The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[KTE]

I have Fridays off work, which I like, but this one has been crazy. There was a loose pit bull that we (me and 20 month old DS in a stroller) on our 3 mile run this morning. It didn't even notice us, but wandering dogs scare me, especially when my child is with me. I was freaked out the rest of the run and tried to go home a different way, but realized it was too traffic-y, lost my cell phone in a ditch, found it eventually...

Made breakfast and dropped a big jar of peanut butter on my left toes.

Took DS to an open gym session to play on all the gymnastics equipment, slides, foam pit, etc. he had a great time, but a heavy wooden ladder fell right in top of my left foot! Bruised & swollen. I'm scheduled for a 5 mile run Sunday, I hope it's not really hurt. I've iced it and will rest it today.

I'm thinking I just need to sit quietly at home the rest of today!!

Anyone else deal with dogs on their runs? Any tips?

I have no tips. I just wanted to say that stray/loose dogs terrify me too (except our neighborhood chihuahua who always gets out and isn't really that scary). The only things I've been told are to try to stay calm, keep and eye on the dog/animal and slowly get away from the area. I came across a giant german shepherd one day when I was running near my work, luckily I was near a car and I literally got behind this random car and slowly moved around the car as the dog went by. The dog wasn't even menacing, but when you don't know, it's pretty scary!

 

[joan4mickey]

Anyone else deal with dogs on their runs? Any tips?

Hate dogs, did I mention I hate dog. Or perhaps it is just the owners, who haven't taught their dogs not to BARK!

Invisible fencing may or may not work..always beware. If it looks like it is working I bark back.

Leash lines, beware as owners like to let it out when they see runners coming ( I assume they think I like to pet their dog, I DON'T) and this line can trip you.

You could carry pepper spray, I don't as I fear I could use it on the dog as well as the owner.

My favorite line is "He is harmless" as the dog snarls at me as if he would like to sink his teeth into my achilles heal. Or the dog that jumps up on me and the owner just laughs. Then there are the dogs that smell or whatever and leave that wet crap on you...do you think you would like it if I snotted on you.NO.

Sorry all dog owners that are offended, but all this has happened to me in my many years of running. I am amused by a neighbor that runs with two dogs attached to her belt and those dogs just amble along after her.

On a more positive note, I have actually helped people catch their dogs. Do I like, NO. But one day a dog was holding up a school bus and all the traffic behind it so I helped.

Well, that was no help, but you just have to take each dog/dog owner as it comes. I do make an effort to avoid dogs my moving off the sidewalk or to the other side of the street.

Safe running to all and avoid the dogs!

 

[LoveMyMoos]

Ugh, dogs. I have encountered a couple of dogs on runs. Last summer I was running and someone had their big Rott loose. I was running past him and was so hoping he was in the yard with an invisible fence but nope. He growled a bit and came towards me. I. Was. Terrified. No owners around I stopped running and just started walking very slowly. I didn't make any sudden movements and didn't approach him. He followed me for a short bit and then went on his way. I felt sick I was so scared. I thought for sure I was going to be mauled. Ever since then I'm afraid of any animal that crosses my path. Even cats lol. I cross more cats than dogs. I'm always afraid I'm going to run by them and they are going to lunge and claw at my legs.

 

[poohs4me]

The dogs.....

We have this one neigbor who has a fenced in yard and lets the three dogs (Rot, Boxer and Cocker) run around. Ok.... but the cocker can squeeze through the fence and it IS MEAN. They all bark and make terrible noice and the cocker nips at the heals. A couple of times the bigger dogs get out and holy cow do those times scare me. Rumor is they attacked a neighbor dog.

I am thinking of getting pepper spray but I am reluctant. Any other ideas

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Helloooooooooooo everybody! New here. I just signed up for the 1/2 marathon yesterday. I live in Montgomery, TX. I'm 97 pounds overweight and I JUST started running. I have also begun a new healthier eating plan that has me down 24 pounds so far. This will be my first 1/2 ever. I have done one charity 5K and will be doing another in December. This is going to be a tough few months for me, but I am committed and highly positive. If I can just FINISH the race without being picked up in the "van of shame", then I will be completely satisfied with myself and the progress I have made.

So...what have I missed?

 

[haleofafamily]

I have Fridays off work, which I like, but this one has been crazy. There was a loose pit bull that we (me and 20 month old DS in a stroller) on our 3 mile run this morning. It didn't even notice us, but wandering dogs scare me, especially when my child is with me. I was freaked out the rest of the run and tried to go home a different way, but realized it was too traffic-y, lost my cell phone in a ditch, found it eventually...

Made breakfast and dropped a big jar of peanut butter on my left toes.

Took DS to an open gym session to play on all the gymnastics equipment, slides, foam pit, etc. he had a great time, but a heavy wooden ladder fell right in top of my left foot! Bruised & swollen. I'm scheduled for a 5 mile run Sunday, I hope it's not really hurt. I've iced it and will rest it today.

I'm thinking I just need to sit quietly at home the rest of today!!

Anyone else deal with dogs on their runs? Any tips?

Oh wow! What a day!!

About dogs ~ I was running with my SIL a couple of years ago around my parents 'neighborhood'. They live in the country. We came across a couple of dogs that came running at us out in the road and we were terrified. I had just happened to watch a segment from the dog whisperer on what to do in those situations. He said that dogs respond best to someone in an alpha role so to be bigger and louder...to basically intimidate the dog more than he is intimidating you. So as these dogs were coming at us. We just kept going but I turned and yelled in my sternest voice, 'go away, leave us alone, be quiet!' And anything else I could think of. I wasn't aggressive just firm. They turned around immediately and went to their yard. I don't know if that is what you should really do, but it worked for us.

 

[VickiHD]

Dogs--NOT a fan !!!!

We run and train at a well maintained track at the University and you would not think there would be any dogs right??? It's a really nice facility so you would think it would be dog free...well last Sun. we were having our last long run before the DL 1/2 and all of a sudden out of the blue some huge dog is loose around the track while the owner is up in the stands. We had to say something to him since this thing as a big as a small pony, and he finally took the beast and left. Personally, I was ready to call campus police. But it's also really odd these dog owners always will tell you that there dog is really friendly while the dog is licking it's lips and barking at you.

 

[KTE]

But it's also really odd these dog owners always will tell you that there dog is really friendly while the dog is licking it's lips and barking at you.

I have a small dog- Mini Schnauzer who generally wouldn't hurt anyone (unless someone was threatening my daughter, then he'd probably go ballistic). However, when he growls or barks at someone, I always say "He has never bitten anyone, but he's pretty grumpy right now, so it's probably not the time to pet him" or something like that. Even though he's a pretty good dog, I would never assume that he won't bite. So I always assume that a loose dog, a dog on a long leash, or one not in the control of an owner, is a potential threat. As a dog owner I would never want my dog to be the bad dog that hurt someone, so I'm shocked when other dog owners aren't as cautious.

 

[debbieandroo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickiHD

But it's also really odd these dog owners always will tell you that there dog is really friendly while the dog is licking it's lips and barking at you.

I have a small dog- Mini Schnauzer who generally wouldn't hurt anyone (unless someone was threatening my daughter, then he'd probably go ballistic). However, when he growls or barks at someone, I always say "He has never bitten anyone, but he's pretty grumpy right now, so it's probably not the time to pet him" or something like that. Even though he's a pretty good dog, I would never assume that he won't bite. So I always assume that a loose dog, a dog on a long leash, or one not in the control of an owner, is a potential threat. As a dog owner I would never want my dog to be the bad dog that hurt someone, so I'm shocked when other dog owners aren't as cautious.

I completely agree. I love dogs and have a boxer mix that is the biggest chicken in the neighborhood. He wouldn't hurt anyone.

That being said, he IS over 60 pounds and can look intimidating. I never would assume that everyone I meet is a dog lover - in fact I always avoid runners when I am out with my dog. Shame on other owners that aren't more careful with their dogs.



Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

 

[TiaraChaser]

Helloooooooooooo everybody! New here. I just signed up for the 1/2 marathon yesterday. I live in Montgomery, TX. I'm 97 pounds overweight and I JUST started running. I have also begun a new healthier eating plan that has me down 24 pounds so far. This will be my first 1/2 ever. I have done one charity 5K and will be doing another in December. This is going to be a tough few months for me, but I am committed and highly positive. If I can just FINISH the race without being picked up in the "van of shame", then I will be completely satisfied with myself and the progress I have made.

So...what have I missed?

Welcome EnchantedPlayroom! I too live in Texas (Frisco) and have just started running/training for the PHM. Congratulations on your 24 pounds lost! That is great! What eating plan are you using? I had started using the My Fitness Pal Plan last week and lost about 5 pounds. However, the last few days have been rough and I have slipped! It has been a really rough week at work.

Hang in there with your training and you won't need to worry about a thing with that van of shame!!

 

[EnchantedPlayroom]

Welcome EnchantedPlayroom! I too live in Texas (Frisco) and have just started running/training for the PHM. Congratulations on your 24 pounds lost! That is great! What eating plan are you using? I had started using the My Fitness Pal Plan last week and lost about 5 pounds. However, the last few days have been rough and I have slipped! It has been a really rough week at work.

Hang in there with your training and you won't need to worry about a thing with that van of shame!!

I know A LOT of people who are using My Fitness Pal who love it. Unfortunately, I didn't know about it before I started using the LiveStong app. Maybe I'll eventually check it out and make the switch. Once before, I had been on Jenny Craig so I am using what I remember from there and the Lance Armstrong thing and putting them together. And now I am just starting to move. I began with the Couch to 5K app, but I am going to switch in a few days to the running program they recommend on the runDisney web site.

It's okay to have a slip up every now and again. Just don't let a slip turn into a fall. Those tough work weeks can be killers. Divorce is what I attribute to my weight gain. Blaaaa. I wont be doing that again.
(I have a sick sense of humor.)

 

[VickiHD]

My ADR are all taken care of --I'm so glad we got everything we wanted.
Only 180 to go.

 

[Cripey]

My ADR are all taken care of --I'm so glad we got everything we wanted.
Only 180 to go.

Yaaay! I'll be up tomorrow trying for mine.

I have 7 miles on the schedule today...prepping with my bagel & pb right now!

 

[VickiHD]

Yaaay! I'll be up tomorrow trying for mine.

I have 7 miles on the schedule today...prepping with my bagel & pb right now!

Good luck tomorrow getting yours !!!

Have a good run today !!! I'm doing 6 or 7 tomorrow and that's it until race day at DL.

 

[Cripey]

Good luck tomorrow getting yours !!!

Have a good run today !!! I'm doing 6 or 7 tomorrow and that's it until race day at DL.

Ugh, that was haaaaard. It's sooooo flipping hot and humid out there and my body is revolting against me...everything from the waist down on the right side just hurts! I have a chocolate protein shake in hand and an ice pack on my foot....thank God that's over with for another week!

Good luck at DL! I told my BF that I'm having withdrawals because we've been out there the last 3 years, but we're missing it this year

 

[poohs4me]

Ugh, that was haaaaard. It's sooooo flipping hot and humid out there and my body is revolting against me...everything from the waist down on the right side just hurts! I have a chocolate protein shake in hand and an ice pack on my foot....thank God that's over with for another week!

Wow! Your run sounded like mind, but instead of chocolate, I have Vanilla and instead of ice on the foot mine is on my knee. To get through my last 1.5 miles, I kept telling myself only x more and you are done for another week.

By the way, I totally jinxed myself. I normally see only a handful of dogs on my run, but today they were everywhere. I guess all the owners decided it was a good day to walk them. Luckily these were all very well behaved dogs. Most of them ignored me and at most I got a couple of sniffs in the air.

 

[VickiHD]

Ugh, that was haaaaard. It's sooooo flipping hot and humid out there and my body is revolting against me...everything from the waist down on the right side just hurts! I have a chocolate protein shake in hand and an ice pack on my foot....thank God that's over with for another week!

Good luck at DL! I told my BF that I'm having withdrawals because we've been out there the last 3 years, but we're missing it this year

Enjoy your protein shake and fall is right around the corner.

Well, there is always next year for DL 1/2. I can't wait to stop by the RunDisney booth at the expo and see if I can find out ANYTHING about the 5 anniversary medal for Princess. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Mrs D]

I can't wait to stop by the RunDisney booth at the expo and see if I can find out ANYTHING about the 5 anniversary medal for Princess. I'll keep you posted.

Please do! I'm hoping to see PHM merch soon!

 

[Gryhndmom]

Welcome EnchantedPlayroom! I too live in Texas (Frisco) and have just started running/training for the PHM. Congratulations on your 24 pounds lost! That is great! What eating plan are you using? I had started using the My Fitness Pal Plan last week and lost about 5 pounds. However, the last few days have been rough and I have slipped! It has been a really rough week at work.

Hang in there with your training and you won't need to worry about a thing with that van of shame!!

Welcome from a San Antonio gal! Just got done with 6.5 mi at a 14:06 pace (not bad for a 45 yr old princess & with the added humidity the goal was just go get through it!) From what everyone else has said...once humidity gets better (which in Texas means Oct/Nov) we should feel better and be able to go longer. My running coach has me concentrating on distance/endurance and then we will work on time. If you can't do the distance, the time won't matter.

Also a request...many of us are new to this thread and I'm not ashamed to admit don't get some of the abbreviations. I negotiate Department of Defense contacts so I'm not immune to abbreviations...just not some used on the thread. So PLEASE spell some out for those of us who are new.

 

[happybaker]

I think it's great that so many of us New England Princesses are doing the same races.

Yeah, I hope some of us get a chance to meet at some of these races. It would be nice to see friendly faces at these local races and at the Princess Half.

I have Fridays off work, which I like, but this one has been crazy. There was a loose pit bull that we (me and 20 month old DS in a stroller) on our 3 mile run this morning. It didn't even notice us, but wandering dogs scare me, especially when my child is with me. I was freaked out the rest of the run and tried to go home a different way, but realized it was too traffic-y, lost my cell phone in a ditch, found it eventually...

Made breakfast and dropped a big jar of peanut butter on my left toes.

Took DS to an open gym session to play on all the gymnastics equipment, slides, foam pit, etc. he had a great time, but a heavy wooden ladder fell right in top of my left foot! Bruised & swollen. I'm scheduled for a 5 mile run Sunday, I hope it's not really hurt. I've iced it and will rest it today.

I'm thinking I just need to sit quietly at home the rest of today!!

Anyone else deal with dogs on their runs? Any tips?

Yikes! I hope your foot is feeling better today. I have a friend who's a veterinary technician and she carrys pepper spray to handle unleashed dogs, so that's probably your best bet.

Now, if only I could get motivated to go for a run I had a 10 mile run on Monday and was just so tired afterwards that I never wanted to do another long run again

I felt exactly the same after my first 10-miler last Sat. It's slowly starting to fade, but I'm awfully glad this week is a cut-back to 4 or 5 miles!

I did my first 10-mile run yesterday. Good Lord, that was one of my worst training runs to date. Two weeks ago I did 9 miles and felt like I could finish a Half, but yesterday was another story. I almost turned around two miles in, but decided to just keep going. I managed to do my intervals through mile 5, but after that I mostly walked the rest of the way back to my car. My legs felt like lead, I was out of breath when I ran, and I was hot and irritable. I finished, but I couldn't have gone much farther. I managed to average a 15:16 minute/mile pace, so at least I know at my worst (I hope it doesn't ever get worse than yesterday) I can finish within the time constraints.

I'm going to repeat 10 miles next week just to conquer that distance.

My ADR are all taken care of --I'm so glad we got everything we wanted.
Only 180 to go.

I'm glad you got all the ADRs you wanted. I'm up tomorrow at 6AM to get a couple of must have restaurants.


I hope everyone has a good weekend and great training runs!

Holly