Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread - Take 2

[DeerIsleDisney]

Just finished my last long run before the race! 11 miles on the treadmill (we got almost 3 feet of snow Saturday). It's taper time!

Feeling prepared as long as treadmill running translates OK to on the ground. I added a long hill (1 mile at 3.5 incline) at mile 9 hoping to simulate the 10 mile overpass/cloverleaf. Does anyone know how long and steep that hill is? And/or any ideas about how treadmill inclines translate to actual hills?

 

[PrincessV]

Thanks all - I was so excited to share my good news here... it's been too many months of "bad run" reports from me.

Does anyone know how long and steep that hill is? And/or any ideas about how treadmill inclines translate to actual hills?

I live and train in flat Florida, so I hit a local bridge a few times for "hill" training and do some "hill" work on my treadmill... I didn't find the steepness of the cloverleaf in the TOT 10-Miler to be bad at all. (The pitched angle for water runoff is something else entirely...)

 

[jenny08]

SO excited for princess!!

I know this was talked about but i cant find the answer...

Do they let any spectators into the Magic Kingdom to view the runners or do you have to be in the chear squad?

Thanks in advance and good luck all!!

 

[haleofafamily]

SO excited for princess!!

I know this was talked about but i cant find the answer...

Do they let any spectators into the Magic Kingdom to view the runners or do you have to be in the chear squad?

Thanks in advance and good luck all!!

Any spectator can enter MK to watch the runners. I think there is a special section for the 'cheer squad'.

 

[RunnerRen]

Welcome from a San Antonio princess ! There will be quite a few of us representing the Lone Star state...maybe the Governor will give us a "princess " day when we all return home. . DH & I will be in corral E so cheer us on from the finish line!

Haha that would be so awesome! They should make an official holiday based on our princess run!! I will most def be cheering for you and your DH!! Is this your first half?? It is my first half and I must say the nerves are starting to kick in (but SO SO excited)! My DH will be waiting at the finish line for me to most likely console my emotions LOL

Welcome Ren! Not only do you love running ... but you're obviously very good at it!!! Congrats on Corral A!

Thank you so much that's so nice of you to say!!!



I can't quite reference everyone but just want to say congrats to all the princesses who have been posting about their awesome long runs this weekend! TAPER TIME!!!


Also, random question.... at the start of the race when it is still dark do you think it'd be worth stopping for pics until the sun comes up? I'm afraid I am going to miss out on great picture opportunities but I'm afraid to wait in long lines and end up with a bad pic you can barely see!

Thanks!

 

[annmarieda]

Hate to be a pain and ask another tapering question...

but how does this look for the next two weeks...

Today 1 mile
Tuesday 8 miles
Thursday 5 miles
Friday 1 mile
Saturday 4 miles
Sunday 4 miles
Monday 1 mile
Tuesday 3 miles
Friday 2 miles
Sunday PHM!

That makes this week about 68 % and next about 36% of last week (I just decided to look at my last week instead of averaging over the last month)

Should I could down the number of activities? Increase some of the miles?

TIA

 

[RunnerRen]

Hate to be a pain and ask another tapering question...

but how does this look for the next two weeks...

Today 1 mile
Tuesday 8 miles
Thursday 5 miles
Friday 1 mile
Saturday 4 miles
Sunday 4 miles
Monday 1 mile
Tuesday 3 miles
Friday 2 miles
Sunday PHM!

That makes this week about 68 % and next about 36% of last week (I just decided to look at my last week instead of averaging over the last month)

Should I could down the number of activities? Increase some of the miles?

TIA

I'm not an expert and this is my first half, but I have read that you should really only run 3-4 times a week for recovery/less risk of injury. That being said, this is what I plan on doing:

Tuesday/Thursday: 4 miles each
Saturday: 5 miles

Tuesday/Thursday: 4 miles each again
Friday/Saturday: Walking around Downtown Disney and MK/Concentrating on drinking lots of water/powerade

Sunday: PHM!

On the Monday/Wednesday/Friday off days, I plan to really focus on stretching/foam rolling as well as glute/abs strengthening since these muscles are a big part of running. Also maybe go for a 1-2 mile walk if I can.

I hope this helps you

 

[icicle]

Hate to be a pain and ask another tapering question...

but how does this look for the next two weeks...

Today 1 mile
Tuesday 8 miles
Thursday 5 miles
Friday 1 mile
Saturday 4 miles
Sunday 4 miles
Monday 1 mile
Tuesday 3 miles
Friday 2 miles
Sunday PHM!

That makes this week about 68 % and next about 36% of last week (I just decided to look at my last week instead of averaging over the last month)

Should I could down the number of activities? Increase some of the miles?

TIA

Personally, I would ditch the 1 milers and add them to my other runs. (Unless you're doing them as some sort of cross training.) I also plan on doing one more longish run next weekend. Not sure how far because I want to do it outside and that means waiting to see what the weather brings.

It sounds like you've got decent mileage overall and that's what counts. Don't stress about the taper. A few more miles the week before the race is not going to make or break you.

 

[Cripey]

Oh Princesses - I'm nearly bubbling over with elation this week!

Got my final long training run in on Saturday... 12.09 miles... 12.09 PAIN-FREE miles!!! No ITBS knee pain. No shin pain. No glute pain. Okay, my feet felt a little beat-up that last mile, but nothing terrible. It was such an astoundingly good run, I very nearly wept with joy at the end. Instead, I sat on a bench (I ran in and around my favorite nature preserve) and just absorbed the moment.

YAAAAY!

I'm so glad - I've been thinking of you and hoping for improvement!

Thanks! The only thing I'm bummed about is that I can only get to the chiro office twice this week and unfortunately only once (wednesday) the week of the race. Hoping it will get me through. I had a lightbulb (DUH!) moment this weekend too. Woke up stupid-early sunday morning and just couldn't get back to sleep so we watched a movie on the ipad in bed that I only had a few days left on the rental for...and laying there for 2 hours awake it occurred to me...my pillow leaves alot to be desired. I couldn't get in a good spot with it and my back was aching because of it. So, bought a new one yesterday and holy moly what a difference this morning. I don't know why this hadn't dawned on me sooner.

 

[flatlandcycle]

Hate to be a pain and ask another tapering question...

That makes this week about 68 % and next about 36% of last week (I just decided to look at my last week instead of averaging over the last month)

Should I could down the number of activities? Increase some of the miles?

TIA

Somewhere around 60%, 33% volume would be fine. The key is to not do something silly like shovel snow for all your neighbors because you feel like Wonder Woman after all the rest. People get injured in ridiculous ways during taper.

People tend to get sick during taper too. You may want to take something like Airborne and probiotics to keep the immune system strong.

 

[VickiHD]

YAAAAY!



Thanks! The only thing I'm bummed about is that I can only get to the chiro office twice this week and unfortunately only once (wednesday) the week of the race. Hoping it will get me through. I had a lightbulb (DUH!) moment this weekend too. Woke up stupid-early sunday morning and just couldn't get back to sleep so we watched a movie on the ipad in bed that I only had a few days left on the rental for...and laying there for 2 hours awake it occurred to me...my pillow leaves alot to be desired. I couldn't get in a good spot with it and my back was aching because of it. So, bought a new one yesterday and holy moly what a difference this morning. I don't know why this hadn't dawned on me sooner.

Just something else for you to try....when you are sleeping on your back, sleep with a pillow under your knees. It helps with elevation and will put less stress on your lower back. I usually use a "flat" pillow and just that couple of inches really made a difference for me. Hope you continue to feel better.

 

[annmarieda]

I'm not an expert and this is my first half, but I have read that you should really only run 3-4 times a week for recovery/less risk of injury. That being said, this is what I plan on doing:

Tuesday/Thursday: 4 miles each
Saturday: 5 miles

Tuesday/Thursday: 4 miles each again
Friday/Saturday: Walking around Downtown Disney and MK/Concentrating on drinking lots of water/powerade

Sunday: PHM!

On the Monday/Wednesday/Friday off days, I plan to really focus on stretching/foam rolling as well as glute/abs strengthening since these muscles are a big part of running. Also maybe go for a 1-2 mile walk if I can.

I hope this helps you

I like your plan... and it does help me to see what your plan is! thanks!

Personally, I would ditch the 1 milers and add them to my other runs. (Unless you're doing them as some sort of cross training.) I also plan on doing one more longish run next weekend. Not sure how far because I want to do it outside and that means waiting to see what the weather brings.

It sounds like you've got decent mileage overall and that's what counts. Don't stress about the taper. A few more miles the week before the race is not going to make or break you.

Thanks! I went out and did do the "1 mile" that of course ended up being closer to 2... and I pushed too hard. So those one milers probably should be thrown out.

Somewhere around 60%, 33% volume would be fine. The key is to not do something silly like shovel snow for all your neighbors because you feel like Wonder Woman after all the rest. People get injured in ridiculous ways during taper.

People tend to get sick during taper too. You may want to take something like Airborne and probiotics to keep the immune system strong.

Luckily, no snow here... but it was unexpectedly cold this morning. Thanks for the advice. I really need it since I still consider myself a new runner.

 

[flatlandcycle]

Just finished my last long run before the race! 11 miles on the treadmill (we got almost 3 feet of snow Saturday). It's taper time!

Feeling prepared as long as treadmill running translates OK to on the ground. I added a long hill (1 mile at 3.5 incline) at mile 9 hoping to simulate the 10 mile overpass/cloverleaf. Does anyone know how long and steep that hill is? And/or any ideas about how treadmill inclines translate to actual hills?

There are three hills after 10 mi. the clover leaf at about 10.05 and other climbs at 10.6 ish and 11.7 ish. The ramp is at about 6%. I wouldn't do physical prep this late in the game unless hills or hill simulation has been part of your training. It takes two weeks to show any improvements from training.

I would mentally prepare. Try to think about taking the edge off a bit in mile 9-10 and then think about gliding through the hills. I am likely to walk some of the first hill and power through the last two. As PrincessV said, the drainage tilt/camber is pretty rough on the ramp.

 

[Cripey]

Just something else for you to try....when you are sleeping on your back, sleep with a pillow under your knees. It helps with elevation and will put less stress on your lower back. I usually use a "flat" pillow and just that couple of inches really made a difference for me. Hope you continue to feel better.

Thanks

 

[MRS AR]

Since everyone is talking taper I have a question. I usually run 3. 30 min runs each week and alternate between 1 longer run of either 5 or 10 miles. Two days a week I workout elliptical at the gym for an hour. My plan for the next week is 2 30 runs one 5 miler this week and my regular gym workouts (1 hour each). Next week. One gym workout (1 hour ) and 2. 30 min runs. Sound ok. I'm definitely a newbie. Thanks

 

[TXAng]

~The biggest highlight? I really, truly feel READY for this thing now.

Sounds like an awesome run! You are SO ready.

Joan - Love the photos!

 

[Starseeker1221]

Hi everyone!

I am really late to the game in introducing myself, but I have been reading through this thread for weeks and I am so thankful for all of the tips and advice that you've all been posting! I can't believe its less than two weeks until the race!!!

I'm hoping all of you more experienced runners can offer some input, as I've hit a bit of a road block with my training and I'm honestly not sure what to do over the next two weeks. I injured my foot back in October during a 10k, and it took about 6 weeks to recover and get back on track, but I was able to get back to my training and had made it to 10 miles as my farthest distance two weeks ago... and then last week during a really bad run, I managed to somehow re-injure my foot and have spent the last week resting it and icing it in order to get it back to normal.

As of today, it feels pretty good, and I *think* I could go out and do some running on it again, but with less than 2 weeks until the race I'm not sure if that's a good idea?

I'm okay with the 10 miles being my longest run, and I really don't want to push myself with another long run and get injured.... but do I risk putting in some short runs over the next two weeks to keep up with my training??... or do I keep resting it and hope that what I've done up until this point plus my usual cross training regimen over the next two weeks will be enough??

Thanks!!!

 

[longhorns2]

Hi everyone!

I am really late to the game in introducing myself, but I have been reading through this thread for weeks and I am so thankful for all of the tips and advice that you've all been posting! I can't believe its less than two weeks until the race!!!

I'm hoping all of you more experienced runners can offer some input, as I've hit a bit of a road block with my training and I'm honestly not sure what to do over the next two weeks. I injured my foot back in October during a 10k, and it took about 6 weeks to recover and get back on track, but I was able to get back to my training and had made it to 10 miles as my farthest distance two weeks ago... and then last week during a really bad run, I managed to somehow re-injure my foot and have spent the last week resting it and icing it in order to get it back to normal.

As of today, it feels pretty good, and I *think* I could go out and do some running on it again, but with less than 2 weeks until the race I'm not sure if that's a good idea?

I'm okay with the 10 miles being my longest run, and I really don't want to push myself with another long run and get injured.... but do I risk putting in some short runs over the next two weeks to keep up with my training??... or do I keep resting it and hope that what I've done up until this point plus my usual cross training regimen over the next two weeks will be enough??

Thanks!!!

The 10 is GOOD! I think I'd keep some sort of cross training going if you can for endurance. Elliptical, biking, something that you can get the cardio in to keep that going, but nothing that would re-injure the foot. I'd baby it. But I'm not an expert! Good luck!!!

 

[TXAng]

Hi everyone!

I am really late to the game in introducing myself, but I have been reading through this thread for weeks and I am so thankful for all of the tips and advice that you've all been posting! I can't believe its less than two weeks until the race!!!

I'm hoping all of you more experienced runners can offer some input, as I've hit a bit of a road block with my training and I'm honestly not sure what to do over the next two weeks. I injured my foot back in October during a 10k, and it took about 6 weeks to recover and get back on track, but I was able to get back to my training and had made it to 10 miles as my farthest distance two weeks ago... and then last week during a really bad run, I managed to somehow re-injure my foot and have spent the last week resting it and icing it in order to get it back to normal.

As of today, it feels pretty good, and I *think* I could go out and do some running on it again, but with less than 2 weeks until the race I'm not sure if that's a good idea?

I'm okay with the 10 miles being my longest run, and I really don't want to push myself with another long run and get injured.... but do I risk putting in some short runs over the next two weeks to keep up with my training??... or do I keep resting it and hope that what I've done up until this point plus my usual cross training regimen over the next two weeks will be enough??

Thanks!!!

Rest it up! I wouldn't risk re-injury at this point.

 

[debbieandroo]

Oh Princesses - I'm nearly bubbling over with elation this week!

Got my final long training run in on Saturday... 12.09 miles... 12.09 PAIN-FREE miles!!! No ITBS knee pain. No shin pain. No glute pain. Okay, my feet felt a little beat-up that last mile, but nothing terrible. It was such an astoundingly good run, I very nearly wept with joy at the end. Instead, I sat on a bench (I ran in and around my favorite nature preserve) and just absorbed the moment.

Highlights:
~Went back to my Brooks Pure Flows for the first 11 miles and they were perfect. I felt so good, I tested my new Altra Torins for the last mile... they're pretty good, too! But I'm sticking with the Brooks for the race; nothing new on race day.

~Weather was ideal: high-50s to start, moving into low-60s by the end. Sunny. Warm enough to sweat; dry enough for the sweat to evaporate and cool. I was perfectly comfortable in compression tights and a short-sleeve tech tee.

~Race rehearsal: I tested all I could... found that putting my iPhone in my iFitness belt works better for getting it in and out for pics and putting my chews in my phone armband makes them easy to access. Stopped for pretend pics, water bottle refills, to watch an osprey nesting, to gawk at the most enormous hawk I've ever seen, at a couple stop signs, to tie a shoe, use a restroom and change shoes at my car. Still wound up with negative splits!

~Pacing strategy: I went for safety - alternated 1/4 mile walks with 1/4 mile run/walk intervals for the first half, then went to alternating 1/4 mile walks with 1/2 mile run/walk intervals. Walked much of 5-6, pretending I was at MK. Hit my usual wall between 4-6 and nailed my usual energetic groove between 7-9. Kept waiting for it to fall off and feel exhaustion hit... it never did. Not an iota of ITB tightening. I definitely could have walked less and I plan to in the race.

~The biggest highlight? I really, truly feel READY for this thing now.

Your post made my day! Your preparation for this race seems to have been full of more than your share of injuries so this last run to readiness is that much sweeter - go you!!!

And congratulations on your corral C placement - you've got this!

And congratulations, princes and princesses, on all of your hard work - the pay off will be coming in less than 2 weeks.