Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[Cripey]

Looks cool! Is the an optional heart rate monitor?

I actually switched too, to a Garmin 405. Love it so far! I am wearing the heart rate monitor and foot pod so it will track all sorts of fun stuff.

Did the heart rate monitor take some getting used to for you? My Garmin came with one. I've never worn it, but have always been curious to see what sort of info I can get from it...but have been scared to wear it for fear of irritation or chafing or just plain being uncomfortable.

 

[kappyfamily]

The heart rate monitor is optional, didnt buy it. I know this is bad to admit but I dont overly care about the heart rate right now. I've got enough on my plate with a. just getting my butt out the door and b. not tripping while I run!

I'm not what you would call a "pretty runner"....

 

[kappyfamily]

4 days until registration!

 

[HockeyKat]

Did the heart rate monitor take some getting used to for you? My Garmin came with one. I've never worn it, but have always been curious to see what sort of info I can get from it...but have been scared to wear it for fear of irritation or chafing or just plain being uncomfortable.

I decided when I got a new Garmin watch (my old one didn't have GPS) last week that I would give it a try. I do notice it's there, but it hasn't caused any chafing problems (and I am *very* prone). I did 10 hot/sweaty miles with it last week and no welts. In fact, I think it actually helped prevent one where I have issues under my bra strap in the back - I wear a back-clasp sports bra and it rubs sometimes back there.

I follow a pretty strict Galloway method, so it's really rather interesting to see how your heart rate goes up and down with the intervals, and then up proportionally with the heat. When we start our long runs at 6:30-7AM, it's in the upper 60s/low 70s here, but by the end it is usually over 80 and my HR definitely shows it. Course, by August we will be starting the run over 80...

The heart rate monitor is optional, didnt buy it. I know this is bad to admit but I dont overly care about the heart rate right now. I've got enough on my plate with a. just getting my butt out the door and b. not tripping while I run!

I'm not what you would call a "pretty runner"....

Haha me either!! It's been a year and change and I finally got around to caring about stats.

 

[Cripey]

I decided when I got a new Garmin watch (my old one didn't have GPS) last week that I would give it a try. I do notice it's there, but it hasn't caused any chafing problems (and I am *very* prone). I did 10 hot/sweaty miles with it last week and no welts. In fact, I think it actually helped prevent one where I have issues under my bra strap in the back - I wear a back-clasp sports bra and it rubs sometimes back there.

I follow a pretty strict Galloway method, so it's really rather interesting to see how your heart rate goes up and down with the intervals, and then up proportionally with the heat. When we start our long runs at 6:30-7AM, it's in the upper 60s/low 70s here, but by the end it is usually over 80 and my HR definitely shows it. Course, by August we will be starting the run over 80...



Haha me either!! It's been a year and change and I finally got around to caring about stats.

Thanks, I may try it out on one of my shorter runs next week in case it does start to irritate. I swear, all of the sudden things are starting to irritate my skin when I run and it's making me crazy! I'm getting little blisters now on the top of one of my toes that I never have before (wearing the same ol' socks and shoes as always) and 2 different pair of shorts that I've been wearing for months have now left me a really nasty and painful 3 inch long red, raw, line across my lower back. I don't get it! I've had to start coating my skin with body glide in those spots, and that seems to be working ok so far, but I just can't figure out why it's just now starting to do that when I haven't changed anything. I had a bra that started to rub me in spots too, but switched to a different style a couple of months ago and that has cleared it up for now.

 

[tellemarie]

I hope everyone's training is going well! Today I have a kind of specific question. For those of you that started off wanting to do the princess but decided to wait till the next year, did you participate in any of the Disney Family Fun Run 5ks? I am not too sure about being in shape enough to do the half by 2012 but I didn't want to not do ANYTHING! I saw the Family Fun Run but didn't know if that would just feel like a let down or I would be completely surrounded by families and be the one person running solo!

Any advice?

 

[Cripey]

I hope everyone's training is going well! Today I have a kind of specific question. For those of you that started off wanting to do the princess but decided to wait till the next year, did you participate in any of the Disney Family Fun Run 5ks? I am not too sure about being in shape enough to do the half by 2012 but I didn't want to not do ANYTHING! I saw the Family Fun Run but didn't know if that would just feel like a let down or I would be completely surrounded by families and be the one person running solo!

Any advice?

I did the 2010 5k at Disneyland during the half marathon weekend (I ran it solo) and it was a blast! There was definitely a mix of runners/walkers all across the board from those that were practically sprinting to big groups of walkers and everyone in between. I had only started "running" (mostly walking!) in July of 2010, and this race was the first time I ever ran 3 miles straight through with no walk breaks...it was very exciting! You will most definitely not be the only one running solo! They don't really have corrals like the half does, but at the start area there were signs with pace times posted on them and they asked everyone to line up accordingly. I'm sure you would have a great time and it will give you a little taste of what it might be like to run a Disney half. Also, FWIW, I was in very poor shape and overweight when I decided to do the Princess half...and it was right around this time last year that I made the decision to do it and start training, so there really is still plenty of time for you to be ready if you are willing to make the commitment to yourself.

 

[dawn8179]

Have not been on this thread in a long time. I will be running in the Peachtree Monday and will see how I handle a 10K before I make my final decision about the Princess Half. I have heard that the Peachtree is not the race to get a PR and with the heat I know it will slow me down, but as long as I finish without feeling totally drained I think I will be in for the Princess.

 

[tinkeramy]

Have not been on this thread in a long time. I will be running in the Peachtree Monday and will see how I handle a 10K before I make my final decision about the Princess Half. I have heard that the Peachtree is not the race to get a PR and with the heat I know it will slow me down, but as long as I finish without feeling totally drained I think I will be in for the Princess.

Melissa, I've got to chime in and say that the P'tree might not be the race to use as a decision-maker for the Princess!! Flat Orlando in Feb. will be NOTHING like Cardiac Hill in Atlanta in July! The Princess affords so many natural breaks, that even a non-Galloway person is usually stopping for pictures every so often and getting a bit of a break that way. Don't get me wrong - 13.1 miles is still hard and requires serious training, but you've got plenty of time to do that. I didn't start running until early Aug. last year from absolute couch potato mode, and the registration for the Princess didn't fill up last year until much closer to race date. I would maybe wait until the heat breaks and try some challenging fall 10K's before you write the Princess off.

 

[saysay]

Have not been on this thread in a long time. I will be running in the Peachtree Monday and will see how I handle a 10K before I make my final decision about the Princess Half. I have heard that the Peachtree is not the race to get a PR and with the heat I know it will slow me down, but as long as I finish without feeling totally drained I think I will be in for the Princess.

I agree with Amy.....do the Peachtree and just have fun. Its a huge race, very crowded and the last 3 miles are pretty much mostly uphill! Its also hot and humid as you know, but LOTS of fun. Just take it easy and drink a little water at every mile when its available. There are plenty of other 10k's later to help you decide. On the training plan I was on last year, we were up to 6 miles at thanksgiving which is way more in line with Orlando temps in February than July 4th in Atlanta.

The Princess was SO much fun. I can't wait to do it again!

 

[tinkeramy]

The Princess was SO much fun. I can't wait to do it again!

Icing my leg as I type! I have been cruising Disney-related sites hoping to get a little bit of a fix until Feb. YOU are SO lucky - taking your princess soon!

Hmmm...maybe I can start thinking of various poses for pictures in the meantime....

 

[Anne_Aus]

Hey All,
I am from Australia and the princess half marathon coincides with my dates for Disney so I am considering participating.
I haven't run any marathons/ half marathons ect but I do run/walk everyday just for general fitness.
Now that I have found this thread, I think I will keep a close eye on it, and let it help me in deciding whether or not I should commit to the half marathon - I am pretty much decided I will but just need that extra little thing to get me over the line.

 

[svwkirby]

I hope everyone's training is going well! Today I have a kind of specific question. For those of you that started off wanting to do the princess but decided to wait till the next year, did you participate in any of the Disney Family Fun Run 5ks? I am not too sure about being in shape enough to do the half by 2012 but I didn't want to not do ANYTHING! I saw the Family Fun Run but didn't know if that would just feel like a let down or I would be completely surrounded by families and be the one person running solo!

Any advice?

I did just that last year. I had never been a runner so decided instead of trying for the Princess half marathon to just go for the Royal Family 5K. To be honest, there were days where I was kicking myself over that decision and wished I'd signed up/trained for the half, but when the weekend came I had no regrets. I'm doing the same thing now with Wine & Dine, partially cause I told myself the 2012 Princess would be my first half and partially cause my kids want to do the Halloween 5K. Again, there are days where I wish I was training for the half, but when we get there I'm sure the 5K will be fine. As to running without a family in the 5k family fun runs, you'll be fine. There were families with kids, spouses, groups of friends, and I'm sure solo runners as well. Just be proud that you trained for and completed something you never thought you would do!

 

[saysay]

Hey All,
I am from Australia and the princess half marathon coincides with my dates for Disney so I am considering participating.
I haven't run any marathons/ half marathons ect but I do run/walk everyday just for general fitness.
Now that I have found this thread, I think I will keep a close eye on it, and let it help me in deciding whether or not I should commit to the half marathon - I am pretty much decided I will but just need that extra little thing to get me over the line.

Welcome! I did the princess last year for first time and it was a blast. So much entertainment on the way. If you want to see some of the action, google it to see people's videos/blog reports. Hope to see you there!

This community totally got me through it last year! Super group of people, very supportive.

 

[Larrabe]

Hey, princesses! Well, I survived the Baltimore Womens Classic 5k last Sunday, despite doing nearly everything wrong, such as:

1. My pre-race dinner the night before consisted of chili and beer. Seriously. What was I thinking?

2. Because I was nervous, I only got a few hours of sleep, so I didn't hear my alarm, and then stressed out the entire drive there over being late.

3. I also didn't drink enough water the day before, so I over-compensated pre-race, then had to wait in a hideous port-a-potty line, and ended up getting one of those, "held your pee too long" stomachaches.

4. The starting line was packed, so claustrophic (and overly-excited) me took off way too fast at the beginning.

5. Then, minutes into the race, claustrophic, overly-excited me was smacked right in the face with a very steep hill.

6. I tried to settle into a consistant pace afterwards, but somehow I couldn't take a deep breath, even though it wasn't very humid.

7. And once the finish line came in sight, (YAY!!) I was super nauseous and felt as though I were going to . . . you know. It didn't help that runners were coming to a standstill after crossing so volunteers could clip off their timing chips. I wiggled my way through to keep walking and had to take some deep, please-don't-throw-up, please-don't-throw-up breaths while getting my chip clipped.

8. Afterwards, they gave out water, a rose, and Tiger Milk, which I have never tried before. (Can you see where this is leading?) The Tiger Milk was pretty dang tasty . . . until about a third of the way through. Cue the please-don't-throw-up breaths.

But, despite doing a LOT wrong, I had a BLAST and learned many lessons!! Running at the Inner Harbor was gorgeous, and they had tons of fruit, bagels, chips, and freebies afterwards. Also, my goal was to run it in under thirty minutes which I did . . . 29:58. Hey, it was by the skin of my nose, but I'll take it!!

And now, after taking a week off, (which I feel completely guilty about,) I'm excited about starting the 10K program!

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

 

[tinkeramy]

Larrabe - Thank you, thank you, thank you, for such a good laugh this afternoon! Would love to see a post-princess report from you, if your 5K report was that entertaining!

Congrats on your time goal - time is time, and you made it in!

 

[lock3130]

Hi! My family is coming down to do the Princess weekend. This will be our third time, however, this year there will be 8 of us and that includes a one year old and three month old. My mom really wants us all to stay at Boardwalk Villas so we can all be together but the hang up is getting from the BOardwalk to the race since I don't anticipate Boardwalk being a host resort. We are all doing the 5k and just my husband and I are doing the half. Anybody done this before? Thanks

 

[HockeyKat]

Hi! My family is coming down to do the Princess weekend. This will be our third time, however, this year there will be 8 of us and that includes a one year old and three month old. My mom really wants us all to stay at Boardwalk Villas so we can all be together but the hang up is getting from the BOardwalk to the race since I don't anticipate Boardwalk being a host resort. We are all doing the 5k and just my husband and I are doing the half. Anybody done this before? Thanks

We stayed at the BW two years ago, but we had a car to get to the race start. If you can't or don't want to rent a car, you can also get a cab from the front of the BW to the race start and it won't be very expensive (as it isn't very far).

 

[rundisneymom]

Hi! My family is coming down to do the Princess weekend. This will be our third time, however, this year there will be 8 of us and that includes a one year old and three month old. My mom really wants us all to stay at Boardwalk Villas so we can all be together but the hang up is getting from the BOardwalk to the race since I don't anticipate Boardwalk being a host resort. We are all doing the 5k and just my husband and I are doing the half. Anybody done this before? Thanks

I'm staying at the BWV for the Princess 1/2 too. I expect there will be many people getting cabs to the race that morning...I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[slp1650]

Hi! My family is coming down to do the Princess weekend. This will be our third time, however, this year there will be 8 of us and that includes a one year old and three month old. My mom really wants us all to stay at Boardwalk Villas so we can all be together but the hang up is getting from the BOardwalk to the race since I don't anticipate Boardwalk being a host resort. We are all doing the 5k and just my husband and I are doing the half. Anybody done this before? Thanks

I stayed at the BWV last year for the race and a group of us from this Disboard got together to get a taxi in the morning so we could split costs and what not. We were planning on getting two van taxis I believe...

However, Team In Training actually used BW as their host hotel and they were nice enough to let us use their buses to and from the race. The only issue I had were the CM's working the event didn't know what I was talking about until I found the bus and that CM in front of it confirmed the bus for me.

So you could get lucky like we did or you might have to get a taxi or van. I know a lot of people walked through the park after the race to get back to the hotel.