Official 2011 Princess Half Thread Part II!!!

[Swmr359]

I have a pink tutu from my sister that I plan on wearing at the race. Like others, I’m a bit freaked out that I won’t know what it is like to run in it until race day. It is very short and light weight, but puffy. I might have to run around in my back yard in the dark to try it out!
I also want to wear a tiara. Anyone have any tips for how they kept it securely on their heads for 13.1 miles????

I attached mine to a visor, I think you can see it in my picture. It is hot glued on. I wore it around the house to make sure it was comfortable, and then in the parks before and after the race I sewed my mom's onto a hat for her (she used my dad's hat so it couldn't be glued on)



My race saturday went pretty well. It was a hilly course, I like uphill but not downhill (knee hurts on the way down) I managed to do the 10k in 62:54. My dad actually ran also, I thought he would back out the night before. He did really well, 44 minutes!
At mile 3 or 4 I had to take my long sleeve shirt off and managed to hurt my shoulder. I had to get ice from the EMTs at the end, I'm sure that injury isn't very common at a running race

 

[haleofafamily]

I can't believe we are so close to the half. When I first registered it seemed like it would take forever to get here and now we are around 50 days away. I also wondered if I could stick with something like this and I am so proud that I have. Saturday I did my 7 miles outside with the windchill at 11 degrees.

Everyone on here has been so inspirational to me!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

. Saturday I did my 7 miles outside with the windchill at 11 degrees.

Everyone on here has been so inspirational to me!

WOW, you are a far better runner than me 11 degrees out, I would of stayed in. GREAT JOB on the run!

 

[ludari]

All you ladies rock! I'm sure you'll all do great on the race. I will be doing both the WDW Princess half and DL half marathons to obtain my coast to coast medal. I am looking forward to sharing this experience with all of you.

 

[bounceliketigger]

I can't believe we are so close to the half. When I first registered it seemed like it would take forever to get here and now we are around 50 days away. I also wondered if I could stick with something like this and I am so proud that I have. Saturday I did my 7 miles outside with the windchill at 11 degrees.

Everyone on here has been so inspirational to me!

Holy COW you are a crazy running woman!! Way to go!!! I just can't do windchill

 

[bounceliketigger]

ugh! you guys! why does the universe NOT want me to succeed in my training??

i was all set to run 9 miles today. went to bed early last night because i wasn't feeling all that great. well, it's 7:10pm and i never got out of bed i have the WORST cold! if it's not sickness or injury or not being able to find someone to watch the kiddo, i've barely done any running in like two months!

i'm hoping that i will feel better and i asked my cousin's friend who is home from college on winter break to watch my son while i go run.

this is so frustrating!

I ran through a wicked sinus infection last year. The ENT said he couldn't believe I was walking around, much less running. The CAT scan showed 100% blocked & I almost had to have surgery.

Anywho--oddly, running in the cold felt almost better than anything else. Sure I wasn't breaking any time or distance records and sure I was breathing through my nose, coughing and spitting out nastiness the whole time, but I would feel so much better and sinus were so much clearer for several hours after. The cold air shrinks the nasal passages and allows the infection to loosen, I guess.

Rest, get better, & don't give up!!!

You ladies rock like Gibralter! I have never "met" such a determined bunch!

 

[saysay]

I can't believe we are so close to the half. When I first registered it seemed like it would take forever to get here and now we are around 50 days away. I also wondered if I could stick with something like this and I am so proud that I have. Saturday I did my 7 miles outside with the windchill at 11 degrees.

WAY TO GO...and here I am debating do I do my short run tomorrow or Wed..as Wed it will be 31 and tomorrow 29. 31 just SOUNDS warmer to me.

Way to get your run in!

 

[haleofafamily]

WOW, you are a far better runner than me 11 degrees out, I would of stayed in. GREAT JOB on the run!

Holy COW you are a crazy running woman!! Way to go!!! I just can't do windchill

WAY TO GO...and here I am debating do I do my short run tomorrow or Wed..as Wed it will be 31 and tomorrow 29. 31 just SOUNDS warmer to me.

Way to get your run in!

Thanks for the encouragement. I was really motivated because I had gotten some great cold weather gear for Christmas. Plus I have a neighbor who does those crazy 50 - 100 mile trail runs and he said that coldest weather he trained in was 4 degrees. I figured if he could do it then I could. Surprisingly I didn't get too cold until my last mile.

It's in the low 30's today and that seems plum toasty.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

I would run in 30* weather. Today its 20
I have 9 miles planned for the weekend i am hoping no wind chil

 

[Cripey]

WOO HOO! Outfit is on it's way to completion I've been obsessing over race-day wear for a couple of weeks now, but finally made a decision!! I ordered a tutu today and got some ideas for blinging out the top I want to wear. I can't wait to see it come together!

And, after months and months of training, I finally had my mental breakthrough this weekend during my 8 miler. Up until now, I spent part of my runs wondering if I can actually do this...this weekend I finally felt like I know I can! My trainer, BF and an uncle of mine that runs have been telling me all along that running is just as much mental as it is physical, and I heard them, but don't think I really understood...I totally get it now...it might have took me a while, but, what can I say? Have the clouds parted for anyone else recently...or did you all already have that figured out before you started this?

And to boost my spirits even more, a girl in my bootcamp class actually emailed ME this morning for advice or tips for a running "newbie" because she wants to try the Couch 2 5k. Someone's asking ME for running tips! HA!!!

 

[saysay]

Cripey.... I succesfully completed 2 half marathons 10 years ago..I was running for the wrong reason, mainly because my boyfriend at the time was a runner and I thought it would be something fun to do. Well it was, but when we brokeup, I just stopped. NOW...I am doing this for myself. Its the only time I get completely to myself and I love it. On the long runs its def mental and I have been working with how to get past those blocks. Music helps!

sometimes it just takes looking at a mailbox or something in the distance and thinking about making it to that landmark. On my 8 mile long run, I got the runners high in mile 7.

Of course getting up early tomorrow to run at 30 degrees, not thrilling, but I know once I am 1 mile into it I will be feeling great. I only wish I had not waited so long to take it up again.

Way to go you expert runner you! You are now inspiring people isn't that great!

 

[longhorns2]

Finishing my 10 miler last week- and feeling pretty darn good over all- was my mental... HELL YEAH I can do this!

My feet hurt, I was ready to be done, but if I *had* to do a 5K, I could have... which made me smile REALLY big.

I know it's a mental challenge as much as physical in my case, so this was a much needed AHA! moment.

Congrats on yours Summer. Feels great to know we can do this we can do this we can DO THIS!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

I have to a agree with the feet.

After my 8 mile long run last week, my feet hurt so bad, I could not wait to get my shoe's off

I was just looking on line for Croc Flip Flops to put on when I DO!! Cross that finish line.

Anyone have any Croc Flip Flops? Is this a good Idea to change my shoes?
Thanks

 

[KristinU]

I was looking at the course map with a friend today and I'm kinda stumped by the first mile - seems like the icon is floating over on the side for the route back and it doesn't make sense how close it is to mile 2 if it is in the right general vicinity...is there a loop or something at Epcot for the first mile?

 

[koolgirl]

I was looking at the course map with a friend today and I'm kinda stumped by the first mile - seems like the icon is floating over on the side for the route back and it doesn't make sense how close it is to mile 2 if it is in the right general vicinity...is there a loop or something at Epcot for the first mile?

Coach Charles posted this link on another thread. It was for the Marathon Weekend Half but I think the course is the same. I'm hoping he won't mind I'm re-posting it as he's on his way to Marathon Weekend! However, I'm sure he will answer any further questions next week or later when we have them.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/4106815/

The Princess course map does have that 1 in a really weird place. If you compare the mapmyrun map with the Disney one, every other marker matches very closely. I don't remember mile 1 either time...it was still dark!! And still very crowded at that point.

Also...if you have "fans" that don't want to wake too early, looking at this mapmyrun map, there is a great very un-crowded place to stand in the parking lot just past the number 12. If they see you there then head right across to the finish, they should see you in both places and don't have to get to Epcot until 1/2 hour before your finish time (well, they could cut it even closer, I guess)! My husband greeted me there last year...it was such a welcome sight as I headed into the final mile.

Again, I can't take credit for the great map but I hope this helps!


~~~Jennifer~~~

 

[stitchfan18]

I have a question for anyone that has driven to the start of the race before...
How bad is the traffic to get into Epcot? I've heard from people who saw the traffic from a disney bus that it was bad, but haven't heard first hand from people who have been in the traffic. We're staying at the BW, and I was really hoping when we booked that one of the Epcot resorts would get added to the host resorts closer to the race, but that seems unlikely this late in the game. I figured it would cost about the same to rent a car that it would to take a taxi, maybe a little cheaper. Thoughts? Comments? I'm kind of freaking out about it!

I have to say, I really admire everyone wearing a costume for the race. All the pictures I've seen of people in costume look super cute, but I would be so paranoid running in something like that if I hadn't trained in it. I think I'll have to stick with my princess running skirt and tiara bondiband.

 

[KristinU]

Coach Charles posted this link on another thread. It was for the Marathon Weekend Half but I think the course is the same. I'm hoping he won't mind I'm re-posting it as he's on his way to Marathon Weekend! However, I'm sure he will answer any further questions next week or later when we have them.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/4106815/

The Princess course map does have that 1 in a really weird place. If you compare the mapmyrun map with the Disney one, every other marker matches very closely. I don't remember mile 1 either time...it was still dark!! And still very crowded at that point.

Also...if you have "fans" that don't want to wake too early, looking at this mapmyrun map, there is a great very un-crowded place to stand in the parking lot just past the number 12. If they see you there then head right across to the finish, they should see you in both places and don't have to get to Epcot until 1/2 hour before your finish time (well, they could cut it even closer, I guess)! My husband greeted me there last year...it was such a welcome sight as I headed into the final mile.

Again, I can't take credit for the great map but I hope this helps!


~~~Jennifer~~~

Great, thanks Jennifer!

And "fans" I love it! I don't know that my "fans" will be able to get themselves together and get over to the race route, but your tip gives them more time!

 

[HockeyKat]

I have a question for anyone that has driven to the start of the race before...
How bad is the traffic to get into Epcot? I've heard from people who saw the traffic from a disney bus that it was bad, but haven't heard first hand from people who have been in the traffic. We're staying at the BW, and I was really hoping when we booked that one of the Epcot resorts would get added to the host resorts closer to the race, but that seems unlikely this late in the game. I figured it would cost about the same to rent a car that it would to take a taxi, maybe a little cheaper. Thoughts? Comments? I'm kind of freaking out about it!

I drove from BW for Princess 2011. The traffic wasn't too bad. I think we left a little after 4 and got to the parking lot by about 4:30. I would allow at least a half hour, and be sure to err on the early side. What we did was bring breakfast and such with us, and ate/stayed in the warm car.

Remember also that it probably takes at least 45 min to check gear, use the porta-potty, and make the 20 min trek to the starting line to get there by the deadline for being in the corral.

 

[saysay]

OK this is a stupid ? maybe.....when you check stuff before the race, what exactly are people checking? I ran 2 1/2 marathons many years ago and just showed up and had on me what I needed. Didn't check anything....

Yeah I know I am overthinking, but now curious....and if I can avoid a long line to something, so be it.

Oh and go ahead and make fun of me.

 

[joan4mickey]

OK this is a stupid ? maybe.....when you check stuff before the race, what exactly are people checking? I ran 2 1/2 marathons many years ago and just showed up and had on me what I needed. Didn't check anything....

Yeah I know I am overthinking, but now curious....and if I can avoid a long line to something, so be it.

Oh and go ahead and make fun of me.

You can check lots of stuff in the bag you get at the expo. Many say not to pack anything valuable. I have checked my car keys,room card. At the DL 1/2 I packed my princess medal so I could take photos with it when I finished. I sometimes wrap "important thing is small bags inside the big bag and wrapped in an extra tshirt. I have enven put my cell phone in.
Hope others will respond.