The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[Mamasmurf227]

Hi Princesses-- I have a non- PHM related question that I'm hoping someone could help me with since I know a lot of you do intervals. I am *thinking* about signing up for my first marathon in May.

The website says that there is a 4:45 run/walk pace group. I've never done interval training--is there any way to know what intervals they will be doing?

 

[KristinU]

This seems to be a hot button issue for some of my friends. My view for running is that I would rather go at my pace and not slow anyone down (or slow down for anyone) most of the time. I don't want to feel guilty for making someone else miss out on a personal best because they felt the need to "babysit" me and I would feel resentment if I missed mine for the same reason. There is a time for team and things like Tough Mudder (OMG it's this weekend!!!!!) you need your team and they are TEAM events. But I feel like running is a personal sport and unless you've done so many that you don't care about time or you are just aiming to finish and don't care about time, I feel every person should run the way they want and meet up at the finish line. DH and run a lot of races together and he's just plain faster than me. I'm not going to force him to slow down so I can keep up. I am proud of him every time he beats a goal and I wouldn't want to take that from him.

The only exception is my kids. My oldest son (7) is getting into running, and I am happy to slow my pace to encourage him to come along. That's a greater good than any ol' personal record.

I'm exactly on the same page, and honestly with my running friends it has never come up. I've only run a couple of races alone-alone, but the other ones where I've traveled somewhere with friends we just have never thought of sticking together. Oh wait, one time a friend and I stuck together for the first 9 miles, then split off. Some of us also do yoga together and we'll often say "own practice" when we're out running and need to split up...meaning you have to do what is right at any given time for your body, and just follow what is part or not part of your own personal practice.

 

[Cripey]

Cripey - I know how you feel. When I run with DH I ALWAYS feel like I am holding him back. On the other hand, I feel like he really throws me off - he doesn't do intervals and he goes out too fast for me. We're doing a 10K together on Tgvg which is going to be my Princess proof, so I am going to send him on his happy way so I can concentrate on doing my thing and getting the best time I can.

When we have a run planned together, we'll try to get in at least 1, maybe more, runs per week together for 2-3 weeks before race day, just to kind of get in the groove of things. He's not an interval runner either, so he has to adjust to that for me. What works for us is, at least until we're both in a good groove, he'll run a step or two to the side and behind me (so i can't really see him) rather than right next to me and let me set the pace...since I'm so much slower, he may think he's going slow enough for me, but really isn't and then I, without realizing it, pick up my pace to keep up and peter out quickly...and I've also gotten better about realizing that sooner and letting him know we need to slow down. Sometimes, mid run if I'm feeling good, I'll let him stay right beside me and not say anything to him if it's a tad too fast for me...my trainer says it's good to run a few miles with a faster runner every now and then to push yourself a little beyond your comfort zone for a bit. So far it's worked out really well for us and I've enjoyed the runs we've done together...well except for the ToT, but that wasn't because I was running with him!

 

[MoonFaerie]

My blisters are all gone, but this darn heat rash is still lingering. Believe it or not, this is much better than it did look.

 

[Cripey]

My blisters are all gone, but this darn heat rash is still lingering. Believe it or not, this is much better than it did look.

That's what happened to my face after the ToT!!! It cleared up altogether in about 3 days though. My blisters, on the other hand, took much longer to heal.

 

[kindakrazy2]

I submitted my time via email on August 23, and finally got a confirmation back on September 25 -- so give them a few weeks. And last week when I re-submitted a second, faster time from the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 10k, I got an auto-reply saying that due to the number of emails in relation to the Tower of Terror run, it may take a while to receive a response.

Erin

Thanks Erin, I'll stop worrying for now then! I see you're local to me - how was the Turkey Trot?

 

[jodipaige2004]

Here's a question for those thinking about running with others vs meeting them at the finish - can people run through the last part of the course if they have already finished? This would be an ideal solution if you run with someone who is not at your pace. You could finish your race and head to the Epcot entrance to cheer and then join your friend for the last couple of minutes to cross the finish line? This is probably not allowed, but it would be so nice to finish with my friend. We are just so far off pace from each other. Like someone else said, I have worked hard for my corral placement and, while I want to enjoy the experience, I also want to do my best. I don't want to stop and walk intervals when intervals are not part of my training. Running 13.1 is hard enough at your own comfortable pace without trying to slow down or speed up (in my opinion, both are difficult to do and taxing on your body if you have not trained for it). But I still wish we could have that finish line moment!

Jodi
www.2princessesontherun.wordpress.com

 

[Cripey]

Here's a question for those thinking about running with others vs meeting them at the finish - can people run through the last part of the course if they have already finished? This would be an ideal solution if you run with someone who is not at your pace. You could finish your race and head to the Epcot entrance to cheer and then join your friend for the last couple of minutes to cross the finish line? This is probably not allowed, but it would be so nice to finish with my friend. We are just so far off pace from each other. Like someone else said, I have worked hard for my corral placement and, while I want to enjoy the experience, I also want to do my best. I don't want to stop and walk intervals when intervals are not part of my training. Running 13.1 is hard enough at your own comfortable pace without trying to slow down or speed up (in my opinion, both are difficult to do and taxing on your body if you have not trained for it). But I still wish we could have that finish line moment!

Jodi
www.2princessesontherun.wordpress.com

if you could find a spot to somehow jump back in the race undetected by race officials or volunteers, I'd be worried about what crossing the timing mats again might do to your official time. I don't really know how it works for sure, but if you plan to run this for time and possibly use it for placement at another race, I wouldn't chance it. Also, runners will enter and exit Epcot through backstage areas, not general guest areas so I'm sure those will be manned with CM's cheering and making sure it's runners only who are entering...so you wouldn't be able to take off your bib (which is where your timing chip is attached, on the back)....and once runners exit Epcot to run down the last stretch to the finish line, it's lined with TONS of spectators, fencing and bleachers so you wouldn't really be able to jump in on that part. I seem to remember the part where you run through the "onstage" part of Epcot, the route was lined with cheering volunteers and rope. That would be an easy spot to jump in if you weren't near any CM's or race officials, but I'd still be really concerned about it messing up your own official time. Why not sign up for the 5k and run or walk that one with your friend...stop and take pictures and just have a great time and finish together, but then take the half more seriously for yourselves and celebrate in the reunion area.

 

[PrincessV]

Princess V, loved reading your blog on the ToT...I think you did great considering the physical limitations and WEATHER!

Thank you so much! It's hard to fit the blog into a busy life sometimes, so it means a lot to hear that someone's enjoying it.

It's funny - by the time of the race, I was so used to being hot and miserable, it honestly didn't feel any different to me. It's since cooled off some - we were even down to 52% humidity the other day! - nad MAN, can I feel the difference now! I'm like a renewed person. So, yeah, the weather was a much bigger factor than I thought.

BTW...you have some fantastic arms..what's the secret for the rest of us gals

LOL, I hate my arms! They never seem long or lean enough to me. But thank you - I feel much better about them now! I do very little for them because I tend to get bulky easily: yoga, ballet or pilates 2 times a week and work with a resistance band 1-2 times a week. I'm sure the resistance bands helps, but I think the yoga has the most effect on my upper body.

They're like puppies, right? You don't "just go look"!

Exactly!

Anyway, I'm just transitioning now from Lunarglides to Newton Gravitys. I've been running in Lunarglide2 and Lunarglide3 over the last couple of years, with a stint with Mizuno Wave Inspires in between. I went back from Mizunos to the Lunarglide because I liked them so much and missed them.

BUT, I always maintain that something that works for one person doesn't necessarily work for others...but if you got fit for them then you have a good chance of loving them!

Good to hear, since we seem to like the same shoe lines - thanks! The shoe fitters HATE me; I'm a challenge. I suspect they draw straws to see who gets stuck with me each time.

Do any of you run it alone.. but not alone? Like you go to the corrals together but meet at the end?

Good to see you over here! For the TOT, I did exactly that: hung out with my friend pre-race, then went to our separate corrals, ran our own races, and met up at the end. Honestly, I could have used some company when I had to slow way down and got bored, but I wouldn't change a thing - she was able to run her own race and, had I been healthy, I'd have run mine and I think we'd both have come out happy.

For the Princess, I am planning to try running with another friend the whole time because we both really want to enjoy the experience together... but I don't want either of us to feel hurried/slowed/uncomfortable to make it happen.

I do plan on doing a workout while I am back at Disney next week. I figure that will get me motivated again to start running!

Yes! A Disney workout is totally motivating! Hope your knee issues clear soon.

Hmmm.... thanks to the original poster - inspired today's blog post!

http://longingforthesea.blogspot.com/2012/10/workout-wednesday-leaving-your-buddies.html

Comment on the blog (I don't want to take up too much space here) if you have a story of running with a friend gone wrong = or right!

My blisters are all gone, but this darn heat rash is still lingering. Believe it or not, this is much better than it did look.

Ugh! Does hydro-cortisone help at all?

 

[longhorns2]

Has this been discussed?

Just saw that for W&D that the waivers AND CORRAL PLACEMENT is out! Does this mean Disney isn't going to make us all guess or email or call in to find out corral from now on?

Cool!

http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/pdf/wine-dine/2012/CorralAssignmentsWnD.pdf

 

[Cripey]

Has this been discussed?

Just saw that for W&D that the waivers AND CORRAL PLACEMENT is out! Does this mean Disney isn't going to make us all guess or email or call in to find out corral from now on?

Cool!

http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/pdf/wine-dine/2012/CorralAssignmentsWnD.pdf

I want to say they started that this year with the DL half. I think it's a great idea an probably cuts down on alot of emails for them!

 

[longhorns2]

I want to say they started that this year with the DL half. I think it's a great idea an probably cuts down on alot of emails for them!

YAY! I'm excited! (doesnt take much, does it? lol)

 

[PrincessV]

Has this been discussed?

Just saw that for W&D that the waivers AND CORRAL PLACEMENT is out! Does this mean Disney isn't going to make us all guess or email or call in to find out corral from now on?

Cool!

http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/pdf/wine-dine/2012/CorralAssignmentsWnD.pdf

They did it for TOT, too, which was nice! Hope it sticks.

Did you happen to see a place for the W&D 5K (Jingle Jungle) corral assignments? The final instructions say we're actually being assigned corrals on our bibs. I've never seen THAT before for a 5K...

 

[longhorns2]

They did it for TOT, too, which was nice! Hope it sticks.

Did you happen to see a place for the W&D 5K (Jingle Jungle) corral assignments? The final instructions say we're actually being assigned corrals on our bibs. I've never seen THAT before for a 5K...

Nope, but I didn't look for it either- since they have never done that before!

 

[sumlee]

Why not sign up for the 5k and run or walk that one with your friend...stop and take pictures and just have a great time and finish together, but then take the half more seriously for yourselves and celebrate in the reunion area.

Yeah, that's a great idea!

 

[annmarieda]

I ran my first year solo since I average a little faster than my friend. It was my first half and I wanted to see how I did - even with pic stops; I wasn't completely focused on time. It was fun but kind of a letdown at the end. Last year we ran together, at her speed / intervals and were agreed that the goal was totally about fun and pictures. Had a blast. I think it all boils down to agreeing on the GOAL of the race. That being said, I think it's a very valid concern when you feel someone is not training at the level you are. My friend is a touch slower, but she trained every bit as consistently as I did and was ready for that distance. If I were going with someone who did not put in the training and THEN expected me to hang with them, that would upset me.

.

I think agreeing on a goal is where I failed. I am not as into the characters as she is. I hate having my picture taken.... She is very much into that and I believe was her reason for doing the Disney races. I also am too serious about things... So when I started to train... Survived a fall where I broke my hand... Survived an ankle injury that I ran my first 10k with.... I just pushed through because I would be damned if I let her down. The original goal was to just not get swept... But somewhere along the way I got way more serious about training... And didn't entirely communicated to her how I felt about the running. (Although I almost always checked in after a run to say my speed and miles)

Where she maybe failed was in how she did her training compared to how I did. I know she feels as though she trained enough- but I am pretty sure her miles were no where near what mine were. It seemed like for every 6 times I went out... She did one. Even now- since the ToT, my miles are about 25 where I believe she sits at 2. I could be completely wrong (and here is where maybe I just get too OCD) but 2 to 10 miles a month (in my mind) will make it hard for anyone to be able to finish a long race even walking the entire thing

 

[Orcagirl]

Thanks Erin, I'll stop worrying for now then! I see you're local to me - how was the Turkey Trot?

The Turkey Trot was fabulous - perfect weather, crisp and clear, and the leaves were all changing colours along Granville Island. Only annoyance was the number of people who ignored the request for strollers to start at the back of the race and were ducking and weaving through the crowd. (That's one of my big pet peeves at races.)

Are you in Vancouver as well? Are you doing the James Cunningham Seawall costume race at the end of the month? I'm hoping to test out my costume for the Princess Half there.

Erin

 

[KristinU]

Here's a question for those thinking about running with others vs meeting them at the finish - can people run through the last part of the course if they have already finished? This would be an ideal solution if you run with someone who is not at your pace. You could finish your race and head to the Epcot entrance to cheer and then join your friend for the last couple of minutes to cross the finish line? This is probably not allowed, but it would be so nice to finish with my friend. We are just so far off pace from each other. Like someone else said, I have worked hard for my corral placement and, while I want to enjoy the experience, I also want to do my best. I don't want to stop and walk intervals when intervals are not part of my training. Running 13.1 is hard enough at your own comfortable pace without trying to slow down or speed up (in my opinion, both are difficult to do and taxing on your body if you have not trained for it). But I still wish we could have that finish line moment!

Jodi
www.2princessesontherun.wordpress.com

if you could find a spot to somehow jump back in the race undetected by race officials or volunteers, I'd be worried about what crossing the timing mats again might do to your official time. I don't really know how it works for sure, but if you plan to run this for time and possibly use it for placement at another race, I wouldn't chance it. Also, runners will enter and exit Epcot through backstage areas, not general guest areas so I'm sure those will be manned with CM's cheering and making sure it's runners only who are entering...so you wouldn't be able to take off your bib (which is where your timing chip is attached, on the back)....and once runners exit Epcot to run down the last stretch to the finish line, it's lined with TONS of spectators, fencing and bleachers so you wouldn't really be able to jump in on that part. I seem to remember the part where you run through the "onstage" part of Epcot, the route was lined with cheering volunteers and rope. That would be an easy spot to jump in if you weren't near any CM's or race officials, but I'd still be really concerned about it messing up your own official time. Why not sign up for the 5k and run or walk that one with your friend...stop and take pictures and just have a great time and finish together, but then take the half more seriously for yourselves and celebrate in the reunion area.

I love the idea of the 5K for fun and the half to do their own practices Seems like the best of everything!

The thing in addition to the logistic issues of swinging back to finish with her is that running is such a mental game. A few of us used to run at lunchtime together and one woman is just wicked fast. She'd pull ahead and then circle back then do it again and again. I can't tell you what a discouraging thing that is. I'm sure she had no clue, but the remaining two or three of us all felt like it was an "in your face" sort of feeling. Kind of like "look at me, I ran all the way up there and came back for you slowpokes" I know for certain that she had no clue it was coming off like that, but that's how it felt. Maybe that experience fairly early on gave me and my running friends the insight to be able to split up and not get all jazzed up about it. We'd much rather be able to say "look at her/him pull away...he/she is having a great day!" and then see them back for some stretching.

 

[MoonFaerie]

I'm pretty worried about running with my friend. I'm training more than her, but I need to be. I don't see how there's anyway I'll ever be able to keep up with her.

 

[Cripey]

I love the idea of the 5K for fun and the half to do their own practices Seems like the best of everything!

The thing in addition to the logistic issues of swinging back to finish with her is that running is such a mental game. A few of us used to run at lunchtime together and one woman is just wicked fast. She'd pull ahead and then circle back then do it again and again. I can't tell you what a discouraging thing that is. I'm sure she had no clue, but the remaining two or three of us all felt like it was an "in your face" sort of feeling. Kind of like "look at me, I ran all the way up there and came back for you slowpokes" I know for certain that she had no clue it was coming off like that, but that's how it felt. Maybe that experience fairly early on gave me and my running friends the insight to be able to split up and not get all jazzed up about it. We'd much rather be able to say "look at her/him pull away...he/she is having a great day!" and then see them back for some stretching.

I also thought...if someone did find a way back onto the course...what would they do with their medal? I feel like it might be a bit of the same feeling you described for others about to cross the finish line for the first time ever to see someone with the medal already on but out there running again...I don't know...I think it would just be weird and somehow in bad taste, but I can't put my finger on it.