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The 2019 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend 10k was one of the most fun and challenging races ever. Check out the full recap and why you should totally run this race!

Star Wars Rival Run Weekend 10K Recap: I Finished.

by Nellie April 22, 2019

I won’t lie, I didn’t have the highest of expectations for my debut back to running. If I was honest with myself, I knew that I haven’t felt quite “right” since my third c-section 5 months ago. I was scared going into it, my training had been mediocre and somehow there had been a weather factor added to things, with a high that day of 85 degrees, with a ton of humidity. I was scared. I was nervous. But I pushed forward.

It was a super quick trip, I was set to get into Orlando at 9am and leave Saturday night at 6pm. I headed straight over to the ESPN Wide World of Sports to get my race bib. The Star Wars Rival Run Weekend Expo was so big and amazing I’ll just need to do a separate post on that (so stay tuned!). Bib pick up was a total breeze, and just like that I was on my way to Disney Springs to eat because mama was hungry! I spent a few hours there then I decided to pack it in early (7pm! I went to bed before my kids did!) for my 3am wake up call. The race started at 5:30am officially.

I stayed off site for the first time in a long time. By the time I firmed up plans to go, the rooms in my favorite Disney resorts were all sold out. I ended up taking a Uber to Epcot where they had plenty of busses to take us to the start at Magic Kingdom. The entire process took maybe 30 minutes.

The Star Wars Rival Run Weekend 10k Start Line

At 4:30am there was plenty of entertainment, lots of folks in the crowd being interviewed by the RunDisney hosts and plenty of Star Wars trivia and video. If you are true hardcore Star Wars fan, this is the place for you! There were tons of inside jokes (that I didn’t get) and so many costumes! I got to take a pic with BB8!

Being in the last corral was something NEW for me, in all of my RunDisney races, I’ve always been placed in the middle. It was definitely a new experience but I still surrounded by a bunch of awesome folks.

We have begun!! #StarWarsWeekend #starwars10k #rundisney pic.twitter.com/jWhc76lpUe

— Nellie ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿🇯🇲🗽 (@BklynActiveMama) April 6, 2019

Finally it was time to run. We watched 13 corrals take off before us and we were the last to go. The humidity was high, the sun hadn’t risen yet, but it was time to RUN! I took off slowly and rather gingerly, my plan was to run for as much as I could each mile then power walk the rest.

The first mile were FULL of characters. The fun part about all of this was that they were unofficial Star Wars characters from a local fan club. I seriously couldn’t tell! All of the costumes were executed so perfectly! I was still aware that I was in the last corral and wouldn’t have time so I grabbed as many selfies as I could. There were SO many characters and I’m sad I didn’t get a photo with each of them.

Getting into the race

After mile two, this started heading downhill pretty quickly. All of a sudden I started feeling as if my feet were filled with pins and needles. The more I started to run, the more uncomfortable I felt because I quite literally could not feel the bottom of my feet. I asked the medical team if there was anything I could do and they had NO answers for me, but they did provide me with tylenol so I took it and went on my merry way.

The Balloon Ladies Were Upon Me

I had always heard of these balloon ladies but I had never seen them up close and personal. Well not only did I get to know them, I managed to keep pace with them until we reached past Mile 4 in Epcot. There were so many times that I turned around and saw 2 busses FULL of runners that didn’t get the opportunity to finish their race because of injury or that they couldn’t keep the minimum pace. It was a surreal and humbling experience to see those faces staring back out at me on the course, and me knowing that I’d end up there real soon because I had nothing left in the tank.

I reached Epcot with 30 seconds to spare. Literally. THIRTY SECONDS. The bus could not turn into Epcot, so once I got there I felt relatively safe.

Everything hurt, bones, legs, arms, chest–everything. I’ve had hard races before but nothing like this. Maybe I pushed too hard, too soon?

Finally, I pushed past the finish line. I wept. I wept out of sheer embarrassment and I wept because I really thought I wouldn’t make it to the end. I wept because nothing about my body felt the same at all.

Should I have run a race 5 months post my third c-section? Probably not. I have never come back to running post pregnancy…I started running AFTER I had my first two children, way after.

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I’ve run 2 marathons, 16 half marathons and this is one of the hardest races I’ve ever run. At mile 2️⃣ I got super comfortable with the fact that I wasn’t finishing because the pins and needles in my feet made running impossible 😩 at mile 4️⃣ I gave up trying to keep up with the ballon ladies. 🎈 At mile 6️⃣ I wept. THIS WAS REALLY HARD. . In my head I know that I’m 5 months out from my third c-section but in my heart I am the runner I was 2 years ago. Getting those two things to align is extremely difficult. In this moment, I am sad that it was so difficult but victorious because I did it. Thank you guys for your support, always. 🏅 #rundisney #starwarshalfmarathonweekend #starwars10k

A post shared by Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama (@glamnellie) on Apr 6, 2019 at 5:49am PDT

I definitely think it’s time I get back to the basics. I’m considering starting a couch to 5k program, just to get my body aligned with running again on a basic level.

I am proud that I got there and I’m proud that I finished. I will *not* be running the Brooklyn Half this year but I have it on the agenda for next year for sure.

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Here’s How You Can Get Your Hands On This Beautiful Black Panther Medal

by Nellie April 3, 2019

My obsession with Black Panther is still as strong as ever! I can’t even count the amount of times I’ve seen the movie. Each and every time it captivates me ALL over again! So when I heard that runDisney created a medal and a race all about the super popular franchise, my interest was super piqued!

I first learned about the Virtual Run Series when I visited the ESPN Wide World Of Sports a few months ago and I think it’s such a great option for those who want to experience a bit of the magic of a runDisney race and a pretty sweet medal to boot. Now there is a Black Panther Virtual Run option too!

Black Panther fans and race enthusiasts can simultaneously showcase their allegiance to Wakanda and work on getting themselves in as good as shape as the Wakandan special forces, the Dora Milaje, through the runDisney Virtual Race Series this summer. The Black Panther Virtual Run is HERE!

This year’s theme celebrates 80 years of Marvel with three Marvel-themed 5Ks that participants complete at home in their neighborhood, by treadmill or on any course of their choosing to earn collectible-themed race medals, including for the first time in runDisney history, a Black Panther medal.

Registration is currently open at runDisney.com. One race takes place each summer month. The three themed races are: Captain Marvel (June), Iron Man (July) and Black Panther (August). In addition to earning a race medal, participants receive a digital race bib and a finisher certificate.

Participants who sign up and complete all three races will earn a bonus Marvel 80th Anniversary medal and commemorative item. The commemorative item will be announced at a later date.

The themes for the 2019 runDisney Virtual Series include:

Virtual June 5K – Captain Marvel
Virtual July 5K – Iron Man
Virtual August 5K – Black Panther
Challenge – Marvel 80th Anniversary

The runDisney Virtual Series is a great way for someone to get started running and get a taste of a runDisney event. It’s also a fun way for experienced runners to train for upcoming races on their own time.

runDisney events provide runners the unique opportunity to run through Disney Parks and Resorts, earn Disney-themed finisher medals, experience Disney’s world-famous entertainment and guest service, and ultimately celebrate their accomplishments with a Disney vacation.

Looking to run at the most magical place on earth?

runDisney offers a series of four race weekends during the 2019-20 season, including the popular Disney Food & Wine Half Marathon Weekend, Oct 31 – Nov 4.

Have you ever run a virtual race?

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Preparing For the Star Wars 10k: Training, Outfits and First Race Post Surgery

by Nellie March 25, 2019

It’s been almost 3 years since my last RunDisney race and almost a year since my semi-disastrous last race–the NYC Half which I ran while I was in the throes of my first trimester. Last year, while visiting the ESPN Wide World of Sports, I realized that I missed running in Disney World. I set a pretty brave goal for myself to run a 10k five months after my 3rd c-section. It’s my first Star Wars 10k event (I’ve always been a princess!) and I’m super excited to run it.

Star Wars 10k Training

Running after surgery is hard. I can tell you that my bounce back to fitness is not nearly as fast as I’d like it to be. With my first two boys 10 and 7 years ago respectively, it took a few weeks but I was able to feel back to my normal self rather quickly. This time has been the total opposite. Running is HARD. It absolutely feels like I’m starting from scratch again.

Recovery from surgery in your mid 30s is a completely different thing. I’ve gone from having all of the confidence to praying I won’t get swept during a 6 miles race. I still can’t believe that I used to do six miles without blinking daily for marathon training. That was considered an EASY day!

When I run, my legs feel fine, it’s my mid section that throbs and acts like it’s a foreign part of my body. I know I’ve only had surgery less than 5 months ago but it’s still so hard to get my brain to align with my body. In my brain I’m still running weekly races. My current body is telling me a totally different story.

I’ve spent six weeks training, usually doing around 10-12 miles a week. It’s been even tougher because I can’t get to the gym until 7:30 pm. Let me tell you, after an entire day of mothering, not sleeping, and working—going to the gym is a COMPLETE task, especially when it’s still so cold out.

I’ve been walking then jogging for as long as I can. I am nowhere near as fast (slow?) as I used to be and it’s messing with me. It’s so hard to be patient when you know what you are actually capable of.

A quick trip to Florida

This will be my first overnight away from baby girl. I won’t be gone long as I am flying in the day before the race and flying back the next day. I’m going to miss everyone but I’m also very much looking forward to having a short amount of time where no one is pawing at me or depending on me to live. Between the pregnancy and full time mothering, I rarely get time for myself so I planned some fun for my trip. I will likely do some basic things like watching a movie, wear my minnie ears, go bowling and of course, eat.

I am staying offsite for the first time in a while and definitely the first time during a RunDisney race. I plan to go to the parks post race for a little bit before I need to get to the airport around dinner time. I made a few reservations and the best part? I’m keeping my own company, my own schedule and if I want to sit with a ~~spiked~~ dole whip treat and people watch, I simply can.

Star Wars 10k Outfit!

So I haven’t had the time to really plan a fun outfit, because life. However, since I made all of my shirts for my July trip, I am making one for this race. I simply purchased a dry-fit tee on amazon, downloaded the Star Wars font and got to designing.

Tutu or no? I’m still not sure. I’ve run ALL my races with a tutu so this would be different. I’ve got 2 weeks to figure it out!

Future races

While I was pregnant I was tempted to sign up for a full year of races like I always have for the past 3 years. I hesitated and I’m so glad I did. I truly don’t know when I’m going to be able to run races on back to back weekends again. I am currently signed up to do the Popular Brooklyn Half in May as a gift from New York Road Runners. I have the next 6 weeks to see if I can run 8-10 miles without falling apart, if I can—great. If not, I will try again next year.

I haven’t signed up for any other races until I assess how I feel after this one. I’m just going to take it one day at a time.

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Inspirational NY Runner Credits RunDisney For Saving Her Life

by Nellie November 12, 2018

With so much insanity happening in the world, I think that it is time to hear a feel good story don’t you? If you have been hanging out with me for a while then you know that I credit my running journey to being introduced to runDisney at the Fitbloggin Conference in Savannah in 2014. I’ve run several races since (and will run more in the future!) and each time is more inspiring than the last.

Meet Debbie Rogers

Debbie Rogers credits Walt Disney World Resort with saving her life.

Rogers, who lives in Westchester, NY., ran the 13.1-mile Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon last weekend with only one healthy lung as a result of lung cancer doctors discovered roughly 10 months ago after she completed the 26.2-mile Disney Marathon in January.

It was during that January race at Disney that Rogers injured her foot. What she thought was a routine trip to the doctor to examine the foot turned out to be a life-altering affair after doctors discovered a tumor on her right lung.

Because the foot injury prompted her to seek medical attention, doctors caught the cancer early, which made a full recovery far more likely. Despite having part of her right lung removed during surgery on the tumor, she is healthy enough again to run and fittingly made her return to competitive running at the one place – Disney – that she said “saved my life.’’

“Had I not trained for the Disney Marathon and not have had a running injury and not have completed the marathon, they would have found the lung cancer too late,’’ Rogers said. “It is very, very rare to find early stage lung cancer!!’’

Check out this amazing story of a inspiring runner who credits @rundisney for saving her life! #rundisney #runchat #fitness

A lot of us run for fun, some of us run for the challenge, some of us run for weight loss and weight management. What I love about this story is that Debbie not only was diagnosed doing something that she loved but she really didn’t let it stop her from continuing her passion for running. Sometimes simply doing what we love can be the one thing that saves us!

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How Running Changed My Life

by Nellie June 1, 2016

Happy Global Running Day!

Running changed my life so dramatically in the past 2 years or so, now I can’t imagine my life without it. Today I am going to share with you some great running resources, my favorite all time running posts and what running means to me.

If someone told me 4 years ago that I’d not only like running but I’d do it for FUN I would have given them the side eyes of ALL SIDE EYES. Running was always SO hard, I would run 5ks for fun, like The Color Run or running on airport runways, and the next day I’d be SO sore and SO tired and I would vow I’d never run again, but I did. It always had a call on me.

What started with the intense desire to run a 10k, turned into a need to run a half marathon. Somewhere during training for 13.1 I found myself saying very weird things like “I need to go for a run” or “How many miles are on my training plan today?!” to my favorite “OH MY GOSH I JUST RAN 10 MILES!”. It is no longer the hardest thing ever, I am a card carrying member of the back of the pack, and I might even be slower than I was when I started. None of that has changed the intense love that has grown so deeply and SO unexpectedly.

Since starting to train almost exactly 2 years ago I’ve run 11 half marathons, countless 10ks, and even a FULL marathon. (Which I plan on tackling again this year!) I have read countless information, toed the line at countless races, wanted to give up in the middle and thought more than once, maybe running isn’t for me.

But it is.

Consistency and crossing the finish line over and over has built an incredible love of running in my heart that I could NEVER let go of. I will never be first in a race or even in the middle, but something about running brings me joy that I can’t ever imagine living without. A lot of people say running is “not my thing” or “too hard on the knees”. I thought these things once–now look at me. A curvy running junkie with no plans to ever stop.