The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[WsPrincess]

Hi all! Just wanted to introduce myself, I'm Kim from Frisco, TX and the DHM will be my first half marathon! I just want to say thank you to everyone for all of your great comments, tips and questions! They are very helpful and insightful!

A little about me, this is my first week for doing the Jeff Galloway conditioning workout schedule, leading up to Jeff's official DHM training schedule and am very nervous and excited all at the same time. I truly believe this will be good for me as I am dealing with a great amount of work stress and it helps to have this to look forward to. I am planning on doing a 5k in October on one of my 3 mile days and then a 10k at the Dallas Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. And will probably do another 10k or something in December or January, just to get some "Race Day Experience" under my belt before the DHM.

My husband and I will be driving to WDW and then making a great adventure out of it with a few days in Ft. Walton, then a couple in New Orleans on the way home. So, needless to say, I'm excited about the whole trip. I do plan on doing the run solo, unless there are other Frisco, Plano, Dallas area ladies on here that would like to meet up for some runs before hand. Although, I'm a beginner runner, I feel bad about slowing people down.

Well, gotta get to bed early so I can get my run done in the morning. Thanks again and I look forward to reading more!

WELCOME! How did your run go?

Completely understand! I REALLY want to do a fall 10K because I don't trust that my Rockfest time will be decent enough to get a better corral placement. But, I haven't found any local that work with my schedule and I'm out of $$ so going out of town for a race is a no-go.


After about a month of being stalled at 5 miles, I finally did a 6 mile run while on vacation. I had to walk a bit (the banking on the side of the road was a bit more than I'm used to here) and stretch a lot, but it was a nice run and the last 2-3 miles were all uphill. Finished in 1:10, so I was pretty happy with that. At least I finally made it through Magic Kingdom on my map!!!

ETA: Just saw a listing for Great Pumpkin 10K, but I can't find a webpage for it. I'll have to keep checking, but maybe I just found a 10K to do!

Great job!!

Can someone clarify. I thought in order for corral placement you needed to submit a half marathon time, can I submit my 10k time? If so how do I do this?

Thanks!!

If you go to the RunDisney site under Princess it gives you information on how to submit your time. If it is before December 1st you can email them and after that you can bring it to the expo

Thanks!

I've never run the course so other princesses will probably know for sure, but from what I've read here there is the uphill before MK and then the ramps towards the end. Otherwise, I think its fairly flat.

The uphill before MK is not that big. It is the underpass before CR and it is short. The ramps at the end have me a little worried that is for sure!

 

[joan4mickey]

Thanks!

I've never run the course so other princesses will probably know for sure, but from what I've read here there is the uphill before MK and then the ramps towards the end. Otherwise, I think its fairly flat.

There is the underpass before MK...not really bad. It goes down under the waterway and then back up, and there is entertainment above. The hardest "hill" is the sweeping overpass just past mile 10. It is a banked uphill after the long stretch back from MK, then a few small overpasses before epcot.

Haven't really been posting as I have had other stuff going on. I am signed up for #5 Princess!! And have my lodging. No air yet. I will begin a training plan in late October. Ususally I just run and cross train 5-6 days a week and am actually on a break from running this August and September as I prepare to walk 250 miles in northern Spain for 3 weeks in Sept. I look forward to getting back to running when the temps cool off.

 

[neverlandmom]

Hi~ DH and I will be running the Princess Marathon. This will be our first one ever! I said I never would run a marathon but I saw last year's medal and I wanted it so badly! Bad enough to run So we are doing it! DH was sweet enough to say he would do it with me. We live here in FL and have annual passes so it will just be the cost of the marathon, not too bad. We haven't started training yet, should we at this point? Again we have not done this before so any advice would be great!

Don't know if I can say this but we are travel agents that specialize in Disney so if you need anything we can help. Just PM me.

 

[Gryhndmom]

I've skimmed over bits of this thread, and have to go back and read it all. Am loving the enthusiasm. Am planning on doing this race with my new hubby. He started running just before our wedding and has lost over 50 pounds. I did run/jog 5Ks (but usually came in near the last) a few years back, but have never done more than 5 miles. And I'm in a lot worse shape now than when we first started dating.

Must be crazy to think I can do this. I told my husband about the "sweeper bus" and now he is paranoid. He has told me we can't stop for character meet n greets or the bus will get us! He runs an 8.5 minute mile... I'm at... twice that right now...

I think hubby could stop for breakfast along the way and take a nap and still not worry about getting picked up by the sweeper people. Many of us can only dream about a 8.5 min mile About your time...I'm still at around a 14 min mile and have conquered the 6 mile threshold. My goal is to finish and have fun meaning LOTS of character pics along the way. You have plenty of time to aim for a goal of 15 min mile which would give you a cushion of character pics and potty stops if needed.

 

[Gryhndmom]

Hey all!

I saw this over in one of the Running World Forums and thought of all of us Princesses who are dealing with humidity:

Here is a "rule of thumb" I found years ago that seems to make sense:

TEMP+DEW POINT (Add the temperature and dew point values together):
=======================================================
Below 100: Ideal
100-120: Not ideal, but ok to go for a fast time
120-130: Ok for fast pace in races up to 10K - adjust for slower pace in longer races
130-150: Adjust for slower pace in all race distances, especially longer races
Above 150: Forget pace - just focus on finishing

FYI - The dew point temperature is the temperature at which air can no longer hold all of its water vapor, and some of the water vapor must condense into liquid water (e.g. condensation in the form of dew, fog, clouds, etc). At 100% relative humidity, the dew point temperature and real temperature are the same, and clouds or fog can begin to form.

While relative humidity is a relative measure of how humid it is, the dew point temperature is an absolute measure of how much water vapor is in the air (how humid it is). In very warm, humid conditions, the dew point temperature can reach 75 to 77 degrees F, but rarely exceeds 80 degrees. By definition, the dew point value cannot be higher than the temperature.

Right now in Gainesville, it is 80* with a 75* dewpoint, so this would be 155 - putting us in the realm of "Just Finish" !! I think that this little formula will help me gauge how I should run my outside runs now. Hope this helps you guys!

102 in San Antonio today with a dewpoint...of holy crap....so that puts us off the chart and wondering why we are working out now instead of waiting till October!

 

[FittobeaPrincess]

I am all registered! And am starting my training... right now I am visiting family in NJ and the humidity has been bad some mornings. YIKES! This really makes an impact on my running. Where I live to is basically NO humidity... makes me nervous that the day of the run in Disney will be humid and it will kick my butt! Has anyone trained in a little humidity area, and had problems with the humidity during a race???

 

[neverlandmom]

I am running the Princess, when should I start training? I see a lot of people are doing it now and I have heard you don't need to start until October. I have never done this before... Help!

 

[Cripey]

I am running the Princess, when should I start training? I see a lot of people are doing it now and I have heard you don't need to start until October. I have never done this before... Help!

The 2011 Princess was my first, and when I decided to do it, I was literally starting from scratch...NOT a runner/jogger/wogger or anything, EVER!! I started off "training" immediately though, which was like about 7 or 8 months out from race day. BUT...at that time, per my trainer, my only goal was to get to the point where I could run/walk 3 miles. I just started out walking the entire thing, then moved up to running VERY short intervals between light posts, etc, until I could get to my goal of 3 miles where I ran one mile and then took 100-step walk breaks at each mile....which would become my race day plan as well...and still is today. I did that for QUITE a while, 3 times a week...once I got "comfortable" (HA!) with that, she had me try 4 milers as a "long run" once a week. 16 weeks before the race was when I started my "official" race training schedule where the miles started climbing. There are alot of different plans out there to pick and choose from though...I know I hear and read alot about the "couch to 5k" programs and one that follows it to build to a 10k distance. I think alot of people do those to prepare to start their official training schedule...I'm sure you'll get alot of other suggestions here! Just remember there's no one "right" way to do it...just whatever works for you and your fitness level and goals. It's good to think about it now though and start experimenting so you'll have plenty of time to tweak before it gets too close. At some point, when you start an official schedule leading up to race day, you'll probably want a plan in place that you can follow each week that will help you meet your goals on race day...my trainer always says "you'll race how you train, so know what you want to do and be consistent." It'll take some stress out of race day too, if you can do that! Hope some of this helps

 

[neverlandmom]

Thank you! That does help and is an encouragement that you started from scratch also. I just started walking in the evenings. I am curious what others have to say as well. Again thank you!

 

[MoonFaerie]

I am running the Princess, when should I start training? I see a lot of people are doing it now and I have heard you don't need to start until October. I have never done this before... Help!

Technically I'm training now, but I was pretty much starting from zero again. My goal is to work up to running a full 3 miles by my Oct trip. Then after it, I'll begin really training for the half. I'm tentatively planning on using Jeff Galloway's beginner plan for the Princess. http://www.rundisney.com/training/

 

[MoonFaerie]

Talk to me about running on vacation. We're heading to WDW in Oct. Should I stick with 3-4 days of running? Do I run the same distance, or should I take it easy, since I'll be walking a billion miles a day as well?

 

[samc]

What do y'all think is a reasonable min/mile cushion if you were to start in the last corral and wanted to stop for pics and enjoy the atmosphere?

I'm pretty sure that's where we'll end up because we aren't planning to do a 10K between now and the race. None of have any experience and just started run/walk training in the last few months.

I really want my friends to enjoy this and finish the race....so maybe they'll run with me again.....KWIM

thanks!

 

[Cripey]

I think it was on this thread last week when someone started a discussion about training for a marathon/half marathon and not losing or even gaining weight...anyway, this article popped up in my email today from Runner's World, so I thought it may be of interest to those discussing it last week

 

[longhorns2]

What do y'all think is a reasonable min/mile cushion if you were to start in the last corral and wanted to stop for pics and enjoy the atmosphere?

I'm pretty sure that's where we'll end up because we aren't planning to do a 10K between now and the race. None of have any experience and just started run/walk training in the last few months.

I really want my friends to enjoy this and finish the race....so maybe they'll run with me again.....KWIM

thanks!

I'd say at least a 14 min mile pace, plus being selective on where you stop! If there's a line with 10 people or more, you may need to skip it. If you can hit characters on the way back from MK instead of on the way TO MK, you might hit some shorter lines.

 

[PrincessV]

I just started walking in the evenings. I am curious what others have to say as well.

I started training in Jan. with a 5K as my goal. I'm now training for the TOT 10-Miler, so I'm not technically training for the Princess yet, but I see what I'm doing now as what I'll build off of to get stronger/faster when I start the Princess program in Oct. I'm a big fan of Jeff Galloway's training plans, which are on the runDisney site, as well as his own web page.

Talk to me about running on vacation. We're heading to WDW in Oct. Should I stick with 3-4 days of running? Do I run the same distance, or should I take it easy, since I'll be walking a billion miles a day as well?

FWIW, I stuck to my training plan during my summer trip to WDW. I had a couple short runs and one 7-miler and got all but the final short run in by doing them early in the morning. Yes, all of the walking resulted in legs more tired than usual, but I made sure to take it easy the day before my long run and it was fine. I did a blog post about training at WDW, if you're interested: http://seevrun.blogspot.com/2012/07/who-ran-disney-i-did.html

 

[MoonFaerie]

"Look at that fat girl running. Who is she kidding? *giggle, giggle*" That's what I heard this morning when I passed some women walking. Those ladies can suck it. I may be bigger than them, but I got there before them, left after them, and ran while they were walking and gossiping.

 

[samc]

I'd say at least a 14 min mile pace, plus being selective on where you stop! If there's a line with 10 people or more, you may need to skip it. If you can hit characters on the way back from MK instead of on the way TO MK, you might hit some shorter lines.

Thank you! 14min/mile sounds doable. So the same characters will be there on the way back from MK? I don't want to msis out on a favorite if we skip it the first time past.

I'm currently at about a 15:50min/mile with my longest run being 4.5 miles at a slower pace........so a long way to go but excited to get there

Getting faster seems to be the hardest part.....I started at about a 17min/mile a few months ago & it feels like I should be faster than I am at this point.

Any advice on how to increase speed?? :confused

Thanks again!

 

[MoonFaerie]

FWIW, I stuck to my training plan during my summer trip to WDW. I had a couple short runs and one 7-miler and got all but the final short run in by doing them early in the morning. Yes, all of the walking resulted in legs more tired than usual, but I made sure to take it easy the day before my long run and it was fine. I did a blog post about training at WDW, if you're interested: http://seevrun.blogspot.com/2012/07/who-ran-disney-i-did.html

Thanks! I need to pull out our itinerary and see where I can fit some runs in. When we first started planning the trip, I hadn't decided to do the half yet, so I might have to rework some things. I'll only be up to about 3 miles by then, so it won't be a huge problem to be done by the time everyone else gets up.

 

[happybaker]

We've been on a camping trip... just getting back to internet and catching up on this thread. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to the the Rockfest Half in September. Bummer because it would have been fun to meet some of you New England ladies. My race budget and time away are all getting spent for the Disneyland Half...no more races after that until the Princess.

Too bad you won't be at the Rockfest, but I think I'd do the Disneyland Half too if I had the chance. You'll have to tell us all about it when you get back.

Completely understand! I REALLY want to do a fall 10K because I don't trust that my Rockfest time will be decent enough to get a better corral placement. But, I haven't found any local that work with my schedule and I'm out of $$ so going out of town for a race is a no-go.


After about a month of being stalled at 5 miles, I finally did a 6 mile run while on vacation. I had to walk a bit (the banking on the side of the road was a bit more than I'm used to here) and stretch a lot, but it was a nice run and the last 2-3 miles were all uphill. Finished in 1:10, so I was pretty happy with that. At least I finally made it through Magic Kingdom on my map!!!

ETA: Just saw a listing for Great Pumpkin 10K, but I can't find a webpage for it. I'll have to keep checking, but maybe I just found a 10K to do!

Great job on the 6 miles!! I don't think my time from the Rockfest Half will be anything to write home about. I did 9 miles over the weekned in 2:10 and according to a race calculator, that puts me at a 3:14 half. Although, I really think I could knock about six or so minutes off that, but who knows.

I know it's not too local but there's the 6.66 Mile Devils Chase in Salem, MA at the end of October. I think I may do that one. Mostly just for fun and a chance to dress up a little.

Anyone else in the area looking for a 10K, I do know of one on Thanksgiving Day in Lowell, MA. It's not convenient for me, but they do give eveyone who finishes a pie!

"Look at that fat girl running. Who is she kidding? *giggle, giggle*" That's what I heard this morning when I passed some women walking. Those ladies can suck it. I may be bigger than them, but I got there before them, left after them, and ran while they were walking and gossiping.

Those women suck!! And I attribute their attitude to jealousy. I'm overweight, but I've never had another runner/run-walker say anything negative to me. But I did have a guy and his girlfriend (who were just strolling along) make a snide comment loud enough for me to hear. It was an out/back trail and he made some comment that I didn't quite hear all of but I heard enough. It made me feel like crap and it made me want to stop, but I didn't. When I passed them on my way back I gave them a silent F-You. And it was a day I was doing that trail twice, so I passed them again and was still going strong, so I figured I showed them. I just told myself they were jealous because they were probably too scared to even try what we're all attempting to do by challenging ourselves.

Holly

 

[FittobeaPrincess]

"Look at that fat girl running. Who is she kidding? *giggle, giggle*" That's what I heard this morning when I passed some women walking. Those ladies can suck it. I may be bigger than them, but I got there before them, left after them, and ran while they were walking and gossiping.

SO Not OK!!!! You keep going!!! Good for you.. if they have nothing better to do then comment about people out there exercising ..they do need to "suck it"!