Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[Schmaggie]

Okay, I've finally stopped stalking and I'm ready to jump in! I registered back in July and have been alternately nervous and excited ever since.

I've been "running" for a year now, but my run pace is pretty much the walk pace of lots of people I know; I just reached the point where I can consistently complete 5K in under 45 minutes. I think I can do this, and I don't want to let myself down! I appreciate all the encouragement and motivation you all offer, and hope to share the same. Can't wait to earn my first Disney medal!

 

[flgirl36]

This is my first half and even though it's several months away, it's all I think about. I go from excited to terrifed in a matter of moments.

Me too. I hope that come race day I will be more excited than terrified.


Julie

 

[tinkeramy]

First of all, welcome to the newest posters! You'll find all the info you need and all the motivation you need on this board! You can do this. The princess is so much fun - you won't regret all the training!

Secondly, I was just about to post this, but the ad on this page for CafePress shows exactly what I wanted to post about! There is a t-shirt that says "Half Marathon Mommy" and then underneath it says, "13.1 miles of peace and quiet"! I LOVE THIS! AMEN!

 

[stamot]

Im so excited!!! I run two miles today at a 14:35 pace. Which for me is great. When I started 56 days ago my miles was almost 19 minutes. Im so happy to see Im progressing. Also my costume is planned! Im going to be Princess Tiana. Sparkle skirts is making my costume. I cant wait!

Okay, I've finally stopped stalking and I'm ready to jump in! I registered back in July and have been alternately nervous and excited ever since.

I've been "running" for a year now, but my run pace is pretty much the walk pace of lots of people I know; I just reached the point where I can consistently complete 5K in under 45 minutes. I think I can do this, and I don't want to let myself down! I appreciate all the encouragement and motivation you all offer, and hope to share the same. Can't wait to earn my first Disney medal!

Im in the same level as you! We are going cheer each other and we will get that amazing first medal!!!

 

[msufan]

Some of you were talking about running around BWV I am ashamed to say that I had to go to the WDW website to figure out what that stood for...apparently I do NOT know everything about Disney World
Anyway, it got me thinking about your favorite running routes at Disney. Does anyone have a favorite route, or even an idea of a route that would be a great run while at Disney?

And for all of you who just started running, keep up the good work. I just starting runing about 2 months ago and will be hitting a total of 150 miles run so far by the end of the week. I have never wanted to run, but Disney is the ultimate carrot dangling at the end of the stick for me. In training just for an excuse to go to Disney, I actually tricked myself in loving to run. In fact, I ran in the rain this week because I just didn't want to skip it. It was then that I realized that I really AM a runner. Keep up the good work and you will get there, probably faster than I did.

 

[kellynsmama]

Hi everyone! This will be my first Princess 1/2, and I was wondering if anyone knows which resorts will be running shuttles for the morning of race day? I'm excited!!!

 

[freepixie]

OK ladies, I have a TMI story to share, so if your grossed out, sorry in advance

I'll start with my day - not really stressful but stressful enough that on my afternoon break I succumbed to temptation and had a regular Mt Dew in the break room - this was at about 1:15 this afternoon.

Now I've sworn off regular pop for a long time and I only have it once in a great great great while!! I do love the Diet Dew, but unfortunatly they don't have that in the machine at work!

This Dew had me peeing all afternoon at work, as well as when I got home and had dinner. At dinner I had just 1 glass of water.

So around 6:00 I go to the Y to run a little - I use the bathroom and get on the treadmill - not even 0.25 into it and I gotta pee again! So I get off and go potty again. Then I start running again and with each step I'm peeing my pants!!! Thank heavens I wore my black shorts tonight!!

Kept going to the bathroom about every .25 or .5 mile, finally gave up on the undies, they were giving me a wet wedgie so for the first time I was running commando which actually felt great until I started dribbling into those!!!!! Somehow I was able to manage 3 miles, I really don't know how!!

Long story short - I'm NEVER drinking a regular Mt Dew again - well at least not on a day I'm running!

 

[HockeyKat]

I shouldn't laugh, but...

 

[freepixie]

I shouldn't laugh, but...

Its OK, I'm still laughing about it... and the laughing keeps making me wanna pee again!!!!

 

[DisneyBoyz]

FreePixie - You got me laughing! Maybe you should take some extra clothes with you, just in case. ;-)

we haven't reserved a room yet. Which place could we stay that they could come out at the hotel to see us? I have thought about bringing someone to "sit" with them at the run but the funds aren't there now to pay for an extra person all weekend.

Would there be time for me to take them to a cheer location and get them settled before the race? My kids are a little older but it scares me leaving my younger 2 depending on their 13 yr old brother who has aspergers (high functioning autism).

I personally wouldnt want to get up and leave my kids at a cheer location, then try and get to the race start. We are staying at BayLake Towers so my DH and boys can walk out to the road and cheer me on. Then they're going to take either a monorail (if it's running) or bus to EPCOT to wait for me at the finish. DH is a runner too, and we've never been able to run together--not even around the block, cuz of the chillins. But he is so excited for me, that he is staying with them and leading my cheer squad!

Secondly, I was just about to post this, but the ad on this page for CafePress shows exactly what I wanted to post about! There is a t-shirt that says "Half Marathon Mommy" and then underneath it says, "13.1 miles of peace and quiet"! I LOVE THIS! AMEN!

That is sooo awesome. Kind of like when you're in timeout on the toilet and your DS4 comes to you for conversation. You politely ask to have a few minutes to yourself, he acknowledges by saying "okay, I'll wait right here [two feet from me] until you're done!"

 

[manhattan]

How are your walks? If they are just slow leisurely walks I don't see why you couldn't do both, just make sure you do the run first. I find walking after a run helps keep me from stiffening up.

I timed our walks....we did just a little over 2 miles (around the block) in 32.34 yesterday. I tried running today listening to Ullery's (?) podcast, and I was able to do just the first three runs, after that I just walked. I want to stay committed, so I won't let this get me down

Another question - are there any discounts for any of the registration fees for the races? I thought I read someone registered with a visa discount. Haven't read every single page yet, but just thought I would put it out.

 

[kmg148]

I'm so sorry I haven't been around very much lately, work has been very busy!!

I'm starting to worry that I won't be ready for my 10k on November 12. I am mostly a treadmill runner, as I work leave for work early and get home late and I don't like running outside when it's dark. I ran outside for the first time in a couple months and couldn't make it past a mile, I was just too tired! Yet last week, I ran 5 miles in an hour on the treadmill. Am I psyching myself out? Can I do this??

 

[kellynsmama]

I'm so sorry I haven't been around very much lately, work has been very busy!!

I'm starting to worry that I won't be ready for my 10k on November 12. I am mostly a treadmill runner, as I work leave for work early and get home late and I don't like running outside when it's dark. I ran outside for the first time in a couple months and couldn't make it past a mile, I was just too tired! Yet last week, I ran 5 miles in an hour on the treadmill. Am I psyching myself out? Can I do this??

You can do it! I have never been an outside runner, and slowly recently ran the Navy 5 Miler in DC. I was so amazed and accomplished, and that is what convinced me that I can train for the Princess Half! You can do it!!!

 

[ColleenG]

First of all, welcome to the newest posters! You'll find all the info you need and all the motivation you need on this board! You can do this. The princess is so much fun - you won't regret all the training!

Secondly, I was just about to post this, but the ad on this page for CafePress shows exactly what I wanted to post about! There is a t-shirt that says "Half Marathon Mommy" and then underneath it says, "13.1 miles of peace and quiet"! I LOVE THIS! AMEN!

I have to find this shirt! LOVE IT! That is definately one of the best things about getting out for my runs. NO ONE can bother me!

 

[bjsakj]

Im so excited!!! I run two miles today at a 14:35 pace. Which for me is great. When I started 56 days ago my miles was almost 19 minutes. Im so happy to see Im progressing. Also my costume is planned! Im going to be Princess Tiana. Sparkle skirts is making my costume. I cant wait!



That is awesome! You ran 2 miles in 14:35 when you were running one mile at 19 minutes? wow...keep up the good work. My doctor just put me on a non running profile for 30 days so, I'm trying to do everything else that I can to keep my cardio level up. In November I'm going to have to hit it hard!

 

[stitchfan18]

I was picking up my packet for my race tomorrow during our local marathon weekend, and as I was leaving the expo there was a booth for a Halloween 5k around here. I don't run a lot of 5k's anymore because I've found that I can run a longer race for a little bit more money, so when they asked if I was interested I politely tried to decline. Since I was the only one around they were trying to talk me into it, and one of the booth workers said it was a great excuse to get to run wearing a costume since I wouldn't run a half or full marathon in a costume. I was kind of on the inside knowing that I go to Disney and run a half or full marathon in costume, and it's completely acceptable. I could tell they weren't going to give up on me so I took their flier and walked away.

I guess Disney runners are a breed of their own.

 

[tinkeramy]

Im so excited!!! I run two miles today at a 14:35 pace. Which for me is great. When I started 56 days ago my miles was almost 19 minutes. Im so happy to see Im progressing. Also my costume is planned! Im going to be Princess Tiana. Sparkle skirts is making my costume. I cant wait!

Wow - good for you! It's always fun to see progress and goals completed.

I have never wanted to run, but Disney is the ultimate carrot dangling at the end of the stick for me. In training just for an excuse to go to Disney, I actually tricked myself in loving to run. In fact, I ran in the rain this week because I just didn't want to skip it. It was then that I realized that I really AM a runner. Keep up the good work and you will get there, probably faster than I did.

I agree completely! I started running last year b/c I was turning 40 and a friend just did her first. Then, I found out about the Princess and was SOLD! I tell friends that the only reason I run is to get back to Disney! But, like you, I figured out that I was kinda, sorta, actually good at this and found myself sticking to it!

OK ladies, I have a TMI story to share, so if your grossed out, sorry in advance

Long story short - I'm NEVER drinking a regular Mt Dew again - well at least not on a day I'm running!

Hysterical! (Although not at the time, I'm sure!) Thank you for sharing - I'll be sure to avoid that! Honestly, I was so worried about dehydrating at the Princess I drank at every water stop. Big mistake for me - I swear I could have shaved 15 minutes off my time just by cutting out all the potty stops!!!

DH is a runner too, and we've never been able to run together--not even around the block, cuz of the chillins.

That is sooo awesome. Kind of like when you're in timeout on the toilet and your DS4 comes to you for conversation. You politely ask to have a few minutes to yourself, he acknowledges by saying "okay, I'll wait right here [two feet from me] until you're done!"

I'm with ya - the few races DH and I have done together, my FIL has had to drive the 40 min to our house and watch the kids b/c I can't ask anyone else to take my 3 boys that early!!!

And, yes - my DS3 does exactly that in the bathroom - "I'll just sit here and watch you." That would be great.

I'm so sorry I haven't been around very much lately, work has been very busy!!

I'm starting to worry that I won't be ready for my 10k on November 12. I am mostly a treadmill runner, as I work leave for work early and get home late and I don't like running outside when it's dark. I ran outside for the first time in a couple months and couldn't make it past a mile, I was just too tired! Yet last week, I ran 5 miles in an hour on the treadmill. Am I psyching myself out? Can I do this??

You can totally do it! If you ran 5 miles, you're set. Inside, outside - doesn't matter. You'll find that running in a race gets you kinda pumped up and more distracted than when you are trudging it by yourself outside. The only worry about TM training is that you do get pretty dependent on the machine to keep your pace and can psych yourself out on the road. But race days are usually full of adrenaline and encouragement!

 

[Schmaggie]

Im in the same level as you! We are going cheer each other and we will get that amazing first medal!!!

Oh thank HEAVEN! Every time I read about someone who says they're a slow runner, they seem to go on to say something like "I average about a 12-minute mile" and I think to myself, if THAT is slow, I'm standing still! Excited to be among so many runners at so many levels. I keep reminding myself that the first person to finish and the last person to finish get the same medal! Woohoo!

 

[JCH]

Oh thank HEAVEN! Every time I read about someone who says they're a slow runner, they seem to go on to say something like "I average about a 12-minute mile" and I think to myself, if THAT is slow, I'm standing still! Excited to be among so many runners at so many levels. I keep reminding myself that the first person to finish and the last person to finish get the same medal! Woohoo!

No worries, a LOT of us on here are actually slow! I started at about 17 minutes and am now down to 14:30, which I can only keep up for 4 miles right now. And that is better than I was hoping for when I started!

 

[NitroStitch]

I'm so sorry I haven't been around very much lately, work has been very busy!!

I'm starting to worry that I won't be ready for my 10k on November 12. I am mostly a treadmill runner, as I work leave for work early and get home late and I don't like running outside when it's dark. I ran outside for the first time in a couple months and couldn't make it past a mile, I was just too tired! Yet last week, I ran 5 miles in an hour on the treadmill. Am I psyching myself out? Can I do this??

I just finished the 5K at WDW on October 1, having never left the treadmill at all before the race. Other than a minute or two of "this is different", I had no problem translating the same motions to the outdoors. The main thing I was concerned with was running faster than I'm used to running, since I had so much adrenaline going that morning and was so excited. Once I reminded myself to slow down and run my own race, I did just fine. So will you! Just watch that pace when the treadmill isn't regulating it for you.