My first race of the season. Boston Athletic Association 5k.

Fun Times

To my family and friends

Spring is here, and my running season has officially begun.

This summer, I am participating in various neighborhood 5k’s and 10k’s. I also have two big marathons in the fall.

I am running the New York marathon for an organization called Team for Kids.

Team for Kids brings free running and fitness programs throughout the country. Team for Kids funds help support programs for children nationwide, including New York City’s five boroughs. These programs help build students’ motivation, confidence, and desire to be physically active for life.

This charity is close to my heart because running has helped

transform my life. As a child, I felt like I was in Charlie Brown in a classroom. Learning to me waa,waaa waaa, wa wa. By the second grade, I was identified as a person with learning “issues”. I struggled with poor reading comprehension and writing.

The world of academics and commerce was not in my calling. I had one failure after another.

I was very blessed that a mentor introduced me to distance running. In the year 2,000, I stepped onto the road of distance running and started training for my first marathon. Every time I stepped onto the track or road, I felt awesome.

I could keep up. Mile after mile I ran and I was succeeding!

The more I ran, the more excited I got.

Running has given me self-esteem and life skills and has taught me I am capable of much more than I ever thought.

Running is not only a physical sport; running coaches also informed me it is a mental game.

When I get to the race start line, I know I will finish.

All I need to do is dig deep when I become tired.

I usually don’t share my story, but it was important for me to do so.

Why again did I choose to run with Team for Kids?

All children should be allowed to have a passion for a sport and live their dreams of becoming amazing athletes or track stars.

All athletes should have the ability to chase their potential.

Since then, I have been a homemaker and raised two beautiful girls, ages 25 and one who will be 29 in May.

I have also been married for 30 years.

I have run 17 Boston Marathons, 5 Disney Marathons, and one New York marathon.

I have no desire to stop.

This charity can not exist without the help from others.

Please consider donating. You might need an opportunity to direct your philanthropy. May I suggest this charity?

https://runwithtfk.org/Profile/PublicPage/113172

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. 

In three weeks, this crazy Gal is flying to Disney World.
I will compete in the Dopey Challenge, which consists of a 5k, 10k, Half-marathon, and full marathon, all in the same weekend. “(It adds up to) 48.6 magical miles.

This weekend was a big running weekend.
It was my last Dopey Simulation weekend! Today, I am officially in taper town.

December 14: 3 miles
December 15: 6 miles
December 16: 13 miles
December 17: 16 miles

The training runs were hard. I was under the weather because I recently had a common cold.
The running rule is if cold symptoms are above your neck, it’s probably safe to run.
I decided to do all my runs indoors.
During my long run, I kept my heart rate mostly in zones 1 and 2 ( easy) and focused on distance, not time. Many running coaches told me to cover the running distance and not be worried about time.
Now I am going to rest!!

In three weeks, I will be at Walt Disney World. My husband is going also to keep me company.

I also had a very nice Chanukkah.
I had lots of yummy potato pancakes and chocolate.

I enjoyed running the Turkey Trot 5k race in North Reading, Massachusetts. I love turkey trots because they are low-key and fun. Now its time to enjoy yummy turkey, mashed potatoes, apple pie, corn, green bean stuffing, etc.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

…………………….

Thank You, New York!

The marathon was a great experience. I wanted to do this race for years, and it did not disappoint.

Thank You, Ed, for keeping me company this weekend. I appreciate it. Carrie, John, Izzy, and Bobby, I am glad I can count on you all to take care of the dogs and the family business while we are away.

Thanks to all who donated to Familial Dysautonomia (FD).

Saturday morning, my husband and I flew to
New York. The flight was quick and easy.
After our flight, we took Carey Ride Limo Service to our hotel, checked in, and then went to the running expo to pick up my running bib and browse the exhibits.

Later that night, we had a delicious Italian meal at Il Mulino. As always, the food was delicious. It has been my go-to restaurant before a big race.

Then it was time for bed.

Race Day!
The race itself had the best crowd support I have ever experienced.
There are so many people out on the course encouraging you.
The weather this year was perfect. It was a warm 64 degrees, and that is what I prefer. I am not a cold-weather runner, and I like to inhale warm air, which is better for my allergies and asthma.

For the first 16 miles, I felt great.

I used the Jeff Galloway run/walk method.
I walked through every water station and took walking breaks throughout the miles. The run-walk intervals kept me comfortable without being miserable. Nothing new on race day.
Being surrounded by other runners who were my ability, I never felt alone on the course.
The runners near me were my cheerleaders.

I hit the half-marathon mark around 3:20:18 and I was thrilled.

Around mile 17, I started to slow down.
I had nine more miles to go. I just kept moving along, staying focused and enjoying myself.
As I followed The Galloway plan, I was leapfrogging with runners…
I’d pass them, and they’d pass me.
The last 5 miles are always the toughest mentally because I am close to being done.
I decided to enjoy the race; I high-fived volunteers, thanked the folks at the water stations, talked to fellow runners, and waved to the fans, EMTS, Police departments, and fire departments along the course.
Soon, I reached the finished line and crossed it.
It was the best feeling in the world.
I completed my first New York Marathon. 6:59:12