Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Hopefully, I'm in! My savings for the 2011 Princess Half went to a new furnace, but the account is building back up. Until then, I'll keep running and saving my pennies.

 

[Saylan]

That's what I was afraid of. I can't find any 10Ks anywhere near me in the fall, but I'm hoping some will be scheduled.

Something to keep in mind is that even if you don't get a proof of time, that's only required for times under 2:45. I didn't have the chance to do a 10K or longer race prior to this year's Princess, so I entered a time just above 2:45 (I think 2:50-52, something like that) and that got me placed in Corral D. At the time, I was doing just under 12 minute miles, so conceivably, I could meet that time (and I did).

It's not a guarantee that'll happen again but just in case you can't get into an approved distance timed race, I would still encourage you to give an accurate estimate of your finish time if you are confident you can finish earlier than the maximum time. It might not do much (and policies might change) but it can't hurt to be accurate, especially if it means it'll move you into an earlier corral.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I used to loathe running. I hated it with a passion. I think I might have been traumatized by running the mile in gym class as a kid. I love running now, and look forward to my races because I'm not the last person to finish anymore!

You're not alone. I hated that timed-mile and never really put much effort into it just to anger the gym teachers . Then I moved to a different state where they did the beep test instead and I liked that much more.

 

[TiggerFan3590]

Count me in!!! My BFF and I are looking forward to the event! She will be coming with her family and it will be my first trip without my family... and I am looking forward to it!!!

Working on improving my time and speed, I am mostly a fast waddler, 13 minute miles, would love to be able to run the race....

 

[LKMang]

Woohoo, so excited for this thread!!!

I’m definitely in! Just finished W5D2 of the C25K workout. I have a 5K coming up on March 20th, which I am really excited about! I’m hoping the Princess will be my second half marathon cause I am planning on doing the Philly Half in November.

I so loved reading the thread for the 2011 Princess. Really inspired me and I’ve actually been able to stick with it (so far!). I feel like I’m becoming an athlete again and it’s such an awesome feeling! And I can’t read a Princess trip report or watch a video about it without crying my eyes out!!! This whole thing is really emotional to me.

So excited!!!

 

[kappyfamily]

Woohoo, so excited for this thread!!!

I’m definitely in! Just finished W5D2 of the C25K workout. I have a 5K coming up on March 20th, which I am really excited about! I’m hoping the Princess will be my second half marathon cause I am planning on doing the Philly Half in November.

I so loved reading the thread for the 2011 Princess. Really inspired me and I’ve actually been able to stick with it (so far!). I feel like I’m becoming an athlete again and it’s such an awesome feeling! And I can’t read a Princess trip report or watch a video about it without crying my eyes out!!! This whole thing is really emotional to me.

So excited!!!

Welcome! I totally agree with you. It strikes a chord in me as well because when I read the 2011 thread it just made me realize I can be the person I want to be. I know that sounds cheesy.... but I'm just tired/exhausted of sitting around wondering what it all would be like (to be able to be a runner, to be 25 pounds lighter, wondering what it would be.......) DARN IT life is too short, it's time "TO BE" NOW!!!!

DIG DEEP!!!!

 

[thotfulspot]

Welcome! I totally agree with you. It strikes a chord in me as well because when I read the 2011 thread it just made me realize I can be the person I want to be. I know that sounds cheesy.... but I'm just tired/exhausted of sitting around wondering what it all would be like (to be able to be a runner, to be 25 pounds lighter, wondering what it would be.......) DARN IT life is too short, it's time "TO BE" NOW!!!!

DIG DEEP!!!!

Excellent perspective! This couldn't be sappier (it really, really couldn't), but I went from an inactive, overweight, middle-aged woman at the beginning of September who went for a long walk with a friend once a week to a more-active, still overweight, still middle-aged woman at the end of February who was strong enough to run(-walk-run) a half marathon! I had a thought as I headed into the last couple of miles: This is something I never knew I could do. What else is there that I don't yet know I'm capable of?

Our stories aren't finished. We can change anything about our lives that we want to.

Wow.

 

[faith-hope-joy]

Reminds of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs.

When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

 

[dsnyfan21]

WOW, you guys started this off very early!! A whole year to go...

I will be there as I will try to remain perfectly Princess and this will be the 4th year of the Princess and my 4th Princess.

Good training to you all.

 

[Mama_Dis]

Hi all! Finished week 3 of c25k yesterday! Question, does the GPS work at all on a track on the c25k app? Our Y has a half track that we ran on yesterday and the GPS kept spazzing out. I wasn't sure if it was a bug or if the GPS just isn't worth a hoot on a track. My birthday is coming up and I had asked for a handheld video camera (like the Flip) but I'm wondering if I should change it to a Garmin- or should I do the Nike+?

 

[DisneyDreamerMom]

Just found out I'm definitely out of the Princess next year - hubby has to work all weekend and I wouldn't have anyone to keep the kids. I'll just have to live vicariously through you guys again!

Now the decision, do I try for the WDW Half or just wait until the next year for the Princess? Decisions, decisions...

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Hi all! Finished week 3 of c25k yesterday! Question, does the GPS work at all on a track on the c25k app? Our Y has a half track that we ran on yesterday and the GPS kept spazzing out. I wasn't sure if it was a bug or if the GPS just isn't worth a hoot on a track. My birthday is coming up and I had asked for a handheld video camera (like the Flip) but I'm wondering if I should change it to a Garmin- or should I do the Nike+?

I haven't used the GPS on C25K but I have the app runkeeper. That worked pretty well but it doesn't run when C25K is running.
However on runkeeper in coaching you can add intervals so I'm going to try to mimic C25K on that.

 

[kappyfamily]

Hi all! Finished week 3 of c25k yesterday! Question, does the GPS work at all on a track on the c25k app? Our Y has a half track that we ran on yesterday and the GPS kept spazzing out. I wasn't sure if it was a bug or if the GPS just isn't worth a hoot on a track. My birthday is coming up and I had asked for a handheld video camera (like the Flip) but I'm wondering if I should change it to a Garmin- or should I do the Nike+?

I love my Garmin Forerunner 205, but I dont train on a track. Have not had any hiccups or glitches to date with it. I also have a flip cam and I think that is what I will be bringing with me for the race, or also kicking around the idea of upgrading to the Iphone 5 when it comes out and using the video camera on that. I will say that the flip camera is SO EASY to use, power it on, press record, that's it!

 

[kappyfamily]

Oops sorry Mama Dis, didnt know you were talking about the app/GPS for your program, thought you meant your Garmin!

 

[saysay]

Question for those who have run the race before. I was in Corral B based on a 10K time I did at Thanksgiving. The race pace was a pretty consistent one for me....... I got injured in mid January and had to pretty much stop my training for the most part. My race time was WAY slower than I had been running before the injury - I am SO happy I was able to finish though.... I am actually VERY proud of my time.

Next year, will they look at other races when placing me in the corral. Just wondering if anyone had a similar experience. I know its not about the time, I just liked not having to stand around for a long time before the race - I tend to get a little nervous. Obviously I would have to have the completed races to support anticipated finish time faster than this year's finish.

Hope I am not sounding too whiny.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

Hi all! Finished week 3 of c25k yesterday! Question, does the GPS work at all on a track on the c25k app? Our Y has a half track that we ran on yesterday and the GPS kept spazzing out. I wasn't sure if it was a bug or if the GPS just isn't worth a hoot on a track. My birthday is coming up and I had asked for a handheld video camera (like the Flip) but I'm wondering if I should change it to a Garmin- or should I do the Nike+?

I am struggling with what to ask for mothers day a new running gadget. I have been using runkeeper along with an ITUNE podcast from runmate 5k training program. The runkeeper chimes into let me know my distance, miles per hour and current running speed. While the podcast has a beat per minute and it lets me know when there is a running interval and walking interval. I said I would upgrade once I "graduate" from the C25k program. I like the idea of the sensor being in your shoe tracking everything... Ahh decisions decisions and I'm such a newbie, novice "runner" so what do Iknow. Mama_Dis congrats on week 3!!!


Kappyfamily you sound like a gadget girl.

 

[faith-hope-joy]

kappyfamily - I have pretty much stopped using my iPhone for training purposes. I had too many instances when someone would call me or text me while using the C25K app or the runkeeper app. Once I tried to ignore a call and somehow the app paused and I lost a few miles of data. I was one unhappy runner that day. Plus it was a hassle using it for music during the run. If I wanted to change something I had to wake up the phone, swipe the phone, change what I needed, etc. Such a pain. I switched to using an ancient Shuffle and found it so much easier. I loved it so much that I upgraded to a new Shuffle since the old one didn't like to hold a charge. The new one lets you use playlists and has voiceover to tell you what song you are listening and who the artist is. I use a Garmin 305 so I don't need it for keeping track of my data.

For the Princess I kept my iPhone in my spibelt. I would have left it in the car, but I needed it to locate my running buddy and then possibly family at the end. I opted to carry my small Canon Elph in my right hand. I put the wrist strap on my wrist and I didn't have to worry about letting go of it. I took lots of pics along the way since it's easy to operate with one hand. I could have done video too, but didn't think about it. Next year. I would hate having to deal with my iPhone for video while I'm running. I think your idea of the Flip would work great.

ETA: If you opt for a Garmin, it won't track any runs that are indoors on a treadmill or indoor track. You can buy a footpod sensor for it and then it will work. I did that and am happy to have it for those indoor runs. I think Amazon has the best price for the 305.

 

[s_atl]

I'd love love love to run the Princess again. But only if I can find a sponsor
This time we drove down from Atlanta and combined it with DD(5)'s birthday, but its too expensive a vacation to take every year - especially when DH is anti-Disney.

 

[stitchfan18]

Question for those who have run the race before. I was in Corral B based on a 10K time I did at Thanksgiving. The race pace was a pretty consistent one for me....... I got injured in mid January and had to pretty much stop my training for the most part. My race time was WAY slower than I had been running before the injury - I am SO happy I was able to finish though.... I am actually VERY proud of my time.

Next year, will they look at other races when placing me in the corral. Just wondering if anyone had a similar experience. I know its not about the time, I just liked not having to stand around for a long time before the race - I tend to get a little nervous. Obviously I would have to have the completed races to support anticipated finish time faster than this year's finish.

Hope I am not sounding too whiny.

They only look at the proof of time you submit. It would take forever for Disney to go back through and check results for everyone that has run a Disney race in the past and see how those results were for corral placement. Besides, for all they know, you stopped a lot for character pictures! Just submit whatever proof of time is your fastest, or best represents where you want to be placed pace wise for the next race.

 

[marathonmommy]

I'd love love love to run the Princess again. But only if I can find a sponsor
This time we drove down from Atlanta and combined it with DD(5)'s birthday, but its too expensive a vacation to take every year - especially when DH is anti-Disney.

So, leave him home . . . that's what I do. No one is spoiling my Disney fun!