The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[egallag]

I am running with my daughter. It will be my first Half, I am very excited!

 

[LuLuO]

On Friday I did 5.5 miles, my longest run yet. It was in the 90s and very humid. That was a tough haul. It was cooler here today. I think it was in the low 70's this morning when I went out. Still humid but nothing like the last six weeks. Got three miles in at 12:02/mi so I knocked about 28 seconds off of my best time. Amazing what 20 degrees will do.

 

[LuLuO]

I am running with my daughter. It will be my first Half, I am very excited!

Welcome! How special to be running the PHM with your daughter.

 

[acourtwdw]

Anyone else considering the Race Retreat or is it worth it? I was reading a blog from the 2012 race and the RR looked like something that I would want. esp. the private porta potty and chaning area.

Also, I'm thinking about doing the 5k. Anyone else? I'm thinking that it will help with my nerves and give me a chance to see some character since I probably won't have time to see them on the half course....

 

[haleofafamily]

I'm a little late joining in, but I'm registered for my 3rd Princess and so excited!! My mom is going to join me this time. We did the 5k together last year and she loved it so much she wanted to try the half.

Can't wait to spend the next 6+ months getting to know y'all!

Merci

 

[MaMa3Princess]

How have everyone's runs gone this weekend? I'm scheduled to do 13 tomorrow and I really don't want to . It's so humid here. I'm sweaty just walking out the door. I might do a shorter run tomorrow and save the 13 for later in the week. Hopefully it will cool off, or at least the humidity will drop.

I did a 15k trail race this weekend and let me tell you it take me the same time as it did to finish a 13.1 road race. It was rocky, hilly, roots everywhere but it was exhilarating and refreshingly challenging. I under trained for this race and went out way to face and toward the end I walked uphills for 1/2 a mile however I finished 151 out of 155! Yep, I was not fast but not last. Even if I was last, I would have still been over joyed because that race was super challenging.
Keep on pushing ladies no matter how difficult you it may seem. Even if it means means being the only one left.

 

[VickiHD]

Anyone else considering the Race Retreat or is it worth it? I was reading a blog from the 2012 race and the RR looked like something that I would want. esp. the private porta potty and chaning area.

Also, I'm thinking about doing the 5k. Anyone else? I'm thinking that it will help with my nerves and give me a chance to see some character since I probably won't have time to see them on the half course....

I signed up for it. I guess I'll have to wait and see if it is worth it. But the private porta potty is a big plus.

 

[VickiHD]

I did a 15k trail race this weekend and let me tell you it take me the same time as it did to finish a 13.1 road race. It was rocky, hilly, roots everywhere but it was exhilarating and refreshingly challenging. I under trained for this race and went out way to face and toward the end I walked uphills for 1/2 a mile however I finished 151 out of 155! Yep, I was not fast but not last. Even if I was last, I would have still been over joyed because that race was super challenging.
Keep on pushing ladies no matter how difficult you it may seem. Even if it means means being the only one left.

Good for you and congrats on your finish. It sounds really challenging !!!!

 

[LaurieG]

Been catching up the posts since last Thursday and I gotta give you guys who have been running outside in this humidity a LOT of credit. I wimped out and did 6 miles on the dread mill instead, hated every stinking step of it. Thanks for being such an inspiration.

 

[ellajeansmom]

Anyone else considering the Race Retreat or is it worth it? I was reading a blog from the 2012 race and the RR looked like something that I would want. esp. the private porta potty and chaning area.

Also, I'm thinking about doing the 5k. Anyone else? I'm thinking that it will help with my nerves and give me a chance to see some character since I probably won't have time to see them on the half course....

I will probably do the race retreat, I told DH that is what he could get me for Christmas. For me the private porta potties is a big thing as well as the climate controlled tent...I tend to get cold really easily and have trouble regulating my body temperature after running.

I may also be doing the 5k, I've been trying to talk my mom into doing it (she will be there to cheer me on) so it depends if she decides to go for it.

As for my runs, this morning I ran the "back half" of the course of the 10k race I'm doing in a couple of weeks so that should help with the nerves on race day.

 

[happybaker]

I'm doing the Rockfest Half, too!!! Yay! (I'm in Rochester, btw. )

~Kim

I'll be at the Rockfest Half too!!


Holly

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

I have a half Oct 21st. I have not started training for long runs. All summer I have been doing cross training.

Any advice on how to come off a half in Oct and be ready for the princess without over training and getting injured??

 

[SuperHappyFunTimes]

SHFT - it's a shame you didn't wait actually - I was up at 7 to take DH to work and it was nasty hot so I wasn't looking forward to my run, but by 8:45ish, I headed to Westside and the weather was much better. Breezy, but overcast. Got a little funky by 10am, but I was able to do 4.25 miles! Great pace for you! I can really only do intervals of 45s/2m right now (especially in this nasty humidity), so my pace time is averaging around 16-17mm. I'm happy with that for August!

Also, +1 for Calf sleeves! I love mine!

Westside is one of my backup runs. That hill on 8th is a killer though!

I am already signed up for the Race Retreat. It's an indulgence, but the private portapotties really sold me! Crazy I know, but it's one less thing to worry about. Plus I'm an "early" person. I always like to get places early, being late makes me super anxious. So, I know I'll be getting there early, so I might as well be comfortable while I wait.

Awesome job to everyone for their runs this week. I think the weather's hideous everywhere so we're all rocking it, just getting out there!

My 4 1/2 miles plus yard mowing made me soooo hungry. I ate awful for lunch yesterday (popeyes chicken tenders and a biscuit!) and was still hungry today. I tried drinking the chocolate almond milk after the run and I don't know if it made it better or worse. I'm trying to lose one pound a week and it's going to be a rough road if running more than three miles is going to make me a ravenous eating machine... I only drank an 8oz box, maybe I should have a little more? I could mix the regular chocolate almond milk with some unsweetened almond milk to get some more calcium and protein without all the sugar. I did do a 14 mile bike ride the day before, so maybe it was a cumulative hunger thing. Any tips on keeping the hunger monster at bay when increasing the runs?

 

[LuLuO]

Westside is one of my backup runs. That hill on 8th is a killer though!

I am already signed up for the Race Retreat. It's an indulgence, but the private portapotties really sold me! Crazy I know, but it's one less thing to worry about. Plus I'm an "early" person. I always like to get places early, being late makes me super anxious. So, I know I'll be getting there early, so I might as well be comfortable while I wait.

Awesome job to everyone for their runs this week. I think the weather's hideous everywhere so we're all rocking it, just getting out there!

My 4 1/2 miles plus yard mowing made me soooo hungry. I ate awful for lunch yesterday (popeyes chicken tenders and a biscuit!) and was still hungry today. I tried drinking the chocolate almond milk after the run and I don't know if it made it better or worse. I'm trying to lose one pound a week and it's going to be a rough road if running more than three miles is going to make me a ravenous eating machine... I only drank an 8oz box, maybe I should have a little more? I could mix the regular chocolate almond milk with some unsweetened almond milk to get some more calcium and protein without all the sugar. I did do a 14 mile bike ride the day before, so maybe it was a cumulative hunger thing. Any tips on keeping the hunger monster at bay when increasing the runs?

I've read that training heavily for a race and losing weight don't often go together. I have about 14 pounds to my first goal weight and would like to lose 10-15 more after that. I'd love to keep losing, but with running 4-5 days a week, I'm not sure that's going to happen.

I'm a novice, but make sure you are getting enough protein. It is hard for me to get enough protein and if you are the same, I'd suggest drinking protein shakes after your runs or long bike rides. If I need the extra calories, I mix the powder in soy or almond milk. If I don't then I just use water. I prefer EAS protein powder but am using Muscle Milk Light right now.

If you don't want to use protein powder, try eating greek yogurt. Some have 12-17 grams of protein per container.

 

[Lauraldawn]

Anyone else considering the Race Retreat or is it worth it? I was reading a blog from the 2012 race and the RR looked like something that I would want. esp. the private porta potty and chaning area.

Also, I'm thinking about doing the 5k. Anyone else? I'm thinking that it will help with my nerves and give me a chance to see some character since I probably won't have time to see them on the half course....

Definitely considering race retreat. The private porta-potties are the draw for me. I've totally got a nervous bladder and I am more stressed about that than the race! Also, I think my family may come a little later than me (I want to take a bus, and I'd like dh and kids to drive a bit later), so I think this would work well.

 

[Cripey]

I've read that training heavily for a race and losing weight don't often go together. I have about 14 pounds to my first goal weight and would like to lose 10-15 more after that. I'd love to keep losing, but with running 4-5 days a week, I'm not sure that's going to happen.

I'm a novice, but make sure you are getting enough protein. It is hard for me to get enough protein and if you are the same, I'd suggest drinking protein shakes after your runs or long bike rides. If I need the extra calories, I mix the powder in soy or almond milk. If I don't then I just use water. I prefer EAS protein powder but am using Muscle Milk Light right now.

If you don't want to use protein powder, try eating greek yogurt. Some have 12-17 grams of protein per container.

I definitely found that to be true. When I first started training for my first half, I steadily lost a good amount of weight, but it gets harder to do when your mileage gets high. You need the calories to fuel those long runs...the right kind of calories of course, but calories nonetheless. If you don't take enough in, your body will let you know before your run is finished . It ends up becoming a game of figuring out the right combo of pre-run food, and hydration and fuel during the run...and just trying to break even. I agree on the Greek yogurt...if you like it, it's got a great amount of protein for recovery, and is always ready so you can get it in your system soon after your run for maximum benefit. But back to the weight loss part, I believe that when you're in a period where your taking in calories for high mileage, it's the cross training that will aid in some weight loss...but maybe not as fast or as much as when you're in lower mileage training. This is all just what has been my experience though.

 

[SuperHappyFunTimes]

I definitely found that to be true. When I first started training for my first half, I steadily lost a good amount of weight, but it gets harder to do when your mileage gets high. You need the calories to fuel those long runs...the right kind of calories of course, but calories nonetheless. If you don't take enough in, your body will let you know before your run is finished . It ends up becoming a game of figuring out the right combo of pre-run food, and hydration and fuel during the run...and just trying to break even. I agree on the Greek yogurt...if you like it, it's got a great amount of protein for recovery, and is always ready so you can get it in your system soon after your run for maximum benefit. But back to the weight loss part, I believe that when you're in a period where your taking in calories for high mileage, it's the cross training that will aid in some weight loss...but maybe not as fast or as much as when you're in lower mileage training. This is all just what has been my experience though.

Well that doesn't seem fair at all! Do you remember what mileage you were at when the weight loss became more difficult? I think I still have a few months that I could keep my long runs at six miles or less if that would keep the weight loss going. I've lost 25 lbs since February and really need to lose 20 more to be at a weight I've run distances without injury before. Then another 20 to look adorable in my running costume!

Thanks for the input!

 

[Cripey]

Well that doesn't seem fair at all! Do you remember what mileage you were at when the weight loss became more difficult? I think I still have a few months that I could keep my long runs at six miles or less if that would keep the weight loss going. I've lost 25 lbs since February and really need to lose 20 more to be at a weight I've run distances without injury before. Then another 20 to look adorable in my running costume!

Thanks for the input!

I'd say for me it's around the 6 or 7 mile mark when I really start to have to pay attention to fueling for the runs or else I'll be doomed. That's not to say I don't make an effort to properly fuel for runs less than 6, but because of my slower pace, especially now during the summer, it's during the 6mile and up runs that I start taking in fuel (I use Cliff shots) during my run and really pay attention to what I eat the day before that run. I'll also start to add to my pre long run breakfast...normally a bagel with PB but I add either an apple or banana to that for longer runs.

 

[PrincessV]

While watching the women's Olympic marathon this morning, my hubby and I agreed that we were kind of envious of the fact that they ran in cool rainy weather, while all we seem to get is hot as blazes and sauna steamy! I'm so over this summer weather!

I was doing the same thing, thinking, "That looks so nice, all of that cool rain!"

Anyone else considering the Race Retreat or is it worth it?

I signed up for RR - two reasons:
1. private potties
2. I'm a FL girl - a couple hours in temps below 60 will leave me freezing! And I was there that awful morning a couple years ago when the wind-chill was in the teens and ti snowed. Yes, SNOWED! Okay, it was closer to sleet, but still - I want shelter for as long as possible, just in case!

I'd say for me it's around the 6 or 7 mile mark when I really start to have to pay attention to fueling for the runs or else I'll be doomed.

+1 But if I'm doing more than 6 miles, I have to start early - I start at 2 miles and re-fuel every 2 from there. I use Shot Blocks and Honey Stingers and take two chews every 2 miles.

How are the rest of the southern princess runners fairing with the summer heat & humidity ?

O.M.G. Let me share my Saturday long run..

9 miles was the goal - conditions were surprisingly "cool" for west-central FL: low-80s and humidity around 70% at 6:45am. First half was in full shade and not bad at all - I actually felt really good and strong through mile 5. By mile 6, the sun was up and it was hard to find shade, and the temp was around 90. Tunnel vision, chest constricted, nausea, despite taking in 30 ounces of Nuun during my run, on top of 16 ounces pre-run and lots and lots of water the day before. By mile 7 I felt like I was sweating pure salt and it was burning the heck out of my eye, lips and cheeks. Lots more walking than I wanted to do over those last few miles and at mile 8, I stopped at my pool, pulled off socks, sneakers and iPhone and jumped in for a couple minutes. It cooled me down enough to finish the last mile.

I got into an ice bath immediately after a cool-down walk and sucked down Gatorade 3 and water. All told, I lost 5 pounds on that run, battled a pounding headache for another 12 hours, and am only now starting to feel "normal" again.

So here's my lesson learned/ advice for others: SLOW. IT. DOWN. Yeah, yeah, I already knew that; but I didn't do it. Not enough, anyway. On my short, fast runs, I average just over a 12:00/mile pace; that awful 9 miles averaged a 12:56/mile. Looking at the data, I was running around a sub-10:00 pace during a lot of my run intervals. In retrospect, I was overheated, not under hydrated, and probably pushed it close to the edge of being dangerous.

Ladies, don't be me.

I hereby vow to take more frequent and longer walk breaks on my next run and will run slower, focusing only on completing the distance, not going for speed.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

My plan for summers is make nice with the treadmill. Yes, it's boring, but I'm inside. I increase the elevation so I'm not running at 100% flat, but I stay inside. Once it starts to cool down, I'll take my shorter runs outside around my neighborhood. There's a good 3.1-mile loop and a 4-mile loop I enjoy using.