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

[DVCFan1994]

Hello all! Two weeks until I'm headed back H*O*ME!

I have a question about the 5K. This will be my Mom's first 5K ever and she is overweight. She has been trying very hard to increase her time to hit that 16 min mark. She is scared to death of the balloon ladies and being swept. So nervous that she was reading the event guide and began to feel queasy. I read somewhere that there are no balloon ladies at the 5Ks. Is this true? I have ran the 5Ks before but never worried about being swept. If they wont be there, I want to let her know so that she will relax and look forward to the trip instead of dreading it. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Last year my Dad did the 5k. He has multiple medical challenges and is overweight and generally sedentary. He started in corral D I believe, but he took over an hour to finish, I think about an hour and fifteen minutes, including sitting and resting Germany. That would be upwards of 25 minutes a mile. He never saw any balloon ladies. He said one person asked if he needed help, but I think that because he was sitting down.

I asked the same question last year, and got the same responses you have (including one from the always helpful Princess V of course), no one reported seeing anyone swept for time, only medical need.

 

[Luv2Run]

Over the past week and a half, I've been having IT Band flare-ups (not sure if it's the new shoes, or running in the cold, or overtraining), so I'm weighing my options for long runs nwo that we're about 2 weeks out from race day. I know I need to rest in order to heal up, so I'm facing a runner's dilemma over the next two weeks. I'm thinking I'll forgo my final 10-miler on the 15th, and opt for a 9-miler this Sunday instead, and then taper from there. It's supposed to be nicer out this Sunday (around 60F), so I should be alright. I just really fear getting injured this close to race day, especially since I'm doing two races this time (the 5K and the PHM).

Once we get back from WDW, I think I'll schedule an appt with my doctor to discuss PT options. I have a bunion on my right foot that I'm thinking may be the cause of my problems, since my piriformis syndrome and now my IT band flare-ups are all in my right leg. If I get that "maybe running is not for you" BS from my doctor, I may just slap him across the face, lol.

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

Over the past week and a half, I've been having IT Band flare-ups (not sure if it's the new shoes, or running in the cold, or overtraining), so I'm weighing my options for long runs nwo that we're about 2 weeks out from race day. I know I need to rest in order to heal up, so I'm facing a runner's dilemma over the next two weeks. I'm thinking I'll forgo my final 10-miler on the 15th, and opt for a 9-miler this Sunday instead, and then taper from there. It's supposed to be nicer out this Sunday (around 60F), so I should be alright. I just really fear getting injured this close to race day, especially since I'm doing two races this time (the 5K and the PHM).

Once we get back from WDW, I think I'll schedule an appt with my doctor to discuss PT options. I have a bunion on my right foot that I'm thinking may be the cause of my problems, since my piriformis syndrome and now my IT band flare-ups are all in my right leg. If I get that "maybe running is not for you" BS from my doctor, I may just slap him across the face, lol.

I would not just deal with it. Go see a sports doctor thats what I did and so glad.

 

[Mil leech]

If I get that "maybe running is not for you" BS from my doctor, I may just slap him across the face, lol.

I will gladly give you my docs number that told me this, as long as I can be there!!

 

[Miss Whimsy]

so I'm weighing my options for long runs nwo that we're about 2 weeks out from race day. I know I need to rest in order to heal up, so I'm facing a runner's dilemma over the next two weeks.

Yeah I'm doing similar calculations right now. I'm currently icing my lower back/upper glute and trying to figure out how much to run this weekend. Was going to try to do 9-10 miles, my final long run before tapering, but now I'm thinking I might not be able to. I don't know if I'll be confident in the half if I just keep last week's 8-miler as my last long run though. UGH.

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

My hip update: Sports Doctor visit
Diagnosis: Piriformis muscle is inflamed, and I have strained my hip flexor.
Treatment: Prednisone for three days, and he prescribed an anti-anflamitory (Meloxicam), that I take up until two days before my run.
Training: My 14 mile run for Sunday is out. He said I should be fine with the race since I have done two runs 10+ miles in January. If I feel like it I can do a 3 mile run on Sunday, but to start tapering off before the race. Non run days I am to cross train on the elliptical and swim.
He said its important that I do not put strain on the hip area, but do keep it moving with other exercises.
The sports doctor is a marathon runner so it was a big help that he knew what I needed to do to heal and continue to train. I can tell a big difference since I have taken the prednisone. The doc said that for a mild case he normally would not give prednisone just the Meloxicam, but given that my run was in two weeks we needed to get the inflammation down.
For anyone suffering with a sports injury you may want to consider seeing a doctor. I've had this pain for about a month. I tried to self diagnose but it was slowly getting worse. I am already feeling better both physically and mentally. Its nice to know I should be injury free on race day.
Good Luck to Everyone!

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

Race Waivers
Ive been checking race waiver info since the link was posted here. First my sisters info was not to be found. When the link was posted on rundisney it was available. Now the info is not available on the rundisney site. Good thing I printed her waiver.
My sister did not give proof of time. At first I thought she was not there because they were still deciding. When her info was available I was surprised she was not in the last corrals. I though great she is close to me and I will run in her corral. Maybe they put her in the wrong place?
Do they ever change corral placement? I was able to pull up my info the site is not down.

 

[AThrillingChase]

Oh I LOVE that yogurt and get as a treat. Perhaps they sell some kind of yogurt at the resort that will keep in your 'fridge in room.

They handed it out after the half last year.
If there are other things you'd like to have besides the yogurt, you could order groceries!

Thanks! I am going for the week before and wanted to use the bag for a few days- not to be I guess! Sadly, I do not want any other groceries. I get the refillable mug and I am not much for things like sandwiches, snacking, or breakfast in general. I'm a big lunch, big dinner and done kinda girl. So it wouldn't be great cost wise. But, this did give me an idea. I am thinking I will take a baggie of chocolate chips and almond slivers, and just buy a greek yogurt of whatever flavor I can find at the resort. They are soooo good and perfect fuel. That and a banana, maybe some toast and I will be good to go!

Over the past week and a half, I've been having IT Band flare-ups (not sure if it's the new shoes, or running in the cold, or overtraining), so I'm weighing my options for long runs nwo that we're about 2 weeks out from race day. I know I need to rest in order to heal up, so I'm facing a runner's dilemma over the next two weeks. I'm thinking I'll forgo my final 10-miler on the 15th, and opt for a 9-miler this Sunday instead, and then taper from there. It's supposed to be nicer out this Sunday (around 60F), so I should be alright. I just really fear getting injured this close to race day, especially since I'm doing two races this time (the 5K and the PHM).

Once we get back from WDW, I think I'll schedule an appt with my doctor to discuss PT options. I have a bunion on my right foot that I'm thinking may be the cause of my problems, since my piriformis syndrome and now my IT band flare-ups are all in my right leg. If I get that "maybe running is not for you" BS from my doctor, I may just slap him across the face, lol.

I don't think this is necessarily a solve-all, BUT since the race is so close, I had IT issues since September. I bought an IT strap from the local running store. I haven't had any issues since. (At the same time I started up again with my barre class to strengthen my legs 1x or 2x a week, but the strap worked pretty much from the get go). It was I believe $12. Best $12 I have ever spent! lol

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Last long run in the books. It's funny how everybody is trying to tape themselves together to make it through race day. My first Galloway plan, in 2007, at this point in training had long runs as follows. Two weeks before race day, a 5k race. The week before the race a seven mile run. And then it was race weekend. So if you feel behind, I wouldn't worry about it. I got through that half just fine. Looks like I will be flip flopping my costumes. Maleficent for the 10k now and Rapunzel for the half.

 

[PrincessV]

Anyone have any transportation tips for staying off site? Am I even allowed to say that here!? I am staying close by and I have my car. Anyone with experience know the best place to go to pick up a ride to the corrals?

I drive all the time - you'll just follow the directions in the race guide (which I can sum up as this: drive to Epcot, as if you're going there for any ol' park day) and park at EP. As always at WDW, there will be lots of signs and workers telling you where, exactly, to park. The pre-race staging area will be there in the parking lot. When it comes time to head to the corrals, an announcement will be made and you follow the thousands of other racers I highly recommend leaving EARLY to beat traffic. I always head out at the same time the race buses start.

Over the past week and a half, I've been having IT Band flare-ups (not sure if it's the new shoes, or running in the cold, or overtraining), so I'm weighing my options for long runs nwo that we're about 2 weeks out from race day. I know I need to rest in order to heal up, so I'm facing a runner's dilemma over the next two weeks. I'm thinking I'll forgo my final 10-miler on the 15th, and opt for a 9-miler this Sunday instead, and then taper from there. It's supposed to be nicer out this Sunday (around 60F), so I should be alright. I just really fear getting injured this close to race day, especially since I'm doing two races this time (the 5K and the PHM).

REST is best! I've done my share of battling stupid ITBS and there just isn't any substitute for getting the inflammation (which is what makes it hurt) down. Long term, you still need to isolate what's causing it and correct that, but for now, any additional running is just irritating that bursa sac more.

My hip update: Sports Doctor visit
Diagnosis: Piriformis muscle is inflamed, and I have strained my hip flexor.
Treatment: Prednisone for three days, and he prescribed an anti-anflamitory (Meloxicam), that I take up until two days before my run.
Training: My 14 mile run for Sunday is out. He said I should be fine with the race since I have done two runs 10+ miles in January. If I feel like it I can do a 3 mile run on Sunday, but to start tapering off before the race. Non run days I am to cross train on the elliptical and swim.
He said its important that I do not put strain on the hip area, but do keep it moving with other exercises.
The sports doctor is a marathon runner so it was a big help that he knew what I needed to do to heal and continue to train. I can tell a big difference since I have taken the prednisone. The doc said that for a mild case he normally would not give prednisone just the Meloxicam, but given that my run was in two weeks we needed to get the inflammation down.
For anyone suffering with a sports injury you may want to consider seeing a doctor. I've had this pain for about a month. I tried to self diagnose but it was slowly getting worse. I am already feeling better both physically and mentally. Its nice to know I should be injury free on race day.
Good Luck to Everyone!

Good news - glad to hear it!

When her info was available I was surprised she was not in the last corrals. I though great she is close to me and I will run in her corral. Maybe they put her in the wrong place?
Do they ever change corral placement? I was able to pull up my info the site is not down.

They don't make changes to corrals, but they also don't put all folks without proof of time in the last corral - there are too many of them, so they spread folks out some.

 

[eandesmom]

Over the past week and a half, I've been having IT Band flare-ups (not sure if it's the new shoes, or running in the cold, or overtraining), so I'm weighing my options for long runs nwo that we're about 2 weeks out from race day. I know I need to rest in order to heal up, so I'm facing a runner's dilemma over the next two weeks. I'm thinking I'll forgo my final 10-miler on the 15th, and opt for a 9-miler this Sunday instead, and then taper from there. It's supposed to be nicer out this Sunday (around 60F), so I should be alright. I just really fear getting injured this close to race day, especially since I'm doing two races this time (the 5K and the PHM).

Once we get back from WDW, I think I'll schedule an appt with my doctor to discuss PT options. I have a bunion on my right foot that I'm thinking may be the cause of my problems, since my piriformis syndrome and now my IT band flare-ups are all in my right leg. If I get that "maybe running is not for you" BS from my doctor, I may just slap him across the face, lol.

If you can get in before, I would. If nothing else you can get some specific stretches and exercises to do between now and the race. Do you do anything for your bunions now? I have them and it's been a bit of an ongoing saga to treat..fix one issue, cause another one and so on. Are the new shoes a new model? I know for me between the bunions and orthotics, messing with shoes REALLY messed me up. Foam rolling really helps me a lot in general and while I've not had ITB issues in some time, I still roll out that area all the time just to be safe!

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Has anyone done the Pasta in the Park Party before? I have tickets for four people, but only two of us are doing the race. Looking at the waiver section it looks like there is a waiver for the party? My two non-runners were not planning to go to the expo. I wonder if they will need to? I already have the tickets in-hand for the party.

 

[Whirlybird]

I cancelled my deferral to the Glass Slipper challenge! I had a hysterectomy on December 18th and per MD orders, I had to defer the Star Wars & Princess run. Since, I was feeling pretty good, I confessed to my doctor on my follow-up visit that I walked the Hot Chocolate 5K on my third week post-op. It was then she gave her blessing to start running again, SLOWLY on post-op week four. Well, I'm now officially in post-op week 7 and feeling great and ready to run a little faster this week and excited to run the Glass Slipper Challenge, one mile at a time. I contribute my quick recovery from running... It has been a blessing.

 

[joan4mickey]

I cancelled my deferral to the Glass Slipper challenge! I had a hysterectomy on December 18th and per MD orders, I had to defer the Star Wars & Princess run. Since, I was feeling pretty good, I confessed to my doctor on my follow-up visit that I walked the Hot Chocolate 5K on my third week post-op. It was then she gave her blessing to start running again, SLOWLY on post-op week four. Well, I'm now officially in post-op week 7 and feeling great and ready to run a little faster this week and excited to run the Glass Slipper Challenge, one mile at a time. I contribute my quick recovery from running... It has been a blessing.

That great news! Hope you have many magical miles! Only 2 weeks!

 

[DVCFan1994]

Managed to get my last run in outside!!!! 12 miles done, mostly pain free. Here in Massachusetts we are expecting another foot of snow between now and Monday night, but it held off starting til 11, so I got my run in early this Am. So happy I was able to find a 5 mile stretch of road that was clear enough for running. It was manageably cold, in the teens. 4 layers of tops. I swear when I run in tanks in 13 days I'm going to feel naked compared to my training runs!

Definitely looking forward to the taper period now! Good luck to everyone on their runs this weekend!

 

[joan4mickey]

Managed to get my last run in outside!!!! 12 miles done, mostly pain free. Here in Massachusetts we are expecting another foot of snow between now and Monday night, but it held off starting til 11, so I got my run in early this Am. So happy I was able to find a 5 mile stretch of road that was clear enough for running. It was manageably cold, in the teens. 4 layers of tops. I swear when I run in tanks in 13 days I'm going to feel naked compared to my training runs!

Definitely looking forward to the taper period now! Good luck to everyone on their runs this weekend!

You are amazing. I wouldn't go out for my 12 the other day and it was in the 50's.

 

[appleorchard]

10 miles in this morning and that's as high as I'm going! Last year I did two 11 mile runs before the weekend, but I also did all three races last year and had no idea what to expect. This year I found visualizing the course while running helped me keep going. Does anyone know what the last sweep point is-- is it the 11 mile mark, or is there another beyond that? Since I'm in M, I know I'll be fine as long as I maintain a 16 minute pace up until mile 6, then if I slow down a little it should be ok.

Excited!!

 

[WDW Enabler]

I am going for my long run today. I have to wait for the sun to rise as there are not street lights on the road I run. I have my running skirt done and will be running in it. I have to do my design for my tshirt, but will wear it for short runs later this week. I can't believe it is less than 2 weeks away.

 

[jdd]

Managed to get my last run in outside!!!! 12 miles done, mostly pain free. Here in Massachusetts we are expecting another foot of snow between now and Monday night, but it held off starting til 11, so I got my run in early this Am. So happy I was able to find a 5 mile stretch of road that was clear enough for running. It was manageably cold, in the teens. 4 layers of tops. I swear when I run in tanks in 13 days I'm going to feel naked compared to my training runs!

Definitely looking forward to the taper period now! Good luck to everyone on their runs this weekend!

Ditto! Though I only did 11, but was really happy to get this last long run in - had to be a bit creative to find snow-free areas! Our temps were a little higher - high 20s and into the low 30s before I finished. I actually really like running in that temp - I think I'm going to melt in the Orlando heat

Spending today on my costume - Good luck to all you princesses out there this morning!!

 

[Sallimander]

Does anyone know how to access the igiftbag? Am I missing something? Thanks!