No, forreal you guys – after going over the budget and looking closely at my calendar for the next year, it’s official: I’m running the Star Wars Rebel Challenge in Anaheim in January 2017!
This is huge. REALLY huge. For a number of reasons:
- It’s my first trip to Disneyland – I’m not a huge Disney lover, but come on – I get to say “I’m going to Disneyland!” and mean it!
- An escape to California in the middle of a NJ winter? Yes please.
- This will be my first “challenge” race – The Rebel Challenge is a combination of the 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday. 19.3 miles over 2 days? Bring it on!
- It’s a STAR WARS themed RACE. Two of my favorite things in the world? I don’t think I need to say anything else about that.
I won’t lie – a challenge like this kind of scares me. It’ll be my first challenge and longest total weekend running distance ever. But here’s my logic:
- Fiscally, it’s better this way. I’m not travelling across country for one friggin race.
- YOLO, after all (are the kids still saying that?).
- I will by NO means be doing these races for time – the photo ops alone along the way will destroy my average pace. I’m doing these for the experience and the memories. And the chance to run a race as Rey. Come on. REY.
- The 10K on Saturday is a perfect intro to the whole Run Disney machine. By running two races, I’ll get to explore the process and see how everything works during the first, ensuring there’ll be no surprises the next morning for race #2.
- Finally – even though it’s scary, when the hell else am I going to get to do something this cool?? It’s truly a once in a lifetime thing, a bucket list adventure that I’m so blessed to be able to experience, and in the words of the great Yoda:
So there you have it – I’m going to Disneyland!! NOW for the important part: have you done a Run Disney race? Especially out in California? I need ALLLLLLL the advice you’ve got. Seriously, PLEASE tell me everything – tips on where to stay, what to pack, what to expect, where to go, what to do, I want to hear it all!
And to all of you folks who registered as well, I can’t wait to meet you all out there – and May the Course Be With You!!
Jess Runs Happy 
I don’t know about CA Disney races, but in Orlando they’re super well-organized and fun the entire time. (I’ve only spectated them, but I can tell they’re really well done.) The Star Wars theme is so fun, too!! I’m excited for you!
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Ahh I’m so glad to hear that! I mean they have to be pretty well-run, Disney is like a machine. Fingers crossed! 🙂
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Lucky you! Sounds super. Haven’t done any Disney races…the thought of the crowds freaks me out a bit! But everyone seems to love them!
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I hear you – before Disney owned Star Wars I never thought of doing a Disney race before either, but if I get to do a whole weekend of Star Wars-y goodness AND run there? Where’s my plane?? 🙂
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Ah, how cool!! I haven’t done a Disney (yet!), but my BF’s sister has down a few and said they are the absolute best! I can’t imagine how fun the Star Wars one will be!
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Thank you!! I’m so stoked – and 2 races means 2 outfits & everything!!
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YOLO! I did the Disneyland challenge a few years ago and it was so. much. fun. You are going to have a blast.
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that’s great! I’m super stoked – I’ve started thinking about my outfits already. I’m pretty sure Rey will run the 10K (a 10K as REY!) and for the half I’ll go a little less costume-y and more “in the spirit of” so I can still rock my compression socks and tech fabrics. It’ll be my first half in a costume and I don’t want to be too uncomfortable for almost 3 hours!
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