Official 2016 Princess Half Marathon Thread

[princessluna14]

Epsom salts bath? Arnica cream. Gentle stretching. Restorative Yoga class? Chiropractic visit? Massage? Acupuncture?

I was doing my (most definitely NOT restorative) yoga class tonight. The class focus is on hamstrings from today through next Friday. Last week the peak of the class was twisted arm balances which I didn't know I actually could do until last Sunday! So I'm thinking "yay, hamstrings"! And we did this one rather long sequence on one side, then the other, and I thought "yay!" until I went to move my left leg. And, uh oh. I spent the rest of the class a beat behind everyone convincing my leg to do the things, and wondering if I should just leave and follow the advice I just gave you, or if I should keep going but just be gentle. Tomorrow will tell me more!

I'm making an appointment for a massage on Wednesday right now. Hubby and I were planning on taking PHM kind of easy anyway, but there's a local half at the beginning of April that I want to try and PR at, so I'd rather take the time off now and be totally ready to go in April.

 

[BriarRose59]

I have to say also what a joy this thread has been to follow. I'm doing the 5K and 10K at Princess. These are my first back-to-back races. I, too, could not run a mile in PE class and never considered myself an athlete. I had rheumatic fever as a child in the early 60's which left me with a slight heart murmur. I was always told I shouldn't do excessive physical activity because of my heart murmur. As I got older I realized that was no longer the advice given to patients and after having an echocardiogram in 2000, I found out my murmur was very minor. Now that I'm running, my resting heart rate has decreased, my blood pressure has gone down and I'm losing weight. Who knew that I would or could start running at 56 and be more healthy than I was at 40! Keep up the good work everyone!

 

[Dis5150]

I am signing up for a Half on March 6th. I will qualify for Half Fanatic with 3 Half Marathons within 90 days and 2 within 16 days.

 

[BriarRose59]

I am signing up for a Half on March 6th. I will qualify for Half Fanatic with 3 Half Marathons within 90 days and 2 within 16 days.

Wow! Congrats and good luck!

 

[Disneymoon09]

Silly question. Right now our plans have us going to MK after the 5k, and Epcot after the 10k. Should I switch those since Epcot is more walking?

 

[preciouspups]

If ANYONE is looking for a bib, there are a couple of charities that have posted to the Princess FB group that they are offering bibs until Midnight tonight with NO fundraising requirement.

Cue my rant about how rD appropriates bibs ...

I thought the same thing when I saw those posts!

 

[Dis5150]

Wow! Congrats and good luck!

Thanks! I wanted to do the race anyway because SparkleSkirts will be at the Expo, lol, and I figured it will be less crazy than Princess. Plus the medal is awesome! The full marathon medal is like 8 1/2 inches and weighs almost 3 lbs! And the half medal is half that size. My daughter is the one who figured out I would qualify for Half Fanatic, so that clinched it, lol.

 

[swanprincess06]

If ANYONE is looking for a bib, there are a couple of charities that have posted to the Princess FB group that they are offering bibs until Midnight tonight with NO fundraising requirement.

Cue my rant about how rD appropriates bibs ...

I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking that.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

I have to say also what a joy this thread has been to follow. I'm doing the 5K and 10K at Princess. These are my first back-to-back races. I, too, could not run a mile in PE class and never considered myself an athlete. I had rheumatic fever as a child in the early 60's which left me with a slight heart murmur. I was always told I shouldn't do excessive physical activity because of my heart murmur. As I got older I realized that was no longer the advice given to patients and after having an echocardiogram in 2000, I found out my murmur was very minor. Now that I'm running, my resting heart rate has decreased, my blood pressure has gone down and I'm losing weight. Who knew that I would or could start running at 56 and be more healthy than I was at 40! Keep up the good work everyone!

That is so awesome to hear! You are an inspiration!

 

[princessluna14]

Silly question. Right now our plans have us going to MK after the 5k, and Epcot after the 10k. Should I switch those since Epcot is more walking?

I'm doing Epcot after the half, so I guess I'm a glutton for punishment lol! My thought process was that there's way more eating I want to do in Epcot, so we are doing that the day we run.

 

[regul8ter18]

I am signing up for a Half on March 6th. I will qualify for Half Fanatic with 3 Half Marathons within 90 days and 2 within 16 days.

Good Luck from HALF FANATIC #5494

 

[Anisum]

Not sure if anyone noticed but the web version (as in non-mobile) of disp.xacte.com has the picture from the rundisney website as a background now in place of the generic runner. Still nothing showing up but any change makes me excited at this point.

 

[lovingeire]

I am signing up for a Half on March 6th. I will qualify for Half Fanatic with 3 Half Marathons within 90 days and 2 within 16 days.

Congrats! I am hoping to qualify this fall! (I noticed two halves I plan to run are within two weeks!)

Silly question. Right now our plans have us going to MK after the 5k, and Epcot after the 10k. Should I switch those since Epcot is more walking?

I actually enjoy walking after races. I know that we did Epcot last year after the 10K. I enjoyed a slushie in France as a reward for the race. There are plenty of places to sit and relax as well if you need a break!

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Half Fanatic #13230 here! I scheduled my first three half marathons within 90 days just so that I could qualify.

 

[Keels]

My guess is we'll see bib numbers tomorrow morning and the corrals/waivers on Thursday. Just my guess though.

To pass the time, let's talk packing and some tips for newbies!

From me - these are just a couple of things you might consider throwing in to your cart if you're doing your normal Target/WalMart run for the week so you can have them handy "just in case":
- $1 "emergency poncho" ... they're folded up and are smaller than a greeting card in size. I usually bring along one for each race I'm running and use them for when it rains (like it did during the 10k on marathon weekend) or when I want to stay warm but don't want a long-sleeve overlayer before the race starts (like before the half marathon during marathon weekend).
- Teeny tiny jar of Vaseline. I have the .25-ounce one that I think is labeled "Lip Therapy", but it's basically just plain ole Vaseline. This will come in hand if it rains - or, if you are doing multiple races and you notice you are starting to blister! Also, on the off chance it is going to be incredibly humid, you can use it to ward off chafing around the collar or sleeves of your running top.
- A box of these bad boys (Band-Aid Blister Bandages, though Walgreens and CVS both make a knock-off version).
- Refresh Wipes. I throw the packet of these in my bag check bag and they are the second thing I reach for after swapping out my shoes.

 

[princessluna14]

Am I the only one that never checks a bag at races? Is it something I should consider for PHM?

 

[Panikim]

Not sure if anyone noticed but the web version (as in non-mobile) of disp.xacte.com has the picture from the rundisney website as a background now in place of the generic runner. Still nothing showing up but any change makes me excited at this point.

Just noticed this!! Woo hoo!! Progress!!

 

[preciouspups]

My guess is we'll see bib numbers tomorrow morning and the corrals/waivers on Thursday. Just my guess though.

To pass the time, let's talk packing and some tips for newbies!

From me - these are just a couple of things you might consider throwing in to your cart if you're doing your normal Target/WalMart run for the week so you can have them handy "just in case":
- $1 "emergency poncho" ... they're folded up and are smaller than a greeting card in size. I usually bring along one for each race I'm running and use them for when it rains (like it did during the 10k on marathon weekend) or when I want to stay warm but don't want a long-sleeve overlayer before the race starts (like before the half marathon during marathon weekend).
- Teeny tiny jar of Vaseline. I have the .25-ounce one that I think is labeled "Lip Therapy", but it's basically just plain ole Vaseline. This will come in hand if it rains - or, if you are doing multiple races and you notice you are starting to blister! Also, on the off chance it is going to be incredibly humid, you can use it to ward off chafing around the collar or sleeves of your running top.
- A box of these bad boys (Band-Aid Blister Bandages, though Walgreens and CVS both make a knock-off version).
- Refresh Wipes. I throw the packet of these in my bag check bag and they are the second thing I reach for after swapping out my shoes.

I have those blister pads and they are great! The fit perfect under the hook of my sports bra and keeps down the chaffing and they are thin so I don't feel it. I won't leave home without them!

-Lip balm.
-Tissues. My nose runs like crazy and I'm not about to blow it on the ground or my shirt!
-Headband/ear warmer. Pull it down over the ears it if is cold out, otherwise, it just keeps all the little hairs out of my face.

 

[Keels]

Am I the only one that never checks a bag at races? Is it something I should consider for PHM?

I only do it if I plan to go straight into the parks after the race (I stay offsite, so if I go home I'm really not likely to leave to go back to the parks) - and it's usually a change of clothes and shoes.

 

[Luv2Run]

Am I the only one that never checks a bag at races? Is it something I should consider for PHM?

I used to not do bag check, but I do now, especially for PHM. Mainly because it's still dark when the race begins, but the sun rises as I'm heading back toward Epcot and I like having sunglasses to wear once I'm finished running. I don't like having to carry them with me. I also put an extra zip-up hoodie, deodorant, Chapstick, and my Spenco sandals so I can change out of my shoes. My feet swell after long races. I also like having a bag with me to carry the snack box and extra water/PowerAde that I pick up after the finish.

I probably won't do bag check for the 5K, and am undecided on doing bag check for the 10K.