Official 2012 Princess Half Marathon Thread!

[saysay]

i ran my "practice" marathon yesterday! the St. Louis Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon....it was so much fun! i even ended up with a faster time than I was going for......i finished in 2:57:49. I'd only gone the 13.1 mile distance once before, and it took me well over 3 hours, so i was thrilled with my time!

next big race is the princess half......i just need to stay in shape 'till then!

GREAT JOB! Be proud of yourself. You can totally now just enjoy the Princess!

I don't know if this has been discussed at all but i just can't seem to get over the hump of running 2 miles. I start to get tired and bored running in my neighborhood and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for how you keep yourself motivated during the longer runs. I was supposed to just do my 4 4miler from last week as i had a bust weekend but I wold love advice on getting motivated to run further as really that is pretty essential seeing as we will be running 13.1 miles in 125 days.

I couldn't do it if I didn't do my intervals..... I get tired of just running and and quit...the walk breaks have saved me. I would suggest giving them a try. Last year my longer runs tended to be at the same 2 running paths, I would change up my music which helped....or go reverse directions. Good luck, just take it one run at a time.

 

[Cripey]

Hi all! Need some advice about running headphones. The ones that come with my ipod/iphone just pop out of my ears. Any recommendations for a good pair?

ipod haedphones don't fit in my ear either! Look for a set that comes with interchangeable earbuds...I can usually find several brands that will come with 3 different sizes and the smallest one normally works for me. The brand I'm using now is Skullcandy. Another option is to find the earbuds with the memory foam stuff on the ends. You just squeeze it down, insert, and the foam will expand form to your ear. My BF uses this kind and loves them...on the other hand, I've borrowed them before and didn't like them very much. I felt like they expanded too much and made my ears sore afterward...they didn't fall out though! I believe the ones he uses are Sony.

 

[Lotuslady]

Cami,

I am not sure about how long you need to train for a full marathon, but I can tell you what happened recently to my sister for the 1/2 marathon at Disneyland. She had a severe stress fracture in her foot Memorial Day weekend and was sidelined from running the rest of the summer. She trained only swimming and biking 4-5 times per week. She was going to "walk" the race and decided on the day to "jog". She never walked a step and finished in 2:33 and is 61 years young. So....depending on your expectations, you can accomplish the race, but perhaps not the time you would like. By the way, her Princess time was 1:54, first in her age group!
Happy Running!
Pam

I can't tell you how much this helped me. I'm on an interesting journey myself. Started walking (only 1/2 mile a day) back in May. Weighed 290 lbs. and have lost 38 lbs since then. I have walked every day since (except for 2 days we could not make it). Three weeks ago I walked 6 miles on our challenge Saturday walk. Right after that I heard about the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathan. I thought if I can go from 0 to 6 miles in 5 months, I can do a 1/2 marathan in another 5 months.

I'm going to have to walk it, but I'll do it. However, I also have had a stress fracture that has bothered me (it had been hurting for a while, but only just found out that it was a stress fracture). It's healing, but reading about your sister has given me courage that it's going to be just fine.

 

[Cripey]

Hello ladies

An odd question perhaps?

Has anyone tried the running skirts from Team Sparkle?

Has anyone tried the running skirts from SparkleSkirts?

Do you have a preference one over the other?

Ive read that the skirts from Team Sparkle are see through? Are the SparkleSkirts the same way?

I've worn a Team Sparkle skirt in the 3 half marathons that I've completed so far...see pics below I love them...sparkly, fun, and completely weightless! You're right, they are transparent, so you have to wear something under them...but I'm thinking one would do that anyway whether it was transparent or not given the length of the skirt and the movement that's comes from the activity you're participating in I just wear a pair of compression shorts underneath...which is good because that's the only thing I train in anyway, compression shorts and a running top. Any other kind of running shorts tend to creep up between my legs during a run and that drives me insane. I have not personally worn the other brand, Sparkle Skirt, but I've seen them on other people and on their website and they look longer to me. I'm so short that I'm afraid those would come close to my knees

 

[DisneyParrothead]

Hi all! Need some advice about running headphones. The ones that come with my ipod/iphone just pop out of my ears. Any recommendations for a good pair?

I have a non-earbud pair that hooks on to my ears, I think their Sony. They're more comfortable than earbuds and I can keep the volume down. I've never liked earbuds so I try to avoid them as much as possible.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hi all! Need some advice about running headphones. The ones that come with my ipod/iphone just pop out of my ears. Any recommendations for a good pair?

I use Yurbuds. We got them at the WDW marathon weekend expo earlier this year. It just so happened I was a 5 and my dh was a 7 (they size them for your ears), and there was a set you could get with those two sizes of buds and one set of earphones. He got the Bose earphones that came with it, I slip the buds over my ipod earphones.

You twist and lock them, and they don't move at all.

I love these so much -- so much I'm going to upgrade at the Princess expo and purchase a pink pair with the Bose earphones as a special treat for me

Maria

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Thanks for all the headphone recommendations!!

 

[runprincessrun]

I am registered to do the princess half 2012... and would like to stay in Disney.... for those of you who have run at disney - what is the best place to stay ie.what resort and why.

Also, I completed my 5mile long run this past weekend and was really hurtin the next day.... Im now nervous to move on to the next long run... your body does get used to this right.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I am registered to do the princess half 2012... and would like to stay in Disney.... for those of you who have run at disney - what is the best place to stay ie.what resort and why.

Also, I completed my 5mile long run this past weekend and was really hurtin the next day.... Im now nervous to move on to the next long run... your body does get used to this right.

In my opinion, the best place to stay is at a host resort -- not all resorts have this designation. I believe someone posted on an earlier page in this thread what the host resorts are. I know for the Values its the 3 All Stars.

My reasoning is because the transportation to the Expo and Race is right there, you don't have to make any extra effort. I know people stay at non-host resorts and get themselves to one for the buses, or just get themselves to the venues. I won't have a car, and I'm all about the "easy" in the transportation. YMMV

Maria

 

[Cripey]

I am registered to do the princess half 2012... and would like to stay in Disney.... for those of you who have run at disney - what is the best place to stay ie.what resort and why.

Also, I completed my 5mile long run this past weekend and was really hurtin the next day.... Im now nervous to move on to the next long run... your body does get used to this right.

I agree with previous poster...for the easiest route, stick to one of the hotels designated as a host hotel for race weekend. Even if you have your own transportation, you still may run into significant traffic due to road closures for the race so I think using the race transportation provided is the way to go. If you choose a host hotel, after that it's just up to your budget and personal theme preference really. There are always host hotels from each of the 3 hotel categories: value, moderate and deluxe. I have read from some people that they have no issues braving the traffic in their own vehicle and prefer it so they have a comfortable and warm place to wait until it's time to join the herd and hike to the corrals. For me personally, I enjoy the atmosphere in the pre-race area...and so far have not been at a race during a particularly cold time where I wished I had a heater, thank goodness! Hope that helps!

Also, I think it's normal for you to be somewhat sore after a long run...I've been advised in the past to make sure I get in some good stretching to help alleviate it quicker. Also, make sure you're scheduling rest days! My trainer always sets up my schedules where the day before and after a long run is a rest day...your body really needs it!

 

[JCH]

I am registered to do the princess half 2012... and would like to stay in Disney.... for those of you who have run at disney - what is the best place to stay ie.what resort and why.

Also, I completed my 5mile long run this past weekend and was really hurtin the next day.... Im now nervous to move on to the next long run... your body does get used to this right.

I third staying at a host resort. I couldnt believe how easy it was when I did a 5k. Here is the list:


Disney Value Resorts

Disney's All-Star Movies*Resort
Disney's All-Star Music*Resort
Disney's All-Star Sports*Resort

Disney Moderate Resorts

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney's Caribbean Beach*Resort

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney Deluxe Resorts

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

 

[fashionista311]

I am registered to do the princess half 2012... and would like to stay in Disney.... for those of you who have run at disney - what is the best place to stay ie.what resort and why.

Also, I completed my 5mile long run this past weekend and was really hurtin the next day.... Im now nervous to move on to the next long run... your body does get used to this right.

yes - it does get better as your body adapts to the distance! i remember the first 10k i really ran completely and I was so sore the next day. now i can do a 20 mile training run and still do a 5 mile recovery run the day after no problem. it's amazing what the human body can adapt to.

i know i sound like a broken record but more miles, more miles, more miles is the answer to improve (but very. slowly. too much too soon is no good either, too!)

 

[runprincessrun]

Thanks so much for the advice around where to stay at disney.... I am defintely looking into the host resorts!

 

[ColleenG]

Yesterday I ran 7.1 miles, my farthest distance yet! Half way there to 13.1! I started running 5 months ago and can't believe how far I've come! Bring on the half marathon!!!

 

[stitchfan18]

Yesterday I ran 7.1 miles, my farthest distance yet! Half way there to 13.1! I started running 5 months ago and can't believe how far I've come! Bring on the half marathon!!!

Awesome job on the 7.1 miles!

 

[saysay]

Yesterday I ran 7.1 miles, my farthest distance yet! Half way there to 13.1! I started running 5 months ago and can't believe how far I've come! Bring on the half marathon!!!

great job!

 

[shellbelle76]

Yesterday I ran 7.1 miles, my farthest distance yet! Half way there to 13.1! I started running 5 months ago and can't believe how far I've come! Bring on the half marathon!!!

way to go, colleen!!!

 

[SummerIrmoma2_3]

Yesterday I ran 7.1 miles, my farthest distance yet! Half way there to 13.1! I started running 5 months ago and can't believe how far I've come! Bring on the half marathon!!!

Awesome job!! But that actually makes you OVER half way there. I know that was huge milestone for me.

 

[dthogue]

Yesterday I ran 7.1 miles, my farthest distance yet! Half way there to 13.1! I started running 5 months ago and can't believe how far I've come! Bring on the half marathon!!!

Congrats - that is awesome. I am a recent beginner too - I did 6 miles last week and next week will attempt 7.5. Only problem is that we will be at a hotel in Lake Buena Vista and I have no idea where I am going to run

 

[tinkeramy]

I am registered to do the princess half 2012... and would like to stay in Disney.... for those of you who have run at disney - what is the best place to stay ie.what resort and why.

Also, I completed my 5mile long run this past weekend and was really hurtin the next day.... Im now nervous to move on to the next long run... your body does get used to this right.

Your body does get used to it, but you can help by continuing to move! After long runs, periodically throughout the day, move around and stretch out. Maybe take a leisurely walk. One time I ran 7 miles, got in the car to drive 45 min to FIL house, and spent the day sitting around. TOTALLY tight and sore that night and into the next day. That's what's so great about walking around Disney after running the half - really helps with recovery!

Congrats on the 5!