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

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Excuse my lack of knowledge, but are "apps" available or usable for simple I pods? i don't have an I phone.

The Nike Plus feature is able to be used with a regular iPod. It has the sensor you place in your shoe (or they have little clip on things all over the internet you attach to your shoelaces) and the receiver gets plugged into your iPod. I have heard that it works very well - but I use the Nike Sportband. It doesn't rely on headphones (I don't feel that it is safe to always listen to music when running outside), and it allows me to view my pace and distance. To be honest, I just had my pace requirement memorized when I ran the Half earlier this year and just watched my time. I didn't pay attention to the distance that the sportband was telling me. But, I can see how having that information is valuable when you are away from a treadmill. You couldn't pay me to run outside this time of year!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I started running with the Nike+ and it worked well. After I decided that I truly had the running addiction, I purchased my Garmin 305 because it uses GPS and is very very accurate. The Nike+ is moderately accurate as it relies on your stride when you calibrate it. I could never get it calibrated very well. With the Garmin, I get distance, pacing, heart rate and any kind of info I would ever want or need. I love it and it is worth every penny of the $150 I paid for it.

 

[maroo]

I started running with the Nike+ and it worked well. After I decided that I truly had the running addiction, I purchased my Garmin 305 because it uses GPS and is very very accurate. The Nike+ is moderately accurate as it relies on your stride when you calibrate it. I could never get it calibrated very well. With the Garmin, I get distance, pacing, heart rate and any kind of info I would ever want or need. I love it and it is worth every penny of the $150 I paid for it.

I was just going to add...that if you really don't care about heart rate and want to get one for a bit cheaper, then see if you can find a Garmin 205 - I was able to find one that was cheaper than I was able to find a 305 - and I don't care about heart rate, so it worked really well for me.

 

[Vickibean]

Where in WI are you? I am in the southeast corner.

Me too! I'm in the 'burbs of Milwaukee.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Me too! I'm in the 'burbs of Milwaukee.

My dad lived in Madison for several years. I loved going to visit him.... in the summer!

 

[kpooh]

I am currently doing the c25k program. I just went to google and searched for c25k music. I came across podcasts that people had created. I just downloaded them to my mp3 player. The one that I am using now has the cues for when to walk and when to run. There is no way that I could be motivated by techno!!! My brother uses the app for the iphone. He says it is pretty good.

 

[disneyaway]

Can the Nike+ be used with any MP3 player or is it Ipod specific? I have a Zune.


I keep debating on when to sign up. I really want to do this and am training for it. But I keep feeling like I should wait to run my first 5K or 10K in a race environment before committing. I am walk/jog 2.5-3 miles 3x/week right now at a 14 min pace. So I know it should only get better. I just need to take the plunge!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

The Nike Plus feature is able to be used with a regular iPod. It has the sensor you place in your shoe (or they have little clip on things all over the internet you attach to your shoelaces) and the receiver gets plugged into your iPod. I have heard that it works very well - but I use the Nike Sportband. It doesn't rely on headphones (I don't feel that it is safe to always listen to music when running outside), and it allows me to view my pace and distance. To be honest, I just had my pace requirement memorized when I ran the Half earlier this year and just watched my time. I didn't pay attention to the distance that the sportband was telling me. But, I can see how having that information is valuable when you are away from a treadmill. You couldn't pay me to run outside this time of year!

Thanks for the info. The irregular times that I do exercise, I actually use one of those arm band things for my Ipod. I don't need headphones for it, it just plays through its speakers. I have oddly small ears, and have yet to find a set of earphones that are comfortable or that stay in place. I llike having it through the speaker though. I'm off to google the Nike Plus feature thing a ma bob.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Can the Nike+ be used with any MP3 player or is it Ipod specific? I have a Zune.


I keep debating on when to sign up. I really want to do this and am training for it. But I keep feeling like I should wait to run my first 5K or 10K in a race environment before committing. I am walk/jog 2.5-3 miles 3x/week right now at a 14 min pace. So I know it should only get better. I just need to take the plunge!

The Nike+ is Ipod-specific only.

I am a very conservative runner and I waited to run a race of this magnitude until I had at leat one year of running base. I am now past that mark and have built my mileage slowly but safely. If I were you, I would wait another year. Some folks would tell you, sure...just do it. I am not telling you that as I want you to be a healthy injury-free runner! There will be many opportunities ahead of you! Be patient and trust the process of training to run!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

The Nike+ is Ipod-specific only.

I am a very conservative runner and I waited to run a race of this magnitude until I had at leat one year of running base. I am now past that mark and have built my mileage slowly but safely. If I were you, I would wait another year. Some folks would tell you, sure...just do it. I am not telling you that as I want you to be a healthy injury-free runner! There will be many opportunities ahead of you! Be patient and trust the process of training to run!

I think there is such a thing as being overly conservative. I started running on March 8th, and ran my first 10k, successfully, on May 15th. I added mileage slowly, through Couch to 10k. I am healthy and completely injury free, and run races every other weekend.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I think there is such a thing as being overly conservative. I started running on March 8th, and ran my first 10k, successfully, on May 15th. I added mileage slowly, through Couch to 10k. I am healthy and completely injury free, and run races every other weekend.

Thats your choice, Amy. I am in my early 50's and have NEVER been anathlete of any kind. I have also seen my fair share of running injuries due to overtraining. Personally, I want to enjoy running for years to come and this is the way I decided to approach this sport. I am not telling her what to do as I am just voicing my thoughts. This advice came from a friend that is a certified running coach.

The c25k program is a great tool and congratulations in your accomplishments!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Thats your choice, Amy. I am in my early 50's and have NEVER been anathlete of any kind. I have also seen my fair share of running injuries due to overtraining. Personally, I want to enjoy running for years to come and this is the way I decided to approach this sport. I am not telling her what to do as I am just voicing my thoughts. This advice came from a friend that is a certified running coach.

The c25k program is a great tool and congratulations in your accomplishments!

It was absolutely my choice. All I"m saying is that I hadn't done any physical activity in years before I started running in March. Never played any sports. I have a muscle disorder, as well. I was the poster non-athlete.

So it's possible to race a 5k after a few weeks. You don't need a year under your belt.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

It was absolutely my choice. All I"m saying is that I hadn't done any physical activity in years before I started running in March. Never played any sports. I have a muscle disorder, as well. I was the poster non-athlete.

So it's possible to race a 5k after a few weeks. You don't need a year under your belt.

I am speaking in terms of training and running a Half Marathon AFTER a year of running. I ran my first 5k just 2 months after starting running.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I am speaking in terms of running a Half Marathon AFTER a year of running. I ran my first 5k just 2 months after starting running.

I'll be at seven months of training for my first HM.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I'll be at seven months of training for my first HM.

AWESOME!!!

I have seen folks just start running and they choose a HM for their first race. They are just asking for running injuries. I learned the hard way as I have had piriformis issues from overtraining and was treated my a physical therapist. THAT was a pain in the rear! LOL

Donchya love the feeling of actually training for a HM? I have never felt so in tuned with my running and I love it!

 

[kpooh]

I have oddly small ears, and have yet to find a set of earphones that are comfortable or that stay in place.

I have really small ears, too!! I finally found a sony pair of earphones that work. They are called sweet little buds. They came with several differnt size earbuds. They stay in place, are comfotable, and the sound is great!!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

AWESOME!!!

I have seen folks just start running and they choose a HM for their first race. They are just asking for running injuries. I learned the hard way as I have had piriformis issues from overtraining and was treated my a physical therapist. THAT was a pain in the rear! LOL

Donchya love the feeling of actually training for a HM? I have never felt so in tuned with my running and I love it!

I like it most of the time The other day I had to do some early morning running because of my schedule that day, and that I did not like. I have no problem running in the morning for a race, when I have plenty of time to prepare myself (food, drink, bathroom, shower), but just waking up and getting out there before work is murder on my body.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I like it most of the time The other day I had to do some early morning running because of my schedule that day, and that I did not like. I have no problem running in the morning for a race, when I have plenty of time to prepare myself (food, drink, bathroom, shower), but just waking up and getting out there before work is murder on my body.

Oh I know what you mean! I belong to a HM training group and Thursday evenings we have track speedwork. I dread them as they are hard workouts but they have made such a difference with my...well...speed. Who knew, right LOL! I get up at 5am twice a week to get my run done and actually like it better than after work. i don't have all day to talk myself out of it.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Oh I know what you mean! I belong to a HM training group and Thursday evenings we have track speedwork. I dread them as they are hard workouts but they have made such a difference with my...well...speed. Who knew, right LOL! I get up at 5am twice a week to get my run done and actually like it better than after work. i don't have all day to talk myself out of it.

You are brave. I like running after work because it seems the whole city is out in Central Park, doing the same thing. Mornings are a bit more scarce, and I feel like crud the whole day after. I REALLY need food and beverage in me to run well.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I have really small ears, too!! I finally found a sony pair of earphones that work. They are called sweet little buds. They came with several differnt size earbuds. They stay in place, are comfotable, and the sound is great!!

I have the Bose earbuds. They have three sizes of the adapters included and they never fall out. A little pricey, but mine are still going strong after five years.

As far as races, my first one was the Disney Princess Half and I trained for six months before and was fine. I don't see the point of taking a year to train for one, especially the Disney ones becuase they are so walker friendly. As long as you follow a running plan, get the right shoes at a running store, and are for just completing your first race rather than winning it, injuries aren't so likely. Many pushed themselves too hard this year at the Princess and had ice taped all over the place and depended on that pain relief gel they had all over the place. I think if you are a newbie and just want to have fun, that you can start out with the Princess Half as your first race ever. I am doing my second Half at Disneyland in September - so that will be my year mark for training.

I would suggest if you do get to a point where your motivation drops for training (we all get there at some point), that you join a running group. There are some with running stores, the Nike store has some here as well. It isn't always that fun, but it is nice to be accountable for something like your training. I am not a morning person, but joined a group that had more people training for marathons than halfs so we met at 4:30 a.m. and met our goals. It didn't hurt that one of the early morning people lives down the street, so I knew I couldn't make any excuses.