A Short Time Ago, Not So Far Away...
About six months ago Lisa went on line and signed us up for the Inaugural Star Wars Dark Side Challenge - a 10k race and a Half Marathon back to back on Saturday and Sunday, 16-17 April 2016. The races filled up fast. Within the first few hours the challenge race was full. And so we mentally and physically prepared for the event through the fall, winter and early spring because the idea of 19.3 miles in two days is intimidating.
So we planned and prepared. I trained to about 9 miles on my longest training run and Lisa did about the same. We considered what to wear, when to "gel", what to eat, how to rest between races - strategy, strategy, strategy. The last few weeks it really got inside my head and Lisa seemed like it wasn't a big deal. After all, she ran marathons.
We dropped the boys off at my brother's in Jacksonville Beach. They were super excited to spend a few days with Uncle Andy and Luc, who they idolize. Lisa and I drove on to Orlando straight to ESPN's Wide World of Sports to get our packets; a bib, three different running shirts, maps, and promotional material. Star Wars was everywhere. First Order Storm Troopers patrolled the avenues and theme music played from every speaker. Geek heaven.
On the way back to the car I spotted Jabba the Hutt behind some privacy fence that was set up in the parking lot. Lisa went over - noticed there was no sign and no one keeping us out so she went in. We were "backstage" in an area that had eight different backdrops from the movies that would be used the next day for character meet-and-greets. So yes, we posed with Jabba. We posed with Han Solo frozen in carbonite. We posed on the bridge of a Star Destroyer. It was a fun little moment - even if Lisa wasn't as big a fan as me it was totally awesome that we were the only two there.
We stayed at the Bay Lake Tower, our home Vacation Club resort. We laid out our bagels, peanut butter, coffee, shorts, shirts, socks, etc. for the next morning because Disney races start way, Way, WAY before dawn. In fact, we were up at 3:15am, the most challenging part of the whole race. Throughout the both mornings Lisa was the most chipper partner you could ask for. For someone who like to sleep in, take a nap in the afternoon, and go to bed early, Lisa was up, excited, and fun to hang out with. Perhaps it was the "people watching" opportunities afforded to her because runners of all shapes and sizes were coming out in all manner of costumes. Little old lady Princess Leias, sexy R2D2s, heavy set rebels, and all flavors of Jedi and Sith.
The races started in corrals and the corrals started in intervals. Unfortunately, Lisa and I did not start together. In fact she was so far back that I finished my 10k while she was still on mile one. It was the one drawback to the weekend. Although - during the half marathon was were texting one another and found each other! Lisa at the 6 mile mark and me at the 10 mile mark.
With a lot of Star Wars fanfare, lasers and fireworks we started our races from our respective locations. It was a total geek fest for me. I ran to Star Wars theme music while running backstage and through Disney parks. Along the way I took pictures with Chewbacca and Darth Vader. I sat in the Emperor's throne and high fived Jawas, Clone Troopers, and Rebel pilots. I ran through Disney Boardwalk, behind the Tower of Terror, under the Tree of Life, and lots of roads in between. At the end of the races we received our medals and posed for pictures. I probably didn't enjoy the moment(s) as much as I could have because I ran more than I was a tourist.
The resort opened up the pool early for us. Specifically, they opened the hot tub where we sat for twenty minutes kneading out sore muscles. Between races we had lunch at the Polynesian Resort and walked over to the Grand Floridian where we stepped into the rarely seen wedding chapel. Dinner consisted of awesome pizza at Splitsville Lanes where we got a lesson in "Dapper Days" from two well dressed ladies.
We loaded up all our bling and headed up the road. We stopped in Sanford, FL where we had brunch and three hours of wonderful conversation with an old friend of mine from high school and his lovely wife. I haven't seen John DiDonna in almost 30 years, but thanks to Facebook we have stayed in touch and maintained a nice on-line friendship. It was awesome to hit it off - not to relive the old John S. Burke Catholic High School days - but to engage as men who have accomplished so much since then.
I learned that there is difference between a regular race like a half marathon and Disney race. Disney races are not meant for self-competition in order to set personal records. The races are designed for photo opportunities and gawking. They are meant to enjoy the magic of Disney with other, like minded people, to get to see parts of the parks most people don't see. With a little bit of training and some heartfelt motivation anyone can run a Disney race.
And I am personally convinced that I can complete the Dopey Challenge.
About six months ago Lisa went on line and signed us up for the Inaugural Star Wars Dark Side Challenge - a 10k race and a Half Marathon back to back on Saturday and Sunday, 16-17 April 2016. The races filled up fast. Within the first few hours the challenge race was full. And so we mentally and physically prepared for the event through the fall, winter and early spring because the idea of 19.3 miles in two days is intimidating.
So we planned and prepared. I trained to about 9 miles on my longest training run and Lisa did about the same. We considered what to wear, when to "gel", what to eat, how to rest between races - strategy, strategy, strategy. The last few weeks it really got inside my head and Lisa seemed like it wasn't a big deal. After all, she ran marathons.
We dropped the boys off at my brother's in Jacksonville Beach. They were super excited to spend a few days with Uncle Andy and Luc, who they idolize. Lisa and I drove on to Orlando straight to ESPN's Wide World of Sports to get our packets; a bib, three different running shirts, maps, and promotional material. Star Wars was everywhere. First Order Storm Troopers patrolled the avenues and theme music played from every speaker. Geek heaven.
On the way back to the car I spotted Jabba the Hutt behind some privacy fence that was set up in the parking lot. Lisa went over - noticed there was no sign and no one keeping us out so she went in. We were "backstage" in an area that had eight different backdrops from the movies that would be used the next day for character meet-and-greets. So yes, we posed with Jabba. We posed with Han Solo frozen in carbonite. We posed on the bridge of a Star Destroyer. It was a fun little moment - even if Lisa wasn't as big a fan as me it was totally awesome that we were the only two there.
We stayed at the Bay Lake Tower, our home Vacation Club resort. We laid out our bagels, peanut butter, coffee, shorts, shirts, socks, etc. for the next morning because Disney races start way, Way, WAY before dawn. In fact, we were up at 3:15am, the most challenging part of the whole race. Throughout the both mornings Lisa was the most chipper partner you could ask for. For someone who like to sleep in, take a nap in the afternoon, and go to bed early, Lisa was up, excited, and fun to hang out with. Perhaps it was the "people watching" opportunities afforded to her because runners of all shapes and sizes were coming out in all manner of costumes. Little old lady Princess Leias, sexy R2D2s, heavy set rebels, and all flavors of Jedi and Sith. 
The races started in corrals and the corrals started in intervals. Unfortunately, Lisa and I did not start together. In fact she was so far back that I finished my 10k while she was still on mile one. It was the one drawback to the weekend. Although - during the half marathon was were texting one another and found each other! Lisa at the 6 mile mark and me at the 10 mile mark. 
With a lot of Star Wars fanfare, lasers and fireworks we started our races from our respective locations. It was a total geek fest for me. I ran to Star Wars theme music while running backstage and through Disney parks. Along the way I took pictures with Chewbacca and Darth Vader. I sat in the Emperor's throne and high fived Jawas, Clone Troopers, and Rebel pilots. I ran through Disney Boardwalk, behind the Tower of Terror, under the Tree of Life, and lots of roads in between. At the end of the races we received our medals and posed for pictures. I probably didn't enjoy the moment(s) as much as I could have because I ran more than I was a tourist.
The resort opened up the pool early for us. Specifically, they opened the hot tub where we sat for twenty minutes kneading out sore muscles. Between races we had lunch at the Polynesian Resort and walked over to the Grand Floridian where we stepped into the rarely seen wedding chapel. Dinner consisted of awesome pizza at Splitsville Lanes where we got a lesson in "Dapper Days" from two well dressed ladies.
We loaded up all our bling and headed up the road. We stopped in Sanford, FL where we had brunch and three hours of wonderful conversation with an old friend of mine from high school and his lovely wife. I haven't seen John DiDonna in almost 30 years, but thanks to Facebook we have stayed in touch and maintained a nice on-line friendship. It was awesome to hit it off - not to relive the old John S. Burke Catholic High School days - but to engage as men who have accomplished so much since then. 
I learned that there is difference between a regular race like a half marathon and Disney race. Disney races are not meant for self-competition in order to set personal records. The races are designed for photo opportunities and gawking. They are meant to enjoy the magic of Disney with other, like minded people, to get to see parts of the parks most people don't see. With a little bit of training and some heartfelt motivation anyone can run a Disney race. And I am personally convinced that I can complete the Dopey Challenge.
