Official Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend - The Dark Side 2017

[opusone]

Here is my best attempt to map the Dark Side half marathon course:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/14788367

Not sure I have the entrance to Epcot quite right, but it should be close.

 

[its_jason]

I'm in a conundrum though as I broke in new shoes to be my number 1 Darkside race shoes a few weeks ago and then bring my secondary ones as backup, well those I think are shot, so now do I go ahead and break in another new pair to have 2 newish pairs down there in case it rains or just bring the probably shot secondary ones as backup & hope for no rain.

I would break in a new pair, just cycled in my two for the challenge aiming to get them to the 50 mile sweet spot. I am a bit of a shoe nut though, won't run consecutive days on the same shoe and have a separate one for speed vs. easy.

New shoes are always fun

 

[Calfan]

I just returned from a spring break trip, and my magic band was sitting on our porch upon our arrival home. Plus my ME materials were in our collected mail. Very exciting

 

[Ndusmama]

Started pre-packing this weekend! This is our first family vacation with our 18 month old, so I'm pretty sure I'm overpacking. But I mean, he'll definitely need a stroller rain poncho, snack tray, and fan, right?

Also, question about hydration belts. I've been running with one for long runs, but doubt I'll need it for the race, right? It looks like there are plenty of hydration stations and you always hear horror stories about people over-hydrating, or become dehydrated and I don't want to be either.

18 month old: look into frog toggs. Will help with heat issues. Freeze a couple of bottles of water overnight for during the day. Afternoon naps and pool time do not underestimate either!

I still plan on bringing hydration with me. Pweraide is okay if it's red, blue is nasty to me. I bring tailwind to run. I would rather know I have enough hydration on me then not have enough and overheat.

Ran 13.1 today and time was 1:53:32...so I am very excited for the half in just a few weeks. Just wish I would have had a POT, oh well i'm in corral G and still ok with it. How is everyone else doing?

On the rundisneyrun Facebook group there is a game of starting dead last and see how many people they can "kill" by passing them. With your time it would be interesting to see how many people you would pass. Might be fun. I personally won't do it cause yeah I'm about 40 minutes slower then you.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I still plan on bringing hydration with me. Pweraide is okay if it's red, blue is nasty to me. I bring tailwind to run. I would rather know I have enough hydration on me then not have enough and overheat.

Curveball for ya - they always do yellow!

I am currently trying to get my packing completed, I leave next week since I am doing SW Celebration too. The good thing is in April I really just need sundresses and shorts for under, and a jacket for at night. Much more room in the suitcase vs January!

 

[Ndusmama]

Curveball for ya - they always do yellow!

I am currently trying to get my packing completed, I leave next week since I am doing SW Celebration too. The good thing is in April I really just need sundresses and shorts for under, and a jacket for at night. Much more room in the suitcase vs January!

Not at DL, it's blue. I've never done a wdw race.

 

[AThrillingChase]

Not at DL, it's blue. I've never done a wdw race.

I brought it up specifically because I remember you saying this was your first race in Orlando

I believe World and Land have different race managers so little things like that I have heard are different

 

[Plaid Princess]

Also, question about hydration belts. I've been running with one for long runs, but doubt I'll need it for the race, right? It looks like there are plenty of hydration stations and you always hear horror stories about people over-hydrating, or become dehydrated and I don't want to be either.

Personally, I always run with a hydration belt with a single small bottle, however I have never been in a position where I felt like I "needed" the water I was carrying. I typically make sure to hydrate well the day before and the morning of, and then drink at the hydration stations. I'll sip at the bottle periodically, but ive never emptied it. It's really more of a security blanket for me.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Courses look pretty good!

I'm so pleased they switched from the finish at WWoS, that was just a disaster.

Ohh, that's I didn't know. Interesting. Maybe that's why DL races seem to be better run.

The local community really turns out at DL. Cheerleaders from all over Orange County, high school, college, and middle school bands. The 501st was awesome!

I was so spoiled running the DL races first. It really ruined my expectations for what I would get at a WDW race. Particularly when it came to course-side entertainment. I was used to the community feel and smart organization (I.e. Not oversold) of the West Coast races. Hopefully they took the extensive amount of negative feedback from the last DS race and improved it, because last year was a cluster. The adjusted course is a good sign.

 

[bryana]

I have some catching up on this thread! Took pretty much all last week off after doing that half last weekend. It worked out because it was Wrestlemania weekend so I binge watched entirely too much professional wrestling from Thursday until last night. Now that 'mania weekend is over, I'll be able to completely focus on this trip. Can't believe it's already two weeks away!!

It's a warm, humid one here today so hoping that my run today will be helpful in getting ready for that wildcard.

 

[lovingeire]

Started pre-packing this weekend! This is our first family vacation with our 18 month old, so I'm pretty sure I'm overpacking. But I mean, he'll definitely need a stroller rain poncho, snack tray, and fan, right?

Also, question about hydration belts. I've been running with one for long runs, but doubt I'll need it for the race, right? It looks like there are plenty of hydration stations and you always hear horror stories about people over-hydrating, or become dehydrated and I don't want to be either.

For the 18 month old I highly recommend a mid day break for a nap, unless yours is a great stroller napper. We also used Frogg Toggs during our trips. we all used them for our August trip, but I think they most helped the youngest who was stuck in the stroller a lot. They really kept him happy. Also, bring a pack of those tack n toss sippy cups so if you lose one it's not the end of the world and you have extras. We also packed a bottle cleaner or sponge and a small thing of dishsoap to clean them. If they use a pacifier, bring extras. Each day pack a diaper bag with lots of extras! I think the key with littles is just to be flexible and adjust your touring plan to their needs. Oh, and use rider swap so you can still ride the big rides!

I prefer to run with a handheld water bottle. I like having access to my water when I want it, especially if it's really hot and humid. For me knowing I have what I want and prefer trumps the inconvenience of having to carry the bottle.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

Afternoon naps and pool time do not underestimate either!

I recommend afternoon naps for children of ALL ages! (And yes, I mean adults, too.) And you can tell by the end the day who got their naps and who didn't. The fresh faced kids enjoying the fireworks have smart parents.

On the rundisneyrun Facebook group there is a game of starting dead last and see how many people they can "kill" by passing them. With your time it would be interesting to see how many people you would pass. Might be fun. I personally won't do it cause yeah I'm about 40 minutes slower then you.

I would NOT recommend this. After a poorly timed bathroom break before the start at last year's Dark Side, my buddy and I ended up about 25 feet in front of the balloons at the start. At the time it felt fun to pass several thousand people, but it was also dangerous for us and especially everyone else. I really regret it. Pass people when there is space and be polite, but doing it in the narrows is a bad idea.

I hope someone in the FB group encourages people to not do this. I ended up at the back by accident, and still had a time goal I was going for. That was my excuse at the time. But to intentionally use slower runners as props or obstacles is a jerk move IMHO.

 

[Ndusmama]

I brought it up specifically because I remember you saying this was your first race in Orlando

I believe World and Land have different race managers so little things like that I have heard are different

I would hope they are different. The atmosphere alone going into the parks are different. I am excited for first wdw run.

 

[Ndusmama]

I recommend afternoon naps for children of ALL ages! (And yes, I mean adults, too.) And you can tell by the end the day who got their naps and who didn't. The fresh faced kids enjoying the fireworks have smart parents.




I would NOT recommend this. After a poorly timed bathroom break before the start at last year's Dark Side, my buddy and I ended up about 25 feet in front of the balloons at the start. At the time it felt fun to pass several thousand people, but it was also dangerous for us and especially everyone else. I really regret it. Pass people when there is space and be polite, but doing it in the narrows is a bad idea.

I hope someone in the FB group encourages people to not do this. I ended up at the back by accident, and still had a time goal I was going for. That was my excuse at the time. But to intentionally use slower runners as props or obstacles is a jerk move IMHO.

I didn't say I would do it.

 

[cavepig]

Saw a Travel Agent already selling 2018 Darkside bib Packages.

Thinking of how I want to handle that circle overpass in the 10k, it's slanted I'm assuming, so do people find the top or bottom of those curves better? I tend to go bottom on those hoping for shortest route up and flatest. I'm not worried about wrecking my leg from the slant in the half on it and it looks like it won't be as long, just don't want kill it in the 10k.

New shoes ready to go as well to get at least a few runs on them to bring down.

 

[opusone]

Thinking of how I want to handle that circle overpass in the 10k, it's slanted I'm assuming, so do people find the top or bottom of those curves better? I tend to go bottom on those hoping for shortest route up and flatest.

I usually play those by ear. I always plan on shortest route, but if the slant is really bad with the shortest route and there is a better option, then I adjust accordingly.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

I didn't say I would do it.

Oh, I know! And I wasn't implying that you would. I just wanted give the perspective of someone who had and regretted it in case someone was considering it.

 

[bcarey2k]

Oh, I know! And I wasn't implying that you would. I just wanted give the perspective of someone who had and regretted it in case someone was considering it.

Disney races are tough to pass anyway ... this year's looks better due to the open road at the start, but it will not change the folks walking 4 abreast on the boardwalk or people simply randomly stopping.

I've also had the opportunity to start in the last corral and I made the best of it ... I passed folks and was passed.

I've also been blown away with folks yelling 'on your left' ... which in hindsight I kinda appreciate and understand. (Especially towards the end with a PR in sight!)

Bottom line is to accept where you're at during the race and pass when appropriate and govern it back and read the shirts of others when ya can't pass!

Brian

 

[Ndusmama]

Oh, I know! And I wasn't implying that you would. I just wanted give the perspective of someone who had and regretted it in case someone was considering it.

Ok I read it wrong. I agree on being polite.

 

[hipporina]

Started pre-packing this weekend! This is our first family vacation with our 18 month old, so I'm pretty sure I'm overpacking. But I mean, he'll definitely need a stroller rain poncho, snack tray, and fan, right?

Also, question about hydration belts. I've been running with one for long runs, but doubt I'll need it for the race, right? It looks like there are plenty of hydration stations and you always hear horror stories about people over-hydrating, or become dehydrated and I don't want to be either.

We took our youngest at 19 months old. I don't want to sound negative, but be prepared for this to be a challenging trip. We went at 7 months, 19 months, almost 3, and a few older trips and the 19 month trip was the hardest. That said, I don't regret it at all and am not trying to discourage you! If you expect the challenges, it should be a better trip. I went in expecting him to love all sorts of things and he didn't. What I figured out, and every child is different, is that my little guy needed lots of time to move. The play areas were a God send! I also have beautiful memories of playing with him with a ball outside of Space Mountain one morning while we waited for the big kids to ride. We didn't do afternoon naps because it didn't work well with our family and other kids. Instead, we let him nap in the stroller or longer rides and shows. He was not as impressed with the rides as I hoped he would be, but it was still a wonderful trip.

If yours is at all noise sensitive (mine still is), hearing protection makes a massive difference. These are what we still use https://www.amazon.com/Snug-Sound-E...91320162&sr=8-2&keywords=child+ear+muffs&th=1 The volume in many of the dark rides really bothered him, and these fixed the problem!

My intent is not to discourage you (I really hope I didn't) but to help you prepare. It was a hard trip, but a wonderful one!!