Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[AliceSpark]

My running was interupted a little as I had to fly to California to help my 80 year-old mom who fell and broke her ankle. I did manage to get a couple of runs in what a difference from even 6 months ago when I would never have thought to bring running shoes/shorts etc.

For the people just starting out I did start with C25K but realized that its goal was to get me to run longer and longer amounts so I switched to a Galloway program. I am still really slow but improving.

I'm planning on gettinga 5 mile run this weekend and signed up for my first official race a 5K on 10/22 - Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[Michele325]

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!

This is the best ever! I need one!
We just booked our hotel! Going to register tonight and book our flights! I am beyond excite, and so nervous! Looking at getting restaurant recommendations since we always go to wdw with kids are looking at eating in the nicer places this time.

 

[rebapple]

This is the best ever! I need one!
We just booked our hotel! Going to register tonight and book our flights! I am beyond excite, and so nervous! Looking at getting restaurant recommendations since we always go to wdw with kids are looking at eating in the nicer places this time.

Hey I love the Liberty Tree Taven in MK and the Les Chefs De France in Epcot. I'd say stay clear of wolfgang puck in DTD it's overpriced for food that's not all that impressive. I'm sure that you know Chef Mickey's but my DH and I still love to go there and we do not have kids.

 

[Michele325]

Hey I love the Liberty Tree Taven in MK and the Les Chefs De France in Epcot. I'd say stay clear of wolfgang puck in DTD it's overpriced for food that's not all that impressive. I'm sure that you know Chef Mickey's but my DH and I still love to go there and we do not have kids.

Thanks for the info. I will check them out. I was just trying to decide if we should do Chef Mickey without the kids or not. Trying to decide if we will do the dinning plan too.

 

[Klp]

Hi, I was hoping some of you could help me figure out how to get to the race start if we are not staying at a host resort, would prefer not to rent a car, and my hubby would rather not drag the kids along to drop me off. We are looking to stay at Beach Club Villas or BLT at Contemporary. And I am thinking that the International Gateway and Monorail will not be available that early. Do you think I can get a taxi that early? Should I just go ahead and rent a car? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[stitchfan18]

Hi, I was hoping some of you could help me figure out how to get to the race start if we are not staying at a host resort, would prefer not to rent a car, and my hubby would rather not drag the kids along to drop me off. We are looking to stay at Beach Club Villas or BLT at Contemporary. And I am thinking that the International Gateway and Monorail will not be available that early. Do you think I can get a taxi that early? Should I just go ahead and rent a car? Thanks in advance for your input.

You can get a taxi 24/7, just let bell services know the night before and there will be one waiting for you when you want to leave. I know there was a bus for TNT, one of the charity sponsors, that went to the Yacht club and Boardwalk last year. They let other non TNT runners ride the bus, so that was great for the 1/2. We might have a couple TNT runners on here who may be able to tell you what resort they are staying at this year.

 

[nancytoby]

Hi, I was hoping some of you could help me figure out how to get to the race start if we are not staying at a host resort, would prefer not to rent a car, and my hubby would rather not drag the kids along to drop me off. We are looking to stay at Beach Club Villas or BLT at Contemporary. And I am thinking that the International Gateway and Monorail will not be available that early. Do you think I can get a taxi that early? Should I just go ahead and rent a car? Thanks in advance for your input.

It's possible the monorail may be running early enough - it does for the January races (I rode it to the inaugural Goofy), but not sure you can get their schedule this far in advance. Perhaps call? Also ask the monorail employees on site the day before just to re-confirm.

 

[shellbelle76]

Congratulations to those who are freshly registered!! And welcome to all of the new posters - this thread is full of amazing support - so glad to have you here.

I have a 10K on Sunday, and while I'm a tad bit nervous that I'll be the last one to cross the finish line, I'm also crazy amazed that I am even attempting the 10K in the first place. In July I wasn't a runner. And now I am.

For the 10K I am running with my cousin and she has already mentioned that she's not been able to train much. But since it's my first, it'll be a PR for me even if we walk a ton!

Best of luck to any & all running this weekend - have FUN out there, friends!

 

[Drgirl]

Hi Ladies..... Will you guys be running with music that day or not. Not sure if you can at the race???

Anyone have any inputs.

2) What kind of mind games do you play with yourself to keep running and to avoid stopping when the brain is saying I want to quit?

 

[Drgirl]

Hi ladies,
I was wondering for those of you who have run it before, did you go to a park after the race? Has most of the morning passed that it is too late to go to a park?

Not sure how one feels after, having been up by 3 am, how long I would last for the day?

 

[ColleenG]

Hi Ladies..... Will you guys be running with music that day or not. Not sure if you can at the race???

Anyone have any inputs.

2) What kind of mind games do you play with yourself to keep running and to avoid stopping when the brain is saying I want to quit?

I will definately be running with tunes. I don't think I could make it more than half a mile without music. It helps keep me distracted.

When my brain is saying quit, I will literally aloud say, "Just shut up and do it!", Don't stop, Don't be a wuss. Something along those lines. Thankfully no one is ever around me when I am yelling at myself, or I'm sure they would be calling the men in white suits.

 

[SAHDad]

Hi ladies,
I was wondering for those of you who have run it before, did you go to a park after the race? Has most of the morning passed that it is too late to go to a park?

Not sure how one feels after, having been up by 3 am, how long I would last for the day?

Haven't run the Princess, but it is no worse than any other half (or better, for that matter - the distance doesn't change, after all! ) For Disney races, I have never had a problem going back to the hotel, getting cleaned up, and then heading to the parks. It might be an early night, although even after the Goofy I was up until midnight or so - most people don't sleep much the night before the race (too nervous), and are too keyed up after the race to get to sleep early. Besides, even though you may not feel like it, you really do want to keep moving after the race - it will make you much less sore the next day.

Regarding music & mental games - I don't listen to music when I run anymore, but AFAIK, it is allowed at Disney, just not recommended. For a few years, races everywhere were banning mp3 players, but they are allowed again, just not encouraged. And Disney is pretty good about on-course entertainment.

Mental games - if I have to, I try to look at only the next couple of minutes, or the next mile, or a nearby point in the course. 13.1 is a big chunk to look at all at once, but if you break it up into smaller bites, it is a lot more manageable.

 

[Disfan11]

I ran the Princess this past Feb.
I did run with my IPod. There are some long distance areas where there is no entertainment, so I really needed it.
I also ran some areas with only one ear bud in so I could hear the bands and the crowds-especially at the start.

I did go to the parks after getting cleaned up. It's fun to wear your medal. Everyone congratulates you and asks if you won! I had bought an "I did it" shirt at the Expo. I also held up my medal in the pictures that are taken on the rides!

It's going to be a blast running it again in 2012!
Can't wait!

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

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 saw that shirt awhile back, but I had forgot about it. I think I will have to go check it out again.

Also my costume is planned! Im going to be Princess Tiana. Sparkle skirts is making my costume. I cant wait!

I can't wait to see your costume! I am going to have a Tiana "inspired" costume, but I am making mine because I am cheap and a control freak

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.

That is pretty much how I started too. I had some friends that ran and were always posting on FB about their races and medals and what not and I wanted some medals of my own. I used Disney as my focus to run and I decided I couldn't justify a Disney trip for a little old 5K so I went big and this years princess was my first race ever! Now I am doing Tink and the Princess again next year and I am considering going Goofy sometime in the next 3 years or so (before I turn 35).

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!!!

All of the host resorts offer it. You can see which they are under travel details on the Prince half page on the runDisney website.

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!

I really think it is all relative. I was a slow runner at a 13:30 pace (my pace for the 2011 princess) and I am a slow runner at a 10:30 pace. I think other then the very seasoned runners most runners think they are slow.

For the 10K I am running with my cousin and she has already mentioned that she's not been able to train much. But since it's my first, it'll be a PR for me even if we walk a ton!

This is the philosophy I took too. So far I have only ran 2 races, the princess and a local 10K and they were both PRs I am expecting another PR for the Tink, but I am not sure how I am going to approach the Princess yet. It depends on how I recover after Tink.

Hi Ladies..... Will you guys be running with music that day or not. Not sure if you can at the race???

Anyone have any inputs.

2) What kind of mind games do you play with yourself to keep running and to avoid stopping when the brain is saying I want to quit?

I know it was said but yes you can listen to music, but they don't suggest it. I brought my iPod with me this year, but I didn't turn it on until about 9.5 to 10 miles in.
I don't normally listen to music when I run anymore.

When I want to stop I will just talk to myself in my head. I will focus on a spot ahead of me and kind of zone in on it. I do intervals also so I will say "only this much longer until you can walk, just focus and get through it." Or I also visualize crossing the finish line. I will think about the race, the medal, whatever; just to remind myself what I am doing it for.

Hi ladies,
I was wondering for those of you who have run it before, did you go to a park after the race? Has most of the morning passed that it is too late to go to a park?

Not sure how one feels after, having been up by 3 am, how long I would last for the day?

I went back to the room, showered and then headed out to the parks. I was fine. The race is pretty early so you still have plenty of time for park touring after the race. There were a lot of people who went straight to the park in their race clothes, but I really wanted a shower and some fresh clean (read not sweated in) clothes.
Like someone else said you really should walk around a bunch after the race. I was not sore at all until the next morning, after laying in bed all night.

 

[nancytoby]

Hi ladies,
I was wondering for those of you who have run it before, did you go to a park after the race? Has most of the morning passed that it is too late to go to a park?

Not sure how one feels after, having been up by 3 am, how long I would last for the day?

Definitely schedule your park-going for AFTER the race, NOT before! You may be moving slowly but moving around will help ease any soreness. That's much better than walking too much the day BEFORE the race!

 

[tinkeramy]

Congratulations to those who are freshly registered!! And welcome to all of the new posters - this thread is full of amazing support - so glad to have you here.

I have a 10K on Sunday, and while I'm a tad bit nervous that I'll be the last one to cross the finish line, I'm also crazy amazed that I am even attempting the 10K in the first place. In July I wasn't a runner. And now I am.

For the 10K I am running with my cousin and she has already mentioned that she's not been able to train much. But since it's my first, it'll be a PR for me even if we walk a ton!

Best of luck to any & all running this weekend - have FUN out there, friends!

Shelley, You'll do great! First races are very exciting! And I've seen your training. The likelihood of you being last is VERY low...

Hi Ladies..... Will you guys be running with music that day or not. Not sure if you can at the race???

Anyone have any inputs.

2) What kind of mind games do you play with yourself to keep running and to avoid stopping when the brain is saying I want to quit?

I had my ipod but there was so much going on that I didn't listen to it much at all. I kind of wanted to soak up everything around me - the whole event is entertaining enough, to me! As said before, there is one stretch on the way back that is a bit of a lull so I plugged in then, but not for long b/c I still wanted to connect with those around me.

I second the person (I think it was SAHDad) who said to break it up into chunks. Focus on the next telephone pole. Then focus on the back of someone in front of you and see how long you can keep close to them. Many times I have told myself "One more minute - I can do anything for one minute".

Hi ladies,
I was wondering for those of you who have run it before, did you go to a park after the race? Has most of the morning passed that it is too late to go to a park?

Not sure how one feels after, having been up by 3 am, how long I would last for the day?

We actually did the parks a good bit of the day Saturday (not into the eve, though) and late on Sunday. After the race, we went back to the room, showered, et cetera, but hit Epcot for a late lunch. After that we were dragging and ready to go back to our room. We went to MK for "one more thing", ran into the parade, and suddenly we had enough energy to make it to fireworks time!!! But I do want to second the thought that it's actually beneficial to walk around a lot after the race - if you sit too much, you will definitely tighten up!

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

Hi Ladies..... Will you guys be running with music that day or not. Not sure if you can at the race???

Anyone have any inputs.

2) What kind of mind games do you play with yourself to keep running and to avoid stopping when the brain is saying I want to quit?

I always run with music. In fact, my app changes the beat of the music to match my pace. At this point in my training it's the only way I can keep a steady pace and not slow down to a stop when I'm getting tired. I'll be bringing my music along for the princess, not only for the pacing, but to regulate my walk/run ratios. My app also gives me running tips and positive reinforcement when the going gets tough.

 

[DisneyBoyz]

Early start today! Got up at 4am and ran my own neighborhood 10k. My DH has to work yet again this Saturday so I needed to be back to the house by 6 so he could leave. I showered, did a couple loads of laundry and made TONGA TOAST (from Polynesian) with blueberry sausage. Out of this world delicious!

This evening I will take my DS4 to his first NASCAR race in Charlotte while DH and DS7 go camping with the cub scouts. How redneck is that?!

I will definitely be listening to tunes the morning of, with only one ear bud. Maybe I'll be singing out loud and dancing--like I do every morning when I run!

Have a great weekend ladies!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Hi Ladies! Thanks so much for all of your welcome posts I just finished 3 miles, about half running and half walking overall, at just under 15:00 min/mile pace. Since that is my first "long run" on the Galloway training program, I'm hoping it will get easier and I will be able to increase the running.

My face is SO red that it is almost purple. Thank goodness no one else was in the building's gym or else they would've called 911 thinking I was about to die!

 

[slp1650]

Hi ladies,
I was wondering for those of you who have run it before, did you go to a park after the race? Has most of the morning passed that it is too late to go to a park?

Not sure how one feels after, having been up by 3 am, how long I would last for the day?

I spent all day in the parks after the Princess last year. I was spending the weekend with my friends who had never been to Disney World so we were getting all the major attractions in. I think I ended up staying up for like 22 or 23 hours because we went to a nice dinner and celebrated through the night... I think I went to bed around 1 and had gotten up at 3 so it was definitely a long day. But I was flying home the next day so I slept through most of that...

Hi Ladies..... Will you guys be running with music that day or not. Not sure if you can at the race???

Anyone have any inputs.

2) What kind of mind games do you play with yourself to keep running and to avoid stopping when the brain is saying I want to quit?

I always run with my iphone and I'm always listening to some sort of music. I've run a few times without it, and then I just let my mind run off to anything it wants to think about. I like writing so I'm usually trying to come up with some new topic to write about later.

For me when my brain says it wants to quit, I usually tell myself I have to get to this point (like another mile or to a certain landmark) and then I'll take a break. I won't stop my run, but I don't see if hurting to walk for a bit or catch your breath for a little bit. Then, I start running again and I'll either push myself to the end or I'll find another good landmark/stopping point. It's kind of like mini-rewards during your run.

When I was a distance swimmer I found that distracting my mind with anything and everything usually helped me trick myself into going. Or, I would actually count down how much I had left. I still count down my miles when I'm running half marathons and I'll mentally cheer myself on. Just remember, you can always be your own biggest supporter!