Official all things Princess Half Weekend 2015 thread! DOoneY and offical mErcH on DisneyParksBLOg

[PrincessV]

My PTs original plan had me doing another 12 this weekend with a shorter run (4) the day before to prepare for the Triple Crown. But, I think it's asking for trouble. I feel ready, or at least as ready as I think I can feel without risking further injury. If by a miracle the weather allows outdoor running I will follow my original plan. But if not, I'm thinking instead of a 4 and 12 this weekend I'll go for more like a 5 and 7. Mid week I get 12 miles in with 3-6-3 over the next 3 days.

Does this sound reasonable? Just looking for reassurance I'm not cutting corners and that getting to the starts healthy is the most important consideration now.

I think you will be fine if you don't get another 12 in this weekend. If you can do 12 you can do 13! And as far as the triple crown goes it's the wake ups that will get you, not the back to backs as long as you remember to take it nice and easy on Friday and Saturday. Save your gusto for Sunday!

I totally agree! I typically only go up to 10 or 11 before a half; no need to hit 13, especially with all of the mid-week running you're doing, DVCFan1994.

And I really agree that it's the 3 early mornings that got me last year, more than the physical exertion. I strolled through the 5K, walked more than I ran the 10K, and was fine, physically, for the half. I was just exhausted, though: my head was not in that race at all. I was ready to bail around mile 8 because I was just over it, lol! I'm glad I didn't My plan this year is a lot more down time after the 10K. I just may hang out in my room and watch bad TV all day!

 

[appleorchard]

I'm doing a 10 miler this weekend, my last long run; I'm far behind my training of last year, but I had hip bursitis and tendinitis that slowed me down all fall as it affected first one side, then the other! It's cold here-- it was 23 degrees this morning for my 4-miler-- but I don't have a gym membership because honestly, I wouldn't use it if I did. I have Yaktrax and if it's over 10 degrees, I go outside. I HATE the cold.

I'm 64, overweight and just started running 1 1/2 years ago, but it's the only form of exercise I'll actually do. I hated running as a kid, I'm short and slow, but for some reason, it's the only thing I've stuck to! I did all three races last year and didn't get swept, even when starting in corral P, so I'm hoping I'm safe for this year, just doing the Half and starting in M. I'm about 30 seconds slower per mile this year and haven't wanted to push it any further.

And I just got a new Sparkle skirt! I decided to wear my shirt from last year's Half for inspiration-- because I signed up for all three races separately, I didn't get the GSC shirt -- and its (ugly!) gray color clashed with last year's green Sparkle skirt, so I "needed" a new medium blue one. Trying to decide whether or not to skip compression socks this year- hmm, last year's pink really won't match -- and could definitely use a new sweatband. Just ordered Glide and Biofreeze, my shoes are broken in, I haven't lost any toenails(although one is on the verge)-- I think I'm ready!

 

[joan4mickey]

I was able to log 8 miles outside on Saturday, and then 5 miles this morning on the treadmill. I got irrationally angry (I'm not a morning person) when I discovered no open treadmills at the gym when I got there, so I had to do 1.5 miles on the elliptical. Then, when a treadmill finally opened up, a guy cut in front of me and took the only open one! I headed back to the elliptical and spent another .5 mile waiting on another one to open up. When I finally got a treadmill, the guy who took mine had the farts so it reeked like rotten eggs my entire run!! Disgusting!!!! This is why I prefer to run outside. It was just too cold (22F) and dark to run outside on the trails at work this morning, so I had to run on the treadmill. I can't wait until Spring is here.

Sounds like you should be ready for whatever the Princess throws at you….It will be morning and it will be early.
I wanted to throw in a smiley, but I don't know where they are…but you do!

 

[eandesmom]

I was able to log 8 miles outside on Saturday, and then 5 miles this morning on the treadmill. I got irrationally angry (I'm not a morning person) when I discovered no open treadmills at the gym when I got there, so I had to do 1.5 miles on the elliptical. Then, when a treadmill finally opened up, a guy cut in front of me and took the only open one! I headed back to the elliptical and spent another .5 mile waiting on another one to open up. When I finally got a treadmill, the guy who took mine had the farts so it reeked like rotten eggs my entire run!! Disgusting!!!! This is why I prefer to run outside. It was just too cold (22F) and dark to run outside on the trails at work this morning, so I had to run on the treadmill. I can't wait until Spring is here.

OMG that is awful. YUCK! Impressed that you stuck around and stuck with it.

 

[Luv2Run]

Sounds like you should be ready for whatever the Princess throws at you….It will be morning and it will be early.
I wanted to throw in a smiley, but I don't know where they are…but you do!

One thing I like about having a lot of time between when I get up for the PHM (usually around 3am) and when we actually start the race is that I have plenty of time to shake off the "I hate the morning" blues. Otherwise, I would be a complete bear to be around.

 

[PrincessDreamer]

This may be a silly question, but I know that people take pictures during the race, so I'm assuming most people have their phone on them. What's the best way to carry your phone during the run? Also, if I bring personal belongings (jacket, food, etc.), is there a place to put them or do I have to run with them?

 

[joan4mickey]

This may be a silly question, but I know that people take pictures during the race, so I'm assuming most people have their phone on them. What's the best way to carry your phone during the run? Also, if I bring personal belongings (jacket, food, etc.), is there a place to put them or do I have to run with them?

SOme one else can help you out on the phone issue..I don't have one, but I do see people with the arm bands.
For your personal items…after you pickup your bib, you will go to another area and pick up your shirt and a large drawl string bag. There will also be a number with adhesive that you attach to the bag…it matches your bib number. On race day take the bag with the number attached. You place all the thing in the bag and leave it at bag drop….there is a row of tents before heading to the corrals, and I can't remember if they are divided by number or alphabet, but anyway you leave your bag there and at the end of the race you will go back by and collect your bag. Many say not to put in anything important or valuable in the bag. I have put in car keys, a $10 bill, but always wrap them so they aren't in sight. There are very nice volunteers working the bag collection and there is always several people there so I think it is pretty safe.

Then, I always carry a disposable bag to the corral with a snack ( I get to the corral an hour earlier than start time). Also if it is cold you may want to wear some old clothes to donate. You wear them over your running clothes and then leave them in the collection boxes next tot he corral and they will be taken to Goodwill or another organization. YOu can also shed them on the course and there are people out there collecting items. Just make sure t throw them to the side, don't leave them in the middle of the road. Hope that helps.

Now I need help…where are the smileys?

 

[appleorchard]

Sparkle skirt! It has big pockets on the sides of the "pants" underneath. Or a spibelt or other belt that straps around your waist. If you use an armband for your phone, try it out first to make sure it doesn't chafe.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

This may be a silly question, but I know that people take pictures during the race, so I'm assuming most people have their phone on them. What's the best way to carry your phone during the run? Also, if I bring personal belongings (jacket, food, etc.), is there a place to put them or do I have to run with them?

I place my phone in my sports bra so there is easy access to get to it for picture taking as I did at both ToT and Star Wars.

I will never run with a jacket again after the Star Wars 10K as I was so angry at it after a mile.

For food items, I use a sports belt to keep it in.

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

Advice Needed! Hip Pain.
Never had this problem before. Got it about a month ago while doing a long run on the treadmill, my feet became super sore after mile 6. I'm guessing I got it because of bad form while running. I got fitted afterwards with new running shoes and that seems to help. The pain still comes and goes. I sometimes ice the area in the evening, it helps but a day or two the pain is back. I notice the pain when I first get up from sitting (I have a desk job) and it subsides when I walk around a bit. I tried to back off on running and take it easy. I have a long run this weekend and the half is coming up. How can I train?
If you're a runner who has suffered from this please help me with advice. Thank You!

 

[joan4mickey]

Advice Needed! Hip Pain.
Never had this problem before. Got it about a month ago while doing a long run on the treadmill, my feet became super sore after mile 6. I'm guessing I got it because of bad form while running. I got fitted afterwards with new running shoes and that seems to help. The pain still comes and goes. I sometimes ice the area in the evening, it helps but a day or two the pain is back. I notice the pain when I first get up from sitting (I have a desk job) and it subsides when I walk around a bit. I tried to back off on running and take it easy. I have a long run this weekend and the half is coming up. How can I train?
If you're a runner who has suffered from this please help me with advice. Thank You!

First I am NOT a doctor, but I would suggest you see a sport physician. As I get older, I have different aches and pains and just address each…by skipping a run or do a whole cross train hour of stretching. I try and listen to my body.
It sounds like a soft tissue pain…tendons, muscles, ligiments…ice, and aleve or advil (but don't do pain meds before a run, just after, as your kidneys need to process the stuff). Stretching is also good…but do a light warm up first and always stretch after a run…a lot, hold stretches for 30 seconds and do a variety. If you feel confident you can finish, I wouldn't push the LR this weekend. IF you go out, I would stop if I felt the pain. MY GOAL would be to finish the Princess Half and then figure out what I need to do to take care of the issue. It may be adding more cross training or taking some time off from running. That is what I would do…but you need to do what is right for you.

 

[Luv2Run]

Advice Needed! Hip Pain.
Never had this problem before. Got it about a month ago while doing a long run on the treadmill, my feet became super sore after mile 6. I'm guessing I got it because of bad form while running. I got fitted afterwards with new running shoes and that seems to help. The pain still comes and goes. I sometimes ice the area in the evening, it helps but a day or two the pain is back. I notice the pain when I first get up from sitting (I have a desk job) and it subsides when I walk around a bit. I tried to back off on running and take it easy. I have a long run this weekend and the half is coming up. How can I train?
If you're a runner who has suffered from this please help me with advice. Thank You!

Where is your hip pain located? i.e. hip flexor, side of your hip, along your backside. Many things can cause hip pain, ranging from piriformis syndrome/sciatica, IT band issues, a strained hip flexor, etc.

I have experience dealing with hip pain in my right hip for about 3 years now, and my best advice is to do lots of stretching (Figure 4 with your legs is the best stretch for hip pain) and invest in a foam roller. I foam roll after every run, and before I go to bed. There are lots of foam rolling how-tos on Pinterest and Runner's World.

 

[PrincessV]

This may be a silly question, but I know that people take pictures during the race, so I'm assuming most people have their phone on them. What's the best way to carry your phone during the run?

I use an armband for my iPhone... it's not the simplest thing to take it out, disconnect the earbuds jack, take a pic, then put it all back together, but I've practiced a bunch and pretty much have a system at this point. I did find last year that it was easier to just carry it in my hand through picture-heavy areas, like going through the MK or EP, then put it back when I was ready to run without stopping for a while. But there are LOTS of options: skirts/tights with pockets, waist belts, armbands - whatever you choose, just be sure to get a few training runs in with it to work out the kinks!

A word of caution about bag check: a friend's bag was lost at W&D last year - and his car key was in it. Poor guy was stuck at EP for hours, waiting to see if they'd find it, then talking with security about what to do when it didn't show up, then waiting for a cab to take him home, then back with a spare key. I'll never stow my car key in a checked bag again - always keep that on me!

Now I need help…where are the smileys?

It took a while, but I found them! Look up when you're typing, in the tool bar - there's a little grey smiley in there. Click that and it opens all the smiley choices at the bottom of the page

Advice Needed! Hip Pain.

I agree with PPs: first, you'll need to ID where the pain is, as there are lots of places in the hip area that can cause trouble, and second, I strongly suggest seeing a medical professional. That said, I've had really good luck Googling my various injuries, lol! It's worth a search or two to see if any injury descriptions stand out to you. In general, us desk-job folks tend to have tight hip flexors - the muscles in the front of the hips, connecting our torso to our quads. If that's the area of pain, some gentle stretching could be helpful.

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

I just scheduled an appointment for tomorrow to see a sports doctor. That sounds like the smart thing to do. I thought of that but then thought no need. You ladies made me realize the common sense in just getting a professional opinion. I'd hate to make the injury worse. I have googled it and it sounds like it could be several things. It hurts sometimes at the side of my buttocks close to my hip and sometimes the middle of my rear. This close to the race it has me worried.

 

[Luv2Run]

Sounds like piriformis syndrome to me. I let mine go unchecked for about two weeks, and by then it got to the point where I was getting shooting pains down my leg and numbness around the site of the pain (I don't suggest letting it get to that point, because WOW was that uncomfortable!). A sports doc can offer suggestion for stretches to relieve the discomfort. I, too, work a desk job and usually place the foot of my affected leg on the knee of my unaffected leg and lean forward for some relief. Sitting on a heating pad helps. I also take 250mg of acetaminophen post-run (not ibuprofen, which upsets my stomach).

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

Sounds like piriformis syndrome to me. I let mine go unchecked for about two weeks, and by then it got to the point where I was getting shooting pains down my leg and numbness around the site of the pain (I don't suggest letting it get to that point, because WOW was that uncomfortable!). A sports doc can offer suggestion for stretches to relieve the discomfort. I, too, work a desk job and usually place the foot of my affected leg on the knee of my unaffected leg and lean forward for some relief. Sitting on a heating pad helps. I also take 250mg of acetaminophen post-run (not ibuprofen, which upsets my stomach).

I just did the stretch. That felt good.

 

[Luv2Run]

Glad I could help!

 

[Mil leech]

I just scheduled an appointment for tomorrow to see a sports doctor. That sounds like the smart thing to do. I thought of that but then thought no need. You ladies made me realize the common sense in just getting a professional opinion. I'd hate to make the injury worse. I have googled it and it sounds like it could be several things. It hurts sometimes at the side of my buttocks close to my hip and sometimes the middle of my rear. This close to the race it has me worried.

I hope you get better luck than I did at the sports medicine doc for my hip pain... "Maybe you aren't meant to run, check this off the bucket list and one and done". I have been slowly working through with stretches and professional massages

 

[gabbyb]

Question for all you veterans out there...what do you eat for breakfast? And where?! I'm assuming nothing is open. Do you all just bring something to eat?

 

[AThrillingChase]

I bought tutus for the 5k only. I hadn't thought about it, but recently saw something about them getting staticky on runs. Is this only for long runs? Or should I be concerned for the 5k? And if so, any ideas?? Thanks!!