Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[disneyfreak1]

Ok, I started the Galloway program today and I already like it much better. My knee was a little achy when I started and even felt much better after I finished. I am getting so excited - I can't believe I might really do it. If I do make it I will be running and probably traveling alone so I hope there are other solos out there.

I looked at cafe press for T-shirts and here's a link to what they have - well appearently I can't post links but look at cafe press and search running T-shirts Princess and shirts will come up.
[no Princess in Training but I'm thinking of getting the Princess on the Run - shirt.
Martha

Search for Princess Training and they have several "Princess in Training" and also "I don't sweat, I sparkle".

 

[Honeymooner04]

Ok, I started the Galloway program today and I already like it much better. My knee was a little achy when I started and even felt much better after I finished. I am getting so excited - I can't believe I might really do it. If I do make it I will be running and probably traveling alone so I hope there are other solos out there.

I looked at cafe press for T-shirts and here's a link to what they have - well appearently I can't post links but look at cafe press and search running T-shirts Princess and shirts will come up.
[no Princess in Training but I'm thinking of getting the Princess on the Run - shirt.
Martha

Another solo runner here too! (Sort of, my daughter will accompany me to Florida but I'm running the race alone!) So you are in good company!

 

[slp1650]

Another solo runner here too! (Sort of, my daughter will accompany me to Florida but I'm running the race alone!) So you are in good company!

I did the race solo last year. My friend and her husband flew in to join me in the weekend, but I did everything race related by myself. It's really not that bad, but I'm happy to say my friend has decided to run the race with me next year.

 

[Michele325]

I am probably running solo as well. I might even be traveling alone. I have a friend who wants to run, but not sure her DH wants her to go. My DH wants to atleast travel to FL with me, but we need to find someone to watch the kids at home.

 

[tinkeramy]

Hi Tinker Amy,
Glad to see a fellow diser will actually be doing the Peachtree!!I too came to the conclusion that I won't be submitting time for the Peachtree. I am looking to find a race in the Fall to use. Congrats on winning the entries. I think it's pretty crummy that a home town tradition is now gone to lottery based.

Just got the apps today! What area are you in? I did the Gobble Jog in Marietta on Thanksgiving last year and used that for my proof of time for the Princess. It's got some hills, but I still managed to do a time of 1:05 on it, and that was my first 10K. I will say that I had a really hard time finding 10Ks in the Nov / Dec range in the N. Metro area.

 

[tinkeramy]

Right now I'm training for the DL half and following a Galloway plan. So this morning I did 4 miles. Man, I feel like I'm never going to get this done easily. I struggle the whole time. Running outside is so much harder than on a treadmill. I skipped most of my training for last year's Princess, so it seemed natural to me to struggle. But right now I'm really sticking to the program. When will it get easier?

I hate to tell you this, but it might not get THAT much easier. You'll be able to do it if you keep training properly, but running is not something that everyone just finds easy. I love getting out there and I love accomplishing something, but the actual running can sometimes be trying. I love what one of last year's board members (Dumbo Buddy) put on her blog - she described herself as an "angry runner" - going for long runs and thinking, "I hate this! This is stupid!" but so glad when she pushed through and finished. And she had a great time at WDW and decided it was all worth it. I have definitely found myself "running angry" at times, but then tonight I was thanking God for giving me this gift of just being able to do this at all - so many people are obese or are disabled and would love the chance to just get out there and even power walk, much less run!
Sorry - didn't mean to turn this into a sermon, but a lot of times it is about pushing through and keeping the goal in mind - and you are NOT alone in the struggle!

 

[lisah0711]

I hate to tell you this, but it might not get THAT much easier. You'll be able to do it if you keep training properly, but running is not something that everyone just finds easy. I love getting out there and I love accomplishing something, but the actual running can sometimes be trying. I love what one of last year's board members (Dumbo Buddy) put on her blog - she described herself as an "angry runner" - going for long runs and thinking, "I hate this! This is stupid!" but so glad when she pushed through and finished. And she had a great time at WDW and decided it was all worth it. I have definitely found myself "running angry" at times, but then tonight I was thanking God for giving me this gift of just being able to do this at all - so many people are obese or are disabled and would love the chance to just get out there and even power walk, much less run!
Sorry - didn't mean to turn this into a sermon, but a lot of times it is about pushing through and keeping the goal in mind - and you are NOT alone in the struggle!

So true. Some days I hate running but I do almost always feel great that I am doing this. It is hard. It is supposed to be hard. Otherwise everyone would do it. But if you can work through it you will feel strong and a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

For those of you who are going solo remember the the WISH'ers meet at the W tent before and after the race. I was solo this year at the Princess but my whole reason for running was to meet my WISH friends in person!

 

[Cripey]

I hate to tell you this, but it might not get THAT much easier. You'll be able to do it if you keep training properly, but running is not something that everyone just finds easy. I love getting out there and I love accomplishing something, but the actual running can sometimes be trying. I love what one of last year's board members (Dumbo Buddy) put on her blog - she described herself as an "angry runner" - going for long runs and thinking, "I hate this! This is stupid!" but so glad when she pushed through and finished. And she had a great time at WDW and decided it was all worth it. I have definitely found myself "running angry" at times, but then tonight I was thanking God for giving me this gift of just being able to do this at all - so many people are obese or are disabled and would love the chance to just get out there and even power walk, much less run!
Sorry - didn't mean to turn this into a sermon, but a lot of times it is about pushing through and keeping the goal in mind - and you are NOT alone in the struggle!

very true...running is as much mental as it is physical...maybe even more. What's werid too is that we can all be told that a million times, but we still have to figure it our on our own. I started training for this year's princess last year in July and my trainer and BF told me over and over again when I would get down about a slow run or bummed about not seeing "enough" improvement that it was a mental game and I couldn't think that way. It wasn't until I hit my first 8 mile run (months and months and months after I had started) that the lightbulb finally went on and I understood what they meant. That was also the first run I had that I didn't at least once think "what on earth am I doing?" or "maybe I'm not cut out for this." That was when I truly felt like I KNEW I would make it through the entire 13.1 feeling good and with a smile on my face. It never really got any easier, I just got tougher!

 

[Honeymooner04]

It never really got any easier, I just got tougher!

Love this!!!!! So true!

 

[tmbacon]

Love this!!!!! So true!

I totally agree and I just love this quote!

 

[slp1650]

When it comes to endurance sports (and most sports in general) it's roughly 80% mental, 20% physical.

It's interesting for me though. Out of the practices I would miss, I would usually miss running practices and always be at the swims. However, as I move farther and farther away from my swimming background, I've started to meet my running workouts constantly and miss most of my swim practices. I've even begun substituting circuit workouts for swims while I'm strict on my runs. My challenge for the most part is going the distance for that day...

Wouldn't it be nice if everyday was a "good" running day and you could just run forever (or what seems like forever)?

 

[fashionista311]

My two cents - regarding race day: no, it doesn't really get easy...because the very nature of a race is pushing your body to your very limit and trying to squeeze every last drop of speed out of your legs. But the good news is that as get more races behind you, you will see your times drop. If race day is "easier"...then you aren't pushing hard enough!

But regarding training runs....I think to a certain extend, it really does get easier, especially as you build your endurance, increase your base, etc. Well except speedwork...if you're not uncomfortable during your speedwork, you aren't doing it right. But as far as distance goes....your body does adapt to it to a certain extent. I remember the first half marathon I trained for and how difficult 7-8 miles seemed at first....now I don't really consider anything under 10 miles a "long run" more a "mid distance" run. I mean sure I still sometimes grumble about going out the door, and it takes me a few miles to get into the swing of things and quell my anxieties...but once I get into my groove, it's really not so bad anymore.

 

[princess.april120]

Hey Princesses! Thanks to everyone for posting and keeping the love and motivation going! I have been lurking recently, not much to add until today...

I am a runner, I am a runner, I am a runner!!!!!!!

Now, I realize that sounds incredibly stupid from some who is training for a half marathon, but my goal was simply to walk and beat a 16min/mile pace. Beating the pace is still the goal (I am still very slow) but as I have been training/researching, Galloway's walk/run made so much sense to me. A friend of mine and fellow Princess to be, trained with a local Galloway group and has been encouraging me to give it a try. So with much trepidation, I asked another friend who is a trainer to give me some tips about form, etc. Well, shock of all shocks, she says I have near perfect form and had me run intervals and I did it without having a heart attack!

I am pumped! I know I am no where near being able to sustain 13.1 miles yet and I am definitely way over pace at the moment, but I NEVER thought I could run. This is the first time in my entire 41 years that I ran and did it without pain or falling or hating every second. I feel like today was a total game changer for me. There is a lot of work left to do, but I feel like not only will I be able to cross that finish line, I will be able to RUN across it!

 

[dthogue]

I have been training along with my couch to 10K method that I have on my iphone and tells me when to run and when to walk. Reading ahead I realize its goal is to get me running all the time. I think I might do better with a run walk system. However, I find it a little confusing unless the iphone or some other device could tell me when to run and when to walk. For those of you using the combination system do you have a program or an app that you like? Sorry, if this question is really basic just totally knew to running.
Martha

If you look on Galloway's site he sells a "Gym Boss" that allows you to program intervals - I bought my off Amazon and love it - works perfectly and you can set it all any interval and it repeats up to 99 times. It allows me to listen to my ipod while I run so no need to apps.

 

[stitchfan18]

I don't know why I randomly thought of this last night, but if you are looking for a princess type training shirt, there was a booth at the princess expo for running princess, and they had lots and lots of cute shirts, hats, etc. It's worth checking out their website: http://www.shop.runningprincess.com/category.sc?categoryId=7
I got the 1/2 marathon, All princess shirt for the half (yes I broke a rule and wore a new shirt on race day, but I had no problems ) I really love the 'my glass slipper' shirt too though!

 

[disneygirlRN]

Hey Princesses! Thanks to everyone for posting and keeping the love and motivation going! I have been lurking recently, not much to add until today...

I am a runner, I am a runner, I am a runner!!!!!!!

Now, I realize that sounds incredibly stupid from some who is training for a half marathon, but my goal was simply to walk and beat a 16min/mile pace. Beating the pace is still the goal (I am still very slow) but as I have been training/researching, Galloway's walk/run made so much sense to me. A friend of mine and fellow Princess to be, trained with a local Galloway group and has been encouraging me to give it a try. So with much trepidation, I asked another friend who is a trainer to give me some tips about form, etc. Well, shock of all shocks, she says I have near perfect form and had me run intervals and I did it without having a heart attack!

I am pumped! I know I am no where near being able to sustain 13.1 miles yet and I am definitely way over pace at the moment, but I NEVER thought I could run. This is the first time in my entire 41 years that I ran and did it without pain or falling or hating every second. I feel like today was a total game changer for me. There is a lot of work left to do, but I feel like not only will I be able to cross that finish line, I will be able to RUN across it!

that is GREAT princess april!!! very proud of you! i am still slow myself....only beating a 16 min/mile pace a few times. we can do it though!!

Jess

 

[tinkeramy]

Hey Princesses! Thanks to everyone for posting and keeping the love and motivation going! I have been lurking recently, not much to add until today...

I am a runner, I am a runner, I am a runner!!!!!!!

Now, I realize that sounds incredibly stupid from some who is training for a half marathon, but my goal was simply to walk and beat a 16min/mile pace. Beating the pace is still the goal (I am still very slow) but as I have been training/researching, Galloway's walk/run made so much sense to me. A friend of mine and fellow Princess to be, trained with a local Galloway group and has been encouraging me to give it a try. So with much trepidation, I asked another friend who is a trainer to give me some tips about form, etc. Well, shock of all shocks, she says I have near perfect form and had me run intervals and I did it without having a heart attack!

I am pumped! I know I am no where near being able to sustain 13.1 miles yet and I am definitely way over pace at the moment, but I NEVER thought I could run. This is the first time in my entire 41 years that I ran and did it without pain or falling or hating every second. I feel like today was a total game changer for me. There is a lot of work left to do, but I feel like not only will I be able to cross that finish line, I will be able to RUN across it!

Good for you! Stick with it and you will be amazed at what you can do. My own mother admitted to me last week that " I never would have ever thought you would be a runner"! Um, maybe b/c I'm one of the laziest people ever? Keep up the great work, and trust that running IS mostly a natural thing - at our leve, don't need a whole lot of coaching - just get out there and build it up! Your body will def. tell you if you are doing something wrong!!

 

[freepixie]

OK I been training and working on the treadmill and I've built myself up pretty well - tonight I ran 5 mi in about an hour which is amazing for me!

Now, here is my question, how hard is the transition from treadmill to road?

I want to start running outside but the weather here is ICK! I live in the northeast and the rain the rain oh the rain!! And I don't want my first outside run to be in the rain lol! I hope maybe by next week to take it to the street!

 

[MHT to MCO]

OK I been training and working on the treadmill and I've built myself up pretty well - tonight I ran 5 mi in about an hour which is amazing for me!

Now, here is my question, how hard is the transition from treadmill to road?

I want to start running outside but the weather here is ICK! I live in the northeast and the rain the rain oh the rain!! And I don't want my first outside run to be in the rain lol! I hope maybe by next week to take it to the street!

I KNOW! This rain won't quit! I don't mind running in light rain, as long as it's at least 60degrees or so out. Today wasn't bad but yesterday was pretty raw and drizzly and I couldn't make myself do it.

It's funny, when I decided a month ago to do the Princess 1/2, I started running outside and I found the one day I went to the gym to do my 30 min on a treadmill.....it was hard! I guess maybe training on something your body isn't used to is just naturally hard/different?

 

[stitchfan18]

OK I been training and working on the treadmill and I've built myself up pretty well - tonight I ran 5 mi in about an hour which is amazing for me!

Now, here is my question, how hard is the transition from treadmill to road?

I want to start running outside but the weather here is ICK! I live in the northeast and the rain the rain oh the rain!! And I don't want my first outside run to be in the rain lol! I hope maybe by next week to take it to the street!

I think it depends a lot on the climate and terrain outside where you plan to run. For example around here, it's super hilly, so going from the treadmill to the streets is quite a bit different. Also your treadmill is in a climate controlled space, and outside the weather can vary. Don't jump right into outside running on a long run. I did my last long run before the princess outside after training for the race on the treadmill and really aggravated an old knee injury. If you do some shorter runs first outside, then gradually work into longer runs, the transition shouldn't be too hard.