Official Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend - The Dark Side 2017

[Mimsy Borogove]

In case you haven't seen the teaser for Episode VIII. I have goosebumps all over!

 

[PrincessV]

I'm not especially thrilled that they chose to reveal race merch at the Celebration. A. we, the people who paid to register for the races, ought to have the first look, and B. there is no need to entice more non-runners to show up at the expo! I hope I don't arrive to find the fiasco that greeted me at the Marathon weekend expo.

 

[opusone]

For anyone interested in the pre race meet up for the half I will by the concessions and gear check tents. Where the red X is on the picture.

I'll be there from when the first bus drops off until they open corrals and will be wearing a DIS sign. Looking forward to putting faces to screen names

For which race are we doing the meet-up? The 10k, half marathon, or both?
----------------
NEVERMIND, I just saw that you said the half in your first sentence!!

 

[cavepig]

I went to see if you could actually register online still, which you can it looks like with a late fee & you go to that Last Chance table at the expo.
The last chance registration page says -

Don't Miss Your Last Chance to Register for the Star Wars™ Half Marathon – The Dark Side


Did the seductive powers of the Dark Side keep you from signing up earlier? Good news… it's not too late to wield your way into this stellar race weekend taking place from Thursday, April 20 to Sunday, April 23, 2017.


There are still a few spots open for the half marathon only!


May the Course Be With You
Register now for the Star Wars Half Marathon – Dark Side through Active.com.


Cost: $185 plus a $12 late registration fee


Packet Pickup Location: runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex


Expo Times
You can pick up your race packet and enjoy the Expo on either of these days:

• Thursday, April 20, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, April 21, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Once you arrive, make your way to the HP Field House and look for the area marked "Last Chance Registration." Here, you'll sign a waiver and pick up your race bib. Make sure to bring a valid form of ID to pick up your packet (driver's license, passport, Military ID, Government issued ID).


Learn more about Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side.


Please note:

• 
  
• Your corral placement will be at the discretion of runDisney and based on availability.
  
• Race shirt size is not guaranteed.
  
• Event times, prices and dates subject to change.
  
• All races are subject to age eligibility requirements and capacity limits.
  
• Registration fees are nonrefundable.

 

[wehrengrizz]

For anyone interested in the pre race meet up for the half I will by the concessions and gear check tents. Where the red X is on the picture.

View attachment 231428​

I'll be there from when the first bus drops off until they open corrals and will be wearing a DIS sign. Looking forward to putting faces to screen names

Maybe a BEST RACE EEEEVVVERRRR sign?

 

[HockeyMomNH]

I'm not especially thrilled that they chose to reveal race merch at the Celebration. A. we, the people who paid to register for the races, ought to have the first look, and B. there is no need to entice more non-runners to show up at the expo! I hope I don't arrive to find the fiasco that greeted me at the Marathon weekend expo.

I was thinking the same thing. I was hoping to get the Dooney tote without doing the preorder. I'm wondering if that is going to work out now.

 

[cavepig]

So Galactic Nights at Studios looks cool, looks like they are using a lot of the backdrops sets from Darkside last year & at least one new one with K-2so I saw on Twitter, so I'm assuming they'll all be out then for us!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

So Galactic Nights at Studios looks cool, looks like they are using a lot of the backdrops sets from Darkside last year & at least one new one with K-2so I saw on Twitter, so I'm assuming they'll all be out then for us!

I can only hope that their stupid corral placement for the over 3 hours, but less than 3 hours and 15 minutes proven finishers doesn't cause me to miss out on those photo ops.

 

[andeesings]

I'd like to offer some unsolicited advice on this weekend's run of 11 miles. Don't do it. Here's why (and correct me if I'm wrong on any of my assumptions):

-Correct me if I'm wrong, but your description of your 9 mile long run was "dragging" and "brutal" which suggests to me the workout may have been too tough. Or was it "brutal" and "dragging" based on the perception of your pace being a 13:53 min/mile? If it's the workout was too tough (like the later miles were slower than the earlier miles), then you may need some additional recovery before the race next weekend.

-Are you planning on run walking a 11:53 min/mile on race day? Most long runs in training plans are designed to be roughly 90-150 seconds slower than goal HM pace. So unless you're planning on racing much faster (at a 11:53 or faster) you may be running your long run too quick. A 9 mile run at HM pace (assuming 13:53 is your HM pace) is a really tough workout. Especially at a duration of 125 minutes. Another reason why I think doing 11 miles this weekend may put you in an even larger recovery deficit after this past weekend's 9 miler.

-Lastly, the DS weekend is next weekend. Which means we're 11 days from race day. Once inside the 10 day window there becomes a real question of cost/benefit to future workouts. Whether there's enough time to recover and reap the benefits from said workouts. I'm worried that doing an 11 mile long run the weekend before your HM race might be too much and induce a need for recovery that will linger into your race weekend. Regardless of whether the workout is at appropriate long run pace or at HM pace.

I know this may sound non-ideal from a training standpoint (only going to 9 miles) but from a physiological standpoint I'd venture to guess you're more likely to be successful on race day without this weekend's 11 miler than with it. I'd say do about 60 minutes of easy running instead. Of course, that's just my advice and you can take it or leave it. Regardless, I know you can do this! Just trying to be helpful in the overall picture.

I'd say dragging because normally my runs were in the 13.30 range- I felt like I STARTED at 13.45 and then according to Runkeeper I slowed to 14.05 at the end. So actually I suppose I WASN'T slowing significantly. And HELL no was I planning on running below a 12 in my marathon. I'm not planning on a PB, I just want to FINISH! I figured my half time would be around 14 min/mile.

At this point I was thinking more MENTAL, since the closer we get to the race (my first) the more panicked I get.

I think I'm just gonna go out tomorrow, run REALLY slowly and just do what I can do, not put pressure on myself. Thank you for the advice!!!

 

[drummerwife]

For anyone interested, runner tracking is now live.

 

[DopeyBadger]

I'd say dragging because normally my runs were in the 13.30 range- I felt like I STARTED at 13.45 and then according to Runkeeper I slowed to 14.05 at the end. So actually I suppose I WASN'T slowing significantly. And HELL no was I planning on running below a 12 in my marathon. I'm not planning on a PB, I just want to FINISH! I figured my half time would be around 14 min/mile.

Thanks for clarifying! Sometimes when the effort feels like you should be running a faster pace, but in reality it ends up slower it can be a sign of too much residual fatigue. Not a huge spread so I agree you weren't slowing significantly. You'll definitely want to consider to slow down then for the long run in the future. Won't have to worry too much as we're at the end of this training cycle, but something to keep in mind as you prepare for another race. If you'd like helping setting something up in the future, I make custom training plans for DIS members for free. Just send me a PM.

At this point I was thinking more MENTAL, since the closer we get to the race (my first) the more panicked I get.

You've got little to worry about. I think you'll do great! You've done 9 miles about 2 minutes under cutoff pace (14 vs 16). So even if you started as the last person across the starting line, you could still roughly run a 20.5 min/mile for the last 4 miles and still come in without being swept if you could repeat the recent 9 miler performance. Hopefully that helps put your mind at ease.

As for the mental side, there's definitely something to be said for positivity. Current scientific research has shown that keeping a positive attitude during the race (and lowering stress levels pre/during run) can improve performance by as much as 17%! It goes to show the huge mental side of running. So, that means negative thoughts have the potential for making a 14 min/mile into a 16:23 min/mile without any physical difference (purely mental). It's basis is underlined by the theory of perception of effort. If one has a negative (or nervous) attitude during the race it can change the perception of how the run/pace feels. This creates a feedback loop that causes more fear, which causes more negative thoughts, and thus continues to make the run "seem harder". But this isn't a physical response, but rather purely mental. You can physically run faster, but mentally created a block. So if you can defeat that block with lots of positive affirmations, then you'll surprise yourself how well you can do. I always tell my runners for every 1 negative thought that creeps into your head (like why did I sign up for this? or I'm being passed by so many people? or I've never done more than 9 miles in training!, etc.), you have to balance it with 10 positive thoughts (I am strong! or This is fun! or Look at those funny characters!)! Putting a smile on your face goes a long way to conquering the mental game!

Here's some reading on the mental game if you'd like (it's the bottom section) - LINK.

I think I'm just gonna go out tomorrow, run REALLY slowly and just do what I can do, not put pressure on myself. Thank you for the advice!!!

Sounds like a great plan! Something a former board member on the DIS (Coach Charles) used to say is "the hay is in the barn". Meaning you've done the training and you can do this! It's another great read. Happy to help!

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

We're having a really warm day here today (almost 80 degrees) so I went out in the heat of the day at 1:00 and did almost 4 miles. It was tough so I'm a bit nervous for how hot it's going to be next weekend, but I survived and even with quite a bit of walking still managed a pace just below 11:00/mile.

I can't believe we're a week away from 10K day!

 

[MyFavEeyore]

For anyone interested, runner tracking is now live.

Huh, I signed up my DS and I like two weeks ago

 

[HockeyMomNH]

My DD has been training with the Zombies Run app. She signed us up for a virtual 10K which we completed today. Last training run before the half next weekend for us, and she did a great job mostly running at about 14m/m pace.

We are heading to Orlando early Monday morning. I'm ready!

 

[opusone]

My DD has been training with the Zombies Run app. She signed us up for a virtual 10K which we completed today. Last training run before the half next weekend for us, and she did a great job mostly running at about 14m/m pace.

We are heading to Orlando early Monday morning. I'm ready!

Safe travels. See you there!!

 

[maw]

I was kind of excited it was humid and sunny this morning - good morning for a run! Last week it was around 30 when I started my 14 miles. Gotta love spring.

Now if I can just make it through Easter and then through three work days, and somehow get everything packed . . .

Safe travels everyone - see you on the Dark Side!

 

[ryanj36]

So excited too...see everyone at the Dark Side half!

 

[ywgckp]

I was hoping for a cold front next weekend but that looks like it's not going to happen - looks like slightly warmer than average forecasted. Stay hydrated everyone!

Otherwise I'm happy with my training, and am coming into this race better prepared than I did at the Light Side or W&D. Still trying to decide how to manage my running plan in this past week - probably a couple short runs this week just to keep momentum going...

 

[lovingeire]

I ran 4 miles yesterday which was a good run. I'll probably try to run 3 tomorrow (because my teenager is home and I can run outside vs. the gym) and then it will be time to pack and head to Disney! I can't wait!

 

[lovingeire]

Oh, and last night I finished our 5K shirts. (After my youngest must have pressed buttons and messed up settings in my silhouette machine) so I had to reorder some vinyl. I had wanted to do a little polka dot flutter sleeve, but I won't worry about that if I don't have time. We'll wear some matching Minnie ears to rock our Darth minnie look!