Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[Cripey]

Initially I was worried about training in the cold/snow, but now I'm realizing training in the dark may be a bigger problem. It's gotten to the point where we are getting ready for work before sun-up and barely getting home by sundown. It's only going to get worse. We don't have a place to train indoors.

Does anyone have any suggestions for running outside in the dark? TIA!

I have the same problem with trying to avoid running during dark hours...but it's just not possible this time of year. My commute is pretty long so if I were to drive home first, it would already be dark when I got there...and I live alone (with no one to realize I didn't come home if something happened!) so I just don't feel comfortable running at night. Is running right after work in the area maybe an option for you? That's what I do. I pack a bag and change in the restroom at work and run at a large, well lit park in the area with jogging paths. It helps that it is usually pretty crowded with other runners/walkers/bikers so I feel safe. Depending on the length of the run, it may be dark when I finish, but it's normally still light for most of it. I also like this option because I can get it done right after work...I feel like if I went ahead and made the commute home and then tried to run, more times than not I would end up on the couch

 

[Namsupak]

Now that it's getting colder... has anyone trained on a treadmill? I'm just wondering because my weekday runs can only be done at night and it's just too cold for me. If you did how was it? Did you really feel prepared for race day?

 

[joan4mickey]

Now that it's getting colder... has anyone trained on a treadmill? I'm just wondering because my weekday runs can only be done at night and it's just too cold for me. If you did how was it? Did you really feel prepared for race day?

Nearly everyone of my runs for the 2010 Princess was done on the TM. It gets a little boring. I listen to music. I did one long run, ugh, and tempo and speed drills each week. On long runs, I just try not to look at info panel as long as possible. That was also the year it was under 40 degrees at the start of the race. It can be done. Good luck.

 

[alliesue]

My mom and I just registered for the 2012 Princess Half! It'll be my first half - my mom's 3rd. We did the Wine and Dine relay this year (did my 4.8 miles in 53min - relay team finished 2:22) and I was hooked! I'm nursing a stress fracture in my tibia - but was cleared to run the relay by my doc and physical therapist! So excited to be training for my first half- just hope I can do it without another stress fracture! My farthest run thus far has been 5 miles. Any advice from you veteran runners would be great!

 

[tinkeramy]

My schedule has been all out of whack lately. Ideal running schedule is M - W - Sat. Lately, have run into W / F / Sun. This weekend, I am supposed to do 10 miles and I know that I am not going to be able to squeeze that in before church on Sunday, so it's going to have to be Saturday. The only run I've done this week was yesterday's paltry 2.5 miles and didn't get to do anything today. Will just staying at 3 miles tomorrow be okay to do the day before 10 miles? I'd like to get something in, but don't want to overdo it. Whaddya think? It will def. have to be a stroller run, so I certainly won't be speeding!

 

[HockeyKat]

Amy, don't run the extra 3 tomorrow if you plan on doing 10 on Saturday. You could maybe walk 3, though.

 

[Dagny]

Now that it's getting colder... has anyone trained on a treadmill? I'm just wondering because my weekday runs can only be done at night and it's just too cold for me. If you did how was it? Did you really feel prepared for race day?

Hey there! I trained almost exclusively on the treadmill for my Wine & Dine Half I will tell you that the only thing that troubled me during the race was my feet! The pavement is much harder than the treadmill so I wasn't prepared for that. Otherwise, everything was great!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Just signed up for a 5 mile run on Thanksgiving with my sister! Had to alter my training schedule this week from Tues/Thurs/Saturday to Tues/hopefully Friday/Sunday. I did a new workout DVD as cross-training yesterday and woke up this morning to do my run and could barely move my sore legs!! Hopefully I'll be good to go tomorrow.

Glad to see so many people here offering support to each other!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I have some blinking lights from my bike that maybe I'll have to get out. Usually I avoid the major streets, but that may be how we have to go, as the wooded routes get a bit dark (we're in Brookline). I'm definitely not ready to go up and down the same hill over and over yet-- I still lose motivation when doing loops. We have 2 short runs during the week and the long run on the weekend, so it's just a 30-45 minute route that I'm trying to squeeze in.

I Brookline! I spend a ton of time there for my work, and I used to live in Allston/Brighton. We would walk over to watch the Marathon...I would think it would be safe and pretty easy to pick a stretch of Beacon Street and run there at night. You could even run the marathon route for inspiration! It's a little further, but I also recommend going to Newton and running down Comm Ave. There are great routes and you will always see other runners -- maybe more for your long runs, my dh used to do that all the time when he was training for Boston. I will never be training for Boston , but I can still enjoy a nice route!

Maria

 

[tinkeramy]

Amy, don't run the extra 3 tomorrow if you plan on doing 10 on Saturday. You could maybe walk 3, though.

Thanks, Kat - I might do that.

And I hope I didn't offend anybody with my "paltry 2.5 miles" comment. I was scheduled to do 4-5, but just didn't have the time. So, for me, that day, 2.5 did seem seriously skimpy. But I don't want to discourage anyone for whom 2.5 might still be a challenge.

I can't remember who posted about cutting her regular pace after doing hill repeats, but you have got me thinking.... there is a park next to my son's school that I have avoided doing stroller runs in b/c it has some seriously killer hills. So, maybe, if I push the stroller up and down these things regularly, I can bada** my way through a regular run?!?!

 

[msufan]

Thanks for the encouragement and advice tinkeramy and TiggerAllie. Sometimes you just need a fresh perspective. Thanks guys!

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

Just signed up for a 5 mile run on Thanksgiving with my sister! Had to alter my training schedule this week from Tues/Thurs/Saturday to Tues/hopefully Friday/Sunday. I did a new workout DVD as cross-training yesterday and woke up this morning to do my run and could barely move my sore legs!! Hopefully I'll be good to go tomorrow.

Glad to see so many people here offering support to each other!

I really want to add more cross-training in but I am worried about that happening to me too. Right now I run Tues, Thurs, Sat., do yoga Sun, and ab work on Wed & Fri. I would like to do a kettlebell workout on Wed & Fri also, but I am thinking Fri is a no go with the long run Sat.

I am amazed at how high the mileage already is for many of you! I am doing the Tinker Bell in Jan and next weeks run is only 9 miles and I feel like it is still a little early to be that high in the mileage, but I am Galloway's time goal plan so my mileage is going to really get up there before the race.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I Brookline! I spend a ton of time there for my work, and I used to live in Allston/Brighton. We would walk over to watch the Marathon...I would think it would be safe and pretty easy to pick a stretch of Beacon Street and run there at night. You could even run the marathon route for inspiration! It's a little further, but I also recommend going to Newton and running down Comm Ave. There are great routes and you will always see other runners -- maybe more for your long runs, my dh used to do that all the time when he was training for Boston. I will never be training for Boston , but I can still enjoy a nice route!

Maria

I grew up in Wellesley and always saw people running that route. I always laughed at them and thought I'd never do anything like what they were doing, and now look at me

 

[dthogue]

Can someone explain to me the 2-person team - does each person run the whole 13.1 miles or does each person only run 1/2? My DD and I are both planning on running and I wasn't sure if we should sign up as a team or as individuals

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

Can someone explain to me the 2-person team - does each person run the whole 13.1 miles or does each person only run 1/2? My DD and I are both planning on running and I wasn't sure if we should sign up as a team or as individuals

You both run the whole thing. Other then additional chances at an award (team awards) there isn't much of a difference between signing up as a team or an individual.

 

[HockeyKat]

Thanks, Kat - I might do that.

And I hope I didn't offend anybody with my "paltry 2.5 miles" comment. I was scheduled to do 4-5, but just didn't have the time. So, for me, that day, 2.5 did seem seriously skimpy. But I don't want to discourage anyone for whom 2.5 might still be a challenge.

I can't remember who posted about cutting her regular pace after doing hill repeats, but you have got me thinking.... there is a park next to my son's school that I have avoided doing stroller runs in b/c it has some seriously killer hills. So, maybe, if I push the stroller up and down these things regularly, I can bada** my way through a regular run?!?!

It's funny how after you get comfortable with distance, the 2 and 3 milers can seem paltry. I run with a group and we do between 6 and 10+ (more than 10 is always optional) a week, and the 6 and 8 milers we have been known to say, oh, it's "only" 8 miles! 18 months ago, 8 miles seemed like an insurmountable obstacle.

Hill repeat walks with the stroller! I have some pretty steep hills on either side of my yard, and joke (in my head anyhow), that "running" up the hill with the self-propelled mower should count as hill repeats!

 

[lifeasiseeit]

Hey Princesses!

I've been pretty quiet on here...I went on vacation for a couple of weeks and FINALLY caught up (yes, I must be caught up to post...).

Sorry to hear about all of the injuries/struggles. Yay for all of the awesome runs! Welcome to all the recent joiners!

Anyway, I have a *slight* problem. I seem to have misplaced my stamina/ability.

Prior to my vacation, I was running regularly and doing well 2-3 times a week. When I came back from vacation, I was doing GREAT. I missed my long runs on Sunday, but I was running just short of 6.5 miles Tuesdays/Thursdays...until last week's 10k. Ever since that race, I've just not been able to run. I've struggled through less than 5 miles (4.93 miles to be exact) in TOTAL.

Anyone ever face this? I don't have any injuries (not even a blister!), my shoes are okay, I'm even running on the same type of treadmills I was previously using (my gym has several types...a few of each), and my cross training has remained the same.

I've been working up my distances all summer, and a 10k is right around where my weekday runs have been, so it's not like I need to come down from a huge jump in distance. Honestly, my goal is to hit 5 miles on Tuesday/Thursday and start with 7 miles as a long run on Sunday, to kind of 'repeat' a few weeks as I build my millage up and actually try to get my long runs in.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[shellbelle76]

Hey Princesses!

I've been pretty quiet on here...I went on vacation for a couple of weeks and FINALLY caught up (yes, I must be caught up to post...).

Sorry to hear about all of the injuries/struggles. Yay for all of the awesome runs! Welcome to all the recent joiners!

Anyway, I have a *slight* problem. I seem to have misplaced my stamina/ability.

Prior to my vacation, I was running regularly and doing well 2-3 times a week. When I came back from vacation, I was doing GREAT. I missed my long runs on Sunday, but I was running just short of 6.5 miles Tuesdays/Thursdays...until last week's 10k. Ever since that race, I've just not been able to run. I've struggled through less than 5 miles (4.93 miles to be exact) in TOTAL.

Anyone ever face this? I don't have any injuries (not even a blister!), my shoes are okay, I'm even running on the same type of treadmills I was previously using (my gym has several types...a few of each), and my cross training has remained the same.

I've been working up my distances all summer, and a 10k is right around where my weekday runs have been, so it's not like I need to come down from a huge jump in distance. Honestly, my goal is to hit 5 miles on Tuesday/Thursday and start with 7 miles as a long run on Sunday, to kind of 'repeat' a few weeks as I build my millage up and actually try to get my long runs in.

Thanks for any advice!

No advice - just a hug. Holding out hope that some of the other more experienced runners can help you.

 

[shellbelle76]

I made my reservation for POFQ for the Princess. SO EXCITED!!!

Think I might have to keep smiling all day long.

 

[JCH]

I made my reservation for POFQ for the Princess. SO EXCITED!!!

Think I might have to keep smiling all day long.

I keep looking at this or POR and booking a princess room. Would that be too cheesy?