Should I go for a PR?

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Hey guys,

I ave signed up for the Princess again (I threatened to quit running all together after Goofy this year, but a friend is doing it and I felt left out!) So I have two options: I can take it really, really easy during the race and stick with my friend who is a walk/runner, or I can go for a PR. This is my friend's 2nd 1/2 so she told me she is totally fine running by herself (I stayed with her during marathon weekend for the 1/2), but I feel like unless I am going to go and really try for a PR then I should stay with her for the company . I would really like a PR on this race - I haven't had a 1/2 PR in 18 months and feel like I am fit enough to get one since I just finished Goofy; however, although I feel physically fit, I am still recovering from Goofy and haven't done more than a 6 mile run since marathon weekend. So I just don't know if a PR is obtainable. And if I don't run a PR I will be mad that I didn't run with my friend.

Does it sound like I am talking in circles? That's what it sounds like in my head

Anyway, Thoughts, opinions?

Thanks as always,

Kirsty

 

[FFigawi]

I say go for it! The Disney races can be tough courses to PR on because of the crowds, but if you feel fit enough and are mentally ready for it, then by all means do it. You can meet up with your friend at the finish and celebrate together afterwards.

 

[joan4mickey]

That's a tough question. I would probably wait until race day to decide. If I was feeling good then I would go for it, but I would not miss a photo op if it was one I really wanted. If I didn't feel I was on, then I would drop back and run with my friend.

I'm running with my DDs and I think it is hard as we have a pact to stay together, so I hope we are all feeling good or all feeling bad. We don't train together, but our LR times are all within a couple minutes of each other.

Just be happy with your decision...no regrets!

Story...this past fall I wanted to PR a 5K and I had asked some girl friends to run the race too. The day of the race was perfect weather, the course was billed as a PR course and they said go ahead (and I PR'ed). The next week, I got one of those girls to do an 8K and she wanted to run the whole thing so I stayed with her and she ran (with some encouragement) the whole thing. It was so worth it...I went from a 7:50 mile to an 11:40 mile, but had no regrets...

 

[chimera]

Ft. Desoto is in March. Use Princess as an easy training run with your friend, then PR at that nice, flat course on Ft. Desoto.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

If your friend is not needing you then I think I'd leave the decision for that day. I like what Mel suggested. You have another opportunity to PR at another event. I like WDW events for the play factor and enjoy that. If I want to try faster usually I press up my time at other events.

I'm thinking that the Best thing for you is there is no wrong choice.

 

[rKyDeX]

PR's are way over rated. Just run for fun. If a PR happens, then great! If it doesn't, you still got to run at Disney. A Win-Win either way.

 

[fashionista311]

I'm surprised some are saying it's tough to PR at Princess - I actually think it's a great course to do so. The course seemed empty compared to the January crowds, and it's it's so flat and fast.

But that being said...it's up to you to run your own race. Do you have an idea of what your friend's pace is like? If it's similar to yours who knows what can happens with race day magic...she might end up pushing you harder than you would think and you could end up a PR working with her!

But if she's on a truly different pace then you...then I say run your own race. In a training run, I say if you start together you finish together. But in a race situation, I think you should push yourself to give yourself the best possible outcome. Even if you don't end up PRing, you'll be able to use the experience to help figure out what you can fix for next time. Otherwise, what really separates the race from a training run? Since you are obviously well-versed in distance...just "finishing" isn't the challenge anymore. I think the challenge of pushing yourself to giving it all you got and performing your personal best...whether it's a 6 minute mile, or 16 minute mile, is what keeps this sport interesting over the course of many years. Just my two cents!

 

[rubato]

If it were me, I'd run by myself, try for the PR, and just be happy to run my best Princess. If you can get it, great. If not, you ran well. I think that, since your friend is fine running alone, you should do your own thing. You can stick together before and after the race.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Run your own race. If you PR, great.

 

[johde]

I would also consider waiting until you get there to make your final decision. I've heard from people on other message boards that Disney is a good PR course if you are fast and qualify for one of the first couple of corrals. Unlike alot of races, the crowd tends to be in the slower runners/walkers. So, if your in the first couple of corrals, I say "go for it" if your further back, stick with your friend and just enjoy the race.

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Thanks guys for all your words of encouragement.

I think I might leave it to the morning like many of you said and see how I feel, and also see what the course is like, because if it is anything like Jan there is no way I am fighting through all those people for a PR!

Another option I have is to do a local 15K before i go on Saturday - like my own lil Goofy challenge. That way I get 2 medals and can run depending on how I feel the day after. And if I don't make a PR, I can always do Ft DeSoto like Mel said (see you there BTW )

A PR would be really nice at Princess though as it is my 10th 1/2 and Princess was my first race 2 years ago. hmmm...

Kirsty

 

[rubato]

A PR would be really nice at Princess though as it is my 10th 1/2 and Princess was my first race 2 years ago. hmmm...

Well, you didn't mention that part. Now, I'd HAVE to at least try for that PR.

 

[stampingoddess]

Unless you can line up at the beginning of the A corral I think that it is really difficult to PR at a Disney race. Personally I do the Disney races to have a good time rather than get a good time. I savethe PR goals for other races that aren't nearly as crowded.

 

[thndrmatt]

Strangely, my two fastest half marathons were at DL this year, and Princess a couple years ago. Started in the B corral at Princess (no men allowed in A) and I think that actually helped me pace better. But both crowded courses, and yet still my fastest times. Not to mention the hat and gloves, which somehow make me run faster than when I'm not wearing them on less crowded courses... Must be the magic?