Official thread for the 2010 Princess 1/2 Marathon & 5k- REGSITRATION IS OPEN!

[casjen]

I want to try and train with that to see how it all goes in my stomach.

 

[Caitsmama]

If we hadn't lost that we could have caught up with Stacy and her mom I think.

.

Oh, you think so??!! J/K, i am sure you guys would have.. I started out GREAT.. but by mile 11 or so, i was tired, and i think at one point, my famous quote to my mom when she asked if i was ready to run again (we were doing a walk/run) was "we are doing fine on time, who the f--- cares". My mom won't let me live that down..

I am confident my time will improve this year, as i will be toting around about 30-35lbs less than last year!! (thank God for Weight Watchers!)

 

[Caitsmama]

My friend and I are wondering if anyone has any advice on eating the day before/day of the race, "pit stops" and how early you get up before the race (do you eat breakfast, drink coffee?)? Will there be a map of porta potties?

Thanks!

Ahhhhhh.. the porta potties... (remember this pre-race Lauren?)
They have TONS of them pre-race -- however, lines are LONG.. best best is to go right before you go to the corrals, they are less crowded.. once you walk the dreaded "dead man walking walk" to your corral, they have more - lots and lots more, but the lines were HUGE.. i had to go very very bad -- more of a medicine not agreeing with me so early in the a.m. moment plus i was nervous-- it was terrible.. my stomach hurt so bad - i wasn't talking to anyone, and was nervous that i may have not even been able to do the race.. But, i had had this before, and knew it would pass - i just had to sit down and relax and breathe..
Well, once we started i was fine, only had to go pee once b/c i was COLD.. once i heated up i was fine and didn't go again til the end of the race was over. You will see TONS of runners heading into the woods -- to save time.

Needless to say, i took myself off the meds now, and will hopefully have a much better pre-race expierence this year. That and i am planning on putting on more clothes this year to shed.. I had a trashbag on last year, shed it about 1/2 mile in to the race.. but this year will plan on more.. i was freezing at pre-race.. (although, not so much as Lauren!)

My best advice is to eat normally -- don't try anything different. I always have several cups of coffee in the a.m., but only had 1 on race day.. i didn't want to push it! Breakfast for me was a bagel with pbutter, and a banana.

 

[Caitsmama]

What time do you wake to have breakfast? What time do you leave for the race?

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Being that we were at the Poly ( a race hotel) we left on the next to last bus i believe - about 5am. So, i got up to eat about 4:30.. I ate and finished my banana on the bus.. I made sure i was done eating/drinking by 5ish.

 

[Caitsmama]

As far as running/walking, try running for 5 minutes, then walking for 5 minutes after you get fitted for a good combo shoe. Gradually work your way up and your joints, ligaments, etc. will learn to work with you. If you can work your way up to a 30/30 combo, it may end up improving your time. Good Luck!

I don't know that i agree with this -- if she is a really new runner -- 5min will probably be too much. Especially if she has knee/back issues. I truly think if you are a veteran walker -- you can do the whole thing walking. There isn't a need to HAVE to do a run/walk the whole time - especially if you are prone to injury from it! There are LOTS of walkers who do it, and some of them blew past me at times!! LOL Personally, i think a 30/30 combo is alot.. i wouldn't be able to do it.. (assuming you mean 30 min/ 30 min). Just another person's advice though.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I don't know that i agree with this -- if she is a really new runner -- 5min will probably be too much. Especially if she has knee/back issues. I truly think if you are a veteran walker -- you can do the whole thing walking. There isn't a need to HAVE to do a run/walk the whole time - especially if you are prone to injury from it! There are LOTS of walkers who do it, and some of them blew past me at times!! LOL Personally, i think a 30/30 combo is alot.. i wouldn't be able to do it.. (assuming you mean 30 min/ 30 min). Just another person's advice though.

5 minutes is nothing. Even with knee/back issues. As soon as you start it is over. I have my share of disabilities that I am working with and to be honest, I wish they were knee and back issues because they are easier to manage. Even for a beginner like me, I am able to do it no problem. 30 minutes jogging/running with 30 minutes walking is difficult. But, you have to try to work up to something. This isn't just about being at Disney, but doing something that you may have never thought was possible.

 

[mla1977]

I highly recommend the couch to 5k program for new runners! If you are new to running, 5 minutes feels like an eternity. Or in my case 5 minutes up hill in Valley Forge feels like a climb on the surface of the sun.

 

[Swmr359]

5 minutes is nothing. Even with knee/back issues. As soon as you start it is over. I have my share of disabilities that I am working with and to be honest, I wish they were knee and back issues because they are easier to manage. Even for a beginner like me, I am able to do it no problem. 30 minutes jogging/running with 30 minutes walking is difficult. But, you have to try to work up to something. This isn't just about being at Disney, but doing something that you may have never thought was possible.

I have back problems and 5 minutes is a lot, I can do it now but I couldn't when I first started in March. I'm (and was in March) in very good shape, but not running shape. Just remember that everyone is different and you need to experiment to find what works best for you.

 

[Caitsmama]

5 minutes is nothingAgain, i disagree, it is definately not nothing.. 5 min. of full running is something many have to work towards - and can't just start on that - i just don't want a new runner to get discouraged if they aren't able to run for 5 min. straight - the C25K plan is a GREAT plan to start with... Even with knee/back issues. As soon as you start it is over. I have my share of disabilities that I am working with and to be honest, I wish they were knee and back issues because they are easier to manage. Even for a beginner like me, I am able to do it no problem. Ok, but that's you -- everyone is different. 30 minutes jogging/running with 30 minutes walking is difficult. But, you have to try to work up to something. This isn't just about being at Disney, but doing something that you may have never thought was possible.

agree with you here -- but for each person, that "thing that they never thought was possible" is different.. for some, just to walk the full 13.1 may be their goal - and that's fine, for others, it may be to run half, or to walk5/run5.. whatever, each person's "impossible" is totally subjective to that person..

It's not that i want to disagree with everything you are saying.. But, i just don't want anyone to be discouraged if they can't run for 5 min, or that they even should be - if they have knee/back issues.. You said knee/back issues are easier to deal with -- but - again, that is subject to the individual. For some it's not.
I say, that if anyone has never done the half marathon - and then does it and finishes in the alloted time frame, then they have already accomplished something they have never done, reguardless as to how they got there.

I think we just need to watch the advice that we give, especially to those with medical issues of any sorts - because what is easy for you (or me) may be very difficult for others.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I have the advice of my physical therapist and running coach behind me. I trust their advice. I don't see why anyone wouldn't seek the advice of a professional if they are affected with any physical ailments whether it be joint, back, etc. or running their first race. I just am concerned with anyone walking the entire 1/2. The 16 minute threshold per mile isn't so difficult for the first few miles, but approaching 10 can be super difficult. It is wise to be very prepared for this before you get there. I know this year was the first race and they were a bit lax with the 16 minute threshold, but I was told by a Disney rep a week ago that it won't be the case this year. I think it would be horrible to put all that work in and then not be allowed to finish and collect your medal. I don't see anything wrong with setting your sights high and not assuming that because others can walk the entire 5K, supposedly in better times than runners?? is possible for a newbie. My interest is that everyone finishes and that they get that medal.

Perhaps from now on in this thread, when people ask for advice, we should just point them to their doctor.

 

[BlakeNJ]

Calling all mid west, north east runners.....

What the heck do you do in December when it's freeeeezzzzzing out and you have to get out there and run???? Do you train on a treadmill? I think I'd go batty running 8 miles on a treadmill.

I trained last year for the 5k all on the treadmill. I am running the half this year and have never run outside. Next week will be my "trial" week outside. I am scared to death of the elements and getting hit by a car!!

Any advice?

 

[raangoli]

Hey Blake!

Running through the winter months in NJ is hard, but it's do-able. I personally would run indoors/on the treadmill during the week and then do my long runs outdoors.

There are plenty of parks near me, and I feel safer running there than on the sides of the roads in the winter. As for the temps...the idea is to dress in layers. I would usually have a long sleeve Nike dri-fit tshirt on and then an Under Armour cold gear fleece over that. For the bottoms, I wore my compression shorts under cold gear/thicker running pants. I would also wear a fleece hat to keep in the warmth and gloves, too.

It may not seem like a lot, but you have to remember that even in the freezing (and below) temps, your internal body temperature will rise with the running, which will also help to keep you warm.

I hope this helps!

 

[syko]

I'm in FL and I wear UA cold gear in the winter!!!!!!!
I don't know how those of you up north do it.

 

[BlakeNJ]

Thank you Raagoli!

I will have to pick up a few warmer clothing items in the next few weeks. I am glad to hear it's not "awful" in the winter. I guess once I get out there, I'll have a better idea of what I am comfortable with. I'll always have the treadmill as a backup.

Blakely

 

[K80K]

I'm in FL and I wear UA cold gear in the winter!!!!!!!
I don't know how those of you up north do it.

We wear Under Armour cold gear too...it is all about perspective. I don't wear a coat when it is in the mid-50s.

 

[lolafrances]

Blake, you may find the transition to the outdoors is easier than you think. Especially now when the weather is still decent. You may enjoy the scenery and find it is easy to get distracted outside so your exertion doesn't seem as strenuous. Before you know it, you are done!

Now when the weather gets colder, that is another story. I don't know how you Northerners do it!! Good luck!

 

[K80K]

Now when the weather gets colder, that is another story. I don't know how you Northerners do it!! Good luck!

Layers...layers are the key. I can't run on a treadmill. I used to made it up to a 12 miler when training for my first marathon and then it just broke my will and I can't do it anymore. I am outside all winter long just with extra layers on to keep the body warm. The extra layers also allow me to peal some off if I start to get too warm.

 

[mickeymom629]

When I read the advice to my post and was told to jog 5 minutes and work up, I didn't know what to reply. That would be a long time for me! Don't get me wrong, if my body could handle it I would love to jog (I used to many years ago) but I would be out on my back in no time. Even jogging about 20 yards is too much for my back.

I have been walking FAST for 30 years 3 miles on average daily.

I am worried about keeping up my pace for so long, but I'm encouraged to hear that walkers have finished the race. I will be walking with DH who will probably pull me to the finish .

Another concern of mine is wondering how I'm going to feel after the race - I'm picturing myself having a very hard time walking around the theme parks the rest of the week that we will be there

 

[syko]

We wear Under Armour cold gear too...it is all about perspective. I don't wear a coat when it is in the mid-50s.

If it's 50 i'm in ski gear.
Anything colder and I don't go out.....unless I really have too!!!!

 

[Caitsmama]

Another concern of mine is wondering how I'm going to feel after the race - I'm picturing myself having a very hard time walking around the theme parks the rest of the week that we will be there

Well, it took me a few days to feel 100%.. lol. That night, we were all a bit sore/stiff for the party after (right Lauren??) but, let me tell ya -- it hit hard the next day and the day after that!!! LOL Walking was SLOOOW and stairs were even SLOOOOOOWER.. So, when my sis decided she was going to combine the Princess 1/2 with her wedding, i begged her to wait at least a few days so i could walk down the aisle without looking like a fool (and so could she!), so, she is getting married the friday after the race. By then, we will be back to 100%!


As for the cold weather thing -- I trained last year (and probably this year too) 100% on a TM! Yes, i did my long training of 10 miles (or whatever it was) on a TM! Although, i was glad to read here that most TM's shut off after a certain time (i think it was 2 hours), so i was prepared for it, otherwise it would have thrown me off! LOL For me, i am a numbers person - and like to keep my eyes on the display now and then, and can't afford a garmin right now.. plus, up here in New England - when it's icy / snowy and you live on a hill.. not a good mix, oh, plus - I HATE THE COLD!!!!!!!!! I don't like to be outside in the winter for anything -- so i would MUCH MUCH rather train on my TM in my cozy house..