First time running Disney Princess Half

[JillC LI]

Hi! Going well! I'm on week 3 I think - just the end of it. I watched Extreme Weight Loss this week and sobbed when I saw the girl run her first marathon! I was like if she can do it - I can do it! So inspiring! Thank you! Its going really well!!! I just have to keep reminding myself that it is slow and steady.

I would say that nearly half of training for a marathon is mental. You have to believe you can do it with every fiber of your being. There is a great book that has made the rounds on this web site - The Nonrunner's Guide to the Marathon, or something like that. It's by David Whitsett. I highly recommend it. For the Half too. Great mental strategies. You CAN do it!

 

[disneygirl76]

Thanks! I am going to look that up!

 

[mets7]

Hi all,

I am a brand new runner - just starting to learn how to run now. I mean, with out passing out or having a stroke.

I am excited to be signing up for Disney Princess Half Marathon and have started planning the trip there in February.

I have some logistical questions since I am a first timer. It says Thursday is the start of the marathon weekend with the weekend finishing up on Sunday, Race Day.

For those who have raced before - do you go to the parks before you run the race - I mean, if you get there Friday do you go Saturday or do you save your energy and body for the race. I am guessing you wait?

Do you typically get there Thursday before hand? Or is arriving Friday okay?

The Pasta Party on Friday - do you need park admission to get in or do you just pay the fee to attend the dinner?

And finally, when does Disney release the info for the 2014 race, beyond just the race dates?

Thanks!!

I am in the same boat. My wife and I are just starting the couch to 5k and are looking at the princess marathon as our first real race. We are also planning on doing a color run here in STL this fall, so that will be our first real test. We are going to book the trip so if training falls through then I will just have a short trip to enjoy disney. Good luck and see you in February!!!!

 

[JillC LI]

I am in the same boat. My wife and I are just starting the couch to 5k and are looking at the princess marathon as our first real race. We are also planning on doing a color run here in STL this fall, so that will be our first real test. We are going to book the trip so if training falls through then I will just have a short trip to enjoy disney. Good luck and see you in February!!!!

Good luck and welcome to the running subforum! My hubby and DS would love your screen name. I'm from NY, and they're huge Mets fans. I consider myself one by marriage. LOL

 

[disneygirl76]

I am in the same boat. My wife and I are just starting the couch to 5k and are looking at the princess marathon as our first real race. We are also planning on doing a color run here in STL this fall, so that will be our first real test. We are going to book the trip so if training falls through then I will just have a short trip to enjoy disney. Good luck and see you in February!!!!

Thats great! See you there! Hope the training is going well!

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Congrats! I'm in the same boat as you - I've never run before, but I registered for the Princess Half because I've always wanted to get into it. I've lost 90lbs in a few years, and 50 since February, and I need another goal - voila, instant goal

Of course, then I just got stupid and registered for a half marathon in October. It's in Jamestown, NY, not far from where I am here in Buffalo. It's I Love Lucy-themed (Lucille Ball grew up in Jamestown), and I'll get a Lucy medal. Is it sad that I'm excited for the medal?

I'm still working on accessories, etc. Just ordered a Road ID (thanks to suggestions in other threads), and I need something to help me carry water for sure. Right now I use RunKeeper and am at just under a 14-minute mile pace, but I'm still just getting started. I'd like to be around that for the Lucy Marathon, so I'm working on endurance now (I walk the first 1/4 mile and run the rest). I know they sweep at 16 minutes (right?) for Disney, so I figure I'm in good shape if I can do a half at 14 minutes in October.

Any suggestions for training in between half marathons? There's 4 months between October and February, and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to start the same training plan again, or if there's some type of maintenance in between. I live in a cold climate, so outdoor running after October will be tough...I'm considering signing up for the Wine & Dine 5K in November to keep me in shape and focused.

I'm so glad to have these forums - great inspiration!!

 

[dreamfinder]

Congrats! I'm in the same boat as you - I've never run before, but I registered for the Princess Half because I've always wanted to get into it. I've lost 90lbs in a few years, and 50 since February, and I need another goal - voila, instant goal

Of course, then I just got stupid and registered for a half marathon in October. It's in Jamestown, NY, not far from where I am here in Buffalo. It's I Love Lucy-themed (Lucille Ball grew up in Jamestown), and I'll get a Lucy medal. Is it sad that I'm excited for the medal?

I'm still working on accessories, etc. Just ordered a Road ID (thanks to suggestions in other threads), and I need something to help me carry water for sure. Right now I use RunKeeper and am at just under a 14-minute mile pace, but I'm still just getting started. I'd like to be around that for the Lucy Marathon, so I'm working on endurance now (I walk the first 1/4 mile and run the rest). I know they sweep at 16 minutes (right?) for Disney, so I figure I'm in good shape if I can do a half at 14 minutes in October.

Any suggestions for training in between half marathons? There's 4 months between October and February, and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to start the same training plan again, or if there's some type of maintenance in between. I live in a cold climate, so outdoor running after October will be tough...I'm considering signing up for the Wine & Dine 5K in November to keep me in shape and focused.

I'm so glad to have these forums - great inspiration!!

Good job with the weight, and with picking goals! There is nothing wrong at all with being excited about the medal. It's all about the bling! After a handful of races you will probably find yourself gravitating towards ones that have sweet bling, or awesome post race parties. You kinda learn how to spot the good races.

As far as between races, it really depends on your training program. If its a 16 week program, then you can start right back at the beginning. If its a 12 week, then use the down time to keep up your base. Usually somewhere in the half of your target distance? IE I usually do training runs of 13.1 miles when I'm not doing a marathon program. The key thing is to keep running. See how much endurance/energy you pick up during the training, and pick your next set of training runs from that. That's also a good time to throw in some non training run runs. Do some hill work, or go run the nature trails around a local park. Something that is still running, but a change up from the routine to help keep it exciting, and work your muscles differently.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Good job with the weight, and with picking goals! There is nothing wrong at all with being excited about the medal. It's all about the bling! After a handful of races you will probably find yourself gravitating towards ones that have sweet bling, or awesome post race parties. You kinda learn how to spot the good races.

As far as between races, it really depends on your training program. If its a 16 week program, then you can start right back at the beginning. If its a 12 week, then use the down time to keep up your base. Usually somewhere in the half of your target distance? IE I usually do training runs of 13.1 miles when I'm not doing a marathon program. The key thing is to keep running. See how much endurance/energy you pick up during the training, and pick your next set of training runs from that. That's also a good time to throw in some non training run runs. Do some hill work, or go run the nature trails around a local park. Something that is still running, but a change up from the routine to help keep it exciting, and work your muscles differently.

Thanks so much for the great tips!

 

[disneygirl76]

Needing some encouragement. I am just not getting the stamina that I was hoping for. I was crying running on the treadmill today. Okay, and praying too. That finally this would get easier. I am going faster then when I first started. I run between 4 and 4 1/2 mph when I start at 3 1/2. I know the time will come but its the running for a long time that is getting hard. And I am not loosing any weight as I was hoping. If I could get some weight off, it would really help with the stamina. UGH. Is this a normal part of training or am I just not cut out for long distance running? I am feeling totally overwhelmed. It would be really helpful if my DH was running too but he has not become motivated in all this as I hope he would have become. Any tips and helpful hints would be greatly appreciated!

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Needing some encouragement. I am just not getting the stamina that I was hoping for. I was crying running on the treadmill today. Okay, and praying too. That finally this would get easier. I am going faster then when I first started. I run between 4 and 4 1/2 mph when I start at 3 1/2. I know the time will come but its the running for a long time that is getting hard. And I am not loosing any weight as I was hoping. If I could get some weight off, it would really help with the stamina. UGH. Is this a normal part of training or am I just not cut out for long distance running? I am feeling totally overwhelmed. It would be really helpful if my DH was running too but he has not become motivated in all this as I hope he would have become. Any tips and helpful hints would be greatly appreciated!

How long have you been training? I'm really "earning" my 3 miles right now...it's not easy, and I walk the first .25 to .33 of each mile (but I'm still averaging 14 minutes per mile so I'm okay, although I'd like to pick up the pace). I'm far from one of the experts around here (heck, I've only been training for a few weeks), but I think that you should keep following the plan and hang in there. It'll be worth it in the end

As for the weight loss part, are you counting calories at all? There's a few things that come to mind...1) You may be overestimating how many calories you're burning during each run (my 40-minute run today, with walking, burned approximately 178 calories. Sure as heck seemed like it should have been more!). Or 2) You might not be eating enough. Strange as it sounds, this could very well be the case! I'm on Weight Watchers, and have been since February 14 (I yo-yo'd and dropped about 40 pounds on my own over 5 or 6 years). The weeks where I didn't eat any of my activity points or "bonus" points, I actually lost less than when I ate more. If you're body is craving more fuel from your runs, it may be "holding on" to what you're eating because it's actually not getting enough.

I hope that makes sense!

Hang in there - it'll be worth it!!

 

[disneygirl76]

How long have you been training? I'm really "earning" my 3 miles right now...it's not easy, and I walk the first .25 to .33 of each mile (but I'm still averaging 14 minutes per mile so I'm okay, although I'd like to pick up the pace). I'm far from one of the experts around here (heck, I've only been training for a few weeks), but I think that you should keep following the plan and hang in there. It'll be worth it in the end

As for the weight loss part, are you counting calories at all? There's a few things that come to mind...1) You may be overestimating how many calories you're burning during each run (my 40-minute run today, with walking, burned approximately 178 calories. Sure as heck seemed like it should have been more!). Or 2) You might not be eating enough. Strange as it sounds, this could very well be the case! I'm on Weight Watchers, and have been since February 14 (I yo-yo'd and dropped about 40 pounds on my own over 5 or 6 years). The weeks where I didn't eat any of my activity points or "bonus" points, I actually lost less than when I ate more. If you're body is craving more fuel from your runs, it may be "holding on" to what you're eating because it's actually not getting enough.

I hope that makes sense!

Hang in there - it'll be worth it!!

I have been training for about 2 months. I should be able to run the 3 miles now. And I can't. I am for sure faster then when I first started, but I still can't run the full 3 miles. I am also doing weight watchers. It could be that I am not eating enough. By the end of the day today, I still have 10 points left. I am pretty heavy so I have a lot of points. As I loose, they will go down, but for now, I still have 10 left. I eat a lot of fruit and veggies so they are free points. Are you supposed to eat the all for the day?

Great job with your training and your weight loss!

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

I have been training for about 2 months. I should be able to run the 3 miles now. And I can't. I am for sure faster then when I first started, but I still can't run the full 3 miles. I am also doing weight watchers. It could be that I am not eating enough. By the end of the day today, I still have 10 points left. I am pretty heavy so I have a lot of points. As I loose, they will go down, but for now, I still have 10 left. I eat a lot of fruit and veggies so they are free points. Are you supposed to eat the all for the day?

Great job with your training and your weight loss!

Another WW member - you speak my language!

Do you have 10 points left before your activity points? If so, you definitely should be eating all of your daily points every day. The WW plan builds calories/carbs into your points to include the "free" veggies and fruits (but make sure you don't overdo it on those; especially fruits. They can sneak up on you and majorly stall your weight loss), so you don't want to count them at all toward your daily count. So if you have 33 points per day, for example, make sure you eat all 33.

Then, look at your activity points. I have my app set up so that when I eat over my daily points, it takes from activity points (I think the default is to take from the bonus points, but I never touch them). First of all, if you're not eating your daily points limit, try that first before digging into activity points. But if you're eating all your daily points and have 10 activity points per day, you should definitely be eating some of those back. As a general rule of thumb, if I have a 3-4 activity point day, I may eat 0, I may eat 2. But if I"m over 5, I typically eat half of them back. So that means if you have 10 activity points, eat 5 of them.

That's worked for me, but everyone is different. I've also gone days eating fewer points, then on the weekend I eat 6-7 activity points' worth (which scared me at first) and ended up losing more those weeks. You don't want your metabolism to get in a rut, and if you're not eating enough you could definitely be doing that. I also had weeks where I had only 25-30 activity points, and some where I have had 40-50. The trick (for me, at least) is to change it up and keep your body guessing (but always be active).

Do you have an ActiveLink? Ironically, more than 5 months into the program and I just got mine two weeks ago (I'm 4.6lbs to goal, although I want to lose another 7-9lbs after I become a lifetime member...although I may skip the 6-week maintenance and just convert back to MyFitnessPal, which I used to lose 30lbs last year). I have loved using this thing so far, though. It challenges me to keep moving, and it's a great motivator!

Hang in there - it's a long process, but you'll find what works for you!

 

[disneygirl76]

Another WW member - you speak my language!

Do you have 10 points left before your activity points? If so, you definitely should be eating all of your daily points every day. The WW plan builds calories/carbs into your points to include the "free" veggies and fruits (but make sure you don't overdo it on those; especially fruits. They can sneak up on you and majorly stall your weight loss), so you don't want to count them at all toward your daily count. So if you have 33 points per day, for example, make sure you eat all 33.

Then, look at your activity points. I have my app set up so that when I eat over my daily points, it takes from activity points (I think the default is to take from the bonus points, but I never touch them). First of all, if you're not eating your daily points limit, try that first before digging into activity points. But if you're eating all your daily points and have 10 activity points per day, you should definitely be eating some of those back. As a general rule of thumb, if I have a 3-4 activity point day, I may eat 0, I may eat 2. But if I"m over 5, I typically eat half of them back. So that means if you have 10 activity points, eat 5 of them.

That's worked for me, but everyone is different. I've also gone days eating fewer points, then on the weekend I eat 6-7 activity points' worth (which scared me at first) and ended up losing more those weeks. You don't want your metabolism to get in a rut, and if you're not eating enough you could definitely be doing that. I also had weeks where I had only 25-30 activity points, and some where I have had 40-50. The trick (for me, at least) is to change it up and keep your body guessing (but always be active).

Do you have an ActiveLink? Ironically, more than 5 months into the program and I just got mine two weeks ago (I'm 4.6lbs to goal, although I want to lose another 7-9lbs after I become a lifetime member...although I may skip the 6-week maintenance and just convert back to MyFitnessPal, which I used to lose 30lbs last year). I have loved using this thing so far, though. It challenges me to keep moving, and it's a great motivator!

Hang in there - it's a long process, but you'll find what works for you!

Excellent advice! I changed how they swap points. That was super helpful and I didn't know that you can do that. I think that will help me a lot. And good to know that you should eat to points. No, what is ActiveLink? I don't know what that is?

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Excellent advice! I changed how they swap points. That was super helpful and I didn't know that you can do that. I think that will help me a lot. And good to know that you should eat to points. No, what is ActiveLink? I don't know what that is?

ActiveLink is basically a fancy pedometer, and I didn't really pay any attention to it until the 4th of July. My boyfriend's aunt raved about it, and I thought it would be good (I'm very competitive with myself, so I like having something that sets goals for me). It's $40 upfront (although it's on sale every once in awhile) and $5 a month extra, and it monitors all your movement. You wear it all day long (it's waterproof too)...clipped to your pants, in your pocket, or you can wear it around your neck or clipped to your bra. It tracks every movement and assesses your activity points (such an inexact science to figure it out yourself, as I've found out!).

The first week it assesses your "regular" movement to set a baseline, then you'll need to achieve a minimum amount to receive activity points. It's a really great way to drive you to move around more (even if it's just walking around the house!).

Do you do the online only, or do you go to meetings? I didn't think I'd like meetings, and I"m the youngest person there (I'm 32), but I really love going. You get great tips, great support, and the meeting leaders are really wonderful.

Sorry to hijack your thread! Feel free to PM me with any questions about the plan. I've averaged around 2lbs a week (with some slow weeks and a gaining week when I went to WDW), but I have total faith in WW. It takes time to build the habits, but it gets easier!

 

[Kristia]

I can't really help you with the food and the weight loss besides make sure you are doing some weight-training along with the cardio of running. Sometimes that will help with weight loss more than just doing cardio alone. Even with all the running I do, I could still stand to loose about 20 lbs but I just can't get into weight training although I know I should.

I will say that if you are only 2 months into training, DO NOT be discouraged that you can't do 3 miles yet. The Couch to 5k program is 9 weeks long. When I did this program, I tracked my runs through time and not miles. By the time the 9 weeks was over, I could run for 30 min which is how much time they give you to run the 3 miles. I think I was probably at about 2.5 miles. Hell, I still have trouble doing 3 miles in 30 minutes. Somedays I can, somedays I can't. After I could run for 30 min, I started to work on distance and getting to 3 miles. I still don't find running easy. It is always a challenge. If it becomes "easy" then I am not pushing myself enough. Once I hit my 3 mile goal, I started to slowly add in the distance about a 1/2 mile at a time. It really is easier once you hit that magic goal to add distance. I think the rule of thumb is not to increase you weekly mileage by more than 10% at a time. It will get easier, but never easy.

 

[disneygirl76]

I can't really help you with the food and the weight loss besides make sure you are doing some weight-training along with the cardio of running. Sometimes that will help with weight loss more than just doing cardio alone. Even with all the running I do, I could still stand to loose about 20 lbs but I just can't get into weight training although I know I should.

I will say that if you are only 2 months into training, DO NOT be discouraged that you can't do 3 miles yet. The Couch to 5k program is 9 weeks long. When I did this program, I tracked my runs through time and not miles. By the time the 9 weeks was over, I could run for 30 min which is how much time they give you to run the 3 miles. I think I was probably at about 2.5 miles. Hell, I still have trouble doing 3 miles in 30 minutes. Somedays I can, somedays I can't. After I could run for 30 min, I started to work on distance and getting to 3 miles. I still don't find running easy. It is always a challenge. If it becomes "easy" then I am not pushing myself enough. Once I hit my 3 mile goal, I started to slowly add in the distance about a 1/2 mile at a time. It really is easier once you hit that magic goal to add distance. I think the rule of thumb is not to increase you weekly mileage by more than 10% at a time. It will get easier, but never easy.

Thanks! No, I know. It will never be easy. But I kind of expected to be further along then I am. Thank you for the encouragement and the advice. It is much appreciated. I suppose everyone hits this bump of discouragement. Back at it tomorrow. And I am doing weight training and building my core as well. Hope this all helps.

 

[disneygirl76]

ActiveLink is basically a fancy pedometer, and I didn't really pay any attention to it until the 4th of July. My boyfriend's aunt raved about it, and I thought it would be good (I'm very competitive with myself, so I like having something that sets goals for me). It's $40 upfront (although it's on sale every once in awhile) and $5 a month extra, and it monitors all your movement. You wear it all day long (it's waterproof too)...clipped to your pants, in your pocket, or you can wear it around your neck or clipped to your bra. It tracks every movement and assesses your activity points (such an inexact science to figure it out yourself, as I've found out!).

The first week it assesses your "regular" movement to set a baseline, then you'll need to achieve a minimum amount to receive activity points. It's a really great way to drive you to move around more (even if it's just walking around the house!).

Do you do the online only, or do you go to meetings? I didn't think I'd like meetings, and I"m the youngest person there (I'm 32), but I really love going. You get great tips, great support, and the meeting leaders are really wonderful.

Sorry to hijack your thread! Feel free to PM me with any questions about the plan. I've averaged around 2lbs a week (with some slow weeks and a gaining week when I went to WDW), but I have total faith in WW. It takes time to build the habits, but it gets easier!

Thanks! I will look into that! It sounds very cool!! I appreciate all the help!!

 

[JillC LI]

Needing some encouragement. I am just not getting the stamina that I was hoping for. I was crying running on the treadmill today. Okay, and praying too. That finally this would get easier. I am going faster then when I first started. I run between 4 and 4 1/2 mph when I start at 3 1/2. I know the time will come but its the running for a long time that is getting hard. And I am not loosing any weight as I was hoping. If I could get some weight off, it would really help with the stamina. UGH. Is this a normal part of training or am I just not cut out for long distance running? I am feeling totally overwhelmed. It would be really helpful if my DH was running too but he has not become motivated in all this as I hope he would have become. Any tips and helpful hints would be greatly appreciated!

I have been training for about 2 months. I should be able to run the 3 miles now. And I can't. I am for sure faster then when I first started, but I still can't run the full 3 miles. I am also doing weight watchers.

Like Kristy said, do not worry that you cannot run 3 miles after 2 months. When I started running, I could not complete a whole block. It took me 8 weeks to build up to 2 miles. Another month to build up to 3 miles. And it was HARD. Harder to overcome those first few miles than it was to eventually train for a marathon. Truly. One tip I can give you is to not worry about both distance and speed at the same time. First work on distance, no matter how slow you feel you are going. After you can finish 3 miles nonstop for several weeks, THEN maybe think about picking up the pace a little bit.

I am also a WW fan, but exercising more than your body is used to will make you hungrier than you are used to. I don't strictly follow WW now, but out of habit, I tend to count my Points everyday anyway. If I were you, I would replenish a few of those Activity Points when you have a lot of them, but you don't have to replenish them all. Starting a new exercise regime is hard. Dieting is hard. Doing them both at the same time is REALLY hard. Don't beat yourself up. Try to focus on one at a time.

 

[disneygirl76]

Like Kristy said, do not worry that you cannot run 3 miles after 2 months. When I started running, I could not complete a whole block. It took me 8 weeks to build up to 2 miles. Another month to build up to 3 miles. And it was HARD. Harder to overcome those first few miles than it was to eventually train for a marathon. Truly. One tip I can give you is to not worry about both distance and speed at the same time. First work on distance, no matter how slow you feel you are going. After you can finish 3 miles nonstop for several weeks, THEN maybe think about picking up the pace a little bit.

I am also a WW fan, but exercising more than your body is used to will make you hungrier than you are used to. I don't strictly follow WW now, but out of habit, I tend to count my Points everyday anyway. If I were you, I would replenish a few of those Activity Points when you have a lot of them, but you don't have to replenish them all. Starting a new exercise regime is hard. Dieting is hard. Doing them both at the same time is REALLY hard. Don't beat yourself up. Try to focus on one at a time.

Thank you! Today was a much better run. I ran for 24 1/2 of the 30 mins. So I felt much better and more capable. I have tried to follow the couch 2 5 k program and have mostly. That what got me to this spot. But I have found its hard to switch back and forth between running and walking. It makes my legs feel like I have weights tied to them. I feel really good about what I did today. Thanks again!!!

 

[Sumrdog]

As @Kristia said it will get easier but never easy, so don't get discouraged.

Have you tried running outside? Running on a treadmill gives you nothing to do but fixate on time and distance, when your outside you can just focus on the pace that feels right.