Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[stamot]

im sad and frustrated. today i went early to do my 4 miles run. my body was very stiff and i couldnt run as much as i wanted to. i finish the 4 miles in 59 minutes which is a bad time for me. i usually make my miles in 14 minutes or less. i dont know what was wrong today. also i been having all these nightmares about starting the marathon and not being able to finish.
does anyone else have these nightmares?

 

[flgirl36]

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

Think I might have to keep smiling all day long.

I love both POFQ and POR. I am debating staying at one of those again or trying out Caribbean Beach

Julie

 

[tinkeramy]

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...).

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!

Sounds like you are just in a funk. Switch up the music you run to? New route? Cut back a little so that you can meet some of your goals and get a little confidence back before you start upping the mileage again? Don't know if you have any races prior to the Princess, but if you don't, you've got plenty of time to cut back a little on mileage and go back up from there. Hope things get better!

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

Think I might have to keep smiling all day long.

That's where we'll be! Which is appropriate, b/c my next fave place after WDW is New Orleans! We'll have to look out for ya!

im sad and frustrated. today i went early to do my 4 miles run. my body was very stiff and i couldnt run much as i wanted to. i finish the 4 miles in 59 minutes which is a bad time for me. i usually make my miles in 14 minutes or less. i dont know what was wrong today. also i been having all these nightmares about starting the marathon and not being able to finish.
does anyone else have these nightmares?

Don't let one bad run blow your confidence! We ALL have those runs, not just beginners. And I'm sure the dreams are normal. But get in your brain and remember that if you train properly, you WILL finish.

Had a 10 miler on the schedule for today and was REALLY nervous! I haven't done that mileage since the Princess last year. The weather was gorgeous but I went out too fast and started to seriously poop out at mile 7. Took it down and did the best I could for the rest of the run; glad to have it on the books and glad to learn my lesson about pacing!

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

Love all the inspiration and helpful advice here! I added a few songs to my playlist this morning for motivation (Express Yourself - Madonna, And She Was - Talking Heads, Little Miss Can't Do Wrong - Spin Doctors). Ran my longest distance ever.. 7.5 miles (1 hr. 17 min). Only 6 more miles to add by February!

 

[TiggerAllie]

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!

I have found I have to be really careful with cross-training, because the day after can definitely be sore in new places!

I Brookline! 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.

I've thought about running on Beacon-- in the summer it was actually much hotter to run on there (lots of traffic and stores), but that could be good now that it is colder. I've thought about either running out along the T line and then just taking it back home or vice versa.

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?!?!

That was me--the hill training made a huge difference! Try a stoller run up and down the hills just one day a week (the plan only has us go 30-40 mins, even though our long runs are up to 7-8 mi) and see if it helps!

 

[TiggerAllie]

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.

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.

Could you just be over-doing it a bit? Maybe your body is just telling you it needs the rest. Most of the plans I've seen have the weekday runs more in the 3-4 mi range so you can push farther on the long run. Maybe just try cutting everything back and build and just build the long run back up from there, especially since you are also going up from 2 to 3 days a week.

 

[JCH]

Okay, after literally an hour of comparing hotels, I bit the bullet and booked All Star Music for the Princess! I figured it made more sense to spend the same amount of money to stay to 2 nights there and not have to rush out of the hotel afterward than staying at Port Orleans.

 

[HockeyKat]

Had a 10 miler on the schedule for today and was REALLY nervous! I haven't done that mileage since the Princess last year. The weather was gorgeous but I went out too fast and started to seriously poop out at mile 7. Took it down and did the best I could for the rest of the run; glad to have it on the books and glad to learn my lesson about pacing!

I am sooo bad for going out too fast. I like running with a group because it paces me, but I think it also hurts me on pacing myself in races.

15.8 miles done today, in 3:50. Thrilled. My best training pace ever (as Gallowayers, we tend to train slow). I did 13.41 in 3:09 and feel a bit better for missing my Austin race. Intervals were 1:30/1 and 1/1. Weather was gorgeous here - clear and 48 to start (at 7AM).

 

[Namsupak]

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.

Thanks so much for the advice. I definitely think it would be boring for the long runs but hopefully I can get out in the day for those.

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!

Thanks so much for responding. It's good to know that someone else did it. I know what you mean about the pavement being harder I ran 2 weeks ago on the pavement for the first time and my ankle still isn't right.

 

[lifeasiseeit]

Originally Posted by Worfiedoodles View Post
I Brookline! 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.
I've thought about running on Beacon-- in the summer it was actually much hotter to run on there (lots of traffic and stores), but that could be good now that it is colder. I've thought about either running out along the T line and then just taking it back home or vice versa.

I've thought about running in/around the Common and the Public Garden. I live to far out to do the run the T & take it back home, but I could run the T around the city & take the T back to my house.

As a side note...did either of you run the Tufts 10k a couple weeks ago?

 

[tinkeramy]

I have to start this post with the disclaimer that I am NOT a regular Cheetah Girls listener but there is a cute song by them for running inspiration! They do a version of "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" that is upbeat and poppy. Makes me smile when it comes on the ipod during a run! You can find it on iTunes - it's the Cheetah Girls and it's on the DisneyMania 4 album, I believe.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I've thought about running in/around the Common and the Public Garden. I live to far out to do the run the T & take it back home, but I could run the T around the city & take the T back to my house.

As a side note...did either of you run the Tufts 10k a couple weeks ago?

No Tufts for me -- but you seem to run all the same races as my dh! BAA Half, BAA 10K, Run to Remember, Corporate Challenge -- I am much too slow for these races. I really, really want to run around the Charles, but it never seems to work out when we try to plan it. Sigh. I think running the Common/Garden and taking the T is a great idea. We're doing the Somerville Turkey Trot. It's 4M, and even fits with my training plan for that day! Gobble, gobble!

Maria

 

[italianlover]

I have a 4 miler planned for tomorrow but was wondering how it effects your body if you run in the A.M. vs the P.M.? Obviously, it's better to train in the A.M. since Princess will be then but sometimes I just can't get my butt out of bed early enough! If I push it til P.M. I dread it and think about it and end up talking myself out of it so I know the A.M. is better for me. I'm trying harder and harder because I can't take the heat in FL either, lately its been gorgeous but I know the sun will be in full force again soon enough Any tricks to motivating yourself in the A.M.?
Also, I need new songs BAD!! I'm getting SO sick of listening to the same thing. How often do you download new songs? What's been your favorite lately to listen to during your runs? Thanks again for all your advice

 

[TiggerAllie]

As a side note...did either of you run the Tufts 10k a couple weeks ago?

No-- we were actually in Disney for the Columbus Day holiday!

We're doing the Somerville Turkey Trot. It's 4M, and even fits with my training plan for that day!

Do either of you know of any local 10Ks this fall? I can't find anything that would be long enough to submit a time for the Princess. Otherwise, know of any fun races around? I feel like we should try a "real" event before the Princess.

I have a 4 miler planned for tomorrow but was wondering how it effects your body if you run in the A.M. vs the P.M.? Obviously, it's better to train in the A.M. since Princess will be then but sometimes I just can't get my butt out of bed early enough!

I would much rather run in the PM than the AM... and unfortunately because of it I run better in the PM, especially since that's when I train. I try to push it earlier on the weekends, but I agree, I have trouble getting out of bed so early.

With an 8-mi run tomorrow, we may be able to make it all the way to the Public Garden and back!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

I am sooo bad for going out too fast. I like running with a group because it paces me, but I think it also hurts me on pacing myself in races.

15.8 miles done today, in 3:50. Thrilled. My best training pace ever (as Gallowayers, we tend to train slow). I did 13.41 in 3:09 and feel a bit better for missing my Austin race. Intervals were 1:30/1 and 1/1. Weather was gorgeous here - clear and 48 to start (at 7AM).

Congrats Great Mileage!!!

 

[JoShan1719]

I have to start this post with the disclaimer that I am NOT a regular Cheetah Girls listener but there is a cute song by them for running inspiration! They do a version of "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" that is upbeat and poppy. Makes me smile when it comes on the ipod during a run! You can find it on iTunes - it's the Cheetah Girls and it's on the DisneyMania 4 album, I believe.

Their versions of "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "I Won't Say I'm in Love" are awesome too! A good portion of my workout music consists of remixed Disney songs.

 

[lifeasiseeit]

Do either of you know of any local 10Ks this fall? I can't find anything that would be long enough to submit a time for the Princess. Otherwise, know of any fun races around? I feel like we should try a "real" event before the Princess.

I haven't been able to find any (local) 10ks for the rest of the year...I typically do an on-line check every Sunday or so. If I come across anything, I'll let you know...I'm trying to squeeze one more in to break 60 minutes; for some reason I REALLY want to be under 60 minutes.

There is one half marathon in November and it's in Newton (I think). Not exactly sure, since it's around the middle of November and that date does not really work for me due to work. I think it's the Chilly Half Marathon.

I'm registered for 2 more 5ks - one in November and one in December. The December one I hear is a ton of fun and it's in Somerville. There's also a Superhero/Halloween 5k next weekend, not sure if there are still spots open, but if there are and you have your costume ready, there's a 'legit' race to run wearing it!

 

[lifeasiseeit]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm following Hal Higdon's training plan...and have been following more or less for most of the summer. I (try to) run every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (long runs) but missed most of my long runs. Since coming back from vacation I 'simply' ran whatever I felt like running...not really following anything except the "I must run further/faster than last time" training plan. Yea. That worked out well. Haha!

I checked the schedule this morning after deciding that I was going to do 5 miles today...and 5 miles happens to fit in perfectly with his plan and the fact that I have a 5k exactly 2 weeks from today. So I'm now back on board with his plan...still debating on the interval thing.

Annnnnd I just realize that I'm out of town next Friday night - Tuesday morning. With no place to run while I'm away for Sunday's long run. Oh, well. I've got plenty of time until Princess, I'll figure it out!

 

[Tabetha]

I am following galloways 3 days a week, I try to do weights or something 2 days a week.

Has anyone had issues with their hip flexor. I have been in pain in my left hip flexor, I can walk fine, but it hurts alot to run, its been about a month now.

I had that same problem last year when I was trying to train for a 10K. I tried to ignore it for 3 months, but it only got worse.
I went to a friend who is MAT certified (Muscle Activation Technique) and had a few treatments stopped running for a month after that and then started again super slowly. She also gave me some specific stretches for the muscle groups that were affected without my even realizing it (groin area).

I also recently was professionally fitted for shoes, which has helped a lot.

Bottom line, I'd say see someone about it if you can. Get it while its still early.

 

[Tabetha]

I had a very unique obstacle this week - ocean swells!

We had some very rocky weather on our ship's route (Boston-Bermuda-Boston) and I had to miss one of my conditioning runs altogether because I didn't think I'd be able to stay on the treadmill.

The weather was a little better last night, but it still had me all over the place on the treadmill and put some crazy strain on my right knee and calf. I had to walk a lot more than I normally would have, so I put up my slowest time and shortest distance to date. Boo to that.

Because we're behind this week, my husband and I are going to do our long run today rather than leaving a day in between. I'm comfortable with that considering yesterday was mostly walking - and we're docked in Bermuda, so we won't be fighting waves!