The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[creativeamanda]

It will be a few days until I can get out there and walk again. My father passed away this morning, this hurricane is making it hard to plan his service. I really need to walk just to clear my head.

Oh, my. I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers for peace go with you.

 

[MRS AR]

I have a question I haven't seen answered before for those that have run before. I've read that many bring sweats and jackets to be discarded by the road after you've started warming up running, but does anyone have problems getting chilled after the race before they can get back to their hotel room for a shower? I'm trying to decide if I want to bother checking a jacket for post race. While doing my training, i usually go from hot and sweaty to cold and sweaty in just a few minutes. I'm not indulging in the retreat so I expect the lines to be long to pick up a bag. Thanks for yow haring your experience with us newbies.

 

[MRS AR]

Although I haven't done Princess yet, I'm thinking you probably need to plan to bring what you like with you on course. Looking at last year's map, the food stop isn't until between miles 8 and 9. Most runners will need some calories before then. Try different things until you find what you like. At water stops they will have both water and powerade. The food stop will likely have some sort of clif product, though I don't know what. Again, with it being so late in the race most people will need something before then.

Can you usually pick these up at the expo? We're flying in and I hadn't planned on checking luggage and gel restrictions on carry on luggage is tight.

 

[MRS AR]

It will be a few days until I can get out there and walk again. My father passed away this morning, this hurricane is making it hard to plan his service. I really need to walk just to clear my head.

So sorry for your loss. Hopefully things won't be as bad as predicted.

 

[Swmr359]

I have a question I haven't seen answered before for those that have run before. I've read that many bring sweats and jackets to be discarded by the road after you've started warming up running, but does anyone have problems getting chilled after the race before they can get back to their hotel room for a shower? I'm trying to decide if I want to bother checking a jacket for post race. While doing my training, i usually go from hot and sweaty to cold and sweaty in just a few minutes. I'm not indulging in the retreat so I expect the lines to be long to pick up a bag. Thanks for yow haring your experience with us newbies.

I usually check a bag with flip flops, pants, and a sweater. The first year I ran was cold and they couldn't find my bag, so the next year I put a bow on it. The lines for bag pick up were pretty quick when I ran.

 

[AnotherPrincess]

Can you usually pick these up at the expo? We're flying in and I hadn't planned on checking luggage and gel restrictions on carry on luggage is tight.

Yes, there has been a decent selection at the expo. Again, no guarantee that you'll find exactly what you train with and what you like. As I understand it, they will allow gels in carry ons. Maybe others can chime in on how they need to be packed. I'm not sure if they have to go into the quart sized bag or not.

 

[princessallegra]

It will be a few days until I can get out there and walk again. My father passed away this morning, this hurricane is making it hard to plan his service. I really need to walk just to clear my head.

I'm so sorry to hear this :-( My deepest sympathies to you.

 

[princessallegra]

Let me echo the stay safe northeastern princesses ! Lots of prayers for all as you stay strong! We are here to help if needed.

Thank you so much. We have been without power for 6 hours now. Lots and lots of power outages, but the crazy winds have died down a bit finally where we are. Sooo many parts of long island are badly flooded, and Manhattan (NYC island) from 25th st and below has no power and is flooded! Insane! The FDR Drive is under water! Many people in evacuation zones in brooklyn, queens, nassau and suffolk didn't leave. And now they are on their second floors waiting for the tides to recede. Stubborn NYers! Well stubborn locals, you can see it in almost any tight knit coastal community on the Northeast. The Rockaways are getting pounded. Scary stuff! A man was killed by a falling tree right here in my town because he chose to be outside walking!!! So tragic :-( Please heed these emergency warnings people! Your safety is so important!

 

[sissy_ib]

Thank you so much. We have been without power for 6 hours now. Lots and lots of power outages, but the crazy winds have died down a bit finally where we are. Sooo many parts of long island are badly flooded, and Manhattan (NYC island) from 25th st and below has no power and is flooded! Insane! The FDR Drive is under water! Many people in evacuation zones in brooklyn, queens, nassau and suffolk didn't leave. And now they are on their second floors waiting for the tides to recede. Stubborn NYers! Well stubborn locals, you can see it in almost any tight knit coastal community on the Northeast. The Rockaways are getting pounded. Scary stuff! A man was killed by a falling tree right here in my town because he chose to be outside walking!!! So tragic :-( Please heed these emergency warnings people! Your safety is so important!

It is so awful! We have been seeing so many photos and videos tonight. Glad you are safe! I hope there are no more casualties but we will have to wait and see.

 

[Princess on the Run]

Stay safe East Coast Princesses!!!

 

[sissy_ib]

I have a question about race nutrition for someone more experienced than me. I have never been out for more than 6 miles. And even that I walked half. I am heading to Academy Sports tomorrow to look for the gels and other things for my long runs as well as a new hydration belt. For food on the run is there anything you recommend? I have always pictured those things as, well, icky...I don't like things like Jell-o or gummies and that is what I am picturing. Am I way off? Would something solid like a Cliff bar be to heavy in my stomach? I am planning on getting a few things and trying them at home to see if I can even stand it.

 

[VickiHD]

It will be a few days until I can get out there and walk again. My father passed away this morning, this hurricane is making it hard to plan his service. I really need to walk just to clear my head.

I am so sorry for you loss. My prayers go out to you and your family.

 

[sumlee]

It will be a few days until I can get out there and walk again. My father passed away this morning, this hurricane is making it hard to plan his service. I really need to walk just to clear my head.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[SuperHappyFunTimes]

It will be a few days until I can get out there and walk again. My father passed away this morning, this hurricane is making it hard to plan his service. I really need to walk just to clear my head.

I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[hvivona]

I have a question about race nutrition for someone more experienced than me. I have never been out for more than 6 miles. And even that I walked half. I am heading to Academy Sports tomorrow to look for the gels and other things for my long runs as well as a new hydration belt. For food on the run is there anything you recommend? I have always pictured those things as, well, icky...I don't like things like Jell-o or gummies and that is what I am picturing. Am I way off? Would something solid like a Cliff bar be to heavy in my stomach? I am planning on getting a few things and trying them at home to see if I can even stand it.

I HATED energy gels when I first started training long distances. But I had to learn to deal with it. The reason the gels work so well is because they are easy to digest so your body can use them right away for energy. Bars take longer to break down and you body has to work harder and you actually end up expending that much needed energy to digest the bar. I've tried every gel there is and have found the one that I actually think tastes good is the GU mandrine orange. Good luck with your training!

 

[MoonFaerie]

Although I haven't done Princess yet, I'm thinking you probably need to plan to bring what you like with you on course. Looking at last year's map, the food stop isn't until between miles 8 and 9. Most runners will need some calories before then. Try different things until you find what you like. At water stops they will have both water and powerade. The food stop will likely have some sort of clif product, though I don't know what. Again, with it being so late in the race most people will need something before then.

I'm not as worried about bringing my own gels. It's more the powerade situation that concerns me. It looks like in the past, it's been lemon lime powerade, so I'm going to pick some up and start training with it. Hopefully it won't make me sick.

 

[AnotherPrincess]

I have a question about race nutrition for someone more experienced than me. I have never been out for more than 6 miles. And even that I walked half. I am heading to Academy Sports tomorrow to look for the gels and other things for my long runs as well as a new hydration belt. For food on the run is there anything you recommend? I have always pictured those things as, well, icky...I don't like things like Jell-o or gummies and that is what I am picturing. Am I way off? Would something solid like a Cliff bar be to heavy in my stomach? I am planning on getting a few things and trying them at home to see if I can even stand it.

I use Clif Bloks. Yes they are gummy. But tasty. I have to do them during walk breaks though. They are too hard to eat while running. I'm always afraid I'm going to suck one down and choke if I'm running. Lol. I'm starting to try the gels. I have several samples I'm working with. I don't love them and I had to develop a technique to get them down but they do the job. My coach always says it's not a taste contest, it's a fuel contest. So I just tell myself that when I'm doing them. Good news is there is no after taste and no icky film in your mouth afterward so once it's down, it's over.

 

[AnotherPrincess]

I'm not as worried about bringing my own gels. It's more the powerade situation that concerns me. It looks like in the past, it's been lemon lime powerade, so I'm going to pick some up and start training with it. Hopefully it won't make me sick.

Oh, I misunderstood. Yep, lemon lime powerade.

 

[amykay9377]

I have a question about race nutrition for someone more experienced than me. I have never been out for more than 6 miles. And even that I walked half. I am heading to Academy Sports tomorrow to look for the gels and other things for my long runs as well as a new hydration belt. For food on the run is there anything you recommend? I have always pictured those things as, well, icky...I don't like things like Jell-o or gummies and that is what I am picturing. Am I way off? Would something solid like a Cliff bar be to heavy in my stomach? I am planning on getting a few things and trying them at home to see if I can even stand it.

What about Jelly Beans, do you like regular beans? If so, Jelly Belly makes something called Sport Beans. Those aren't too nasty (I've tried the orange flavor). They are kind of tart (the orange ones) and they hit that spot on your tongue that makes you go, oooo, tart!

I use Clif Bloks. Yes they are gummy. But tasty. I have to do them during walk breaks though. They are too hard to eat while running. I'm always afraid I'm going to suck one down and choke if I'm running. Lol. I'm starting to try the gels. I have several samples I'm working with. I don't love them and I had to develop a technique to get them down but they do the job. My coach always says it's not a taste contest, it's a fuel contest. So I just tell myself that when I'm doing them. Good news is there is no after taste and no icky film in your mouth afterward so once it's down, it's over.

I second the Bloks. They are gummy, but not like a gummi bear. They are...firmer...?? Hard to describe. I don't get that 'gummi bear' or 'gummi fish' feeling when I eat them. They are very easy to eat and slide down pretty easily, so you don't need to chug a bunch of water, like you do with Gu or something. I got the Clif as a freebie at a local race, so I don't know how much they cost, but I'd think about 2 bucks maybe? You get six squares in a package and you are supposed to eat 3 at a time (well, 3 is a 'serving')
That's a good idea to look at them as the fuel they are, rather than yummy tasty candy. I certainly wouldn't eat any of these as a snack, but as fuel, they taste fine.

 

[sissy_ib]

I use Clif Bloks. Yes they are gummy. But tasty. I have to do them during walk breaks though. They are too hard to eat while running. I'm always afraid I'm going to suck one down and choke if I'm running. Lol. I'm starting to try the gels. I have several samples I'm working with. I don't love them and I had to develop a technique to get them down but they do the job. My coach always says it's not a taste contest, it's a fuel contest. So I just tell myself that when I'm doing them. Good news is there is no after taste and no icky film in your mouth afterward so once it's down, it's over.

I'm not so much worried about the taste as the texture. No after taste is good though.

What about Jelly Beans, do you like regular beans? If so, Jelly Belly makes something called Sport Beans. Those aren't too nasty (I've tried the orange flavor). They are kind of tart (the orange ones) and they hit that spot on your tongue that makes you go, oooo, tart!


I second the Bloks. They are gummy, but not like a gummi bear. They are...firmer...?? Hard to describe. I don't get that 'gummi bear' or 'gummi fish' feeling when I eat them. They are very easy to eat and slide down pretty easily, so you don't need to chug a bunch of water, like you do with Gu or something. I got the Clif as a freebie at a local race, so I don't know how much they cost, but I'd think about 2 bucks maybe? You get six squares in a package and you are supposed to eat 3 at a time (well, 3 is a 'serving')
That's a good idea to look at them as the fuel they are, rather than yummy tasty candy. I certainly wouldn't eat any of these as a snack, but as fuel, they taste fine.

I do like jelly beans and things like fruit chews. I will look in to both the Jelly Belly things and the Bloks. I'm just afraid I wont be able to get down gel.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was talking to my DH last night and he says something about how he never put much in to those things. I'm just thinking, yeah, 3-4 miles is also the furthest you have ever run. And how hungry were you at the end of that?