Disney

Race Recap: 2018 Disney’s Princess Half Marathon

March 27, 2018 By Lindy 1 Comment

Disney’s Princess half marathon is a wonderful experience for novice and experienced runners, and those of us in between. It is the perfect girlfriend getaway vacation, filled with the magic of Disney.

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon was the race I first ran back in 2013 and the race which sparked my love for running. A few weeks ago, I went down for the 10th Anniversary of run Disney’s Princess half, but also my 5th running anniversary, where I met up with my best running girlfriends for a weekend of eating, drinking, and running Disney. I booked the hotel rather late, and all that was available was All-Star Movies. While it isn’t my favorite resort, I’ll take staying in the parks rather than outside. It’s so much easier to get around and not have to rent a car or Uber.

Unless there are items I am interested in buying at the expo, I typically avoid going to the expo on day one. The crowds are insane everywhere! Once you arrive at ESPN Wide World of Sports (there are buses running frequently from all Disney World resorts), there are two stops: one is to pick up your bib and race shirt; the other building has the expo merchants. This year, I noticed they had a building dedicated to carrying all runDisney merchandise.

I’ve been extremely busy and had no time to put together a race costume and most likely will not have one for Star Wars, which is a bummer. I looked around at the expo and did see a few items that would work well for a costume but being that I didn’t go on day one to the expo (wasn’t planning on buying a costume), everything in my size was sold out. My friend was coming down a day later, so I asked her to pick up an Eagles hat at the airport, and I quickly threw an outfit together – a dark green Lululemon top and black skirt. Combined with the hat, I decided I would run as an Eagles Princess; fitting since they just won the Super Bowl. Go Eagles!!

I spoke with Jeff Galloway, Olympian and creator of the run-walk-run injury free program and asked for his advice. If you’re ever at the expo, please pay him a visit. He is truly the most genuine and nice person and gives great advice. I explained to him that I’ve had my share of injuries in the past 2 years and that my last run was 6.5 miles on Christmas Eve. His suggestion was to run 15 seconds and walk 30 seconds.

Race morning came and my friend and I had some fruit, coffee and some carbs. The resort had free coffee on race morning, which was really nice. Disney suggests runners taking bus transportation to the start line board buses no later than 3:30 AM, and monorail passengers board no later than 4:00 AM. Since my friend missed the expo, we had to stop at runner relations in the morning to pick up her bib, so we boarded the bus at 3:00 AM. The weather was a bit cool, but it was expected to be warmer than usual for February, and warnings were placed everywhere reminding people to hydrate and dress appropriately for the warm temperatures.

Corrals were going off every 5 minutes or so. Race announcers Carissa and Rudy were great at keeping the crowds entertained and informed when their corral would take off. My corral took off 45 minutes after the elites/A corral. My Gymboss timer set for the run/walk ratios that Jeff Galloway suggested and started run/walk after a quick 5 minute warm up.

I was feeling great and decided to increase the run intervals to 30 seconds (bad idea). I felt my hamstrings start to burn a bit, and before it got worse, I stopped at the first medical tent and rubbed Biofreeze on my hammies. Once that kicked in, I was good, until my right foot started to ache. I’ve never had issues with my feet while running, so this struck me as odd and concerning. I stopped at the second medical tent briefly, sat down and massaged my foot for a minute and was back on my way with no other issues, thank God!

I was doing great time-wise. Aside from those two medical tent stops, I stopped to use a real bathroom (wait was over 10 minutes but SO worth it), because let’s face it, no one wants to use a port-a-potty unless deemed necessary. Stopped for a photo op shortly after mile 11, because Jack. Enough said!

Run Like you left the crock pot on -“This is Us”

It sure wasn’t my fastest half time, but it wasn’t my slowest either. I’m extremely proud of myself for finishing despite the fact that I didn’t train for it. I really have not been motivated, and the fact that winter doesn’t seem to want to leave doesn’t help either.

I have two races coming up so I am training for those. They are: Star Wars half and the Broad Street Run, America’s largest 10-miler and one of my favorite races ever. Stay tuned.

P.S. What’s on your race calendar for 2018?

Treadmill Running

January 2, 2018 By Lindy 3 Comments

Does the outside temperature influence whether you run indoors or outdoors?

The treadmill and I have become besties since it feels as if we’re living in the North Pole, not Pennsylvania. When it’s too cold outside for me (below 40 – I know, I know…I’m such a wuss), I run indoors, where every mile I run feels like 5. Last long slow run was 6.5 miles on Sunday, and I kid you not, it felt awful, even while watching a movie on Netflix. But running indoors works for me when working 12.5 hour days. Being out of the house for close to 14 hours with the commute, running at 9 pm in my house simply works for me. At least I’m doing the best I can; I’m giving 110%.

Training for the Princess Half has been going okay. Some weeks I am unable to run 4 days/week, so I’m XT with cycling classes on my Peloton bike. My cycling performance has gotten a lot better, and I’m hoping it will help my running performance as well. Yesterday, my IT band was screaming at me, angry, for pushing on the bike so hard for a personal record, but I got it 🙂

Previous PR was 281 two days ago. Today, 307!

I don’t anticipate a personal record on this half marathon, and I’m ready for that since it’s my first run post-injury/recovery. My goal is to finish strong, uninjured, and best of all, have a great time with my friends.

I’m excited about traveling to a warmer climate, although most Floridians right now will disagree since temps this week have dropped into the 30’s. I still don’t have a running costume made as I don’t have an idea of what I want to dress up as. I’ve run as Cinderella, Merida, Remy, Aurora, Minnie, Belle…I’m thinking Steamboat Willie since he’s my favorite, but I am not completely sure. Toss some ideas at me if you have them.

Hope everyone is keeping warm this lovely and frigid January.

Training: runDisney’s Princess Half Marathon

November 8, 2017 By Lindy 4 Comments

Nothing excites me more than going back to where my love for running Disney started: runDisney’s Princess Half Marathon.

2013 run Disney’s Princess Half Marathon

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon was my first half marathon, actually my first race ever, in 2013. This race will always occupy a special place in my heart. For years, thoughts lingered in my mind that I will never be able to run a mile, let alone a half marathon. It took lots of discipline and a few bouts of crying to get this done. Fearing that people would judge me for being a slow runner, or for taking walking breaks, I trained solely on a treadmill. Little did I know that using the run/walk method by Jeff Galloway would take this new runner to cross a finish line.

Running changed my life. Through running, I have discovered the limitless potential my mind and body have. In the process, I have formed wonderful friendships that are sure to last a lifetime.

This will be my 15th half marathon. I’ve not run in exactly a year, my last race being Disney’s Wine and Dine Half Marathon in 2016. My body is still in progress, and I’m positive it will make a full recovery, but for now, slow wins the race.

The training plan I’m using is from the My ASICS run app on my iPhone to build up miles/endurance. It starts out really slow, which is what my body needs at the moment.

Monday: Run 1 mile at 15:22 min/mi. – Done.
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Run 1 mile at 15:24 min/mi.
Thursday: Run 1 mile at 15:24 min/mi.
Friday: Run 1 mile at 15:24 min/mi.
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Run 2 miles at 15:24 min/mi.

I got on the treadmill for that 1 mile run and it felt so long, and it was really hard trying not to go faster. I felt tightness on my hip after that one mile run, not sure if it was from the run itself or the fact that I cycled on my Peloton bike for 45 minutes earlier in the day. Trust me when I tell you that after these injuries, I am freaking nervous to run again but I want it BAD.

Have any of you dealt with running injuries that set you back? Any races you’re currently training for?

Oh, hi there! It’s been a while.

May 8, 2017 By Lindy 7 Comments

It’s been a while, friends, and I’ve missed being here talking to you about my running or traveling adventures. Yesterday, I found myself at work, crying while watching the live broadcast of the Broad Street Run on the TV in the break room. This is why.

Countless visits to the sports medicine doctor, multiple X-Rays, acupuncture, chiropractor visits and physical therapy has left me in a state of frustration. I’m seeing a new physical therapist and for once, I am experiencing positive changes, although it isn’t without experiencing both physical and emotional pain. Janet, my physical therapist, cleared me for running and has suggested a goal for me to run a 5K in 3 months. This makes me beyond excited.

The pain I experienced while running was on my left hip and IT band, with some minor pain on the right knee. MRI showed normal hip scan, however, it showed chronic bilateral hamstring tendonitis. This explained the hamstring pain I felt whenever I went to my beloved Flywheel classes, and it was always when off the saddle. I stopped going to Flywheel and stopped running and giving up both pained me immensely.

But I’m really stubborn…I mean, REALLY stubborn.

Since I was cleared to run, I deleted a 5K and added another 5K. I also added a half marathon: Disney’s Princess Half in February. Not only it is the 10th Anniversary of the half, but my 5th running anniversary. That’s my girls trip, and I cannot wait!
Back to the stubbornness part. Not only did I sign up for a half marathon, I bought a Peloton bike.

This bike is beyond amazeballs! I fell in love with spinning years ago and now that I’m able to do this from the comfort of my own home is fantastic. I’m taking it easy and concentrating on endurance classes, which focus on heart rate training and ensuring to spend less time off the saddle. Hopefully that will be helpful when it comes to training for races.

So, where have I been?

In February, I went on a last minute trip to Disney World. Last month, had a blast from taking an 8-day trip to Puerto Rico with my sister. This year, I have a few trips planned – Montréal, Seattle, DC and back to WDW in September for a week. I’ve also been working, a lot, and currently studying for my neonatal nurse certification (RNC-NIC)

I just want to take a moment to thank all of you who reached out to me on Instagram and Twitter as well as the emails you’ve sent just to check in.

It means a lot to me, so thank you! <3

Have a wonderful Monday!

Goodbye, Summer. I’ll miss you.

September 21, 2016 By Lindy 1 Comment

Summer has come and gone and while I’m bummed that it’s over, I’m looking forward to autumn. I love fall for its cooler weather, pumpkin-everything, sweaters and boots, as well as the races that I will hopefully be running. I mention ‘hopefully’ because I’ve had my share of injuries, especially with my left hip. Physical therapy exercises, yoga, and Flywheel have helped tremendously in getting me back on the pavement, but the recurring fear of injury always lingers in the back of my mind.

Aside from working, this summer I made a week-long trip to Disney World, spent numerous weekends relaxing and soaking up the sun at the Jersey Shore and went on a few trips to NYC to see a few concerts. Didn’t take out my beloved Schwinn out all summer, so back to the attic it goes until next year.

This season, my focus will be on keeping my mind and body healthy. I’m working full-time, part-time and per-diem. Fortunately for me, the per-diem position doesn’t start until November, but it means I have to cut my Disney’s Wine and Dine trip a few days short. I am also taking six credits at the university doing nursing research. It takes me back to my days studying to become a nurse. I was working full-time and at the college full-time. Looking back, I still don’t know how I managed to pull it together, yet it is a reminder that you can do anything you put your mind, heart, and soul into. I wanted to be an RN so bad.

Training for Lumiere’s Challenge has not been an easy task, that’s for sure. The plan is to take it real easy on the 10K, possibly walking it, and conserving any and all remaining energy to run the half on Sunday. I signed up for Aaptiv (formerly Skyfit), an app for iOS and Android that has multiple workouts, including training plans for races. Last week, I started using it for the half marathon training and I loved it. I ran faster than I had in years! The coach walks you through pace, breathing techniques and alerts you when it’s time to slow down or speed up. The music is fun and upbeat and while the workout was tough, it pushed me to give everything that I had in me. I plan on continuing the Aaptiv half marathon training, including on race day. This is not a sponsored post, btw. I am just really enjoying Aaptiv at the moment.

Goals after Wine and Dine weekend are to pick a late spring/early summer race that I can properly train for. Working again with Coach Kristy is also one of my running goals.

Well, this is a brief update for now. I’m off to do some major homework since I’ll be away in Puerto Rico for two weeks 🙂 I’ll be back soon!

Until next time,

Lindy xo

Motivation and Training Tips from Jeff Galloway

February 9, 2015 By Lindy 1 Comment

Happy News!!

I have been chosen as a Jeff Galloway blogger! I will be sharing running tips from Olympic runner Jeff Galloway with you.

In case you don’t know who Jeff Galloway is, he’s a former US Olympian and founder of the Run Walk Run method that has allowed thousands to achieve their running goals. He is also the official training consultant for runDisney races.

This week’s tips are on motivation and training, two huge factors when it comes to running.

My first encounter with Jeff was in 2013 at the Disneyland Half Marathon. I had been chosen to attend the Disneyland Half Meetup, a wonderful opportunity to meet with Jeff Galloway and other celebrities (Sean Astin, Joey Fatone, to name a few!) and run across Magic Kingdom, followed by breakfast and a Q&A session. I was surprised at how approachable Jeff was – he gave me a hug, we posed for a pic and I told him that my goal was to complete a marathon. The problem? I was lacking motivation.

Mental Training for Runners – Jeff Galloway

Jeff asked me what my last race finish time was and gave me pointers on how to train for my marathon.

Here are this week’s Galloway tips on motivation and training:

When paced correctly, running delivers the best attitude boost you can get. Sustain this by pacing yourself gently during the first mile or three.

A well-paced run enhances vitality for the rest of the day. Start each run at least 30 seconds a mile slower than you will run at the end.

If you have a Run Walk Run strategy that is right for you on that day, it’s possible to feel good after every run-even the marathon.

Running is the best stress reliever I’ve found. Research shows that running tends to activate the conscious brain which over-rides the emotional subconscious brain and manages the negative and anxiety hormones during and after the run.

Research shows that as runners get faster, their stride length shortens. A quicker cadence is the mechanical key to faster running.

The finishing of a run that is longer than you’ve run in the last 3 weeks can bestow a sense of achievement that is unique and empowering-due to positive brain circuits that are turned on.

You can’t run a long run too slowly or take too many walk breaks. You’ll get the same endurance based upon the distance covered.

Using the Jeff Galloway run-walk method, I have been able to complete 8 half marathons and a full marathon.

QOTD: Have you used the Galloway run walk run method to train and/or on your races?

Lindy x