Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[sunshine269]

Sansay-Good luck with the 10k. Hope your foot holds up.

cewait-I don't love running, but I'm working on it. Still trying to build up my endurance and speed.

stitchfan18-4 half's, that's a lot of running. I never thought I would do one, now I'm thinking about 2.

Jennifer

 

[slp1650]

I would love to know what your PT is pointing at as most new studies tend to point to a benefit in using 'true' compression for recovery. There is some disagreement on the benefit of wearing compression while running but the once your stop a true compression sock will assist in returning blood back up the leg and limit some of the negative effects of pooling. From what I read, most of us on this list probably do not benefit from compression while on the run as we are not using a higher 'power level' of muscle while running. Unlike our friends at the pointy end of the race, we are really casual runners, almost joggers in the sense of muscle utilization. Don't get me wrong about effort, its the cellular effort where we simply do not and could not push for 13 or 26 miles.

I think his said that you would have to put them on immediately after for the recovery and for him, he didn't see much of a point. He definitely did say during the run, he wouldn't advice wearing them, probably for the same reason you pointed out.

Unfortunately, since I'm moving to Florida in a few days I stopped seeing him, but I'll try and email him and see if he can explain it. Maybe I understood him wrong about practices since I do begin/end at home, but it just seemed overall that unless its flying he doesn't like them. Like I said, I'll try and email him and ask why again.

 

[slp1650]

I'm sad to admit that I didn't get to run since Thursday. I was hoping to run this weekend, however I swear I have a good reason. I graduated from college on Saturday which brought with it all the fun festivities that are related to graduating Then today I was just tired and had a dentist appointment.

I talked a lot about running and about the Princess Race though! My friend who's doing it with me attended my graduation and party so it was brought up a few times.

Tomorrow... I promise tomorrow I'm running.

 

[freepixie]

Hey princesses, I just wanted to say I don't know if I will be able to do the Princess 2012. After things that have been happening at work lately, I really need to actively look for a new job before things begin affecting my health. So if I get a new job, I don't know if I will be able to get time off, or even be financially OK to do the Princess. I will still keep training because I love it, and heck, I might be able to swing it somehow, but chances are I won't be able to. I'm still gonna read this thread and everything because I love it! But its more important to get a new job than to stick in a job that could affect my health.

 

[tmbacon]

I know you said you weren't crazy about a belt, but have you tried the Spibelt?
http://store.spibelt.com/Spibelt-p/spibeltparent1.htm

I have one and always forget to take it off because it is not even noticeable. It never shifts or bounces while I'm running...I can't even feel it on me. I usually just carry my iphone (to listen to music) and my house key, but you can actually cram more into it if needed.

I second the spibelt- the thing is awesome. It's on my list of 'favorite things', per the previous thread.

Also, I love sweatybands - www.sweatybands.com. They come in all sorts of colors and look super-cute on. Don't know if they keep sweat off my face as good as my Underarmour visor but at least I look good.

 

[stitchfan18]

I've never actually read any material on the health aspects of wearing compression socks, so I'm by no means educated on the topic beyond my own experiences. All I know is that I usually have no muscle fatigue in my calves after a long run when I wear compression socks. I also have worn them post run when my legs were feeling a little achy and fatigued, and they helped the pain go away. I used to be sore for a couple days after long runs before I started wearing compression socks. Now I feel fine by the next morning. Again, I haven't read up on the medical perspective, that's just my personal experience with them.

 

[stitchfan18]

stitchfan- the compression socks are awesome! Buying a pair today.

Did you get the running skirts compression socks? I love them so much I have a pair in every color!

 

[tellemarie]

Back again for more advice!

I'm currently at a 20 minute mile (when I'm able to walk that long!) and I wanted to know: is it realistic to get below 16 m/m in time for the half? Registration is fast approaching and I want to register as soon as it is available, but I don't want to register and have my goal be a pipe dream. I'm overweight currently but working on it. Anyone have experience/advice?

Thanks ladies

 

[cewait]

Back again for more advice!

I'm currently at a 20 minute mile (when I'm able to walk that long!) and I wanted to know: is it realistic to get below 16 m/m in time for the half? Registration is fast approaching and I want to register as soon as it is available, but I don't want to register and have my goal be a pipe dream. I'm overweight currently but working on it. Anyone have experience/advice?

Thanks ladies

Certainly possible. You have a lot of work to do but moving from 20minute miles to 15 minute miles is not unheard of. At registration enter an expected finish time of 2:47 or 2minutes slower than the minimum estimated time requiring proof. That will put you in the furtherest corral to the front you can go with out needing to support your time-providing a small buffer at the start

 

[kappyfamily]

Hey princesses, I just wanted to say I don't know if I will be able to do the Princess 2012. After things that have been happening at work lately, I really need to actively look for a new job before things begin affecting my health. So if I get a new job, I don't know if I will be able to get time off, or even be financially OK to do the Princess. I will still keep training because I love it, and heck, I might be able to swing it somehow, but chances are I won't be able to. I'm still gonna read this thread and everything because I love it! But its more important to get a new job than to stick in a job that could affect my health.

sorry to hear that! Best wishes and of course do what is best for YOU. We will be here if you want to join in again!

 

[MamaWolf]

Hey princesses, I just wanted to say I don't know if I will be able to do the Princess 2012. After things that have been happening at work lately, I really need to actively look for a new job before things begin affecting my health. So if I get a new job, I don't know if I will be able to get time off, or even be financially OK to do the Princess. I will still keep training because I love it, and heck, I might be able to swing it somehow, but chances are I won't be able to. I'm still gonna read this thread and everything because I love it! But its more important to get a new job than to stick in a job that could affect my health.

Hugs to you. I admire you looking out for yourself and not just sticking with something. I wish you the best and we'll be here if you need us. And do keep training because you never know what might happen.

 

[MamaWolf]

3 things I have to have when I run
1.) Running Skirts - I like to be cute when I run and these are comfortable too. They fit the bill perfectly.

2.) Bondi Bands- I used to struggle with keeping headbands on my head until I found these. They never slip and absorb so much sweat.

3.) Compression Socks - These keep my legs happy during and after long runs. I can bounce back from a 1/2 marathon over night wearing these socks.

Thanks for the links! I adore those compression socks! I've been looking for some cute ones. hahahaha I'm such a girl.

 

[MHT to MCO]

slp1650 Congratulations on your graduation, and good luck with your internship! How long is it?

freepixie Sorry to hear about your job, but I agree with the others and am happy that you're looking out for #1. Good luck with your job search!

 

[slp1650]

slp1650 Congratulations on your graduation, and good luck with your internship! How long is it?

Thank you

I start my internship on the 23rd of this month (so a week from Thursday) and it goes until January 7th, which happens to be the Marathon weekend

 

[KathleensKid]

Anyone have a favorite running book or magazine?
TIA!
Run Ladies Run!

 

[tellemarie]

Certainly possible. You have a lot of work to do but moving from 20minute miles to 15 minute miles is not unheard of. At registration enter an expected finish time of 2:47 or 2minutes slower than the minimum estimated time requiring proof. That will put you in the furtherest corral to the front you can go with out needing to support your time-providing a small buffer at the start

Thank you! Do you happen to have any advice on working on the timing? Right now I'm having to take a break on training because of some intense pain I'm having in my feet but when I get back I really want to work on my timing.

 

[HockeyKat]

Thank you! Do you happen to have any advice on working on the timing? Right now I'm having to take a break on training because of some intense pain I'm having in my feet but when I get back I really want to work on my timing.

I started out at probably an 18-20 min mile when I started run/walking.

Everyone is different, but what I did was start my "long runs" as walks and try to get my walking speed up as much as possible. I worked running intervals into my 30-45 min "short runs" twice a week, starting with walk 10 min, run 1 min, until I could do walk 1 min, run 1 min. This took about 8 weeks. Once I got there, I put the running intervals into my long runs too, starting with walk 5 min, run 1 min.

The main thing I tried to do was increase walking speed. It's definitely possible to walk a 15/16 min mile, and if you add in some running intervals, you will beat the sweepers for sure.

I wouldn't try to ramp up too quickly at this point. You have 7 months to get there.

Another sure speed-generator (if you are overweight, which I definitely am!) is losing weight. Every lb you lose will shave 2 seconds off your min-per-mile, and it will also help with injuries.

 

[tinkeramy]

I don't know anything about this book, but on sale in the Amazon Kindle store today is a book called "The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women" for .99. As I said, I've never heard of this, but it might be worth a look for this price!

 

[cewait]

Thank you! Do you happen to have any advice on working on the timing? Right now I'm having to take a break on training because of some intense pain I'm having in my feet but when I get back I really want to work on my timing.

I started out at probably an 18-20 min mile when I started run/walking.

Everyone is different, but what I did was start my "long runs" as walks and try to get my walking speed up as much as possible. I worked running intervals into my 30-45 min "short runs" twice a week, starting with walk 10 min, run 1 min, until I could do walk 1 min, run 1 min. This took about 8 weeks. Once I got there, I put the running intervals into my long runs too, starting with walk 5 min, run 1 min.

The main thing I tried to do was increase walking speed. It's definitely possible to walk a 15/16 min mile, and if you add in some running intervals, you will beat the sweepers for sure.

I wouldn't try to ramp up too quickly at this point. You have 7 months to get there.

Another sure speed-generator (if you are overweight, which I definitely am!) is losing weight. Every lb you lose will shave 2 seconds off your min-per-mile, and it will also help with injuries.

Yes, I have ideas on making up time…. First banish the initial thought of walking/running faster. If you just go out and try to go faster you will more than likely lengthen your stride with little increase in cadence or turnover. See speed is simply stride length (distance) x turn over (number strides per minute). Most folks will inadvertently add distance per stride which may be the incorrect thing to do. The perfect stride length is one where you are able to land mid foot and where the foot is already starting to pull back at contact with ground. What ends up happening if the stride is too long is you move out to a heal striker (or extreme heel striker). If you imagine what you leg looks like when if is full forward, your knee is straighter –and when the heal hits it creates more braking action. This wastes energy and worse, increases stress forces exponentially.

So, for speed work I suggest long hill intervals over speed work at first, or until you are better in tune with your body. Hill work is speed work in disguise. It is lower stress on the body simply because you shorten stride as a result of the climb. All the while you are increasing leg strength and eventually turn over as a result. We are really looking for a hill that will take you 2-10 minutes to complete going up. The longer the better…. but even a shorter hill will work. You are looking to warm up for the workout for 5-10 minutes then run/walk up the hill at an EFFORT (not speed) that will only allow you to say maybe 1-3 words per breath. That is upper aerobic/lower anaerobic effort and is the perfect point for interval work. If the efforts are shorter, do 3-5 intervals the first week, fewer if the hill is longer. The interval is go up then walk down aiming to start the next interval within the same amount of time it took you to climb up the hill.

Do these workouts once a week for now. Add more intervals as the effort gets easier. Later you will want to work on speed along with hills.

I am interested on the weight ratio statistic….That is the first I heard of 2 seconds per pound. A simpler statistic that I have research on is the one that states speed gain is inversely proportional on a one for one percentage basis. Simply for every % of weight loss, one can expect a similar percentage speed increase; everything else being constant.

Hang in there with the foot injury. It can take a while for feet to heal

 

[slp1650]

cewait- Interesting info on hills. Since moving back home from college I've been surrounding by hills and not the least bit enthusiastic about it. We actually have one that would take probably 20-30min to run/walk, although I can be wrong cause I have only ever done it once and it was a number of years ago. Would that be too long for a hill interval? Or should I walk part of it?

I wouldn't mind trying to get a hill into my workout now actually . There should be a few tomorrow when I do my long wrong- I'm hoping for 6.5-7 miles. Then maybe short on Saturday and then the hill I was just talking about on Monday before I move to Florida (Tuesday).