Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[HockeyKat]

You are awesome Kat! Thank you so much for the motivation!

If I'm running around a 14:00 min mile for my long runs, will I eventually be able to kick that up to 12:00? I'm guessing once you build that endurance you start to be able to run faster? I guess I don't see how I will ever be able to more than 4 miles,

It also helps to hear that you also trained on a treadmill. I am so worried this will be a huge setback for me! I still have no idea how I am going to keep a steady pace on race day.

Anytime!! We all start somewhere and believe me, you will get up to the distance before you know it. I still can't believe some days that I can knock out 10 miles and be completely fine the next day.

You wil definitely be able to kick it up. The key is to do your long runs 1-2 min slower, and then do the short runs at race pace. Fashionista already said the reasons why.

I only did one or two of my long runs outside when training for my first Princess, and none of the short runs. Now I do all of my long runs outside, even the days it is over 100 here, but I train with a group.

I keep pace outside by using a Garmin watch or the RunKeeper app on my Android phone. I still have a tendency to run too fast and walk too slow, though.

 

[kmg148]

For your long runs, you should try to run them 1-2 minutes slower than your race pace. A far wiser runner than myself explained it me to this way - most people don't lack the leg speed to keep up their desired pace for 26.2 (or 13.1 in the case of princess!), but rather they lack the endurance to keep that leg speed going on. And that's where the "bonk" happens. But yes, the more you run, your pace does get faster over time. And new runners see the improvement the most quickly, too.

I wouldn't recommend using the treadmill exclusively - but it's totally fine to mix some runs inside, some runs outside...very common, in fact. Some runners will even split their runs and do half outside, half inside when the weather gets too brutal. I totally understand how you feel about being nervous about running outside...when I first started, I used to get so anxious - am I running at the race pace, where I am, how long gone for, etc, etc. It wasn't until I invested in a Garmin that I became more comfortable running outside than inside.

Keep doing what you are doing and slowly increasing your mileage....you will finish just fine!

Thanks for your advice!

As it gets cooler, I'll try and run outside more. I wish there was a device out there that could tell you how fast you were running. That's what I need! I also wish Garmins weren't so expensive. I had a hard time paying the $60 for the Ironman watch I got for the interval timing!

I'm really hoping to be able to run a 10k in November. I've only run a 5k so far. Do you think I should be able to do it in a decent time?

 

[tinkeramy]

I had my first race yesterday - only a 2 mile. It went pretty well. I have a 5K in 2 weeks. I'm trying to decide to follow Galloway or Higdon half marathon plan. Right now I'm taking no walk breaks, but haven't gotten past 3 miles yet.

I used Higdon last year for the Princess and it worked pretty well. However, once I got to 5 miles, I REALLY wasn't sure I could continue running straight. So I still did the Higdon plan as far as miles go, but I just threw in a 1 min walk break at the end of every mile. Now that I am re-starting due to a shin splint-enforced break, I am going a little more Galloway; I am doing 3:1 intervals and am thinking of following his plan for the half this time just to see which I like better. I'm thinking Galloway might be easier on my shins while I am building back up.

Ran my first 10K today - the timer said 1:09 as I passed, hopefully the "official" results will be posted later today or tomorrow! I did a lot better than I had thought I would!

Is that OK enough of a time to submit to Disney? I'm planning on doing a 10K in November hopefully I can improve on my time by then!!

That's a great time! I submitted a 10K time of 1:05 last year and got in Corral B; I know SaySay was just a few minutes past your time and she got into B also. Congrats on a great first 10K!

 

[tinkeramy]

Thanks for your advice!

As it gets cooler, I'll try and run outside more. I wish there was a device out there that could tell you how fast you were running. That's what I need!

Have you looked at any apps for your phone? I have an Android smartphone and I use CardioTrainer. It tells your pace on there. Of course, there is a few seconds lag, but it gives you an idea. Also, I know a lot of people are happy with the RunKeeper app.

 

[tinkeramy]

Sorry for the multiple posts... I keep thinking of things to say....

A little obsessed with shin splint recovery right now - oh, how the mighty have fallen! I was directed to a video on YouTube entitled, "Yoga for healthy shins and knees" and it looked interesting. If you are having issues, you might want to search for it under that title. The woman in the video advises to do this either on your off days or after your runs.

Bummed that FedEx did not make it to my door to deposit my Zensah compression sleeve Saturday!!! Can't wait to try it out. I am honestly kind of freaked out by starting over; I have a serious paranoia of re-injury and never getting past this. So far I have only gone 2 to 2.5 miles, but am going to go for 3 tomorrow morning. Wish me healthy shins!!!

 

[DisneyBoyz]

Have you looked at any apps for your phone? I have an Android smartphone and I use CardioTrainer. It tells your pace on there. Of course, there is a few seconds lag, but it gives you an idea. Also, I know a lot of people are happy with the RunKeeper app.

I LOVE the RunKeeper app on my Droid. If anyone keeps up with it, PM me and I will share my screen name with you so you can become part of my Street Team. I like the fact it does perfect intervals and I can play my music at the same time.

 

[freepixie]

That's a great time! I submitted a 10K time of 1:05 last year and got in Corral B; I know SaySay was just a few minutes past your time and she got into B also. Congrats on a great first 10K!

Thank you so much!! Oh wow I'm glad I got a good enough time for a good corral placement!! YAY

Sorry for the multiple posts... I keep thinking of things to say....

A little obsessed with shin splint recovery right now - oh, how the mighty have fallen! I was directed to a video on YouTube entitled, "Yoga for healthy shins and knees" and it looked interesting. If you are having issues, you might want to search for it under that title. The woman in the video advises to do this either on your off days or after your runs.

Bummed that FedEx did not make it to my door to deposit my Zensah compression sleeve Saturday!!! Can't wait to try it out. I am honestly kind of freaked out by starting over; I have a serious paranoia of re-injury and never getting past this. So far I have only gone 2 to 2.5 miles, but am going to go for 3 tomorrow morning. Wish me healthy shins!!!

Good luck with your shins!!! Luckily (knock on wood) I haven't had any shin issues with running!! I had shin issues from too many jumping jacks in a fitness class last year, took what felt like FOREVER to get over it! Went thru 2 tubes of Aspercreme So I feel your pain, I know what they are like and they SUCK!

 

[kmg148]

Have you looked at any apps for your phone? I have an Android smartphone and I use CardioTrainer. It tells your pace on there. Of course, there is a few seconds lag, but it gives you an idea. Also, I know a lot of people are happy with the RunKeeper app.

I have, I have a Blackberry. It seems as though they lack quality apps. I just don't have a real need for unlimited data (use it mostly for e-mail), so I probably will not be getting an iphone or Droid anytime soon!

Good luck with your shin!

 

[DisneyBoyz]

I have, I have a Blackberry. It seems as though they lack quality apps. I just don't have a real need for unlimited data (use it mostly for e-mail), so I probably will not be getting an iphone or Droid anytime soon!

I also have a Blackberry through work. I feel your pain as I do not like it at all. If I hear of any apps for the BB, I will be sure to pass them along.

 

[kmg148]

I also have a Blackberry through work. I feel your pain as I do not like it at all. If I hear of any apps for the BB, I will be sure to pass them along.

Thanks!

I tried Runkeeper, and it didn't work at all. Maybe I was using it wrong? It only worked for the time.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Good for 9 miles!

I was supposed to do 7 miles, but had to cut it really short. Managed to squeeze out 3.66 miles with much more walking than I had planned.

The mental battle was to much this morning. My quads are tight and sore thanks to kettlebells. I tried rolling, but it hurt! I'm going to try again later with some extra stretching thrown in. Hopefully if I focus on rolling/stretching Tuesday's 4.5 miles will go well.

It is so very much a mental game, I play mind games the whole run to keep myself going, I tell my self, only get this far ok, do one more mile, then I try to plan my vacations in my head, then I have to do just one more mile and so on. And yes there are days you can go and do a long run and then there are days one mile is just to far. I did a kettlebell workout once, my hamstrings were in pain for days!!!


kmg148, I use Garmin Forerunner 110 and love it, I paid $179 on black friday, the best money I ever spend so worth it. Gives you the pace and distance and heartrate if you want and also gives you calories and you link it to the computer and you can history all your runs with a map of every run.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Kat, way to go on the 10.6 I am looking forward to hiting the double digits but having an issue with my knee & ankle and I am not sure if I should just keep goign or not, not to much pain but something is there.

 

[ColleenG]

Thanks!

I tried Runkeeper, and it didn't work at all. Maybe I was using it wrong? It only worked for the time.

I have RunKeeper for my android. I like it, but depending where I am I can't always get a good GPS signal so my route is all over the place. It actually goes in circles when I look back at the map. I'm not running in circles. I sometimes wonder about the pace.

 

[stitchfan18]

Ran my first 10K today - the timer said 1:09 as I passed, hopefully the "official" results will be posted later today or tomorrow! I did a lot better than I had thought I would!

Is that OK enough of a time to submit to Disney? I'm planning on doing a 10K in November hopefully I can improve on my time by then!!

Awesome job! I would guess that time would get you into corral B or C. I submitted a 1:06 10k time for wine and dine last year and that put my relay partner into corral B for that race.

 

[stitchfan18]

For those of you that aren't on the WISH princess bondiband thread, the bondibands have arrived. There are 4 extra if anyone is interested. They are $5.65 each including shipping! Send me a PM with your email address if you would like one.

 

[ColleenG]

The bondibands came out really cute!

 

[saysay]

Way to go Pixie! I submitted 1:12 for a 10k last year and was put in Coral B...thinking I was on the bubble.

Those bondis are SO cute...can't wait to get mine.

I have been a bad runner this past week....um that is not a runner at all. I have the excuses...PMS, tough week of the year for me - grief related, its hot, I'm lazy...blah blah blah. I will be SO happy when this heat and humidity passes as there is nothing more mind clearing and uplifting for me than a morning run.....well not when its like SO humid as it is now. And seriously, the exercise lifts my moods...I am thinking lack of it contributed to the funkiness of last week.

Anyhoo, you princesses are doing great! Even in my blah, you motivate me. I am back on it this week. I want to finish this race strong and just need to put in the miles...and I am NOT going to worry about speed and this year slow things down on the long runs like I am supposed to. I do have a 5K in a few weeks i need to prepare for as well. Happy running!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Sorry you had a bad week SaySay I hope this one is better for you

 

[poohs4me]

My sister and I are in - we signed up yesterday.

 

[tinkeramy]

Way to go Pixie! I submitted 1:12 for a 10k last year and was put in Coral B...thinking I was on the bubble.

Those bondis are SO cute...can't wait to get mine.

I have been a bad runner this past week....um that is not a runner at all. I have the excuses...PMS, tough week of the year for me - grief related, its hot, I'm lazy...blah blah blah. I will be SO happy when this heat and humidity passes as there is nothing more mind clearing and uplifting for me than a morning run.....well not when its like SO humid as it is now. And seriously, the exercise lifts my moods...I am thinking lack of it contributed to the funkiness of last week.

Anyhoo, you princesses are doing great! Even in my blah, you motivate me. I am back on it this week. I want to finish this race strong and just need to put in the miles...and I am NOT going to worry about speed and this year slow things down on the long runs like I am supposed to. I do have a 5K in a few weeks i need to prepare for as well. Happy running!

It is hard sometimes - I put off yesterday's run to the evening so it would be cooler - lightning storm happened, so no run. Dressed in running clothes this morning to take the boys to school so I could run with Eli in the stroller afterwards. Eli puked once on the way there and again on the way home - no running for me, obviously. These are the days when a treadmill would be SO GREAT - oh, well. Will try to get it in when hubs gets home, b/c I've got dinner tonight with a friend who is in town for 2 days!! It's always somethin'! Once preschool starts, I'll bet you'll get into a much better routine!