Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[DisneyParrothead]

What does everyone do about the heat??? I'm a NYer living right outside Houston (not used to the heat and humidity), and I just rain .... in 95 degrees. I can't run in the morning because I leave early for work, and it's hot even in the evening. Do you just acclimate to the heat ... or run on a treadmill (which would be a bummer because I just got off the treadmill and onto the road)????

Any suggestions would be welcome!!!

I live in Dallas so I may not have to put up with quite the humidity Houston does but I moved from Boston so I understand how you feel. I personally melt in hot weather and I got heat stroke in the Florida August weather when I was 10 doing mini golf. I use the treadmill a lot even though I don't like it, but the gym I go to does NOT have treadmills with built-in fans, which might prove helpful. I may be inside but there's only so much AC can do when a lot of people are working out.

To reiterate Cripey's advice, make sure you have plenty of water. I save the gatorade for when I get home so I can hydrate on my drive home with the water, then switch to gatorade once I feel I've gotten enough water.

 

[tmbacon]

What does everyone do about the heat??? I'm a NYer living right outside Houston (not used to the heat and humidity), and I just rain .... in 95 degrees. I can't run in the morning because I leave early for work, and it's hot even in the evening. Do you just acclimate to the heat ... or run on a treadmill (which would be a bummer because I just got off the treadmill and onto the road)????

Any suggestions would be welcome!!!

It has been BLAZING hot here in Charlotte as of late, and I am also finding it tough to acclimate. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - I see lots of good advice on here too in terms of sunscreen, running on paths with trees, etc. When I do my runs I do them at crack of dawn (understand that's not an option for you though), and have moved indoor to a treadmill at my gym and am also focusing more on cross-training and cross-fit/strength training classes during the summer.

I did my 10-mile "long run" on a local greenway yesterday, which is covered by trees. I was there at crack of dawn and made sure to wear my hydration belt. I was feeling a bit out of commission for a couple of hours afterward though, and I'm thinking part of it was the heat and humidity. Hopefully soon I will be able to adjust....

Good luck!

 

[ColleenG]

Hi everyone! I'm just joining in. I have made a decision to do the Princess 1/2 and I'm sticking to it! I'm just starting week 3 of C25K and am loving it. I have never been a runner, but in my younger days was always playing some kind of sport, so ran that way. As of right now I will be running solo, will probably have DH to travel with. I'm trying to convince my sister to do it with me, she already runs a couple of miles every day so I need to catch up to her. A friend wants to do it, but has really bad plantar fascitis in her foot and may need surgery.

I've really come to love going for my runs. Lately I've been having a lot of anxiety and some depression, and now I feel so much calmer and happier. Endorphins are a wonderful thing! I think I was just getting disgusted with myself gaining weight and feeling so blah all the time. I know C25K is supposed to be every other day, but I try to do it every day if I can. If I'm really sore I'll take a day off or if I can't get some one to stay with the kids. DH is an ER nurse and works 12 hour shifts from 11a to 11p. I'm not much of a morning person to get up before getting the kids to school to go for a run, but the evenings are good. I'm working up to being more of a morning person. At least now when I get up my first thought isn't how soon can I get back in bed.

Right now the only race I have planned is a 5K on June 18th. It might be a little early to run the whole thing. If I have to I'll run/walk it. Like a lot of you I need a goal to look forward to or I'll slack off.

Everyone's stories of the Princess 1/2 have been so inspiring and it sounds like so much fun. I can't wait to do it!

 

[kappyfamily]

Hi everyone! I'm just joining in. I have made a decision to do the Princess 1/2 and I'm sticking to it! I'm just starting week 3 of C25K and am loving it. I have never been a runner, but in my younger days was always playing some kind of sport, so ran that way. As of right now I will be running solo, will probably have DH to travel with. I'm trying to convince my sister to do it with me, she already runs a couple of miles every day so I need to catch up to her. A friend wants to do it, but has really bad plantar fascitis in her foot and may need surgery.

I've really come to love going for my runs. Lately I've been having a lot of anxiety and some depression, and now I feel so much calmer and happier. Endorphins are a wonderful thing! I think I was just getting disgusted with myself gaining weight and feeling so blah all the time. I know C25K is supposed to be every other day, but I try to do it every day if I can. If I'm really sore I'll take a day off or if I can't get some one to stay with the kids. DH is an ER nurse and works 12 hour shifts from 11a to 11p. I'm not much of a morning person to get up before getting the kids to school to go for a run, but the evenings are good. I'm working up to being more of a morning person. At least now when I get up my first thought isn't how soon can I get back in bed.

Right now the only race I have planned is a 5K on June 18th. It might be a little early to run the whole thing. If I have to I'll run/walk it. Like a lot of you I need a goal to look forward to or I'll slack off.

Everyone's stories of the Princess 1/2 have been so inspiring and it sounds like so much fun. I can't wait to do it!

Welcome to the group!

 

[stitchfan18]

What does everyone do about the heat??? I'm a NYer living right outside Houston (not used to the heat and humidity), and I just rain .... in 95 degrees. I can't run in the morning because I leave early for work, and it's hot even in the evening. Do you just acclimate to the heat ... or run on a treadmill (which would be a bummer because I just got off the treadmill and onto the road)????

Any suggestions would be welcome!!!

I run outside unless there is a lot of rain or lightning. Something possessed me, before it got hot, to sign up for my first full marathon at the end of August. Running in the heat is preparing me for that race.
Most, if not all, my suggestions for running in the heat have already been mentioned. I carry a fuel belt or hand held water bottle, and make stops to fill it throughout my run. Make sure you eat a proper snack or meal before heading out. The heat really wipes out your energy, and not being fueled can increase your tiredness. Wear a hat to keep the sun off your head and out of your eyes. Definitely wear sunscreen, running with sunburn is no fun at all. Try not to run during the hottest part of the day if possible. Don't focus on the time at the end of your run, the heat will take a toll on that.

 

[stitchfan18]

Hi everyone! I'm just joining in. I have made a decision to do the Princess 1/2 and I'm sticking to it! I'm just starting week 3 of C25K and am loving it. I have never been a runner, but in my younger days was always playing some kind of sport, so ran that way. As of right now I will be running solo, will probably have DH to travel with. I'm trying to convince my sister to do it with me, she already runs a couple of miles every day so I need to catch up to her. A friend wants to do it, but has really bad plantar fascitis in her foot and may need surgery.

I've really come to love going for my runs. Lately I've been having a lot of anxiety and some depression, and now I feel so much calmer and happier. Endorphins are a wonderful thing! I think I was just getting disgusted with myself gaining weight and feeling so blah all the time. I know C25K is supposed to be every other day, but I try to do it every day if I can. If I'm really sore I'll take a day off or if I can't get some one to stay with the kids. DH is an ER nurse and works 12 hour shifts from 11a to 11p. I'm not much of a morning person to get up before getting the kids to school to go for a run, but the evenings are good. I'm working up to being more of a morning person. At least now when I get up my first thought isn't how soon can I get back in bed.

Right now the only race I have planned is a 5K on June 18th. It might be a little early to run the whole thing. If I have to I'll run/walk it. Like a lot of you I need a goal to look forward to or I'll slack off.

Everyone's stories of the Princess 1/2 have been so inspiring and it sounds like so much fun. I can't wait to do it!

Look forward to see you at the race! I hope your sister or friend can come, it's a great race to run with others!

 

[stitchfan18]

I have a 1/2 this weekend, and every week the race director sends out an email with training tips and info about the race. Since the race is this weekend, this past email was all about packet pickup and race morning. At the end I really loved what she said. I always wish people good luck before races, but I think I'm going to start wishing people to have fun. If you are doing your training, the race is your reward and you can finish!

"I am not going to wish you good luck; luck has nothing to do with race day. You are prepared! You are ready to conquer the Hill, so all that is left to say is… Have Fun!

I will be waiting at the finish line with your medal!"

I love the last line too, can't wait for another medal!

 

[MaMa3Princess]

I am from Raleigh! How fun is that. I ran on Monday for about a mile but took the rest of my week's runs inside at the gym. I do want some training in the humidity, but not too much!

Hi,Neelym

I will be in Raleigh for the week visiting family. Rather then chow down on the delicious NC barbecue, I'd rather find some good trails. We will be
Near Crabtree Mall area. Can you recommend some good trails?

 

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

So excited for the 2012 Princess Half!

I have been blogging about my training. I am trying to make it a supportive place for us to come together and talk about what is working for us in our training.

Good Luck everyone! See you at the race!

Remember, Princeses don't sweat...we sparkle.

 

[HockeyKat]

Hi,Neelym

I will be in Raleigh for the week visiting family. Rather then chow down on the delicious NC barbecue, I'd rather find some good trails. We will be
Near Crabtree Mall area. Can you recommend some good trails?

Crabtree has a great greenway right behind it - my running group uses it sometimes. If you are in the back of the mall (the side away from the main road), there is a parking deck and just behind that, an entrance to the greenway.

There is a local running store in that mall called TrySports. If you can't find the entrance they will be happy to direct you. Here is a link to the store: http://www.trysports.com/location/raleigh

If you are here on a Sat AM and want to do 8-10 miles with my running group, feel free to PM me. Visitors/guests are always welcome and we have almost 500 people, in every pace group from 7min miles to 14/15min miles. It's Galloway method so we go 2 minutes slower than "race pace" + added time for heat and humidity, and it's run/walk intervals based on your pace.

 

[slp1650]

Hey everyone!

So I too started a blog about training, although it's more on my thoughts as I run so it might get a bit random at times. Still, if you want to take a gander the address is: http://runningmuses.blogspot.com/

Of course, one of my current goals is the Princess Half Marathon, although I'm focusing on Disneyland first...

Tomorrow I plan on running a route that I did last week, but just didn't feel good on. I ended up cutting it a bit short. Tomorrow will be the rematch and I know I'll finish it in whole!

 

[MaMa3Princess]

Thanks for the invite Kat!!! I am dragging my hubby to that running store. It looks drool worthy! Is it ok if I pm you Fri. Night if I can make it? Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[teddygurl28]

hi everyone
i havent gotten to read through this thread yet, but i plan too....
I am seriously concidering running this race and look forward to what everyone is saying about it.

I have never run a race like this before, and actually just started running again in general this week... but i like to give myself important goals and this seems like a great one!

it seems like some people are already trained for this type of running while others are just starting out so it will be great to see how everyone trains, and maybe ill get a few pointers!!

 

[HockeyKat]

Thanks for the invite Kat!!! I am dragging my hubby to that running store. It looks drool worthy! Is it ok if I pm you Fri. Night if I can make it? Thank you so much for your help!!

Sure! I usually go to bed around 9-10PM on Fri nights before long runs.

Which weekend is it, this one? The runs start at 7AM on Saturdays. This week is a rather hilly 8 miles (actually we are meeting only a few miles from Crabtree mall), next weekend is 10, and it will stay 10 from this point on.

 

[ColleenG]

I have a question for all you Princesses who ran the half last year. Do you remember what the registration fee was? I was looking at what it is for the marathon weekend and was wondering if it was similar. I just want to set aside some $$$$ for when registration opens.

 

[stitchfan18]

I have a question for all you Princesses who ran the half last year. Do you remember what the registration fee was? I was looking at what it is for the marathon weekend and was wondering if it was similar. I just want to set aside some $$$$ for when registration opens.

I think it was $110 when I registered at the beginning of August last year.

 

[tmbacon]

Thanks for the invite Kat!!! I am dragging my hubby to that running store. It looks drool worthy! Is it ok if I pm you Fri. Night if I can make it? Thank you so much for your help!!

Just wanted to put a plug in for that store (TrySports) - it rocks! I go to the one here in Charlotte and get all of my running stuff there. They also got me connected to a sports dr./chiropractor to help get my knee back in order. I also do a group run organized by the store.

Have fun in Raleigh!!

 

[disneyfreak1]

I saw advice about the "hills" posted somewhere, but can't seem to find it now. If I plan to walk these, should I do so on the left side or right side? I believe I read left side, but want to make sure.

 

[Cripey]

I saw advice about the "hills" posted somewhere, but can't seem to find it now. If I plan to walk these, should I do so on the left side or right side? I believe I read left side, but want to make sure.

I think if you're walking, on a hill or not, you should always stay to the right and let the runners pass you on the left. I also tried to give a little hand signal to anyone running behind me that I was about to start walking...just sort of gave a quick look over my shoulder to make sure no one was super close behind me and then held up my hand as I slowed to begin my walk interval.

 

[Neelym]

Hi,Neelym

I will be in Raleigh for the week visiting family. Rather then chow down on the delicious NC barbecue, I'd rather find some good trails. We will be
Near Crabtree Mall area. Can you recommend some good trails?

Hello! You will not be too far from Umstead State Park. It is a little hilly from what I understand, but it may make for good training. You may also be near the Raleigh Greenway system, depending on where you are staying. That will be flatter.
I am not sure where you are coming from, but it is very (unusually) hot here right now. Be careful and have fun!