Official 2012 Princess 1/2 marathon thread part 2

[joan4mickey]

Almost all races, Disney included, provide a gear check service for free for all participants. Either you are provided a bag or you provide one, you detach a tag is part of your bib and has a hole, put a (usually provided) zip tie through the hole on the tag and then around your bag. You allow 10 min or so before the start to check your bag, and then you can retrieve it at the end.

The last two disney races I ran didn't have the detachable tag from the bib but they gave us an extra sticker to put on the provided bag. I only say this as I got to bag check and didn't have this sticker for my bag, but the kind volunteers were ready for me and had some extra blank tags. The new adhesive sticker has been white with big black numbers on it and you get it when yo get your bib.
I think they know that the Princess attracts lots of new runners and they will try to make the experience the best they can for you and take care of most of your needs.

Added:
Oops. See some one has already posted about the sticker for bag.

 

[joan4mickey]

The runs are getting longer and taking more from our bodies and we get more sore. May I suggest an ice bath within the hour of finishing your long run. Dump lots of ice into your tub and then add some cold water. I hate this process and for me it is more painful than running long, but it works. You sit in the tub for ten min. soaking your legs. After that I shower. Also getting nutrition is important within the hour. Protein and carb to replace what your body has used. Also an anti inflammatory after ice bath and food will help.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Thank you! That was one of many of the myriad of questions I have for you race veterans. I have been training as sort of a minimalist not knowing if there would be somewhere safe to leave things.

Anyone that has done this particular race in the past have any feedback in terms of how you feel afterwards? Are you usually so hyped up you stay up all day or do you typically need a nap? Approx how many stops are there along the way in terms of pics with chars? If you do not bring your own camera, are you able to take a pic and if so, is it Photopass and if that is the case, is it the normal rate of purchasing Photopass? Thanks in advance.

Do I admit that my group was enjoying the antics of Kat's at JellyRolls?! Wasn't that a great night? The Conga Line rocked! As I have become a more experienced racer, I need less rest right after. My first few races, naps were not optional, my body just had to shut down for awhile. At this point, I can get a massage, stand in the long line for the busses back to my resort (it's always long because we wait for the last WISHer at the "W" tent), get back to the resort and shower, have a quick rest and snack, and I'm ready to hit a park. It really is an individual thing -- how fit are you to start, and how much of a shock is a Half to your body? When I began I was (ok, not that I am fit now), but pretty lucky to be finishing and doing a ton of walking, and actually reaching the finish line was more of a shock to me -- it seemed like a mirage, I was so exhausted.

I honestly don't stop with the characters, but there are many, many of them...I do enjoy them, but I'm not a picture with characters kind of gal, anyway.

Yesterday I did 12M on the TM, and that was definitely the last time. 10 is great, 11 is sketchy, and 12 is too much for me. I wasn't about to run in snow, so that was my option. I hadn't gone up that high before a race, but decided to try it. I'm sticking with 10 now in winter. It's plenty for me physically and mentally. I have some halfs coming up in warm weather, I will try the longer runs for those outside. I think I'll have a much better attitude at the

Maria

 

[flgirl36]

I ran 4 miles on Monday and then I got busy and didn't run again all week. My plan was to get another 4 in this weekend, but I have been sick since Friday. I'm worried that I will lose any endurance that I have. Hopefully I will feel good enough to get a run in tomorrow.

 

[HockeyKat]

Do I admit that my group was enjoying the antics of Kat's at JellyRolls?! Wasn't that a great night? The Conga Line rocked!

...

Yesterday I did 12M on the TM, and that was definitely the last time. 10 is great, 11 is sketchy, and 12 is too much for me. I wasn't about to run in snow, so that was my option. I hadn't gone up that high before a race, but decided to try it. I'm sticking with 10 now in winter. It's plenty for me physically and mentally. I have some halfs coming up in warm weather, I will try the longer runs for those outside. I think I'll have a much better attitude at the

Maria

Definitely a great night!! I had no idea at the time that you guys were WISHers, either! We have made JellyRolls the night of the race a tradition.

12 on the TM! Wow!! The longest TM I have managed was 10 (over a year ago), and that sucked.

I do train to 14/16 usually, though, but this Princess will be my 9th half, plus I am on the Galloway train and had taken his recommendation to train long in order to gain speed.


Right now I am woefully undertrained thanks to the leg injury. It's feeling a lot better so I am going to hopefully try a walk today.

 

[fashionista311]

Thank you! That was one of many of the myriad of questions I have for you race veterans. I have been training as sort of a minimalist not knowing if there would be somewhere safe to leave things.

Anyone that has done this particular race in the past have any feedback in terms of how you feel afterwards? Are you usually so hyped up you stay up all day or do you typically need a nap? Approx how many stops are there along the way in terms of pics with chars? If you do not bring your own camera, are you able to take a pic and if so, is it Photopass and if that is the case, is it the normal rate of purchasing Photopass? Thanks in advance.

I find it tough to nap, but I try to at least try and close my eyes and relax for a bit. I know I'm on the go for the rest of the day (lunch at a park, then park in the afternoon, dinner, and then back to magic kingdom for fireworks and extra magic hours) so I try to force my body to at least try and get some sleep. I don't find that my body is that exhausted from the race per say as much as the early wake-up call!

Like others have said there are a million of characters on the way. I didn't stop, but there are plenty who do. I would def bring your camera - sometimes there are the race photographers there (not photopass) and the pictures are very $$

Do I admit that my group was enjoying the antics of Kat's at JellyRolls?! Wasn't that a great night? The Conga Line rocked! As I have become a more experienced racer, I need less rest right after. My first few races, naps were not optional, my body just had to shut down for awhile. At this point, I can get a massage, stand in the long line for the busses back to my resort (it's always long because we wait for the last WISHer at the "W" tent), get back to the resort and shower, have a quick rest and snack, and I'm ready to hit a park. It really is an individual thing -- how fit are you to start, and how much of a shock is a Half to your body? When I began I was (ok, not that I am fit now), but pretty lucky to be finishing and doing a ton of walking, and actually reaching the finish line was more of a shock to me -- it seemed like a mirage, I was so exhausted.

I honestly don't stop with the characters, but there are many, many of them...I do enjoy them, but I'm not a picture with characters kind of gal, anyway.

Yesterday I did 12M on the TM, and that was definitely the last time. 10 is great, 11 is sketchy, and 12 is too much for me. I wasn't about to run in snow, so that was my option. I hadn't gone up that high before a race, but decided to try it. I'm sticking with 10 now in winter. It's plenty for me physically and mentally. I have some halfs coming up in warm weather, I will try the longer runs for those outside. I think I'll have a much better attitude at the

Maria

12 miles on the mill is no joke! i've done 10 last season and i was ready to go nuts idk if i could manage 12. i have 14 and 16 miles coming up in the next two weeks and i'm praying to the weather gods that it won't be snowing or freezing...otherwise i might have to scale it back.

if you stick to 10 miles you will absolutely have enough fitness in the bank to get across the finish line. winter training is so tough!

 

[tinkeramy]

After the race last year, I had a massage scheduled, which I wouldn't do again. I mean, the massage was great, but having somewhere to be at a set time wasn't really that fun. After that we went to lunch and walked around epcot. I was completely dragging, ready to go back to the hotel and swim, crash, whatever, but we went over to the MK to do "just one more thing"...and ended up getting reenergized and staying for fireworks. It really just depends on what gets you going! But I don't think I could nap - not at Disney World!!! We have lunch ressies at Le Cellier a little before 3, so that should be plenty of time to hang out post race, go back & shower & gear up for the rest of the day. While I think it might be fun to go straight into Epcot after the race, I really would rather be comfy - i.e., clean! And I don't want to have to drag a bag around with me or deal with lockers.

Hmmm... Say Say, we may have to detour to JellyRolls to join the rowdy princesses.... That may actually require a nap.

 

[HockeyKat]

While I think it might be fun to go straight into Epcot after the race, I really would rather be comfy - i.e., clean! And I don't want to have to drag a bag around with me or deal with lockers.

Hmmm... Say Say, we may have to detour to JellyRolls to join the rowdy princesses.... That may actually require a nap.

Oh, yes, yes you should!!

To be fair, we drive to the race and have had two years to figure out what works and doesn't for this group.

Gear check is just for the princesses in our group that will finish first (we have two waves, one considerably under 3 and one considerably over!) to have anything they might want, socks/shoes, protein drinks, etc. Last year we did the 10 min for $10 massage as well, and were among the last people to leave the area. Sure made getting out of the parking lot easy!

We pack a cooler with beverages (a post-race beverage is the best, carbs are recovery, right?!?) and each pack a bag with wipes, deodorant, fresh clothes, sunscreen, etc. From the race, a beverage is consumed in the parking lot, then we go over to late breakfast buffet ressie at a resort, change and freshen up in the bathroom there, put the bags back in the car, and go back into Epcot for a few hours. Once we are properly tired (usually around 2-3), back to the resort for pool time and a real shower before taking the bus back to Epcot for the evening, dinner at CS or snacks, and then JellyRolls.

All of us do the race as a fun girls thing, though - it's not about time or PR-ing, it's about enjoying the race with friends, spending time together, and having a great time. It's the only time in the year that most of us see each other.

 

[TiggerAllie]

Was the Princess in March in '09? I remember having (what I thought were) pre-opening breakfast ressies at MK on a Sunday morning and being surprised to all of a sudden be driving through a race! (Kind of thwarted our chance to get pictures in front of the castle with no one else in them!)

Then, we saw folks with medals and Tshirts all day, and at Jellyrolls that night! If we haven't totally collapsed from tiredness, you may see us at Jellyrolls after the race this year-- I love that place. I'm sure we'll all be able to pick each other out, wearing our medals and all.

 

[HockeyKat]

Was the Princess in March in '09? I remember having (what I thought were) pre-opening breakfast ressies at MK on a Sunday morning and being surprised to all of a sudden be driving through a race! (Kind of thwarted our chance to get pictures in front of the castle with no one else in them!)

Then, we saw folks with medals at Tshirts all day, and at Jellyrolls that night! If we haven't totally collapsed from tiredness, you may see us at Jellyrolls after the race this year-- I love that place. I'm sure we'll all be able to pick each other out, wearing out medals and all.

Yes, it was. It was a better weekend imo, as you didn't have to deal with President's Day week prices for Thurs and Fri nights.

We will be wearing custom printed Team Goddess shirts in navy and then the medal, it will be hard to miss us. I will likely post a pic of the t-shirts when they come in.

Same goes for the expo and the race, except they will be purple and then blue. Yeah, we are nuts.

 

[joan4mickey]

Yes, it was. It was a better weekend imo, as you didn't have to deal with President's Day week prices for Thurs and Fri nights.

I agreement with you so much. And also lower crowds. I noticed they move the Wine and Dine to the end of "jersey week" another time when many schools up north are off. Do you think they have lots of northern runners/walkers and can make more little extra cash with including an event?

 

[Tabetha]

I had a toenail fall off so I'm right there with you. If you clench, do you think your shoes might be too big/small?

Ordinarily, I'd think that, yes. But there's plenty of room in the toe box (or so I thought) - I had them fitted at a great running store in Chicago.

I think the clenching comes from years and years of wearing a shoe a half size too small on that foot - so it's probably a habit now. I have been trying to focus on keeping my toes flat lately.

 

[bellerunner]

I just had an awesome run (except the fact that it was on a treadmill), and you all are the first people I think about when I want to get excited about my runs! I did 10, and felt like I probably could have gone another 1 or 2 if I hadn't run out of gatorade...

35 more days until Race Day!!!!

 

[freepixie]

I ran 4 miles on Monday and then I got busy and didn't run again all week. My plan was to get another 4 in this weekend, but I have been sick since Friday. I'm worried that I will lose any endurance that I have. Hopefully I will feel good enough to get a run in tomorrow.

I know how you feel, I have been fighting a cold off and on this week! I knocked out my 13 miles last Monday, but haven't done much since! Yesterday after Zumba, I went to the treadmill, I can usually do about 4 miles, but I barely sqeaked out 1 mile cause I wasn't able to get enough air in my lungs from all this congestion!

Hope we both feel better soon!

 

[kmg148]

Hi Princesses - Question about after the race. Staying at Port Orleans riverside and planning on going to Epcot for the day afterwards. however don't want to waste time going from the run back to hotel, back to epcot. I assume I will be done around 8:30 - but think parks open at 9. What have the rest of you done in the past as I don't want to lose park time. Do I just take stuff to do the shower in a bottle idea?
If you have done the race before, I would appreciate it if you could let me know what you did. I assume, Epcot doesn't have showers

For the 5k last January, I remember just going into the park in my running outfit. It was so convenient already being there.

This year, I have to leave that night, so my park time to celebrate is very limited. We're eating lunch in Epcot afterward, so I guess I'll just be a sweaty mess!

 

[TiggerAllie]

The weather has finally impeded my training. Plan was to run 8-9 mi, but we go about 4 in of snow during the course of the day, which meant the streets were too treacherous, especially since once the snow stopped the temperature dropped into the teens. Today is a work-day, so no running. I hope we can make it up tomorrow afternoon, as the temps are going back up into the 40s.

Since the plan isn't to go for a PR, I'm planning to just keep increasing the mileage (a la JG "for time" plan) and then going easy the week before the race. Does that make sense?

I wish they would push next year's race back--2 weeks would be perfect! I don't think we're going to be able to fly down Friday afternoon because DP can't get the afternoon off-- too many people have already taken the week off for Winter Break (Pres Day wk). Of course, my spring break starts Mar 10, so we'll be back down there 2 weeks after the race.

 

[Qltrgrl2]

I got in my 10 mile run today on the treadmill....no fun but glad it is behind me. My training will be curtailed after next Sunday when I will run either an 11 or 12 mile long one. We will be traveling for nearly 3 weeks prior to the Princess but I just could NOT miss seeing a really good friend participate in her first half marathon. And...we all know the Princess is a wonderful Disney race!
Happy Running!
Pam

 

[saysay]

I got in my 10 mile run today on the treadmill....no fun but glad it is behind me. My training will be curtailed after next Sunday when I will run either an 11 or 12 mile long one. We will be traveling for nearly 3 weeks prior to the Princess but I just could NOT miss seeing a really good friend participate in her first half marathon. And...we all know the Princess is a wonderful Disney race!
Happy Running!
Pam

Congrats for 10 on the mill!!!!! Good work.

I missed my run Thursday, took some rest as my left calf, shins and left foot bothering me. Just tight..... so decided to give them some rest. Today, I decided more rest in order BUT got in 4 miles....3 on the eliptical and 1 jog on the treadmill.....straight jogging too, not like me! It was a good workout.....wondering how I will do my next long run of 10....ok, its going to be 9 miles of intervals and 1 of fast walking.... I am trying to to get afraid about my foot and Plantar Faciitis flaring up...

SO concentrating on my Mulan tribute outfit.. I actually have most of what is needed, might buy myself a new shirt. The mulan thing will be cute.....wondering if the material I am using for my middle will bother me rather if my arms will rub them. I will be colorful, that is for sure....pink, red and blue! When I get closer I will post a picture.

We are having the craziest warm winter - be careful all you with ice and snow!. Hoping its not blazing hot for the princess.....but hey a blazing hot day at disney is better than a day at home!

OH and regarding post race, I read somewhere last year a COLD bath was good as well if you don't want to try an ice bath, just fill the tub with cold water and soak for 10 minutes. Felt GREAT! Of course you can throw some ice in too! When I left the race last year, I was a tad miserable....had a little chafing from sports bra and a blister on one foot and sore foot. I will DEF need to go to room first!

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

Just finished 10 miles. This is the 4th time I've done 10 - twice in late December and twice in January. It was cold - 27 degrees and we got 6 inches of snow Saturday. I had to run through some slushy stuff here and there and keep a close eye out for patches of ice. Overall, it went well, but my legs are sore now. Got my compression sleeves on and I think I'm camped out on the sofa for the rest of the evening. Hope I can find the energy to finish 3 more miles when race day arrives! Can you believe in 5 weeks from now it will be all over. Great job to all those princesses clocking in the miles.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Didn't get my run in today but does going food shopping count as miles put in? LOL it was pretty tough pushing that shopping cart that's bigger than me around BJ's and then loading/unloading the car.