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

[Jeter02]

Thanks Kat....and Congrats on that half!

 

[cewait]

Okay. According to John Bingham's plan in the book (14 week plan). He has you doing the 10 miles on week 11, and then going down to 8, then 5 then race day.

So we don't really need to worry about doing more then 10?

For a first half I say that works well. OK even for any half but after your first you will have an experience to help understand your body and know where you should tweak your training.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

The course is FLAT; or as flat as a course can be. At mile one the course comes over an overpass followed by a freeway style entrance onto World Drive. Then up World Drive on a flat but heavily cambered roadway. Look to run down the stripes – offset by few inches to avoid the reflectors. (the stripes are flatter as this is the seam between paver passes). We go through the MK parking lot then under Seven Seas Drive on the tram road ( a small reverse hill that is not heavily sloped). A mile later the course goes under Seven Seas Lagoon. This by far is the steepest slope on the course. I suggest hopping up to the sidewalk before heading down into the viaduct if you will not be walking up the opposite side. It will feel plugged up at a sub 9 pace. Just after passing the Contemporary you make a u-turn onto a cast member entrance into the park. Note that there is a 20-25 foot rise over the next quarter mile topping out on Main Street. In the middle a small underpass awaits as you cross under the MK railroad. Once out of the park it is pancake flat until mile 10 where you make a 270 degree cloverleaf turn back onto Epcot Dr. This is a heavily sloped turn and climbs up to an overpass at the same time. I run the longer outer radius for the better/flatter footing. From there it’s a dip and up again for a second over pass and at mile 12 the final over pass awaits.

Again these are ‘hills’ in the Orlando area. I would train long runs on a flat course to train your stabilizer muscles to get used to little or no change in slope. The few ‘hills’ can be handled with a few mid week hill sessions.

I usually run on 2-3 different courses with most runs being in one location. It can get dreary seeing the same sites over and over but it is great mental training. In a race you need to pull within to get through sections of the race. Having developed the tools in training make surviving a race easier.

THANK YOU so very much!!! I seriously appreciate any advice you so freely give.

 

[joan4mickey]

My LR for the Princess Half this year was 10 miles. I just did 10 this morning for the DL 1/2 in three weeks. Next week I will do an 8 mile LR. I am not an expert, but it does work. Maybe it is the excitement that carries us the last 3 miles or the thought of getting the beautiful medal draped around our necks.

I'd like to thank Coach Charles for all the posts he makes on this thread. His information is helpful for all.

I'm not always able to do what he says, but I do try. My outside LR are always way to fast, but I get them done as best I can. The TM is helpful for me in trying to get my pace-I love to be outside, but the pace is hard to keep right.

 

[joan4mickey]

Coach gives a good description of the course. I see girls slow to a walk on the first climb near mile 5 (Seven Seas Lagoon-I guess). It also narrows at the top. Most hate the curved banked overpass climb at mile 10. It killed me this year as my IT band issue decided to return right at mile 10 and I couldn't decide it the outer or inner route was best. The last two overpass climbs are easy as the end of the race becomes a reality. The mind is a powerful thing.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I am sorry, but a lot of the coach's advice is bunk. 16 miles is not good prep for a marathon. You absolutely do not need to taper for a half, most certainly not to almost zero.

Check out the Letsrun or Runner's World forums for good advice.

 

[saysay]

i'd like to know people's thoughts on that too. i sorta feel like since the race is fairly far away right now that it would be great to work up to 11, 12 or even 13 miles before the race so i know i can do it. why not keep training, right?

also, and now i'm only up to running 3 or 4 miles, but the way things are going, there's no way the last 3 miles will just be mental - i feel like i will need to really train for them!

First all I am no expert, I followed the Galloway training program many years ago to complete 2 1/2 marathons and have started running again in prep for the Princess 1/2. Granted its a walk run program, but he has you do 14 miles 2 weeks before the race to get over the potential of any mental block so you can see you can do it and further. The next week long run is only 5 miles, then the next week is the race. It worked for me.

Here is the link. Good luck in your training.

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half_marathon.html

 

[swim-mom]

For a first half I say that works well. OK even for any half but after your first you will have an experience to help understand your body and know where you should tweak your training.

Last year I asked Coach for some help, just like he provided above.

my plan said to train for the 13, but honestly I was scared that I would over train and/or not be able to do it the day of the run.

So trust Coach when he says, that is all you will need ---- because I am proof he knows what he is talking about

For your first half you have to trust others who have been in your shoes, its hard but learning from their experience is priceless.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Last year I asked Coach for some help, just like he provided above.

my plan said to train for the 13, but honestly I was scared that I would over train and/or not be able to do it the day of the run.

So trust Coach when he says, that is all you will need ---- because I am proof he knows what he is talking about

For your first half you have to trust others who have been in your shoes, its hard but learning from their experience is priceless.

Training correctly for your distance is not overtraining. Few people in the world overtrain, and they are all elites.

 

[swim-mom]

I am sorry, but a lot of the coach's advice is bunk. 16 miles is not good prep for a marathon. You absolutely do not need to taper for a half, most certainly not to almost zero.

Check out the Letsrun or Runner's World forums for good advice.

Please be careful, as he clearly stated thats what he can do (of course after years of training). What you are missing is the beginner part and that everyone who is new to this is scared.

Last year it was my first half, and Coach helped me not only with my mentral prep but also guide me with a modified plan of traing as I was only 7 months post op from cervical spine surgey (I am fused C4-C7 with a plate & 6 screws in my neck and a strut in place of C6 as I broke it).

Coach gave me practical advise but also showed me that I only needed to get to 10 miles for the half..............and guess what it worked.

Sometimes another persons own experience can truly help save those who are new hungry for information.

Kind positive words please ................. we all need a place to share our accomplishments and our struggles to start being negative towards others is crazy.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I wasn't being negative. I was just saying buyer beware.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I am sorry, but a lot of the coach's advice is bunk. 16 miles is not good prep for a marathon. You absolutely do not need to taper for a half, most certainly not to almost zero.

Check out the Letsrun or Runner's World forums for good advice.

That is incredibly rude - but his advice is good. It is perfectly okay to run 10 miles as your maximum distance before doing a half. Please remember that most people on this board are interested in completing a half not getting to Boston Marathon qualifier levels. Regardless, of your opinion, calling anyone out is not appropriate and I am personally offended by your know it all attitude. We are a friendly forum and your attitude just changed that. It is up to each user to determine whose advice they want to follow and I think we are all big enough here to make those decisions without someone being called out. I value Coach's opinion because so far it has benefitted me.

Many people don't end up showing at half's because they get too discouraged and feel that the only way they are prepared is by practicing with 13.1 mile distances. I think by professional marathoner stances (well by my friend that is one) my training was hardly proper for running the Princess this year. But, I did it and for the record, my longest consistent training was about 7-10 miles...and nearly all on a treadmill minus maybe 10 days outside. Anyone can do this - not to be first in the race but this is magical not competition. If you want a competitive race go and do the Boston, New York, London, etc. But, Disney is a magical place for a magical race!

 

[jwdizney]

okay, for starters, this is a great thread! you guys are inspiring and i've found a lot of great tips (even though I haven't read the whole thing!). I am a guy, and my wife (princess!) and I are doing the wine and dine relay in Oct, and will continue our training toward the Princess Half in Feb... I know there's a coed option for the Princess, and i've seen where guys have ran it before, but how do all you princesses REALLY feel about guys running with their princess? i'm going to be at Disney anyway, and it would be my first full half marathon...

 

[swim-mom]

I wasn't being negative. I was just saying buyer beware.

Thank you for reminding us of that policy...........but I dont recall anything being placed up for sale



Oh I forgot that to add that I spoke with Disney Enduranace and they will be deciding after the F&W 1/2 if their will be an after party. I do know it would be held on Sunday night.......... then again I wont be their as I already have my room.

So keep Monday night open just in case!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

okay, for starters, this is a great thread! you guys are inspiring and i've found a lot of great tips (even though I haven't read the whole thing!). I am a guy, and my wife (princess!) and I are doing the wine and dine relay in Oct, and will continue our training toward the Princess Half in Feb... I know there's a coed option for the Princess, and i've seen where guys have ran it before, but how do all you princesses REALLY feel about guys running with their princess? i'm going to be at Disney anyway, and it would be my first full half marathon...

I think it is great! There was a great mix. I personally loved the Princess and her Frog! I think that there is something to be said for couples that can do things like this together. My other half would rather sleep in, so that is his choice. He would probably slow me down anyways! I saw quite a few this year and it was great how much support they offered in their groups (some ran solo). The only thing is that if you want to get any awards, you can't. But, the medal would be enough! Don't worry, there will be no hazing of men but you will be outnumbered!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

That is incredibly rude - but his advice is good. It is perfectly okay to run 10 miles as your maximum distance before doing a half. Please remember that most people on this board are interested in completing a half not getting to Boston Marathon qualifier levels. Regardless, of your opinion, calling anyone out is not appropriate and I am personally offended by your know it all attitude. We are a friendly forum and your attitude just changed that. It is up to each user to determine whose advice they want to follow and I think we are all big enough here to make those decisions without someone being called out. I value Coach's opinion because so far it has benefitted me.

Many people don't end up showing at half's because they get too discouraged and feel that the only way they are prepared is by practicing with 13.1 mile distances. I think by professional marathoner stances (well by my friend that is one) my training was hardly proper for running
the Princess this year. But,I did it and for the record, my longest consistent training was about 7-10 miles...and nearly all on a treadmill minus maybe 10 days outside. Anyone can do this - not to be first in the race but this is magical not competition. If you want a competitive race go and do the Boston, New York, London, etc. But, Disney is a magical place for a magical race!

Of course 10 is fine for a half. But tapering to zero will get you injured. And many people are competitive at Disney, and train hard to be there.

 

[swim-mom]

okay, for starters, this is a great thread! you guys are inspiring and i've found a lot of great tips (even though I haven't read the whole thing!). I am a guy, and my wife (princess!) and I are doing the wine and dine relay in Oct, and will continue our training toward the Princess Half in Feb... I know there's a coed option for the Princess, and i've seen where guys have ran it before, but how do all you princesses REALLY feel about guys running with their princess? i'm going to be at Disney anyway, and it would be my first full half marathon...

You asked so I will answer........While last year was my first half, I almost cried as I read all of the co-ed teams running with shirts saying "Im running with my princess"!!

I enjoyed the male presence, because I found the men so encouraging to everyone and I loved that many of them worse shirts that said I dressed like a princess because my wife is a princess

So please run enjoy and add some humor on your shirt --- trust me a smile or giggle at mile 10-13 is priceless and so needed!

 

[jwdizney]

I think it is great! There was a great mix. I personally loved the Princess and her Frog! I think that there is something to be said for couples that can do things like this together. My other half would rather sleep in, so that is his choice. He would probably slow me down anyways! I saw quite a few this year and it was great how much support they offered in their groups (some ran solo). The only thing is that if you want to get any awards, you can't. But, the medal would be enough! Don't worry, there will be no hazing of men but you will be outnumbered!

You asked so I will answer........While last year was my first half, I almost cried as I read all of the co-ed teams running with shirts saying "Im running with my princess"!!

I enjoyed the male presence, because I found the men so encouraging to everyone and I loved that many of them worse shirts that said I dressed like a princess because my wife is a princess

So please run enjoy and add some humor on your shirt --- trust me a smile or giggle at mile 10-13 is priceless and so needed!

thanks for the words of encouragement! it will definitely be a special event for both of us, i don't care about any awards.. like you said, the medal is enough! I guess i'm going to need to look into a "my size" tutu!

 

[dumbo_buddy]

You asked so I will answer........While last year was my first half, I almost cried as I read all of the co-ed teams running with shirts saying "Im running with my princess"!!

I enjoyed the male presence, because I found the men so encouraging to everyone and I loved that many of them worse shirts that said I dressed like a princess because my wife is a princess

So please run enjoy and add some humor on your shirt --- trust me a smile or giggle at mile 10-13 is priceless and so needed!

that sounds so sweet! at first i wasn't crazy about seeing too many men as i thought this is sort of a girl power type of event. but then to read that so many men were out there encouraging their women? that's awesome!!

my dear friend from high school told me that she'll run the 1/2 with me! i really hope she doesn't flake out on me! she has run probably 6 or 7 marathons and a million half marathons. i know i will be so slow compared to her but it would be so great to actually have someone down there with me!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Of course 10 is fine for a half. But tapering to zero will get you injured. And many people are competitive at Disney, and train hard to be there.

Are we not talking about a half in this forum? Sorry, but most people do Disney races for the experience. It is far too expensive to consistently use as a qualifier race. There is no need to be competitive at Disney with most of the races. With that, of all the races the closest to being competitive would be the WDW Marathon and Half because they comprise the Goofy and people make it a tradition. But, most professional marathoners will save money and get their qualifiers from other much more affordable races. Regardless, I think you owe Coach Charles an apology for your comment. I am sorry that he had to be attacked like that. Because without his posts I think a lot of us wouldn't be reaching the levels we are. Thanks so much for your advice Charles and I hope you keep posting! You have run a ton of Disney races and know better than any of us on this forum about the Disney experience because you have seen it so much!!

Now, hopefully we can get back to all the pixie dust and encouragement that this thread usually offers!

I just got back from the gym and met a lady that was just starting her training for the Princess! She is just about 60 and has been working the last year to lose 50 lbs. She looks great (and doesn't look close to 60) and it was so cool! I have never met a Disney Princess Half Marathoner in Atlanta!! She made me feel a lot better after running 10 miles today. I don't know if I stayed up too late but I was so not in the mood and nothing good was on TV at the gym...so that turned that time around!!