Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[saysay]

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.

Team In Training is one option for you.....or just make it a girls weekend with some running or walking friends and leave the kids. This past race was my first time away with some of my friends, no husband, no little princess and it was FAB! I couldn't believe when the husband told me to make it a weekend just for me.

 

[kappyfamily]

Kappyfamily you sound like a gadget girl.

I am! Between the amphipod belt, I phone, iPod, and my gamin I look like batman.....all I need now is a rappel hook and smoke grenades. Oh and a sweet black cape.

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

I would love to do this, but I'm not a runner. I can walk forever, so is it possible for me to walk it if I can pick up my pace? Like a whole bunch of you, I need to do something for me!

If you can walk fast you can totally do it. I was beat by a "speedwalker" who walked the whole thing.

I REALLY want to do it again next year. I'm not sure I can get the time off but if I can, I'm definitely in. I loved the experience and can't wait to repeat it. I'm even looking at doing the coast-to-coast challenge this year.

I was looking at the coast-to-coast too, but I live in Houston and I just don't think I could handle doing 12 and 14 mile runs in Aug. so I am saving my money to stay deluxe next year for the princess.

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).

ITA The same thing happened to me. I think I put my time at 2:55 or 2:56, which was based on one of those time predictor calculators and I ended up finishing in 2:57. I had planned on doing a 10k but it just didn't work out so they went off of that time and I was in corral D also.

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 have all 3 and I would suggest against the Nike+. Mine has been okay, but I know a lot of people have had a lot of issues with thier's. I love my Garmin and since I do intervals it is nice that I can set them on the watch, the Nike + can't do that. I have the Kodak Playsport and I really haven't used it as much as I had planned to, but I still like having it.

 

[dthogue]

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...

Oh that's a bummer - if it was me I would try for the 1/2 Marathon in January - it won't be the same, but it would be DISNEY. We are doing both!

 

[monte]

I'M IN!!!!! I plan on doing the Princess, then the DL half because I want the Coast to Coast medal! Whoo-Hoo! Let's go team!!

Monica, aka Monte

 

[dsnyfan21]

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

I would have to agree and this made me smile just a bit.

 

[Queenbee217]

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

I did the Princess half marathon in 2010 with my 2 sisters, it was so awesome we went back again this year, Both times I left my husband and the kids home. My Husband is not a full blown anti Disney guy but not a lover either. I am, so I go with my sisters for the long weekend. DH and our 2 kids are FINE!! Everybody was so proud that I did something for myself and it's the best feeling EVER!! I get some time to hang out with my sisters and we laugh and laugh over things that our husbands just don't get! They help pull me through when my doubts take over my run. - I have vascular issues in my legs, so I have two speeds slow and slower- but DETERMINED always WINS!

Think about how much you do for EVERYBODY... Now you need to do for you!! I tell my husband, if I don't get to do this 1/2 Marathon for me.. and take care of me.. Then I can't take care of everybody else including him!

 

[kappyfamily]

Running in my first race tomorrow, the 5k shamrock run here in Portland, or. A little nervous though, 30k people and it's supposed to be pouring and 40 mph winds..... I wear glasses too so this should be Fun! Hoping on finishing under 40 minutes.

 

[v22wifey]

well, I decided that I'm going to plan on the race for 2012 (I haven't told the husband yet...not that it matters). I've had serious withdrawal from the most recent race so I decided I need to refocus and start planning for the future, not being sad about the past, lol.
If some of you did the recent one, what will you be doing to maintain for the one next year? This weekend coming up I'm running the Va Beach 1/2 marathon shamrock. After that I'm toning it down for awhile, plus the summer is headed here very very soon (I'm a heat weenie).

 

[faith-hope-joy]

I'm a Florida Heat Weenie. There are several 5ks coming up in my town. I'm going to work on taking a few minutes off my time. During the summer I'll probably stick to the treadmill at the gym or early, early morning runs. I'm going to do a couple of short runs and a long run on the weekend and yoga. I'll be doing the Savannah HM in November.

 

[marathonmommy]

well, I decided that I'm going to plan on the race for 2012 (I haven't told the husband yet...not that it matters). I've had serious withdrawal from the most recent race so I decided I need to refocus and start planning for the future, not being sad about the past, lol.
If some of you did the recent one, what will you be doing to maintain for the one next year? This weekend coming up I'm running the Va Beach 1/2 marathon shamrock. After that I'm toning it down for awhile, plus the summer is headed here very very soon (I'm a heat weenie).

I am shooting for one a month. I already have March and April set. If I dont have races planned/goals set, I know I won't get out there like I should. I will make too many excuses. So, I trick myself . . . I'm so slick.

 

[stitchfan18]

I am shooting for one a month. I already have March and April set. If I dont have races planned/goals set, I know I won't get out there like I should. I will make too many excuses. So, I trick myself . . . I'm so slick.

Are you planning one 1/2 a month, or one race in general a month? I did the same thing last year with shorter distances and one 1/2, and it totally worked. I didn't run a race in August or December because of scheduling, and of course those months I totally slacked off. I'm planning to do the same thing this year to keep myself on track for Goofy in January. This year I have a lot more 1/2's on my schedules and a couple full marathons. I need a race for July, November, and December still though.

 

[Mama_Dis]

Running in my first race tomorrow, the 5k shamrock run here in Portland, or. A little nervous though, 30k people and it's supposed to be pouring and 40 mph winds..... I wear glasses too so this should be Fun! Hoping on finishing under 40 minutes.

Good luck today Kappy!!! I run my first a week from today, so I feel you on the nerves! You are going to do great!

AFM- I ran my first practice 5k on Friday and while I managed a passable time, on one of my water breaks, I looked at DH and told him I was struggling and (we had only gone 2.5 miles), there was no way I'd be able to complete a half. I know I have lots of time, but after that run, 13.1 seems like it might as well be 131!

Now I'm feeling like poo, stupid head cold, but I'm still going to try to run something today. And where the heck did DST come from

 

[LKMang]

AFM- I ran my first practice 5k on Friday and while I managed a passable time, on one of my water breaks, I looked at DH and told him I was struggling and (we had only gone 2.5 miles), there was no way I'd be able to complete a half. I know I have lots of time, but after that run, 13.1 seems like it might as well be 131!

I TOTALLY feel the same!!! I am doing about 2 miles or so on the treadmill when I run and the thought of 13 still seems so crazy! I also have my first 5k race next week. I’d done a couple practice runs on the treadmill and I’m seriously dying by the end of them. Really hoping I’ll get more confident with this whole thing as time goes on!

Best of luck to you in your race!

 

[kappyfamily]

Just finished my first 5k! I ran it with my 16 year old son. Had a blast and finished it at 39:43, or a 12:47 pace. So I am happy with that. The first half of the race was all up hill and it was pouring rain! Big surprise it's Oregon. Could not believe the amount of people 33,000 showed up. All proceeds went to our local childrens cancer hospital so it was very cool to see!

Next race is the Bridge to Brews 5miler in may!

 

[diznmom]

For the Disney moms who think they can't do the half...you can! I could barely walk a mile and was 50 pounds overweight in January 2010. With a lot of determination and some 5Ks and 10Ks over the course of the year I lost the weight and finished the Disney Princess last month in 2 hours 38 minutes. Keep the faith...I know you can do it!

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

well, I decided that I'm going to plan on the race for 2012 (I haven't told the husband yet...not that it matters). I've had serious withdrawal from the most recent race so I decided I need to refocus and start planning for the future, not being sad about the past, lol.
If some of you did the recent one, what will you be doing to maintain for the one next year? This weekend coming up I'm running the Va Beach 1/2 marathon shamrock. After that I'm toning it down for awhile, plus the summer is headed here very very soon (I'm a heat weenie).

I kind of know how you feel. I feel kind of lost or like I don't know what/ how much to run if I don't have a race or goal I am working toward.
I plan on doing a couple 10Ks and work on getting my speed up. For this years princess I was mainly concerned with the mileage. I wanted to finish in under 3, which I did, but I didn't do any speedwork or anything like that. My training runs were slow and the long runs slowers, so I am hoping backing down to a 10k will help me be more confident in the distance and let me focus more on speed.
Right now I am planning on doing a 10k this spring, probably May or June, and then one or 2 more in the fall. The last one I plan to do in the fall is in the middle of November and from there I will go staright back into half training.

AFM- I ran my first practice 5k on Friday and while I managed a passable time, on one of my water breaks, I looked at DH and told him I was struggling and (we had only gone 2.5 miles), there was no way I'd be able to complete a half. I know I have lots of time, but after that run, 13.1 seems like it might as well be 131!

You really do have plenty of time! I pretty muched trained for this years princess for about a year. The first 6 months or so I was only doing 2 to 3 miles and it was hard. Then just about 6 months out from the princess I started doing Marathoning for Mortals and then as the race got closer I switched over to Golloway, since I wanted to do more then 10 miles, and I was able to finish just fine. I know I never believed everyone when they kept telling me it gets easier, but really it does. Are you doing intervals or running straight? You may just need to play around with it a bit until you find what works for you.

Just finished my first 5k! I ran it with my 16 year old son. Had a blast and finished it at 39:43, or a 12:47 pace. So I am happy with that. The first half of the race was all up hill and it was pouring rain! Big surprise it's Oregon. Could not believe the amount of people 33,000 showed up. All proceeds went to our local childrens cancer hospital so it was very cool to see!

Next race is the Bridge to Brews 5miler in may!

Great job!

 

[stitchfan18]

Good luck today Kappy!!! I run my first a week from today, so I feel you on the nerves! You are going to do great!

AFM- I ran my first practice 5k on Friday and while I managed a passable time, on one of my water breaks, I looked at DH and told him I was struggling and (we had only gone 2.5 miles), there was no way I'd be able to complete a half. I know I have lots of time, but after that run, 13.1 seems like it might as well be 131!

Now I'm feeling like poo, stupid head cold, but I'm still going to try to run something today. And where the heck did DST come from

I felt the same way you did last year when I first started thinking about running the princess. You'll be amazed at how much you'll improve over a year! I started running last February, ran my first 5k in May. I had nightmares about the race when I first considered running it. I was sure I wouldn't finish! You'll feel a lot better once you get the miles under your feet, you can do it!

 

[Cripey]

For the Disney moms who think they can't do the half...you can! I could barely walk a mile and was 50 pounds overweight in January 2010. With a lot of determination and some 5Ks and 10Ks over the course of the year I lost the weight and finished the Disney Princess last month in 2 hours 38 minutes. Keep the faith...I know you can do it!

I'd like to 2nd this and tell all of the first-timers doing the 2012 Princess that you have plenty of time to train and you WILL get there! Just focus on having a training plan that works for you, build slowly, and stick to it and it will all work out! It was almost a full year before the 2011 Princess when I started to think about doing it...I started out just walking a 3 mile loop...no WAY in the world I could even think about running or jogging at that point...and just slowly worked my way up to some slow jogging/walking intervals until July, when registration opened up, and I kicked it in gear. I seriously had doubts, oh just about EVERY weekend on the long runs, about whether or not this running thing was really for me. I honestly didn't feel 100% confident that I could really do it until I completed my first 8 mile training run...and that was a LOOOONG time after I had started training! Something on that run just clicked, and it was an awesome feeling! My trainer and my BF told me 100 times...the training is the hard part and the race will be your reward. Put in the work, train smart and safe, and it will all come together for race day!!!

 

[v22wifey]

I'd like to 2nd this and tell all of the first-timers doing the 2012 Princess that you have plenty of time to train and you WILL get there! Just focus on having a training plan that works for you, build slowly, and stick to it and it will all work out! It was almost a full year before the 2011 Princess when I started to think about doing it...I started out just walking a 3 mile loop...no WAY in the world I could even think about running or jogging at that point...and just slowly worked my way up to some slow jogging/walking intervals until July, when registration opened up, and I kicked it in gear. I seriously had doubts, oh just about EVERY weekend on the long runs, about whether or not this running thing was really for me. I honestly didn't feel 100% confident that I could really do it until I completed my first 8 mile training run...and that was a LOOOONG time after I had started training! Something on that run just clicked, and it was an awesome feeling! My trainer and my BF told me 100 times...the training is the hard part and the race will be your reward. Put in the work, train smart and safe, and it will all come together for race day!!!

AGREED!!! I started training in Sept, as a NON runner! We walked briskly at 2-3 mi for the first month and then "upped" it every week after the first 4 weeks. Then the holidays came and everyone was sick, etc and so on... We didn't aim for time this past race, just completion. You can do it!!! This is NOT a race to focus on RACING per se, unless that really is your focus. For me it was about getting to the end, having fun and being damn proud of myself!