48.6 miles I am Dopey!

Dopey Challenge completed!   Crossing the finish line was the biggest celebration of the past months of hard work, dedication, and discipline.  I was nervous about completing the marathon because my last training runs in December stunk and were cut short due to a common cold. 

The Dopey Challenge is so hard but worth it!   Today, I experienced every emotion.   My emotions varied from joy, nervousness, fear, excitement, and finally, at mile 26, a real sense of pride and accomplishment. I hope everyone who ran today is walking up and down the stairs well or able to walk. 

 6 MEDALS EARNED, always earned. 

This event was my 4th Dopey.   I ran 48.6 miles.   The Disney marathon is my favorite marathon of the year. Dopey was an AMAZING experience, and I am so glad I ran it. This Dopey Challenge is a culmination of days of hard work and months of training. The Disney characters, spectators, and medals were more than I hoped for! 

The Dopey challenge is a mark in time for me. 

I am 54 and have been married to my spouse for 29 years.   My two kids are also doing well.

This year, I gained a new grandson.   Isaac Ryan was born on August 12, 2023.  

Carrie, my daughter, and John, my son-in-law, are the proud parents of two children, Sarah, and Isaac. 

My youngest daughter Izzy has been dating a nice fellow named Bobby for over a year.

During this past year, we also experienced a sad loss.

My husband lost his dad, but I believe he is still with us in spirit. He probably thinks I am insane running all those miles. 

 My family also lost our beautiful 13-year-old black Labrador retriever, but we now have a new black Labrador puppy to love that joined the family on December 11. 

Overall, this past year, God blessed me with many gifts. 

Besides a new grandson, I ran the New York marathon and loved it.  

I also enjoy family time, meeting new friendships and maintaining old ones. The Dopey Challenge is more than an ordinary event for me.   It is very big for me.  Time to celebrate big.  

. I am looking forward to what comes next year.

This race closes out my training season. I will be taking a break from running to prevent burnout during the rest of January, February, and March. See you on the road this spring.

Time 6:49:05 

The half marathon was crazy and wild this morning! 

Last night around 6 pm, Disney shortened the Half marathon to 7.1 miles due to severe thunderstorms forecasted in the area during the Half marathon. 

However, I did not feel cheated because I made up the 6 miles by hauling my body around the Old Key West Resort and the parking lot of Epcot (runners staging start area) before and after the race.  Don’t worry I made sure the storms were passed Disney.

13.1 done.

It was impressive to see other runners brisk walking or running in circles around the resorts and parking lots to complete the extra miles. 

 This is why I love running ……. Such a supportive community.

   The weather for the Half Marathon was not what I wanted, but the memories will last a lifetime.  

 Even though the weather sucked, muggy followed by a cold rain, I still had fun.  

  Tomorrow will be the best morning of the year!  The day of the Full marathon!

 26.2 miles 

I am well-rested and ready to go.

 To Ed …Thanks for keeping me company in Florida.  

To Carrie and Izzy,

It is getting easier to do the Dopey Challenge because I can count on both of you to take care of the dogs and the family business.

, 

Hopefully, tomorrow, I will complete my 4th Dopey. 

Let’s go.  

Wish me good luck. 

Bib Number

27864

Run a 5K on Thursday.  Done check.  3.1 

Run a 10K on Friday. Done check.  6.2 

 Run a Half Marathon on Saturday. 13.1

 Run a full Marathon on Sunday. 26.2.

Tomorrow is the Half Marathon of the Dopey Challenge! 

So far, so good.  I am having a good time. 

During both mornings, I was able to hang out with awesome Disney Characters before the race.

I had a good time running both the 5k and 10k.   Disney organization does an excellent job putting on a race.

My costume vibes this weekend is Monsters Inc. I ended both races with a yummy breakfast, consisting of waffles, pancakes, and cereal, followed by a gentle walk around our resort and a boat ride to the Disney Springs outdoor shopping attraction. We also sat by the pool. 

What an extraordinary  way to start the year! 

IT IS TIME FOR ANOTHER DOPEY CHALLENGE!  48.6 miles 

Run a 5K on Thursday. 

Run a 10K on Friday.

 Run a Half Marathon on Saturday.

 Run a full Marathon on Sunday.

Good evening, greetings from Run Disney Marathon Weekend! The energy is alive, and I am on cloud nine. I am just soaking it all in.

 My day began with a flight to Florida. After the flight, we grabbed a quick lunch and went to the Run Disney expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports to pick up my bibs and shirts.   Afterward, we went to Il Mulino Italian for dinner. The food is so delicious. 

Our home for the weekend is gorgeous. 

 My spouse and I are at the Old Key West Resort. It is a one-room villa with a working kitchen, refrigerator, dining room, bedroom, and a bathroom with a jacuzzi. I love the fully working kitchen because I can cook whatever I want for runner’s weekend. Our resort has the luxury of grocery delivery service. 

Now it’s time for bed. The challenge starts tomorrow.