Official 2016 Star Wars Half Marthon - The Dark Side Weekend

[AThrillingChase]

I am just not one that is big on running in costume - I want to be as comfortable as possible! So, I will do "inspired" running clothes. I do love dressing up though any other time. But then I also rarely stop for photos, so that could contribute.

That said - since I adore SW I am trying to go a little further with this race and will definitely be stopping! I did think Rey, because it would be easy to wear light colored running gear and just add the thin pieces of her um...lets call it a vest?? and a belt (though I have to find the perfect belt because if it isn't nearly identical it will bug me!) to make it. But then, I kind of love Kylo Ren so I am also trying to see how I could somehow turn that into a costume as well. Maybe just take the same concept from Rey and do it in black and add a hood and change up the belt and arm sleeves. After marathon weekend I will have to sit down and see if I can make it work.

I would probably do the more costume-y option for the 10k (where I plan to stop for pics) and then am hoping to wear a BB-8 inspired outfit for the half (where I plan to stop less and run more). Over on another board they were kind enough to help me in my search for BB-8 printed leggings (with the orange and gray circles all over them) and I will look for a top that somehow gives the effect. Maybe I can put his tiny antenna on a sweatyband?? Guess I just made my marathon weekend shopping list out!

 

[roselark]

I just made the very difficult decision to change resorts. I was originally booked at Port Orleans Riverside, but changed to Coronado Springs when the discounts came out and POR wasn't included. I did a lot of thinking over the last week, though, and my frugal side won out. I just can't bring myself to pay an extra $266 just for access to a hot tub and less crowded buses to and from the races, so I changed to All Star Sports. I have stayed there several times and had no issues. I will just have to pretend I have a hot tub with a hot bath. Though, if my waitlist comes through for AKV, then I will not have to worry about it!

 

[flvy]

I'm booked at Coronado and I have a feeling I'll end up going to sports but my last stay was at a value and I had an aweful experience.

 

[kathleen27]

Oh, I did not realize discounts were out! I am behind on every thread I follow. And I was avoiding any star wars related threads until after I saw the movie - finally saw it last week.

Well I did just get what looks like 15% off my room at Caribbean with a switch to a king room. I am thinking of switching to Pop though as it would be so much less. I think I am going to wait for AP discounts to come out to make the decision. I like the seating and hammocks at Caribbean and I keep thinking it might be nice to have some downtime at the resort since this is my first challenge.

I have no idea what I am doing for a costume!!! I'm sure it will just be something really simple, and will probably involve a sparkle skirt.

 

[RedStars]

I'm planning an Ariel/boba fett Mashup!

 

[HockeyMomNH]

I'm planning an Ariel/boba fett Mashup!

I'm doing a Minnie Mouse/Darth Vader mashup.

 

[maw]

I'm doing a Minnie Mouse/Darth Vader mashup.

You guys are so creative! I'm just thinking storm trooper with a sparkly skirt. I'd love to do a boba fett something but can't find the perfect shirt.

 

[FFigawi]

I'm keeping it simple and wearing all black

 

[acbshada]

I just can't bring myself to pay an extra $266 just for access to a hot tub and less crowded buses to and from the races, so I changed to All Star Sports. I have stayed there several times and had no issues. I will just have to pretend I have a hot tub with a hot bath. Though, if my waitlist comes through for AKV, then I will not have to worry about it!

*fingers crossed for you on AKV* But I know what you mean about switching to All Star Sports. A hot tub would be nice, but that money in my pocket for more souvenirs sounds oh-so-much nicer.

I'm booked at Coronado and I have a feeling I'll end up going to sports but my last stay was at a value and I had an aweful experience.

Ugh. :\ I'm sorry that your last experience was a poor one. I've personally never had huge issues at any of the values, but I know there are bad experiences across the board everywhere. It's just unfortunate you had to deal with one of them.

I'm planning an Ariel/boba fett Mashup!

This. Is. Awesome. That is all.

I'm doing a Minnie Mouse/Darth Vader mashup.

Okay, that's going to be freaking adorable!

You guys are so creative! I'm just thinking storm trooper with a sparkly skirt. I'd love to do a boba fett something but can't find the perfect shirt.

I think your idea sounds cute!

I can't wait to see all of these. Just hearing about them makes me feel kind of fangirl crazy this morning.

 

[flvy]

I'm keeping it simple and wearing all black

I actually really like that idea.

I might just get some black and red going and call it a day.

 

[roselark]

I really, really want to wear a costume this year, but I am concerned about the heat. Any idea if leggings would be too hot? Maybe I will dress up for the 5K and/or 10K and just wear something light and cool for the half...

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Maybe I will dress up for the 5K and/or 10K and just wear something light and cool for the half...

This is what I'd opt for, but I'm really particular about what I wear on long runs!! I just know that based on past experience, it's often pretty warm by the time I'm finishing a half... And I'd get cranky if a costume made me too hot.

 

[tparty10]

Anyone have any tips or suggestions for running the challenge?? I have done numerous marathons and half marathons but never races on back to back days. Any tips or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Anyone have any tips or suggestions for running the challenge?? I have done numerous marathons and half marathons but never races on back to back days. Any tips or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I've done several challenges (even 5K/10K/half), and to be honest, I don't do anything differently from a training standpoint. In fact, the first time I EVER ran a longer race was the ToT 10-miler at night, and I did the 5K that morning at the crack of dawn. I think when you've trained for a half, it's not much to knock out a 5K and/or a 10K on the days leading up to it.

And I am BY NO MEANS a "hard core runner"! We do it for health, for the fun of it, and not for speed. And I have only been running for a few years. All that said, everyone is different, etc., etc. I like to test out whatever I'll be dealing with on race days PRIOR to race day if I'm nervous about it.

The one consideration to me has been weather on race days. If your shoes are SOAKED for the 5K, are they nice and dry by the 10K the next day, for instance? Perhaps worth bringing a couple of pairs just in case. We stay in DVC units with dryers, so we've made do with one pair so far.

I'm sure others have more experience with this than I do... I'm sure they will chime in as well!

 

[tparty10]

I've done several challenges (even 5K/10K/half), and to be honest, I don't do anything differently from a training standpoint. In fact, the first time I EVER ran a longer race was the ToT 10-miler at night, and I did the 5K that morning at the crack of dawn. I think when you've trained for a half, it's not much to knock out a 5K and/or a 10K on the days leading up to it.

And I am BY NO MEANS a "hard core runner"! We do it for health, for the fun of it, and not for speed. And I have only been running for a few years. All that said, everyone is different, etc., etc. I like to test out whatever I'll be dealing with on race days PRIOR to race day if I'm nervous about it.

The one consideration to me has been weather on race days. If your shoes are SOAKED for the 5K, are they nice and dry by the 10K the next day, for instance? Perhaps worth bringing a couple of pairs just in case. We stay in DVC units with dryers, so we've made do with one pair so far.

I'm sure others have more experience with this than I do... I'm sure they will chime in as well!

Thanks for this information. I seem to be in the same league as you -- just having some fun and being healthy. Super great tip about the possibility of needing dry gear!! I would not have thought about that.... thanks!

 

[ExportedMolson]

Anyone have any tips or suggestions for running the challenge?? I have done numerous marathons and half marathons but never races on back to back days. Any tips or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I have only run the Dumbo Double Dare, but will be running the Rebel Challenge and Dark Side Challenge. My plan is to choose one event to race and the other to run for fun at whatever pace. For Dumbo and the Rebel, I decided to run the 10K as a fun run, stopping to take pictures at every stop and just enjoy myself. That way the legs are relatively fresh to race the half the next day. It might be my training, but my old body can't put out the effort to really run hard two days in a row.

ETA: I second the need for extra gear. I don't wear costumes, but have two full kits and bring a pair of shoes for each race.

 

[Nole95]

I ran Goofy last year. To train for that, I eventually got to where I was doing back to back long runs of 10 and 20 miles. I did that four times over an 8 week span leading up to taper. That was pretty much the key for me, and I trained hard with the goal of hitting a PR in both races. I went all out in the half and started running out of gas at about mile 16 of the full. If I had just been running the full and had done that training plan, I would have easily coasted through the it.

For the Dark Side, I am still doing back to back long runs (6 and 12) just to make sure I am good and conditioned. My goal is to take it easy during the 10K and enjoy things, and depending on the weather, push things for the half.

 

[kmchisholm]

The only places that have availability are Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. No studios available at any resort for that weekend.

The only resorts that have availability that weekend are Old Key West and Saratoga Springs.

Apologize if this belongs on the DVC forum but make sure you wait list for the resort/room type you really want. Of course nothing is guaranteed, but we made a last minute decision (4-6 weeks out) to go to F&W last year and originally Saratoga was the only thing available. However, I wait listed and got a studio at Boardwalk.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'm either doing a Star Wars Rebels costume or doing Rey. I know it is the dark side but I couldn't imagine doing any of the dark side females with out breaking the new costume rules.

 

[roselark]

Anyone have any tips or suggestions for running the challenge?? I have done numerous marathons and half marathons but never races on back to back days. Any tips or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I would recommend adding in back to back training days to prep for it. I ran the 5K and Dumbo Double Dare at Disneyland in September. I think it helped a TON to add these days into training. I am following Jeff Galloway's plan, but making my longest run 12 miles and adding a mile to the Saturday distance, which gets me up to 6. I have an amazing time and felt great after each race. I took the 5K very easy, just walking it. I took the 10K easy, taking time to get pictures, and ran the half at my normal race effort.