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Sunday, March 07, 2010

Disney Princess Half Marathon Race Report

At the expo, on Saturday, I picked up this little beauty from Lift Your Sole's booth:Love it! And, of course, I got my t-shirt, goody bag and bib:

I had no expectations or real goals going into this race. After two disappointing times, first at Miami and then at A1A, I figured I would just go into this half for the fun of it. No goals. Nothing. I especially felt this way after I woke up Saturday morning with a sore throat; I knew I was coming down with what Norah had, and this morning, when I got up at 3 am, my throat felt ragged and my nose was a bit drippy. I popped two Advil and figured I'd do my best.

Pre-race:
Can pretty much be summed up with: Cold as hell!

It was only about 38 degrees at 4:15 when we arrived at the start. I had decided to go with capris, a shell top and a long-sleeved tech over it. And it wasn't enough. I was wishing for a throw away sweatshirt topped with a parka.

I spent most of my hour and forty-five minute wait standing in line for the porta potties, which actually timed things pretty well: I peed with about 10 minutes to spare before the start, which meant that I had a completely empty bladder at the start of the race -- seems like a small thing, but after the past 2 HMs, it was a blessing. Also, I was assigned Corral A, which was the first one, bonus!

Race:
The race got underway with a typical Disney fireworks display, and because I was in the first corral, it only took about 2 minutes for me to cross the start. My toes were freezing from being out in the cold for so long, and running actually kinda hurt at first, but I was eager to run at that point so I could warm up!

The first mile was crowded (13,000+ runners), but it thinned out after that and was comfortable the entire way.

The highlight of the course was, of course, running through Cinderella's castle: The scenery was perfect, such a good fit for the princess theme, and the crowd there was amazing. Otherwise, I was disappointed that Disney's course for this race took us through virtually no parks; it was almost all highway. So, not too scenic (like the other races of theirs that I've done), but the wide asphalt was good for thinning out the crowd and it was, for the most part, flat.

After the first mile, I warmed up pretty well, but I never felt hot and I didn't shed my top shirt until mile 11, but despite the chill of waiting in such cold temps, to run in such temps was perfection, and the miles just went so easily for me. The Advil did their trick and my throat felt fine for the duration of the race, and my drippy nose wasn't unmanageable (besides, I was wearing sleeves for wiping!).

So, aside from the first mile's crowd, I set my pace and was amazingly consistent:

1: 10:19
2: 9:36
3: 9:29
4: 9:31
5: 9:32
6: 9:53
7: 9:36
8: 9:39
9: 9:30
10: 9:45

At this point, I knew I was headed for a PR; I just had to maintain my pace, and it would be in the bag. Of course, the last few miles were the toughest: Highway overpasses and then lots of twists and turns as we wound our way through the backside of Epcot, but I did well maintaining my pace:

11: 9:49
12: 9:35
13: 9:19
.27: 2:12 (yeah, lots of weaving early in the race added about .17 to my distance)

For the grand total PR of: 2:07:52!

So, I crossed the finish feeling great and got my medal:
Post-race:
This was the first HM in a long time where I finished and felt like I could keep going. In fact, I finished and barely felt fatigued. I think that's partially the cool, crisp air, but I also think that the past few months of training and racing have really just put me back into my former shape, and I felt great!

After the race, I caught a shuttle back to my hotel, showered and was on the highway home by 9:15 am. Which meant that I got home in the early afternoon and was able to spend the rest of the day with my family (who I really missed in the 24 hours I was gone). My sore throat this morning has now blossomed into a full-fledged cold, but I am at least thankful that my symptoms this morning remained minor so that they didn't interfer with my race.

So, all in all, a great race for me personally, but a good race overall. Gotta love Disney; they make those expensive race fees feel well worth it!

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great job, Princess Jessica.

Anonymous said...

congrats on the pr

Aka Alice said...

Princess Jessica...I love it!

Congrats on that PR...you are definitely back!

Marlene said...

Hmm, so maybe "no goal" is the way to go. Congratulations Jess! What a great feeling to finish strong and feeling good.

4:15 at the start... brings back memories to Goofy. Today my race started at 10:05!

d.a.r. said...

Ahh you did GREAT!!! Congrats!!

Unknown said...

Awesome awesome job on the PR. You really rocked it.

And I agree, you were underdressed for 38deg. Brrrrrrr. I bet you warmed up once you got going, but that must have been miserable at the start.

Running Kiwi said...

Well done!!! I'm loving reading everyone's reports from the weekend :)

It sounds like a perfect race, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Running Jen said...

Nice job! The Disney races I've done have been similar, with too much highway on the course, IMO. Sounds like a fun race though, maybe I'll do this one next year. Congrats on the PR!! Maybe I'll have similar luck, maybe not setting a goal is the way to go - I have no goal going into NYC in 2 weeks, just maybe I can PR?!

Anonymous said...

Congrats Jess!!!
Love the Princess Jess bib!

Badgergirl said...

Great job Princess!

ajh said...

I love that the bib had your name! Did I read arrived at the start at 4:15? Wow! Nice job on even miles! I love the medal. It is one my students at school would be so impressed with! I agree that cool temps are easier to run in! Congrats!

Carly said...

Nice job!! Congrats on the PR!

teacherwoman said...

Sorry to hear it was a bit chilly down there in FL! But, congrats on a wonderful PR!

SavvyFitChica said...

Great race report. I'm so pumped for you! You did awesome!

I'm sorry you're sick, but I AM glad it held off just long enough for you to finish your race with a new PR!

Jes said...

Awesome job! I like sound of Princess Jessica (o;

Monica said...

Congrats on your pr. It's disapointing to hear that you didn't get to run through the parks.

The running bib with the name Princess before your name is enough to make me HEAVILY consider running it next year!! :)

Proud of you!!

Heather said...

Congrats on the awesome PR - way to go!

MCM Mama said...

Love the necklace! Great job on the race and congrats on the PR!

~ Jill said...

Great run!

E said...

Congrats on your PR! Love the medal.

Carolina John said...

Very cool Jess!! congrats on a great race and a nice PR!

Alison said...

Congrats - so exciting! I love that medal, too.

Anonymous said...

Most excellent. 4:15 arrival - that is the one thing I don't like about Disney races.

MN Mom said...

Congradulations! Sounds like u had fun and did a great job.

Razz said...

Nice job! Next year, I expect you to house the Razz family for this race. :)

Razz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erin said...

The necklace is very appropriate. Good job once more. Did you know the girl that won went to school with Ryan and I?

Heather said...

Wow, impressive run! Great job! I agree that it was a cold start, but that was perfect running weather. I'm thinking I should avoid the picture stops next year, it really hurt my time, hah.

Unknown said...

Nice job, I love that the bib says Princess Jessica. It's so nice to know that there's hope for post baby PRs!

drdave said...

Congrats 21. I just started following your blog. You are an inspiration the way you balance family and fitness. Thanks!

JojaJogger said...

I love the race bibs. Great job on pacing, that is an awesome PR. Good job making the Half Marathon your bitch!

Heather @ Side of Sneakers said...

Congrats on your PR!!! Amazing how consistent you kept your pace! Looks like such a fun race..I want to run with a tiara :)

Whitney said...

Great job! One day I hope to do a Disney race - Florida is a long way from Utah though... so maybe I'll have to try out what DisneyLAND has to offer first.

B. Kramer said...

Congrats on the great PR. Way to over come the cold and the cold. Recover fast. Cheers!

asdhley said...

Wow great job!!!

Meaghan said...

Congrats on the new PR!! Awesome, awesome, awesome!

Scarlett said...

You are amazing!

X-Country2 said...

Awesome work, Princess Jessica.

Jen Feeny said...

Congrats on the PR girly! Chilly temps always make for great PR's! :)

Now rest up!

lifestudent said...

first, I cant believe how many 1/2's youve done in the past few months. And second, congrats!!!!!!!! Amazing job and a well deserved tiara ;)

runner26 said...

omg that's so awesome!! congratulations on the PR!! Maybe the chilly air helped a bit--I always find races w/ colder temps made a difference. Way to go!!

Katie A. said...

Whoo hoo Princess Jesica! Congrats on the PR! Look at all those sub 10's!
Sorry about the cold - I have the same one (hard to believe since we are 3K miles away from one another) and it's a bitch. Sore throat and all congested. I'm on week two with no end in sight :( Feel better!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Strong work! The medal, the shirt...everything looks so cute! But cold...very cold!!

Agate Lake Girl said...

Congrats! Awesome!

Kevin said...

Congrats on the PR.

You may want to invest in a pair of arm warmers. They can keep you warm, come off quickly and stow in a pocket or waistband

Christie said...

Wow! Congrats on the PR! And I love your pendant.

Aron said...

amazing job out there!!!! and WOW so consistent! congrats on the new PR :)

Tiffany said...

Awesome!! My question for you is how on earth did you ever train yourself to get up early to workout. I want to be the early morning workout person but I cannot get out of bed at 5am.

Unknown said...

I have a similar goal as you when you started and an looking for a mentor. Please check out my blog about training for the Disney Princess marathon. I would love your input and training advise!

http://pumpkintoprincess.blogspot.com/

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