Half Marathon Pre-Training

I realized I have been slacking on my dailymile usage. I have been working out - but it's been in the 90s here in lower Michigan, so I haven't been running as much as I should. ( I also am in the process of switching jobs, so I haven't h ad as much time for blogging.)

In order to properly train for my first Disney Princess Half Marathon in February 2012, I have decided to utilize the Jeff Galloway Training Program. It looks like a 19 week training schedule, meaning my "official training" should commence the first week in October. Between now and then I think I will stick to the 30 minute runs and 3-5 miles each weekend to maintain my strength.

The biggest challenge I have with distance running is endurance! I used to be a dancer, so I am good at "sprinting" we would have 4 hour practices and we would run the routine through a few times then we would stop and make corrections. Since I heard about the run/walk method, I've been trying to use it rather than just run until I can't anymore, instead running about 5-7 minutes then walk for 1-2 minutes. Does anyone use the strategy consistently?

So between now and October, I think I will use the training schedule and just maintain the 30 minute runs during the week and get in 1 3-5 mile run each weekend, as a pre-training! I also hope my body will get more used running more frequently so it will be easier.

Has anyone tried the Jeff Galloway program - did it work for you? What do you do between races to maintain your running?

New runDisney Merchandise!

While I am still upset about the cancellation of ESPN The Weekend, runDisney announced Sunday via Facebook that select runDisney merchandise is now available at select locations at the WDW resort. I can't wait to pick up a couple things on my next visit! Select items will also be available online at www.disneystore.com soon.

I hope they come out with one of those "Training for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon" performance tees they had in the past for the Disney World Marathon & Half Marathon. That would be awesome!

Photo: From runDisney Facebook Page

Join Recycle Bank

In addition to being a big fan of Disney, I am also a big fan of Couponing & Being Green! In fact, I have been recycling since I was 7 years old - and we don't even have curbside in our city. I actually separate and wash all my recyclables and drive them to the recycling center about 2x per month!

I just recently found out about a site called Recyclebank, where you can sign up for free and earn points by doing things to help our environment. You can then redeem your points for grocery coupons, gift cards and lots of fun prizes!

Its totally free to join, and if you click my link here, I'll get a few bonus points for sending you over! Please use my link to join so I can earn more coupons in my hopes of saving enough money for my Disney Princess Half Marathon trip!

Thanks in advance for helping me out, and for being green!

RIP ESPN Weekend

Well it's a sad day for me. Last week on the Disney Parks blog they announced that ESPN The Weekend will no longer be taking place because ESPN has such a larger presence at the resort now though the ESPN WWS Complex. This was one of my absolute favorite events at the Walt Disney World Resort. Through these weekends I have gotten an opportunity to run my first 5K, and meet several sports celebrities including Tim Tebow, Garrett Hartley, DeAngelo Williams and so many more. This year I had planned to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon and stay the week, ending my vacation with ESPN Weekend and run the 5K again. Glad I didn't book any tickets yet! I hope Disney decides to change their mind, I know many fans are upset about this.