Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread - Take 2

[annmarieda]

I had not seen anyone post this... but thought in case no one had noticed this in the final race instruction I would share..

"Pace Cyclists will be on the course indicating when runners
are behind pace by waving orange flags at mile markers
according to the official pace time. If you reach a mile
marker with an orange flag waving, please note you are
behind the required 16-minute per mile pace and can
be picked up at any time."

Seems a bit different than I imagined/had read. So it would seem that staying away from orange flags is the thing to do

 

[tinkeramy]

About the pace cyclists / balloon ladies - from what I understand, they are pretty good about giving you warning a d actually encouraging you. They are not the ones who decide who gets on the bus; they are only there as an indicator. If you get behind them , you CAN be picked up at any time. But they don't have someone waiting to grab you off course as soon as you fall behind!

 

[dumbo_buddy]

About the pace cyclists / balloon ladies - from what I understand, they are pretty good about giving you warning a d actually encouraging you. They are not the ones who decide who gets on the bus; they are only there as an indicator. If you get behind them , you CAN be picked up at any time. But they don't have someone waiting to grab you off course as soon as you fall behind!

i agree amy! they are definitely nice and encouraging. i cheered for the WDW half last month outside of the GF and waited for all of the runners to pass by. the bikers at the end were quietly cheering on the people running with them.

also, i may have loudly encouraged the bikers to slow down a little as it was hot and it looked like they were biking at a 15:50 pace guy was really nice saying he'd go as slow as he could.

***

and just a general note about the sweepers... there are ALOT of people on here worried about them. seriously...stop! stop thinking about the sweepers and start thinking about how awesomely you are going to rock this race! think about the medal you'll get and the fun you'll have. there is no reason to worry this much. most of you are running at a way faster pace and really just don't need to worry. you'll get there. you'll go the distance. don't ruin your experience by worrying. just think of the fun you'll have. it's a great race. the camaraderie you'll feel is amazing. you can do it!

can't wait to see everyone with their medals

 

[ataylorrdh]

and just a general note about the sweepers... there are ALOT of people on here worried about them. seriously...stop! stop thinking about the sweepers and start thinking about how awesomely you are going to rock this race! think about the medal you'll get and the fun you'll have. there is no reason to worry this much. most of you are running at a way faster pace and really just don't need to worry. you'll get there. you'll go the distance. don't ruin your experience by worrying. just think of the fun you'll have. it's a great race. the camaraderie you'll feel is amazing. you can do it!

can't wait to see everyone with their medals

Thanks for the encouragement...I'm worrying so much because I have put the pressure on myself.

This is my first half and I wish I had done one prior just to take that pressure off and be able to enjoy the Princess.

Also, I am a dental hygienist and most of my patients have been keeping up with my training for the last 6 months. They have been like my accountability partners which have been great but I just don't want to have to tell any of them that I did not finish. I just love my patient and feel like they are part of my family and I don't want to let them down.

I WILL DO IT!

 

[longhorns2]

Thanks for the encouragement...I'm worrying so much because I have put the pressure on myself.

This is my first half and I wish I had done one prior just to take that pressure off and be able to enjoy the Princess.

Also, I am a dental hygienist and most of my patients have been keeping up with my training for the last 6 months. They have been like my accountability partners which have been great but I just don't want to have to tell any of them that I did not finish. I just love my patient and feel like they are part of my family and I don't want to let them down.

I WILL DO IT!

YES. YOU. WILL!

Princess power! We got this ladies! I'm just ready to pack up and get the heck outta dodge. But first I have a list a mile long that must be completed before Wed at midnight when I turn into a pumpkin!

Anyone else have a busy and full week before travel?

 

[VickiHD]

Anyone else have a busy and full week before travel?

YES !!!! I'm just wondering how many trips I will have to make to Target before we leave.

I keep adding stuff to the luggage--boy do I HATE the 50 lbs limit on baggage.

 

[joan4mickey]

Anyone else have a busy and full week before travel?

Probably so..my DD gets married a month after the Half. Hopefully there won't be any more "hiccups". But there is still lots of details to take care of.

I have also agreed to an extra volunteer shift this week.

Remembered this morning that I forgot to put on my minnie hands for the photo. They are white gloves and I glues three black things on the back like the large minnie hands have.

What a difference a day makes. I ran outside in the sunny 60 degree day and today we have snow showers.

 

[Gryhndmom]

YES !!!! I'm just wondering how many trips I will have to make to Target before we leave.

I keep adding stuff to the luggage--boy do I HATE the 50 lbs limit on baggage.

and the trips to the grocery store, bank, etc. etc. etc. also have to get the greyhounds all their food & meds for when their pet sitter comes to stay with them...it is like having two legged kids !

I think I saw the size chart on sizes under registration ? I know the small was like a 34" bust. So that's why I think I will go up to a medium.

DH just landed in Orlando on his way back to Denver and then home to San Antonio. He said weather is great in Orlando today with 62 at the airport at 11:00...wish it could be like that next Sunday but weather channel says low of 63 that day and....gasp..86 for a high ! might be motivation to run faster before the heat comes !

 

[StarGirl11]

The pace cyclists usually begin dropping warning once you are less than 16 minutes ahead of the balloons. Them and the balloon ladies are usually pretty nice.

I actually had a nice experience with a biker during the 2012 WDW Marathon. I came into that race after being sick with a sinus infection for three weeks (kept waiting for it to go away on its own, it didn't, ended up on antibiotics and anti-inflamatory steroids (flew back from overseas and on the descent back into Boston one of my ear's didn't depressurize, I spent my first two days in Florida barely able to hear out of one ear)). So I ended up DNFing but the bike lady was really nice to me. Tried to encourage me to catch back up with the balloon ladies even as they slipped further and further away and with them my chance of finishing. She even took my picture with the Pirates of the Caribbean characters around mile 15-16 right before I boarded the bus.

Anyway they're a good group. The balloon ladies were nice last year even if I ended up an unwilling participant in a game of hide and not seek the balloons (bathroom break that just went on lost me 15 minutes, not doing that again). Also the first time I learned of the after the 10 marker you're safe rule (they stop sweeping at the half distance once you are clear of the 10 mile marker).

 

[MRS AR]

I think I saw the size chart on sizes under registration ? I know the small was like a 34" bust. So that's why I think I will go up to a medium.

I've lost weight since I registered and hope I could get a med instead of large

 

[annmarieda]

My intention in posting the info I read was not to stress anyone out. I do apologize. Since this is my first half marathon...it was just a lot different than I envisioned.

I agree with everyone... we are all going to do AWESOME!!!!

 

[Gryhndmom]

My intention in posting the info I read was not to stress anyone out. I do apologize. Since this is my first half marathon...it was just a lot different than I envisioned.

I agree with everyone... we are all going to do AWESOME!!!!

I say no harm...no foul. Better people know it can happen than not.

I think MRS AR is staying a CR...anybody else ? Should we meet up sometime ? DH and I arrive the evening of 21 Feb.

Off for my last long run...6 miles....kinds looking forward to some free weekends where I don't have a long run scheduled !

 

[annmarieda]

I say no harm...no foul. Better people know it can happen than not.

I think MRS AR is staying a CR...anybody else ? Should we meet up sometime ? DH and I arrive the evening of 21 Feb.

Off for my last long run...6 miles....kinds looking forward to some free weekends where I don't have a long run scheduled !

thanks.

As for looking forward to less long runs... I have really grown to like them overall... but the time commitment is what is killing me. I need to be able to accomplish some stuff. 30 minutes I can fit in and recover easily. Even 60... but when I start doing 90 or more it starts to seem like my day is devoted to warm up... run... and cool down.

Still think I am pretty new to this running thing. Started last year to begin to train for the ToT... once that was over started training for the PHM.... but since I am not starting from nothing I am not sure where to go after the PHM. So after the phm.. what does everyone do? I was hoping to once a month to still go out for a long run. Is that not wise/possible? Will I not be able to do a long run if I only go out for it once a month. I was thinking of doing basically... 2- 5k distances during the week and then a 10k distance on the weekend...with one a month being longer. My next "big race" will be ToT... so training for that should come much easier if I stay with some sort of routine..right?

 

[glovergirls]

Hi everyone, don't post often but always read these boards and really enjoy everyones posts. Can't wait for the princess half, it will be my second, I did it last year for the first time and it was amazingly awesome and I am now addicted, lol!

Two quick questions for you all. Are the running skirts everyone talks about www.sparkleskirts.com. ?? I know its last minute but now I am thinking it might be fun to dress up a little. ALso how do you tell what corral you are in, do you just go by the number or does it say somewhere (and I am just blind).

Thanks and good luck to everyone and remember to have fun (although I think it is pretty hard not too ))

 

[joan4mickey]

Still think I am pretty new to this running thing. Started last year to begin to train for the ToT... once that was over started training for the PHM.... but since I am not starting from nothing I am not sure where to go after the PHM. So after the phm.. what does everyone do? I was hoping to once a month to still go out for a long run. Is that not wise/possible? Will I not be able to do a long run if I only go out for it once a month. I was thinking of doing basically... 2- 5k distances during the week and then a 10k distance on the weekend...with one a month being longer. My next "big race" will be ToT... so training for that should come much easier if I stay with some sort of routine..right?

Sounds like a plan. Rule of thumb is not to increase milage by 10% a week. Just keep that in mind when you think "long"

 

[Cripey]

Hi everyone, don't post often but always read these boards and really enjoy everyones posts. Can't wait for the princess half, it will be my second, I did it last year for the first time and it was amazingly awesome and I am now addicted, lol!

Two quick questions for you all. Are the running skirts everyone talks about www.sparkleskirts.com. ?? I know its last minute but now I am thinking it might be fun to dress up a little. ALso how do you tell what corral you are in, do you just go by the number or does it say somewhere (and I am just blind).

Thanks and good luck to everyone and remember to have fun (although I think it is pretty hard not too ))

The two most popular ones are Sparkle Skirts and Team Sparkle. They should both be at the expo if you want to try them out!

 

[MRS AR]

thanks.

As for looking forward to less long runs... I have really grown to like them overall... but the time commitment is what is killing me. I need to be able to accomplish some stuff. 30 minutes I can fit in and recover easily. Even 60... but when I start doing 90 or more it starts to seem like my day is devoted to warm up... run... and cool down.

Still think I am pretty new to this running thing. Started last year to begin to train for the ToT... once that was over started training for the PHM.... but since I am not starting from nothing I am not sure where to go after the PHM. So after the phm.. what does everyone do? I was hoping to once a month to still go out for a long run. Is that not wise/possible? Will I not be able to do a long run if I only go out for it once a month. I was thinking of doing basically... 2- 5k distances during the week and then a 10k distance on the weekend...with one a month being longer. My next "big race" will be ToT... so training for that should come much easier if I stay with some sort of routine..right?

I'm very new to running as well. I did my first 1/2 in January and PHM will be my second. For the last few weeks I've taken advice given here and alternated between a 6 mile long and 10 mile every other week and 2- 30 min runs twice a week and cross training 2 times a week. If it works well for me I'm planning on repeating the same plan again. I have my next 1/2 scheduled in April in Nashville Sometime this summer I plan to start training for a full next year.

 

[tink2007]

YES !!!! I'm just wondering how many trips I will have to make to Target before we leave.

I keep adding stuff to the luggage--boy do I HATE the 50 lbs limit on baggage.

I just came from ther AGAIN!!

 

[the_princess]

I need some advice. Yesterday I got sick with fever, coughing etc. I'm right now in bed feeling really sorry for my self.

Yesterday I was suppose to run my last fast run and tomorrow I'm suppose to run my last long run (7-8 miles)
Next week I'm suppose to do two short runs.
So should I squeeze in a long run next week when I feel better, or should I just forget about the two runs this weekend and stick to the plan? I have already done two longer runs the last two weekends (10 and 11 miles)
I'm just so nervous about loosing my form.

 

[tink2007]

Graduated from physical theapy today!! I'm going to kinda miss it.
My friend and I did a 5 mile walk / run this morning. No foot pain just shine pain. I don't know why I get tightness in my shines from time to time. I use the same warm up and stretching routine every time I run but I never know when it's going to hit me. I just hope next Sunday is a good day.
Putting the finishing touches on my zebra print Minnie costume.