Star Wars Dark Side Expo 2018 (Friday Five Edition)

I'm finally getting to my Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon Weekend recaps from April.

On the Wednesday before the weekend, I headed down to Disney World in the evening after work.  The plan was that I would stay with my friend Kelly and her husband Franklin that night and after the Expo on Thursday I would move to my own room.  We did it last year and it worked out great.  This year, because of work, Franklin was not going to get there till Thursday evening, so it was just the girls for the Expo.


Kelly likes to get to the Expo early and wait for the doors to open.  I know we would have to wait either way, so I was fine heading there early.  We took an Uber to ESPN and got there a little before 8 and there was already a short line outside.  Last year we spent the time outside, so I brought a blanket for us to sit on.  The moment we got comfortable they started moving the line inside.  Since the official merchandise area is in a new building, there was room to have us wait in a room inside.


We chatted some and we both brought things to work on.  When we left the room to use the bathroom, you could see the empty Expo.  It was fun to see it empty with all the items there.


There was a DJ there for awhile and the music was too loud.  And every time he talked to the group, you could not understand a word he said.


The Expo was supposed to open at 10, but they let us in about 9:30.  I had seen the Disney blog about the merchandise and had an idea of what I wanted to see.  We did a once through and grabbed items that interested us.  They had tables on the side, so we grabbed one and went through everything we grabbed and tried things on.

The pre-purchased items could be picked up in the same area so we took turns picking up our items and putting things back that we didn't want.  It actually worked out well.  The per-purchased items were to include a magnet, a shoe ordainment, and a figurine.  Well it turned out that we got two ordainment and two figurines.   We came to a conclusion that maybe the ordainment and figurines from the Light Side in Disneyland were ordered before the race was canceled and they couldn't cancel it.  Therefore they were part of the Dark Side items.  We don't know for sure if that is true, but that was the only thing we could figure.


Noticed that they had an artist section set up.  I went over and looked at the drawings and saw the

Millennium Falcon.  I had the artist write "Never tell me the odds." on it and went to pay for my merchandise while I waited for that to be done.

After we paid, we got in the Dooney line.  When I saw pictures on the website I wasn't sure if I liked it or not.  But seeing them in person, I did like the clutch.  They were selling Passholder shirts which I fell in love with.  Kelly was a Passholder and was able to get herself, her husband, and me one.

I picked up my personalized Millennium Falcon and we headed out of the merchandise area.  We saw that they had characters setup for pictures.  As we waited in line for Jabba the Hut, Kelly went to get a drink and came back with this AT-AT.  OMG it was awesome.  It moved and opened up.  It was almost as nice as the toys my mom wouldn't buy me when I was a kid.  I had to have one!

We got our pictures taken with Jabba.

And then with the Storm Troopers.

We had done everything we could do in that building and headed to the building to pick up our bibs.  As we left there were more photo opportunities.  There was the Viper probe droid.

We went in to get our bibs.  Along with the races for the weekend we had to pick up our medals for the Star Wars Light Side virtual race that we did.  They gave us a box which contained the medal, and "I did it" magnet, and a little BB-8 that light up and made noise when a button was pushed. 

On the way to the main expo they had the runDisney icon out. 

In the Expo area they had more cool photo ops. 

I couldn't find my Rock Tape before I left, so I decided to have them tape my knee and buy a couple of roles.  After I passed the Sweaty Band booth and saw that they had a bunch of holiday headbands in their clearance area.  Yes please.

We made it around to the shirt pickup and got our race shirts.  I asked the people at the runDisney booth when and if they expect to have Star Wars Light Side back.  They said that there was a new hotel being built in the parking lot where the finish area usually is and that they wouldn't be back till the construction was done.  Knowing that I don't know where they would put the finish area if that parking lot is gone.  But I did notice on one of their brochures that they are still having the Star Wars Light Side virtual run for next year.  It is the only Disneyland race that they made virtual.  

While there the topic of the virtual summer series came up.  Kelly said that they signed up for it to get in a few longer runs through the summer.  Granted, they do track through the summer, so 3 miles is a longer run for them.  I thought since I probably will do more biking through the summer then running, this would get me out to do a few runs through the summer, so I signed up.  Plus the medals are so super cute!!

I also stopped at the Roo Sports booth.  I had bought one the week before at the Ukrop's 10k

 and noticed that the earphone hole was fraying.  They were super nice and exchanged it without question.  I also talked to the owner about how the corners of the pocket poke out and she thought it was a good idea to do something about that.  If they do, I'll defiantly buy another one.

I finished up the last row of the expo and noticed that there were people trying on compression sleeves.  I was interested as I had tried different brands and they were always too tight for me.  I got measured and tried on a man and woman sizes.  They were comfortable so I bought a pair.


Both Kelly and I were exhausted and ready to head back to the hotel.  We got back and dropped off our stuff.  We had lunch at the hotel and she went off to Epcot and I went to check into my room.  I moved my stuff into my room, showered and rested.  When Franklin got in, I met him at the bus stop.  Since it was pretty late, the plan was that he would jump right on the Expo bus to get his bib.  I met him to take his carry on items from the plane to his room so that he didn't have to carry them around the Expo.

It was an early night for me as I would have to get up early for the 5k.

Continue reading about the Star Wars Dark Side weekend with the 5k.

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0

Star Wars Half Marathon Wrap-up (Friday Five Edition)

This past weekend was the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend in Disney World.  With the week before my trip being so busy and this week just as busy, I haven't had time to share some of my time down there, let alone really absorb it yet.  It was a wonderful weekend, except for the pesky running thing.  I had a fabulous time with my friends.  I had a real hard time during the half marathon due to my knee pain coming back and being there through the whole race.  I will leave you with some pictures from the weekend.  If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen them already.

1. The Expo


2. Star Wars 5k

3. Magic Kingdom

4. Star Wars 10k


5. Star Wars Half Marathon

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0

First Weekly Wrap of 2018 (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

I can't believe that the New Year was just a week ago.  It just seems like it was forever ago, or maybe I can't believe we are already a week into 2018. It's been a busy week with Snow and below freezing temperatures.

Despite freezing temperatures, I ended 2017 and began 2018 with runs.  I was very proud on getting out there even if the high temperature wasn't going to get out of the 20's.  On New Year's Eve I got out there and did my longest run since the Baltimore Marathon Relay.  With the temperatures around 25 degrees and the wind chill at about 16 degrees.  I bundled up with many layers and even found something to put over my face.  I have such a hard time breathing when it's below 35 and I was glad I found the face mask as I wouldn't have been able to finish it.  The run actually wasn't bad at all.  I feel like I dressed well and everything felt good for the whole run.



On New Year's Day I decided to get out there again.  I was carrying my top layer of clothing downstairs where I would finish getting dressed and I dropped something on the stairs and stepped on it and slipped most of the way down.  Beyond the stupid feeling, I also got rug burn on the top of my foot.  What a way to start off the year.  I walked it off and really nothing hurt, so I decided to go through with my run.

Taken a couple days after

The temperatures were about the same from the day before.  The run was another good one.  Getting a normal 3 miles in and just shaking it out from my long run the day before.  I made sure that I didn't push it and just tried to enjoy being outside.  My foot only hurt every so often and that was more of my sock rubbing the tender rug burn area.



Tuesday was my regular gym class day.

Wednesday I debated about going out for a run.  It as 10 degrees!  Yes, 10 degrees, which is the real temperature and not the wind chill.  Thankfully there was no wind, or it would have been worse.  We don't see these types of temperatures here on a normal basis.  I debated on if I should run, but I knew we were to get snow on Thursday and even if it was a little, the roads wouldn't be good for running.  I debated on going to the gym to run on the treadmill, but I hated that thought.  So after much hemming and hawing, I bundled up and headed out for 3 miles.  It was dark and it was cold, but I got out there and got it done.  I could have used some fleece pants or a third layer cause my thighs and buns were cold by the end of the run.  I'm glad I only had 3 miles on the calendar or I would have been an ice cycle.



I woke up Thursday to snow.  Here in Virginia we do not do snow very well.  We do not have the plows or cleanup like other areas do.  So I passed on going to the gym, even though they were open.  It just wouldn't be worth it if something happened on the way there.  So I went out and shoveled the drive way and that was my workout of the day.  And I have to tell you, I used muscles I hadn't used since probably the last time we had snow last year.  I was able to work from home and snuggled on the couch with the Old Lady as we stayed warm.

Taking advantage of the snow day

Since I had done my run on Wednesday I didn't have to worry about a run on Friday.  I was able to get out and go to work.  Though I have to say they hadn't plowed my neighborhood, so that was fun.  But once I was out on the main roads everything was good.  Schools around here were closed for a second day though.

Saturday I decided to push my long run off till Sunday.  I had a bunch of errands I had to run and wanted to get them done first thing.  And I am such a first thing exerciser that I knew I wouldn't do it after.  Plus they still had not plowed the neighborhood so there was no way I was going to get outside to run.  I also kept up on Social Media with those running some cold races down in Disney World.  Congrats to those who participated!!

Sunday came and I knew I wasn't going to be able to make it outside for a run.  They hadn't plowed the neighborhood and at this point I knew they weren't going to.  I don't think we had made it above 25 degrees since Tuesday and it was just ice all over the roads.  I was not going to break my neck just to get a training run in.  So that meant I either had to skip the run or go to the gym.  I really hate going to the gym to run on the treadmill.  I'd more likely run on a treadmill if I had one in my house, but I really don't have the space and can't justify spending the money to just use a handful of times throughout the year.  But times like this, I wish I had one.  So after a lot of hemming and hawing, I got my but in gear and made it to the gym.  I have to say it was packed!  I forgot that it was the New Year's Resolution gang was in full force on top of the normal upswing of people on the weekend.  This was a fallback week, so I only had 4 miles to do.  After I figured out the treadmill, I got to almost half a mile and I knocked out that stupid emergency plug and it stopped.  Once I got it started again, I just decided to start over.  I could handle doing a little extra.  I played around and did different speeds and got into a good rhythm and got the 4 miles done.  It did help that I was able to watch The Sopranos on my iPad.  Though when one of the many scenes came on with ladies with no clothes on I had to look around and make sure no one noticed.  I'd hate to think that others would think I was watching porn or something like that while getting my workout in.

Less then 2 months from Princess weekend.  Even though it took me longer then expected to get into a good training routine, I think the last few weeks have shown me that I could do it.  It feels good to get back into the swing of things again.  I hope that I can keep it up (and not get hurt)!

Oh, and I had to mention how I'm giving more money to runDisney.  Under normal years, if you ran the Star Wars Half in Disneyland and the Star Wars Half in Disney World, you completed the Kessel Run challenge.  And you get the coolest medal of them all, The Mellenium Falcon! 

They just announced that they are putting out the Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon.  You can complete that, just like the Shorts Virtual runs and get a medal at the end.  Now if you do the Star Wars Virtual Half and the Star Wars Disney World Half, you complete the Kessel Run Challenge.  With that, you get your Virtual Run medal, all the medals from the completed Star Wars Disney World races, and the Kessel Run challenge medal (plus a "Star Wars-themed Keepsake").  So I had to do it.  I have completed the first two challenges and I need to continue my streak.  Plus I'm just going to use the Princess Half as my Virtual Run.  Is that bad?  It also gives me hope that they are going to bring back the Disneyland races.

Did you get the arctic cold weather or snow this past week?  Do you have a treadmill just for these freezing occasions?  Are you training for any spring races?  

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.