Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[stitchfan18]

Okay - was shooting for my next half (last year's Princess is my only one so far) to be the Atlanta Half on Thksgvg. However, hubs is wanting to do a local 10K that day, oldest DS is prob. up for the fun run and will have to shuttle DS 2 &3 to FIL's house for all this to go on. Found another half somewhat nearby - next Saturday!!! Since I did 10 miles yesterday, I think it's totally do-able - and I'm so happy to be able to say that! I found another one that's in early November, but - get this - it's a 1.1 mile loop that you run ELEVEN times and then a short out-and-back to make up the difference. Can you imagine running the same flippin' mile 11 times?! I think they would have to pay ME to do that one. So.... this Saturday it might be! It will be exciting to get a benchmark time; the Princess is the only thing I have to go on right now and I was most certainly not running that one for time. So, hey - I'm almost guaranteed a PR, right?!

Good Luck this Saturday, if you run I'm sure you'll do great! The first 1/2 I ran was a loop course, but we only had the run it 4 times with one out and back. It was still a mental battle every time I got ready to run past the finish line, and there weren't even the timing mats to count how many times you went around. I wouldn't imagine running a course with 11 loops!

 

[SAHDad]

I've been thinking about getting a Garmin (305 or 205), but I wonder if it's any better than the apps? And my bigger question...does it get 'confused' by running in circles? I'm guessing that using it on a treadmill would be pointless, but if I run a circle (say around a park), would it pick up the entire distance?

Thanks!

I have a 305, and you are correct that they won't be able to tell you milage on a treadmill. (I think there is a shoe pod or something that you can get that will interact with the Garmin for treadmill distances, but I just assume that the distance and speed on the monitor are roughly accurate.) As far as running in circles goes - you could confuse a Garmin by running in circles, but they would have to be really small ones, like 20-30 feet across. I have run laps around my neighborhood (half mile total loop), and even laps around soccer fields (about a tenth of a mile, IIRC), and never had a problem.

By default, a Garmin records its position every 3 seconds, so circles around a park probably won't be much of an issue. If you are on a very twisty trail, you can get some strange results (I know I have), but you can also set your Garmin to record its position every second (which shortens the battery charge to about 4 hours, from a nominal 12).

 

[italianlover]

I did it!!! My longest run yet yesterday was 4 miles in 86 degrees for a time of 50 minutes (actually 49:25), pretty darn good considering the heat! I was more proud of my DH who did it without any training but he said I need to stop being proud of him and more of myself, lol. Anyways, I started out great the first 2.5 miles without any breaks (walking, sip of water or stopping) BUT then I did a ratio of 5/1 run/walk the rest of the way, is this ok to do? Is it ok to do the walk/run ratio once you start to feel pooped instead of the whole run?
Also, thanks for all the advice from the other posters. I don't know how to multi quote but wanted to say thank you!!!

 

[joan4mickey]

I have to start this post with the disclaimer that I am NOT a regular Cheetah Girls listener but there is a cute song by them for running inspiration! They do a version of "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" that is upbeat and poppy. Makes me smile when it comes on the ipod during a run! You can find it on iTunes - it's the Cheetah Girls and it's on the DisneyMania 4 album, I believe.

I have alot of classic Disney music on my ipod. Thanks for the info on music..My DH downloaded ALL 7 mania albums yesterday. My runs are going to be jacked up a notch now. I'm also training for my first full in Jan. and runs get LONG.

One can listen to much of the music on youtube.

 

[shellbelle76]

I did it!!! My longest run yet yesterday was 4 miles in 86 degrees for a time of 50 minutes (actually 49:25), pretty darn good considering the heat! I was more proud of my DH who did it without any training but he said I need to stop being proud of him and more of myself, lol. Anyways, I started out great the first 2.5 miles without any breaks (walking, sip of water or stopping) BUT then I did a ratio of 5/1 run/walk the rest of the way, is this ok to do? Is it ok to do the walk/run ratio once you start to feel pooped instead of the whole run?
Also, thanks for all the advice from the other posters. I don't know how to multi quote but wanted to say thank you!!!

Congratulations!!! I tend to be very "do what works for you" so I say go with how your body feels. Galloway does indicate that run/walk intervals from the very beginning will likely give you a better overall time/pace than starting intervals when you start to feel wiped out. But for me, feeling good about my workout is more important than a faster time. And so, if I feel like running, then I run. And if I feel like walking for a bit, I do. Would my times be more impressive if I were following a specificed run/walk interval from the minute I start running? I'm sure they would be... But I don't know that I would enjoy it as much. And I'm running for how it makes me feel while I'm doing it - not so much for seeing my times decrease... Everyone is different though. If your objective is a faster time, then the defined intervals from the very beginning might be in your best interest. I truly believe Galloway knows what he's talking about. It's just that right now, I'm more into enjoying the process - success in a run (for me) is defined by listening to my body and pushing when I feel I can and easing up when I feel I need to. Hope that helps!

Can you imagine running the same flippin' mile 11 times?!

I am totally with you, dear Amy. That is so not my idea of a fun course!!

 

[Michele325]

Amy, 11 times around a course is crazy! I would totally loose track Have fun at your half.

 

[SAHDad]

Amy, 11 times around a course is crazy! I would totally loose track Have fun at your half.

So, I take it that you would not want to try the Zoom Yah Yah marathon? It's "only" 150 laps around an indoor track. In Minnesota. In January.

Actually - it's not bad. I ran it a couple of year ago, and it was warmer than the Disney marathon (which was the same day). They assign someone to keep track of your laps, so you don't have to - I lost count at one point, and then quit trying. Plus, even though the field is only 40 runners or so, you never lack for company, and you can't get lost.

 

[mainstreet1997]

Do we know if the Pasta Party In the Park Illuminations includes a reserved viewing area like they do for Marathon Weekend or are we on our own?

 

[Michele325]

So, I take it that you would not want to try the Zoom Yah Yah marathon? It's "only" 150 laps around an indoor track. In Minnesota. In January.

Actually - it's not bad. I ran it a couple of year ago, and it was warmer than the Disney marathon (which was the same day). They assign someone to keep track of your laps, so you don't have to - I lost count at one point, and then quit trying. Plus, even though the field is only 40 runners or so, you never lack for company, and you can't get lost.

No, i would not! lol. But living in Michigan I can see the why the would hold a January marathon inside in Minnesota!

 

[dthogue]

im sad and frustrated. today i went early to do my 4 miles run. my body was very stiff and i couldnt run as much as i wanted to. i finish the 4 miles in 59 minutes which is a bad time for me. i usually make my miles in 14 minutes or less. i dont know what was wrong today. also i been having all these nightmares about starting the marathon and not being able to finish.
does anyone else have these nightmares?

No nightmares yet, but I'm sure they'll come closer to the race

Hang in there, some days are better than others - don't get discouraged. Some days I feel like I could keep going on and then I'll have a day where I don't think I can get my feet to move and my whole body hurts. I have realized that it is easier for me to run in the mornings, afternoons are hard for me, but evenings are easier than the afternoons

 

[ngneer98]

i ran my "practice" marathon yesterday! the St. Louis Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon....it was so much fun! i even ended up with a faster time than I was going for......i finished in 2:57:49. I'd only gone the 13.1 mile distance once before, and it took me well over 3 hours, so i was thrilled with my time!

next big race is the princess half......i just need to stay in shape 'till then!

 

[italianlover]

i ran my "practice" marathon yesterday! the St. Louis Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon....it was so much fun! i even ended up with a faster time than I was going for......i finished in 2:57:49. I'd only gone the 13.1 mile distance once before, and it took me well over 3 hours, so i was thrilled with my time!

next big race is the princess half......i just need to stay in shape 'till then!

Good for you!!! Way to go on a great run I'm hoping to do the princess in under 3 but if I finish I will be happy.

 

[italianlover]

Congratulations!!! I tend to be very "do what works for you" so I say go with how your body feels. Galloway does indicate that run/walk intervals from the very beginning will likely give you a better overall time/pace than starting intervals when you start to feel wiped out. But for me, feeling good about my workout is more important than a faster time. And so, if I feel like running, then I run. And if I feel like walking for a bit, I do. Would my times be more impressive if I were following a specificed run/walk interval from the minute I start running? I'm sure they would be... But I don't know that I would enjoy it as much. And I'm running for how it makes me feel while I'm doing it - not so much for seeing my times decrease... Everyone is different though. If your objective is a faster time, then the defined intervals from the very beginning might be in your best interest. I truly believe Galloway knows what he's talking about. It's just that right now, I'm more into enjoying the process - success in a run (for me) is defined by listening to my body and pushing when I feel I can and easing up when I feel I need to. Hope that helps!

Thanks so much for the advice. I figuered it would give me better time if I started the walk/run in the beginning but I'm just hoping to finish the princess, lol I would be extremely happy if I finished it under 3 hours! I don't necessarily run for time but I'm running for the challenge for my body for my 30th birthday but wanting to enjoy the stress free run at the same time. Does any of that make sense? lol

 

[princessrun]

I'm new to DIS and to running Disney. Wondering if anyone is staying at Windsor Hills? Any thoughts on staying off site? We are doing a girls weekend (well okay 5 nights we are from Canada!)

Any thoughts are welcome

 

[msufan]

I'm new to DIS and to running Disney. Wondering if anyone is staying at Windsor Hills? Any thoughts on staying off site? We are doing a girls weekend (well okay 5 nights we are from Canada!)

Any thoughts are welcome

I have stayed at Windsor Hills before and I LOVED it. We stayed in a 4 bedroom with 10 people and it was awesome. It was called either the Happy Place or Happy Villas, I don't remember. All of the properties are individually owned, but our host was great. We had a problem with the heater in our hot tub while we were there and they sent someone out to fix it right away. You are so close, you might as well be on Disney property. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Only drawback is lack of transportation. Everyone needs to go to or come home from the parks at the same time. I guess you could take a cab, but literally that is the only drawback I can think of. It is gated and I felt very safe at all times. Hope this helps. If you have specific questions, you can IM me.

 

[msufan]

Was wondering if anybody from the DISBoards won the trip for 2 to the Princess Half. I was hoping that I would, but alas, no phone call today. Hoping one of my fellow Disney Fanatics won!

 

[rebapple]

I don't know if this has been discussed at all but i just can't seem to get over the hump of running 2 miles. I start to get tired and bored running in my neighborhood and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for how you keep yourself motivated during the longer runs. I was supposed to just do my 4 4miler from last week as i had a bust weekend but I wold love advice on getting motivated to run further as really that is pretty essential seeing as we will be running 13.1 miles in 125 days.

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

i ran my "practice" marathon yesterday! the St. Louis Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon....it was so much fun! i even ended up with a faster time than I was going for......i finished in 2:57:49. I'd only gone the 13.1 mile distance once before, and it took me well over 3 hours, so i was thrilled with my time!

next big race is the princess half......i just need to stay in shape 'till then!

WTG
That is almost exactly what I did my first half in.

I don't know if this has been discussed at all but i just can't seem to get over the hump of running 2 miles. I start to get tired and bored running in my neighborhood and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for how you keep yourself motivated during the longer runs. I was supposed to just do my 4 4miler from last week as i had a bust weekend but I wold love advice on getting motivated to run further as really that is pretty essential seeing as we will be running 13.1 miles in 125 days.

Honestly the only thing that really works for me is to focus on the race. I know I have to get the mileage in to be confident in finishing and I did not want to be swept so it worked for me.

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

I don't know if this has been discussed at all but i just can't seem to get over the hump of running 2 miles. I start to get tired and bored running in my neighborhood and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for how you keep yourself motivated during the longer runs. I was supposed to just do my 4 4miler from last week as i had a bust weekend but I wold love advice on getting motivated to run further as really that is pretty essential seeing as we will be running 13.1 miles in 125 days.

Are you trying to run the entire distance? If so maybe doing some walk/run intervals would be good. Keeps things a little more interesting. I agree with SummerIrmoma2_3, the fear of getting swept off the course motivates me to keep going the distance each week with my long runs. 7.5 miles tomorrow!!

 

[Michele325]

I don't know if this has been discussed at all but i just can't seem to get over the hump of running 2 miles. I start to get tired and bored running in my neighborhood and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for how you keep yourself motivated during the longer runs. I was supposed to just do my 4 4miler from last week as i had a bust weekend but I wold love advice on getting motivated to run further as really that is pretty essential seeing as we will be running 13.1 miles in 125 days.

Changing to run/walk intervals really helped. 2 miles is 30 minutes for me, and that was my limit of straight running. I now love my Galloway intervals (2:1 on monday 1:1 on wed and friday).

Also, I have listened to podcasts and books on tape while running outside. That helped to keep my mind more focused on something other than how far I went/have still to go. Inside on the treadmill I watch a series with lots of episodes on Netfix. Last year it was 24, this year Numbers. HTH.