Official 2011 Princess Half Thread Part II!!!

[haleofafamily]

This will be my first time staying right on the Disney property. I am very excited about that. My parents have a house that is minutes from Disney, so we usually stay there, but this is a girsl weekend and we are treating ourselves to the Old Key West. Hope it's nice! Anyone ever stay there that can comment on the accomodations?

Kelley

I've stayed at OKW a couple of times and really like it. Do you know what size of accomodations you have (studio, 1 bedrm, 2 bedrm or grand villa)?

OKW has some of the largest rooms on property. The grounds are lush and peaceful. The rooms have large balconies (at least on the 2 bedrm). It is a huge property though. So I have always requested near the Hospitality House and a bus stop. I specifically request the 1st bus stop. I can look up the building numbers if you would like. Most buildings have 3 floors and no elevators so you need to figure out if it's more important not to have people stomping around above you or walking 2 or 3 flights of stairs everyday.

If you have more questions I would be happy to help.

 

[TeresaZ]

I want to get these skirts for the run!! Anyone know if they can be found online or if Disney still has them at the emporium or World of Disney (I saw them in december)

 

[JDruns]

Is anyone doing the ChEAR packages (or has done them in the past) for their spectators? It's my bf's first Disney trip ever and while I want him to have a good cheering spot, he idea of sending him into the MK alone to watch for me... it just doesn't seem like the best way for him to first see the park... I'm thinking we oculd skip the ChEAR package but then he will be so lost in figuring out where to go. Anyone have any feedback on the packages, good or bad, that they can share?

It makes the race much easier/more comfy for your spectators. Great place to sit/eat/hydrate, access to cpmputer to check your progress, great photo ops, great view of the finish.

 

[JDruns]

Has anyone had difficulty getting their confirmation for the race? I registered back on Dec. 20th, and never got the confirmation e-mail. I re-requested it last week and still nothing. I have sent Active.com an e-mail a few days ago and heard nothing. The e-mail address they have is correct, I tripled checked it. I also checked the spam filter and nothing. I'm at a loss...

I had the same issue--turns out there was a typo in my email address (I registered at the WDW marathon weekend Expo). I also called run Disney (used the number on the web site) and got a verbal confirmation of my registration. So I guesss I'm set.

(THE LESSON: always print my email addresses in ALL CAPS.)

 

[saysay]

I've read a lot of mentions of a sparkle skirt. Is everyone buying from the same place? And where/what would that be? Can someone share a link?

Hubby just ran the WDW marathon and we had a devil of a time finding him in the field for pictures. I am determind we are going to stand out when we run the Princess.

Thanks!!

I don't think i can post links....anyhoo...

google sparkleskirts - I think they will be at the expo.

Also google team sparkle - which is where I got my skirt because I wanted yellow. Anxiously awaiting for the postman to deliver my sparkle.

I still need to get my plane ticket which delta has no deals on this week though Airtran does. Oh well......we are getting SO close!

Hey, does anyone else take a salt packet before the race? Just wondering, hubs mentioned this and wondering if he is making stuff up or if people do it before 1/2 marathons...I have heard of Marathoners doing it in a full. TIA

 

[haleofafamily]

I am going with my sister-in-law (jdhnmerrell - Hi, Heather) and she is way faster than me. I don't want her to feel bad for leaving me during the race so I wanted to echo others question about some of us slower princesses running together and pushing each other.

Right now I run 1/walk 1. I ran the 10k with about a 14.5 min/mile. I have been trying to run 2/walk 1, but I run slower than I walk when I do that so my time is much worse.

Anyway is there anyone around that pace that would like to meet up and run together?

Merci

 

[dumbo_buddy]

i realize this is probably silly to ask this but...when you say you walk 1/run 1 does that mean you walk for a minute and run for a minute? or, is does that mean that's the ratio of walking to running. like could it mean that you walk 5 minutes then run 5 minutes? and if someone is doing a run 2/walk 1 does it literally mean they run for 2 min and walk for 1 min? or is that the ratio? like you could run 10 minutes walk 5 min?

i don't understand the run/walk thing and i'm thinking that i should because perhaps it's what i should be doing. i've been just running (aka slow jogging) the whole thing. i'm nervous about stopping to walk because i don't know if i'd start running again after walking.

 

[JDruns]

Hey guys!
I'm asking because I feel like running on the treadmill left me less sore and achy and I am definitely not feeling as "mindful" about my runnning just picking a speed and making like a hamster for 2 hours. What do you guys think?Thanks!!
-Melissa

I ran my first couple of races (5ks) after only ever having run on a TM. The major difference was the weaving around folks, strollers, dogs. Oh, and hills.

Racing definitely was more of an "effort" than running on the TM, but the adrenaline of the race atmosphere got me through it. You should be fine. Just keep in mind race conditions are "less" controlled than a TM: wind, hills, dodging, passing, photo ops. But you'll be in the happiest place on earth with happy runners, so, again, think you'll be fine.

 

[Belle&Boys]

I was able to do an 11.2 mile run on Sunday. It was beautiful, although chilly and windy. My legs were like jelly all Sunday evening, and I’m still a bit stiff today.

When I did my run on Sunday, I tied my polar fleece pullover around my waist so I could see what it might be like running with my tutu. Needless to say, I didn’t like the added weight and bulk, but I made it through. Surely the very lightweight tutu shouldn’t be a problem – right??

Who knows how to get a tiara cemented down to your head so it doesn’t flop around during the race? I really want to wear my rhinestone tiara (yay, bling!), but I’m not sure of the strategy to keep it on the whole time. Any suggestions?

I noticed that the race brochure states that Clif product will be distributed at mile 8.7. Can anyone tell me what they typically offer…. Is it Gel or shot blocks, or several different kinds? On my last run I slowed to a walk at mile 8.6 and ate 3 Clif shot blocks with water. My stomach did fine, although after my run I felt a little stomach upset (might have been the water and chocolate milk I chugged down!). I don’t know why, but I am so freaked out about this. I don’t know if I should carry my own shot blocks, or just use the ones they give out.

 

[JDruns]

i was just reading a thread about compression tights and i'm thinking about getting some. hey, even if they just hold my flub in a little better they'd be worth the money!

Big Bro got me a pair of cold weather compression tights for Christmas. LOVE them!!!

 

[haleofafamily]

i realize this is probably silly to ask this but...when you say you walk 1/run 1 does that mean you walk for a minute and run for a minute? or, is does that mean that's the ratio of walking to running. like could it mean that you walk 5 minutes then run 5 minutes? and if someone is doing a run 2/walk 1 does it literally mean they run for 2 min and walk for 1 min? or is that the ratio? like you could run 10 minutes walk 5 min?

i don't understand the run/walk thing and i'm thinking that i should because perhaps it's what i should be doing. i've been just running (aka slow jogging) the whole thing. i'm nervous about stopping to walk because i don't know if i'd start running again after walking.

Not silly at all...I run 1 minute walk 1 minute. I'm trying to get to where I can run 2 minutes walk 1 minute. I watched the Jeff Galloway training videos on the runDisny website to give me some pointers. I'm very new to running (just started in June) so I've been learning as I go.

Sometimes I think it is hard to start running after a walk, but I have read that that is a good way to burn fat which has been my goal for running anyway. I have lost about 20 lbs so far and have a long way to go.

 

[JDruns]

Although I doubt this is a very original idea, I'm planning to do an iron on rhinestone transfer in colors to match my tutu... I plan to try one out first on an old running shirt that is WAY to big for me now!!! (I love that! )

Congrats!! And did the iron-on idea work? I think it's ingenious!!!

 

[KristinU]

Hey, does anyone else take a salt packet before the race? Just wondering, hubs mentioned this and wondering if he is making stuff up or if people do it before 1/2 marathons...I have heard of Marathoners doing it in a full. TIA

I don't, but at the Philly RnR half they had a table with salt packets at maybe around mile 5 or so...I googled it when I got home since I found it kind of gross to think about just downing a packet of salt while I'm out running (especially since we're a low-sodium salt-free household because of hereditary hypertension). From my googling I learned that people do it for fluid retention and you can just as easily eat some salted pretzels or a salt bagel or something before a race for a similar fluid retention effect...for me it is something junk food-y and high carb like pizza or pasta with marinara sauce the night before. Honestly, if you're eating restaurant food the night before, you're probably gettng plenty of sodium...if you really want to be sure hit a PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, or Panera Bread - all are overboard in the sodium department.

Personally, I think it comes down to doing what works for you in your long training runs. Race day shouldn't be the time to try something new, so if you're going to try increased sodium try it before race day.

 

[JDruns]

I have a Garmin 405cx that is fabulous. It uploads to the computer but I have never used the Garmin site. I upload it to dailymile instead.

I can't wait to get that ah ha feeling of of course I can do this. I'm still in the (oh crap) what was I thinking stage. Very scared but crazy excited as well. I am brand new to running.

I had Gastric bypass surgery 5 months ago and have lost 95lbs. Have been running less than 4 months. I do run/walk segments with the walks being longer than the runs. Ronda

I have the same watch. Little sucker FROZE on me for this weekend's long run. Good thing I was at a lake and just looped the dang thing--got in an extra mile that way, too. Otherwise the Garmin has been reliable, but, boy, what a time for a glitch!

I'm also on dailymile. We should hook up!

Congrats on the weight loss and starting running!! I've only been running for a year and change. I can't say I've ever felt the runner's high, but it is neat to look back at what I can do now versus my pace/distance 150 pounds ago!

 

[Cripey]

Congrats!! And did the iron-on idea work? I think it's ingenious!!!

YES!!! I actually tested it over the weekend and it worked perfectly...looks soooo cute! Fortunately, the Nike Dri-Fit fabric was fine with the iron...the iron never touched the fabric directly anyway, you use a thin towel between, but I was still worried about it. What was even better, my boss is wanting to start exercising now so I handed down the newly-blinged nike shirt to her since it no longer fits me...hopefully it will motivate her! Looks like my tutu should be on my porch when I get home today...I'm SO excited!!!!

 

[Cripey]

Who knows how to get a tiara cemented down to your head so it doesn’t flop around during the race? I really want to wear my rhinestone tiara (yay, bling!), but I’m not sure of the strategy to keep it on the whole time. Any suggestions?

I had been thinking about this too and trying to come up with an alternative since I will want my sunglasses on my head if it's going to be a sunny morning once the race starts...I ended up finding an elastic pony tail holder online that has a very bling-y rhinestone tiara on it...so that's what I'm using instead of an actaul tiara on top of my head...my hair will be in a pony tail anyway, so it may as well be with something cute!

 

[ban26ana]

Summer, do you mind sharing where you got the ponytail holder? That sounds cool!

 

[lisah0711]

I've read a lot of mentions of a sparkle skirt. Is everyone buying from the same place? And where/what would that be? Can someone share a link?

Hubby just ran the WDW marathon and we had a devil of a time finding him in the field for pictures. I am determind we are going to stand out when we run the Princess.

Thanks!!

Google "sparkleskirt" and you will where I got my sparkle skirts. Leah aka Queen Mum of Sparkle is very helpful and they have great customer service. They will be at the Expo also. I will PM you the link because I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post it.

 

[Cripey]

Summer, do you mind sharing where you got the ponytail holder? That sounds cool!

I found it on ebay...just checked and it doesn't appear that the seller I purchased from has any more posted right now, but if you go to ebay and serach "tiara ponytail holder" a couple of other ones come up that are cute.

 

[jillybell]

What part of WI are you from? I have some nice cold weather running gear, but the wind/windchills have been keeping me in lately.

Did 8 miles on the treadmill last night. I LOVE my treadmill, but I really don't enjoy doing my long runs on it. I am hearing that it's supposed to be single digits this weekend. Haven't heard about possible windchills. I might be doing my 9/10 mile run on the treadmill this w/e too.

I am in the Milwaukee area. I have not run outside since just after Christmas due to weather or darkness. Bummer. We are doing Netflix for 2 months, so at least I can watch some mindless TV on the TM, if I am in the mood. I just got started on "Weeds."