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

[haleofafamily]

One thing I'm thinking I'll do is instead of training to run the half marathon, I'll train for the run/walk or maybe even the walk/run. If I crawl the whole darn thing it would be more than I've ever done in my life!! :laughing

I totally agree!!

After trying to run for 3 miles, I have quickly come to realize that I will have to either run/walk or walk/run to complete the half. I realized this after doing multiple 18/19 minute mile jogs and then doing a run/walk 14 minute mile. I thought why am I killing myself for a slower time??

About the book - I assumed they meant that in order to complete a half or full marathon using any method (running or walking) that you needed a year and a half. Did they only mean running a half or full should take that long to prepare and train?

 

[HockeyKat]

I just add nesquick to my regular milk I buy. I don't know what the experts would say but it works for me so if ovaltine works for you I say go for it!

Jo- I hope to figure my plans out soon. We are just done planning a trip to north Carolina for a wedding so now my family can talk Disney. If they aren't going I'm definitely in for sharing a room with you goddesses and either hotel would be fine for me!

I should say I'd probably be fine with touring the park on my own. I think it's more the idea of coming back to an empty hotel room. I am an independent person but I also like the idea of sharing my experiences with people.

Meg, you won't be alone and you know it. No matter what, EE and Jo and I will be there and you will have people with you, if only just next door.

Where and when in NC? PM or FB me (since I finally cleaned out my inbox).

I think that “enough” is a relative term. It totally depends on what your goals are. If you’re just going over the finish line, you could walk 13.1 miles tomorrow, probably under a 16 min/mile pace. You might not feel good for a week afterwards, but the vast majority don’t need to train for a Disney half if their only concern is not being swept.

I think a 5k and a 10k is a great way to start. I started running in March, and since then have done two 5ks, three 10ks, a 3mile, two 4miles and a 5mile, with two more races (a 4mile and a 1mile) coming up before my first half. I find that every time I do a race at a new distance, I learn something about myself, and about racing, and about the running community. I make mistakes, and learn from them, and employ the lessons in my next race. As long as you’re putting in the miles, you don’t need to race on a crazy basis, but I love the ability to gage where I am in a race situation, and have the race director do all the work (timing, water, snacks) for me.

I am going to utterly disagree here. If you are already in decent shape, you might be able to walk 13.1 miles at a 16mm pace tomorrow. Maybe.

I can't say I know much about you, and please correct me if I am wrong, but you appear to be both young and in shape, and to not have struggled much with weight or exercise in your life so far.

However, not everyone is in great shape. I am relatively young (34) and mostly healthy, but for one thing... I was too overweight (40-60lbs) when I started this journey to do more than 2 miles at an 18mm pace without having to stop. Extra weight makes a huge difference in how fast you can go and how much your body will take.

I have also known a few people that got swept or were close, even after training.

5K is possible with no training but I wouldn't advice anyone to do a half without at least going 10 miles once at a pace 2mm slower than race pace.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Yeah, Kat, that’s why I said the vast majority. Everyone has their own circumstances. I’m relatively young (30), and weigh about 106, but that doesn’t make me fit. Getting out there and doing the miles made me fit.

 

[Poohlove]

I usually buy the organic low-fat chocolate milk that comes already prepared in the "juice box". The brand I buy is Horizon, but I know it's available in many other brands. I like it because it's easily portable, shelf-stable (although I always refridgerate) and in just the right portion. I love anything chocolate so if I were mixing it myself, it would be WAY too tempting for me to pour up a TALL glass and put a heavy squeeze on the chocolate syrup.

That's a great idea - I never thought of that. Thank you!!!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

I truly hope we are able to set up a meeting time, for those interested, from this thread while we are at the Princess 1/2. I am so motivated and inspired by everyone!

I am all for setting up a meeting, I had suggested an ADR for Friday night after the expo. I think we were just trying to decide on the place??

i love the posts about the solo runners. it's so true - this "trip" to disney isn't about eating as many mickey ice cream bars as i can (the usual reason i go!), it's about a personal mission. to run this race and prove to myself i can do it. it just so happens to be pretty spectacular that it's in disney since it's my favorite place!

What, what do you mean its not about the mickey bars? We can eat Mickey Bars and not have to share with our kids !!!

 

[Poohlove]

I also have read the Marathon for Mortals book and keep it in the top drawer on my nightstand and I'd say that on average every other night I flip through to refresh my memory because there is just so much information in the book.

I also have about 60lbs to lose, having at one time been very active but now I cringe at how the most basic of activites wear me out (due to the way too much extra weight I am carrying). I am doing my own hybrid of several plans based on how I feel that day, etc. and trying to lose weight along the way so that I don't blow out a joint from all of the stress being put on it I am going to run a 5K in October (there aren't any in my area that fit into my schedule sooner), and a 10k in the beginning of November. Then maybe try to shoot for a walk/run half in December and then start training for a run/walk half for the princess. My victory will be in training smart and finishing the race then being able to move afterwards and enjoy some of the many cocktails that Disney has to offer. I'll probably be a cheap date by then as my training program does not allow much room for my beloved Miller Lite

 

[poppinspal]

Meg, you won't be alone and you know it. No matter what, EE and Jo and I will be there and you will have people with you, if only just next door.

Where and when in NC? PM or FB me (since I finally cleaned out my inbox).

That's true and I should have known you goddesses would be there for me. What more do I need?

I'll shoot you a PM in a few about that and about the half down at the Outer Banks. (Ever since you mentioned it I've had that race in the back of my mind.)


I have to agree with Kat. I think that sometimes what books or websites say can be misleading. Every person is in a different place when they start this journey and so that means everyone takes a different path. I think it's just important to be honest with yourself about your physical capabilities and limits. I don't think you ever want to go in with no training and how many races you do before your half depends on who you are. I've been running a 5k every month and will continue to do so, I will be running a 10k and another half before the Princess. Would I recommend this many races to someone training for the Princess? No. I run, play hockey and cross train... if I take a rest day it's one day. I'm probably in better condition then I was when I played college hockey so I know my body is capable of doing all these races. But I do recommend at least doing one or races just to get the feel of what the whole experience is like. (Not that any race I've done has compared to how much fun I have doing Disney races.) I guess that's a long winded way of saying take all advice but keep in mind we are all different so what we need will be different.


Oh and while I'm not a solo traveler I definitely run solo. So for all of you out there who might be planning to run alone... Disney races are amazing races to run alone. Every time I've run down there I've met people along the course and had some terrific experiences. Running alone can be a great time.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Megan, I wasn't recommending anyone not train. I was saying if you wanted to wake up tomorrow and walk 13.1 miles, you could.

The more training, the better.

 

[HockeyKat]

Yeah, Kat, that’s why I said the vast majority. Everyone has their own circumstances. I’m relatively young (30), and weigh about 106, but that doesn’t make me fit. Getting out there and doing the miles made me fit.

I know when I am out and about I see a lot more way overweight and way out of shape. My area does not have a lot of walking required as part of daily life, so that might be part of it too.

I do think you can be thin and not fit, but my belief is that it is more unusual to find that than a fat and relatively fit (like me ).

 

[poppinspal]

Megan, I wasn't recommending anyone not train. I was saying if you wanted to wake up tomorrow and walk 13.1 miles, you could.

The more training, the better.

Oh no I didn't mean that you were! Not at all! I was just saying I wouldn't recommend it at all but I wouldn't recommend running races every month either. I was really just trying to say we all have to find the training that works for us.


I've been working with kids all day, if I'm not making any sense I blame them.

 

[Trudes]

but the vast majority don’t need to train for a Disney half if their only concern is not being swept.

Seriously?!?!? I totally disagree with this comment. Ladies, even if you are walking the entire HM, you need to train. The vast majority of people can NOT just go out and walk 13.1 miles!

The vast majority of people are not thin and in shape. I know very well that thin doesn't mean one is in shape.

I am not overweight anymore. I joined weight watchers for the last time over 3 years ago, lost 65 pounds, and have maintained since. But I do know what it's like to be overweight and run, I was doing it. I stand up and applaud everyone of you that is overweight and doing this HM.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Seriously?!?!? I totally disagree with this comment. Ladies, even if you are walking the entire HM, you need to train. The vast majority of people can NOT just go out and walk 13.1 miles!

The vast majority of people are not thin and in shape. I know very well that thin doesn't mean one is in shape.

I am not overweight anymore. I joined weight watchers for the last time over 3 years ago, lost 65 pounds, and have maintained since. But I do know what it's like to be overweight and run, I was doing it. I stand up and applaud everyone of you that is overweight and doing this HM.

You don't need to be in shape to walk 13 miles. Put one foot in front of the other. You might not be fast, but you'll complete the distance without dying. Anyone can walk that far.

 

[jenelope]

One of the reasons there are so many different training methods, plans and books out there is because one way isn't going to fit all runners. You have to do some trial and error before you find what works for you. Galloway's beginner program and relatively short run/walk intervals works for me. C25K and continuous running works for others. Bingham's walk/run works for yet others. I tried three different programs before finding something comfortable for me. I love the philosophy behind Marathoning for Mortals, but the plan wasn't quite what I needed.

I am going to disagree heartily with roomthreeseventeen, though. Five years ago, I was walking hills on the treadmill five days a week and strength training four days a week. I was strong, my cardio fitness was pretty good and there is no way I would have been able to walk 13.1 miles in 3.5 hours without substantial preparation. I could certainly keep up the 3.75 mph minimum pace for 30-60 minutes, but after that, I would lose steam and fall below minimum pace. Also, I've got nearly ten years (and nearly 100 pounds) on you, so it takes significantly more work to move me 13.1 miles than it takes you.

Anyway... I'm 39, I'm fat, I've been running since January, and I can currently maintain a 13:00 min. mile for four miles. I'm eight weeks into Galloway's beginner half program and it feels just right.

I try to keep my arms low, but they tend to creep up to waist height. The guy who finished the 5K with me said that I need to relax my shoulders, so that's the thing I'll be concentrating on during my weekday short runs for the next couple of weeks.

 

[MamaCrush]

Anyway... I'm 39, I'm fat, I've been running since January, and I can currently maintain a 13:00 min. mile for four miles. I'm eight weeks into Galloway's beginner half program and it feels just right.

You are my hero[ine]!!! I'm 50, fat and working toward 13:00/mi!!

 

[MamaCrush]

You don't need to be in shape to walk 13 miles. Put one foot in front of the other. You might not be fast, but you'll complete the distance without dying. Anyone can walk that far.

Sigh... I so wish you were right. But you obviously haven't walked in my running shoes!!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

You don't need to be in shape to walk 13 miles. Put one foot in front of the other. You might not be fast, but you'll complete the distance without dying. Anyone can walk that far.

They may finish 13 miles (personally I don't think so) but surely they will get injured too. We train for a reason. Not everyone can strap on their shoes and do what we are doing or at least what I am doing.

 

[haleofafamily]

You don't need to be in shape to walk 13 miles. Put one foot in front of the other. You might not be fast, but you'll complete the distance without dying. Anyone can walk that far.

I might be able to walk 13 miles in a day, but I certainly couldn't do it without being swept at this point for the Princess half.

Anyway... I'm 39, I'm fat, I've been running since January, and I can currently maintain a 13:00 min. mile for four miles. I'm eight weeks into Galloway's beginner half program and it feels just right.

You are my hero[ine]!!! I'm 50, fat and working toward 13:00/mi!!

Ditto! Except I'm 38

They may finish 13 miles (personally I don't think so) but surely they will get injured too. We train for a reason. Not everyone can strap on their shoes and do what we are doing or at least what I am doing.

And ditto to you as well!

 

[dumbo_buddy]

when is everyone's next non-half marathon disney vacation?

i'm excited to say i'll be down there in 23 days! woot woot! we're going sept. 19-26 and staying at BCV (our first trip as DVC owners!) i can't wait. the week before is my first 5k (in central park!)

definitely bringing my running shoes down there - i really hope i use them!!

 

[Jeter02]

Note to self....after running an hour ago in sunny South Florida (weather not to uterly hot, which is shocking for this time of day) when one decides to change the interval timing to add more running time (have been doing 3 min walk / 1 min run ....decided to change it to 2:2) doesn't necessailry mean one will go any faster based on running pace.

I have to say a little pooped, I guess people are right when they say your recovery walk sometimes should be a little longer then the amount of time you run. I think I will stick to 1:3 for a while, I am no where nearly as tired when I stick that interval and I run / walk at same pace when 2:2. I am very happy with 12:18 pace and I guess not going to worry about bringing it down right now (I would love to finish the race quicker and faster just so I don't have to be on course to long. I guess my tiredness and pep levels are little more important to me.) Just wanna be able to say I finished a half.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

when is everyone's next non-half marathon disney vacation?

i'm excited to say i'll be down there in 23 days! woot woot! we're going sept. 19-26 and staying at BCV (our first trip as DVC owners!) i can't wait. the week before is my first 5k (in central park!)

definitely bringing my running shoes down there - i really hope i use them!!

Unsure, LOL. We're going down for Wine & Dine, and then probably Princess. We're doing ABD next summer.