Official 2018 Star Wars Dark Side Weekend

[Disney at Heart]

Due to a death in my family, I won't be able to attend the Dark Side 10K as I had been planning. I've reached out to RunDisney to see if there is anything they can do (I know they sometimes do refund people, I am not counting on it) but was wondering if anyone knows if I am unable to get a refund and can't make the expo, is there anyway to still get my shirt? Would I be able to get it mailed to me or pick it up at a later date?

I know it's silly, but I was very much looking forward to running this and am devastated by the loss I am dealing with. I would like to still to do a 10K on my own when I am able and wear my shirt - since I have been training for this.

Sorry for your loss. Bless you. Hope Disney can accommodate.

 

[Dogface6]

I just returned from the Dollar Store where I bought an inflatable pool ring. A lesson learned from previous Rundisney events is that there’s no place to sit in the assembly area before you move to the corrals. I don’t want to be on my feet for 1-2 hours before the HM and it’s hard on the tush and legs to sit on the pavement. So my comfort solution is to bring my little inflatable, blow it up in the assembly area, sit a bit more comfortably, and put it in a trash can when it’s time to go. Well worth a dollar.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

In one week we'll be done! Now doing my pre-Disney tradition of changing every dining reservation that I made 6 months ago.

@KB0609, so sorry for your loss. I hope RunDisney is helpful.

What are you switching it up for?

 

[maw]

What are you switching it up for?

I have no clue. I am trying to figure out where to eat before the 10k. Staying at Poly, eating at Kona on Saturday night. I've been stalking your dining threads! I might just do some place on the monorail loop so it's easy and we're close to home to try to get to bed early-ish. I feel like Ohana is going to be more than I can deal with, and a lot of food.

I snagged a California Grill reservation for our arrival day, but now I'm rethinking that, too. DH mentioned something about going to the parks after the expo and just eating there.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I have no clue. I am trying to figure out where to eat before the 10k. Staying at Poly, eating at Kona on Saturday night. I've been stalking your dining threads! I might just do some place on the monorail loop so it's easy and we're close to home to try to get to bed early-ish. I feel like Ohana is going to be more than I can deal with, and a lot of food.

I snagged a California Grill reservation for our arrival day, but now I'm rethinking that, too. DH mentioned something about going to the parks after the expo and just eating there.

If you want to stay on the monorail, Citricos or Grand Floridian Cafe are great options with decent meal selections for a pre race meal.

We’re eating at 5pm at Disney Springs (paddlefish) so we’ll just head straight back to the hotel after dinner.

 

[zgirls]

Anyone else wishing it was flight day?? Cannot wait until Thursday, see you all this weekend.

 

[jaxonp]

Princess runners.. was there a merchandise preview this year? If so, when was it?

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Princess runners.. was there a merchandise preview this year? If so, when was it?

If we get a merchandise preview, it will be on Tuesday or Wednesday. I know there have been some races where they didn't do a merchandise preview but it doesn't seem to help the ebay situation.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Trust the training is the tried and true adage. From experience, it depends on how you approach the races as to how your body will respond. Jack Daniels (running coach) advises 1 easy/rest day for every 3k of racing. So a hard raced 10k, would require 3-4 days of easy/recovery after it. When the HM occurs the day after the 10k, then that likely means if you race the 10k hard your HM will not be optimal. You'll be in that recovering period of time from a hard 10k race. If you instead choose to run the 10k at a more relative leisure pace (like your long run pace (like Galloway's marathon pace + 2 min or Hansons marathon pace +9%)), then your body would require less recovery time post-10k. That could afford you the opportunity to race the HM at near 100% capacity after the 10k the day earlier. Pacing is key in terms of the experience outcome for both the 10k and HM. With all that being said, with the weather being as hot as was earlier discussed (I'm not racing so I haven't checked recently), it does make the back-to-back races more challenging and being mindful of pacing becomes even more important. Listen to your body and use the recovery tools you've used in the past to properly prepare yourself for the next event.

I pushed the 10K hard and landed a PR during last year's 10K. At MM 11 during the half I thought I was ready to die. I slowed down to a crawl and went immediately to the medical tent after crossing the finish line nearly 20 minutes off my training times. Learned my lesson, leave enough in the tank after day 1 to enjoy day 2. This year the strategy is completely different, enjoy the races, get some photos, and have fun. I can pull a PR at a local race that I paid $40 to enter instead.

 

[Tigerlulu]

I pushed the 10K hard and landed a PR during last year's 10K. At MM 11 during the half I thought I was ready to die. I slowed down to a crawl and went immediately to the medical tent after crossing the finish line nearly 20 minutes off my training times. Learned my lesson, leave enough in the tank after day 1 to enjoy day 2. This year the strategy is completely different, enjoy the races, get some photos, and have fun. I can pull a PR at a local race that I paid $40 to enter instead.

Yep! Easy day on Saturday so I don’t die on Sunday. That’s my plan. Lol

 

[Bree]

I'm goofing off for the 10K. I'm running really slow and stopping for all the pictures. It will probably take 2-2.5 hours for me to finish.

ETA: The half I'm taking seriously. Trying for a PR.

 

[ematulis81]

I am running all three events. I always treat the 5K as a shakeout run, 10k moderate pace and then really push myself for the half. I've learned that if I run all three like I would an individual race my performance drastically suffers. I'd rather have one event where I'm pushing myself for a PR and enjoying the others.

 

[Dogface6]

Anyone else wishing it was flight day?? Cannot wait until Thursday, see you all this weekend.

All packed , loaded, and departing by car for WDW in the morning.

Hi ho, hi ho, to Disney World we go,
We’ll have some fun and do the run,
Hi ho, hi ho!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I'm goofing off for the 10K. I'm running really slow and stopping for all the pictures. It will probably take 2-2.5 hours for me to finish.

ETA: The half I'm taking seriously. Trying for a PR.

I’m debating if I’m going to do that for the 10k too as I never stop for many pictures (usually just 1)

 

[DopeyBadger]

I pushed the 10K hard and landed a PR during last year's 10K. At MM 11 during the half I thought I was ready to die. I slowed down to a crawl and went immediately to the medical tent after crossing the finish line nearly 20 minutes off my training times. Learned my lesson, leave enough in the tank after day 1 to enjoy day 2. This year the strategy is completely different, enjoy the races, get some photos, and have fun. I can pull a PR at a local race that I paid $40 to enter instead.

In my experience of running the Dopey the last five years, I've tried to PR all 4 events (5k, 10k, HM, and M). I have yet to successfully hit all 4, but come close many times (this year got 5k, 10k, HM and was off by 2 min on the M). When I do this, I find my 5k and 10k are near 100% efforts. My HM is probably about 4% slower than what my fitness would indicate. My M is about 7-10% slower than what my fitness would indicate. I dubbed it the Sextuple PR Dopey Challenge (the other two PRs are Goofy and Dopey). @MissLiss279 actually accomplished it this past Dopey.

 

[MissLiss279]

In my experience of running the Dopey the last five years, I've tried to PR all 4 events (5k, 10k, HM, and M). I have yet to successfully hit all 4, but come close many times (this year got 5k, 10k, HM and was off by 2 min on the M). When I do this, I find my 5k and 10k are near 100% efforts. My HM is probably about 4% slower than what my fitness would indicate. My M is about 7-10% slower than what my fitness would indicate. I dubbed it the Sextuple PR Dopey Challenge (the other two PRs are Goofy and Dopey). @MissLiss279 actually accomplished it this past Dopey.

Yep! It can be done! It was awesome. @DopeyBadger built a plan for me that helped build my endurance (and give me confidence to run a faster pace) so I could take significant time off my marathon, even though it wasn’t 100% of what I could have accomplished on fresh legs.

 

[KB0609]

So sorry to hear of your loss.

A little experience in our family albeit the opposite end of the spectrum. My niece became pregnant after registering for the lightside. She had to be at the expo to get the shirts. At the bib pickup she was offered a form to fill out to try and get a refund or a deferral although they explained it was rare. If she was going to try and do that then she couldn't pick up her bibs and the shirts. And then she might not get the refund either. She decided to just pick up the shirts - expensive shirts but she had them.

A friend of mine was able to get fully refunded both the Princess 10K and Dark Side 10K this year because of an unexpected pregnancy. She even picked up her Princess shirt and bib before deciding she couldn't do the race! I am hopeful that they will offer me a refund but I've heard so many stories of people not getting them that I'm not holding my breath.

Thank you very much to all those who offered their condolences - it's very much appreciated The weather has been beautiful today here in Orlando (albeit a little windy) so hopefully that holds out for you all this weekend!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Just changed Thursday from a half day off of work to a full day off. Now debating if I want to deal with the opening crowds of the Expo or wait until 2PM like we originally planned.

 

[Tigerlulu]

We will head over about noon. I’m scared of the legendary craziness.

 

[1lilspark]

Plan on being there around 11ish got there opening day for wine and dine in November and it was calm though the addition of a third building to go to may make it worse