The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[WsPrincess]

I completely agree. This is one of the best places to come for advice without judgement, especially for new and/or slower runners. We are all in this together!

I am going in as a third person on this. I have felt so welcomed and that everyone is supportive and helpful! This is going to be a great 10 months!

And my first 1/2 week of real training seems to be going well. The running has been good, my hard part is that I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old so finding time is hard. I always feel like I am leaving them to go out. I think in the next couple of weeks I am going to try and push myself to get to the gym at 5:30am when they open, I can get in about 45 minutes before I would have to get ready to go to work. It might work. My other option is I can work out at work (I work in a high school) but it would also mean showering and getting ready there and I just don't want to do that!

 

[aly0430]

I don't know if I'll be running it, but I am planning to do it.

 

[becky11]

I don't know if I'll be running it, but I am planning to do it.

Maybe we can run a little bit.

 

[aly0430]

Joining the group...I had participated in a couple of other threads, but didn't realize there was a new official thread. My SIL has run a couple of half-marathons and has challenged me to do this one. I have tons of weight to lose, and I slow at 18.5 min/mile ave, but I figure I've got 10.5 months to shave off a few minutes and build up endurance...if not do even better than that.

Looking forward to getting to know some of the ladies on here!

Like you I have a ton of weight to lose (120 lbs) actually I have 150 to lose but have already lost 30! I am currently walking at about the same pace you are. I am doing a 3 weeks to a 30 min. running habit program currently, but don't plan to actually start running till mid-June.

I did the Tangled 5K in February in about 55 min. I'm doing a 5K on 5/19, and 6/30, and a 10K in October. This is going to be a lot of work but so worth it in the end. Amazing what you decide to do when you're turning 40 in a few weeks

Alyson

http:\\fatalytofitaly.blogspot.com

 

[aly0430]

Maybe we can run a little bit.

The goal is to do a run/walk!!!!! That is the plan, I just need to get my walk speed up to 15 min. mile then increase my distance and add in some running. I am focused and want to be able to do a run/walk when I do the 5K in June.

 

[aly0430]

I'm in and will probably be running alone. It will also be my first half marathon, but I plan on going Coast to Coast next year. I did start training for last year's Princess in September, but just when I was about to register in November my friend backed out of the trip and I couldn't afford to swing the trip alone financially. This year I'm going no matter what!

Holly

Hello fellow Mainer! Where are you in So. Maine? I'm in the Portland area.

 

[HockeyKat]

I am going in as a third person on this. I have felt so welcomed and that everyone is supportive and helpful! This is going to be a great 10 months!

This will be my 4th year doing the Princess and my third Princess thread, and it's just an awesome group, every year. I love the support and encouragement.

I don't know if I'll be running it, but I am planning to do it.

I've walked it every year with very little running, for one reason or another (injury, friends, etc.), and there is NO shame in it! It's still 13.1 miles!

The shirts that my friends and I wear say on the back, that it's not about winning, it's about finishing, and I truly believe that. In fact, my favorite running slogan is DL (dead last) > DNF (did not finish) > DNS (did not start)

Like you I have a ton of weight to lose (120 lbs) actually I have 150 to lose but have already lost 30! I am currently walking at about the same pace you are. I am doing a 3 weeks to a 30 min. running habit program currently, but don't plan to actually start running till mid-June.

I did the Tangled 5K in February in about 55 min. I'm doing a 5K on 5/19, and 6/30, and a 10K in October. This is going to be a lot of work but so worth it in the end. Amazing what you decide to do when you're turning 40 in a few weeks

Alyson

http:\\fatalytofitaly.blogspot.com

Awesome on the weight loss!! I have about 70-80 to lose, which I have been carrying for a good 4 years now. I'm trying to get rid of it, but struggle.

It's great to have the race goals, as it will keep you training. Good luck!

 

[mahipp]

This will be my 4th year doing the Princess and my third Princess thread, and it's just an awesome group, every year. I love the support and encouragement.



I've walked it every year with very little running, for one reason or another (injury, friends, etc.), and there is NO shame in it! It's still 13.1 miles!

The shirts that my friends and I wear say on the back, that it's not about winning, it's about finishing, and I truly believe that. In fact, my favorite running slogan is DL (dead last) > DNF (did not finish) > DNS (did not start)



Awesome on the weight loss!! I have about 70-80 to lose, which I have been carrying for a good 4 years now. I'm trying to get rid of it, but struggle.

It's great to have the race goals, as it will keep you training. Good luck!

Kat, tell me more about walking it. How long does it take you? Do you manage any photo ops?

 

[aggielawyer]

The shirts that my friends and I wear say on the back, that it's not about winning, it's about finishing, and I truly believe that. In fact, my favorite running slogan is DL (dead last) > DNF (did not finish) > DNS (did not start)

I'm stealing this for my 5k on Saturday. I've let life get in the way and have done zero training except for a few long walks on weekends. So, my biggest goal is to not be the last person across the finish line!

 

[aggielawyer]

AggieLawyer - welcome to our group. You're right, the ladies here have assurred me that I can do it since we have 10.5 months to train. If I can, so can you. I have about 70 pounds to loose and have just gotten started. Summer could be a bit of a nightmare for us Texas girls, but WE CAN DO THIS!!! Which running program are you planning to use? I've officially started the Couch 2 5k the other day...so we'll see how that goes.

Thanks!! I've got to start getting up in the morning to work out, especially with summer coming. I keep switching programs, which isn't good. I just started listening to the "Another Mother Runner" podcast, which I'm enjoying, so I'm thinking about getting their book "Train Like a Mother." My overall plan is to do a series of races leading up to WDW. I've got 5ks for this weekend, next month, and the end of June. I'll be looking for a 10k some time in the fall.

 

[aggielawyer]

I'm curious what everyone listens to while they run?

Podcasts. I need to keep my brain engaged or I just think about how much I don't like being active. A recent favorite is "Another Mother Runner."

 

[VickiHD]

This will be my 4th year doing the Princess and my third Princess thread, and it's just an awesome group, every year. I love the support and encouragement.



I've walked it every year with very little running, for one reason or another (injury, friends, etc.), and there is NO shame in it! It's still 13.1 miles!

The shirts that my friends and I wear say on the back, that it's not about winning, it's about finishing, and I truly believe that. In fact, my favorite running slogan is DL (dead last) > DNF (did not finish) > DNS (did not start)

Congrats on 4 years doing Princess !!! You can definately help answer all the questions that us "new Princesses" have about the race. Like how to make race morning "run" or go smoothly.


I love what you and your friends have written on your shirts !!! Well put.

 

[PrincessV]

In fact, my favorite running slogan is DL (dead last) > DNF (did not finish) > DNS (did not start)

I had a Bondi Band made with that splashed across it!

 

[Happy Mom2]

I just wanted to pop in and say hi! I agree... everyone here has been wonderfully supportive. For a newbie to W.I.S.H., it is greatly appreciated.

I did so good last week...walked every day, ate healthy, etc. This week has gone to heck! My DMIL had surgery and we've been caring for her so I haven't made it to the gym once this week. My eating hasn't been horrible, but it's not good either. DMIL is doing well now so I've got my gym bag packed and sitting at my desk. It's funny. I went from not exercising at all to exercising every day. After just a week I miss it...my body misses it...amazing!

Question: Does anyone have a headband that works? I've tried the bondi band, sweaty bands, and just about every other one I can find but none of them work. I have long bangs, but they aren't long enough to go into a ponytail, and my hair is baby fine so bobby pins don't work either. Any suggestions?

 

[HockeyKat]

Kat, tell me more about walking it. How long does it take you? Do you manage any photo ops?

The first year, I trained just to walk, pretty much couch to half marathon in about 2.5 months. My average in training was probably 15 min miles? I was fairly active before I started training, but a good 60 lbs overweight. I did two 2-3 mile short runs and one long run weekly. The short ones, I started with a walk 9 min, run 1 min interval and worked up over the 10 weeks to a walk 1 min, run 1 min interval.

My finish time was 3:11. I did most of the race alone but the last 5 miles I caught up with a few of my friends.

2nd and 3rd years, I walked the race with 2 friends. I was really untrained and coming off some pretty major injuries for both of them (stress fracture and then really bad pulled muscle). 2nd was a 3:33 finish time and 3rd was 3:47, as one of my friends got really sick and we had to make stops and really slow it down. We probably did about 4-5 photos in each one, which also added about 10-15 min to each finish time.

However, I did 5 half marathons last year, and completed a 2nd year with my local Galloway training program (program runs from May through December). Princess, Marine Corps Historic Half (3:06) in May, a local teeny one in Aug (2:58), Raleigh City of Oaks on Nov 6th (2:57), and OBX half on Nov 13th (2:44 and my current PR).

I was training for my first full, but pulled the muscle on a 21 miler in December and had to drop out. Princess 2012 was my 9th half.

So, I guess the moral of the story here is... this is addictive!!

I wish I could say I was down in weight but I am still 215lbs at 5'8". My high was 230 and my low was about 190, in all of this.

Question: Does anyone have a headband that works? I've tried the bondi band, sweaty bands, and just about every other one I can find but none of them work. I have long bangs, but they aren't long enough to go into a ponytail, and my hair is baby fine so bobby pins don't work either. Any suggestions?

I have the same issue with bangs and fine hair. I usually either wear a visor or a hat if outside, and I use clips when inside. Look in the kids section for the little ones, as they seem to work better for me.

 

[happybaker]

Hello fellow Mainer! Where are you in So. Maine? I'm in the Portland area.

Hey, I'm down in Kennebunk. Which 5K/10K races are you doing? I have a 5K next Saturday in CT (I only moved up here a few years ago from CT, so I'm down there visiting friends). I'm doing Everest at Disney on May 5, but I've been looking for a race in June. And I've been looking for some 10Ks, perferably one that's flat because I'd like to use it for corral placement, although I don't think it will help me much. I'll just go from slow to less slow.

I haven't been doing much running lately. My friend, her husband and I had this thing going from Ash Wednesday through Easter where we had to get in 150 miles (running or walking). We all finished a week early, but we're doing it again from this past Monday to Memorial Day. I've been spending way too much time on my fake treadclimber instead of getting outside and working on my run/walk times.

 

[Cripey]

Question: Does anyone have a headband that works? I've tried the bondi band, sweaty bands, and just about every other one I can find but none of them work. I have long bangs, but they aren't long enough to go into a ponytail, and my hair is baby fine so bobby pins don't work either. Any suggestions?

I really like the Hippie Runner bands. They are the same concept as the Bondi Bands, but I find the Hippie Runner ones fit me better and stay put better. I think they are cut a tad smaller and they use a different kind of material. They are a little cheaper than Bondi Bands too...you can order online or find them at alot of the same expos the Bondi's are at.

 

[WsPrincess]

Podcasts. I need to keep my brain engaged or I just think about how much I don't like being active. A recent favorite is "Another Mother Runner."

I have started Podcasts. I am not a huge music person (much to the dismay of my DH and my kids since they are total music people). I like music but it doesn't get me moving. I have found being able to listen to something keeps my mind from wondering to too many other things like I do when I use music. I want to shut my mind off and run/walk, not make a to do list.

 

[aly0430]

Hey, I'm down in Kennebunk. Which 5K/10K races are you doing? I have a 5K next Saturday in CT (I only moved up here a few years ago from CT, so I'm down there visiting friends). I'm doing Everest at Disney on May 5, but I've been looking for a race in June. And I've been looking for some 10Ks, perferably one that's flat because I'd like to use it for corral placement, although I don't think it will help me much. I'll just go from slow to less slow.

I haven't been doing much running lately. My friend, her husband and I had this thing going from Ash Wednesday through Easter where we had to get in 150 miles (running or walking). We all finished a week early, but we're doing it again from this past Monday to Memorial Day. I've been spending way too much time on my fake treadclimber instead of getting outside and working on my run/walk times.

I live in South Portland and am doing the Race 4 an Angel 5K on 5/19 which starts right by my house. It's a local 5K in memory of Raelyn Williams Reny who battled cancer since middle or high school and ended up passing away from a staph (I believe) infection. I grew up around her family and I'm excited to do this 5K, even though I'll be walking it. I'm doing the Relay for Life on 6/16 and then the WCSH6 Fit at 5K around Baxter Blvd. June 30th where I hope to run/walk for the 1st time. In October I was thinking of doing the Dempsey Challenge 10K, but a co-worker told me there's another 10K in Camp Ellis in Oct. that is on a flat course, so I'm leaning in that direction.

I have not run a day in my life yet, but am determined to do the Princess 1/2. If you are interested in training together (even if you are well beyond me) or want to join me in a race let me know. I'm very much open to any help I can get!

I'm so excited a fellow Mainer is on here!!!

Aly

http:\\fatalytofitaly.blogspot.com

 

[aly0430]

You are a very, very good friend!

She is a VERY good friend and did not mention we had not seen each other in almost 22 years (since graduating from H.S) when she did the 5K w/ me!