Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[MamaWolf]

I put this on Daily Mile but i wanted to say something here for those you don't do Daily Mile:

I downloaded a C25K app for my son on his iPod touch. It tells you when to walk when to run and keeps track of your time. It's pretty basic because you don't know your mileage or anything but that's easy to fix if you map out a route. Besides it has already proven it's $1.99 worth, mid-way through the run my son says, "I like this, it's fun." After he was done, "I really like this, it makes me want to keep going." All this equals a BIG thumbs up from Mama.

This little app has motivated my son and that means everything to me.

 

[princess.april120]

Hello all you Princesses!!! I just want to say hello and join in all the positive energy you ladies are sharing around here!

I, too, am in for the Princess 2012. I just started walking last year, with the inspiration to finish the Princess. My first race was a 10K in September 2010, and although slow, I finished.

My training is still in the mostly walking/barely running stages, but I am training with another princess who has done the Galloway intervals in the past. Our current goal is to complete a 5k in early July at a 15min/mile pace. The next step is a 10K at that pace or better in September, and then our absolute best from then until the princess.

Thanks to everyone who takes time to share their enthusiasm, experience, and encouragement. I am so happy to have such a great resource for training for the race of my dreams!

 

[MamaWolf]

Hello all you Princesses!!! I just want to say hello and join in all the positive energy you ladies are sharing around here!

I, too, am in for the Princess 2012. I just started walking last year, with the inspiration to finish the Princess. My first race was a 10K in September 2010, and although slow, I finished.

My training is still in the mostly walking/barely running stages, but I am training with another princess who has done the Galloway intervals in the past. Our current goal is to complete a 5k in early July at a 15min/mile pace. The next step is a 10K at that pace or better in September, and then our absolute best from then until the princess.

Thanks to everyone who takes time to share their enthusiasm, experience, and encouragement. I am so happy to have such a great resource for training for the race of my dreams!

Welcome. You will love this group, everyone has been so great! These boards (along with Daily Mile) have really kept me motivated. Not to mention my DH who has been absolutely 100% behind me from the beginning.

BTW Jasmine is my FAVORITE!

 

[ufwendyo]

Well if my foot every feels better I will start to run again...grrr...BUT wondering if I sign up early say in July when its first posted can I use time from a race I ran on Thanksgiving of last year? I am so wanting to start running again, pesky Plantar Faciitis is still lingering and just sick of the pain, so trying to rest up as much as possible. AND I am starting my cardio eliptical training next week so you should see me on Dailymile for you DM princesses!

Thanks!

Has your doctor recommended anything special for when you do start running again?I am trying to make sure I stretch my calves, but I have had the worst PF problems this last week. I have no idea what brought it on. I haven't done anything different except maybe more treadmill running. The thought of not running or not doing Zumba for an extended amount of time is almost as painful! The pain isn't constant so I am hoping I am not too far gone, but I want to try to keep it from getting worse.

Wendy

 

[Bookwood]

I was just released yesterday as OK to resume running...I hadn't run in a little over 2 weeks because I twisted my knee. Evidently I now have runner's knee, IT band issues, and snapping hip syndrome (it's actually called that!!! ) but I'll be going to PT for 6 weeks to help strengthen and help these issues. I did 3 miles yesterday and I'm pretty sore today! I'm glad I'm ok to run again though...I have a 5k on sunday

when the dr told me I had snapping hip he just told me I would have to live with it! If you get any good PT for the hips please share! I'm living with a sore lower back these days.
I'm calling dr (different dr) on the knee monday to try to figure out what my issue is.

 

[kmg148]

Hello all you Princesses!!! I just want to say hello and join in all the positive energy you ladies are sharing around here!

I, too, am in for the Princess 2012. I just started walking last year, with the inspiration to finish the Princess. My first race was a 10K in September 2010, and although slow, I finished.

My training is still in the mostly walking/barely running stages, but I am training with another princess who has done the Galloway intervals in the past. Our current goal is to complete a 5k in early July at a 15min/mile pace. The next step is a 10K at that pace or better in September, and then our absolute best from then until the princess.

Thanks to everyone who takes time to share their enthusiasm, experience, and encouragement. I am so happy to have such a great resource for training for the race of my dreams!

Welcome! You can do it! I went from 15 minute miles to 13 minutes in a matter of weeks--I'm sure it will come for you too!

 

[dthogue]

Finished my 3rd 5K today - I was hoping to reduce my time by 3 minutes from last 5K, but I ran it in the same time. Although this course had plenty of hills, which I'm not used to, so I am happy with my result.

My DD (12) ran as well - here's a picture of her

I started a WISH journal this week - its all about my weight loss and running journey to the Princess 1/2 - I put the link in my signature - come join me!

 

[dthogue]

Hello all you Princesses!!! I just want to say hello and join in all the positive energy you ladies are sharing around here!

I, too, am in for the Princess 2012. I just started walking last year, with the inspiration to finish the Princess. My first race was a 10K in September 2010, and although slow, I finished.

My training is still in the mostly walking/barely running stages, but I am training with another princess who has done the Galloway intervals in the past. Our current goal is to complete a 5k in early July at a 15min/mile pace. The next step is a 10K at that pace or better in September, and then our absolute best from then until the princess.

Thanks to everyone who takes time to share their enthusiasm, experience, and encouragement. I am so happy to have such a great resource for training for the race of my dreams!

Welcome - this is great place for motivation, alot of inspiring stories.

 

[saysay]

Has your doctor recommended anything special for when you do start running again?I am trying to make sure I stretch my calves, but I have had the worst PF problems this last week. I have no idea what brought it on. I haven't done anything different except maybe more treadmill running. The thought of not running or not doing Zumba for an extended amount of time is almost as painful! The pain isn't constant so I am hoping I am not too far gone, but I want to try to keep it from getting worse.

Wendy

Oh Wendy SO sorry! Ice ice baby! I think mine was due to my calves not being stretched out enough and I did a long run without any shorter ones in a week, I had been having some shin splints too that disappeared when the foot started to hurt.

I was told to take it easier in my exercise and listen to my body.

I have some stretches I do daily....Towel stretch, runners stretch, I stretch on a slant board. Also trying to strengthen up my calf and ankle have some exercises. When I exercise I tape up my foot to help support the plantar facia. And I can't wear flip flops and can't walk barefoot around the house. I am vigilant about my shoes not being worn out either, stuff they told me to watch for.

I bought some KT tape today and will use that when I work at the preschool or exercise. Seriously, over this. But it can take 3 to 6 months to fully heal.

I am going to try to do some walking, but easing back into it. As much as I want to run, not going to risk reinjury.


To be honest, lately not doing the stretches as much as I need to.

 

[ufwendyo]

Oh Wendy SO sorry! Ice ice baby! I think mine was due to my calves not being stretched out enough and I did a long run without any shorter ones in a week, I had been having some shin splints too that disappeared when the foot started to hurt.

I was told to take it easier in my exercise and listen to my body.

I have some stretches I do daily....Towel stretch, runners stretch, I stretch on a slant board. Also trying to strengthen up my calf and ankle have some exercises. When I exercise I tape up my foot to help support the plantar facia. And I can't wear flip flops and can't walk barefoot around the house. I am vigilant about my shoes not being worn out either, stuff they told me to watch for.

I bought some KT tape today and will use that when I work at the preschool or exercise. Seriously, over this. But it can take 3 to 6 months to fully heal.

I am going to try to do some walking, but easing back into it. As much as I want to run, not going to risk reinjury.


To be honest, lately not doing the stretches as much as I need to.

Thanks. All I want to do is run and get faster and stronger. To have my feet fail me is frustrating. I ordered some KT tape and used it once this week. I also replaced my Zumba shoes thinking they might be the culprit. I haven't run since last Saturday and thinking I may wait another couple of weeks before trying again. That will also give us time to get through the bulk of little league baseball and I'll have some extra time. I am suppose to run the Wine & Dine in October. However, its starting to get hot here and I am worried that if I take too much of a break in training it will be June and impossible to acclimate to the heat at that point. Making an October 1/2 unbearable. And running was suppose to be a destressor!

 

[MeredithRX]

Anyone have any good suggestions for padding or perhaps orthotic inserts for shoes? I have shoes that I love and that fit my feet well. I have new pairs, so they aren't worn out. I have primarily been a walker up until this point and now that I have a few half marathons under my belt, I want to work up to more jogging and adding intervals in my training before the DL half and next year's Princess. The problem is that the jogging is making my foot strike harder and the ball of my foot is killing me. Metatarsalgia I think it's called...

The suggestion for that is padding or inserts around the ball of the foot. I don't quite know the best way to go about that.

It's frustrating because I finally found a great shoe, sock combination after much trial and error over the last year and now that I'm starting to run I'm going to have to start all over. Grr!

 

[dthogue]

Anyone have any good suggestions for padding or perhaps orthotic inserts for shoes? I have shoes that I love and that fit my feet well. I have new pairs, so they aren't worn out. I have primarily been a walker up until this point and now that I have a few half marathons under my belt, I want to work up to more jogging and adding intervals in my training before the DL half and next year's Princess. The problem is that the jogging is making my foot strike harder and the ball of my foot is killing me. Metatarsalgia I think it's called...

The suggestion for that is padding or inserts around the ball of the foot. I don't quite know the best way to go about that.

It's frustrating because I finally found a great shoe, sock combination after much trial and error over the last year and now that I'm starting to run I'm going to have to start all over. Grr!

Did you try Super Feet??

 

[dthogue]

Ok Ladies, tell me what kind of sock you love and won't run without - please tell me why you love them. I am looking for something with arch support, that goes up over the ankle - but tell us about your favorites - I'm sure it will help all us newbie runners!

 

[stitchfan18]

Ok Ladies, tell me what kind of sock you love and won't run without - please tell me why you love them. I am looking for something with arch support, that goes up over the ankle - but tell us about your favorites - I'm sure it will help all us newbie runners!

I love love love my compression socks. They are awesome and I never leave the house on a run over 5 miles without them. For shorter runs I got some really nice new balance socks at DSW with arch support in a 5 pack for $11. I don't know much about them besides the fact that they have no cotton, and are sweat wicking. They have a thicker band of fabric around the center of the sock to support the arch and are super comfortable. I wear them as my everyday socks on days when I know I'll be on my feet a bunch.

 

[Neelym]

Hi All! A couple of us are running the Princess in 2012. We were wondering about the sweepers: Is there a sweeper in every coral or just in the last coral?
Thanks!

 

[HockeyKat]

Hi All! A couple of us are running the Princess in 2012. We were wondering about the sweepers: Is there a sweeper in every coral or just in the last coral?
Thanks!

There is only one sweeper. They sweep based on a 16 min mile finish time (3:30) from the last person to cross the start line.

Therefore, you would have a cushion based on the time that you cross in relation to the time the last person crosses, unless of course you *are* the last person to cross!

I started in corral C (barely trained due to rehabbing from a stress fracture), walked most of it, finished in 3:33 and did not see a sweeper at all, including from the overpass looking back. A friend started with me in corral C and finished in 3:48.

I have heard that they will not sweep you once you make it into Epcot (mile 11-12ish) regardless of when you will finish, but that's just a rumor.

 

[disneygirlRN]

There is only one sweeper. They sweep based on a 16 min mile finish time (3:30) from the last person to cross the start line.

Therefore, you would have a cushion based on the time that you cross in relation to the time the last person crosses, unless of course you *are* the last person to cross!

I started in corral C (barely trained due to rehabbing from a stress fracture), walked most of it, finished in 3:33 and did not see a sweeper at all, including from the overpass looking back. A friend started with me in corral C and finished in 3:48.

I have heard that they will not sweep you once you make it into Epcot (mile 11-12ish) regardless of when you will finish, but that's just a rumor.

Kat....i too, am VERY concerned about this sweeper lady but when you look at the race results from this last Feb. the last time was around 4 hours and 16 minutes. is it safe to say that this lady crossed the starting line 45 minutes after the first lady (with there being a 3:30 time limit) ??? i'm confused cause wouldn't a race lasting 4 hours and 16 minutes be more like a 19 minute/mile pace? i'm right around 16 min/mile now, and i know i have plenty of time, but i still freak out thinking that i will get picked up by the slow bus!!
jess

 

[fashionista311]

daily mile users - stupid question, but where can i find my shoe tracker thingy on the site? i can't seem to find it anywhere on the site..so frustrating. thanks!

 

[princess.april120]

Hey all you veterans, do you have any information on the sweepers?

I was told by some folks who previously did the Goofy, that were in a walking group I was in last summer, that Disney is VERY aggressive about sweeping. As a matter of fact, they discouraged me from attempting the Princess b/c of the strictness of the pacing rule.

So any help here? My fear is to get there and not be able to finish...

 

[HockeyKat]

Kat....i too, am VERY concerned about this sweeper lady but when you look at the race results from this last Feb. the last time was around 4 hours and 16 minutes. is it safe to say that this lady crossed the starting line 45 minutes after the first lady (with there being a 3:30 time limit) ??? i'm confused cause wouldn't a race lasting 4 hours and 16 minutes be more like a 19 minute/mile pace? i'm right around 16 min/mile now, and i know i have plenty of time, but i still freak out thinking that i will get picked up by the slow bus!!
jess

Actually, what is likely means is that lady (the 4:12 finisher) crossed the starting line almost 45 minutes before the last person crossed the start line.

I also think they sweep more like 3:45 and less like 3:30 after looking at the results, although I don't know or know of (via the internet) anyone who was swept.

Corrals A-F started in waves, as follows:
5:43 a.m. – Wheelchair Start
5:45 a.m. – Corral A Start
5:53 a.m. – Corral B Start
6:01 a.m. – Corral C Start
6:09 a.m. – Corral D Start
6:17 a.m. – Corral E Start
6:25 a.m. – Corral F Start

Assuming that each corral has 2500-3000 people in it, the last person likely crossed the start line well over 45 min after the first one.


Technical musings after looking through results again, feel free to skip:

Disney seemed to have some issues with their chip time vs clock time (a friend of mine had to have hers adjusted) so I am assuming that some of those clock times are wrong.

For those that don't know, chip time is from when the chip on your shoe crosses the start mat to when the chip on your shoe crosses the finish mat. Clock time is from race start (5:43) until the chip on your shoe crosses the finish mat.

If you have clock and chip the same, you either started immediately in the first corral or the clock time was wrong. For you to have a bib in the 11000 range (not corral A) and clock/chip the same, something is screwy.