gear, it was a pair of paint stained old sweatpants and a $3 icky fleece from Walmart.

You could even use an old blanket.

Thanks, Kat. Maybe I'll use a Snuggie. I don't think I'd artfully be able to take off sweatpants during the early running.

 

[Trudes]

Trudes- I have been researching training plans and have printed out both the smart coach and Hal Higdon plans. What do you use? This is my 1st half marathon and I only ran recreationally years ago (like 20 years ago!). I do have a good friend who is also running the half marathon with me. We are not completing our training runs together (yet) but we are holding each other accountable and that has been very helpful. I am glad to hear there is time to train for this. I am a bit worried about winter training - the snow in Wisconsin can be harsh and I like to run outside rather than on a treadmill.

I have read a lot about running at various sights and have read a couple books too. I am using the training program in Marathoning for Mortals. The one for running the entire half marathon. I had about 5 programs that I kept looking at. I only tweaked one run one it. I swapped out an 8 miler for a 12 miler. Not running the whole distance or near the whole distance bothers me. I know I should trust the program, so I may very well run the 8 as planned.

As far as winter running, I like it better then the summer running. I have some nice winter running gear. I will run when it's about 15-20 out there, but prefer 20 degrees or above. I LOVE running while it's snowing and dark. My sister bought me a pair of yaktrax and they are awesome. Gotta have them with the snow and ice. Don't even notice I have them on. On the really cold days, it will be the treadmill, but I will run outside when I can.

 

[Trudes]

Last winter I ran outside in the snow and actually enjoyed it very much. I grew very very weary of my dreadmill and decided to just take the plunge and head out. I layered up with various performance fabric clothing and kept nice and toasty although it can be a little chilly when you first head out. I also purchased yaktrax for my running shoes but never had a chance to use them because there was always too much dry pavement. If you do run in snow, it is so peaceful and quiet and traffic is at a minumum. I loved it and look forward to running in the winter months again! It was the first winter in a long long time that I did not get cabin fever!!!

Yes, what she said.

Dressing right can be a challenge. I tend to overdress, but you should expect to be cool about the first 10 minutes of your run. As you run, you'll warm up some and will be about just right. Sometimes I find myself carrying about half my clothes home. I am getting better, but there has been a learning curve for me in dressing right.

When you get a chance, I think you will love your yaktrax.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Yes, what she said.

Dressing right can be a challenge. I tend to overdress, but you should expect to be cool about the first 10 minutes of your run. As you run, you'll warm up some and will be about just right. Sometimes I find myself carrying about half my clothes home. I am getting better, but there has been a learning curve for me in dressing right.

When you get a chance, I think you will love your yaktrax.

There is just no right way to describe the peace and solitude of snow running and its like being in a snowglobe. Bliss!

 

[HockeyKat]

Thanks, Kat. Maybe I'll use a Snuggie. I don't think I'd artfully be able to take off sweatpants during the early running.

I actually shed mine between corral wave starts, so they were gone by the time I crossed the start line.

on the Snuggie!! Although I laugh, and think it's a good idea at the same time...

There is just no right way to describe the peace and solitude of snow running and its like being in a snowglobe. Bliss!

*shudder*. Even the thought of snow is enough to shatter my peace! I moved South for a reason!


Oh, and the highest I went in mileage before the Princess was 11.5.


I am not doing the same thing for my Aug 1 half, though, as this weekend is a 14 miler. Well, sort of. It won't be straight through, I am getting up at 4:30ish, doing the 4 miles, then joining my running club for the next 10 miles. There will likely be about a 15-20 min break between the two.


Anyone ever have a blister on their 2nd toe? I think it's because I cut the toenail too short... any tips?

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

*shudder*. Even the thought of snow is enough to shatter my peace! I moved South for a reason!

When you live in the cold winter climates, you have no choice. Its either suck it up, learn to love it OR either NOT run (not an option) or use the dreadmill (again...not an option). I love it!

 

[saysay]

I am hoping to make it....just trying to think up logistics and finances.

Can you tell me about the after party at Hollywood Studios.....like is the park closed to everyone except race participants and family. Just trying to decide when to come down and when to go home. THANKS!