Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[stitchfan18]

Thank you!! I want to do it but DH is unemployed and I can't commit until he has a job so that is great news that I have time!

Registration doesn't even open until July. I suspect with the tinkerbell half at DL there might be some deals or codes for cheaper registration at that time.

 

[monte]

I've had some issues with my knees in the past and when I run on the treadmill no problems..When I hit the road OUCH. It’s not all the time ?? But when it’s bad, I can’t run. I call them "crunchy" knees. They feel like i've got little stone behind my knee cap and they make a horrible gravel crunch sound.
I go to physical therapy for my back and they gave me the number for a sports medicine doc. Fantastic! My normal doctor had told me "it is what it is" Nothing to be done.
OH yes there is! Sports doc, said knees lined up pretty well and the arthritis is what she expects to see in a 30 yr old knee. Just my cartilage is dry. Yesterday I got my first shot of Orthovisc. You get 3 shots one week apart in one knee and then they do the other. Think of it as greasing the joints. Runners are suppose to love this stuff..Today I noticed my left knee isnt crunchy.
.I will keep you posted.

I too have "crunchy" knees and especially hear that crunch when walking up stairs. Let me know how long that shot lasts.

Treadmill still down and company said it will be around $300. for the panel, so I'm not sure if I want to invest that kind of money into an old (well loved) treadmill.

 

[emacek]

That's great!! I can't wait to hear more.

emac

I've had some issues with my knees in the past and when I run on the treadmill no problems..When I hit the road OUCH. It’s not all the time ?? But when it’s bad, I can’t run. I call them "crunchy" knees. They feel like i've got little stone behind my knee cap and they make a horrible gravel crunch sound.
I go to physical therapy for my back and they gave me the number for a sports medicine doc. Fantastic! My normal doctor had told me "it is what it is" Nothing to be done.
OH yes there is! Sports doc, said knees lined up pretty well and the arthritis is what she expects to see in a 30 yr old knee. Just my cartilage is dry. Yesterday I got my first shot of Orthovisc. You get 3 shots one week apart in one knee and then they do the other. Think of it as greasing the joints. Runners are suppose to love this stuff..Today I noticed my left knee isnt crunchy.
.I will keep you posted.

 

[fashionista311]

I have been worried about running in the heat so I've done a little searching on the internet for anything that might help. I found something that so far works pretty well. It this thing that fits inside your baseball cap. Its suppose to stay 20degrees cooler for hours. Its called "cool medics" http://www.coolmedics.com/
They also have wraps for your wrist and neck. I might be trying them as well. Maybe this would work for you as well.
Cynthia

Well I ran into my manager on the way out yesterday, and she is definately willing to work with me on the temperature for the gym - yay! It's hard to explain these things to non-runners without them looking at you like you are a crazy person...but it sounds like there's hope

Those look really cool though for outdoor runs - I'm dreading the heat as well. I might have to check it out...thanks!

I've had some issues with my knees in the past and when I run on the treadmill no problems..When I hit the road OUCH. It’s not all the time ?? But when it’s bad, I can’t run. I call them "crunchy" knees. They feel like i've got little stone behind my knee cap and they make a horrible gravel crunch sound.
I go to physical therapy for my back and they gave me the number for a sports medicine doc. Fantastic! My normal doctor had told me "it is what it is" Nothing to be done.
OH yes there is! Sports doc, said knees lined up pretty well and the arthritis is what she expects to see in a 30 yr old knee. Just my cartilage is dry. Yesterday I got my first shot of Orthovisc. You get 3 shots one week apart in one knee and then they do the other. Think of it as greasing the joints. Runners are suppose to love this stuff..Today I noticed my left knee isnt crunchy.
.I will keep you posted.

Sorry to hear about your knee problems! I hope those shots do work for you. So is "crunchy" knee the big sign of arthritis? It runs in my family, so whenever I have a slight pain in my knee, I get super anxious that it's early arthritis (I'm only 26 lol) I've never had anything remotely like that though...so that calms me a bit

 

[AliceSpark]

I started my couch to 10 K on Saturday - so far so good. My plan is to see if my knees hold up ( so I have been following the knee conversation) - If I can run a 5K by July then I am signing up. so excited - so nervous. I have never been a big fan of running but this just seems too exciting to pass up.
Martha

 

[elderfam]

Just in case any of you will be doing the wine & dine half marathon. The tickets for the finish line party went on sale today.

 

[lisah0711]

and they announced registration for the Princess starts 7/5/11.

 

[freepixie]

Subbing to this thread - haven't had a chance to read it all, but I plan to! I am really hoping to do this! At first I was thinking of doing the Tinkerbell in DL but we've never been to DL so I started looking into this one more and I like it!! I'm starting to train hard - I'm up to 4.0 mi. in under an hour so I think my timing will be OK if I can keep up that pace - I'm really more of a power-walker, I might try a little bit of a jog but I really cannot do a true run, but I'm working to keep up that pace. I am happy for this thread to keep checking in and asking my millions of questions and find out what is going on!

Just have to get it together physically and financially - I so want to do this! And I will do this!!!!

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Run 2 down! Still on the 28.5 minute runs (8 of which were the actual running), but I ran 2.2 miles. That's just weird for me to say. I'm not a runner. Yet.

 

[Honeymooner04]

I am so excited to find this thread! I have decided that I AM going to do this race in 2012. It will more than likely just be me and my daughter going down so I'm going to have to figure out childcare (maybe Kids Nite Out or something similar) but I'm so excited! Looking forward to getting to know many of you leading up to the big event!!!

 

[kappyfamily]

I am so excited to find this thread! I have decided that I AM going to do this race in 2012. It will more than likely just be me and my daughter going down so I'm going to have to figure out childcare (maybe Kids Nite Out or something similar) but I'm so excited! Looking forward to getting to know many of you leading up to the big event!!!

Welcome

 

[tinkeramy]

Weird (possible ) injury question: Even since slightly before the 2011 Princess, I have had a nagging feeling in my left leg. My left calf is consistently tight and when I am not running, I sometimes feel a soreness to the right of my shin, about halfway down my leg. The odd thing is, it doesn't really hurt while running. It's hurts afterward, and sometimes when my 2 y.o. bounces down on my lap with that leg tucked under me, it hurts. I have a 5K this weekend (fundraiser for ALS in memory of my MIL) but after this I think I'm going to a doc. I figure, it it's something that's going to put me out of comission for several weeks, do it now while it's getting hot and way before I need to really train for the Princess. But I just wanted to put it out there to see if anyone else more experienced had any idea what this could be!!!

Thanks!

 

[tinkeramy]

thank you april...AND julianna (i wrote you back on DM) i decided after this 5 mile race coming up saturday i'm going to take some time off from training to just focus on weight loss and fitness....on finding the joy in all this and WANTING to do this. i will loose weight, make this easier for myself, and find out if i want this as much as i say i do. the outcome is what i can't wait for, but if the journey is killing me, then what the heck am i doing?! i can't thank you all enough for your support and encouragement...it means way more than you know. i just have to find out if this is what i love to do, or am i doing this cause i said i would. i need to throw the negativity out the window and start believing in myself as much as others do. the only way i fail is if i don't try. i need to believe that i do have the courage to start, and start i will...when i'm ready
jess

You know, sometimes I think we put way too many expectations on ourselves. Honestly? It's just running. And I'm not in love with it. I love the sense of accomplishment afterwards and I like setting goals for myself. I like that there is something I can do to stay fit that doesn't take fancy equipment or scheduling classes. And I LOVE going to Disney World! But the running? If there weren't any races, I probably wouldn't do it. I joked with my husband that I'm just running to get back to WDW! But I like it okay and, let's face it, with 3 young kids in the house I will take all the sanctioned "alone" time I can get! So it's a means to an end with me, too. Just remember - it's just running!

 

[disneyfreak1]

This morning I ran my first 8K using the 2 min run-2 min walk plan. I had set a time goal of 1hr 15min (15 min mile pace) and was surprised that I came in under my goal time. The 2/2 worked really well. Mile 3 felt like it would never end, but by mile 4 I was pretty excited that I still felt strong. I did drink/chew ? a GU pack at the half way mark and felt my strength recover some. My overall pace ended up at a 13 min mile. That gives me time to take photos and get a bathroom break in for the princess.

I stayed to the back of the pack so I wouldnt feel rushed or slow compared to the other runners. This was the longest distance I have done in one workout to date.

I signed up for a 10K on July 30. These local races keep me training and help me practice my pace. REALLY surprised that I am at this point in my training and feeling good.

Which GU pack did you use? I am new to running and would like to try something to give me a boost.

 

[emacek]

Here's what I've discovered on week 7.
First--I am almost 50 and there is a family history of osteoarthritis. My major problems are right foot, left knee, left hip with some in my hands as well. I also have some cervical issues (bone spurs and herniated disks). The arthritis problems started for me in my late 30s.

I havve a similar plan of attack--hold off on any major purchases until I can run a 5K (early June) and listen carefully to my body. I'm on week 7 and at this point my "long run" is 5 miles. What I have discovered is that for me--recovery days are critical. I am using Gallaway run-walk method--even for a 5K and that is important for me. I ice my knee as soon as I come back and also use an anti-inflammatory gel. If the knee is still stiff that evening--I do ice, heat and end with ice. The heat helps with arthritis type pain.

And I wait 48 hours between runs. The good news--there is evidently some muscle re-training going on. I forgot to ice last Saturday since I was running late and by Saturday night was good to go. And this week there has been no knee difficulty after my 30 minute runs.

Good luck!!!

I started my couch to 10 K on Saturday - so far so good. My plan is to see if my knees hold up ( so I have been following the knee conversation) - If I can run a 5K by July then I am signing up. so excited - so nervous. I have never been a big fan of running but this just seems too exciting to pass up.
Martha

 

[tmbacon]

Weird (possible ) injury question: Even since slightly before the 2011 Princess, I have had a nagging feeling in my left leg. My left calf is consistently tight and when I am not running, I sometimes feel a soreness to the right of my shin, about halfway down my leg. The odd thing is, it doesn't really hurt while running. It's hurts afterward, and sometimes when my 2 y.o. bounces down on my lap with that leg tucked under me, it hurts. I have a 5K this weekend (fundraiser for ALS in memory of my MIL) but after this I think I'm going to a doc. I figure, it it's something that's going to put me out of comission for several weeks, do it now while it's getting hot and way before I need to really train for the Princess. But I just wanted to put it out there to see if anyone else more experienced had any idea what this could be!!!

Thanks!

Hi Amy, I can't say that I know what it is that you have but just wanted to say GOOD FOR YOU to go see a doctor. I've had this nagging problem with my left knee for years, but never attended to it, b/c I wasn't doing a regular running routine until this year. But I decided to see a sports med doctor/chiropractor over a week ago, and have had 2 PT sessions with him so far, and can already feel a tremendous difference. It felt so good to take care of ME for once (like you I have kids - two boys age 7 and 5), and to know exactly what it was I had. It ended up being good ol' fashioned "runner's knee", but I am back on the mend, under the sports med's guidance.

And you're right, taking care of it now is good, when it is starting to get hot outside. And then you'll be all set for the busy Fall race season!!! Good luck!

 

[mickey's miles]

I am registered for my first 5k on May 28th. Ive been following Couch to 5K and love it ... prior I was a failed runnger ... jogger ... poor mover! Now I feel like I have a better understanding of how to do it all ... and I am motivated! I've been training on a treadmill ... am going to start on the road with a runners watch for pacing tomorrow (getting the watch tonight ... that was my reasoning for the treadmill ... gaining a better understanding of my pace).

How different is treadmill vs. road running? Am I in for a huge frightening surprise? Live in Houston TX soo flatttttt roads!

Cant wait for the Princess Half ... doing some 5ks in the summer and joining a running club to prepare!! May not be the best ... just wanting to be the best I can be (and a princess for 13.1 miles!!!)!!!!

 

[Cripey]

I am registered for my first 5k on May 28th. Ive been following Couch to 5K and love it ... prior I was a failed runnger ... jogger ... poor mover! Now I feel like I have a better understanding of how to do it all ... and I am motivated! I've been training on a treadmill ... am going to start on the road with a runners watch for pacing tomorrow (getting the watch tonight ... that was my reasoning for the treadmill ... gaining a better understanding of my pace).

How different is treadmill vs. road running? Am I in for a huge frightening surprise? Live in Houston TX soo flatttttt roads!

Cant wait for the Princess Half ... doing some 5ks in the summer and joining a running club to prepare!! May not be the best ... just wanting to be the best I can be (and a princess for 13.1 miles!!!)!!!!

Hello from a fellow Houstonian (but living a little further out) , congrats on gearing up for your first 5k...which one are you doing?

When I started running last year in preparation for this year's Princess, I trained exclusively outdoors. Towards the end of my training, it was necessary for me to do a few runs on a treadmill at the gym due to weather. I found the treadmill to be much much easier than running on the road...I felt like I could have gone forever! I've read others on various threads though that say just the opposite and some say they don't notice any difference...so who knows? I think that if you start to train on the road and find it alot harder, then I'd say bump up the intensity of your treadmill runs to compensate...maybe run at a faster pace or increase the incline a bit. I'm about to start training for the DL hald in September...dreading the long runs in the heat of the summer! Good luck with your training!

 

[mickey's miles]

Thanks CRIPEY! I live in Katy but work in Houston ... and am joining the Katy Fit running Club to prepare for the half in Houston in January ... and the Princess half.

Am doing my best ... whatever that will be ... at the Katy Rotary 5K on May 28th ... I work for Family to Family Network which is a benefactor of the race.

You sound like you've been there and are still doing it --- Great for You!! Any info/guidance is appreciated!!

 

[kappyfamily]

Hi gang- I will be running the princess with my sis in law and just found out she will not be in until Saturday evening before the race. Does anyone know if I will be able to pick up her race kit and bib? Do I need a letter from her etc?

I'm booking my airfare sometime this week and its over $500 to get from Oregon to mco! I'm worried it's only going to go higher. Holy cow!

On a lighter note only did two miles today but paced out at 11:27! Hello 11's it's nice to meet you!!

Hope you all are well,
Michele