5 Tips For Your Best Dopey Challenge Race Experience

April 17, 2019

This year I ran my 5th consecutive Dopey Challenge. I had said that once I did five in a row that I would be ok with not doing Dopey anymore. However, I may be changing my thoughts on that because of my 2019 Dopey Challenge race experience.

The Dopey Challenge is a runDisney event where you run four races within four days. Day one is a 5K, day two is a 10K, day three is a half marathon, and day four is a marathon. Like I said, this is my 5th year running the challenge; but I have run the Walt Disney World Marathon for seven years in a row.

This year’s race was particularly hard for me. I had a lot of struggles prior to the race. I’ll have my race recap for you soon; but for now I’ll share advice on how to have your best Dopey Challenge race experience.

1. Train For The Dopey Challenge

I can’t stress enough how important that is. It sounds silly; but if you have run the runDisney races before, like me and several other runDisney runner friends of mine; you become a little cocky. We have done so many of the races, we know the course, so we assume we can do it even with little or less training. Sure, you can do it; but you will also hurt more and suffer more during and after the race because of the lack of training. Bad idea.

For my first Dopey Challenge I signed up for Jeff Galloway’s e-coaching program. He personalized a training plan for me and I checked in with him regularly to discuss any issues or concerns I had throughout the training.

When doing the Dopey Challenge you have to prepare your legs to run while tired. They have to get used to running on back-to-back days. RunDisney has a training plan designed by Jeff Galloway on the runDisney website. I suggest you take a look at the training plan prior to registering because you will need to dedicate a lot of time to the training.

2. Know How To Fuel For Dopey Challenge

With the Dopey Challenge Race Experience comes a different challenge. How do you provide your body with the proper nutrition prior to the race? The races begin at 5:30 a.m.; but you have to be at the corrals for the races much earlier than that. You also don’t start at 5:30, each corral is released at different times, so you can possibly stand in your corral for up to 30 minutes before you begin running.

Test Your Nutrition During Your Training

You also need to test out your sources of fuel during your training. I used to use Gu packs and Gatorade to fuel my body. I learned that this wasn’t the best source of nutrition for me. As soon as I got finished my training run, I was running to the bathroom with gut issues.

Now I use real food as fuel on my runs. I prefer to use pretzels for the salt and carbs, skittles for sugar to my brain, and Nuun tablets in my water for electrolytes. But that’s why training is so important. You need to use that time to find what works for you in regards to your nutrition.

You also need to make sure you are getting calories in every two miles, and you have to start from the beginning of your training run. If you get behind in your fueling, you can never catch up.

Fuel During The Races

The 5K Race

This race is easy enough to get by with a banana, granola bar, or a yogurt in your hotel room prior to going to the corrals, then you may want to have another banana or gu before the race.

I typically run very slowly or walk this race if I am with my family. So I am not running it for time or speed. I can eat some toast back at my hotel and I’m fine until after the race and I can go back to my hotel to have breakfast.

The 10K Race

This is also similar to the 5K race. I need to eat a little bit more than toast back at my hotel before arriving to the race so sometimes I’ll have a banana or bring a GoGo Squeez with me to have while waiting for the start. I do that because I tend to get hungrier at this race. I’ve run this race for 6 years and each year when I smell the food near the Boardwalk Bakery my stomach starts to growl!

The Half Marathon

The Half Marathon is when your real fueling strategy starts. You will test this out while training at home; but like I said earlier; you have to start taking in your nutrition right from the first two miles.

I like to bring cereal or pretzels and have them starting at mile 2 and continue to nibble on it from miles 4 through 8. Around mile 8 I may have some sugar to help with any monkey brain I may be experiencing. When running long distances, your mind plays tricks on you because of the lack of sugar. Therefore, you should take in something like gummy life savers, gummy bears, jelly beans, etc. to help ward off the doubts and fears that start to creep in.

The Marathon

Finally, the last race of the Dopey Challenge. This race must be taken seriously. You don’t want to mess around with undertraining, not taking in the appropriate nutrition or your hydration.

When running these races in Florida in January, the weather is always very unpredictable. But one thing remains the same, you need to take in your fuel every 2 miles and you must hydrate. Even if it is cold out, hydration is important.

Again, I can’t stress enough the importance of getting your fuel on board right from the beginning. This is going to help you make it past the 20 miles mark and beyond with less distress and you will feel much stronger, confident and will have a more enjoyable race experience.

Getting The Proper Nutrition Prior To The Races

When you arrive in Florida before the races, you should immediately begin to hydrate. Make sure you are drinking at least the same amount of ounces that is equal to your body weight. This is very, very important.

Your food prior to the races are also important. I have always enjoyed having the Salmon with couscous at Columbia Harbor House the night before the marathon. This past year we cooked dinner with vegetables, chicken and potatoes the night before the marathon. Pizza from Blaze in Disney Springs is also a great option. I met up with friends there one night before one of the races.

Always a good thing to note, never try something new during race weekend. You don’t want to go out and have a Mexican dinner prior to a big race, if that is not something you are used to or have done at home during your training. Err on the side of caution and choose foods that you know won’t upset your stomach the next day.

3. Sleep And Rest Prior To Each Race

What do you need to know about sleeping for races? You need to know that you can’t stay up late at the parks and expect to have a good race the next day.

One of the challenges with running the Dopey Challenge is being there with family or friends and wanting to play at the parks during the day and then you have to wake up at 2:00 a.m. to get ready and drive or take the bus to the starting line.

I have been very diligent about having a 9:00 bedtime when I am running the Dopey Challenge. My family knows that and we stay in a hotel with separate bedrooms so I can go to bed and everyone else can still be awake without disturbing me.

Get to bed early, try to stay off your feet, especially the days before the half and full marathons. I can’t stress that enough. If you plan the trip like I do, we save days after the marathon to go play at the parks.

4. Be Prepared For Any Type Of Weather

You can refer to my Dopey Challenge packing list for help preparing for the trip. With the races taking place in January, the weather in Florida can go from one extreme to the other. Several years ago it was 30 degrees for the marathon, and last year there were heat warnings. Even if you are watching the weather weeks prior to the event, you should ALWAYS pack for anything.

It’s hard to train for the extreme conditions depending on where you live. But as long as you do the training, pack and dress appropriately for the weather, you will at least be more comfortable on race day.

One important note to share is that it is hard to find clothing for cold weather in Florida, especially if you are staying on property and don’t have a car. So keep that in mind and be sure to pack gloves, hand warmers and extra layers. You should also make sure to have rain gear with you as well.

5. Enjoy The Races

This is Disney after all! You signed up for the Dopey Challenge for a reason. So that’s why it’s important to enjoy each race. Stop for pictures at the character stops. Especially during the 5K and 10K races.

If you have a friend or friends you are running with, that makes the races even better! If you don’t have a friend, you can easily make some on the course! Eventually you will begin to see the same people while you are on the course and they typically don’t mind chatting throughout the race to help pass the time. Sometimes the best friendships are made while going through a difficult challenge, like a marathon!

Running Goals for 2019 — Nick and I have played tag along the marathon course for several years in a row!

Depending on my corral placement, I like to get as many pictures done during the shorter races so that I stop less during the marathon. In the past few years I have been in the last corral. What this means is that I have less time to stop because I will be closer to the back of the pack and the balloon ladies.

The balloon ladies are the peacekeepers from the time the last person crossing the starting line. If you are with the balloon ladies, you would have to maintain a 16:00 per mile pace throughout the entire race so that you wouldn’t get swept. When you fall behind them, then you will be pulled from the course and put on a bus to the finish line.

I have outrun the balloon ladies and have also had to chase the balloon ladies in the past; but that was because I was having TOO much fun on the race course with Team Shenanigans. And I was totally ok with that. But you typically don’t want to be in that situation.

Will You Be Registering For The Dopey Challenge in 2020?

Like I mentioned in the beginning I have to decide what I want to do this year. Of course having 2020 as an anniversary year for the Goofy Challenge, I want to sign up for that. Then my logic says, when if I am going to do the half marathon and the full marathon, then I might as well add the 5K and 10K because those are easy enough to do.

Since my schedule allows for me to be flexible with my travel, I can arrive a few days earlier than my family, and rest while they aren’t there. So if you can’t tell, I am already talking myself into this race! Will you be signing up for any of the races?

My Running Goals for 2019

February 20, 2019

Now that I already have the 48.6 miles from the runDisney Dopey Challenge under my belt for this year, I am working on my running goals for 2019. Each year I set goals for which races I want to run locally or in different states. I don’t have a Fall marathon on my schedule. I didn’t get into the New York City Marathon this year so I have to consider an option for a different marathon or to decide if I even want to run a Fall marathon. I do know that I am going to participate in several 5K races and a handful of half marathons in Connecticut.

Upcoming Races

My son and I will be running the Hartford Marathon Foundation Lucky Challenge. He told me he wanted to run these races with me again, and he also wanted to see the medals. Looks like he has inherited a little bit of the bling fever from me!

We will run four 5k races in four towns of Connecticut. These back to back race weekends lead up to St. Patrick’s Day for the final race in the state’s capital. These races are a lot of fun and we get dressed up in St. Patrick’s Day accessories.

We don’t run fast but we enjoy the time driving to the races, running the races, the great swag, seeing my friends, and even the post race corn beef sandwiches.

What Are My Goals?

More Half Marathons

I am planning to get a decent proof of time for any future runDisney races. I am training for, and running the Cheshire Half Marathon in April. That is where I have had my best half marathon finish times. It is also the location of my very first half marathon. I’m also planning on doing the Cape Cod and Hartford Half Marathons. I may consider the Hershey Half Marathon as well this year.

Incorporate Speed Work Into My Training

It’s going to take some work and dedication to increase my speed for my next half marathon in April. I want to get a finish time between 2:15 a 2:30. It’s a big push goal for me.

But in order to get faster you have to do the cadence drills like Jeff Galloway recommends. I trained with Jeff Galloway with his e-coaching for my first Dopey Challenge. I found his training plan to be spot on and I successful with finishing my first and now fifth Dopey Challenge.

Hit The Hills

Yea hills are no fun. But it is a nice change for your body to push yourself up the hills. You need the challenge and it will ultimately make you stronger. Here are some tips on how to begin running and including it as a part of your lifestyle.

Hit The Gym

You can also incorporate cross training that includes squats and runner lunges that Fitz Kohler offers. She has great exercise programs dedicated to just runners of all abilities.

How To Register For A Disney Race

Registration for next January’s races opens up on April 19th so I have a little over a month to decide. I don’t know if this year it will sell out. Last year it did not. To register for a runDisney race or to see other runDisney races, visit www.rundisney.com. During the summer runDisney also does a virtual 5K series. I participated in the first year. Last year the theme was on the Incredibles along with the release of their new movie. I wonder what this year’s theme will be!

Will I Do Dopey Again?

I really don’t know how to answer that! I want to…. so I guess between now and when the registration opens I have to make some decisions and do a reality check. I should also talk with the friends of mine that were freaking out along with me just before the race weekend.

I did have such a great race this year. Despite my fears, I surprised myself with my strong finish. I’ll do some soul searching and think about my intentions while I continue to remain consistent with my weekly running and cross training schedule.

What races are you running this year? Share them in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!

runDisney Dopey Challenge Packing List

January 7, 2019

Weather Conditions For Marathon Weekend

For the past three years, the weather in Florida in January has been quite unpredictable. That’s why it is important to know what to put on your Dopey Challenge packing list. I am providing my packing advice for the Dopey Challenge because it includes all races (except the kid races).

The first year I ran my first marathon in January of 2013, the temperature was in the mid-80’s with humidity. The past two years we started the 5K with temperatures 30 degrees or below. Then each day it got warmer little by little.

Two years ago, the half marathon was cancelled due to thunderstorms in the area where the volunteers would have been. I have even heard the stories of how there was sleet and ice at the water stops in 2010. So now I pack for ALL weather conditions!

Organize Your Clothes For Each Race

When I run the Dopey Challenge I have a costume for each race. I place them in zip lock back along with the underwear, bra, socks, compression shorts, and accessories I will need for that race. This also helps to keep each day organized so when I need to get the next race day laid out, the costume and accessories are all together and easily accessible. I am also including cold weather clothes with each race outfit.

Keep Your Race Gear With You

I also pack all race gear, costumes and shoes in my carry on bag when I fly. That is a must for any race that I run. I can live without clothes and my makeup; but I can not run without MY GEAR.

Also when checking into the hotel the race gear bag is always in my sight. I don’t want to take any chances of it getting misplaced accidentally.

What to pack for each race

Running Essentials

The basic running essentials are the items you trained in back home. On race day is not the time to try out something you haven’t trained with. You will need one of these for every race. The essentials include:

Socks
Compression socks
Underwear
Sports bra (nipple guards for men)
Compression shorts
Running shoes
Garmin/Running Watch
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Visor
Braces or KT tape for problem areas
Glide

Running Costume Accessories

If you are wearing a costume you need to consider packing the following into separate baggies:

Sparkle skirt or bottoms
Top
Socks/Compression tights or leggings
Wings/headpiece/jewelry
Wig
Hair clips or bows

Running Accessories

If you run with music or special gear don’t forget to pack those into a separate baggie to keep everything organized

Music player and charger
Headphones and charger
Sunglasses
Fuel belt
Fuel (Gus, chews, gels, food, etc.)
Spi belt
Water bottle

Weather Gear

Running Clothes for Weather

To be prepared for all-weather conditions, I pack the following extra items to have just in case:

Capri running tights
Fleece lined running tights
Regular running tights
Short sleeve shirts (layering pieces)
Long sleeve shirts
A throwaway sweatshirt and/or shirt
A winter hat
Gloves
An extra zip up hoodie
A bathrobe works very well as a warm layer and easy to shed once the race starts
Fleece towel from Wal-Mart that you can easily toss
I have seen runners with a towel or blanket from the hotel!

Weather Running Accessories

Without knowing FOR SURE if the weather is going to be what they truly predict, we do have to plan for anything. Especially if you have run the races in the past two years. I now will be packing the following additional items just in case. Even if the forecast shows a perfect 70 degrees and sun all week, I don’t want to take my chances.

I pack the following portable items with me as essentials on race day to have at the race start and finish.

Rain Poncho – you can purchase them at Rite-Aid for $1.00 each. They are folded up nice and small so you can keep it in your race belt.
Heat Wrap – The foil mylar thermal blankets you get at the end of races are also sold in stores. They are usually in the camping section. I purchased them in bulk on Amazon and have plenty. I sometimes bring extras with me on race morning in case my friends need one.
A plastic bag (grocery bag). I use this bag on race morning to carry my phone, snacks, water, banana and whatever else I may need that morning. Then just before the race starts I empty it in the garbage and squish up the bag and tuck it in my race belt.
- This bag becomes very useful at the end of the marathon when you have your medal(s), a bottle of water or Power Ade, banana, snack box, heat shield and/or cooling towel.
- It’s especially important should you need to go to the bathroom. You can leave it all in the bag outside the potty!
A Trash bag – If the forecast is sounding like heavy rain, Disney will still start the race. Grab some large trash bags from the hotel and wear them as a poncho on race morning. Do your best to stay as dry as you can while you are standing in the corrals waiting. If it is raining hard on race morning you can wrap your shoes in bags to keep them somewhat dry.
Hand Warmers – you can load up on them now at Target in the dollar section or Home Depot sells them in boxes. Again another compact item that you wouldn’t be sorry you brought with you just in case.
Gloves – They don’t sell a lot of gloves in Florida. It’s not something you can find easily. Two years ago we noticed socks all over the side of the road during the marathon. People were using socks for gloves. Since it was so cold for so long they didn’t start shedding them until around mile 8.
Newspaper – to stuff into your shoes if they get wet at a race. They will be dried out overnight!

The items listed above contain affiliate links.

Bag Check At The Race

This is an example of bag check from the Tokyo marathon.

I left a bag at bag check for my first marathon. Since then, I don’t really need to check one. But some people would like their desired items after the race. To do so, you check your bag at the race start. Each section represents the first letter of your last name. Then you leave your items in the runDisney plastic bag (this is the only bag they will allow).

At the end of the race they match your bib number to the bag and you can have your things. Some people like to have the following after the race:

Flip flops
Powder
Deodorant
Dry Shirt
Action Wipes or baby wipes

If you follow these tips and have these items with you prior to the race start you are one step ahead of the game! It’s better to have it with you, then to have to worry about getting a ride to a nearby store and buying throwaway clothes, which usually sell out once people see the forecast is colder than expected.

Have a great race and I’d love to see you out on the race courses! Check out my Facebook Page to follow along with me this week! Please leave your instagram or Facebook page link in the comments so I can connect with more runDisney friends!

2018 Walt Disney World 10K

March 20, 2018

The Walt Disney World 10K is the second race of the Dopey challenge. It took place on Thursday, January 5 at Epcot. The corrals were the same set up as the previous day’s 5K race. Since I was in Corral F with my family the day before I also had to start in Corral F for the 10K. My intention was to run with Team Shenanigans. So I knew I was going to have to run most of the first 3.5 junk miles before getting into Epcot where I usually find them at the photo stops.

2018 Walt Disney World 10K Pre Race

With the start time of 5:30 I knew I could get up at 4:00 with the intent to leave the hotel at 5:00. I actually left at 5:10 and arrived to the Epcot parking lot at 5:28 a.m. I was in my corral at 5:43 and still had plenty of time to wait. My corral crossed the line and started the race at 6:10 a.m. It was 36 degrees, warmer than the 28 degrees we had the day before! But it still felt pretty cold. I had on several layers.

Character Stops

As usual, this course is the same as it has always been with the first 3 miles along Epcot Center Drive and then through the back stage of Epcot and then we entered the park through Norway. I didn’t stop for photographs but I did take some as I ran past the photo stops.

The first was the racoon, Meeko from Pocahontas

The second was Flik and Princess Atta from A Bug’s Life (they weren’t available for photos at the time)

The third was The Witch from Snow White.

As I got into Epcot I kept my eyes peeled for the team. I spotted them at the first photo stop with Rapunzel and Flynn. I was so happy to have caught up with the team. I also warmed up from the running. While standing in the line for a while I started to get cold.

After that we ran to the next photo stop with Pinocchio in Italy.

Then we saw Marie the Cat from the Arisocats over in France.

At that point the balloon ladies had passed us and we were being warned that at any time we could be swept from the course. Susanna and I knew we could outrun them so right after the picture stop, we ran the entire way from France to the International Gateway, over to the boardwalk, past Sports Goofy at ESPN, over the bridge near the Swan and Dolphin, and then I caught up with Jackie near mile 5. Jackie and I walked together and talked and enjoyed the rest of the race together as we went backstage in Epcot over to the UK and through the front of the park. We went past the large water fountain, under Spaceship Earth, around the front waterfall to return back up under Spaceship Earth. That’s where the course turns left towards the outside of the park to the finish line.

Post Race

Kenny was passing out medals so we got our 10K medals from our teammate Kenny! I finished the race in 1 hour 46 minutes. I do like the Walt Disney World 10K course, despite the road miles in the beginning. I always enjoy running through Epcot in the morning as the sun is rising.

I also like this race because I finish early enough to get back to the hotel and have some time to rest. The Cigna Bloger Meet up usually takes place on the day of the 10K. I was able to have breakfast, shower and get some work done prior to heading over to the meet up.

2018 Walt Disney World 10K Mile Splits

2018 Walt Disney World 5K

March 19, 2018

The Walt Disney World 5K took place on Thursday, January 4 at Epcot. The corrals were separated from A through F. Our family was spread apart into three different corrals, from C to E to F. We all began in F so we could stay together.

With the start time of 5:30 we all woke up at 4:00 with the intent to leave the hotel at 5:00. Knowing that we are just minutes away from the race and that our corral would start late since we are the last corral, I chose to leave as late as possible so the kids could sleep. We arrived to the Epcot parking lot at 5:22 a.m. and as we were walking to the corrals the wheelchair athletes were taking off and then the other corrals were releasing. I wasn’t worried though because I checked my Garmin from last year and we didn’t start our race until 6:48 a.m. I knew we had time to spare and to not rush into the race start and corrals. Even with a late arrival we had time to wait in the corral before we took off at 6:19 a.m.

Once it was time for our start Carissa handed the microphone to Adrienne and she got to say “GO!” with Rudy! As we started it was 28 degrees out! Adrienne and Kevin and I wore mylar blankets to keep warm in the corral and had to drop them before we crossed the start line. As we started walking the first mile, poor Adrienne was crying. Her feet were so cold from standing in the parking lot prior to the race and they were itching her. The first mile was rough for her; but then once we got into Epcot her spirits lifted. The distraction of the characters and seeing the sights in the park helped her.

We stopped for pictures with the Vikings in Norway, and Jiminy Cricket in Italy and then continued on throughout the course. Since we were the last racers to cross the start line we didn’t have time to stand in any long lines. However, the characters that were there were:

Flynn and Rapunzel in Germany
Chip and Dale
Kenai and Koda from Brother Bear
Horace Horsecollar

We finished the race in 1 hour 10 minutes and we couldn’t wait to get into the warm car and get some breakfast! I enjoyed this race as much as last year. The race course take place mostly in Epcot and there are a lot of character stops.

As much as I love doing this race with my family, I don’t know if they will be joining me for it any more. My son will be in middle school next year and my parents probably won’t be joining us for this trip. However, if I do Dopey one more time, I’ll get the chance to run this race. I have a lot to think about for the upcoming year. So we will see what happens!

2016 One Word Resolution

January 26, 2016

For the past few years I have been using a one word resolution around the new year as the word of my year. Last year the word I chose was Challenge, the previous year was Grow. This year is Joy. I want to bring joy back into my life. I want to bring it back into my running, my work and my entire outlook on things.

Ironically Joy is also a character from the movie Inside Out. I was fortunate enough to be selected last year to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration in Orlando and we had a sneak peek preview of the Movie Inside Out. The main character in the movie is Joy. I connected with her. She ran the main dashboard in the brain of the character Riley. Joy did everything she could to make sure that Riley was happy all of the time. She tried to ward off sadness, fear, anger and disgust. I feel like I am running the dashboard of life and my family’s life like Joy does.

I can’t lie, there have been times in the past year when I was lacking some Joy in my life. There were some really tough times. You may not see that in my blog posts or in my social media posts because I don’t show those sad times. I share the happy events that we are having. Who wants to hear someone complaining about life and the challenges they are up against or the sicknesses that they are fighting? I’d rather share my good news than my bad ones. But that still brings me to my point. There are things that I am going through in many areas of my life where the Joy is missing. I am working on that. That is my plan for this year. To change some of the things that lost some Joy and bring it back.

One area for certain was my running. Last fall I was falling out of love with training – not running, it was the training that I was hating. I was training for my marathons and was struggling with putting in the long runs required. Something happened, I think it was burnout, that made the actual training runs more of a chore than a time of enjoyment for me.

I just completed the Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge a few weeks ago and I enjoy running. The taper weeks leading up to that race were better for me. The pressure was off, the longest run was done and the little runs I did prior to the races were to stay loose and to keep my mind from going stir crazy. Now that I have completed the races I am in a recovery period where I am not pushing hard for speed or high mileage; but just getting out on the road when I want to for my pleasure. I do have to increase my runs soon to prepare for my next races but I am not dreading the training like I did last Fall.

This is a look of pure Joy! I was so glad to have completed my second Dopey challenge and I loved every minute of the races!

I want to add Joy back into my work. In December I was involved with a large project at work that was taking up many hours of my time. I had some very long work weeks; but I was also learning new things. I want to feel the joy of trying new things and testing things out and growing in my career. I had that for some time last year and then things got a little hectic where I felt like I wasn’t learning as much as I wanted to. So I want to make sure that I still enjoy my work and am growing from it.

For my family life things have been a little rough at home. I have to be honest. The kids are fighting a lot; they have been coughing since November and it seems like every 5 minutes someone is complaining to me about something that the other person said. I just had to pause writing this post to play referee about an elastic band that goes around the base of a toothbrush because the kids were fighting over what color they can use even though my husband did rock-paper-scissors with them to make it fair.

It must be something about the middle of winter making everyone nutty. Even though we just had a large snowstorm this past weekend and the kids can go out and sled ride there seems to be something wrong with the snow each time they go out. It’s melting too fast, or the sleds aren’t fast enough. Where’s the joy??? Time for me to don my snow pants and get back out there with them more to make insane sled riding paths and ramps, start a fire in the fire pit and bring the fun back into winter.

Motherhood isn’t easy, I realize that. I want to always have a good time. I know not every day will be days with smiles and happy children and husband. I know every day at work won’t be easy or fun. But I’m trying to change my outlook. I’m trying not to lose my cool. I’m going to work hard this year to fill my life with more Joy!

2016 WDW Marathon Weekend Is Less Than a Month Away!

December 9, 2015

Well it’s less than 30 days away now! For me, the Dopey challenge is close to half way completed 30 days from now. I will have been through Day 4 of the challenge on the half-marathon portion of the event. The funny thing is, you aren’t halfway through the mileage until around mile 1.9 of the marathon on Sunday.

The runDisney Official Event Guide is now published and has all of the information you need to know for what to do, where to go, what time the Expo takes place, when and where the kid races are, Pasta in the Park info and so much more!

What I was waiting most for was the map of the marathon course. Now that the Richard Petty Speedway was demolished that removed some distance off the course we used in the past. My friends in Team Shenanigans put together screens comparing the 2015 and 2016 course maps.

From what you can see in the Magic Kingdom portion of the course, it appears that we will be running through the castle and Towards Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and then out through the back side of the park and towards Cone Alley and the long road towards Animal Kingdom. There is also a little out and back portion in there on the way to Animal Kingdom created to make up some of the distance. I’m just grateful we aren’t making up the difference in ESPN Wide World of Sports. Although I have to say that last year it didn’t feel as long and dreadful in that part of the course as it did the two years prior.

I’m getting excited to know that in less than a month I’ll be racing in Florida. I was listening to the Mickey Miles Podcast today where Jeff Galloway was answering questions and he answered the question I had posted to the Mickey Milers Team page. I asked what to do about my training since Marine Corps was my longest distance since October and then in November I was up to 10 miles (plus the 12 i did last weekend). Jeff’s recommendation is to do a cluster of runs to simulate Dopey beginning on December 17. He said to do 3 miles, then 5 the next day, walk 7-10 the following day and then on the last day get in 23 miles with either most of it walking or walk a mile, then run with 15/30 intervals. So I am going to think about this suggestion and compare it to what I had in my mind which was to do a longer run that weekend of 15-17 miles (mostly running) and perhaps I’ll tack on the last 3 miles as a walk to get the 20 miles under my feet for the endurance. I know Jeff knows best. But many of my fellow running pals are getting training burnout. But we all know what happens when we don’t train like we should (see my Marine Corps Marathon recap).

I’m starting in Corral I and the corrals go up to letter P so that give me about a 20 minute buffer between when we take off and when the last of the pack takes off. I’m not worried about finish time with the race this year. I just want to have fun. And it wouldn’t be fun if we didn’t see the balloon ladies at the races!

I just registered my kids today for the Kids Dash races for Friday. I usually register them for Saturday based on when they fly down; but in the past that was crazy for me to rush back from the half marathon, pick everyone up at the hotel and then get over to ESPN. So it will be nice for a chance to do the 10K and then shower and head over to ESPN for their race. This is becoming a tradition that I would like to keep doing with them while I can. It’s easier to get them up for an 11:00 race than it will be to get them to a 5K that takes place at 5 a.m.!

Now I have to start putting together my costume ideas! I already have one planned with my mom! She and I are doing her first Disney race at the 5K. We have been sharing ideas back and forth from Etsy, we both have the same Minnie ears and Team Sparkle Skirt so now we have to find coordinating skirts. I have another one planned with Christina and Diana and that leaves the half and full marathons to plan for. I have to really get going to put something together. Let the fun of packing and planning begin!

I Took Things Off Road Recently

November 19, 2015

Well, not completely, but I did venture off the main road a little bit this past weekend and ran in some of the vineyard fields and the cornfields on my normal route. I wanted to get in at least 6 miles over the weekend and it was a nice sunny and windy day on Sunday. I was itching to get out for a run because I had been so busy with work and running to different places and doctor appointments with the kids.

Saturday morning was a lazy morning. The family took our time waking up, eating, cleaning, making beds, the usual stuff you do on a lazy Saturday. I sat in bed with a cup of tea with my husband and talked about Christmas gift ideas for the kids, and flights for our April vacation, and then I had to get moving. It was nice to sit around and relax; but I can’t sit for very long.

The views on my run are always the best!

I got dressed and was on the road around 1:00. While I was on the road and observing the area around me, I took note that I’d like to go off road on my way home and run through part of the cornfield. I kept going and went to the Gouveia vineyard up the hill from where I live and decided to run through the grape fields. So while I didn’t necessarily do some real trail running; I consider it close enough to trail running. The ground I was running on consisted of uneven car paths from where the farmers drive their vehicles through the vineyard. I ran about a quarter mile through the vineyard.

Then on my return route home I went off the road into a cornfield. I didn’t run very much in that field but it was nice to get off the road and run on a different surface. With marathon and Dopey training being my priority from now until the end of the year I have to be careful if I am going to run off road. I don’t want to hurt myself. I wasn’t running in special trail shoes so I don’t have the necessary ankle support to run on such surfaces. It was great to do something different and mix up the routine a little and run on a surface other than the hard pavement.

I’d like to make a goal to run in Tyler Mill near my house after I complete my Dopey challenge and don’t have to worry about avoiding any injuries prior to that big race weekend. I also made it a point to start cross training during the week with weights. My daughter always loved when I would go workout in our workout room. Once she heard me say I was going downstairs to work out she ran to her room to find her favorite workout clothes so she could join me. That night when she went to bed she kept asking me if I was going to work out again the next day because she enjoyed working out with me and spending girl time with me. She’s so awesome!

Marine Corp Marathon Training – 14 miles

August 1, 2015

After my whining and complaining the other day on my blog, I followed through on my promise to myself and woke up when my alarm went off (6:30 on a weekend morning), made my oatmeal and tea, mapped out a route, and loaded up my ipod. I was on the road by 7:30. I hadn’t checked the temperature; but it wasn’t as humid as it was during the week. It was still warm though. I’d take a guess that it was still around 70 degrees at 7:30 this morning.

To help make this easier for me I reached out to my Mickey Miler friends and learned that I was not alone. My friend Kristie Green was heading out to do 18 miles at 1:30 in the morning in Texas! If she was doing that, then my little 14 miler was nothing. Others were also having a hard time with putting in some more miles lately and we are thinking the heat may be to blame.

To help me mentally prepare I began gathering up my running gear during the day and laying it out so I would see it and start to embrace the fact that I WAS going on this run and I AM picking up my training mileage. Summer is here, and yes it’s harder to get in the longer miles during the summer months, but I knew the worst that could happen would be that I may need to walk more of it. I also made sure to make my water bottles and freeze them as well as mix up some Nuun to make sure I am properly hydrating with electrolytes during the warm warming run.

I set my alarm for 6:30 and was very good about getting up as soon as it went off. I didn’t want to wake up my husband and I knew that I had to get up at that moment or else I could possibly back out or delay it even longer. I am very good at sticking to my plan; but with the way I have been thinking lately I didn’t want to leave any opportunity to fail.

It took me a few miles to get into the game. I walked the first 1/2 mile to warm up my mind and body (or stay cool) and then once I was in the shade I began my 30/30 intervals. After around mile 3 I was starting to get into a little groove; I was also on a shady road so it was helping me feel more comfortable and not overheated. The first 2 miles had a lot of sun on it and it was starting to concern me.

Miles 1-2

As I approached mile 4.5 I had to walk up some beastly hills. It was tough. Then I was in a lot of sun again. So as I finished around mile 6 I decided that I would stop at my house to get some ice and refresh my water bottles with ice and water. It was too hot and I didn’t want to take any chances of getting sick from the heat. My stomach was also growling so I grabbed a few pretzels. I think my pit stop was for about 15 minutes and then I was back out on the road to finish the last 6 miles. I decided to take a different route than originally planned and ran again on one of the shadier roads.

Mile 3

Mile 4.5

Picture never make hills look as bad as they are!

Mile 5

For the last 2 miles I did a lot more walking than running. But I wasn’t too hard on myself. I knew I was getting back into it again both mentally and physically and the fact that I was out there still in the heat and being smart about it made me feel ok about my pace. When increasing my mileage the last 3 newer miles I tack on since my previous long run are always the hardest. So since my last long run was Chicago 2 weeks ago I knew I’d be ok.

Mile 13

Now to keep up the positive momentum and continue onward toward the Marine Corp Marathon and the 2016 Dopey Challenge!

Dumbo Double Dare and Marine Corp Marathon Training

July 30, 2015

Now that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon is over, it’s time for me in step up my training towards Dumbo Double Dare; which I am not worried about since I just did the half marathon in Chicago. But the Marine Corp Marathon is what I am concerned about.

The Marine Corp Marathon is October 25 and I need to get my training runs done. I finally sat down with my calendar and planned it all out. So the reality became the truth for me today. I have to put in a long run this weekend. No more sleeping late. Maybe I can get away with a nap, but it is time to teach my body to endure the long miles again.

I feel that I have been lazy with my training. Alright I said it out loud. Now I have to buck up and start to suck it up and get it done! I haven’t been skipping my runs. I just haven’t been putting in longer runs. Chicago last week was the longest run I did since the Mystic Half Marathon on May 29.

So why does it feel like I am starting all over again when I begin my training for my fall marathons? Lately I feel like I can go out and run a half marathon without putting in as many miles. It wouldn’t be my best race and it wouldn’t be a pretty race, but I could finish.

My friends were reminding me that the Disney races are all about fun and picture stops and costumes and socializing so that I think is also why I don’t have the feeling of pressure to be my best. But I was lucky to be chosen to run the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington D.C. so I don’t want to be a lazy runner for this race. I want to finish before 6 hours.

So I made my schedule in my calendar and now I need to view it daily or weekly and let the numbers on it sink into my head and I have to accept that it is time to stop being lazy and start putting in some miles. It’s time to download a lot of good podcasts or continue to listen to my audio books and enjoy my training time in the roads. I think as I write this, another reason is because I have been enjoying a lot of family time this summer which include late nights and a few weekend getaways.

So now it is time to start training for Dumbo, Marine Corp and The Dopey Challenge.

Tag: #dopeychallenge