The Disney Princess Half Marathon - Don't Ignore Your Gear

Hey Tiarathoners!  How's your training coming?

If you're anything like me (minus the boy parts), you're probably getting a little nervous about the big event.  It's pretty easy to get caught up in the training at this point, but you need to start looking at the gear you're going to be using during the race.

Shoes
I know, you have good shoes. But even my "low mileage" shoes are getting up there, and I don't want to be running 13 miles in a new pair of shoes!  This week or next is a good time to get new ones and begin breaking them in.  Make sure you wear them on a few short runs before doing a long run in them, and make sure that you've done at least one long run in them before the big day.

If you aren't sure how many miles you've put on them, look at your training plan and what you typically do and estimate.  Running shoes are only good for between 300-400 miles.

Clothing
It's hard to do this during the winter, but make sure you've got clothes for the right weather.  It looks like the temperature will be between 50-70 degrees (F), but it could be as cold as 38F and as warm as 88F.  Make sure you have a rain option, and prepare to wear layers just in case it isn't great weather (note, a baseball cap helps with both sun and rain). 

Just like with the shoes, make sure you've run in all of your clothing before.  You don't want to find out at mile 5 that your new shorts rub you wrong or your rain jacket flaps around!

Also, if your breastfeeding status has recently changed, or is going to before the race, you may end up needing to switch running bras.  Run in the new one as much as you can before going.

Fuel
I don't like to eat when I run, but 13 miles is a LONG way.  In addition to several water stops, Disney has a food station between miles 8 and 9.  I don't know what kind of food they're going to have, though, so I'll be bringing some little Gu or Sport Bean packs with me just in case.  Again, make sure you've tried eating them while running before.  This isn't the time to figure out something makes you sick.  And practice where you're going to stash them, too!  (Kristen said your cleavage isn't a good choice.)

[From Kristen: It's not a terrible option to use cleavage, however, I got some scrapes from the packaging, so it's best to figure out another way to carry your sports gels].

Music
If you plan to use music, make sure you've got good headphone/ear bud things, a player that has enough battery life to play for the whole race, and a secure way of carrying it.  I hate to keep harping on it, but don't wear something for the first time during a half marathon!  It may seem solid when you're running 3 miles, but 13 is a lot longer.

- Bill

Comments

[Online Consultation]

We should never forget this things you mention so that it would ruin our time of having fun.

[ladyg8r]

Thank you for this. I'm a first timer so I appreciate all the advice I can get :)

[Howard]

Just saw the bit about the Disney food station and it made me laugh so much I had to say thanks for posting!
You can just imagine Disney characters handing out candy, or burgers & fries! Even if you don't want to eat it, the smell isn't going to be great at that point in a race ;)