Star Wars RunDisney The Dark Side
Did the Star Wars RunDisney Dark Side Challenge this last weekend at Disney World in Orlando and it really was a challenge. The wife and I did the 5K Friday then the 10K on Saturday and I finished up with a half marathon Sunday. All of them were super early to get them in before the Disney parks open since part of the course goes through them. The 5K wasn’t officially timed but we finished in around 45 minutes. I did this one with the Mrs. the whole way for fun and she did a Han Solo running outfit and I did a Chewie. For the 10K we set our own paces and I finished in 1:09:15 in a Dagobah Luke outfit (with a Yoda backpack and lightsaber). For the half the warm weather (about 75 degrees at race time) was a real issue for me so I really took it easy and stopped at every water station along the way. I finished in 2:48:31. All the courses had things to keep your interest and take your mind off the running every mile or two. Be it a Star Wars mile marker, or music playing, or photo ops with characters and/or props, or huge video screens showing movie clips, or the 501st/Rebel Legion hanging around in costume or just seeing the sights in the park. The best was during the half when part of the course had trees on either side of the road and Disney set up a special effects show. It had laser lights and smoke and you could hear the Ewoks in the trees on either side and the AT-STs and explosions…it was like you were in the ground battle of Endor! I ran a little faster.
Even though my time wasn't great I'm proud I ran 2 half marathons in one month. That's a big deal for me. The finish medals were pretty sweet and there was a lot of good Star Wars running shirts and swag to buy. The thing I covet most though is the Kessel Run medal which you get if you do the Light Side (West Coast) AND the Dark Side (East Coast) Challenges in the same calendar year. It would be expensive to acquire but it looks soo sweet. Maybe for my 50th birthday.
Even though my time wasn't great I'm proud I ran 2 half marathons in one month. That's a big deal for me. The finish medals were pretty sweet and there was a lot of good Star Wars running shirts and swag to buy. The thing I covet most though is the Kessel Run medal which you get if you do the Light Side (West Coast) AND the Dark Side (East Coast) Challenges in the same calendar year. It would be expensive to acquire but it looks soo sweet. Maybe for my 50th birthday.