Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[tinkeramy]

Heads up if you want Santa to bring you a new pair of running shoes or that warmy running hoodie! Got an e-mail today from runningwarehouse dot com. Gift cards on sale 20% off. You can only buy in certain increments, but this is a good deal if you were planning on getting something pricey, anyway. I believe they do free shipping as well. $25 for $20, $50 for $40, $100 for $80 and $200 for $160. I've ordered from them a couple of times now and like their service. This deal is only on through Nov. 11th. Go to their website and click "gift cards" - little link toward the top, I think.

 

[joan4mickey]

Thank you for the advice. Yes, it does help. I think that I may be able to handle one long run outside very week. Did you actually run 13.1 or 14 before you ran the half? I have people telling me not to worry about running that distance before the race. That if I can do 10 I can do 13. WELL, let me tell ya I am totally whipped by 10 and the thought of pushing myself to 3 seems impossible, granted I have only done 10 once and have now been on the elliptical due to an injury. I just don't get it

Let me say, I'm no expert. I just read these thread, magazine articles, and web articles about running. I have only run 10 miles before my halfs. I had planned on running 12 last year, but was very ill that day and actually had thoughts that I wouldn't live to see another day. My DDs had come home from college to run our last LR together, they did it, it was a beautiful February day. If you feel better about going the full distance before race day then try it. There is alot of energy on race day and entertainment on the course that I think helps to carry one through to the end.

One more thought, you may want to save the whole 13.1 for the race day...I think there is something special about that first full run. Maybe take it up to 12.5 or close to 13 and save the rest for the Princess.

 

[schmass]

Oh wow.. Good for you ladies running this one!! I was thinking of doing this race too, but then I read it was longer than a 10k and HILLY and chickened out I saw on coolrunnings that there is a 10k this Saturday in Wakefield at the lake. I am thinking of doing that one to get a time to send in.. I know the area and it's flat!! Hopefully the weather continues here.. What a day today!! Again congrats on your 10k times

Oh, I wish I had known about the 10k in Wakefield sooner - I live very close to Wakefield. I already have a hair appointment scheduled for Saturday morning, and I need to book at least 8 weeks out to get in, so I can't move it!!

I definitely am looking into more local (Boston-area) races. There is a Thanksgiving 10K in Lowell that we could use to get a better time (I think I can take 3-4 minutes off 1:06 just by having the course be .16 mi shorter (1 min) and the 2-3 minutes we lost walking up the hills.) There is also a Jingle run in Boston that is a holiday/costume 5K that I remember seeing last year... it somewhat depends work schedule.

What other local races are you doing, if any? Do you have any good suggestions?

I'm doing the Earn your Turkey Trot 5k at the lake in Wakefield on Thanksgiving day. I'm also thinking about doing the Assault on Mt. Hood in Melrose on December 10th - looks challenging! My sister has done the Jingle Bell 5k several times and said it's really fun. I'm in Germany for work at that time so I can't do that one!

 

[AliceSpark]

Thank you for the advice. Yes, it does help. I think that I may be able to handle one long run outside very week. Did you actually run 13.1 or 14 before you ran the half? I have people telling me not to worry about running that distance before the race. That if I can do 10 I can do 13. WELL, let me tell ya I am totally whipped by 10 and the thought of pushing myself to 3 seems impossible, granted I have only done 10 once and have now been on the elliptical due to an injury. I just don't get it

If you look on the run disney site Jeff Galloway has a specific plan with specific milages for each week. I find following a set plan very helpful both mentally and physically.

 

[NitroStitch]

Heads up if you want Santa to bring you a new pair of running shoes or that warmy running hoodie! Got an e-mail today from runningwarehouse dot com. Gift cards on sale 20% off. You can only buy in certain increments, but this is a good deal if you were planning on getting something pricey, anyway. I believe they do free shipping as well. $25 for $20, $50 for $40, $100 for $80 and $200 for $160. I've ordered from them a couple of times now and like their service. This deal is only on through Nov. 11th. Go to their website and click "gift cards" - little link toward the top, I think.

Ooooh, thanks for the tip!

 

[schmass]

I've been off the boards for a while until the last day or so, so there are about 50+ pages that I have missed. So forgive me if this has been mentioned already, but it looks like there have been a few host resorts added - Boardwalk, Beach & Yacht Club.

Does anyone know if this is correct? I hope so, as I'm staying at the Boardwalk!

 

[flgirl36]

I've been off the boards for a while until the last day or so, so there are about 50+ pages that I have missed. So forgive me if this has been mentioned already, but it looks like there have been a few host resorts added - Boardwalk, Beach & Yacht Club.

Does anyone know if this is correct? I hope so, as I'm staying at the Boardwalk!

According to the Run Disney site they are listed as host resorts. If you want to double check you could always call the 407-WDW-IRUN.

 

[mainstreet1997]

Well Boardwalk is listed under Deluxe Resorts as one of the resorts you can choose for a resort package. Does that mean those of us staying at Boardwalk will get transportation? I hope so! It kind of makes sense since were close to EPCOT just ON THE WRONG SIDE OF IT!

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

What is your long run morning rountine? Do you drink coffee right when you're done? Do you eat anything? I can't seem to drink caffeine once my run is over, all I want is water. I have tried drinking it before I run but it just repeats on me. I did try eating a banana this time around about 30 min before my run with a little bit of water and that didn't repeat on me at all so I may try that from now on. Do you all just get right out of bed, stretch and go for it? If I linger around I feel I NEED my coffee

I generally don't drink coffee anyway so that is not an issue with me.
I usually get up have a smoothie, half a bagel w/ peanut butter and banana slices and then if I am driving to a run location I just leave. It is about 15 minutes away and the guy we meet up with is almost always late so I have a good 20 to 30 minutes for the food to settle. If I run my neighborhood I wait about an 45 minutes to an hour before heading out, but I try not to wait too long or I get really hungry again mid-run.

i also totally understand how it's easy for a young, healthy, 20-something like me to say "well just work harder to run faster." not so easy for others. my mom is so strong cardiovascularly - but she is so arthritic, she will never, ever run. at all. it's just not in the cards for her at this point in her life. it's kind of amazing she can do what she can through all of her everyday pain and she worked just as hard for her 6:39 marathon or 3:10 half as "fast" runners. it's all relative.

Not to mention the fact that some people are just slower. Cardiovascularly I am fine, but I have been running for almost 2 years and am only at about 11:40 min/mil for my long runs. I do work hard for it, but I also try to work smart.
I only run 3 days a week because I was having knee issues if I tried to run 2 days in a row. I would like to run for many years to come so I want to treat my body well while I do it.

Did you actually run 13.1 or 14 before you ran the half? I have people telling me not to worry about running that distance before the race. That if I can do 10 I can do 13. WELL, let me tell ya I am totally whipped by 10 and the thought of pushing myself to 3 seems impossible, granted I have only done 10 once and have now been on the elliptical due to an injury. I just don't get it

I see both sides. Where I am at now physically adding 3 more miles isn't as big of an issue as it was last year. With that said I know myself and mentally I wanted to "go the distance" before the race so that I knew I could do it. I had planned to do 14, but ended up with only 12.5 for my longest run. I just told myself that with my warm up and cool down (about .25 each) I did 13 and called it a day. LoL
This year I am doing Galloway's timed goal plan (for the Tinker Bell so I am a bit farther along then the princess plan) and I will be doing 11 this week and it goes all the way up to 19. I plan to do the 13 and 15, but I am not going to stress as much about 17 and 19. I would like to do the 19 because it would make me feel better about deciding to do a full, but for the Tinker Bell and Princess it is not as much my focus.

So forgive me if this has been mentioned already, but it looks like there have been a few host resorts added - Boardwalk, Beach & Yacht Club.

Does anyone know if this is correct? I hope so, as I'm staying at the Boardwalk!

We love the Beach Club! I would love to stay there, but since I am going to DL in Jan for the Tink I don't think I could swing the extra room cost. I hope they make it a regular host hotel so we can stay there in 2013!

 

[stitchfan18]

I've been off the boards for a while until the last day or so, so there are about 50+ pages that I have missed. So forgive me if this has been mentioned already, but it looks like there have been a few host resorts added - Boardwalk, Beach & Yacht Club.

Does anyone know if this is correct? I hope so, as I'm staying at the Boardwalk!

Maybe they realized how many runners stayed there last year and got smart enough to add an official bus there. I'm going to check into switching from AKV to BWV, but I doubt there is an standard availability this late in the game. I wish I would have known this from the beginning!

 

[stitchfan18]

Heads up if you want Santa to bring you a new pair of running shoes or that warmy running hoodie! Got an e-mail today from runningwarehouse dot com. Gift cards on sale 20% off. You can only buy in certain increments, but this is a good deal if you were planning on getting something pricey, anyway. I believe they do free shipping as well. $25 for $20, $50 for $40, $100 for $80 and $200 for $160. I've ordered from them a couple of times now and like their service. This deal is only on through Nov. 11th. Go to their website and click "gift cards" - little link toward the top, I think.

I saw these were offered last year as well, but didn't get any. Do you know if you can use the WISH team discount code when you checkout using one of these giftcards?

 

[FlowersCroon]

New to running and decided to start because I want that Coast to Coast medal! Will be running in the Princess 1/2 Half and the Disneyland 1/2 (hoping that's coming around again in September 2012).

This will be my first trip to WDW since 1992! It will be my daughter's first trip ever. We're very excited and I'm hoping I can finish in the allotted time using the Galloway walk/run method. Look forward to meeting you there!

 

[tinkeramy]

I saw these were offered last year as well, but didn't get any. Do you know if you can use the WISH team discount code when you checkout using one of these giftcards?

I would imagine you could - they are gift cards, not coupons or discount codes. But I don't know for sure if there are any restrictions like that. If no restrictions, that makes a good deal even better!

 

[LadyDooley]

I had my first running nightmare, I dremt I couldn't move my legs when I woke up!!
When I actually did wake up, I was fine.
Do any of you have weird dreams or anxiety about a race?

 

[Tabetha]

Training for a half can be done, not fun, but possible. I did all my training for the 2010 Princess on the TM and this year did all my shorter/tempo/speed runs on the TM and was able to get out once a week for my LR. I would look ahead at the weather and plan to get that LR in during decent weather. I run 3x's a week. Hope that helps.

I'm right there with you - I'm doing all my training on a TM at the moment since we work on a cruise ship and I'm not comfortable/familiar enough with our ports yet to get out and do road runs.

 

[italianlover]

I went to the shoe store and got fitted for a new pair of running shoes, I am BEYOND stoked to run tonight!!!! I ended up with a new pair of Mizuno with inserts. The lady wasn't sure I was gonna fit in the womens size cause I was right inbetween a child and woman. I bought a new pair of Baglia socks which I love too. What a BIG difference than what I've been running in!!

 

[ColleenG]

I did 9.1 miles this morning. It was probably more than I should have done, but I felt good and kept going. Now my knee is swollen. It doesn't hurt, just kinda ballooned up.

At what distance do you guys start carrying water on your runs? Today wasn't too bad since it was so damp and foggy. But I find on the drier days my mouth gets so dry. What is your favorite way to bring water with you?

I know many of you use the gels. What's the low down on those?

Thanks and sorry for so many questions.

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

New to running and decided to start because I want that Coast to Coast medal! Will be running in the Princess 1/2 Half and the Disneyland 1/2 (hoping that's coming around again in September 2012).

This will be my first trip to WDW since 1992! It will be my daughter's first trip ever. We're very excited and I'm hoping I can finish in the allotted time using the Galloway walk/run method. Look forward to meeting you there!

If you just stick with the plan and try to be mindful of your pace you should be fine. I always try to keep my walking pace as close to 16 min/mil as I can so that any running I do gives me that much more of a cushion. I finished in 2:57:05 that way and now this year I am not even worried about it.

I had my first running nightmare, I dremt I couldn't move my legs when I woke up!!
When I actually did wake up, I was fine.
Do any of you have weird dreams or anxiety about a race?

LoL It is very common. I had quite a few last year when I was training for this years princess.
Mine usually had something to do with my shoes. Like in one of them I had them on but when I got to the race start they were gone and they wouldn't let me go to my corral because I didn't have my shoes.

At what distance do you guys start carrying water on your runs? Today wasn't too bad since it was so damp and foggy. But I find on the drier days my mouth gets so dry. What is your favorite way to bring water with you?

I know many of you use the gels. What's the low down on those?

Thanks and sorry for so many questions.

In the summer I brought it at about 4 miles, but it was HOT here. I ran in the evenings but a lot of the time that was still in the 90's.
When it is not as hot I usually bring it for anything over 6. I use a women's camel back for my training runs and I like it. The first couple of runs it bugged me a little because my underarms would rub it, but now I hardly notice I have it on. It also hold 1.5 L so I have plenty of water with me.
For the race I am going to use an iFitness hydration belt.
For this year's race I didn't bring any water with me, and while Disney did do a great job at providing water, I found I always wanted it a little bit before they offered it so I plan to bring my own so I can have it whenever I want it.

 

[ColleenG]

For those who have the iFitnees belt, can you adjust where the bottles are on the belt. I was looking at them online, and they look like I would want them more on the side.

 

[italianlover]

I haven't heard of ifitness belt but did hear about the amphipod with the bottles going in the back and thought this might be more comfortable. Not sure, now I have 2 to decide from!