Dopey Challenge, Here I Come!

Well, I did it. Yesterday, I officially registered for the 2018 Dopey Challenge in Walt Disney World!!

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Yes, this is a race I said I'd never run. I also said I'd never run a full marathon (now I've done 5) or Goofy's Challenge (I've completed it once), so here I am. Learn your lesson, Karen...never say never!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Dopey's Challenge, it's a 5K on Thursday followed by a 10K on Friday, the half marathon on Saturday, and the full marathon on Sunday for a grand total of 48.6 miles!

The whole idea behind Dopey began several months back. I finally began to feel the urge to run Goofy's Challenge again (it's been five years...so hard to believe) and I considered asking my Florida friend Melissa to run with me. Instead, she actually text me first and asked if I would run Dopey with her. Well, "it's just a 5K and a 10K more"...yes, and a couple hundred dollars more but who's counting...but ok. I agreed and now I'm in!
 

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It's also an anniversary year for so many of the races! The 20th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Marathon was one of my favorite races and I'm super excited to be going back for the 25th Anniversary!

This will definitely be a one and done for me, but I'm super excited to rise up to the challenge! As you know, Marathon Weekend holds a super special place in my heart as that's where my running journey all began.

My IT Band will have to be nursed extra carefully over the fall/winter as I don't want to go into this race with an injury. Hopefully it will behave...I'm crossing my fingers at least!

The races...the characters...the costumes...the medals...oh my I can't wait!

So, who else is joining in for Marathon weekend? Anyone?

Three Things Thursday

Since it's Thursday, why not?

#1

 
Our 10 year wedding anniversary is this year. TEN YEARS. Where has the time gone?! We've tossed up lots of ideas for a ten year getaway but are coming up short on ideas. We've already traveled to New York/Canada with DCL and Alaska on a cruise. There's no where else we feel like we really want to visit except Hawaii (I've been, Jason has not). After looking into Adventures by Disney, nothing is jumping out at me. We did consider going to California for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend (since I'm also running Princess this year and could get the pink Coast to Coast Medal) and combining it with a Disney Cruise out of San Diego but I dunno. There's just nothing sticking out to me at the moment. Any suggestions on amazing places you've visited and would recommend?

#2

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Jeff Bagwell has made it to the Hall of Fame. Part 2 of my favorite Houston Astros duo is now also being elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame and I couldn't be more excited! Is another trip in our future? Maybe...maybe not. Our first trip there was an absolute dream and something I could mark off of my "to do" list. Is another trip to New York feasible? We haven't quite played all of the logistics about this one out just yet!


#3 

 
Guys. I'm actually considering running Dopey's Challenge in 2018. After 5 years, I finally feel as if I'm ready to tackle Goofy's Challenge again and I was prodded by a friend of mine that if I can run Goofy, what's an extra 5K and 10K? Well, I might have agreed and this is possibly in the cards for January of 2018!! I am so excited!!

 I hope you have an amazing Thursday!

Revisiting an Epic Race

When I think back over the races I've run, my mind can't help but pick out a few "favorites". You know, those epic runs where you feel great the entire race, you're flying high over the finish line, and you're so excited to share the news of your accomplishment with your friends?

Well, I have a few of those races - one being my very first full marathon at WDW and the other being my first (and only) time to run Goofy's Challenge. I'll admit, I needed a bit of a break from back-to-back training long runs after completing Goofy's Challenge, but I've finally come around where I WANT to run this challenge again.

For those who aren't familiar, Goofy's Challenge is a race experience at Walt Disney World where runners complete the half marathon on Saturday followed by the full marathon on Sunday for a total of 39.3 miles.

The anticipating and excitement in the air at the expo was just what I needed to get the weekend started off on a great note!

I loved all of the character interactions along the course! :)

The Christmas scene is hands down one of my favorite race photos ever!

To top things off, runDisney was celebrating the 20th anniversary of the marathon that year, so the medals and merchandise were extra special!

I completed Goofy's Challenge with my running buddy Scott (he's in my running group here at home) and my friend Melissa ran the marathon with us! 

This was an awesome experience - one like nothing I've seen or done since and I can't wait for next time! :)

Did you have an epic race experience - one you wish you could revisit? 
 

Today, I'm joining in with the above mentioned ladies for the Tuesdays On The Run link up! Click the photo for more!

Wordless Wednesday: A Goofy Day

When I think about a Goofy day at Walt Disney World, my mind immediately returns to the weekend I ran Goofy's Challenge with a few of my favorite friends (back in 2013). If you're not familiar with Goofy's Challenge, it's a super fun weekend in January where runners tackle the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday followed by the Walt Disney World Full Marathon on Sunday for a total of 39.3 miles for the weekend! For today's Wordless Wednesday topic (and in honor of Goofy's Birthday), I am sharing a glimpse of the fun times I had during that weekend!

Today’s Wordless Wednesday theme is: A Goofy Day
Host: Deb at Focused on the Magic

 

 No race is complete without a post-race celebration and I thoroughly enjoyed myself at Ohana, my favorite restaurant on property! Yum! 

Happy Birthday, Goofy! :)

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What's your favorite way to spend a "Goofy Day" at the parks? 

Now That's A Wild Ride!

Welcome to another (Disney) Wordless Wednesday!  Today's theme is all about wild rides and it was fun to look through everyone's posts to see their perspectives on the subject! (Click on the blue button at the bottom of this post to take you to the linkup!)

I have two favorites, the first being Expedition Everest. I SO wish had taken a ride on EE when I had the chance during the 2013 Marathon (when I ran Goofy). I still to this day don't know why I turned it down. This has been added to my "must do" list and I will definitely make this experience happen during my next Goofy...whenever that may be. Yes, I said "next Goofy" (the girl who said she would never run Goofy again...haven't I learned my lesson on that yet)?

The second is California Screamin! We LOVE this ride at Disneyland and make sure to snag fast passes every time we visit!

Today’s Wordless Wednesday theme is: Wild Ride
Host: Deb at Focused on the Magic

 

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Are you a fan of roller coasters? Do you have a favorite "wild ride" at Disney?

Adventure (of the runDisney Kind)!

When I first heard about today’s Wordless Wednesday theme, my mind raced with all of the adventures runDisney has taken me on! From Florida to the California coast to the Bahamas, each and every race has held a special meaning and the adventures I’ve taken along the way have been countless!  I mean, where else could I run with Goofy, visit tropical islands, meet Joey Fatone, fly through castles, and have a blast with my friends?

What’s next? Paris, I hope (not sure if it will work for 2016, but it’s definitely on my “list”)!

Today’s Wordless Wednesday theme is:
Adventure
Host: Deb at Focused on the Magic

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What’s been your favorite runDisney adventure?

Marathon Weekend

It’s a brand new month AND a brand new year, and so begins a new set of Wordless Wednesday’s. Today’s Wordless Wednesday (Disney style) is hosted by Deb at Focused on the Magic!

Today’s theme is: January Calendar Shot

When I think of January at Walt Disney World, my mind goes straight to runDisney and Marathon Weekend…and that’s what I would put on my January calendar! I’ve participated in three Marathon Weekends so far, and each one holds a special place in my heart as they were my first of each distance! In January of 2010, I ran my first Half Marathon in the crazy bitter cold of Florida…no really, it was COLD. January of 2011 brought around my first Full Marathon and I had an amazing time! Finally, in January of 2013 I completed Goofy’s Challenge, something I said I would NEVER do (never say never)! In honor of Marathon Weekend (which is THIS weekend!) ’ve chosen a few of my favorites from each event to share with you!

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Good luck and happy running to everyone participating this weekend! I’ll be cheering you on from home! <3 Have a great time!

Want to participate in an upcoming Wordless Wednesday? Click on the button below for more details!

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Are you running this weekend? Participated in Marathon weekend in the past? What’s your favorite memory of a runDisney event?