Official 2016 Princess Half Marathon Thread

[BabyGirl09]

Why the TTC? From my understanding it's all at the Epcot parking lot, both starts and finishes of all races.

From last year's event guide:

I volunteered for the January 5K while DH and DS participated, and I had the car there. It was REALLY nice to have the car there at the Epcot lot. For my Half I didn't have DH and DS come, because they had to get DS over to his Mile (in January the kid races are at WWofS), so I took the bus, and there was a big difference! So I do like the car, but I think you should park at Epcot not TTC.

My thought was to avoid the traffic of people parking at the main Epcot parking lot...just because it's so many people. But maybe I'll risk it.

 

[Ariel484]

I think I'm good without eating first if my run is 3-4 miles. Once I get to 5+ I need to eat something first.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

I HAVE to eat something before my morning run. My go-to lately has been a piece of toast (made with the light 45 calorie bread--nothing too heavy) with a spread of almond butter and sliced bananas. It keep me going, but it doesn't sit too heavy in my stomach. Everyone is different though! That's probably one of the more important things to learn about yourself during training: when/what/and how much you should fuel!

 

[srauseo]

Got an email from the Disney Store that my training t-shirt is finally in the mail.

Can't remember if I posted already but here is the general outline for our trip:

Thursday - Arrive mid-morning and check-in at CSR. Have an early lunch at resort then take bus to Expo. Then bus to AKL for dinner at Jiko. Probably taxi back to CSR.
Friday - EMH at MK. Hop to EPCOT. Dinner in World Showcase TBD. Tempted to squeeze in AK midday just for two or three rides before going to EPCOT. Might be too ambitious when we should be "taking it easy".
Saturday - Hoping to do pre-rope drop breakfast at BOG. Hop to HS and dinner at Brown Derby.
Sunday - PHM! Thinking about doing post-race lunch at Fountain (milk shakes!). Then DTD and dinner at Boathouse. Late-night drinks at Trader Sam's!
Monday - Breakfast at Akershus and lunch at Via Napoli. Evening flight home.

 

[Dis5150]

Hi Fellow Princesses! I'm registered for the Princess GSC, my first Disney race. Super excited about the races, Expo and all the weekend events! But i'm concerned about where to stay . . . I booked Wyndham Bonnet Creek. My DH will drive me to the race start before going to his own race in Tampa. I will be on my own getting to the Expo and back to the resort after the race. Has anyone stayed at WBC for marathons and how did that work out? Should I book a Disney property instead?

My DD25 and I are staying at WBC for W&D. I think that race will be easier since it doesn't have an early morning start time to worry about as we won't have a car. Our plan is to take a taxi to CBR, which is super close and take Disney busses. Since you are being dropped off for the early race start that may work for you also for Expo and after the race. Or just take a taxi from Epcot after the race, since it would be easier when you are tired. We are staying onsite at a Value for Princess.

ETA: We are staying the first night of our W&D trip at AsSports so we can use the ME bus from MCO. Then we can get up early and take a bus from there to the Expo when it opens.

 

[sperkins921]

Seriously, I'm best if I can just roll out of bed and go without breakfast or anything. Obviously can't do that for longer runs though...I used to work out after work (so 5 or 6PM) and I can't fathom doing that now.

It's funny because I actually look forward to coming home and running. I just typically wake up in such a fog (and a bit stiff/sore; thanks fibromyalgia!! lol) that the last thing on my mind is getting in my run. I think I'm going to switch it up though, maybe reserve rolling out of bed for quickie runs. Long runs will be later in the evening. Maybe that'll help. If not, I'll just go back to what works. After all, the morning of a race, the adrenaline will carry me where I need to go mentally.

In the "do as I say not as I do" category, I never eat breakfast before a morning workout. I'll have some sport beans, maybe, before a long run, but that's it. Drives my coach nuts.

I never have say pancakes, eggs, bacon, etc before a morning run. But typically, I've had a nice sized dinner. And I'll usually eat like a bagel and banana or what not. I just felt like on this last run that I ran out of juice so to speak at 3 miles out and that's not typical of me. I spent most of mile 3 and part of 4 trying to get it together. Normally, I don't hit that feeling until mile 4-5 or so. Sometimes, its not until mile 6. Maybe I wasn't hydrated enough?

I am on the other end of the spectrum. The only training I do is in the evening. After everything is taken care of is when I lace up and go out for 1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on how I feel. It is still hot with high humidity at between 8 and 10pm.

The only early morning running are the events.

And you seem to do okay with the runs when you do them? the change of time of day or time zones plus time of day doesn't bother your body. Hmmm....maybe I'm overthinking this whole thing after all.

I'm with you. I can't eat before an early run. Not even before a half. It simply doesn't agree with me. But anytime I expect to be out for an hour I start taking Clif shot blocks at about the 30 minute mark. That doesn't bother me. This totally falls into the "we're all an experiment of one" category.

I got my 5 miler in today. Felt awful until mile 4. My legs just felt like they had lead in them. Not sure what the issue was, but I got through it, so I'm just glad it's done

That's the day I had the other day. I just didn't feel speedy at all. I actually felt like I was working pretty hard. At least compared to other runs I've had lately....

Oh I know. And I don't mean to berate or scold. I've just been there done that, as described a few pages ago, and it was pretty dangerous. You ended up hurting today and the other Princess poster didn't hydrate later for her job and ended up sick. It's just not good in our beginning'ISH times, to take the mileage too far, and especially when we don't mean to do it.

I just don't want anyone to fall like I did, and to injure themselves like I did or like I could have done (it could have been very VERY bad), so I want everyone to be careful.

No worries, I totally didn't take it that you were being mean or scolding- I took it the right way (at least, I thought so) in that you wanted to be helpful and remind me and really all of us that we can not let our excitement and enthusiasm carry us too far. Especially those of us who are beginning runners. And it was totally a good thing. At all types but esp in this heat, we need to be mindful, hydrate more, slow down, etc

I really thought you made a good post, and a supportive one. We must rein ourselves in a bit here in the beginning because you're right- if I had injured myself I would have had a MUCH larger set back than the difference of not making it to mile 8 for another week or two would have been.

That's like my brother. He has full command over his body most of the time, so if he tells it to run the Marine Corps Marathon without food, that's what it's going to do. (two times his body didn't listen to his commands...he took an unknown gel during a PR race and didn't drink adequate water, and it destroyed his race...and then after that mentioned Marine Corp, he got on Metro which took over an hour to get to his destination, and he nearly couldn't get up to get off the train)

I don't *like* running with food anywhere near my belly, but I don't like fainting, either. So...

I think I'm more the person who can make it 3-4 miles on an empty/fasted stomach (and I have had some fantastic runs then) but if I'm asking my body to run past that, I need to eat. My blood sugar typically resides on the lower side anyway. To ask it to run 8 miles when it hadn't had food in over 14 hours- dinner that night before was at 7pm, I started running at 11:45- and that dinner wasn't very carby....in the heat? Yeah, it was totally not the most educated decision I've ever made. I was so caught up in not 'getting my miles in' that I really didn't think clearly at all. Lesson learned.

But, this is why we train right? to learn before race day what our bodies need and like to perform well. I'm also learning that for me, sleep and hydration will play a huge role in how good of a run I have. If I'm not hydrated right, or slept poorly, my body just doesn't perform well. Which means I might have to forgo some of dumo do or die park touring during these races! lol

 

[sperkins921]

I also don't eat before running. If I run in the evening, I feel like everything I have eaten that day is coming back up. I drink coffee to get me going. I think I need to invest in some gels or gummies or something though for a little rush as I run more.

So I'm trying a few gels/gummies. Cliff blocks, have them on hand, but haven't tried them yet. I'm working my way through Gu Chomps first. I like these, but they're harder for me to ingest during a run, in that you have to chew them up and depending on how long your interval is, you're kind of rushing to chew and hydrate before your next run cycle. Seems to take about 15ish minutes to kick in. I can use 1-2 at a time and if I keep it up won't crash.

DH likes Jelly Belly sport beans, but I haven't really putzed with those. Then of course there is the real Gu gel. I like these okay, in terms of GI and such, but they tend to be so thick and what not that I'm not a huge fan of the consistency. I like them for pre-race more than during. I'd rather do the Chomps during that then Gu, even though Gu is totally easier to ingest.

Hammer Nutrition also makes a gel and liquid (well powder that you can put in your hydration mix) that I got samples of, but I've not tried them yet.

I think I'm good without eating first if my run is 3-4 miles. Once I get to 5+ I need to eat something first.

I'm finding out that I'm also very much this as well

 

[sperkins921]

Speaking of during race nutrition,
Does anyone know what the typical during race nutrition is during the Disney runs?

Ie Powerade vs Gatorade (and flavor)
Are there bars during the race?
Is it Gu (and if so what flavors) that they give out on course, or something else?

Want to make sure I'm trying things out ahead of time in case of worse case scenario: forgetting my own water/fuel

 

[Ariel484]

Speaking of during race nutrition,
Does anyone know what the typical during race nutrition is during the Disney runs?

Ie Powerade vs Gatorade (and flavor)
Are there bars during the race?
Is it Gu (and if so what flavors) that they give out on course, or something else?

Want to make sure I'm trying things out ahead of time in case of worse case scenario: forgetting my own water/fuel

Powerade - sometimes they have choices but mostly it's the green stuff (lemon-lime or something). Normally at the finish they'll have red, blue or green.
No bars.
Clif gels at mile 9ish.

I would HIGHLY recommend starting to figure out what works best for you and planning on carrying it with you during the race.

 

[huggybuff]

Got an email from the Disney Store that my training t-shirt is finally in the mail.

Jealous!! I want my pretties now!

 

[DVCFan1994]

Powerade - sometimes they have choices but mostly it's the green stuff (lemon-lime or something). Normally at the finish they'll have red, blue or green.
No bars.
Clif gels at mile 9ish.

I would HIGHLY recommend starting to figure out what works best for you and planning on carrying it with you during the race.

I second the idea of trying out various fueling options early, particularly if you have a sensitive digestive system. My first sprint triathlon I never tried fuel ahead. Ate Gu on the bike and took everything I had not to vomit. It was awful, and I still had to run! So, learning from that, when I trained for my first half I actually tried fuels very slowly and deliberately. First, at home after a run if have a bit to test the taste and watch for any bad reaction. Then when I found ones I liked I took them to the gym and tried them on the treadmill. If that worked I gave them a go on the road. I had a clear winner. I am a super salty sweater, as in I come home from every run caked in white salt residue. So, to make sure I replace the lost sodium I use the Clif Shot blocks with 3 times the regular sodium. Bonus is they are margarita flavored

 

[keahgirl8]

AOA also has build your own pasta.

And POR.


Also, just to weigh in on the fueling...I eat 2 Belvita biscuits before I run, or peanut butter on toast or crackers if it is a few hours before a run (like a race day). Then I eat sport beans or Honey Stinger gummies on runs over 1 hour.

 

[MyFavEeyore]

Question: so far there are no room discounts through RunDisney. Is there any chance this will happen for Princess Weekend? I have a room reservation already, but hey if I can save some money I'd be willing to change, edit, or even re-book. We have also chosen not to purchase dining or park tickets, honestly we've done Disney so many times we're willing to just enjoy the resort and pool, resting up in between races mornings. But again, if anyone has past experience with discounts happening for this weekend I would love to know.

 

[SarahDisney]

Question: so far there are no room discounts through RunDisney. Is there any chance this will happen for Princess Weekend? I have a room reservation already, but hey if I can save some money I'd be willing to change, edit, or even re-book. We have also chosen not to purchase dining or park tickets, honestly we've done Disney so many times we're willing to just enjoy the resort and pool, resting up in between races mornings. But again, if anyone has past experience with discounts happening for this weekend I would love to know.

I'm about 99% sure that last year there was not a runDisney discount, but I was able to take advantage of a general room discount.
Others who have run the race in prior years may have more historical information, but I really wouldn't expect a runDisney room discount for this weekend.

 

[Keels]

Got an email from the Disney Store that my training t-shirt is finally in the mail.

SO JEALOUS! I have friends on FB that got their shirts today. Looks like the PHM shirts went out first.

I want my GSC shirt now!!

 

[bumbershoot]

My thought was to avoid the traffic of people parking at the main Epcot parking lot...just because it's so many people. But maybe I'll risk it.

Aha.

I parked for the January 5K for volunteering, and when leaving (with DH and DS who had participated) it didn't seem that packed. We did have to be there about an hour before the runners, but I kinda think that most runners take the buses.

For W&D my buddy and I didn't have the energy to go park the car at Epcot, go back to our room by transportation, lie down, then get on back (remembering the car keys of course). But as we left W&D, and last year's run was a wet wet wet, could not have gotten any wetter oh wait there's another ankle-high puddle I didn't see, slog...and then the wait for our bus was SO long and SO cold...we wished we had found the energy.

Having the car there really seems to be awesome and worth nearly anything to make it happen.

I really thought you made a good post, and a supportive one.

Oh thank you.

Ie Powerade vs Gatorade (and flavor)

Powerade at the drink stations, but you literally cannot train with the exact thing. They use a powder, which has normal sugar not the HFCS that bottled P'ade has, and the color would be slightly different wet vs powder, etc. I have not been able to find the powdered version available. I have a tricky stomach and would LOVE to try it out, but not during an event, that's for sure.

So I carry my own. (I use Clif brand powder...normal sugar, no artificial colors, tastes good)

Is it Gu (and if so what flavors) that they give out on course, or something else?

January Half was Gu. I don't know the flavor because by the time I got to the Gu station it was ALL GONE. This didn't negatively effect me, because I use sports beans and Clif margarita 3x sodium shot bloks. But if I had been relying on it it would have been bad bad bad.


I carry my own. I don't rely on any course to provide me with anything I can eat or drink. I haven't used it for a couple races but in the past I used a Nathan brand hydration backpack for water, I carry a small container with two "doses" of the clif powder and some water, and I just drink extra water when I drink some of the powder drink. I carry bloks and beans just in case. I'm prepared.

So, to make sure I replace the lost sodium I use the Clif Shot blocks with 3 times the regular sodium. Bonus is they are margarita flavored

Love those things.

*****************
My training dilemma...I stepped on something the other night, and despite an urgent care visit where they scraped and poked to see if they could get anything, I'm still having trouble. It really hurts when it hurts! And then I forget about it when it doesn't hurt. VERY frustrating.

I have a 10K in Sept and (my first back to back) a 10K then Half in October. It can all be walked, but I'd rather not with the first 10K and the Half. (I'm doing the second 10K with my son who takes Ballet while I'm running, so...we'll probably walk a lot of it)

 

[SherryinBA]

Question: so far there are no room discounts through RunDisney. Is there any chance this will happen for Princess Weekend? I have a room reservation already, but hey if I can save some money I'd be willing to change, edit, or even re-book. We have also chosen not to purchase dining or park tickets, honestly we've done Disney so many times we're willing to just enjoy the resort and pool, resting up in between races mornings. But again, if anyone has past experience with discounts happening for this weekend I would love to know.

I made reservations at POFQ shortly after registration. Just out of curiosity, I recently checked room rates through RunDisney and my room had went up about $12. From 200 to 212. I was glad I got my reservation when I did. I'm afraid they may keep going up.

 

[Luv2Run]

At this point with the 2016 PHM being my 5th in a row (6th rD race so far), I'm actually starting to like the Powerade they serve on the course, lol. I remember hating it my first year, but it's grown on me, and I'm starting to look forward to it. Haha!

Re: on-course nutrition - yes, they serve Clif shots gels around mile 9, but it's not at a water station. I always wind up hanging on to mine until the next water station so that I can have some hydration with my gel (if I choose to take one). I remember them serving espresso, lemon lime, and raspberry this year (I took a raspberry one and didn't finish it, it was just too much and I prefer Sport Beans). Speaking of Sport Beans, the reason I like them so much is not just because they're easy to digest and several flavors have caffeine, but the pouch is also resealable. I can take a few, pop them in my mouth, reseal and stow it away in my SPIBelt.

And while they don't offer bars during the race, they usually have a mini Luna bar in the post-race snack packs, so I usually have one from the 5K that I can bring with me for the other races if I need it (I wound up eating mine pre-PHM this year).

 

[SarahDisney]

Powerade at the drink stations, but you literally cannot train with the exact thing. They use a powder, which has normal sugar not the HFCS that bottled P'ade has, and the color would be slightly different wet vs powder, etc. I have not been able to find the powdered version available. I have a tricky stomach and would LOVE to try it out, but not during an event, that's for sure.

I think they only sell it in large quantities (but not 100% sure), so you'd have to make your own portions. But check online, you may be able to get it somewhere.

Speaking of Sport Beans, the reason I like them so much is not just because they're easy to digest and several flavors have caffeine, but the pouch is also resealable

This! I've actually discovered that I don't like them while I'm running (but I'm still at relatively short distances, so I may try again when I get to longer distances), but I eat half a pack after I finish my long (5+ mile) runs, and I like that I can reseal the package and save the other half for another run.
I also usually open them in advance so that I don't have to deal with ripping the package on my walk home (or if I decide to have some during my run). I couldn't do that if it wasn't resealable.

And while they don't offer bars during the race, they usually have a mini Luna bar in the post-race snack packs, so I usually have one from the 5K that I can bring with me for the other races if I need it (I wound up eating mine pre-PHM this year).

I think last year they also had one in the bag you get with your shirt (at least for the 5K). Personally, I didn't care for them, but it's definitely useful if you want one to bring with you.

 

[huggybuff]

I second the idea of trying out various fueling options early, particularly if you have a sensitive digestive system. My first sprint triathlon I never tried fuel ahead. Ate Gu on the bike and took everything I had not to vomit. It was awful, and I still had to run! So, learning from that, when I trained for my first half I actually tried fuels very slowly and deliberately. First, at home after a run if have a bit to test the taste and watch for any bad reaction. Then when I found ones I liked I took them to the gym and tried them on the treadmill. If that worked I gave them a go on the road. I had a clear winner. I am a super salty sweater, as in I come home from every run caked in white salt residue. So, to make sure I replace the lost sodium I use the Clif Shot blocks with 3 times the regular sodium. Bonus is they are margarita flavored

Thanks for the idea for the Shot Bloks with the extra sodium! I come back coated from any run longer than about 45min with a salty residue too.