Official 2011 Princess Half Thread Part II!!!

[slp1650]

I did 8 miles yesterday and feel great today!

Is anyone else coming in for the race just for the weekend? With school this semester I have to fly into Orlando Friday night after I finish student teaching, and fly out Sunday night so I can be back to school Monday morning. I'm excited to run the 5K and the 1/2, but I feel like this trip is going to go by so fast that it'll hardly be worth the time and travel to get there. Plus, I'm going to be exhausted the following week at school.

I'm flying in Friday night, but I'm leaving Monday. Being a senior in college I've gotten a perfect schedule for the race so I won't be missing any classes on Friday and will only be missing one day of my writing class, but my professor already knows and doesn't mind. It's also a capstone class so it's based off our writing assignments more than our attendance.

I do have friends coming down with me who are trying to get a lot into the weekend. They're getting 2 day park hoppers and spending Saturday and Sunday in the parks. I'll be with them, but since I go a lot more than them, I'm letting them decide what we do.

The great thing about Disney is that they always have something that you can do so no matter how much you do, you still have fun and make some amazing memories! Hell, I'd say that just going down there for the race is a lot of fun.

 

[koolgirl]

Okay, Ive been training since October. I did 10 miles on Saturday and thought I was going to die. The first 5 miles were fine. About 14.5 minutes per mile. Some running and some walking. By the 8th mile it was more walking than running. Ive been doing short runs during the week and longer ones on the weekends. Ive done a few 5Ks and done okay. How does this pace thing work? My friend did this race a few years ago and she says they are not that strict about the pace. Is this true?

YOU ARE DOING GREAT!

If you can get 5 miles in at 14.5/mile, you will be way ahead of the sweepers even if you slow to 16+ after that. They are strict about the pace, however, you have to remember, they are calculating that 16/mile based on the last person to cross the start line. The key thing for you to do is get to the front of your corral (without knocking over any other princesses or being rude, of course), even starting a minute ahead of the last person gives you a few extra seconds per mile! Also, if you can get yourself into and finish a 10K in th next few weeks -there is at least 1 Super Bowl Sunday one and 2 Valentine weekend ones up here near Boston- (even a week before the race), submitting that time will move you up a corral. Most likely, you can finish 6 (10K is 6.2) in under 15/mile which really could move you up from last corral to the second to last, immediately giving you an extra 7 minutes. So, those are my tips but really, you don't deperately need them because...you are doing great!! Keep it up!


~~~Jennifer~~~

 

[longhorns2]

And, are you doing this pregnant? OH my word!

HA! Yeah--- I signed up in September and got a surprise positive test in October! So there's gonna be 2 for 1 princesses walking the course on my dime. I switched to walking the race around the 6th week when I was just miserable and couldn't convince myself that running would be an option. My walk isn't much slower than my run anyway- So it's all good.

 

[KristinU]

Hooray, I'm back on the horse! Just got back from a nice 4 miler and I feel good. I'm usually all about natural living, but right now I'm thanking chemistry and the almighty Zpac! Of course now we have more winter weather on the way tomorrow morning...ugh...but I guess that gives plenty of time to clear before the weekend so I can get a long outdoor run in.

 

[tink2007]

YOU ARE DOING GREAT!

If you can get 5 miles in at 14.5/mile, you will be way ahead of the sweepers even if you slow to 16+ after that. They are strict about the pace, however, you have to remember, they are calculating that 16/mile based on the last person to cross the start line. The key thing for you to do is get to the front of your corral (without knocking over any other princesses or being rude, of course), even starting a minute ahead of the last person gives you a few extra seconds per mile! Also, if you can get yourself into and finish a 10K in th next few weeks -there is at least 1 Super Bowl Sunday one and 2 Valentine weekend ones up here near Boston- (even a week before the race), submitting that time will move you up a corral. Most likely, you can finish 6 (10K is 6.2) in under 15/mile which really could move you up from last corral to the second to last, immediately giving you an extra 7 minutes. So, those are my tips but really, you don't deperately need them because...you are doing great!! Keep it up!


~~~Jennifer~~~

How do I submit time?

 

[queen mimi]

Just got in from doing my 8 mile. Today looked to be the nicest day of the week, 34 degrees and no snow falling. Still plenty of snow on the ground, but at least the roads are all clear. Just about have our outfits done. DD and I are going as Minnie Mouse. Went to Goodwill yesterday and bought our throwaway jackets. It's really hard to plan for the weather at this point. So, I'm just getting a variety of things for warm weather to cold weather. We'll adjust closer to the race. Keep training!

 

[koolgirl]

How do I submit time?

Submit your time (10K or longer, Race name, official chip time) to disneysports@trackshack.com. It does say BEFORE 1/1/11 but you can try. If they reject it, they'll tell you to bring it to the expo and submit it...that's very easy.

However, in re-reading my post, I'm concerned I may be leading you astray. Maybe others would have better info?? The original registration info said to submit proof of time if you think you would finish under 2:45 which is about 12:45/mile. So, I wanted to clarify that submitting a time with a finish longer than that doesn't guarantee a move up in corral. That being said, I submitted a 2:30 finish prediction last year with a 2:47 Princess half time the year before and was in corral B! So, I'm wondering about the breakdown in the next 5 corrals?!? Even now I'm thinking it would be worth it for you to try though. On the disney sports website, it actually doesnt say the 2:45 rule and it does say that no submitted time definitely puts you in the last corral.

So...I hope that helps a bit. I'm sorry it's a bit sketchy and i hope it makes sense!


~~~Jennifer~~~

 

[TeresaZ]

CRAP!!!

My 4 year old daughter and I are planning on going down to Disney the week of the race (Tuesday, Feb. 22 through Monday, Feb. 28), come to find out that is allegedly the BUSIEST WEEK OF THE YEAR because of President's Day. I live in the south and our children only get Monday out of school, but apparently some of the northern schools get that week for a winter break.

UGH!!! Do you think I should maybe switch things around and go the week AFTER the run OR should I just hope for the best?

I also wonder if all those schools that get a week off will still get the full week because of all the snow days taken in the past few weeks.

THOUGHTS?!

 

[joan4mickey]

TeresaZ It appears from the touring plans crowd calendar it would better to go the week after.

 

[jbm02]

CRAP!!!

My 4 year old daughter and I are planning on going down to Disney the week of the race (Tuesday, Feb. 22 through Monday, Feb. 28), come to find out that is allegedly the BUSIEST WEEK OF THE YEAR because of President's Day. I live in the south and our children only get Monday out of school, but apparently some of the northern schools get that week for a winter break.

UGH!!! Do you think I should maybe switch things around and go the week AFTER the run OR should I just hope for the best?

I also wonder if all those schools that get a week off will still get the full week because of all the snow days taken in the past few weeks.

THOUGHTS?!

Teresa, up here in NYS our kids have the whole week off. And snow days are added/taken off our April break, not the February one. That's why I was so bummed when they changed the date of the race; I think the parks will be pretty crowded at least up til the Friday before the race. Free dining starts the Friday before the race - not sure if that makes a difference to you (it isn't offered for most of the President Week recess). Anyway, that's the reason we only plan to go to the parks Fri - Monday. I will be freaked out enough; I don't want to have to deal with humungous crowds too....

 

[mikamah]

UGH!!! Do you think I should maybe switch things around and go the week AFTER the run OR should I just hope for the best?

I also wonder if all those schools that get a week off will still get the full week because of all the snow days taken in the past few weeks.

THOUGHTS?!

We have that week off, and it definitely looks much busier than the week following, by touring plans, and also the hotel room prices go down too. We are coming in wed and leaving tues after the race, and I'm guessing monday will be out best, quietest day. If it's not too much trouble to switch, I'd do it.

It will be okay! I was terrified of being swept last year. I averaged about 15 but when I did my 12 mile training (had to go that far, mentally) I did it 16 with bathroom breaks (hopping off TM - it was a snowstorm when I did it!). On race day, I did the half in 3:17 and that was with a MK potty break! So you will be fine.

Thank you for this. I know it wasn't meant for me, but count me in as having a sweeper phobia. That makes me feel better. I did my 10 mile and with a 5 min break to stretch, pee and drink and take some clifbloks, I still averaged just under the 16 min mile. I hope that I will be ok on race day.

I worry about being swept but at this point in time all I can do is keep on training and trust the plan. It would be sad to be swept but really if it happened it wouldn't be the end of the world and I would just come back and try again next year.

Trust in the plan, and we can do it!!! I know that people do get swept, and I know that I would be ok, but I just don't wanna be swept.

 

[saysay]

I did 10.5 miles yesterday and like most the end was HARD. My feet were hurting and my calves were tight. Today one of my heels is sore, the one on the leg I have been having calf/shin issues with. The first 7 miles were GREAT, I think I was just happy to be outside after being iced in for a week. Luckily I am mentally prepared this week that next weekend is another shorter run, so I have some recovery time. Seems like the last mile of my long runs are always harder, my feet are tired, but man this one got me. Got it done though.

As for the sport beans/GU/GEL. YOu have to experiment because everyone's tummy is different. On the princess site JEff Galloway has a video about nutrition I think its suggested to do like 40 calories every 2 miles.. I could be WAY off. I don't go longer than 30 minutes without something (sunday I tried to have a smaller quantity every 2 miles than waiting for time to go off) - and for me so far I love the Cliff Blocks, though they are BIG and require chewing but since I run walk, just eat them in a walk break. I also prefer Power Gel to GU - GU is thicker. I will NOT do caffeine while running as might have to run to the potty. jeff also has something about water in his video....I followed it Sunday and I was plenty hydrated...not sure what happened for me around mile 7.5....oh yeah, a week of eating rich comfort food, homemade cookies and being icebound and lazy. I don't like the vanilla flavor stuff in the gells...prefer the fruity ones. I bought a sampling at Sports Authority and still deciding on what to do for the race..though I do love those Clif Blocks. I probably over do it, but after that 7 mile run when I was dehydrated that night, I am no skimping!

 

[TeresaZ]

Ok. If I switch it to come in on Friday, I wont make it to the expo until late afternoon tell me that will be ok!

 

[saysay]

Ok. If I switch it to come in on Friday, I wont make it to the expo until late afternoon tell me that will be ok!

If I was bringing my 4yr old DD, I would rather risk going to the expo later on friday and having lighter crowds at the parks the rest of the week. I think its ok, but then again, its my first Princess!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

Also- I hear a lot about sportbeans on this page - what are those? I've hear of Gu. Anyone have an experienced opinion on which of these energy / protein things work best for you?
Thanks!

I am a GU person I find the chomps and beans is too much chewing. But I think it depends how fast you run. If you don't run that fast or just walk chewing isn't and issue but I try to run as fast as possible (LOL) so chewing is an issue and GU just goes down easy. I also make sure I take my GU right before a water station so I can drink right after taking it!

 

[tinkeramy]

Thanks for the bean / gu tips! I tried a gu packet I had gotten in a swag bag and it was actually pretty yummy - chocolate mint!

One thing I really need to watch is water intake prior to race. I want to be hydrated, but I had a full bottle of water less than an hour before I went on my long run Sat. and I had to stop and pee 3 times!!!! Thank goodness I run along a public park! And being 40 and having had 3 kids doesn't help the bladder control! So I'll have to find a good balance that won't keep me in the porta potties!!!

 

[saysay]

I just reserved a late lunch for my 3 other princess friends with the Princesses at Akerhus Royal Banquet Hall. Where are you celebrating?

PS. If you think this is a bad choice let me know - since never been and reviews are mixed....figured WHY NOT, I mean we will be wearing our medals and all...why not celebrate with a few princesses!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

CRAP!!!

My 4 year old daughter and I are planning on going down to Disney the week of the race (Tuesday, Feb. 22 through Monday, Feb. 28), come to find out that is allegedly the BUSIEST WEEK OF THE YEAR because of President's Day. I live in the south and our children only get Monday out of school, but apparently some of the northern schools get that week for a winter break.

UGH!!! Do you think I should maybe switch things around and go the week AFTER the run OR should I just hope for the best?

I also wonder if all those schools that get a week off will still get the full week because of all the snow days taken in the past few weeks.

THOUGHTS?!

Well this Canadian had no idea we arrive the day before Presidents Day We decided to come a week before the race and we boooked everything and hubby booked his cave diving in north florida so we can't change it now but if you can change it I would. Looks like that week before is VERY busy, just my bad luck

 

[Trudes]

I know exactly how you feel. Here in Wisconsin, nothing but snow and cold. Jill

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.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

I just reserved a late lunch for my 3 other princess friends with the Princesses at Akerhus Royal Banquet Hall. Where are you celebrating?

PS. If you think this is a bad choice let me know - since never been and reviews are mixed....figured WHY NOT, I mean we will be wearing our medals and all...why not celebrate with a few princesses!

I booked Crystal Palace because I love their breakfast, never tried their lunch so hopefully its just as good. I have also just done Akershus at breakfast and we really like their breakfast, we are doing Akershus the that week for lunch too but not right after the race but it sound sperfect to have a princess lunch after the princess race