This was your first runDisney experience AND half marathon, right?

Yes Ma’am it was!!

Was it everything you thought it was going to be?

Absolutely and more!!!  We had a blast! Disney definitely makes it a FULL experience, not just a run.

What was the hardest part of the runDisney Star Wars: Dark Side 1/2 Marathon Weekend?

The hardest part of the half marathon was getting around all of the people on the course.  There were a lot of people and at times the course was very narrow. Right when my legs started to get heavy, around the 10 mile mark, the scenery got an upgrade. We went through Hollywood Studios, the Boardwalk, and EPCOT. It made the last 3 miles bearable.

What was your favorite part of the Dark Side 1/2 Marathon Weekend?

My favorite part was all the jumbo trans that were up playing Star Wars movies.  It helps we are huge Star Wars fans.

What was your LEAST favorite part?

GETTING UP SO EARLY!!!  Oh my goodness. That and catching the bus so early to then wait on the start of the race was so hard!

What surprised you the most about runDisney?

How many people were there!!!  10,000 people running. WOW!!

Since this was your first 1/2 marathon, would you recommend runDisney to someone else thinking of making it their first?

Absolutely!!!  runDisney makes it a whole experience not just a run. So it is for sure a “must” for your first run if you are a true Disney fan.

Would you do the Star Wars: Dark Side Half Marathon again or other runDisney events?

Absolutely! We are huge Star Wars fans and of course the experience was amazing.  I am wanting to do another runDisney even if that tells you how much I loved it :-)!!!

Your favorite character spotting during the run?

The Ewoks!!!  They aren’t your normal characters you see all the time and they were so cute!!!

If you could do anything different what would it be?

I wish I didn’t have to get up so early, but I don’t think I can change that sadly.

Did your kids have fun?

Oh my goodness, they had a blast! They loved watching Mama and Pop Pop cross the finish line.  And my daughter loved participating in the 5k! She loved all the sights and characters.

If you could give one final piece of advice for a novice runDisney patron what would it be?

Be ready for a lot of waiting around before the actual race.  I was not expecting so much waiting after the bus dropped us off.  And be aware of how the coral system works.  Although it was cool to watch all of the different start times, I was not aware of how it worked on that scale.  Now I know what to expect. Fueling up BEFORE and AFTER the race is very important! Here’s HOW!

There you have it folks.  Straight off of her first runDisney experience.  Everyone’s first time running one is so different.  Do you have a different experience.  Please comment or share on our Facebook social Media site, Disney Express Lane.

More Star Wars Fun:

Star Wars Themed Resort Coming To Disney World

Star Wars Land Preview Unveiled for Disney World

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I ran my very first marathon at Disney.  I have a very sensitive tummy so I was very particular of what I ate the 2 days before the race.  Not only did I choose a smaller park to visit the day before but I scoped out the menus of our restaurants we had reservations to. There was also a strategy of where we ate and when.  Now the more I have run long distance races, the more comfortable I’ve gotten leaving my comfortable food box.  So lets get to some ideas.

Pre-Race

Lunch the day before the race is actually the most important meal I’ve found.  The pre race nerves haven’t set in yet.  Plus your body will have a tendency to digest that better than dinner.  My favorite parks are Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.  They are small and I tend to go at a much more leisurely pace.  Plus when you visit Animal Kingdom you are more inclined to go back to your resort after the part closes. But these are a few of my personal choices.

Magic Kingdom:

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe serves my absolutely most dependable easily digestible meal…Rotisserie Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans.  Yes I know what you are thinking.  Well stop and give it a chance.

Animal Kingdom: 

Harambe Market has the most delectable grilled chicken skewer. Frankly I could do that for dinner and something heavier for dinner from say Yak and Yeti. If you like fish and are eating at Yak and Yeti Restaurant then the Salmon with rice is so great. It’s light and flavorful and won’t weigh down your body for the run.

Oh and HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!!! Any place that is a counter service can give you a glass of water for free.  So no sense becoming dehydrated on your run. Oh! Save those celebratory adult beverages till after your race!!!  What a nice reward.

Race Morning:

I’m a huge fan of packing your own food for the morning of. But planing ahead is key because it will be really really early in the morning when you wake up.  Check your race guide and your resort to see if they have any open the morning of the race.  You never know and it never hurts to ask.

Post Race

runDisney provides you with a box of yummies after you walk through the finisher’s shoot.  It’s contents change every race I’ve done, but can have anything from crackers to yummies to cheese.  Of course grab yourself a couple of waters and powerade before you walk away.  You’re going to need that as you head back to your resort.  It’s really important to replenish all that fuel your burned and water you lost.  Central Florida can get hot and humid it is vital to stay on top of your hydration.  When you get back to your room you should have some sort of protein/carb balanced snack to nosh on.  I tend to snack on nuts and cheese/crackers.

Favorite runDisney Post Race Snacks

1. Dole Whip
2. Pickle
3. Ghirardelli Ice Cream
4. Mickey Bar
5. Turkey Leg
6. Grand Marnier Slushi from France
7. Via Napoli Pizza
8. Pot Roast Mac n Cheese

There you have it. Some ideas on how to fuel properly while on vacation in Disney World for your runDisney race.  Really it is a matter of being prepared and be smart.

What are your favorite places to eat before a race in Disney World?  How about a treat after the run?

Want to continue this conversation?  Please join us on this topic and all things Disney in our Facebook group: Disney Express Lane

photo credit: Jeff Krause Photography Animal Kingdom- Yak & Yeti Blues via photopin (license)

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runDisney Enhancements Made to Improve Your Experience

runDisney Spotify Training Playlists

One of the coolest new additions to the runDisney experience is when they teamed up with Walt Disney Records. What they have done is create run specific training lists on Spotify. Training for the up and coming Wine and Dine Half marathon? There is a playlist for that!!!  How about the Disneyland Super Hero Half Marathon? There is a specific Spotify list for that run too! There is nothing better than listening to Disney music while running. Just remember to be safe out there on the roads if you do.

New Races and Challenges

One of the biggest changes was the Wine and Dine Half Marathon moving from an evening run to a morning run. It certainly doesn’t have the same zing as trying to do an evening run, but should still be just as fun.  Here is a list of new runs and challenges for this year in case you missed it:

• Star Wars Half Marathon: The Dark Side  (Located in Disney World)
• Disneyland Paris Half Marathon
• Kessel Run Challenge (Star Wars Light Side and Dark Side Half Marathons)
• Castle to Chateau Medal (Any half marathon state side and Disneyland Paris half marathon in same year)
• Wine and Dine 10k
• Lumiere’s 2 Course Challenge (Wine and Dine 10k and Half Marathon)

I don’t know about you all, but on my list of runs is trying to do the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.

5k Medals

5K medals are now…metal.  Previously the 5k medal was a rubber-like material.  They were super cute, but not very exciting in the world of medals.  Seeing how runDisney puts out some of the most unusual, but unique and exciting medals, it was just a matter of time before the 5k medal changed.  The kid races still have the rubber medals, but that choice makes more sense. The rubber material will likely keep your kiddos comfy after their races, instead of a heavier medal. 5k races aren’t really my thing, but it is a great beginners distance. If you are getting started or love a 5k, what better way to commemorate the accomplishment than with a cool medal from runDisney?!

Costume Rules

While dressing up is completely acceptable, it is also welcomed while running. However, costumes were getting out of control.  Like full-sized Death Stars and large E-Tickets. I completely commend this creativity, because I am not one of those creative people. However, large obstructive costumes just aren’t safe for the runner or the other runners around you. This year they adapted the costume rules to fit closer with those of Disney Parks. If you are interested in the details, there is a section you can read when you register or you can click HERE.

I think the main point is that if it interferes with your or other runners safety its a NO NO. So leave your Jedi robes, your full length princess dresses, and self surrounding X-Wing fighters at home.  Do pack your themed t-shirts, your tutus, and tiaras. Disney-bound away!!!   NOTE: if you do dress up for the run and are over 14 years of age, you will not be admitted into the park until you change.

Race Photos and Photopass

A few select races this year have been chosen to integrate the race photos on course and My Disney Experience Photopass.  While I believe it is still in a trial period this would be HUGE and EXCITING, especially if it becomes standard at all races.  Out of all the races I personally have run, I’ve only looked at my photos one time.  This will not only help increase the sale of the photos but will help with the lines. The lines for characters have gotten out of control as most people will run with a camera/phone.  With this implementation of Photopass options, you no longer have to run with a camera. I wouldn’t be surprised if they only let their specific photographers take the photos at each character. This would speed up the wait for them while on the run.

Virtual Running Shorts Series

This summer runDisney added a unique opportunity to runDisney without traveling to the parks to do so.  With the addition of the virtual running shorts series, participants can register for THREE different virtual runs.  So instead of traveling to Disney parks to compete, you can complete your  3.1 miles when you can, where you can.  Each medal is unique. There are Mickey shoes, red pants, or his white gloves, Do all three and get a 4th medal that features the main man himself: Mickey Mouse.  It’s a great way to bring the runDisney magic to you, even if you can’t make it to Disney World or Disneyland that year.  I hope it sticks around into 2017.

2016 Changes for runDisney: A Review

All these changes are always to enhance the guest’s experience and I really think they do that. Overall I think each of the changes made every year really come from a ton of research and much discussion on runDisney’s part.  Consider doing the survey’s runDisney because they gather so much information this way.  What would you like to see runDisney add or change in 2017?

Join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and other Disney related topics.

photo credit: runDisney Star Wars Dark Side Medals 2016 HDR via photopin (license)

photo credit: My Disneyland Half Marathon Finish via photopin (license)

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