Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[liznboys]

For those of you who ran the Princess this year, or are in training for a 1/2 marathon in general (or training for the Princess) do you use the run/walk ratio to complete your races? I see many people saying they have trouble with 2-3 miles (like I do), but don't mention whether they are trying to run straight through and run/walk.

I was wondering if you do use the run/walk ratio - what ratio you use? I am starting with Jeff Galloway's plan and he suggests a 1/1, but that seems insane and that I will constantly be checking my watch - I was wondering what works for others and how you decided on the ratio you would run?

I've done four half marathons and didn't run any of them the entire way. Each of them were different as far as the run/walk ratio. For the Princess this year I started with a run 1 mile/walk 1 minute ratio. Towards the end of the race I was just running as much as I could. My goal was to finish in under 2:30 and my time was 2:28:50.

Who knows what ratio I'll use for my next half....depends on how I'm feeling during training and on race day. I have no plans (no desire) to run an entire half non-stop right now. The walk breaks are good for me physically and good for my speed!

 

[wlake]

A newbie here! I guess I'm in for the Princess Half next year. I had some coworkers run this year and they got me interested. I'm not sure if I think it's going to be fun or if it's just a midlife crisis, but either way, my extended family seems to be planning a trip to WDW to cheer me on next Feb. Considering I mentioned it to them less than a week ago...!

I know I need new shoes before I can do much training. Is it worth the extra money it will cost to go to the local running store and get their advice?

 

[liznboys]

A newbie here! I guess I'm in for the Princess Half next year. I had some coworkers run this year and they got me interested. I'm not sure if I think it's going to be fun or if it's just a midlife crisis, but either way, my extended family seems to be planning a trip to WDW to cheer me on next Feb. Considering I mentioned it to them less than a week ago...!

I know I need new shoes before I can do much training. Is it worth the extra money it will cost to go to the local running store and get their advice?

That's great!

Yes, it is worth it to go to a running store and let them tell you what type of shoes you should wear. You don't have to buy from them, but I would feel funny not doing so. The next time you need shoes you could get them a cheaper way since you'll know what type to get. I just recently bought a new pair on runningwarehouse.com on clearance. They're the same ones I currently use that I was fitted with at my local running store. Good luck!!

 

[wlake]

That's great!

Yes, it is worth it to go to a running store and let them tell you what type of shoes you should wear. You don't have to buy from them, but I would feel funny not doing so. The next time you need shoes you could get them a cheaper way since you'll know what type to get. I just recently bought a new pair on runningwarehouse.com on clearance. They're the same ones I currently use that I was fitted with at my local running store. Good luck!!

Thanks! I'd feel funny not buying at least the first pair from them too. I think my current sneakers are older than my first child, so I know it's time for a pair! I think I need good socks too, as the bottoms of my feet felt funny after my 3 mile walk Saturday.

 

[stitchfan18]

Thanks! I'd feel funny not buying at least the first pair from them too. I think my current sneakers are older than my first child, so I know it's time for a pair! I think I need good socks too, as the bottoms of my feet felt funny after my 3 mile walk Saturday.

Good socks are a must! The cotton athletic kind from places like walmart and target will most likely make your feet miserable and blistery.

 

[LKMang]

Good socks are a must! The cotton athletic kind from places like walmart and target will most likely make your feet miserable and blistery.

I totally agree about the socks! I never would have thought they would have made that much of difference but last week all my “good” socks were in the wash and I wore a pair of old fluffy cotton socks and my feet were in so much pain by the end! Definitely worth it to invest in some good socks!

 

[wlake]

Good socks are a must! The cotton athletic kind from places like walmart and target will most likely make your feet miserable and blistery.

I totally agree about the socks! I never would have thought they would have made that much of difference but last week all my “good” socks were in the wash and I wore a pair of old fluffy cotton socks and my feet were in so much pain by the end! Definitely worth it to invest in some good socks!

Fluffy cotton Target socks were exactly what I was wearing Saturday! On Sunday, I wore a pair of Smartwools (even though they're my "dressy" go-to-work socks), and I felt much better despite doing another 3 mile walk. I'm thinking they make running socks, so that'll be my first try.

 

[Mama_Dis]

A newbie here! I guess I'm in for the Princess Half next year. I had some coworkers run this year and they got me interested. I'm not sure if I think it's going to be fun or if it's just a midlife crisis, but either way, my extended family seems to be planning a trip to WDW to cheer me on next Feb. Considering I mentioned it to them less than a week ago...!

I know I need new shoes before I can do much training. Is it worth the extra money it will cost to go to the local running store and get their advice?

I agree with going to the running store. I'm sure it varies with the shoe, but once I bought my husband and my shoes, I researched them online and there was only like a $10-15 price difference. I'll gladly pay the extra for their time and expertise.

Started week 4 of c25k today after 2.5 days of a nasty head cold and I was struggling. hoping tomorrow goes better. My muscles actually felt great, but I just couldn't catch my breath

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

For those of you who ran the Princess this year, or are in training for a 1/2 marathon in general (or training for the Princess) do you use the run/walk ratio to complete your races? I see many people saying they have trouble with 2-3 miles (like I do), but don't mention whether they are trying to run straight through

When I first started I just did whatever I felt like. Started with a mile to mile and a half running until I felt I needed to walk. Once I started actually switching over to training mode I read Marathoning for Mortals and decided to try their run/walk program. Started out running 3 min and walking 2 min. I think about 5 or 6 weeks it switched over to run 3 walk 1 for short runs but stuck with run 3 walk 2 for long run. Then it went to run 4 walk 1. I only did that for a couple a runs then I switched over to Golloway for my schedule and just decided to run 4 walk 2. I liked the 2 minute walk on long runs because it gave me plenty of recovery time. 1 minute was just going by too fast for me. I did the princess at that interval and I made my goal of under 3 hours.
Now I am working on extending out my running a minute at a time until I get up to 10 or 11 minutes of running and then I want to work on getting my walk break down to about a minute or so. By the princess next year I am hoping to run a mile and walk 1 to 1:30 minutes. I'll also walk through the water stations if I get a cup because I just can't do it on the run.

You can always tweak your intervals to what works for you. My friend runs a 10 minute mile and she was running a mile and walking for a minute....again, whatever works.

Good luck!

This is what I want to do next year. I'm not at a 10 min/mi yet, but if I took less walking breaks I would be close. lol

Who knows what ratio I'll use for my next half....depends on how I'm feeling during training and on race day. I have no plans (no desire) to run an entire half non-stop right now. The walk breaks are good for me physically and good for my speed!

Me too!! I really enjoy my walk breaks, I just want to work on having less of them.

 

[dthogue]

Thanks! I'd feel funny not buying at least the first pair from them too. I think my current sneakers are older than my first child, so I know it's time for a pair! I think I need good socks too, as the bottoms of my feet felt funny after my 3 mile walk Saturday.

Too funny - I just bought new socks over the weekend, and OMG what a difference - who would have known - I bought mine from Champion and they are moisture wicking with arch support - oh they feel soo good on my feet! What an inexpensive investment - I also bought the style that come up over the ankle - I had bloody ankles after my 5k last week from my socks falling down and causing blisters.

 

[dthogue]

Thanks everyone for the walk/run ratio tips - guess I will paly with the numbers and see what works - I think I'll start with 3/1 and work from there. I will also look into the Marathoning for Mortals plan - I do have Galloway's book.

 

[Tink2012]

I am in! I can't wait. I am a disney fanatic and this will be my first 1/2 marathon. I will be doing a 5k in 2 weeks, a 10k in June and then lots of 5k's throughout the summer. I am so excited and soooo nervous!

 

[kappyfamily]

I am in! I can't wait. I am a disney fanatic and this will be my first 1/2 marathon. I will be doing a 5k in 2 weeks, a 10k in June and then lots of 5k's throughout the summer. I am so excited and soooo nervous!

fantastic! Welcome to the group!

 

[mla1977]

I'm in! I plan on staying Perfectly Princess forever and ever!

 

[MaMa3Princess]

Thanks everyone for the walk/run ratio tips - guess I will paly with the numbers and see what works - I think I'll start with 3/1 and work from there. I will also look into the Marathoning for Mortals plan - I do have Galloway's book.

I second this! You all that have ran the marathon and finish well have give me hope that it is doable!


Kappy, what kind of Brooks did you get? Oh gosh I was a kid in a candy store at the running store so much to get tech shirts, socks, did order a moving comfort bra, visor oh my hubby was like I better run something all the stuff I got to run

 

[MamaWolf]

I'm disappointed... I was so pumped about training for the 1/2 but all my friends laughed and said there is no way they could do this. I even sent this forum in an attachment for inspiration because you ladies certainly inspired me. Now I'm not sure what to do... I still want to do it and my DH says to go for it... but I don't think I'm much of a solo person for this.
Suggestions??

 

[Cripey]

I'm disappointed... I was so pumped about training for the 1/2 but all my friends laughed and said there is no way they could do this. I even sent this forum in an attachment for inspiration because you ladies certainly inspired me. Now I'm not sure what to do... I still want to do it and my DH says to go for it... but I don't think I'm much of a solo person for this.
Suggestions??

If you are excited about doing it and your DH is on board and supportive, then you shouldn't let the nay-sayers take this from you! If they laughed because they don't believe that they can do it, maybe in their minds they don't think you can either...prove them wrong! You never know, you might find that you enjoy the time running alone just to think, clear your head, or just enjoy being disconnected for the time you are out there...and you can come here to these boards for any encouragement or advice you might need along the way. Alot of people also start blogs about their training...I think that's a good way to keep track of your progress and also a good accountability tool.

 

[wlake]

I'm disappointed... I was so pumped about training for the 1/2 but all my friends laughed and said there is no way they could do this. I even sent this forum in an attachment for inspiration because you ladies certainly inspired me. Now I'm not sure what to do... I still want to do it and my DH says to go for it... but I don't think I'm much of a solo person for this.
Suggestions??

Go for it! I've never done one either, or even exercised on a regular basis, but this is what I'm going to do. My closest friends don't believe me, but I'm working on swaying my DH and I have my mom's support as well as that of a couple of coworkers. That's what I'm starting with! (Although I must admit I'm trying to talk my sister into it.)

What really made ME believe in ME was my first walk the other day -- I thought I did a great job and it really helped. It made me walk the second day and then the third.

I'm not sure I can do this alone either, so that's why I'm here! You live too far from me for us to be real life support, but we can be here virtually!

PS Try emailing them some of the YouTube videos people have put up -- I've found those really inspiring. I did need to tell my sister that tiaras would be optional but tutus were not happening.

 

[Swmr359]

I'm disappointed... I was so pumped about training for the 1/2 but all my friends laughed and said there is no way they could do this. I even sent this forum in an attachment for inspiration because you ladies certainly inspired me. Now I'm not sure what to do... I still want to do it and my DH says to go for it... but I don't think I'm much of a solo person for this.
Suggestions??

Last year all my friends said they could never do a half marathon; this year one of my friends did it with me! You can be the inspiration for your friends.

Don't think of yourself as solo for this, you have everyone on this board to help you along

 

[MamaWolf]

Thanks, ladies. DH is still totally on board and has even offered to help train with me and were looking to run a 1/2 marathon in the fall. Also one friend that runs 1/2s says she can't commit to going but she's always wanted to do a Disney run... I'll keep working on her.