Week NINE of @runDisney Princess Half Marathon Training and Tips for Your First 5K

It’s week nine!  Wow!  I can’t believe that we’re already nine weeks into the training for the Princess Half.  Wow!  The weekend distance was 7 miles, how did you do?  I was lucky, there was a race in my area on Thanksgiving morning.  I did the 10K (12:56 – PR!) and then went an extra mile to get in my 7.  It made me feel great to start the day so healthily.  Usually I would be waking up late, sitting on the couch watching the parade and this year I was up, out, and running – felt very good!

Running is giving me a true sense of accomplishment.  It feels good to be able to say, “I ran 7 miles.”  Still surprises me that I’m doing it, but it feels good.  And I’m grateful, because I know I couldn’t do it without my mom to watch my daughter while I run, my friend that gets my out and going when I don’t feel like it, and the No Boundaries program coaches that keep me going.  AND of course, especially runDisney!!  They started all this and the goal of a Disney race keeps me going.

For week ten coming up, we scale back a bit and go for 3 miles this Saturday but with the Magic Mile.  It’ll be the first time we’re doing that – gauging speed in the half.  I’m excited!   I just trust the professionals, like Jeff Galloway that developed this program for runDisney.  Disney always knows what they are doing and above all protects the safety of its fans and guests, so I know I can trust their advice.  If you’re training for a half marathon like I am, here’s the schedule this week:

Let’s do it!

For more information about the Jeff Galloway training program, visit runDisney.com!

Tips for Your First 5K

I ran my first 5K in June and I combed websites looking for advice.  I’d never even been to a race, so I had no idea what to expect.  In my training program, the coaches gave valuable advice and I found some tips on the internet.  Here are my favorite FAQ’s:

I bought a new sports bra and visor for the race, should I get new shoes as well?

Eek!  Hold onto your new apparel and start wearing after the race.  The best advice I received about my first 5K was, DON’T DO ANYTHING NEW!  No new outfits, no new food, no new shoes or even socks.  Chafing is not your friend and you don’t know if apparael will chafe until you’ve worn it running.

What should I eat the night before?

We’ve all heard about carb-loading and pasta dinners.  But the best advice I heard was related to the question above.  Nothing new!  If you love pasta, and your stomach and digestion love it too, then by all means eat pasta.  But if you haven’t had marinara sauce for years, this is not the time to experiment.  Being nervous and running might already do surprising things to your digestive tract, so don’t add to it by eating new foods.  When you get to marathons and are an experienced runner doing long distance, you can start researching and trying dietary changes.  For your first 5K just go with what you know.

Are there really goody bags? What is “packet pick-up”?

Most race sponsors provide samples and goodies for runners.  When you pick up your packet, you may be given a goody bag.  Included in the packet is your bib and usually a time tracking device, a chip.  Races are electronically timed – the start time is recorded and then when you cross the finish line, you go through an arch of some kind that picks up the signal from a unique device that you have.  For mine, it was a black rectangle attached to the back of the bib.  A tip about contents of goody bags – they may contain energy snacks or drinks.  Unless it’s something you’ve already tried before a run, this is not the time to experiment!  Save them for another day, rather than trying before the race.

What is a bib and how do I attach it?

The bib is what identifies you as a runner.  It has a number and usually a sticker with your name and age.  Why do they put your age?!  Hey, I thought, I’m not advertising that!  But there are overall winners and then winners in each age category.  Running is one of the few places where it may actually help to be older.  Bibs are put on with safety pins.  Usually the race organizers provide them, but it’s not a bad idea to throw a few in your gear bag.  At my second 5K, they ran out!  When you pick up your packet, they will tell you where to pin your bib, usually around your belly button – in front.  You want to loosely pin it, even just on top, so it doesn’t tear when you move.

If my race starts at 8 AM, how early do I need to get there?

If you have the option of picking up your packet the day before and that’s doable, it’s a good idea.  The night before, you want to lay out your clothes and all your gear so you can just get up and go.  It’s best if you can arrive one hour before a race.  An hour gives you breathing room for unexpected problems.  You can check-in, go the bathroom, find the start line, go to the bathroom, take a picture, go to the bathroom.  Sensing a theme?  There are often times, port-a-potties and the lines can get long.  So get in line, even if you don’t need to, because by the time you get there, you probably will.  Especially if you are nervous.

Best advice:  HAVE FUN!