Official Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend - The Dark Side 2017

[cavepig]

Dark Side - 18 Weeks to Go

Well, it was actually 18 weeks from this past weekend, so if you plan on using one of the various 18-week training programs, this should be your first week of the training cycle.

Wow, that just kind of sneaks up, I don't use those plans, but still nice to know 18 weeks to go. Need to kind of lay out my game plan I suppose. We have mild temps this week after freezing the last few weeks. So, hoping Jan-March is mild for outside running, wishful thinking I know.

Don't forget Proof of Time is due January 19th. My BFF asked me about it and I had a panic attack when I looked it up so I just updated mine! Since I'll be at Light Side and visiting family beforehand I figure it's worth checking off the to do list now.

Oh, Good reminder, I'm pretty sure we updated with our wine & dine half times but better double check.

Sooo, I still haven't ruled out the possibility of breaking down and signing up for the Dark Side Challenge. I already have flights booked for that week (for spring break) but my return flight is scheduled for Saturday so I'd have to change it. I thought the prices were outrageous, which is why I wasn't really thinking it was possible, but they're actually not as high as I thought. So it's so tempting, especially after seeing the Challenge medal, knowing that I can complete a challenge, and knowing that I can function at work the day after doing 2 races (school starts back on Monday, so just like I had to do with Wine and Dine, I'd have to leave Sunday).

The Darkside is calling....At least you don't have the whole after party like wine & dine to miss out on leaving Sunday.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Sooo, I still haven't ruled out the possibility of breaking down and signing up for the Dark Side Challenge. I already have flights booked for that week (for spring break) but my return flight is scheduled for Saturday so I'd have to change it. I thought the prices were outrageous, which is why I wasn't really thinking it was possible, but they're actually not as high as I thought. So it's so tempting, especially after seeing the Challenge medal, knowing that I can complete a challenge, and knowing that I can function at work the day after doing 2 races (school starts back on Monday, so just like I had to do with Wine and Dine, I'd have to leave Sunday).

You don't know the power of the Dark Side. . . .

 

[maw]

Wow, that just kind of sneaks up, I don't use those plans, but still nice to know 18 weeks to go. Need to kind of lay out my game plan I suppose. We have mild temps this week after freezing the last few weeks. So, hoping Jan-March is mild for outside running, wishful thinking I know.


Oh, Good reminder, I'm pretty sure we updated with our wine & dine half times but better double check.


The Darkside is calling....At least you don't have the whole after party like wine & dine to miss out on leaving Sunday.

The time sneaked up on me, too! Fingers crossed for a not-too-terrible winter so I can do the long runs outside.

 

[DisSconnie]

This is my first RunDisney race, and I've just started my training! I've run a 5k before, but never anything longer and I'm not a regular runner. I'm quite a bit nervous about finishing and not getting swept. Anyone else a first-timer and following the Jeff Galloway plan? So far, it seems pretty simple, but I live up North so the long runs indoors are going to be killers

 

[MyFavEeyore]

This is my first RunDisney race, and I've just started my training! I've run a 5k before, but never anything longer and I'm not a regular runner. I'm quite a bit nervous about finishing and not getting swept. Anyone else a first-timer and following the Jeff Galloway plan? So far, it seems pretty simple, but I live up North so the long runs indoors are going to be killers

I'm sure you'll be fine! You're training, you have a plan, and putting the effort into it all. If necessary on race day, use that nervousness to keep you going. I too live in the North(east) and have vowed to do my street work despite temps and inches. Luckily, we haven't gotten the inches, but it has been pretty cool on certain days. Despite best efforts I'm also pretty sure that like you I'll be at the gym running the long runs as well. Look at this way like I do, at least I know I can go the distance despite being indoors.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

This is my first RunDisney race, and I've just started my training! I've run a 5k before, but never anything longer and I'm not a regular runner. I'm quite a bit nervous about finishing and not getting swept. Anyone else a first-timer and following the Jeff Galloway plan? So far, it seems pretty simple, but I live up North so the long runs indoors are going to be killers

I had never run since middle school PE classes before I signed up for the 2011 Disneyland 1/2. Just follow the plan, get your long runs in, and you will be fine.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

This is my first RunDisney race, and I've just started my training! I've run a 5k before, but never anything longer and I'm not a regular runner. I'm quite a bit nervous about finishing and not getting swept. Anyone else a first-timer and following the Jeff Galloway plan? So far, it seems pretty simple, but I live up North so the long runs indoors are going to be killers

I started running in May 2015 and Darkside 2016 was my first half. I followed the Jeff Galloway plan from beginning to end and felt like I was very well prepared. Do you have a proof of time race to submit?

 

[ryanj36]

This is also my first half...I've been using both my Nike plus run club app and the Jeff Galloway plan. I have no proof of time races to submit since I have only ran 5k's for benefit events. I live in the dakotas, so running has been cold and at times slick.

I am more curious as to how long after the start will last corral get to start?

 

[transformer67]

Need help planning my race days. I will be running the 5k and half. My question to those of you who did these races (one or both) last year - based on your experience, what time should we get to the buses for the race start? I will be leaving from PoP so i imagine there are more runners leaving there as opposed to french quarter. Any suggestions or experiences from last year would be much appreciated

 

[cavepig]

This is also my first half...I've been using both my Nike plus run club app and the Jeff Galloway plan. I have no proof of time races to submit since I have only ran 5k's for benefit events. I live in the dakotas, so running has been cold and at times slick.

I am more curious as to how long after the start will last corral get to start?

Usually, it's an hour for the halves so if it starts at 5:00 last corral is 6:00.

Need help planning my race days. I will be running the 5k and half. My question to those of you who did these races (one or both) last year - based on your experience, what time should we get to the buses for the race start? I will be leaving from PoP so i imagine there are more runners leaving there as opposed to french quarter. Any suggestions or experiences from last year would be much appreciated

I catch a bus 2 hours before race start time, it has worked well for other race weekends and what I'll do for this one. If you really want character pictures beforehand though I would be on the first bus out as those lines get long and got cutoff early too for Darkside this year I read.

 

[ryanj36]

So when would the clock start for me? At the 5:00 or 6:00 start time from the last corral?

 

[JohnRPG]

April room discounts have just appeared. I was able to rebook my overnight value stay for ~$30 less.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/magic-incentive-package/

 

[cavepig]

So when would the clock start for me? At the 5:00 or 6:00 start time from the last corral?

Clock time starts at 5:00 but your NET time would start when you & your bib with chip cross over the start line, so 6:00 or a few minutes before/after. Your NET time is the time that counts.

 

[ryanj36]

Clock time starts at 5:00 but your NET time would start when you & your bib with chip cross over the start line, so 6:00 or a few minutes before/after. Your NET time is the time that counts.

Great , I was starting to worry that I would have to sprint the whole thing or something! Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[DisSconnie]

I started running in May 2015 and Darkside 2016 was my first half. I followed the Jeff Galloway plan from beginning to end and felt like I was very well prepared. Do you have a proof of time race to submit?

Unfortunately, I won't have any race time to submit. I was hoping to find a race to run in time to submit, but the only race near me that's long enough is 2 weeks after the cut-off. I'm averaging approx. 13.5 - 14 minute miles right now. So I shouldn't need to worry too much about getting swept if I'm in a late corral, right? Hopefully, I'll speed up as I get into better cardio shape.

Running is such a mental challenge for me, that I really like that the Jeff Galloway plans have you run multiple 10 mile + runs, and one 14 miler before race day. That way, by the time I get there, I'll definitely know I can at least finish without dying.

 

[camaker]

Great , I was starting to worry that I would have to sprint the whole thing or something! Thanks for clearing that up.

To clarify a bit further, your time will start when you cross the starting line, but the sweeping clock doesn't start until the last runner crosses the start line. So the further forward in the corrals you start the longer you actually have to complete the race.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Unfortunately, I won't have any race time to submit. I was hoping to find a race to run in time to submit, but the only race near me that's long enough is 2 weeks after the cut-off. I'm averaging approx. 13.5 - 14 minute miles right now. So I shouldn't need to worry too much about getting swept if I'm in a late corral, right? Hopefully, I'll speed up as I get into better cardio shape.

Running is such a mental challenge for me, that I really like that the Jeff Galloway plans have you run multiple 10 mile + runs, and one 14 miler before race day. That way, by the time I get there, I'll definitely know I can at least finish without dying.

You should be fine. I've trained for all of my races at approximately 15 minutes per mile and never come close to being swept. In fact even with character stops, which I've never accounted for in my training, my slowest race was barely over 3 hours and 16 minutes.

 

[EC0323]

Quick questions,
I just got off the phone with Rundisney. I checked the prices they gave me and the hotel options. It looked like I could do better just booking thru Disney. Did they discontinue run discounts? I also do not have a link to buy discount park tickets. Is that gone too?

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Unfortunately, I won't have any race time to submit. I was hoping to find a race to run in time to submit, but the only race near me that's long enough is 2 weeks after the cut-off. I'm averaging approx. 13.5 - 14 minute miles right now. So I shouldn't need to worry too much about getting swept if I'm in a late corral, right? Hopefully, I'll speed up as I get into better cardio shape.

Similar to @Sleepless Knight I averaged 15 minute miles and never even saw the balloon ladies at Darkside last year.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

I just got off the phone with Rundisney. I checked the prices they gave me and the hotel options. It looked like I could do better just booking thru Disney. Did they discontinue run discounts? I also do not have a link to buy discount park tickets. Is that gone too?

I have found that true at WDW, it is cheaper to go through Disney direct. At DL it is cheaper to go through runDisney and no discount tickets