Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[kappyfamily]

Anybody else book their hotel yet for the race? Once we get a little closer if you all want i can start a list where everyone is staying......

 

[Neelym]

Hello again everyone! So I've finally gotten back into the gym since going on vacation/birthday and I've started the c210k program (using an app on my iPhone). It seems pretty good, during the 30 second intervals of running I am not having any problems it just kind of sucks having to go from VERY fast to walking on the 'mill. But now, 10 minutes into the walking/running portion the outside portions of my feet start to KILL me. It seems to start in my right foot and follows shortly after to my left. It was so bad I had to get off the treadmill. I started doing some cross training but I'm worried that this will affect the amount of training I can do. It started to go away after just sitting down for 5 minutes but it would start to throb again when I walked. I haven't had this problem before and I walk normally just fine. Any advice/ideas? It's so discouraging to have that pain; all I want to do is lay down after!

Could it be your shoes? Everytime I have trouble with my back or feet when running it usually means my shoes have worn out. I was just going to the department store and buying shoes and I was going thru them every 3 months. I ended up going to Raleigh Running Outfitters over on Six Forks and they found a pair that works for my gait. They are awesome and will last about 9 mos.!
And that is so cool you are a fellow Raleighite!
Keep us posted-
Neely

 

[tinkeramy]

Hello all! My husband and I just decided about 3 weeks ago that we are going to try to do the Princess 1/2, neither of us are runners and we both need to lose some weight! We started training and are planning to use the run/walk method as it's our first race. Any advice from the veterans out there?

My best advice is to spend a few minutes going back and reading many of the past posts on this board - SO MANY topics have been covered already, and we're still not even to registration yet!

For me personally (like you, I started running last summer with the goal of running the princess), it made a lot of difference to register for local 5 & 10K races during my training in order to keep me motivated and keep me from slacking off! It also gives you a little bit of experience what a race is like; I wouldn't have wanted the princess to be my first race ever - that would have been completely overwhelming!! Welcome and good luck!

 

[Barbaramomof4]

So Excited!! My husband just told me we can go to Disney in February so I can do the princess half! I am not in the greatest shape but have been working on it! I just hope I can get to where I need to be before then! I have read through the whole thread and am super excited!!

 

[svwkirby]

Could it be your shoes? Everytime I have trouble with my back or feet when running it usually means my shoes have worn out. I was just going to the department store and buying shoes and I was going thru them every 3 months. I ended up going to Raleigh Running Outfitters over on Six Forks and they found a pair that works for my gait. They are awesome and will last about 9 mos.!
And that is so cool you are a fellow Raleighite!
Keep us posted-
Neely

Not the poster you were responding too, but I've started having problems with my lower legs and ankles over the last few weeks. I did get my shoes at a local running store and had no problems with them at the time. They're about 6 months old now, but mileage wise I should still have plenty of life in them (around 100 miles).

On another topic, I'm searching for a watch to help with my intervals. I've read nothing but good things about Garmin's but not sure I want to spend that much money yet. Are there any decent lower priced watches that will allow me to set different length intervals for running and walking and maybe track distance and pace as well?

 

[princessCKL]

Hi,
I tried reading the thread, but couldn't get through it all, so please forgive me if this has been answered. Do you have to attend Fri, Sat, and Sun or can you attend just Sat and Sun.? I am a teacher and will have to fly in from TX. I would rather not take Thurs. off, but could take Fri and Mon off. The only straight flight from Austin to MCO leaves during the school day.

If I stay at a value or moderate, how will I get to the race?

Thanks in advance!
Cheryl

 

[cewait]

So Excited!! My husband just told me we can go to Disney in February so I can do the princess half! I am not in the greatest shape but have been working on it! I just hope I can get to where I need to be before then! I have read through the whole thread and am super excited!!

Plenty of time to get ready.

Not the poster you were responding too, but I've started having problems with my lower legs and ankles over the last few weeks. I did get my shoes at a local running store and had no problems with them at the time. They're about 6 months old now, but mileage wise I should still have plenty of life in them (around 100 miles).

On another topic, I'm searching for a watch to help with my intervals. I've read nothing but good things about Garmin's but not sure I want to spend that much money yet. Are there any decent lower priced watches that will allow me to set different length intervals for running and walking and maybe track distance and pace as well?

I would suggest something like the Timex Ironman watch. Not too expensive and most have several interval options. Essentially you are looking for multiple countdown timers. You can set the first timer for your interval then the next for the recovery. The Ironman I used to have would allow that to infinity.

Hi,
I tried reading the thread, but couldn't get through it all, so please forgive me if this has been answered. Do you have to attend Fri, Sat, and Sun or can you attend just Sat and Sun.? I am a teacher and will have to fly in from TX. I would rather not take Thurs. off, but could take Fri and Mon off. The only straight flight from Austin to MCO leaves during the school day.

If I stay at a value or moderate, how will I get to the race?

Thanks in advance!
Cheryl

No, you only need to be at the expo the day before the race. So you need to get to the expo on Saturday then run on Sunday. As far as resort to race the All Stars, Port Orleans and Caribbean Beach were the host resorts for the last Princess. Verify these once the official website is updated but these were the value and moderate resorts for 2011. The logistics is that the race will run special event busing from these resorts on Friday through Sunday. The first two day loop to the expo where you must go to pick up your bib and shirt. On Sunday the buses will start running about three hours before race time and run for about an hour (actually a little longer but you really do not want to wait for the last bus). Busing will stop for a period before the race start to allow for final course set up. Once the race is running the busing will resume. After the race you walk over to where the buses dropped you off and return to the resort.

 

[svwkirby]

I would suggest something like the Timex Ironman watch. Not too expensive and most have several interval options. Essentially you are looking for multiple countdown timers. You can set the first timer for your interval then the next for the recovery. The Ironman I used to have would allow that to infinity.

Thanks. I've looked at the Ironman's in the running store here, but they were really pushing the entry level Garmin and Polar (I think). Didn't know if the Ironman was something I should steer clear of or the sales person was just pushing for a larger sale.

 

[cewait]

Thanks. I've looked at the Ironman's in the running store here, but they were really pushing the entry level Garmin and Polar (I think). Didn't know if the Ironman was something I should steer clear of or the sales person was just pushing for a larger sale.

I think eventually you will purchase a Garmin. It really depends on what you are looking for and if you mind having a second sport watch. I do not use a Garmin for track work as the constant circles drive the receiver crazy AND since it is a track, there is no need for distance. Note that my second unit is a Polar for the HR functionality. I train by HR as a meter for effort. You may want to try a discount store for the IM watch... costs may be a little lower.

 

[tmbacon]

I think eventually you will purchase a Garmin. It really depends on what you are looking for and if you mind having a second sport watch. I do not use a Garmin for track work as the constant circles drive the receiver crazy AND since it is a track, there is no need for distance. Note that my second unit is a Polar for the HR functionality. I train by HR as a meter for effort. You may want to try a discount store for the IM watch... costs may be a little lower.

Discount store is a great idea for the IM watch. Also, not sure of your budget, but if you want a Garmin you could go the eBay or Craiglist route - I ended up getting an older model, a Garmin 405 off Craigslist (with heart rate monitor), for a really great deal. I figure even if it doesn't last more than another year or two I will have gotten my money's worth. It acts as a good 'intro' to Garmins for me; from here I can decide if I want to upgrade/downgrade on the next one depending on my experience with this model. I love it so far!!!

 

[princess.april120]

Hey Princesses! I have started training again...my foray into run/walking from walking only about 3 weeks ago, stirred up my sciatica that I thought was gone for good since I was treated with a steroid epidural about 6 years ago. Silly me... I have to admit that I have been really discouraged. I couldn't even pluck up the courage to read everyone else's posts on the board but it seems ***fingers crossed*** that the repeat epidural I got a week ago is doing its magic again. I am back walking, slowly and taking short walks (3 mi or less), but walking again.

So, my plan is just walk, get in the miles, increasing the distance slow and sure, while watching the diet and hopefully drop some weight so there won't be so much pounding on my back. If I can get rid of 30 pounds, I will attempt the run/walk again. It's the journey that's important, and I want to do this well and injury free. Consistency will be my best ally, so as long as I can walk a little better than a 16min/mile I will cross that finish line healthy and extraordinarily happy!!

 

[princessCKL]

Ok I am officially in. This will be my first ever race but I can walk a 17 minute mile and I think I can do this my Feb. This is a goal that I am setting to get myself back into shape and be Fabulous in my Fifties

Hopefully my daughter will run with me.

So beyond excited.

Cheryl

 

[KathleensKid]

Hi princesses!!!
I'm in! Today is my 42nd birthday, and I asked for the trip to the Princess Half as my gift - as well as the gift of time to train since dh will have to watch the kids sometimes when I do.
I'm in shape (pretty much) and play tennis all the time, but I've never run a race in my life so this will be a big deal to accomplish.

SOOOOOO excited.


and a quick question if any of you know - I'm trying to convince a friend on a tight budget to go with me. I'm picking up the room at the resort so she'll just need to register, fly and get park tickets. I gather the registration fee will be @120. Anyone remember what sort of park ticket discount registered runners got?

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Seriously?! Today is my 43rd birthday!

We're a good vintage!

Maria

 

[disneyfreak1]

My 48th was yesterday!

 

[stitchfan18]

Happy Birthday Ladies!

 

[KathleensKid]

Happy Birthday Maria! And a day late to you DisneyFreak.

 

[tinkeramy]

Hi princesses!!!
I'm in! Today is my 42nd birthday, and I asked for the trip to the Princess Half as my gift - as well as the gift of time to train since dh will have to watch the kids sometimes when I do.
I'm in shape (pretty much) and play tennis all the time, but I've never run a race in my life so this will be a big deal to accomplish.

SOOOOOO excited.


and a quick question if any of you know - I'm trying to convince a friend on a tight budget to go with me. I'm picking up the room at the resort so she'll just need to register, fly and get park tickets. I gather the registration fee will be @120. Anyone remember what sort of park ticket discount registered runners got?

Happy Birthday! I don't remember what the discount was percentage-wise, but I got a 3-day park hopper and I paid $175 with the runDisney discount. I think that included a $5 fee for having the tickets mailed to me, but you can skip that and have them at will call at any of the parks.

 

[tinkeramy]

Welcome to everyone who just posted! I started running for the first time ever last year around this time and I can't tell you what a lifesaver this board was for me! I hope you will post here regularly about your journey!

 

[kappyfamily]

Welcome to all the newbies! So excited that you are joining us. This thread is so empowering isn't it?

Dig deep everyone!

Michele