Official 2016 Star Wars Half Marthon - The Dark Side Weekend

[MonkeyDishwasher]

You got a refund?! How?

I think @MonkeyDishwasher changed events when they opened up more spots.

Ariel is correct, I originally registered for the Half but upgraded to the Dark Side Challenge- Disney was just refunding me the cost of the original registration (sans a transfer fee of course).

 

[rteetz]

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/02/disney-parks-adopt-seasonal-pricing-on-1-day-ticket/

 

[pxefig]

FYI (as someone that just deferred a race ), keep in mind...

- Deferral fee is $55 (it was for me, anyway)
- you can only defer to the same event (so you can't apply it toward a different race weekend)
- I believe you'll need to pay the difference in registration fees next year. So if the price goes up $20 I think you need to pay that $20...not totally sure about this yet
- the most annoying thing - they don't update deferral capacity. So it won't say that deferrals are 50% full or anything...they'll just be open one day and closed the next. So if you're 100% sure you want to defer I'd do so as soon as you see the link.

Yup- they will charge you the extra is the race price increases. For me, they dsent an email saying the date they would be charging my card for the price increase as a heads up before it happened.

 

[samc]

FYI (as someone that just deferred a race ), keep in mind...

- Deferral fee is $55 (it was for me, anyway)
- you can only defer to the same event (so you can't apply it toward a different race weekend)
- I believe you'll need to pay the difference in registration fees next year. So if the price goes up $20 I think you need to pay that $20...not totally sure about this yet
- the most annoying thing - they don't update deferral capacity. So it won't say that deferrals are 50% full or anything...they'll just be open one day and closed the next. So if you're 100% sure you want to defer I'd do so as soon as you see the link.

Could you tell me where on the run disney site I will find the option to defer? I've never had to before & just assumed I could call them when we were sure my son wouldn't be able to run. Sorry to say I'll probably be solo for this race
TIA!!

 

[twinsouvenirs]

I HAVE to get back to regular training... got in almost 4 miles on Saturday and have to get in about the same today. Does anyone else train by walking a lot as well as running? I can speed walk at work so I do a lot of my training that way, but I feel like I am cheating. Also, does anyone else break it up--like 2 miles here and then 2 miles later? Is this ok, or do you think it's essentially a waste if you aren't putting in at least three miles in a session?

 

[DopeyBadger]

I HAVE to get back to regular training... got in almost 4 miles on Saturday and have to get in about the same today. Does anyone else train by walking a lot as well as running? I can speed walk at work so I do a lot of my training that way, but I feel like I am cheating. Also, does anyone else break it up--like 2 miles here and then 2 miles later? Is this ok, or do you think it's essentially a waste if you aren't putting in at least three miles in a session?

In my opinion, as far as splitting goes, I'd say if your goal for the day is 4 miles and your options are...

A) Do 4 miles all at once
B) Do 2 miles in the morning and 2 miles at night
C) Do 2 miles in the morning, but get busy and not do 2 miles at night

Then A > B > C. Optimally, you run all 4 miles together as it garners slightly different benefits then splitting up the run into 2 x 2 miles (morning/evening). But something is better than nothing, so both A and B are better than C. I guess it comes down to the reason you feel you'd like to split the 4 miler into two runs and whether that infringes on the benefit of the run.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

In my opinion, as far as splitting goes, I'd say if your goal for the day is 4 miles and your options are...

A) Do 4 miles all at once
B) Do 2 miles in the morning and 2 miles at night
C) Do 2 miles in the morning, but get busy and not do 2 miles at night

Then A > B > C. Optimally, you run all 4 miles together as it garners slightly different benefits then splitting up the run into 2 x 2 miles (morning/evening). But something is better than nothing, so both A and B are better than C. I guess it comes down to the reason you feel you'd like to split the 4 miler into two runs and whether that infringes on the benefit of the run.

Agree with this, but wanted to add that walking - even speed walking - does nothing to improve your running. The stride is too different, and the muscles are used in very different ways. Walking helps your body in other ways, but it will not improve your running so walking mileage should not be included in your running mileage training logs. The exception would be walking as a part of a walk/run race strategy, and then only when the walking mileage is a part of a walk/run workout.

 

[Ariel484]

Could you tell me where on the run disney site I will find the option to defer? I've never had to before & just assumed I could call them when we were sure my son wouldn't be able to run. Sorry to say I'll probably be solo for this race
TIA!!

I believe it will be under the Registration tab in the Star Wars Dark Side section of runDisney.com. I deferred GSC a little over a month before the race weekend, so you may want to start checking the page this week to see if the link has been posted.

FYI...not sure which race your son is signed up for (and I'm so sorry that he may not be able to make it!) but you can only defer the 10K, half or challenge. The 5K and Kids Races cannot be deferred. And don't worry about being solo, I do most of my Disney races solo and have a blast!

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Agree with this, but wanted to add that walking - even speed walking - does nothing to improve your running. The stride is too different, and the muscles are used in very different ways. Walking helps your body in other ways, but it will not improve your running so walking mileage should not be included in your running mileage training logs. The exception would be walking as a part of a walk/run race strategy, and then only when the walking mileage is a part of a walk/run workout.

Good point. I definitely do walk/run or even speed walking only--I plan to walk nearly all of the 10k--but I can walk a 13.2 min/mile (long legs). Thank you for these insights! I was suspecting that the walks weren't going to do tons for my running. I am hoping that worst case they build endurance. As to 2/2 split--it's primarily because I can walk a loop indoors at work but can't run it, so to ensure I get SOMETHING in, I try to do that. It's nice today but it gets pretty icy here in Ohio, so running outdoors isn't always the best--I can only do post-work running after the kiddos are in bed, and then it is competing with other things like making lunches for the next day

ALL that said, it's funny, when I first signed up I thought finding time and places to work out would be essentially impossible but I am actually finding that there are little opportunities all around when I look for them!

 

[PrincessV]

Does anyone else train by walking a lot as well as running?

My motto is always: train how you plan to race, race the same way you trained. I run-walk, so I do that during training and while racing: walking uses different muscle groups in different ways than running, so I'd not advise walking in training if you plan to run or run-walk while racing. Make sense? That said, if I'm injured, or need a low-impact day, I'll walk if it's either that or nothing at all. At least it gets me moving.

Also, does anyone else break it up--like 2 miles here and then 2 miles later? Is this ok, or do you think it's essentially a waste if you aren't putting in at least three miles in a session?

I'm a big fan of two-a-days, especially in the hot summer months here in FL. And I've done exactly that: 2 in the morning and another 2 in the evening. BUT I suggest using that sparingly, as it doesn't replicate the act of running all the miles in one session. For long runs, especially, you really need the time on your feet in training. So maybe one week, you can split 10 miles into 6 in the morning, 4 in the evening, but the next one really ought to be 10 all at once.

 

[opusone]

February Training Report

How is everyone's training coming along? With six and a half weeks to go, I figure everyone's mileage is ramping up regardless of the specific training plan, so how are you feeling at this point?

This morning, I finished my last run for February, and for the first time in I-can't-even-remember-how-long, I finished every single training run for an entire month!! That being said, this last week has been one of the hardest for me as far as keeping pace/motivation/etc, but I was able to push through and make it. I also switched to a different brand/model of shoes in the past week, and that is taking a little time for my feet to adjust.

Total Miles: 187 miles
Total Time: 28:42:14
Average Pace: 9:12/mi

 

[camaker]

February Training Report

How is everyone's training coming along? With six and a half weeks to go, I figure everyone's mileage is ramping up regardless of the specific training plan, so how are you feeling at this point?

This morning, I finished my last run for February, and for the first time in I-can't-even-remember-how-long, I finished every single training run for an entire month!! That being said, this last week has been one of the hardest for me as far as keeping pace/motivation/etc, but I was able to push through and make it. I also switched to a different brand/model of shoes in the past week, and that is taking a little time for my feet to adjust.

Total Miles: 187 miles
Total Time: 28:42:14
Average Pace: 9:12/mi

Good job! That's way too much mileage for me just getting ready to run a half! I hit all but one of my Higdon-based training runs in February and my hamstring has held up to the increasing pace intervals of the rehab plan, as well (thankfully). The increasing run/walk intervals have let me improve from ~12:00/mile at the beginning of the month to 9:30-10:00/mile here at the end of the month. I've got the Tobacco Road Half Marathon coming up in two weeks and after that it will be a matter of maintaining fitness to head into the SWDS Challenge.

Total Miles: 86.1
Total Time: Untracked
Average Pace: Untracked

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

That's way too much mileage for me just getting ready to run a half!
...
Total Miles: 86.1
Total Time: Untracked
Average Pace: Untracked

Same here! I use a slightly modified Higdon plan as well, which would have me around 87 miles for Feb. I did way less after being sidelined for a while after minor shoulder surgery. Looking to work my way back. I've used this plan for multiple halfs, and have done just fine with it. That said, I am not going for time -- not fast AT ALL. Perhaps I'd need to run more mileage to bring that time down if that was my goal.

 

[cgattis]

It could be Disney is planning on honoring one of the most overlooked of the Seven Dwarfs- Sleepy.

Unfortunately, when I start Sleepy, I finish Grumpy

 

[NileNellie]

I was hoping for the reverse W&D too because I never got to do the full distance. It would be like killing two birds with one stone. Someday I won't be grumpy about that half a half.

Don't worry, I'm still grumpy too. Hoping we can actually run through AK this time!

 

[DopeyBadger]

February Training Report

How is everyone's training coming along? With six and a half weeks to go, I figure everyone's mileage is ramping up regardless of the specific training plan, so how are you feeling at this point?

This morning, I finished my last run for February, and for the first time in I-can't-even-remember-how-long, I finished every single training run for an entire month!! That being said, this last week has been one of the hardest for me as far as keeping pace/motivation/etc, but I was able to push through and make it. I also switched to a different brand/model of shoes in the past week, and that is taking a little time for my feet to adjust.

Total Miles: 187 miles
Total Time: 28:42:14
Average Pace: 9:12/mi

Way to go! That's an awesome feeling when you're able to complete all of the training runs in a month. Looks like you're keeping it up and are going to be ready to do really well in 6.5 weeks.

 

[RedStars]

This is my 1st rundisney race.
How much time to allot for the expo?

We're heading over to the expo on Thurs morning and are hoping to be at Epcot by 1p.

Do lines form early at the expo? If the time listed is 10am, what time do lines begin forming?

We need to pick up 4 packets (10k, 5k 2 kids races). I'm really only interested in getting the packets/shirts and getting out.
Our kids are 5 and 7 and I'm nervous about all that standing-in-line time.

 

[acbshada]

Training for the 10K and feeling behind because - well - we are behind. Following Jeff Galloway's schedule as best we can. Hanging out with an overall pace average of 14:00 min/mile. I keep hoping to improve on that, but we're still getting held back by everything (or at least it seems that way).

Newest issue I'm dealing with that I've never had before is shin splints. Having issues with my right shin - usually pops up about 15-20 minutes into a run. I still consider myself a beginning runner (only done this about a year and a half), so if you have any tips, please let me know.

 

[PrincessV]

February Training Report

How is everyone's training coming along?

Well, I FINALLY feel recovered from Marathon weekend, so that's fun, lol! I raced a half a week ago and was definitely not ready to race yet: got a PR, but way off from the time I was chasing. Took most of last week off entirely to recover and now I'm feeling ready to get back at it.

I also switched to a different brand/model of shoes in the past week, and that is taking a little time for my feet to adjust.

I'm in the same boat. I'm enjoying the new ones so far, and have high hopes for them going the distance, but yeah: still adjusting.

This is my 1st rundisney race.
How much time to allot for the expo?

We're heading over to the expo on Thurs morning and are hoping to be at Epcot by 1p.

Do lines form early at the expo? If the time listed is 10am, what time do lines begin forming?

We need to pick up 4 packets (10k, 5k 2 kids races). I'm really only interested in getting the packets/shirts and getting out.
Our kids are 5 and 7 and I'm nervous about all that standing-in-line time.

In my experience, going on opening day, at opening time, is bound to be the busiest time possible. Given the Star Wars theme and that it's an inaugural race weekend, I wouldn't be surprised to see extreme lines, on par with Princess weekend's opening day. I hope I'm wrong, but I'd prepare for the worst. Suggestion: since you're not going for merchandise, maybe go to EP first, then hit the expo later in the afternoon, when things will have calmed down? If you're only picking up bibs and you go when it's less crowded, it should't take more than 15-30 minutes.

Newest issue I'm dealing with that I've never had before is shin splints. Having issues with my right shin - usually pops up about 15-20 minutes into a run. I still consider myself a beginning runner (only done this about a year and a half), so if you have any tips, please let me know.

I'd do some Googling because there are LOTS of things that can contribute to shin splints, but the only time I ever got them was in a shoe that wasn't right for my mechanics. Have you been fitted for running shoes? (Not that that guarantees anything, since my wrong shoes were courtesy of a fitter, but still a good place to start.) From what I understand, shin issues can also surface form ramping up mileage too quickly, and/or from over-striding.

 

[opusone]

Newest issue I'm dealing with that I've never had before is shin splints. Having issues with my right shin - usually pops up about 15-20 minutes into a run. I still consider myself a beginning runner (only done this about a year and a half), so if you have any tips, please let me know.

I posted the following on another thread, but here is a shin splint exercise:

You can try this (some runners swear by it): stand with your back against a wall, heels about 6 inches from the wall, and lift your toes as high as you can keeping your heels on the ground, and hold it for about a second. Do this 12-15 times before and after each run.