Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[Nishmom]

I've only been running since April. The Princess is what motivated me to finally get active. Surprisingly I love it, except for the heat of course. I've run 2 5ks so far but have been having problems finding a 10k or 15k near me in the fall for corral placement. I just saw an ad for the Blue Moon Wicked 10k in Virginia Beach near Halloween. Has anyone run this race before? Is it flat? I live in the mountains and would love to try running on flat. My husband thinks we could plan our vacation around a fun race like that.

I have not run the Wicked 10K, but did run the Shamrock Half in Va. Beach last March. It's pretty flat there, so I feel fairly sure the 10K course would be flat too. Shamrock was wonderful - well organized and great people, and I think it's the same people that put on the Wicked.

 

[Disfan11]

rundisneymom - I love that! Super cute - where did you order it from?

Had an idea while I was running this morning, didn't know if anyone that has participated in the Princess half before has had the characters sign their bib number after the race, while they were touring the parks? Thought that might be a fun way to remember the experience.

Also, has anyone put a note on their room door that they were participating in the 1/2? I have friends that cruise every year, and they always put a poster on their cabin door for people to sign. Didn't know if anyone had done that.

Great idea about the bib. One thing to remember. When (if) you write your emergency contact info on the back, the thicker Sharpies leak through. Unfortunately I did that this year and it came throught to my front/number side.
I did decorate my door with Princess running magnets. It was really fun having them on the door. More advice - use tape instead of magnets. The heat made them curl and not stick. I do magnet ones for the Disney cruise (which we will be on in a week!) Heading off to DW tomorrow and I've made decorations for our hotel door. I suggest laminating them as well.

 

[Bookwood]

On another note, I have an unrelated question. My nose runs when I run, and it is very annoying! I do suffer frm seasonal allergies, but with the crazy heat we are experiencing, I have been running on an indoor track now for months. Does anyone else have this problem? Do you run with tissues?? Its crazy, but I don;t know what to do.

I never run without a hanky-(I use bandanas -very colorful and fun) because my nose always runs (especially at the begining of a race.) On short run I'll carry one bandana and use the corners for blowing and the middle for mopping sweat (much less necessary now that I wear bondibands) but over 7 or so miles I'll carry 2 one for blowing and one for mopping (sorry if this isTMI).

On the medal for non- finishers front- I've know people who were swept at Disney and recieved a medal- without the hanging year on the bottom. Several friends tried a few years ago and got swept and recieved medals. So while they were taken to the finish line and recieved medals they did not actually finish the race.

 

[Bookwood]

Great idea about the bib. One thing to remember. When (if) you write your emergency contact info on the back, the thicker Sharpies leak through. Unfortunately I did that this year and it came throught to my front/number side.
I did decorate my door with Princess running magnets. It was really fun having them on the door. More advice - use tape instead of magnets. The heat made them curl and not stick. I do magnet ones for the Disney cruise (which we will be on in a week!) Heading off to DW tomorrow and I've made decorations for our hotel door. I suggest laminating them as well.

I love the idea of getting the bibs signed and will probably steal it for this year! LOL

As for the using tape on the Disney doors- I believe that is a major no no! You may get charged for repainting even if you don't pull off paint (or in your opinion) leave a mark on the door. We used to decorate for Christmas back when there was still mousefest and several people had issues with Disney about using tape. (I think the 3M hangers that release were ok but you may want to check with the resort first)

 

[NCrunner]

I've only been running since April. The Princess is what motivated me to finally get active. Surprisingly I love it, except for the heat of course. I've run 2 5ks so far but have been having problems finding a 10k or 15k near me in the fall for corral placement. I just saw an ad for the Blue Moon Wicked 10k in Virginia Beach near Halloween. Has anyone run this race before? Is it flat? I live in the mountains and would love to try running on flat. My husband thinks we could plan our vacation around a fun race like that.

What part of WNC?? I am in Asheville but also have place in Hayesville (Murphy). I am planning to the Kickin Asphalt Half in Murphy on Nov 5....if your close to there. There is also one soon in Johnson City TN and one in Sevierville TN also depending on where you are.

 

[mountaineer]

How's everybody doing today? I did 2 miles instead of 3, with some speedwork at the end.

I've enjoyed having my son come to the track with me this summer but he goes back to school next Friday. I wouldn't say he's enjoyed it as much.

 

[Ateam97]

How's everybody doing today? I did 2 miles instead of 3, with some speedwork at the end.

I've enjoyed having my son come to the track with me this summer but he goes back to school next Friday. I wouldn't say he's enjoyed it as much.

Great job! I did 2.5. It was tough today. I think it is because the sun was beating down on me. I am a wimp about the heat. I did it, though!

Anyone else??

 

[nancytoby]

The best remedy that I know for runny noses in cooler weather are the ever-popular white knit running gloves. Failing that, a good old princess-like farmer blow every so often. Just make sure no one is coming up behind you!

 

[according2kelly]

I've done the Disneyland half 3 times - & it sells out every year. I'm toying with the idea of doing the Princess Half this year too. Does it sell out as well?

 

[according2kelly]

How's everybody doing today? I did 2 miles instead of 3, with some speedwork at the end.

I've enjoyed having my son come to the track with me this summer but he goes back to school next Friday. I wouldn't say he's enjoyed it as much.

on my way out the door for a little speed work myself!

 

[Ateam97]

I've done the Disneyland half 3 times - & it sells out every year. I'm toying with the idea of doing the Princess Half this year too. Does it sell out as well?

I think I remember it selling out in late January this year. I also think I heard it sold out in January 2010.

 

[saysay]

Team Sparkle ladies, I need your help with sizing. I wear a size 10-12 in pants, and can't decide whether to order a medium or a large sparkle skirt. Do the skirts run really true to size? Would you think it's better to order a size slightly bigger or a size slightly smaller?

I found it true to size. You need to pay attention to the hip measurement as they are kind of drop waiste. The waist band elastic has stretch, and is lightweight - but that yoke park of the skirt need to be the right size.. I am a 12/14 and my large fits perfectly....but i have big hips. Go by your hip measurement in the Customer Service page and if you are in between and it was me, I would go up.

I've done the Disneyland half 3 times - & it sells out every year. I'm toying with the idea of doing the Princess Half this year too. Does it sell out as well?

It did last year around the beginning of January I think. WELCOME!

 

[daisy112878]

I've done the Disneyland half 3 times - & it sells out every year. I'm toying with the idea of doing the Princess Half this year too. Does it sell out as well?

Welcome! I was just coming to here to tell the others about a link that team sparkle put up on facebook and realized it's your blog. I LOVE all the customes you have done for the disneyland half. Super cute!

 

[misskitkat]

NCrunner- I too am from Asheville! I'm not quite ready for a half yet, just hoping for a 10 or 15k. I hadn't thought to look west to TN! I had only looked east and south. Thanks for advice. I figured there had to be something out there and I just wasn't finding it.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

I am a decent runner (abt 9 min miles) and planning on doing a run/walk combo at the Princess. I read somewhere that someone at this pace should go for 3:1 run:walk ratio on the race day. So 1/4 of the distance is about 3.5 miles.

My question, especially for those of you who plan to run/walk, is how do I distribute this time? I had been thinking maybe run 5 mi (my max I can run at a good pace), walk 4 and take in the experience, then run the final 4 again. A colleague then suggested I run for 10-15 min, walk for 5 and repeat throughout the course.

Any advice on which would give me a stronger finish. I am already a pretty fit person, but have never done such a long distance before. Thanks in advance!!

Hi RunChica,

this is straight from Jeff Galloways 1/2 Marathon, You Can do It!!

It said to maintain a 9 min pace you could do a 3 minute run 30 sec walk or 5 min run 1 min walk.

 

[LiloH]

I'm subscribing to this thread to let all you ladies motivate me!

Over the past sixteen months I've lost 80 lbs and I've been toying with the idea of doing a half marathon. I bought a really nice treadmill and have been running/walking on it several times as week and am making good progress.

I had a dream the other night that I signed up for the Disney Princess and it really inspired me to get serious about it! I am not committed enough to register just yet, but I'll keep working and keep up with all you inspiring ladies as you train!

 

[VTGIRL1]

Anyone know how you can find your bib number for the race? I thought I read somewhere that you can go online and find it..

 

[HockeyKat]

Anyone know how you can find your bib number for the race? I thought I read somewhere that you can go online and find it..

You will be able to - but in late January/early February.

 

[stitchfan18]

I'm subscribing to this thread to let all you ladies motivate me!

Over the past sixteen months I've lost 80 lbs and I've been toying with the idea of doing a half marathon. I bought a really nice treadmill and have been running/walking on it several times as week and am making good progress.

I had a dream the other night that I signed up for the Disney Princess and it really inspired me to get serious about it! I am not committed enough to register just yet, but I'll keep working and keep up with all you inspiring ladies as you train!

First of all, welcome and congrats on your weight loss! You're truly an inspiration!
If you like the support of the ladies in this thread, then you'll LOVE the support and atmosphere of the princess weekend. It's really hard to describe to someone who hasn't been there how supportive everyone is, and the amazing bond that we all share that weekend. I was blown away by how awesome the people I came into contact with that weekend were. People in my corral before the race, along the course, at the finish, and around the resort afterward were so supportive. You truly have to experience it!

 

[Nishmom]

I'm subscribing to this thread to let all you ladies motivate me!

Over the past sixteen months I've lost 80 lbs and I've been toying with the idea of doing a half marathon. I bought a really nice treadmill and have been running/walking on it several times as week and am making good progress.

I had a dream the other night that I signed up for the Disney Princess and it really inspired me to get serious about it! I am not committed enough to register just yet, but I'll keep working and keep up with all you inspiring ladies as you train!

You can do this! There is still plenty of time, especially if you train using the Galloway method! Follow that dream you had and sign up!!