Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[saysay]

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 went on a girl's weekend, we were all different paces and ran "alone", but you are NEVER alone. Most people were very friendly and extremely encouraging. There is so much to see on the race even by yourself, it helps alot in the entertainment factor. Maybe they will change their mind, still plenty of time! I agree send some race report links or youtube videos! We had a BLAST before and after the race at Disney also. It was an amazing weekend!

With you DH support...you got this. Just train smart..its so much fun, DO IT!

 

[marathonmommy]

My fellow princesses inspired me to "blog" about the race. I'm not the blogging type, but I started one. I will add more text to the sparse trip report . . . but it's a start. Become a "follower"!

http://notreallyborntorun.blogspot.com/

 

[slp1650]

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??

I actually like running by myself and avoid running with my tri team (I love them and all, but just can't run with them). I just put headphones on and get out there and run. It's good just to let your mind go and relax.

As long as YOU know YOU can do it then you can!

I remember seeing my old college swim coach with my DL medal. He couldn't believe I had done a half... he really didn't think I could. Then again, he then chastised me for stopping to take pictures, but whatever. Even now he's extremely supportive of me and I've actually inspired my friend to do the race next year so who knows, maybe you'll inspire one of your friends...

 

[kappyfamily]

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

I got the Brooks defyance 4's. So far so good! For some reason I can tell u and I are going to be buds over the next 11 months.... Just a feeling! By the way, I'm tellin ya, you are going to love that bra!

 

[ufwendyo]

For the first time since the Princess 1/2 I ran outside today. Here we are in March and already 78 degrees at 4:00. Florida heat always sneaks up on me and I have lived here my entire life. I am still considering the Wine and Dine, but the Princess 2012 is a definite.

I tried something new today I actually ran intervals. Nothing too major 3/1 for four miles. I was shocked to see that my time did not suffer at all, finished in about 45 minutes. I guess this makes me a believer. I like what some of you have posted about the 1-2 minute walk after each mile. I think that may be what I shoot for.

 

[Saylan]

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??

I was also there. I trained alone and only told my parents and my bf I was doing the half (and I waited till January to tell my parents) because I didn't think anyone would believe I could do it. You can make other friends the day of the race. And many of us on the board will be there so you can have us to run with when you do it.

If your DH is encouraging you, that's all you need. There will be runs and training during which you might think you can't do it but honestly, this race is 90% mental and 10% physical. Just don't let yourself give up and no matter how horrible you feel, you can count on your DH and all us other princesses to cheer you on.

 

[stitchfan18]

My fellow princesses inspired me to "blog" about the race. I'm not the blogging type, but I started one. I will add more text to the sparse trip report . . . but it's a start. Become a "follower"!

http://notreallyborntorun.blogspot.com/

I think we ran around each other the whole race! I was in corral B, and finished in 2:38 as well. I vaguely remember your shirt because I thought it was cute, was there something on the back? Great race report!

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

OK ladies, so I've been looking at running clothes, and I think I'm set on those, but what else will I need as a beginning runner? What's this Gu I keep reading about? And would I really need Body Glide products for a 30 minute run?

marathonmommy- The pictures you labeled as Dale are actually Chip. Chip has a smaller black nose like a Chocolate Chip, While Dale has a goofier grin.

 

[marathonmommy]

OK ladies, so I've been looking at running clothes, and I think I'm set on those, but what else will I need as a beginning runner? What's this Gu I keep reading about? And would I really need Body Glide products for a 30 minute run?

marathonmommy- The pictures you labeled as Dale are actually Chip. Chip has a smaller black nose like a Chocolate Chip, While Dale has a goofier grin.

That's what I said at the Grill that night and the darn chipmunk shook his head "NO" at me! What the heck? I learned the chocolate chip trick too - but then, after I was corrected, thought maybe the chip was supposed to be brown. Guess the person inside the fur was messing with me.

You won't need GU until you get up in miles . . . I wouldn't eat it unless I was doing 9 or more.

I don't use Body Glide, although I own it. I only chafe with one particular pair of running tights. Body Glide or deodorant (whichever is handy) does the trick. I don't chafe in 30 minutes or less, so I would say no (but that's based on my experience.)

 

[marathonmommy]

I think we ran around each other the whole race! I was in corral B, and finished in 2:38 as well. I vaguely remember your shirt because I thought it was cute, was there something on the back? Great race report!

You probably would not have seen the back of my shirt, because I remember reading yours! And remembering . . . I want to catch up to say hello (I thought this several times), but I am just so damn tired!

 

[Saylan]

OK ladies, so I've been looking at running clothes, and I think I'm set on those, but what else will I need as a beginning runner? What's this Gu I keep reading about? And would I really need Body Glide products for a 30 minute run?

GU is a fuel that comes in a lot of forms (gel, jube-jubes, etc.) and tehre's other brands too. If you're just starting out I'll give you the same advice I was given by Coach and others on the board. If you're going to run for more than 45 minutes or 5 miles (either or), that is about the time to fuel. Many people will fuel before a race too. It's all about what works for you and your body. For example, I wouldn't be able to wait till mile 9 like the PP to fuel.

Beginners usually find 'the wall' earlier than experienced runners and fuel is what you use to help delay or avoid the wall. The wall is when you've used up the easy access fuel of your body and it runs out of juice. You try to take the fuel before that happens so your body can smoothly transition from your natural fuel to it.

One thing you should do when you're getting into your long runs to the point you should be fueling, is try out different products. I tried the jube-jubes first and found I didn't like having to chew something while running. I tried gels and while the texture is not the best, if I take a good swig of water (which I'd be doing anyway), it is gone too fast for me to care and my stomach digests them with a lot less angst than something solid like jube-jubes.

Flavours and brands can make a difference too so mix and test. I found for me chocolate GU gels stayed down less easily than the fruit flavours. The goal is though, to know going into race day what works for you. You don't want to be trying new products at that point and Disney only distributes certain brands and types of fuel at their food station. If what they serve works for you, that's great, but if not, bring your own that you've tested.

I hope this helps!

 

[Cripey]

For the first time since the Princess 1/2 I ran outside today. Here we are in March and already 78 degrees at 4:00. Florida heat always sneaks up on me and I have lived here my entire life. I am still considering the Wine and Dine, but the Princess 2012 is a definite.

Me too! I started to get really disappointed in myself for not having run since the race. When I came back home from Florida, I had already decided I was treating myself to a full week of rest...no running, no boot camp, just good ol' laziness! Then I got sick so that put me out for another week...then I went back to boot camp, but the laziness was still hanging on...no running. I reminded myself yesterday that there was no time for anymore laziness because I had already registered for the DL half, and I didn't want to start from scratch for that one! Yesterday was beautiful here, though a little warm...about 75...which felt like 95 to me during the 3 miles. Man, is it going to be a looooong summer. I felt good after though...like I'm back in the groove now.

 

[MamaWolf]

hahaha wow I'm going to need this board for more than just encouragement. I didn't even think of things like chafing.

 

[stitchfan18]

I use body glide on all my runs personally. On long runs I'll put some on my toes to prevent blisters, along with the normal problem areas. I wear a running skirt when I run, and the body glide helps keep the shorts underneath from riding up.

 

[Cripey]

hahaha wow I'm going to need this board for more than just encouragement. I didn't even think of things like chafing.

Oh believe me, your body will remind you of those things you forget to think about and you'll learn what your problem spots are...and at what mile they start to become problems! I love body glide, just wish they would come out with a scented one or something...it has a weird smell to me. I almost always use it in a few places on training runs, depending on the mileage...but I practically bathed in it race morning...overkill!

 

[mla1977]

I don't use Body Glide all the time. Sometimes I'll skip it at the gym if I am running 3 miles or less. I just got a pair of Vibram Five Fingers and I've only run in them once, but I didn't wear any Body Glide. We'll see how they work for longer runs.

I do use Body Glide for races and long runs with some clothing and with my sports bra. I don't always chafe, but I have in the past and know where it can happen, so it is a preventative measure.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

Oh believe me, your body will remind you of those things you forget to think about and you'll learn what your problem spots are...and at what mile they start to become problems! I love body glide, just wish they would come out with a scented one or something...it has a weird smell to me. I almost always use it in a few places on training runs, depending on the mileage...but I practically bathed in it race morning...overkill!

And sometimes the shower finds those spots before you realize you have them. That's when I'm very happy I have my own place because the language that comes out of my mouth would make a sailor blush.

 

[Danhockey04]

I have the vibram five fingers, I got the Komodos. I recently got them, right before the ESPN 5k, it does take some time to get used to cause your muscles are adjusting. First few runs, I had some really sore lower legs from them, but as I read else where, that was expected. I got them to help with my knee pains and when I run, I don't get any pain now, it's great. I went 20 miles the other day, you get to the point where you don't even notice you have shoes on, they are light and air travels through them easily. So I am training in them and will try them out for my next race and see how they go, but so far so good.

 

[mla1977]

And sometimes the shower finds those spots before you realize you have them. That's when I'm very happy I have my own place because the language that comes out of my mouth would make a sailor blush.

OMG Yes! That's how I found out about my sports bra chafing on my back.

 

[Cripey]

And sometimes the shower finds those spots before you realize you have them. That's when I'm very happy I have my own place because the language that comes out of my mouth would make a sailor blush.

No kidding! Evidently the band of sparkle skirt I wore for the Princess rode up a bit over the band of my compression shorts underneath and my fuel belt was kinda tight so it rubbed the tag of the sparkle skirt into my back...thankfully I never felt anything during the run, but like you said, the minute the water from the shower hit my back, it felt like 10 bees were stinging me!...but the only way I knew something had happened back there. I ended up having 3 little cuts in my lower back...ouch!