Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[tinkeramy]

Hello everyone! I have to do a little intro of myself. I am seriously overweight currently (I'm 22, 270, and 5'6" - after a jan trip to disney I'd lost 10 lbs but I gained it back plus some because of stress, changing jobs, etc) so I have a long way to go but after reading all of your posts I've really gotten inspired to do the half marathon! I have a long way to go and I'm honestly very nervous because I'm one of those people who used to go out and grab life by the balls but something changed and now it's scary to attempt anything because of the thought of failure

BUT I am committing myself. I've gotten some books by "The Penguin" and Jeff Galloway as well as printed out a C25K plan. I'm just going to have to do it in the gym vs on the street as there really isn't a good place to do it in my neighborhood.

So I have a question for all of you ladies that have done the race before: Did you wear costumes? Because that's not an interest of mine to do at the marathon at all... Also what did you bring with you on the run and where did you store it? I imagine that toting a camera on your wrist isn't too comfy after a few miles...

Good for you - you can do it! Just take it slow and celebrate all the small victories - if you beat yourself up over every setback, you won't follow through. And here's another hint - tell EVERYONE you know that you are doing this!!! I kinda have a prob. with follow through, but since I told practically everyone I knew that I was going to run this, I couldn't back out! Oh - and paying for the non-refundable race registration kept my hubs on my back, too!
I think you'll notice that many people on this board are new runners and folks who are trying to get in shape.
Last year I wore a regular running skirt but my niece made me a cute little Tink skirt made from tulle. It was very light and wasn't long enough to scratch my legs. I carried some gels in a velcro pouch on my shoe, my room / park key & ID in my skirt pocket, and I did end up carrying my camera in my hand the whole way. I always carry my phone on my runs (to use the cardio trainer app) so I was pretty used to that. Otherwise, there are a bunch of belts out there - spibelt, ifitness, etc - that you can use to carry what you might need. My camera is a bit older and not small enough to put in one of those pouches, but as I said, it didn't really bother me. Also, many of the characters had a Disney photographer with them (but not all). You have to pay for the pics, of course, but if you don't want to bother with the camera, it's an option.
Good luck, and keep reading - lots of good advice on this board!

 

[elderfam]

I will be running this for the first time with a bunch of my BFF's. Only one has done it. Girls weekend!! No children & no husbands!

Where do people get those amazing costumes?!

Cynthia

 

[Saylan]

I opted to dress up (even if many didn't figure out who I was). I've posted some of the pics of my costume and the race on the facebook fan page but for the bottom half I had a tutu I got at claire's for like 12$ and wore a running skirt under it.

The running skirt (on sale at that time of year at New Balance) has shorts built-in with a sport for an mp3 player. DBF's camera was just small enough to squeeze in there. I didn't have a belt beforehand and bought on in the expo after trying them all on. I found that I liked the sizing and fit of the iFitness fuel one. I had one of the hand-held waterbottles that had a grip that wraps over your knuckles with a pouch. I didn't use the pouch but I found if I got tired of holding it, the grip was tight enough to stay on with little effort on my part.

As for what I carried: 4 Gu gels that I knew I liked (two caffeine and two non-caffeine so I had options and the iFitness belt had a spot for each of them outside of the pouch which meant no fumbling), DBF's camera (this ended up in my hand for part of the run just due to frequency of photo ops, but in the mp3 pocket the rest of the time), the water bottle, an mp3 palyer in the iFitness pocket for it (never used it though), my room card and IDs, and of course my RoadID wrist identifier on one hand and my trainer watch on the other.

It sounds like a lot, but if you look at the photos I posted, it all hides well.

 

[Michele325]

Thanks, i kept your post to refer to when the race gets closer and I need to figure out what to wear and what to bring.

 

[MamaWolf]

Hello everyone! I have to do a little intro of myself. I am seriously overweight currently (I'm 22, 270, and 5'6" - after a jan trip to disney I'd lost 10 lbs but I gained it back plus some because of stress, changing jobs, etc) so I have a long way to go but after reading all of your posts I've really gotten inspired to do the half marathon! I have a long way to go and I'm honestly very nervous because I'm one of those people who used to go out and grab life by the balls but something changed and now it's scary to attempt anything because of the thought of failure

BUT I am committing myself. I've gotten some books by "The Penguin" and Jeff Galloway as well as printed out a C25K plan. I'm just going to have to do it in the gym vs on the street as there really isn't a good place to do it in my neighborhood.

So I have a question for all of you ladies that have done the race before: Did you wear costumes? Because that's not an interest of mine to do at the marathon at all... Also what did you bring with you on the run and where did you store it? I imagine that toting a camera on your wrist isn't too comfy after a few miles...

I'll tell you what I always say when people say they are afraid of failing and therefore don't try something: The only true failure in life is not trying.
We can all get a little gun shy sometimes. Things that happen in our past can make us so but if you are always scared then those things that hurt us win. I always try to remember this... I've had plenty of things happen to make me stop and want to go hide under a rock. But you can do this, you just have to keep telling yourself that and believe it.

Welcome to the group and with us you will find nothing but support.

 

[fashionista311]

I know, right?!?! I want that Tink medal! But here's my question - since a majority of the Tink race is running through Anaheim, will they still have all the characters and such out for pictures as often as they did at the Princess? B/c even though we weren't in the parks for that long, it was still pretty much a road that is Disney-dominated.

Anyway, better get on that budget reduction!

I've never run the Disneyland Half, but I would imagine it would be similar to what they do for that. But I can't imagine not having characters out for a Disney race! I think where the characters are though are also dependent on when the sun comes out - I remember hearing somewhere that Disney doesn't really like to have the characters come out when it's still pre-sun rise

Hello everyone! I have to do a little intro of myself. I am seriously overweight currently (I'm 22, 270, and 5'6" - after a jan trip to disney I'd lost 10 lbs but I gained it back plus some because of stress, changing jobs, etc) so I have a long way to go but after reading all of your posts I've really gotten inspired to do the half marathon! I have a long way to go and I'm honestly very nervous because I'm one of those people who used to go out and grab life by the balls but something changed and now it's scary to attempt anything because of the thought of failure

BUT I am committing myself. I've gotten some books by "The Penguin" and Jeff Galloway as well as printed out a C25K plan. I'm just going to have to do it in the gym vs on the street as there really isn't a good place to do it in my neighborhood.

So I have a question for all of you ladies that have done the race before: Did you wear costumes? Because that's not an interest of mine to do at the marathon at all... Also what did you bring with you on the run and where did you store it? I imagine that toting a camera on your wrist isn't too comfy after a few miles...

Good for you for getting out there! I was totally flipping out before my first marathon on the bus - and the guy I was sitting next to me just turned to me and goes "What's the worse that's going to happen? You end up walking some? Don't hit your time goal? It's just a road race" And it helped put my fear in perspective

For Princess - I didn't really dress up for the race - I just wore pink stuff. I wanted to be comfy in my tech clothes! For carrying your goodies, I'm a big fan of the iFitness belt. I can put my number right on it, and it fits my iPhone, and then I have another pouch from Fuelbelt that I added on to it to hold my sports food. No bounce at all. I smashed a BlackBerry accidentally during a race while trying to pull out out some sport beans...so I highly recommend keeping your phone separate, especially if are as klutzy as I am. I didn't carry a camera, but if the iPhone can fit, I'm sure a small camera would too.

 

[Disfan11]

I ran my first Princess this year and it was so much fun.
You all are going to have a great time!
I wore a costume - a pink running skirt from Skirt Sports (I ordered it via the web site, but I went to REI first to try one on for sizing); over the skirt I work a pink tutu; I wore a princess tech shirt that I bought at the Expo beforehand that said "Princess don't sweat, they sparkle" (I'm sure they will be at the Expo again) and to top it off I wore pink Mickey ears that had a small crown on top with a small vail off the back.
To make sure this would work for the run and not drive me crazy, I tested it by running 5 miles on the treadmill (or you can go out at night if you don't want to alarm your neighbors....
It worked fine for me and looked pretty good!
I carried an ifitness double pouch pack. In it I had my ID, room key, a little money and my phone.
I carried my small camera in my hand the whole way. This was great because I would run right up for the pictures and hand my camera to the Disney worker/photographer to take a shot. They are great about taking photos with your camera too. In fact I didn't buy any of the Disney shots with characters because mine were just as good.
I packed the clear plastic bag for baggage check with another shirt and socks in case I wanted to change them (I didn't). But you can put anything in there.
By the way - I loved the baggage check people because they cheered for every runner when they came back to pick up their bag after the run.

You can check the old postings for threads showing some of the costumes that people wore and check out the 2011 Princess run thread that will show answers to the same questions you have/will have!

I'm doing it again next year and bringing several of my sisters along for their first 1/2 marathon.
I can't wait!

 

[ingefan]

I might be in! Just found out that I have a conference that is the Thursday and Friday before the Princess . . . airfare will already be paid for . . . felling kind of hopeful and happy that I might be able to do it again!

 

[elderfam]

Let me tell you what turned on my "marathon" switch. I went to the Princess marathon to cheer on two of my friends. I ran in college over 30 years ago, but after a car accident I gave up some of the things I loved. Fast forward to this year. I had noticed that everytime I had to tell someone my birthday I started to tear up. It reeally bothered me to hear how "old" I was. My husband and I adopted a child kind of late in life and he is the light of our life. I have been so aware when someone meets him and then pause for a moment (usually kind enough not to say out loud) judging our choice to be older parents. So I felt like I was defining myself by my age instead of my heart. I just didnt know how to make that shift. and then dont you know, I found it at Disney! I use to love to run. I loved the way I felt, feeling my body, moving forward, muscles..just ALIVE. But I had let myself become disconected. Being around 15K women Cheering each other on, Lifting the spirits of strangers....My marathon switch had been turned on. I wanted more of that. So, I started running. It felt odd and a little painful. I spend about an hour on yoga before I run to get everything warmed and stretched. I dont run fast..its not about the time. Its all about acting the way my heart feels. I ran my first 5K two weeks ago. I cried the last mile, because I was me again. me.
My name is Cynthia, i'm 52, and I love to run.
Thank you Disney.

 

[saysay]

Hello everyone! I have to do a little intro of myself. I am seriously overweight currently (I'm 22, 270, and 5'6" - after a jan trip to disney I'd lost 10 lbs but I gained it back plus some because of stress, changing jobs, etc) so I have a long way to go but after reading all of your posts I've really gotten inspired to do the half marathon! I have a long way to go and I'm honestly very nervous because I'm one of those people who used to go out and grab life by the balls but something changed and now it's scary to attempt anything because of the thought of failure

BUT I am committing myself. I've gotten some books by "The Penguin" and Jeff Galloway as well as printed out a C25K plan. I'm just going to have to do it in the gym vs on the street as there really isn't a good place to do it in my neighborhood.

So I have a question for all of you ladies that have done the race before: Did you wear costumes? Because that's not an interest of mine to do at the marathon at all... Also what did you bring with you on the run and where did you store it? I imagine that toting a camera on your wrist isn't too comfy after a few miles...

Hi and welcome!

There were people in costume, but just as many if not more in just plain old running clothes. I had a sparkle skirt for a little sparkle over my shorts and I did sew one of my daugther's tiara's and bows to my hat so I guess it was my costume, though nothing elaborate. If you don't wear a costume, you won't feel like an outcast from what I saw!

I brought my camera...but forgot the battery OOPS. I had a spibelt to hold my GU, lip stuff and sunglasses. I just looped my camera to the belt worked fine. It did bounce a little, but honestly I forgot about it after a while. I also wore my Garmin and IPOD Touch to prompt me when to walk and when to run....I had lots of stuff!

I have some pics in my blog
http://julienandy.blogspot.com/2011/03/disney-princess-part-3-have-fun.html

It was so much fun! Good luck, just train smart and you will finish. I followed JEff Galloway's plan. I started running in July last year after a 10 year hiatus.

 

[saysay]

Let me tell you what turned on my "marathon" switch. I went to the Princess marathon to cheer on two of my friends. I ran in college over 30 years ago, but after a car accident I gave up some of the things I loved. Fast forward to this year. I had noticed that everytime I had to tell someone my birthday I started to tear up. It reeally bothered me to hear how "old" I was. My husband and I adopted a child kind of late in life and he is the light of our life. I have been so aware when someone meets him and then pause for a moment (usually kind enough not to say out loud) judging our choice to be older parents. So I felt like I was defining myself by my age instead of my heart. I just didnt know how to make that shift. and then dont you know, I found it at Disney! I use to love to run. I loved the way I felt, feeling my body, moving forward, muscles..just ALIVE. But I had let myself become disconected. Being around 15K women Cheering each other on, Lifting the spirits of strangers....My marathon switch had been turned on. I wanted more of that. So, I started running. It felt odd and a little painful. I spend about an hour on yoga before I run to get everything warmed and stretched. I dont run fast..its not about the time. Its all about acting the way my heart feels. I ran my first 5K two weeks ago. I cried the last mile, because I was me again. me.
My name is Cynthia, i'm 52, and I love to run.
Thank you Disney.

Hey Cynthia...thanks for cheering us on this past race! I had injured myself in my training and ran way slower than I had anticipated but I finished. I have been resting up and about ready to try to get back into it as I so miss my runs! Not that I was ever really that fast anyhoo.

Welcome! I am 46 and a mom of a preschooler. Ok that is me in a nutshell.

 

[MamaWolf]

Let me tell you what turned on my "marathon" switch. I went to the Princess marathon to cheer on two of my friends. I ran in college over 30 years ago, but after a car accident I gave up some of the things I loved. Fast forward to this year. I had noticed that everytime I had to tell someone my birthday I started to tear up. It reeally bothered me to hear how "old" I was. My husband and I adopted a child kind of late in life and he is the light of our life. I have been so aware when someone meets him and then pause for a moment (usually kind enough not to say out loud) judging our choice to be older parents. So I felt like I was defining myself by my age instead of my heart. I just didnt know how to make that shift. and then dont you know, I found it at Disney! I use to love to run. I loved the way I felt, feeling my body, moving forward, muscles..just ALIVE. But I had let myself become disconected. Being around 15K women Cheering each other on, Lifting the spirits of strangers....My marathon switch had been turned on. I wanted more of that. So, I started running. It felt odd and a little painful. I spend about an hour on yoga before I run to get everything warmed and stretched. I dont run fast..its not about the time. Its all about acting the way my heart feels. I ran my first 5K two weeks ago. I cried the last mile, because I was me again. me.
My name is Cynthia, i'm 52, and I love to run.
Thank you Disney.

Wow thanks for sharing your story with us. And do not feel bad about your child. My husband and his sister were both adopted by their parents late in life. They were probably roughly the same age. It all works out and I'm sure your little man is truly blessed with having such a strong and vibrant woman as his mother.

 

[orlandogirl81]

I agree, check out jeffgalloway.com . I have 3 of his books. Just started the "Half Marathon You Can Do It". Might sound nerdy, but the guy knows his stuff. I am working on his 10k "training schedule" to get below 1 hour- I'm almost there!!
If you order them from Barnes & Noble's website, they have free shipping and the books are around 35-40% cheaper.

Weird question.... but what is the purpose of buying his books? I don't have a ton of free time to read. Can I just print the training schedule online or would you really suggest buying the book? What kind of information does it have in there that I might need and can't find online? Sorry if this sounds snarky (not my intention at all), just really curious why the books are being suggested.

I think it is a great plan. I would look backward and see how much time you have. Then I would recommend taking it slow. You might be able to skip the 10K plan, so don't worry about taking c25K too slow. You do not want to risk getting injured. I like Galloway better than the c25k btw. I like that he stays with intervals (I do different ones now based on how far I am running, still trying to totally figure that out though). Once I got to c25k weeks with all running, I had a really really hard time. My goal is to finish a Half Marathon, I don't need to run it all. Totally depends on your goals, but it sounds like you have a good plan.

The bolded part is a very valid point. I suppose I should focus more on intervals (even though C25K does that as well) during the 1/2 as opposed to seeing how much I can run. Someone else in a post suggested listening to a podcast telling them when to walk/run during the 1/2. I never really thought of doing that, but I do like the idea. Thank you for the feedback, looks like I will definitely be checking out this Galloway guy.

 

[kmg148]

Weird question.... but what is the purpose of buying his books? I don't have a ton of free time to read. Can I just print the training schedule online or would you really suggest buying the book? What kind of information does it have in there that I might need and can't find online? Sorry if this sounds snarky (not my intention at all), just really curious why the books are being suggested.



The bolded part is a very valid point. I suppose I should focus more on intervals (even though C25K does that as well) during the 1/2 as opposed to seeing how much I can run. Someone else in a post suggested listening to a podcast telling them when to walk/run during the 1/2. I never really thought of doing that, but I do like the idea. Thank you for the feedback, looks like I will definitely be checking out this Galloway guy.

I'd love to hear this also, as I don't have a ton of time to read either.

GREAT idea about the podcast. I purchased an Ironman watch, but I'm finding it isn't loud enough for me to hear over my Ipod (which I probably should have assumed!)

 

[jreeves628]

This may be a dumb question, but I've only ran 5k's that didnt use numbers. How do the numbers stay on your shirt? Do you have to bring safety pins?

 

[Cripey]

This may be a dumb question, but I've only ran 5k's that didnt use numbers. How do the numbers stay on your shirt? Do you have to bring safety pins?

There are no dumb questions! Safety pins are normally provided when you pick up your race packet. I will add, it's happened to me more than once at a race that the pins were left out of my bag or I only got 3 or 1 or whatever, so I always make it a point to throw some in my luggage when I've travelling for a race just in case! As another option, alot of running stores (and websites) sell race number clips that slide on your water belt (if you use one...if not, you can buy a race number belt with the clips on it already) and it will hold your number instead of using pins through your shirt. I think this is a nice option especially for cooler race weather if you plan on shedding some layers...you don't have to worry about unpinning and repinning.

 

[Happy Mom2]

Hello everyone! I have to do a little intro of myself. I am seriously overweight currently (I'm 22, 270, and 5'6" - after a jan trip to disney I'd lost 10 lbs but I gained it back plus some because of stress, changing jobs, etc) so I have a long way to go but after reading all of your posts I've really gotten inspired to do the half marathon! I have a long way to go and I'm honestly very nervous because I'm one of those people who used to go out and grab life by the balls but something changed and now it's scary to attempt anything because of the thought of failure

BUT I am committing myself. I've gotten some books by "The Penguin" and Jeff Galloway as well as printed out a C25K plan. I'm just going to have to do it in the gym vs on the street as there really isn't a good place to do it in my neighborhood.

So I have a question for all of you ladies that have done the race before: Did you wear costumes? Because that's not an interest of mine to do at the marathon at all... Also what did you bring with you on the run and where did you store it? I imagine that toting a camera on your wrist isn't too comfy after a few miles...

I'm in the same boat! I'm 5'10" and 295 lbs. I started walking in December after getting inspired by the 2011 Disney Princess Half Marathon thread. I did pretty good for a couple months, then had a minor surgery, kidney stones (2x), and stopped walking.

I still want to participate in the 2012 Princess so I guess I'd better get my butt in gear! I have a long way to go... figuratively and literally!

I read two of the Pequin's books, and also read a hilarious book - The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and On with Your Training by Dawn Dias. It was laugh out loud funny! I found them all to be inspiring in their own way.

I hope to be joining you in February!!

 

[kappyfamily]

Finished my second 5k race yesterday! The Earth Day Run and my whole family, hubby, 16 yo son, 9 yo daughter and my 62 yo parents either ran or walked it to support me as well.

It was a beautiful morning, sunny and ran on a sidewalk thru fields and the forest! Gorgeous!

I took a minute and half off my total time since my last timed 5k. Down to a 12:23 pace. So I'm happy with that but want so badly to be in the 11's!

Happy Easter everyone!

 

[MHT to MCO]

I'm so happy to have found this thread! My cousin and I just decided a couple of weeks ago to do the Princess 1/2 Marathon, so I've started a walk-run routine.

I have a question for anyone following Jeff Galloway's routine for his 1/2 marathon for walkers/runners. On the days he has listed 30min run, I assume you walk/run until you are able to run for the full 30 minutes (regardless of distance). However, on the last day where you are assigned a distance, are you supposed to run that or walk/run the appropriate interval based on what speed you want to do the 1/2 marathon?

I havn't had time to read the whole thread so if the questions have already been answered just direct me to a page.
Thanks in advance!


Goooooo Princesses!

 

[MeredithRX]

Jeff Galloway advocates always doing a walk/run combination. The intervals of walk vs run are up to you depending on your goal pace and your comfort level, but he will always have you doing a walk/run