Official Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend - The Dark Side 2017

[Gatorvet]

So, I registered for the half with my two 16 year old daughters on December 31. On January 3, I broke my third metatarsal in left foot while training. Did the boot 6 weeks, and then planned to proceed with training but do a fast walk. Went to the doctor last week and it isn't healed. Still planning on doing my best at a fast walk and hoping to keep ahead of the balloon ladies. We are in Corral F, so that helps a little. Guess I need to get there early to get in one of the earlier waves. Does anybody know the names of any balloon ladies so I can track their progress and where they are and see if they are catching me? I guess I should check the Facebook group too.

Thanks,
Laurie

 

[DisSconnie]

View attachment 231128 From Facebook group prettier version they said to share!

Thanks for posting these. I've contemplated trying to follow one of the pacing groups, but 30/30 intervals drives me crazy. I feel like right as I get into the groove of running my watch beeps and it's time to walk. So I go 1/1 and it seems to work well for me.

Anyone else stalking weather sites? It looks like it's supposed to be warmer. Fingers crossed for a "cold" front!

 

[Chasing Dopey]

Thanks for posting these. I've contemplated trying to follow one of the pacing groups, but 30/30 intervals drives me crazy. I feel like right as I get into the groove of running my watch beeps and it's time to walk. So I go 1/1 and it seems to work well for me.

Anyone else stalking weather sites? It looks like it's supposed to be warmer. Fingers crossed for a "cold" front!

I am. It's still too early, and I haven't quite learned my lesson from the marathon this year. (It was supposed to be unseasonably warm. HA!)

 

[DopeyBadger]

Ok, so. I'm slow. Like, really, REALLY slow. I am not a runner and started my training just to do this Dark Side Half. This past weekend I ran 9 miles in 2.05. Now I know that makes me a turtle- I've been training and running a 2-1 run/walk. I could probably walk faster but weirdly right at the start of this long run I was DRAGGING. It was brutal. This weekend is my 11 miles, which my training program has me topping out at.

I guess I'm just terrified I won't finish. I want to finish, and I'd like to be able to stop for a photo or two. This is just my first race, and I'm starting to feel the nerves, BIG TIME.

Now I'm worried that because I'm run/walking I'll be in people's way. I guess I'm just petrified at this point. I don't even know what I'm looking for from this post!

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.

 

[croach]

Oh I don't remember that either, good catch!

I wonder do they put ropes up then after so many runners enter to start a new wave? So, then you can't enter pretty late or go out to use the portapots and come back and wiggle to the front.

They basically just split each corral into smaller corrals once you walk to start line, not in the waiting area for the corrals. So you would still be able to leave and come back as long as they haven't closed your corral yet. At marathon weekend we were released in two minute waves.

 

[PrincessV]

Ok, so. I'm slow. Like, really, REALLY slow. I am not a runner and started my training just to do this Dark Side Half. This past weekend I ran 9 miles in 2.05. Now I know that makes me a turtle- I've been training and running a 2-1 run/walk. I could probably walk faster but weirdly right at the start of this long run I was DRAGGING. It was brutal. This weekend is my 11 miles, which my training program has me topping out at.

I guess I'm just terrified I won't finish. I want to finish, and I'd like to be able to stop for a photo or two. This is just my first race, and I'm starting to feel the nerves, BIG TIME.

Now I'm worried that because I'm run/walking I'll be in people's way. I guess I'm just petrified at this point. I don't even know what I'm looking for from this post!

1. ITA with DopeyBadger here: don't do the 11 mile run. We're too close to the race at this point and there's nothing to gain from doing it, but plenty to lose in depleting muscle and energy stores!
2. I can hit a roughly 12:00/mile pace to race a half-marathon, but I don't even try at Disney races; I'd rather take my time and enjoy the things that make Disney races special! So my WDW halfs typically are 3 hours or more, sometimes with some photos stops, sometimes not. And I've never been anywhere near being swept. So don't worry about your pace, just pay attention to the time while you're out there. Every minute you're under the 16:00 requirement is time you have to stop, and you can get plenty of photos without waiting in long lines. Mile markers are always quick, easy ones, and very often characters late in the race, because folks just want to get done at that point.
3. Please don't stress about being in anyone's way! There will be thousands and thousands of people out there; I'm willing to bet every one of us will be in someone else's way at least once. Do your best to be observant, aware, and respectful, and you'll be fine!

So, I was just looking at the event guide again, and there's a section on the half marathon page subtitled "Corrals." Has anyone noticed this before or is it newly added? It specifically mentions the reduced number of corrals and that each corral will be separated into waves.

Here's the text:
Corrals
In an effort to better allow runners of similar pace to participate together and to provide a better experience for our guests, we have reduced the number of corrals during Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side. However, we still will have a comparable number of waves for our runners. Each corral will be divided into multiple waves to decrease the number of runners starting at one time, providing more space as the race begins for each wave of runners.

That was totally added - I save images from when I first saw it and none of that was there! rD must have had a ton of inquiries.

I wonder do they put ropes up then after so many runners enter to start a new wave?

I think that's what I recall from the Jan. 10K.

 

[Goofy2015]

I just cannot wait for the Half Marathon weekend! I can barely concentrate. Luckily, we have Star Wars Celebration stuff to distract me this weekend.

 

[stal]

Hey, I havn't really trained much at all for this challenge for a variety of reasons but I did a practice 1/2 last thursday and finished in 2 ours and 4 minutes, which I was really happy with. I stretched after. My legs are still sore! I've not ran since that day and I attempted to go out today but I couldn't make it past 1 minute due to a pain in my left thigh and in my right knee! I always have some knee pain but not usually this long after. Any advice on what to do? I guess I just have to rest until the race weekend and hope of the best!

 

[ejcraft]

ah man, I really wish I was in F now, my last race which was 2 weeks agon was a 15K, and I was running roughly with 13:43 pace, wonder how far up in F they we'll be, that's where I really want to be,

 

[opusone]

2017 Star Wars Dark Side Certified Courses
We have certified courses:

2017 Star Wars Dark Side 10k Certified Course

2017 Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon Certified Course

 

[cavepig]

Another race dream that of course makes no sense, the 5k I think but at AK running around with no finish to be found and finally I just went out the front and joined up with family to enter the park for the day. We had to go over ledges of slippery rock too, so strange! There were characters this time at least but I lost my camera & photopass I guess didn't exist in the dream.

I enjoy looking at the certified courses, although I forget most of it when race time comes except for the parks/resorts coming up.

1 week till expo, can't wait to see what the shirts look like!

 

[bryana]

ONE WEEK ONE WEEK ONE WEEK ONE WEEK ONE WEEK ONE WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ellisin]

I've been sick with a fever and a cough for the last five days. I haven't run or strength trained all week (I got in all my scheduled runs before I got sick last week, though).

Surely this illness can't last too much longer. I'm worried that all the conditioning I've been working towards the last 4 months is slipping away while I'm sick.

Anyone have any recommendations for bouncing back quickly before a race? I'm doing both the 5k and the 10k

 

[opusone]

I've been sick with a fever and a cough for the last five days. I haven't run or strength trained all week (I got in all my scheduled runs before I got sick last week, though).

Surely this illness can't last too much longer. I'm worried that all the conditioning I've been working towards the last 4 months is slipping away while I'm sick.

Anyone have any recommendations for bouncing back quickly before a race? I'm doing both the 5k and the 10k

I assure you that the last four months of work will not be lost. You are not doing much in terms of physiological benefit on runs at this point. I think the biggest thing is to make sure you are fully well before running again. And once you feel completely better, only perform easy runs from now until the race. The four months of physiological benefits are already there.

 

[bryana]

I assure you that the last four months of work will not be lost. You are not doing much in terms of physiological benefit on runs at this point. I think the biggest thing is to make sure you are fully well before running again. And once you feel completely better, only perform easy runs from now until the race. The four months of physiologial benefits are already there.

Yep, this. Just focus on getting better and look at it as going into the race well rested. I've only run a couple of times since my half a few weeks ago and nothing more than 3 or 4 miles, but I'll tell you that my run on Monday was the best feeling runs I have had in the last couple of months. I was a little worried about "losing it" even though I know it doesn't happen that quickly, but that run went so well that it really set my mind at ease.

 

[lovingeire]

I've been sick with a fever and a cough for the last five days. I haven't run or strength trained all week (I got in all my scheduled runs before I got sick last week, though).

Surely this illness can't last too much longer. I'm worried that all the conditioning I've been working towards the last 4 months is slipping away while I'm sick.

Anyone have any recommendations for bouncing back quickly before a race? I'm doing both the 5k and the 10k

I assure you that the last four months of work will not be lost. You are not doing much in terms of physiological benefit on runs at this point. I think the biggest thing is to make sure you are fully well before running again. And once you feel completely better, only perform easy runs from now until the race. The four months of physiological benefits are already there.

I agree with the above. I was super sick leading up to Light Side. I had a stomach bug then a cold. I had a horrible hacking cough at Light Side. I have to say, even with that I felt awesome during the 10K! I was worn down for the half because I didn't sleep well the night before and my body was just exhausted, but even so, I was surprised that running I felt better than I expected. Trust the training you've done and recover so you're healthy for race day.

 

[ellisin]

Thankyou very much to all of you. You've taken off a lot of the pressure.

We fly out a week from today. I'm looking forward to feeling better

 

[MissLiss279]

I fly out a week from today also!! So excited!

Anyone have any idea what the bib range of numbers is for the 5k? My bib is 418XX. Just kind of curious what my corral might be for this race.

 

[BigEeyore]

I fly out a week from today also!! So excited!

Anyone have any idea what the bib range of numbers is for the 5k? My bib is 418XX. Just kind of curious what my corral might be for this race.

My flight is next Thursday too!

Your post made me curious about whether there is supposed to be a waiver for the 5K too? This is only my second 5K at WDW and I can't remember...

 

[MissLiss279]

My flight is next Thursday too!

Your post made me curious about whether there is supposed to be a waiver for the 5K too? This is only my second 5K at WDW and I can't remember...

Yes! I have a one waiver for the challenge and one waiver for the 5k. When I put my name and birthdate in the waiver search field it came back with two results - challenge and 5k, and the bib numbers are different.

However, runDisney does not give us corral information for the 5k and the 10k (aside from challengers doing the 10k) until bib pickup.