Official 2011 Princess Half Thread Part II!!!

[JDruns]

It's the big 12.5 today.

I was hoping to get outside for it, but mother nature gave us another dusting of snow. The high is 29 for today, so I may wait it out a little bit and see how the salt works before heading to the track. Maybe it's time to invest in some yaktrax.

I'm probably getting ahead of myself, but I'm thinking of doing the marathon next year. Maybe even the goofy!

You go, girl!! Princess power!!

 

[Hey Mickey]

Is it too late to join the party? I just clicked "enter" on my registration, got my confirmation, and came running right over here!

My entry was sort of an impulse decision. I've done the half, full, and goofy a few times in the past, but had to forego this year's marathon weekend races for various reasons. Since my family (okay, really me) cannot go too long between trips to Disney, we decided to head down over my kids' February break. In doing a little planning, I realized that the princess half had been moved to the end of that week this year. Well, it just seemed like fate and was too much for the running Disney girl to pass up.

Unfortuantely, this means i am waaaaaaay behind in my training, and am going to have to ramp it up NOW! Even so, i am going in knowing it won't be a PR and my main goal is to avoid the sweeper and get some fun pix along the way.

Anyway, looking forward to catching up and getting to know you all, and maybe meet some of you down there. Off to the treadmill (because I am sooo not running outside in 8 degrees!)

 

[haleofafamily]

Maybe one of my mnatras will be "Yah, mule!"

I've been getting so nervous about this race and really psyching myself out. This made me laugh so hard and relax a little bit.

I need to stop worrying so much and just enjoy this journey.

 

[JDruns]

@haleofafamily: Yay, a fellow overthinker!

I know what you mean. My body seems pretty okay with the running. Seems like it's my head that gets in my way more often than not: "I should be able to run faster. I should be able to run farther. That gal just blew by me. Why kid myself?" And on and on and and on.....

It'd be eaiser if my head had an off switch

New pre-run checklist:
Water? Check.
Clif Blocks? Check.
Head? Off.
Legs? On.

And awaaaaay we go!

 

[JDruns]

Is it too late to join the party? I just clicked "enter" on my registration, got my confirmation, and came running right over here!


i am waaaaaaay behind in my training, and am going to have to ramp it up NOW! Even so, i am going in knowing it won't be a PR and my main goal is to avoid the sweeper and get some fun pix along the way.

Tis never too late to join the party!!

Sounds like you're already equipped to tackle a half, but I started training a bit late too and have had to condense my training into 7 weeks. I think as long as you have decent base behind you --and it sounds like you certainly do -- ramping up is doable. Just remember to listen to your body.

GL with your run today!

 

[jdhnmerrell]

Hey Everyone!
Thanks so much for the encouragement! It has definitely kept me going and gives me motivation when I want to quit!

I have a question about our family coming to watch. We aren't staying at a host hotel. We are staying at the Beach Club. I was wondering how my family can get to the castle to see me since its before the park opens. Im guessing they will prob need to leave about 6-6:30 to get there and I didn't know if the buses run even though the park isnt open.

Anybody have any suggestions or dealt with this before?

 

[jeanigor]

Hey Everyone!
Thanks so much for the encouragement! It has definitely kept me going and gives me motivation when I want to quit!

I have a question about our family coming to watch. We aren't staying at a host hotel. We are staying at the Beach Club. I was wondering how my family can get to the castle to see me since its before the park opens. Im guessing they will prob need to leave about 6-6:30 to get there and I didn't know if the buses run even though the park isnt open.

Anybody have any suggestions or dealt with this before?

On another thread, it was suggested that the spectators take a taxi to the TTC and then monorail it over to the MK. Leaving at 6-6:30 at the latest.

 

[Kensgirl519]

Okay - just got word that my outfit is ready and on it's way to me today. She had someone model it so she could take a picture and send it to me.... as soon as I get it, i will post it!

Question - I have only received one email and it was a few weeks ago ... do you receive anything in the mail or anything more in additional emails??? Also - I entered my DS (5) in the kids race and the one email that I have received has been addressed only to him??? I'm so confused!

Trust me - if it wasn't for this board, i would have already talked myself out of this. Since I have NEVER done anything like this before, I have been able to come up with 1000000 reasons why I shouldn't be doing this.... such a negative nelly..... but thanks to this board I have found alot of reasons why I can do it or at least try to do it....

It's nice to have something to look forward too.

Is anyone running with a water bottle or water belt? I get really thirsty all the time and I don't think the water stations will be enough for me.

 

[jeanigor]

Okay - just got word that my outfit is ready and on it's way to me today. She had someone model it so she could take a picture and send it to me.... as soon as I get it, i will post it!

Question - I have only received one email and it was a few weeks ago ... do you receive anything in the mail or anything more in additional emails??? Also - I entered my DS (5) in the kids race and the one email that I have received has been addressed only to him??? I'm so confused!

Trust me - if it wasn't for this board, i would have already talked myself out of this. Since I have NEVER done anything like this before, I have been able to come up with 1000000 reasons why I shouldn't be doing this.... such a negative nelly..... but thanks to this board I have found alot of reasons why I can do it or at least try to do it....

It's nice to have something to look forward too.

Is anyone running with a water bottle or water belt? I get really thirsty all the time and I don't think the water stations will be enough for me.

I just registered for the Princess Half, but I didn't receive a ton of emails for the Donald or the Wine and Dine. We probably will be getting a few more as the race gets closer.

No need to be a Negative Nelly, perhaps try being a Positive Petunia.

I am sure we all have had points of doubt, especially with our first big event. Just take a few deep breaths and relax. You are going to have a kick-butt time and will look back and say, "I was worried about that?"

I run with a water bottle belt. I seem to have a different water schedule than Disney. I only fill mine half full on race day though, as there is water and Powerade available along the course, why tote around the extra weight you aren't going to use?

 

[saysay]

Hi all...went to see the sports doc this morning and the good news is its JUST plantar faciitis which he thinks being very conservative I can still train and do the race. I have my night splint I get to wear when I sleep to relax that calf....lucky for me I have it from last year when the other foot was PF plagued! I also need to ice and stretch and I got a referral to a physical therapist to help me get some good stretches for my situation. He told me I need to scale back a tad on the running...meaning I need to walk more, so I guess I will be going to a 1/1 run walk interval from a 2/1...doc said that sounded good. He also told me sounded like I know how to listen to my body and if the feet were bothering me to just walk or stop and go find and eliptical or bike to get my cardio in...but obviously I needed to run to prepare.

I am so excited I can still train and do the race, I just need to be careful and remember my only goal is to cross the finish. I was going to go up to 13 miles in my training, but now think to not push it will only go to 11. I have done 10.5.

PLEASE STRETCH THOSE CALVES....I was having tight ones and my shin splint is now gone and in my foot.

Anyhoo, thanks for the support and encouragement. Tried on my sparkle last night...it looked GREAT!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

Hi all...went to see the sports doc this morning and the good news is its JUST plantar faciitis which he thinks being very conservative I can still train and do the race. I have my night splint I get to wear when I sleep to relax that calf....lucky for me I have it from last year when the other foot was PF plagued! I also need to ice and stretch and I got a referral to a physical therapist to help me get some good stretches for my situation. He told me I need to scale back a tad on the running...meaning I need to walk more, so I guess I will be going to a 1/1 run walk interval from a 2/1...doc said that sounded good. He also told me sounded like I know how to listen to my body and if the feet were bothering me to just walk or stop and go find and eliptical or bike to get my cardio in...but obviously I needed to run to prepare.

I am so excited I can still train and do the race, I just need to be careful and remember my only goal is to cross the finish. I was going to go up to 13 miles in my training, but now think to not push it will only go to 11. I have done 10.5.

PLEASE STRETCH THOSE CALVES....I was having tight ones and my shin splint is now gone and in my foot.

Anyhoo, thanks for the support and encouragement. Tried on my sparkle last night...it looked GREAT!

Glad you got good news and can still train and run!

 

[jdhnmerrell]

On another thread, it was suggested that the spectators take a taxi to the TTC and then monorail it over to the MK. Leaving at 6-6:30 at the latest.

Thanks so much!

 

[Saylan]

Did anyone ever find out where you can sign people up to get update msgs/txts of our progress on the day of?

Also, my bf's never been to WDW. We're not sure what he should do since I'll be hopping on the tranportation to the race from a host hotel. Does he come with me or does he have to taxi? I don't think he wants to go in the parks, just see me near the end or half-way (outside the parks). We're also not sure how to arrange where to meet since I don't own a cell phone (and thus can't txt or call him) and have never been in a race so I don't know the post-race layout.

Is there a good waterbelt that can hold a camera that anyone would recommend? I've seen spibelts for the camera but they don't look like they can hold water bottles too.

 

[Cripey]

Did anyone ever find out where you can sign people up to get update msgs/txts of our progress on the day of?

Also, my bf's never been to WDW. We're not sure what he should do since I'll be hopping on the tranportation to the race from a host hotel. Does he come with me or does he have to taxi? I don't think he wants to go in the parks, just see me near the end or half-way (outside the parks). We're also not sure how to arrange where to meet since I don't own a cell phone (and thus can't txt or call him) and have never been in a race so I don't know the post-race layout.

Is there a good waterbelt that can hold a camera that anyone would recommend? I've seen spibelts for the camera but they don't look like they can hold water bottles too.

He can go with you on the bus if he wants to the pre-race area, but once you head for the corrals, he won't be able to go with you...at least I think that's how it works! I rode the bus with my BF to the EPCOT parking lot and from there said our goodbye's and good luck's and I took the monorail to the Contemporary hotel...waited there in the warmth until it was almost race time and then headed out in front of the Contemporary to get a glimpse of him running by...I beleive that's somewhere close to mile 5, right before runners go into MK. From there he can take the path to MK and take the monorail from there to the finish line at EPCOT. There will be small tents set up in the post-race area for reunions, each posted with letters of the alphabet...choose a letter before the race and plan to meet in front of the corresponding tent. As for waterbelts, I use an Amphipod waterbelt with a single bottle on the back and you can purchase extra pouches that slide on to hold any goodies you may need...works great for me...I think it's a very comfortable belt, but it's all personal preference

 

[jeanigor]

Did anyone ever find out where you can sign people up to get update msgs/txts of our progress on the day of?

Also, my bf's never been to WDW. We're not sure what he should do since I'll be hopping on the tranportation to the race from a host hotel. Does he come with me or does he have to taxi? I don't think he wants to go in the parks, just see me near the end or half-way (outside the parks). We're also not sure how to arrange where to meet since I don't own a cell phone (and thus can't txt or call him) and have never been in a race so I don't know the post-race layout.

Is there a good waterbelt that can hold a camera that anyone would recommend? I've seen spibelts for the camera but they don't look like they can hold water bottles too.

I was wondering about the texting/emailing of updates as well. I think they sent that info out three to four weeks ahead of the race previously, so anytime now if they are planning on it for this race as well.

I have the same issue with my travel partner. He's never been to WDW and I will have the car at Epcot already. I am thinking about telling him to take the resort bus to Epcot and then hike across the parking lot to the finish area.

If he wanted to cheer you on from somewhere around Mile 8 or so, he could find a way to the TTC/Poly and walk across the parking lot to the race route. This may involve taking a taxi, depending upon how quick your pace is. If he does catch you around mile 8, he should be able to take the monorail back to Epcot and perhaps watch you finish.

Afterward there will be a rather large area to meet up with family, friends and other racers. Choose a letter of the alphabet that you'll meet by (the WISHers usually meet at the T-Z area for a group photo and to offer congrats to each other).

I carry my camera in my hand. I don't care for it to beat against my thigh constantly and I hate to fidget with it to untether it from my belt. Is it something to get used to, yes. But it works for me.

 

[Vickibean]

I did it!!!!

Planned on a 12.5 mile track run today. It went better than planned and I went all the way to 13.1!

I downloaded a Disney podcast to my ipod for the run. It was much more inspiring to listen to disney chatter instead of songs I've heard dozens of times before.

On my last long track run, all I could do was think about how many laps done and how many to go. It was completely mentally consuming trying to remember it all. This time, I counted out sport beans - 1 for every 2 laps. When the beans were gone, I was done.

I also started walking a minute every mile. Previously, I was burning out by the end of the run. It really seemed to help, and I didn't have to do any additional walking.

My time still stunk - 2:57, but my time is always at least a minute/mile slow when I run at the track. Still can't figure it out, but it will make me stronger!

I feel GREAT!!!!

 

[ingefan]

I've been getting so nervous about this race and really psyching myself out. This made me laugh so hard and relax a little bit.

I need to stop worrying so much and just enjoy this journey.

I second this!!!!

 

[saysay]

YAH, Mule! Yep sums it up.

You track runners and treadmill runners inspire me so much. I would get so bored, but you have to do what you have to do. Getting your runs in this way seems SO hard. GO PRINCESSES!

 

[longhorns2]

Yay Julie!

Yah Mule! Totally. lol

Welcome Erica!

AWESOME job Vicki! I did 12 this weekend and was secretly hoping I would feel well enough to push to 13.1..... alas, did not happen. That's awesome. Love the idea of the beans to count trips around the track!

 

[Trudes]

I did it!!!!

Planned on a 12.5 mile track run today. It went better than planned and I went all the way to 13.1!

This time, I counted out sport beans - 1 for every 2 laps. When the beans were gone, I was done.

That's a great idea with the sports beans. I ran my first track run yesterday. 14 3/4 laps to a mile. I wanted to know how many laps I did, but counting laps wasn't realistic. I did note the average time per lap, and how long I ran, and did the math. I probably ran over 160 laps. That would have been a lot of sports beans, I could do it every 4-5 laps, that would work.

Also congrats on your run!