Disney Princess Half-Marathon 2012: The Expo

On Friday (2/24) we got to go to the expo for the Disney Princess Half Marathon, and I have to admit, I love this sort of thing. We were greet by Cinderella's footmen, who were showing off her carriage (the woman with me is my big ChEARleader Maryanne. Then we go to go pick up our numbers and all that kind of stuff. There's a little bit of a thrill standing in these sorts of lines, at least since I'm relatively knew at all these organized activities. You have to sign a waiver (which is always a sign that something is going to be good) and there's an identifying number, which makes everything seem more real and urgent. All that training has been leading up to something, and in this case, getting a little bib with a tag (so Maryanne could track me along the course) that said my number and deemed me Princess Angel, was a big indicator that the race was imminent.

After picking up my number and posing for some picks with the infamous bib, we were sent inside the massive expo building proper that was at ESPN's Wide World of Sports. The whole facility is just gigantic, with football/soccer fields for days and building after building of sports arenas. It's really quite a treat. Inside the Expo building there were vendors galore and so many sporty things to look at. And this was about eight times the size of the one that I got to go to for my triathlon last summer, so it was a might overwhelming to say the least. And they had cute things like a glass slipper sneaker. I mean, honestly, how can you not love that?

To make the day even more magical, I walked around a corner, got dusted with pixie dust by a fairy godmother for some good luck and then literally stumbled upon the booth where Jeff Galloway (the running trainer who's book I've been following) was stationed. I almost passed out. I meet celebrities and interview them quite frequently for my day job, but after religiously sticking to Galloway's "To Finish in an Upright Position" half marathon program for the last four months, I was actually more than a little starstruck. ( I mean, look at the goofy ass grin on my face). I hopped in the not too long line and took my only had to wait a few minutes to meet him. I was babbly and a little on the insanely exuberant side  as I told him how I'd been following his program and was nervous for the 13.1 miles on Sunday because of the time limit and because of how slow I was. He kindly informed me that if I'd been doing the program, I'd be fine. And that SLOW was a four letter word and I shouldn't think of my running that way. While other's had been telling me this too, hearing it from the actual man was just what I needed.

He even signed my bib, and it was inspiration during the race to not think of myself as slow (in fact, I turned off my nike GPS early on and just ran and enjoyed myself, and it was fine).

I also managed to pick up my goody bag ( which was really just a t-shirt, but a cute tech one) and Maryanne got me the specially designed Princess Half Marathon ears (they even have a little veil in the back) that I'm sporting on my head. I saw a million motivational t-shirts that I wanted. Most especially an adorable one that said "Suck It Up, Buttercup", but a lot about only being half crazy, and others about the turtle winning the race. OK, and the ones about running for wine were pretty great too. I was tempted to change my leggings for some sparkly little running shorts and a skirt, but opted not to. The devil you know, and all. But did splurge on a device called simple, "The Stick." It's a magically little massage item that gets into those knots on the back of your leg and whatnot. I had been tempted to get a massage, but the man at the booth for the Stick spent about three minutes working on the knot I'd had in my leg for three days and when I stood up, it was completely gone. It didn't take me long to fork over my credit card for that one, though I did buy a small model so I could get it in my luggage for my return trip. I think I know what I'm buying all my sporty friends for the holidays this year.

The whole experience was rather enjoyable, and really helped set the mood for racing. Almost everyone was so nice... Well, aside from the bitchy girls I heard later on the bus complaining about how dirty it was -- it was spotless, and how they disapproved of the goody bags -- what do you expect for a race for 20,000 people?  Some people just like to gripe about everything. But I was honestly quite pleased with the few hours I spent there.

Today's Exercise: Guess That's Why They Call It a Training Run

So I did another 12 mile run this morning (my second so far) and while I finished in about the same amount of time as the last one.... I learned a lot of valuable lessons. I suppose that if doing a half marathon was just as easy as adding a few miles every week, I could have done it a long time ago (well, I might have crawled through it, but still). So here's what I learned today:

1. It's more fun running with company
The last couple of times I did long runs, my brother came with me and since he's a lot faster than I am, it pushed me to do my physical best to keep up with him. Plus, while fellow runner and walkers were nice and waving or nodding hello, it wasn't the same as having someone to talk to through the huffing and puffing.

2. Location makes a difference
Today I did a run on a beautifully kept multi-use path in Bergen County. It was exactly six miles, so it made a perfect 12 mile loop. Normally, I plan a path using mapmyrun and just head out on streets. There are pros and cons to both, but I think (while this path was scenic and lovely) that part of me prefers the streets. I've got my GPS on to track my distance, but it normally only alerts me every half-mile, just so I can check my pace. But here, on this path today, there were mile markers every 1/10th of a mile. So it was easy to see just how fast/slow I was moving... and how far I had to go. There's something about just doing it, without seeing the visual all the time that is kind of relaxing.

3. Charge your phone
I was keeping up a pretty good pace... until my iPhone died. Seems some moron forgot to charge the battery last night. Yes, that moron was me. I'm used to running with music, and it keeps me pumped up/distracted. So not to have it, was kind of odd. I thought I'd like the silence, but again... without the company I was overly focused on the mile markers, and not anything else. And I didn't get that nice rewarding Nike GPS voice telling me what a good job I did after completing a long run.

4. Once you stop, its hard to get going again
I've been doing Jeff Galloway's run/walk/run program, and it is great. So I was running for 2/10ths of a mile and then walking 1. Not exactly his plan, but vaguely close to it. But when I hit mile 10, I slowed down for a couple tenths of a mile (got distracted by the cute kids on a playground), and at that point, getting going again was near impossible. I tried repeatedly to get back into my stride, but my feet and legs were burning and I just couldn't get in the groove, and I ended up walking most of the last two miles. It was disappointing to myself, because normally I save my energy pretty well and can usually get a little boost at the end. Today, I was just happy to get to the car. I know the esteemed Jeff Galloway says that you can't run too slow on a training run, but after today... I think he might be wrong.

5. Colds and running? Not perfect together
I had a bit of a cold this morning, but just a little stuffy, nothing with a fever or seriously debilitating. I actually thought the run might make me feel better. And it did. But those first few miles were a challenge, trying to keep my breathing right when I couldn't actually breathe out of my nose. But I finally was able to breathe and felt good... just about the time my legs started to feel the strain of running six miles.

6. I still don't really like running
That's actually not entirely true. I like running for about three or four miles. And I really like being outside and in the fresh air. But mostly I started running so I could be better at triathlons, and to get in better shape in general. But around mile 7 today, I kept thinking it would have been really nice to be one of the people who were out riding on their bikes. I'm far more comfortable with wheels underneath me. Still, I appreciate the cardio workout from my run/walks... so I'll keep doing it.

Can't wait for yoga tomorrow to stretch my sore legs out.
I'm slowly improving as a runner

Halfway Through Half Marathon Training

I've never really trained for any physical activity before. Never did any organized sports in high school or college. And marching band didn't exactly have a strict workout regiment. Sure I did a triathlon last fall, but I just came up with my own random plan to do that. I didn't follow a schedule or look for advice on how to do it, just sort of went with it. I know, crazy (and more on that whole thing in another post) but for the half marathon I'm doing at the end of February, I've been seriously following an 18 week plan (just started Week 11) and it's… definitely a unique experience.

When I signed up for this Half Marathon, all I thought about was how I'd be running 13.1 miles on a relatively flat course in warm Florida. It is Disney's Princess Half Marathon (going from Epcot to Cinderella's castle and back) after all. And I mostly started thinking about what I was going to wear (cuteness and tiaras are encouraged). I also just had a goal to complete the race, not to actually set any land speed records, so I thought I'd be totally fine. I didn't think about what the training would actually be like. And that I'd be training during an East Coast winter, and while its been mild on the snow front, it has had some mighty brisk temperatures.

Christmas Eve I was up in Maine and had to do my longest run to date (I've been following the Jeff Galloway plan, and he does a run-walk-run program, so it is actually quite doable) and it was 18 degrees out. One. Eight. (Yes, I realize could have gone on a treadmill, but treadmills give me shin splints and make me feel like I'll die of boredom... especially on longer runs). There were icy spots along the course in Brunswick that my brother likes, but since I had to do 10 miles, this 2.5 mile each way path seemed like the best bet. Just go out and back twice. And not freeze or slip and fall on my ass in the process. Simple!


I did make it, twisted my knee a little in the process and missed a few short training runs in week 10, but have healed up to do my "longer" weekend run. And while my in excellent shape brother was able to briskly walk alongside of me as I ran, my pace on that 10 mile run gave me confidence that I could finish the half marathon well under the 3:30 time limit that this particular race has allotted (well, at least by 15 minutes if there are suddenly appearing hills and the temps drop down to 18 maybe 30 if all goes well). My worst fear about this race has been that I wouldn't finish and get the medal that I've trained so hard for. The idea that the little trucks come around to pick up the stragglers (which I've been joking with my personal ChEARleader that they are driven by Dopey and Goofy) has put a fear really in me.

But along the way I've gained a newfound appreciation for the work that goes into the marathon efforts. Even when you see people walking, they probably pounded the pavement several mornings a week to get to this point. I doubt that most people just wake up and decide to do any lengthy road race. Especially me. And I'm probably the furthest thing from a natural runner that you can find. In high school, I distinctly remember my gym teacher telling me I was the only student he had who could walk a mile faster than she could run one. That's probably still true. I am slightly better now, but my typical13ish minute mile pace isn't exactly going to qualify me for the Olympics. But it might keep Goofy off my tail. And I've still got eight more weeks to train… if I don't freeze before then.