The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[mahipp]

You are definitely the best, MA!!!!

BTW -- Tag! I found you! JC in Mass ....

LOL! I was wondering A) who friend requested me and B) how you knew to call me MA!

FYI, to the rest of y'all, my online friends call me MA.

Oooh, I like your ticker! I need one!

 

[PrincessV]

I will say that I find HM runners much nicer than these runners.

I am SOOOOO happy to hear this, because I was pretty disappointed in a lot of my fellow racers in the EEC. I ran it with my 9yo DS and was fairly appalled by the rotten attitudes and poor race etiquette I observed.

How did our Expedition Everest runners do??

Not bad here - I ran it with my 9yo DS who's a tiny little guy, so I certainly wasn't looking for a PR. We managed a nice 38:51 in the 5K and a lousy 42:50 in the scavenger hunt... mostly because I couldn't read the clues without my reading glasses! We ran most of the scavenger hunt once we had the answers, so it was the solving that slowed us way down. It was more crowded than I'd have liked, but fun. I'm still working on a race recap, but I'll post when I've got it up!

Can someone tell me if it's hard to go from training at night to running a race in the morning? I just can't run in the morning. I already get up at 5 am to get everyone out of the house and to work by 7am. I just do better if I run at night. Is that going to be a problem?

In my experience, probably not. I'm not a morning person at all and do most of my running in the evenings. But having run a few morning races and one night race, I much prefer the morning races. Sure, I'm not completely awake, but my legs and feet are fresher and I haven't had a ll day to obsess about the race.

I've been away from the boards for a few weeks. I turned 40 a week ago, and have been in quite a funk about it. I'm finally feeling better though and need to start pushing myself hard.

Nothing like the big 4-0 to motivate! You are so not alone. I'm 41 and preparing for my first half; I wallowed for a year after my 40th before getting it together, so you're leaps and bounds ahead of me!

I had problems with a tight calf that turned into shin splints, to you're right to pay attention to it... Also, ice after each run for about 10 or so minutes REALLY does wonders.

Yep, same story here and I agree!

Sorry for pushing the blog on all you veterans, but any newbies can look back to Feb. on my blog and see all my pictures. When I was new, it really made me feel better seeing everyone's race recaps and pictures so I could know a little better what to expect.

I love your blog and reading all sorts of blogs about the 2012 Princess has already helped me sooo much! I'm not big on surprises, so knowing ahead of time lots of race details is good.

 

[tinkeramy]

I love your blog and reading all sorts of blogs about the 2012 Princess has already helped me sooo much! I'm not big on surprises, so knowing ahead of time lots of race details is good.[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I know I kept trolling other people's YouTube videos before I did my first Princess!

And I like hearing about your runs with your son on your blog - I had a Fail last night with my 10y.o.DS who wanted to come along at the last minute. We did one mile with 1/1 intervals before all the complaints started..... I would love to see this boy racing, but I think I need to get my "real" runs in earlier and be laid back about running with him in the evenings. Last night all I wanted was an easy 3 to blow off stress and that did NOT happen!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

I love your blog and reading all sorts of blogs about the 2012 Princess has already helped me sooo much! I'm not big on surprises, so knowing ahead of time lots of race details is good.

Thanks! I know I kept trolling other people's YouTube videos before I did my first Princess!

And I like hearing about your runs with your son on your blog - I had a Fail last night with my 10y.o.DS who wanted to come along at the last minute. We did one mile with 1/1 intervals before all the complaints started..... I would love to see this boy racing, but I think I need to get my "real" runs in earlier and be laid back about running with him in the evenings. Last night all I wanted was an easy 3 to blow off stress and that did NOT happen![/QUOTE]

In April my DD 7 did a 5K with me we did 2/1's and she did it in 37 mins.
BUT... I can't get her to do it again.

 

[patches4me]

WOW. Just wow! I can't believe people cheated like that! And yes I agree, walkers should start in the back so they don't get ran over! That is very frustrating.
Nice job, anyway! I didn't know they had teams. That's pretty cool! I would like to run it with DH also They just combine your times?

My DD did 4 Princess 1/2 and last year was her last. It is much too crowded, she didn't enjoy it, walkers were in the way. They couldn't move! She will never sign up for another Princess 1/2 It's a shame because it was becoming a tradition. We will still go to WDW that week, but no 1/2 for us.

 

[PrincessV]

And I like hearing about your runs with your son on your blog - I had a Fail last night with my 10y.o.DS who wanted to come along at the last minute. We did one mile with 1/1 intervals before all the complaints started..... I would love to see this boy racing, but I think I need to get my "real" runs in earlier and be laid back about running with him in the evenings. Last night all I wanted was an easy 3 to blow off stress and that did NOT happen!

Thanks Amy! Oh yes, I understand how those runs with sons go, lol! They're anything but stress-free. It's funny - getting mine to do training runs is like pulling teeth, but the child BRINGS it come race time. At the EEC, he ran far longer intervals than he's ever done in training and really pushed me more than I'm used to doing! I was like, "Why can't you do this all the time?!"

In April my DD 7 did a 5K with me we did 2/1's and she did it in 37 mins.
BUT... I can't get her to do it again.

Don't give up! I've been running with my DS10 since Jan. and his interest waxes and wanes... he had a great time doing Everest, but now wants to take a break for a while. Can't blame him, though - it's hot, humid and miserable here and if I didn't have to train for the TOT 10-miler, I'd take a long break, too!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Thanks Amy! Oh yes, I understand how those runs with sons go, lol! They're anything but stress-free. It's funny - getting mine to do training runs is like pulling teeth, but the child BRINGS it come race time. At the EEC, he ran far longer intervals than he's ever done in training and really pushed me more than I'm used to doing! I was like, "Why can't you do this all the time?!"


Don't give up! I've been running with my DS10 since Jan. and his interest waxes and wanes... he had a great time doing Everest, but now wants to take a break for a while. Can't blame him, though - it's hot, humid and miserable here and if I didn't have to train for the TOT 10-miler, I'd take a long break, too!

I have both my DD's signed up for a kids race that is on Solider Field, at the end of May, the kids will get a medal also.. so maybe that will get her to want to run with me again .... here is hoping. But I am not in any way pushing it. I say "do you want to run with me today' she says no. I drop it.

 

[brock20l]

Sports bra advice for a coworker please!

She is a 38DD and says she has never found anything that keeps them from flopping. She said she has considered an ace bandage. I said I would ask here for help. Any advice?

I swear by lululemon's Ta Ta Tamer bra as someone with a bigger chest. Their new Adjust Me bra is good too, but not quite as supportive as the TTT.


...on another note, sitting here wallowing in self-pity today... As the result of a freak accident at home (a section of cabinetry came loose and fell on me), I'm 80% sure I have fractured my foot, and 100% sure that if not fractured, it's a significant bone bruise. Went to a clinic this morning and was sent for x-rays, which apparently I won't hear the results of for 2-3 days...awesome. In the meantime, it's cut, bruised, swollen, extremely tender to the touch - cried trying to put a shoe on this morning - and miserable to walk on. Sigh. I'm afraid of the additional damage I might do walking on it for several more days until I hear the x-ray results. And to top it off, I was supposed to be running a half 18 days from now Has anyone else dealt with something similar before? I can't get out of the "funk" this injury has created - I'm depressed, angry, impatient, and probably a real ray of sunshine for my coworkers and dbf.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

I swear by lululemon's Ta Ta Tamer bra as someone with a bigger chest. Their new Adjust Me bra is good too, but not quite as supportive as the TTT.


...on another note, sitting here wallowing in self-pity today... As the result of a freak accident at home (a section of cabinetry came loose and fell on me), I'm 80% sure I have fractured my foot, and 100% sure that if not fractured, it's a significant bone bruise. Went to a clinic this morning and was sent for x-rays, which apparently I won't hear the results of for 2-3 days...awesome. In the meantime, it's cut, bruised, swollen, extremely tender to the touch - cried trying to put a shoe on this morning - and miserable to walk on. Sigh. I'm afraid of the additional damage I might do walking on it for several more days until I hear the x-ray results. And to top it off, I was supposed to be running a half 18 days from now Has anyone else dealt with something similar before? I can't get out of the "funk" this injury has created - I'm depressed, angry, impatient, and probably a real ray of sunshine for my coworkers and dbf.

I am so sorry, I understand how sad you feel. I have had some major leg pain for the better part of 8 months. When I went to the princess half, I was in so much pain I did not know if I could do it. My friends helped pushed me to the finish..

Try to just rest until you hear from the doc on the x-ray. I hope it minor

 

[TinyDancer]

I am SOOOOO happy to hear this, because I was pretty disappointed in a lot of my fellow racers in the EEC. I ran it with my 9yo DS and was fairly appalled by the rotten attitudes and poor race etiquette I observed.


Not bad here - I ran it with my 9yo DS who's a tiny little guy, so I certainly wasn't looking for a PR. We managed a nice 38:51 in the 5K and a lousy 42:50 in the scavenger hunt... mostly because I couldn't read the clues without my reading glasses! We ran most of the scavenger hunt once we had the answers, so it was the solving that slowed us way down. It was more crowded than I'd have liked, but fun. I'm still working on a race recap, but I'll post when I've got it up!

Those are great times! I can't wait to read your recap!!

I love your blog and reading all sorts of blogs about the 2012 Princess has already helped me sooo much! I'm not big on surprises, so knowing ahead of time lots of race details is good.

Post the links of any good youtube videos, will ya? I would like to see some too. I like to know exactly what is going to happen lol.


Thanks! I know I kept trolling other people's YouTube videos before I did my first Princess!

And I like hearing about your runs with your son on your blog - I had a Fail last night with my 10y.o.DS who wanted to come along at the last minute. We did one mile with 1/1 intervals before all the complaints started..... I would love to see this boy racing, but I think I need to get my "real" runs in earlier and be laid back about running with him in the evenings. Last night all I wanted was an easy 3 to blow off stress and that did NOT happen![/QUOTE]

It's SO hard to go run with kids!! My 7 yr old likes to run with me occasionally.. and we can make it 1-2 miles before he is DONE. He loves to race, but doesn't care for the distance.

Thanks! I know I kept trolling other people's YouTube videos before I did my first Princess!

And I like hearing about your runs with your son on your blog - I had a Fail last night with my 10y.o.DS who wanted to come along at the last minute. We did one mile with 1/1 intervals before all the complaints started..... I would love to see this boy racing, but I think I need to get my "real" runs in earlier and be laid back about running with him in the evenings. Last night all I wanted was an easy 3 to blow off stress and that did NOT happen!

In April my DD 7 did a 5K with me we did 2/1's and she did it in 37 mins.
BUT... I can't get her to do it again. [/QUOTE]

DS 7 did his first 5k with me this spring, and he ran a 37 also! He did awesome. That was his only 5k this year, the rest of the races we have done have been 1 mile or kids' races for him and DD4.

I swear by lululemon's Ta Ta Tamer bra as someone with a bigger chest. Their new Adjust Me bra is good too, but not quite as supportive as the TTT.


...on another note, sitting here wallowing in self-pity today... As the result of a freak accident at home (a section of cabinetry came loose and fell on me), I'm 80% sure I have fractured my foot, and 100% sure that if not fractured, it's a significant bone bruise. Went to a clinic this morning and was sent for x-rays, which apparently I won't hear the results of for 2-3 days...awesome. In the meantime, it's cut, bruised, swollen, extremely tender to the touch - cried trying to put a shoe on this morning - and miserable to walk on. Sigh. I'm afraid of the additional damage I might do walking on it for several more days until I hear the x-ray results. And to top it off, I was supposed to be running a half 18 days from now Has anyone else dealt with something similar before? I can't get out of the "funk" this injury has created - I'm depressed, angry, impatient, and probably a real ray of sunshine for my coworkers and dbf.

Oh no!! I injured my foot 3 weeks ago.. and I know how you feel.
I'm praying that your foot is ok!!!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

IIn April my DD 7 did a 5K with me we did 2/1's and she did it in 37 mins.
BUT... I can't get her to do it again.

DS 7 did his first 5k with me this spring, and he ran a 37 also! He did awesome. That was his only 5k this year, the rest of the races we have done have been 1 mile or kids' races for him and DD4.
[/QUOTE]

Congrates to your Son, I think that is a great pace for a kid. Oh My Word it was a great pace for me

 

[Stitch Pelekai]

Hello!

After a bit of lurking (and having to create a new account, because I couldn't remember my username from years ago), I'd like to come out of hiding & join the group - and be a participant in the Disney Half Princess Marathon in 2013!

I suppose I should introduce myself .... My name is Stitch ....

Okay, not really, but Stitch is one of my favorite Disney Characters! At some point, I'd love to get a character picture with him!

Oh right - introduction! (This is what happens before I've had my first cup of coffee!)

Hello, my name is Judi, I just turned 40 a few months ago & I am a single mom to a fantastic 13 year old daughter. I work as a conference planner / office manager for an educational company in Massachusetts. And in the interest of full disclosure, I haven't followed any type of organized exercise plan in probably about 8 years. Depression, multiple moves, and just being overwhelmed & stressed in my life zapped any energy & motivation I had. Of course, the pounds packing onto my frame didn't help either.

And recently I'd been thinking that I pretty much wasted the last 10 plus years to being depressed over my marriage ending, being a single parent, and just being alone. Obviously THAT didn't solve anything, so now I'm thinking of taking a different tactic -- getting off my butt & doing something positive! I feel like such a failure over things that weren't in my control, so I want to succeed at something I CAN control! And when some online friends mentioned this race, I thought about it & decided that I want this to be my goal! One of the online friends that inspired me to do this posts here on the thread, mahipp.

I'm also taking inspiration from someone I knew in HS who joined a team this past year that was running the Boston Marathon. Because he was part of this team, he didn't have to have a prequalifiying run (I'm not sure how that all works), but he trained hard & ran his first marathon last month in the scorching heat! I'm in awe of his accomplishment & figured that if HE could get out there & train & do a full marathon, then certainly with 9 1/2 months, I could complete a half marathon!

I am not kidding myself == I'm out of shape, have about 70 pounds too much on this frame, and my knees tell me all the time how uncomfortable they are. But I also know that if I don't get out there and do something, and soon, I'm in for a rough next 10 years. I would love to say that I'll run the race, but honestly, until I get a better idea of what I can do, I would be happy with just finishing it & not getting swept. (I had no idea they did this till I started reading this thread, and that thought scares me -- I don't want to go through all the training & expense to not even finish!!)

I'm a total newbie at this ... I've never bought sneakers that weren't on clearance somewhere, I have no idea what half of the abbreviations on this thread mean (though I'm picking them up), and I have no support system at home, but I really want to do this, so hopefully you'll all be accepting of my naiveté until I get my feet a bit more firmly planted.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all ...

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Hello!

After a bit of lurking (and having to create a new account, because I couldn't remember my username from years ago), I'd like to come out of hiding & join the group - and be a participant in the Disney Half Princess Marathon in 2013!

I suppose I should introduce myself .... My name is Stitch ....

Okay, not really, but Stitch is one of my favorite Disney Characters! At some point, I'd love to get a character picture with him!

Oh right - introduction! (This is what happens before I've had my first cup of coffee!)

Hello, my name is Judi, I just turned 40 a few months ago & I am a single mom to a fantastic 13 year old daughter. I work as a conference planner / office manager for an educational company in Massachusetts. And in the interest of full disclosure, I haven't followed any type of organized exercise plan in probably about 8 years. Depression, multiple moves, and just being overwhelmed & stressed in my life zapped any energy & motivation I had. Of course, the pounds packing onto my frame didn't help either.

And recently I'd been thinking that I pretty much wasted the last 10 plus years to being depressed over my marriage ending, being a single parent, and just being alone. Obviously THAT didn't solve anything, so now I'm thinking of taking a different tactic -- getting off my butt & doing something positive! I feel like such a failure over things that weren't in my control, so I want to succeed at something I CAN control! And when some online friends mentioned this race, I thought about it & decided that I want this to be my goal! One of the online friends that inspired me to do this posts here on the thread, mahipp.

I'm also taking inspiration from someone I knew in HS who joined a team this past year that was running the Boston Marathon. Because he was part of this team, he didn't have to have a prequalifiying run (I'm not sure how that all works), but he trained hard & ran his first marathon last month in the scorching heat! I'm in awe of his accomplishment & figured that if HE could get out there & train & do a full marathon, then certainly with 9 1/2 months, I could complete a half marathon!

I am not kidding myself == I'm out of shape, have about 70 pounds too much on this frame, and my knees tell me all the time how uncomfortable they are. But I also know that if I don't get out there and do something, and soon, I'm in for a rough next 10 years. I would love to say that I'll run the race, but honestly, until I get a better idea of what I can do, I would be happy with just finishing it & not getting swept. (I had no idea they did this till I started reading this thread, and that thought scares me -- I don't want to go through all the training & expense to not even finish!!)

I'm a total newbie at this ... I've never bought sneakers that weren't on clearance somewhere, I have no idea what half of the abbreviations on this thread mean (though I'm picking them up), and I have no support system at home, but I really want to do this, so hopefully you'll all be accepting of my naiveté until I get my feet a bit more firmly planted.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all ...

Welcome!! You have come to the right place.
I was not small when I started this 2 years ago and I am still not small. But I have finished it twice. I had no support at home either. I could have never of done this with out my all to wonderful Dis friends ( I am not one who ever had girlfiends so this is very nice!!)

I would say for you to start with looking up Jeff Galloway training. Its a walk / run training plan that can help you get to the finish without killing yourself. I learned the hard way that making your body run with this much fat is harmfull and it hurts. The run / walk works for me. A friend of mine on dis has done 9 halfs with this method!


Before I know of JG I read the book Marathons for Mortals , I am not a book reader and this was not like a guide than a book.

 

[brock20l]

Thanks, Tinydancer and cantwaitvaca09, for your good vibes. Unfortunately, my metatarsal actually IS fractured. I'm in an air cast for the forseeable future, and I've been referred to an orthopedic specialist. It's not a conventional fracture - rather, I broke off a bunch of tiny bone shards that are now floating in my foot, so I don't know if I will have to have surgery to have them removed or to repair the jagged bone or what.... Half marathon participation is definitely cancelled...guess this just leaves me more time to train for the 2013 Princess?

Does anyone else have experience with an injury like this and how long it takes to heal? I'm definitely going to be following ALL the rules - no trying to be a hero or tough or doing anything stupid that might cause further injury or prevent a full recovery. That said, I DO want to get back to running...and dancing and yoga and walking my dogs and all the other things I love!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Thanks, Tinydancer and cantwaitvaca09, for your good vibes. Unfortunately, my metatarsal actually IS fractured. I'm in an air cast for the forseeable future, and I've been referred to an orthopedic specialist. It's not a conventional fracture - rather, I broke off a bunch of tiny bone shards that are now floating in my foot, so I don't know if I will have to have surgery to have them removed or to repair the jagged bone or what.... Half marathon participation is definitely cancelled...guess this just leaves me more time to train for the 2013 Princess?

Does anyone else have experience with an injury like this and how long it takes to heal? I'm definitely going to be following ALL the rules - no trying to be a hero or tough or doing anything stupid that might cause further injury or prevent a full recovery. That said, I DO want to get back to running...and dancing and yoga and walking my dogs and all the other things I love!

So sorry

 

[PrincessV]

Thanks, Tinydancer and cantwaitvaca09, for your good vibes. Unfortunately, my metatarsal actually IS fractured. I'm in an air cast for the forseeable future, and I've been referred to an orthopedic specialist. It's not a conventional fracture - rather, I broke off a bunch of tiny bone shards that are now floating in my foot, so I don't know if I will have to have surgery to have them removed or to repair the jagged bone or what.... Half marathon participation is definitely cancelled...guess this just leaves me more time to train for the 2013 Princess?

Does anyone else have experience with an injury like this and how long it takes to heal? I'm definitely going to be following ALL the rules - no trying to be a hero or tough or doing anything stupid that might cause further injury or prevent a full recovery. That said, I DO want to get back to running...and dancing and yoga and walking my dogs and all the other things I love!

I don't have any experience or tips to share, but I am so, so sorry!

 

[HockeyKat]

Welcome!! You have come to the right place.
I was not small when I started this 2 years ago and I am still not small. But I have finished it twice. I had no support at home either. I could have never of done this with out my all to wonderful Dis friends ( I am not one who ever had girlfiends so this is very nice!!)

I would say for you to start with looking up Jeff Galloway training. Its a walk / run training plan that can help you get to the finish without killing yourself. I learned the hard way that making your body run with this much fat is harmfull and it hurts. The run / walk works for me. A friend of mine on dis has done 9 halfs with this method!

Hi! That's me.

I agree with what she said. I've finished this race 3 times, plus the other 6, and for all but maybe one of them, was at least 50 lbs overweight.

I also have no support at home, but I have great support through DIS and through my local running group. This is a great place to come, ask questions, learn. Anything you want to know, abbreviations, etc., ask away!

 

[WsPrincess]

Hello!

After a bit of lurking (and having to create a new account, because I couldn't remember my username from years ago), I'd like to come out of hiding & join the group - and be a participant in the Disney Half Princess Marathon in 2013!

I suppose I should introduce myself .... My name is Stitch ....

Okay, not really, but Stitch is one of my favorite Disney Characters! At some point, I'd love to get a character picture with him!

Oh right - introduction! (This is what happens before I've had my first cup of coffee!)


I'm also taking inspiration from someone I knew in HS who joined a team this past year that was running the Boston Marathon. Because he was part of this team, he didn't have to have a prequalifiying run (I'm not sure how that all works), but he trained hard & ran his first marathon last month in the scorching heat! I'm in awe of his accomplishment & figured that if HE could get out there & train & do a full marathon, then certainly with 9 1/2 months, I could complete a half marathon!

I'm a total newbie at this ... I've never bought sneakers that weren't on clearance somewhere, I have no idea what half of the abbreviations on this thread mean (though I'm picking them up), and I have no support system at home, but I really want to do this, so hopefully you'll all be accepting of my naiveté until I get my feet a bit more firmly planted.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all ...

First Welcome Stitch! We are here to support you. We can't be there IRL but we can be here online. I second the Jeff Galloway suggestion. I haven't run or done much of anything in 6 years and I am 7 weeks into the conditioning program and love it!

Thanks, Tinydancer and cantwaitvaca09, for your good vibes. Unfortunately, my metatarsal actually IS fractured. I'm in an air cast for the forseeable future, and I've been referred to an orthopedic specialist. It's not a conventional fracture - rather, I broke off a bunch of tiny bone shards that are now floating in my foot, so I don't know if I will have to have surgery to have them removed or to repair the jagged bone or what.... Half marathon participation is definitely cancelled...guess this just leaves me more time to train for the 2013 Princess?

Does anyone else have experience with an injury like this and how long it takes to heal? I'm definitely going to be following ALL the rules - no trying to be a hero or tough or doing anything stupid that might cause further injury or prevent a full recovery. That said, I DO want to get back to running...and dancing and yoga and walking my dogs and all the other things I love!

I am so sorry. I don't have any experience but I do know from my surgery, listen to what the doctor's say. Hopefully when you see the new doctor you will get good news

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Hi! That's me.

I agree with what she said. I've finished this race 3 times, plus the other 6, and for all but maybe one of them, was at least 50 lbs overweight.

I also have no support at home, but I have great support through DIS and through my local running group. This is a great place to come, ask questions, learn. Anything you want to know, abbreviations, etc., ask away!

HI Kat, I did not know if you wanted me to post your name. But as you know.. I am in awe of you doing 9 halfs!!!!

 

[Sojas3]

I'm a fresh newbie to running and I'm in for the Princess Half in Feb. Starting my first run with the Castaway Cay 5k. I'm trying to talk a few friends into a girls weekend to make it a bit more fun.