The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[Gryhndmom]

Great job--- Keep going- I am! Last month, I did my 5k in 41:02. I'm right there with you We'll keep plugging on together

Thanks for the kudos! Checked the actual results and it has me actually finishing at 39:43 with a 12:47 pace. (can't get the 3.1 X 12:47 to add up to the total time can anyone explain? Gonna use the "this was my first race" excuse!)

 

[fashionista311]

finally ran under 2 hours for a half marathon today! it was a tough course (mostly downhill with some small rollers for the first 10k, and then mostly uphill with some rollers for the last 7 or so...with miles 10-12.5 being basically all uphill), so i am so, so happy to have made my goal.

i remember my first half (rundisney of course) and being so happy to have finished in 3:15 and not seeing any sweepers. when we were getting back to the hotel, there were people who looked like they had already showered, ate, etc and were walking around in normal clothes and my mom mentioned they probably finished in under 2 hrs. at the time, running 13.1 miles in under 2 hours sounded almost superhuman, something i never[/I] thought i could do.

so, my point is, keep plugging away, putting in the miles, and big improvements can, and will happen over time! never give up on your goals, as crazy as they may seem at the time

 

[TiggerAllie]

Wow-- I just finally caught up after being gone for the TOT! My training partners and I signed up for the Princess just before the price increase, and we'll be staying on DVC pts at BCV. Last year's PHM was my first runDisney race, but this year's PHM will be my 4th (DL1/2 and TOT since). This summer I was able to do a 10K in 58:30, which is probably close to the A/B cut-off. Being in D for the first PHM and moving up to B for the DL1/2 and A for the TOT--it makes a huge difference in the crowd levels at course narrows and character lines!

Even though there were a lot of complaints about the TOT, I've still mentally added it to my race schedule for 2013. The heat/humidity was AWFUL. It took me 2 hrs to finish the 10mi, when I was aiming for 1:30-1:40 (if conditions were great). I feel really back for those CMs who had to clean up DHS post-party-- there were a lot of sick people all over. It was hard to enjoy it, especially since we had to get up and check out Sunday morning. Next year, I'll aim for the Sunday MNSSHP and take Mon off instead of Fri.

Unfortunately, we'll have to leave Sunday after the PHM. But last year, I was cleaned up and back in the parks at 10:30AM, so it shouldn't be a problem, even if it's not ideal.

Any Boston folks running the Tufts 10K tomorrow? I just signed up today (crazy, I know), but the conditions look great-- cool, 50s, no rain--and it's a flat course along the river. My goal for the next 6 weeks: 10K time improvement!

 

[fashionista311]

Wow-- I just finally caught up after being gone for the TOT! My training partners and I signed up for the Princess just before the price increase, and we'll be staying on DVC pts at BCV. Last year's PHM was my first runDisney race, but this year's PHM will be my 4th (DL1/2 and TOT since). This summer I was able to do a 10K in 58:30, which is probably close to the A/B cut-off. Being in D for the first PHM and moving up to B for the DL1/2 and A for the TOT--it makes a huge difference in the crowd levels at course narrows and character lines!

Even though there were a lot of complaints about the TOT, I've still mentally added it to my race schedule for 2013. The heat/humidity was AWFUL. It took me 2 hrs to finish the 10mi, when I was aiming for 1:30-1:40 (if conditions were great). I feel really back for those CMs who had to clean up DHS post-party-- there were a lot of sick people all over. It was hard to enjoy it, especially since we had to get up and check out Sunday morning. Next year, I'll aim for the Sunday MNSSHP and take Mon off instead of Fri.

Unfortunately, we'll have to leave Sunday after the PHM. But last year, I was cleaned up and back in the parks at 10:30AM, so it shouldn't be a problem, even if it's not ideal.

Any Boston folks running the Tufts 10K tomorrow? I just signed up today (crazy, I know), but the conditions look great-- cool, 50s, no rain--and it's a flat course along the river. My goal for the next 6 weeks: 10K time improvement!

oh how funny...i just left boston after doing the baa half this morning! i'm in ct, but drove up to visit friends and do the race. i actually did the whole distance medley - i definitely recommend it as something to look into next year. all the races were very well run. we got an extra medal for doing whole series and i was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was!

if the weather is anything like it was this morning, you will definitely be in for a huge PR if your latest one was set in the summer

 

[TiggerAllie]

oh how funny...i just left boston after doing the baa half this morning! i'm in ct, but drove up to visit friends and do the race. i actually did the whole distance medley - i definitely recommend it as something to look into next year. all the races were very well run. we got an extra medal for doing whole series and i was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was!

if the weather is anything like it was this morning, you will definitely be in for a huge PR if your latest one was set in the summer

Ha! That's pretty funny. I ran the BAA 10K in June-- the sun was a killer. Is the distance medley just the 3 races (not marathon)? My summer PR was a cloudy morning, but we'll see tomorrow I guess! Fingers crossed!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

How fun to find the Chicago Disney runners! Maybe we should get together and do the 5K Color Run next week together for fun. If we had a 4th Chicago princess we could be a team and save $5. I've never done it, but this is not a run for time...in fact I'd probably bring my kids who can't run a full 5K. Check out the video...it's beautiful.

http://thecolorrun.com/

OMG I wish I knew about this before. I would so do this.
But we have a soccer tourney next weekedn

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Which burb is the acupuncture or sports med doc in? I'm in Tinley Park and would love a good referral! My insurance is BCBS so I can go to just about anyone. I'll call Dr Ewert too and see if they can give me a referral (or if they aren't too far out of the loop, I can arrange appointments during the work day when I am downtown. Thanks!

Thanks to both my fellow Chicago girls! We should get together for a run at some point! That Monster Dash looks fun but I think it's the same day we're in Louisville for Tough Mudder. Otherwise I was seriously considering it. I do love running on the lakeshore so anything there is awesome. Maybe we should see if we can find a run in January when it's going to be harder to motivate ourselves to get out and train? I always train harder when I have something to work toward.

I just sent you a PM with the info
I don't know of any Dec or Jan races off the top of my head, but I think that is a great idea to get together to do one.
There had got to be a christmas 5K some where.


Also if its your IT band OMG yes that hurts, do you have a foam roll. I use that and I did google strech's for it also. I also investedin K tape.
I was all taped up for the princess last year. I had a great race, but could not walk well once I was done.


I hope your better fast

 

[fashionista311]

Ha! That's pretty funny. I ran the BAA 10K in June-- the sun was a killer. Is the distance medley just the 3 races (not marathon)? My summer PR was a cloudy morning, but we'll see tomorrow I guess! Fingers crossed!

yeah, it was a sunny day! i was in the middle of training for a tri, and did a brick the day before (something like 20-23 mile bike followed by a 2-3 mile run...honestly can't remember the details that far back), so i took it easy and paced my friend to sub 1 hr. i really wish they would move that 10K to the spring or fall...the course was so flat and fast.

he medley is the 5k, 10k, and half. the half is def a tough course (see above post) but it is possible to PR. qualifying for the marathon is a huge life goal for me. but clearly, as my new half PR is about a minute per mile slower then that i need to run a full marathon in, i have a long road ahead of me, if it ever does happen for me.

good luck in the 10k tomorrow...let us know how it goes!

 

[Princess Sleepy]

I have a check-in question. My DDs are doing the kids races on Saturday. Do they have to check in for those the day before? Or can we all go Saturday morning to WWoS and they can run their races and I can check in for the P1/2?

I'm trying to avoid multiple trips to WWoS.

TIA

 

[Princess on the Run]

I just sent you a PM with the info
I don't know of any Dec or Jan races off the top of my head, but I think that is a great idea to get together to do one.
There had got to be a christmas 5K some where.


Also if its your IT band OMG yes that hurts, do you have a foam roll. I use that and I did google strech's for it also. I also investedin K tape.
I was all taped up for the princess last year. I had a great race, but could not walk well once I was done.


I hope your better fast

Got it -- thank you so much!

I have one of those sticks that I use to roll my calves. Will that do it or do you think the foam one would be better? I guess I need to get moving if I'm going to survive Tough Mudder with my knees in place!

I usually check CARA for runs but then see them pop up on FB or my friends mention it. I'm sure there must be something but pickings are definitely slimmer in the cold months.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

OK, one more spectator question. (I know I've asked others previously.) The transportation information says the buses start running between the resort and the race again at 7:00 am. If I run about a 10 minute mile, will my mom and DDs be able to get on a bus at POR and get to the finish line in time to see me arrive?

I just don't know what they will do from 4:00 am (which is way too early for my DD6 in particular) to 7:30 while I'm running. I'm thinking it's not worth it to even have them try to get there at the end. But it's kind of a bummer to think I'll complete my first 1/2 marathon and be all by myself. (Yay, me! )

Any good solutions for me?

 

[longhorns2]

Got it -- thank you so much!

I have one of those sticks that I use to roll my calves. Will that do it or do you think the foam one would be better?

You want a foam roller if you think it's ITB. I don't think the stick will do the same thing. You put your body weight on the roller and it really helps.

 

[longhorns2]

OK, one more spectator question. (I know I've asked others previously.) The transportation information says the buses start running between the resort and the race again at 7:00 am. If I run about a 10 minute mile, will my mom and DDs be able to get on a bus at POR and get to the finish line in time to see me arrive?

I just don't know what they will do from 4:00 am (which is way too early for my DD6 in particular) to 7:30 while I'm running. I'm thinking it's not worth it to even have them try to get there at the end. But it's kind of a bummer to think I'll complete my first 1/2 marathon and be all by myself. (Yay, me! )

Any good solutions for me?

I'd let them sleep in, then get a cab to Epcot. Shouldn't be more than $10 is my guess, and maybe a 10 min ride? They can take the bus back with you after the race.

 

[disneymom2one]

Hi everyone.

I'm considering running the Princess but I have a few questions. Brief background is that I'm 43 and up until two years ago, I weighed close to 260 pounds (maybe more). I've lost about 115 pounds in the past couple of years, including 60 in the past six months. During that six months, I've gradually but dramatically increased my exercise activity, going from walking to run/walking intervals to even running. Generally, I run on Tues/Thurs/Sunday. Tuesday is 3 to 4 miles and Thursday has been a six miler since I was prepping for a 10K. On Sunday, I've been doing longer runs but doing intervals (every other song is a walk). Two weeks ago, it was ten miles and this weekend it was a full 13.2. I walk on the "off" days - a minimum of two hours at a stretch.

On Saturday, I did my first official 10K race with a time of 1:07. Ran the whole thing. It was chip timed and I have proof of time. Any idea what corral that might place me in?

On Sunday (the day following the race - not the greatest move), I did walk/run intervals for 13.2 miles. I was pretty slow - 3:03. For some reason, I still can't wrap my mind around being a runner. I still feel like that 250+ pound person and I keep feeling like I need to "prove" to myself that I can do longer distances. So is there any advice on training? Should I train as if I'm trying to run the whole thing? Or do intervals (which honestly make me so much happier). I've thought about increasing the run intervals (maybe two songs to one song walk). I have Runkeeper and I could timed intervals as well but I have no clue what the ratios should be. And what kind of training do I do given that I can do that 13.2 distance with intervals. Should I back off somewhat?

One thing that plays into this is that I'd like to take off about eight more pounds and I really don't want to gain any back so long periods of physical activity are pretty much a necessity for me (I've completely changed my eating as well but I need the exercise too).

Thanks for any help/comments.

 

[Princess on the Run]

You want a foam roller if you think it's ITB. I don't think the stick will do the same thing. You put your body weight on the roller and it really helps.

Thanks!

 

[KristinU]

Hi everyone.

I'm considering running the Princess but I have a few questions. Brief background is that I'm 43 and up until two years ago, I weighed close to 260 pounds (maybe more). I've lost about 115 pounds in the past couple of years, including 60 in the past six months. During that six months, I've gradually but dramatically increased my exercise activity, going from walking to run/walking intervals to even running. Generally, I run on Tues/Thurs/Sunday. Tuesday is 3 to 4 miles and Thursday has been a six miler since I was prepping for a 10K. On Sunday, I've been doing longer runs but doing intervals (every other song is a walk). Two weeks ago, it was ten miles and this weekend it was a full 13.2. I walk on the "off" days - a minimum of two hours at a stretch.

On Saturday, I did my first official 10K race with a time of 1:07. Ran the whole thing. It was chip timed and I have proof of time. Any idea what corral that might place me in?

On Sunday (the day following the race - not the greatest move), I did walk/run intervals for 13.2 miles. I was pretty slow - 3:03. For some reason, I still can't wrap my mind around being a runner. I still feel like that 250+ pound person and I keep feeling like I need to "prove" to myself that I can do longer distances. So is there any advice on training? Should I train as if I'm trying to run the whole thing? Or do intervals (which honestly make me so much happier). I've thought about increasing the run intervals (maybe two songs to one song walk). I have Runkeeper and I could timed intervals as well but I have no clue what the ratios should be. And what kind of training do I do given that I can do that 13.2 distance with intervals. Should I back off somewhat?

One thing that plays into this is that I'd like to take off about eight more pounds and I really don't want to gain any back so long periods of physical activity are pretty much a necessity for me (I've completely changed my eating as well but I need the exercise too).

Thanks for any help/comments.

WOWEE KAZOWEE, you rock girl!!! Congratulations on the new you! Honestly, it will take you years to continue to get to know her and feel comfortable in your own skin knowing that she is YOU! Speaking from experience with my DH...he's down about 90 lbs. from his heaviest which was about 10 years ago...he's a spindly active guy now who just ran a half in 1:39, and people meeting him would never guess in a million years that he had a weight issue as a kid and into adulthood...but that heavy inactive guy is still in his head, and probably always will be. Like him, you might run into challenges with obsessing about getting your weekly mileage in, or hitting your goal times, etc. There's a happy medium between obsession and healthy goals, and you'll find it for yourself.

So the PHM. With that really nice 10K time I'm guessing you'll be corral B. And as for your goals, only you can decide that. Do you want to make it your goal to run the whole thing rather than interval it? It kinda sounds like you do. If so, grab a training program (Hal Higdon, Jeff Galloway, Runner's World...take a look at all of them and see what makes the most sense to you) and then follow it with running rather than intervaling. If you don't have any other distance races between now and the PHM you definitely want to throttle back a bit with mileage and not keep doing 13's on the weekends. I read/heard something once that really helps me: you can't train distance and speed at the same time. Kinda helps me keep in mind what I'm after for a given run or a given time period.

Anyway, I don't know if my babbling helps or not, but thats my .02.

And dude, you ARE a runner!

 

[Cripey]

Hi everyone.

I'm considering running the Princess but I have a few questions. Brief background is that I'm 43 and up until two years ago, I weighed close to 260 pounds (maybe more). I've lost about 115 pounds in the past couple of years, including 60 in the past six months. During that six months, I've gradually but dramatically increased my exercise activity, going from walking to run/walking intervals to even running. Generally, I run on Tues/Thurs/Sunday. Tuesday is 3 to 4 miles and Thursday has been a six miler since I was prepping for a 10K. On Sunday, I've been doing longer runs but doing intervals (every other song is a walk). Two weeks ago, it was ten miles and this weekend it was a full 13.2. I walk on the "off" days - a minimum of two hours at a stretch.

On Saturday, I did my first official 10K race with a time of 1:07. Ran the whole thing. It was chip timed and I have proof of time. Any idea what corral that might place me in?

On Sunday (the day following the race - not the greatest move), I did walk/run intervals for 13.2 miles. I was pretty slow - 3:03. For some reason, I still can't wrap my mind around being a runner. I still feel like that 250+ pound person and I keep feeling like I need to "prove" to myself that I can do longer distances. So is there any advice on training? Should I train as if I'm trying to run the whole thing? Or do intervals (which honestly make me so much happier). I've thought about increasing the run intervals (maybe two songs to one song walk). I have Runkeeper and I could timed intervals as well but I have no clue what the ratios should be. And what kind of training do I do given that I can do that 13.2 distance with intervals. Should I back off somewhat?

One thing that plays into this is that I'd like to take off about eight more pounds and I really don't want to gain any back so long periods of physical activity are pretty much a necessity for me (I've completely changed my eating as well but I need the exercise too).

Thanks for any help/comments.

Congrats on your accomplishments! That's really awesome!
Your 1:07 10k time is great...I submitted the same time for the 2011 Princess and it landed me in corral B that year. Seems like the number of runners gets bigger and bigger each year, so that same time could be a C corral by 2013, but there's no way to tell for sure at this point. It's a great time though, so I wouldn't worry about being too far back in the pack.

As far as how you want to train for this...it's really up to you. You already know you can go the distance, which is wonderful, so it's going to depend on what your personal goal is for this race. Do you want to just run it for fun, stopping to take pictures along the way with characters and soak it all in? Or, do you want to give it your all and try for a PR? There's no right or wrong answer...it's just whatever you decide you want out of this one, you know? You might want to think about what your plans are for the whole trip too. Do you plan to stay for a few days after and tour the parks? If so, you may want to stick with your intervals that you said make you a much happier person so that you are able to enjoy the rest of your vacation as well. Keep in mind too that this race can get crowded and there may be points during the race that you are forced to slow down even if you didn't want to because of bottle-necks or just corwds in general...so that can sometimes make it hard to go for a PR...but with a decent corral placement, you may not run into that too much. I PR'd at Tinker Bell, so it's possible to do it at a Disney race...my BF does it practically every time he runs one (unless he's running with me!)...must be nice!!

So, ultimately, it's up to you...there's still plenty of training time, so use this time to figure out what works best for you if you're thinking of shaking things up. But once you do, have a plan and stick to it. You'll run a race the same way you trained so I think it's importatnt to have a goal and a plan to get you there. Just remember though, the medal is the same for all of us, no matter how we get across the finish line!!

 

[PrincessV]

It is on the outside. And it's probably one of the more painful things I've felt. When it happened on the right side, it was bad but it went away after a short while. This left one is stubborn though! When it first happened, by the time I got home, I was in tears. I managed the 3 yesterday without tears, but it was painful enough that I don't know if I could have gone any farther.

Oh Princess, I'm soooooo sorry! It's truly debilitating pain, isn't it? In my ballerina years, I continued to perform on a partially torn Achilles, so believe me, I KNOW how to power through pain... and there is no powering through ITBS pain.

Google is your friend here - there is TONS of good info out there. Foam roller is a must, as are exercises to stretch the muscle groups surrounding the IT band and strengthen the area and core. Squats, lunges, clamshells, yoga, pilates, etc. But here's the critical thing: none of that will help if you do't ID what's causing the problem in the first place. In my case, it seems to be running like a good pedestrian, always facing oncoming traffic... which means I'm always running on FL's steeply slanted roadways, with the slant on my left all the time. A big no-no. Sure enough, my ITBS struck my left leg, the one that's always on the downside of the slant.

What was working for me prior to the TOT was this: taking a few days off for the inflammation in my knee to go down. Doing stretching/strengthening/cross-training on my non-run days. Foam rolling every day, twice a day. On my run days, sticking to flat roads/treadmill and stopping before pain hit. Doing that, I was able to start slowly increasing my mileage. By the TOT, after a couple weeks of my routine, I was able to go 3.5 before pain hit... but then I ran on and off past when pain hit in the race and I'm now back down to less than 2 miles before pain strikes. Dumb move. Do not even try to run through the pain; it's not worth it in the end.

Sending you good wishes for a speedy recovery! The good news is that a friend of mine went through it - so bad that he couldn't even go a mile before it hit him hard - and he followed the rules and is up to marathon distance now. It can be beat!

finally ran under 2 hours for a half marathon today!
...so, my point is, keep plugging away, putting in the miles, and big improvements can, and will happen over time! never give up on your goals, as crazy as they may seem at the time

Awesome time - congrats! And thanks for the pick-me-up; I needed it!

Next year, I'll aim for the Sunday MNSSHP and take Mon off instead of Fri.

I was planning to go home Sun. but opted to spend another night instead... sooo glad I did! I was useless for anything beyond boarding a bus to EP and sitting on a bench with a Food & Wine fest plate and a margarita, lol!

You want a foam roller if you think it's ITB. I don't think the stick will do the same thing. You put your body weight on the roller and it really helps.

Hurts like all get-out, but it does seem to help!

I've lost about 115 pounds in the past couple of years, including 60 in the past six months. During that six months, I've gradually but dramatically increased my exercise activity, going from walking to run/walking intervals to even running.

You've already gotten great advice, but I wanted to say this: YOU ROCK! Way to go!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feels like I'm starting from scratch here - did 2 miles Sat. as my first "long" run of the training plan. But I did it pain-free, so that's something, right? Baby steps... Seeing the sports med doc Thurs. and hoping he comes up with a magic cure I haven't yet tried for my ITBS. A girl can hope, right?!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Hi everyone.

I'm considering running the Princess but I have a few questions. Brief background is that I'm 43 and up until two years ago, I weighed close to 260 pounds (maybe more). I've lost about 115 pounds in the past couple of years, including 60 in the past six months. During that six months, I've gradually but dramatically increased my exercise activity, going from walking to run/walking intervals to even running. Generally, I run on Tues/Thurs/Sunday. Tuesday is 3 to 4 miles and Thursday has been a six miler since I was prepping for a 10K. On Sunday, I've been doing longer runs but doing intervals (every other song is a walk). Two weeks ago, it was ten miles and this weekend it was a full 13.2. I walk on the "off" days - a minimum of two hours at a stretch.

On Saturday, I did my first official 10K race with a time of 1:07. Ran the whole thing. It was chip timed and I have proof of time. Any idea what corral that might place me in?

On Sunday (the day following the race - not the greatest move), I did walk/run intervals for 13.2 miles. I was pretty slow - 3:03. For some reason, I still can't wrap my mind around being a runner. I still feel like that 250+ pound person and I keep feeling like I need to "prove" to myself that I can do longer distances. So is there any advice on training? Should I train as if I'm trying to run the whole thing? Or do intervals (which honestly make me so much happier). I've thought about increasing the run intervals (maybe two songs to one song walk). I have Runkeeper and I could timed intervals as well but I have no clue what the ratios should be. And what kind of training do I do given that I can do that 13.2 distance with intervals. Should I back off somewhat?

One thing that plays into this is that I'd like to take off about eight more pounds and I really don't want to gain any back so long periods of physical activity are pretty much a necessity for me (I've completely changed my eating as well but I need the exercise too).

Thanks for any help/comments.

Congrats on your loss. That is awesome

I ran my first half and many other , 5K, 8K 10K's before going to intervals.
Now I use Gymboss and I do 2:1 (run 2 walk 1) I run faster and further than before. I am so very happy that I follow the 2:1 vs walk when I need a break. My injuries have been less as well. Last year I had so much pain I did not know if I would even finish the PHM. Good Luck to you!!
Great 10K time!!

 

[dizdreamer1955]

Hi everyone.

I'm considering running the Princess but I have a few questions. Brief background is that I'm 43 and up until two years ago, I weighed close to 260 pounds (maybe more). I've lost about 115 pounds in the past couple of years, including 60 in the past six months. During that six months, I've gradually but dramatically increased my exercise activity, going from walking to run/walking intervals to even running. Generally, I run on Tues/Thurs/Sunday. Tuesday is 3 to 4 miles and Thursday has been a six miler since I was prepping for a 10K. On Sunday, I've been doing longer runs but doing intervals (every other song is a walk). Two weeks ago, it was ten miles and this weekend it was a full 13.2. I walk on the "off" days - a minimum of two hours at a stretch.

On Saturday, I did my first official 10K race with a time of 1:07. Ran the whole thing. It was chip timed and I have proof of time. Any idea what corral that might place me in?

On Sunday (the day following the race - not the greatest move), I did walk/run intervals for 13.2 miles. I was pretty slow - 3:03. For some reason, I still can't wrap my mind around being a runner. I still feel like that 250+ pound person and I keep feeling like I need to "prove" to myself that I can do longer distances. So is there any advice on training? Should I train as if I'm trying to run the whole thing? Or do intervals (which honestly make me so much happier). I've thought about increasing the run intervals (maybe two songs to one song walk). I have Runkeeper and I could timed intervals as well but I have no clue what the ratios should be. And what kind of training do I do given that I can do that 13.2 distance with intervals. Should I back off somewhat?

One thing that plays into this is that I'd like to take off about eight more pounds and I really don't want to gain any back so long periods of physical activity are pretty much a necessity for me (I've completely changed my eating as well but I need the exercise too).

Thanks for any help/comments.

I think you are doing great!!! Congratulations!!!