So what happens after you run the Walt Disney World marathon, or any first marathon, or marathon for that matter? Well I have still been running, but I do think I have been experiencing a little bit of post marathon blues. I miss the long runs required for that training. I didn’t miss the pain, but I miss the focus and dedication to the training that I had. I am still running a lot to prepare for the Savin Rock Half Marathon on March 23 and the Cheshire Half Marathon on April 29. I learned after my half marathons last spring that I need to have goals ahead of me. I felt lost after I did my first two half marathons. I didn’t have any long distance races on my calendar and I met my goal and felt like I didn’t have a carrot in front of me anymore. That’s when I decided last June to register for the Disney World Full Marathon.

I have also been using this time to work on my speed. I have also been listening to the Mickey Miles Podcast to keep the Disney spark alive in me while running. I also found time to think about what I really love about running and decided if I still do love running. And the answer is yes, I do. Here are some of the reasons why I love to run:

My kids see what I am doing and it has been a good influence on them.

I enjoy the time alone

I enjoy pushing myself

I need goals

I love getting medals!

I like running gear

I love being outside in the elements – all the elements

My body is getting stronger

I enjoy the running community and what I have learned from it and there is still so much more to learn.

I have been told that I have been and inspiration to others. While I find that hard to believe, I have gained inspiration from many of the people I met since I started running.

So I have been thinking about my goals for 2013 and I do plan on doing several half marathons. I am registered for the Disney Double Dare for Labor Day weekend. I hope to travel to Anaheim to do that inaugural race and meet up again with the friends that I met at the WDW marathon. But I am also thinking about my future of Disney races. I would love to do the full marathon in 2014 and am SERIOUSLY considering the Goofy for 2015. That’s a really lofty goal, but I always raise the bar a little and can’t imagine NOT doing it!