The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[freepixie]

Originally Posted by WsPrincess

I hate the cold, especially when in my head it is not supposed to be so cold. This morning it was 37 degrees when I went out to run. Now in the winter my mind is ready for cold, at the end of April it does not understand that snow is possible. I don't think I am looking forward to winter training right before the Princess.

Last year I know I read it was cold when the race started (when it was dark outside still). What is cold? And what was the weather like once the sun came up? Just trying to mentally prepare. I also know that Michigan cold can be slightly different from Florida cold. (says the girl who wear flip flops as long as the high is supposed to be over 45)

Hmm hard to say but my best guess would be that when the race started it was about 45-50 degrees, I don't think it got much warmer than that thru the race, but I could be wrong. I was cold in my corral, but I had my throw-away jacket which I ditched around mile 2, then I was comfortable thru the race.

However, after the race I was not prepared for how cold you get after that long of a run!! But then, it had started raining and was getting breezy. I really got the chills and took me til we got back to the room and I took a hot shower before I felt normal. Lesson learned - bring a jacket in my bag check!!

[cantwaitvaca09]

Originally Posted by freepixie

Hmm hard to say but my best guess would be that when the race started it was about 45-50 degrees, I don't think it got much warmer than that thru the race, but I could be wrong. I was cold in my corral, but I had my throw-away jacket which I ditched around mile 2, then I was comfortable thru the race.

However, after the race I was not prepared for how cold you get after that long of a run!! But then, it had started raining and was getting breezy. I really got the chills and took me til we got back to the room and I took a hot shower before I felt normal. Lesson learned - bring a jacket in my bag check!!

It was very chilly after the race was over this year. But the year before it was warm.

[ColleenG]

I did like Barbie and ditched my throw away sweatshirt around mile 2. I took the sweat pants off just before the start. Once I got moving I was fine in a short sleeve shirt and shorts. By the time I finished it was raining. I put my jacket in my bag and was glad I had it. It was a light weight one, but enough to block the rain. The rest of the day when we were in the parks I had on the white Champion jacket that I got at the expo and was fine.

[french lady]

I am with you WsPrincess about the weather. I went for a 6k run this morming and it was windy and 20 F. I was dressed for winter weather with gloves, hat and jacket. Even if I live in Quebec, that is not the way I should dress at the end of April.
About the weather for the 2013 Princess, after having run the 2010 half-marathon in January in freezing rain, I just hope for temperature in the 50 F.
Diane

[ellajeansmom]

Hi everyone,

Count me in too! I will be turning 40 at the end of June and decided to set the goal of completing a half-marathon - that the race will be at Disney is the present/reward part!! I did a little bit of running last summer (no races) then took the winter off. I've been back at it for about 6 weeks now and have signed up for a local 5K on May 12 - starting to get nervous about that

Anyways, I've enjoyed reading this thread, you're all very supportive and motivating

[tinkeramy]

Originally Posted by freepixie

Hmm hard to say but my best guess would be that when the race started it was about 45-50 degrees, I don't think it got much warmer than that thru the race, but I could be wrong. I was cold in my corral, but I had my throw-away jacket which I ditched around mile 2, then I was comfortable thru the race.

However, after the race I was not prepared for how cold you get after that long of a run!! But then, it had started raining and was getting breezy. I really got the chills and took me til we got back to the room and I took a hot shower before I felt normal. Lesson learned - bring a jacket in my bag check!!

I agree with all this. I was NOT prepared for the cold, since the year before had been so warm. I had throw-away arm sleeves, but that was about it. Cold to start, but warmed up quickly. However, the cool-down in the misting rain after finishing was BAD! REALLY wishing I hadn't tossed the arm warmers but tucked them in my waistband or something. Anyway, moral is to be prepared for anything - just in the 2 days before the race the weather changed drastically. Friday I wore shorts and a sleeveless shirt. Saturday I had to wear jeans and a long-sleeve shirt and sometimes put on a light jacket. Bring it all!

[WsPrincess]

OK, I can handle that kind of weather. The gloves and ear band was a bit much for me at the end of April (French Lady so glad I am not alone!!!).

I think I am off to buy some more running stuff tomorrow. I decided I need a couple more shirts and I need a better plan for pants. I am really petite so most athletic/running pants are way too long and don't hem well. I have sweats that work and shorts but I need something for in between.

[ColleenG]

Originally Posted by WsPrincess

OK, I can handle that kind of weather. The gloves and ear band was a bit much for me at the end of April (French Lady so glad I am not alone!!!).

I think I am off to buy some more running stuff tomorrow. I decided I need a couple more shirts and I need a better plan for pants. I am really petite so most athletic/running pants are way too long and don't hem well. I have sweats that work and shorts but I need something for in between.

I have a pair of capri running tights that I love for those inbetween kind of days.

[VickiHD]

I was also concerned about the weather in FL. My thoughts were if it is cooler weather I have a couple of a skirt/capri combo (one piece) to choose from or if it's going to be on the "warmer" side a running skirt. I guess I just feel the need to look extra girly since it's the Princess 1/2.

Honestly...what I can't prepare for is the humidity. I'm not sure if it will be even an issue that time of year. But we just don't have that problem in CA.

[HockeyKat]

Honestly, FL in February could be anything from 30 degrees to 70 degrees as a start.

2010, it was probably under 40 to start and 60 to end, and cool most of the day. I wore tights and long sleeves and had a throwaway sweatshirt and gloves.

2011, it was 60+ to start and almost 80 at the finish, sunny, and humid. Running skirt and short sleeves and sweating like crazy.

2012, gray and misty the whole time and got colder during the race. The last 2 miles were raining and cold and so you were cold and wet at the finish. Ick. However, 2 days before? The high was 90.


So, my recommendation is to plan your outfit in layers. For example, make your costume or girly part the outmost layer, like a tank and skirt (without built in shorts or anything), and then have inner layers ready (long sleeves, arm warmers, tights, capris, and above the knee compression shorts) and mix/match as necessary. I'd also have throwaway outer layers ready too, a sweatshirt, $1 gloves, and a bondi band for your ears. They make "hot hands" type things as well that you can get for cheap at Walmart or Dicks in case it gets really cold.

[longhorns2]

It's so interesting to hear about everyone's views on weather. I HATE cold- with a passion!

Yet I was very comfortable the whole time this year. I wouldn't have said it was cold- I thought it could have been a little cooler and I still would have been happy with it! I know my friends were freezing before the start, but I felt good. I was pretty covered in a single layer though, so it must have been just enough to keep from being cold.

I wore calf sleeves, compression shorts, running skirt, sleeveless top with arm sleeves. I didn't toss the sleeves, but I did push them down to my wrists somewhere along the first couple miles. I almost tossed them- then though I might change my mind when we are going in the opposite direction and the wind could be chilly. Plus I tend to slow way down around miles 7-8-9 and figured that might also chill me a bit. I still had the sleeves pushed down at the finish and felt fine. I finished with a light sprinkle of rain, but wasn't in it long enough to make me cold really.

2011 was hot for sure. I blistered like crazy as proof! ugh. Do not want to repeat that experience again!

[VickiHD]

Originally Posted by HockeyKat

Honestly, FL in February could be anything from 30 degrees to 70 degrees as a start.

2010, it was probably under 40 to start and 60 to end, and cool most of the day. I wore tights and long sleeves and had a throwaway sweatshirt and gloves.

2011, it was 60+ to start and almost 80 at the finish, sunny, and humid. Running skirt and short sleeves and sweating like crazy.

2012, gray and misty the whole time and got colder during the race. The last 2 miles were raining and cold and so you were cold and wet at the finish. Ick. However, 2 days before? The high was 90.


So, my recommendation is to plan your outfit in layers. For example, make your costume or girly part the outmost layer, like a tank and skirt (without built in shorts or anything), and then have inner layers ready (long sleeves, arm warmers, tights, capris, and above the knee compression shorts) and mix/match as necessary. I'd also have throwaway outer layers ready too, a sweatshirt, $1 gloves, and a bondi band for your ears. They make "hot hands" type things as well that you can get for cheap at Walmart or Dicks in case it gets really cold.

Well I guess I will plan for every type of weather and pack many choices. Packing too much will not be hard since I am a "over packer". Hey, what's one more piece of luggage right?

Kat-how is your Galloway training group going??

[HockeyKat]

Originally Posted by longhorns2

It's so interesting to hear about everyone's views on weather. I HATE cold- with a passion!

Yet I was very comfortable the whole time this year. I wouldn't have said it was cold- I thought it could have been a little cooler and I still would have been happy with it! I know my friends were freezing before the start, but I felt good. I was pretty covered in a single layer though, so it must have been just enough to keep from being cold.

I wore calf sleeves, compression shorts, running skirt, sleeveless top with arm sleeves. I didn't toss the sleeves, but I did push them down to my wrists somewhere along the first couple miles. I almost tossed them- then though I might change my mind when we are going in the opposite direction and the wind could be chilly. Plus I tend to slow way down around miles 7-8-9 and figured that might also chill me a bit. I still had the sleeves pushed down at the finish and felt fine. I finished with a light sprinkle of rain, but wasn't in it long enough to make me cold really.

2011 was hot for sure. I blistered like crazy as proof! ugh. Do not want to repeat that experience again!

I think it wasn't nearly as bad this year if you were faster. As someone who finished in nearly 4 hours (due to a number of factors), I can say I was only chilly for the last 2 miles and only outright cold after the race, and that was more from the rain/wet/temp/wind combo than the actual temp. We had one of our group want to get something personalized and hung out for a good 30-45 min after the race and I really, really, really wished I had gear-checked a sweatshirt!

If you finished in 3 or less and left within 30 min of finishing, you wouldn't have noticed the cold I don't think, and it was more than fine before the race.

Originally Posted by VickiHD

Well I guess I will plan for every type of weather and pack many choices. Packing too much will not be hard since I am a "over packer". Hey, what's one more piece of luggage right?

Kat-how is your Galloway training group going??

Haha! I meant more from the planning phase of any kind of outfit/costume. We'll have a pretty good idea of the weather the week before the race.

We don't start until May 19th. I'll get to go to one Sat long run then I will be out by you for 3 weeks. I would love to get together on Sat or Sun of each weekend I am there and follow my training group's schedule, though!

I've been so so lazy lately and need to get back into running. I've only been out maybe twice since Princess 2012.

[fashionista311]

I'm in the camp of bring on the cold! Ideal racing temps for me is high 30s/low 40s at the start and mid 40s/low 50s at the finish. In those conditions I would wear shorts and a singlet. There is nothing worse than heat/humidity on race day to wreck havoc on your pace

WSPrincess - I'm really short too and live at the tailor for hems (only 5'1...ish) and I've never really had a problem with running tights. I couldn't imagine running in actual pants anyways...wouldn't the extra material ust get in the way and be uncomfortable?

[joan4mickey]

Temps and weather is a relative subject...it also has to do with time it takes to complete the course and how long you stand around in a corral.

This year was great for me and DD..corral a and took 2:23. We wore shorts and sleeveless, and mitten until mile 3. Never saw/felt rain.

Last year, a tad warm, corral B 2:19. Wore shorts and sleeveless.

2010...COLD at start., fine at end. I discarded my longsleeve around mile 4, and a quarter mile later wondered if I had made a mistake having just my sleeveless and skirt, but was fine in a mile or so. Corral b, 2:09.

2009 seemed a bit cold at start, ran in sleeveless and skirt. corral b, 2:28.

Have always started with cheap mitten and then discard by mile 3 or 4.