Happy Valentine’s Day!   Amping up my training for Boston !  It is going well. Trying to get this 50 year old body …stronger ..swimming ,a Body Barbell class and running this week.

I did it!  I am officially Dopey!  I ran 48.6 miles in 4 days!   (5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon)

I started training for this event in July 2019. All those endless hours on the road, trails and my treadmill lead to my success.

It felt awesome, when I crossed the very last finish line Sunday afternoon!  I am a winner.  I did not quit or give up. I am exhausted, happy, sore, and also tearful (happy tears). I am physically and mentally wiped out.  My muscles are killing me.

The Dopey challenge taught me many valuable lessons.

I will always believe in myself and to push forward even when things are hard. Every so often, I had to push myself to run, even when I didn’t want to.

During my training. I learned my body is capable of doing so much more, than I have originally expected. The human body is amazing.

My commitments are always worth the time and effort. I am top priority.

My running confidence has improved.

I had a firm goal, that I was committed to, and all the hard work lead me to a positive successful journey.

I am still turtle slow but my strength physically and mentally has improved.

Lastly, I am more motivated and determined to make the most out of my life on earth.  I am more focused on strengthening and/or balancing all family relations, friendships, home life, my physical and mental health, my spiritual wellbeing, and supporting my spouse’s needs.

Thank you to my family and god who made this challenge possible.

Now on to the Recap…………………

Wednesday Expo and flying to Disney

At 6 am in the morning, my husband and I flew to Florida to kick off the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend “The Dopey Challenge.  My spouse was there for company.

Upon arrival, I immediately went to the World of Sport Complex to pick up my race bibs, and race shirts. After I picked up everything, I walked around the expo checking out all the merchandise.   After the expo, I headed back to the resort (Old Key West) to relax and then we headed out for dinner.

Thursday 5k

It was a fun race.  The race was completely located in Epcot, but the main focus was the World Showcase area.

There are about 11 countries that the World Showcase represents; and they all are centered around a beautiful lagoon. It was quite beautiful running past the countries.

Friday 10k

Another fun race.  The course was similar to the 5k.  Runners ran through Epcot’s scenic World Showcase, around Disney’s boardwalk, and then back to Epcot for the finish. There was also plenty of characters and Disney Music throughout the course. During the 1ok race, my strategy was to run a bit, walk a bit and just enjoy myself.  I wanted to conserve my energy for the two big races, the Half and Full Marathon.

Saturday Half Marathon.

The course started outside of Epcot, then we ran up to the Magic Kingdom, through the Magic Kingdom, back to Epcot, through Future World, and then we finished in the Epcot parking lot.

I ran this race very slowly.  I did not want to push, because I had 26.2 miles to run tomorrow. After the race, I went back to the hotel and spent the day watching television, and basically doing nothing. My legs and feet needed to be well rested.

Sunday The Marathon.

It was a hot one!!!!!!!  I had to slow down a lot for my safety. Temperatures were reaching low 80’s with high humidity.   Mile 20-26 was a very slow walk.

Anyways, the Marathon travelled through all the parks! Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

I am Dopey!

NEXT CHALLENGE BOSTON MARATHON!!!!

Sunday is the full marathon. This is the day I have been preparing for since July 2019! Last run of the Dopey Challenge.  The journey so far has been an incredible experience. I am excited. I am nervous.  I feel good. Time for bed …I have to run 26 miles! Wish me luck.   7 months of training …… has come down to this !!!!

So far …all my races have gone very well…

…. no asthma  (I am the only runner thrilled with the warmer weather) It was about 74 degrees for the Half Marathon.

….. no sneezing, coughing, or hay fever

…. well hydrated

…. nutrition on point

….electrolytes in check

….. well rested .. sleeping fine

…..legs and feet are fine

Thursday 5k done

Friday 10k done

Saturday 1/2 Marathon done

Sunday Marathon………

Ed spouse …thanks for keeping me company in Orlando

Time to go the Distance ……

Stay tuned

The 5k and 10k is done.

The 5k was Thursday.

The 10k was Friday.

Saturday is the Half and Sunday is the Full.

Both races went well.   The past two days were spent mostly kicking back at the hotel.

However, I was able to see Running Legend Jeff Galloway at the expo.

I am determined to save my energy for the Half and Full Marathon. The weather is expected to be hot for both races.

Disney World is getting more crowded now, probably because of the bigger races.

I had a nice Italian dinner at Trattoria Al Forno.

I have my energy snacks for the Half Marathon and I am ready to run.

Shout out to Izzy who is watching my dogs back in Massachusetts.

Carrie …. allowing my spouse to get away as you hold down the fort at A Plus Warehouse. Good Job!!!!

Marathon weekend begins ……Dopey Challenge.  5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Full Marathon,  Bib pick up, shirt pick up …lots of running ahead.

Today I went to the running  expo.

Thursday is the 5k.

I am thrilled the forecast will be warm. I prefer warm weather running.   Frigid, cold temperatures can be an asthma trigger and just plain miserable.

Time to enjoy the moment… I will keep you posted…

Enjoying a Strawberry Daiquiri  and chips at a Mexican Restaurant

Done …..

Last Dopey Simulation.  Time to Taper!!!

3 miles on Saturday

6 miles on Sunday

11.5 miles on Monday

22 miles on Tuesday.

Walt Disney World …. I will see you in 3 weeks!

Total 42.5 miles

Dopey Challenge is 48.6 miles

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend time being thankful for all life’s blessings.  I had a nice holiday.

One of our Thanksgiving traditions is to pre-game a fancy early breakfast at the Ritz Carlton in Boston before our family’s Thanksgiving Dinner held at our home.

We always enjoy stuffing ourselves with pancakes, eggs, waffles, bacon, bagels, fruit, etc…before “Turkey Time”.    It is very enjoyable and amusing chowing down.  Yes. I love pigging out.  Later in the evening, our kids and family enjoyed a nice dinner.

………….

My Dopey Challenge Training

The  event is NOW less than 6 weeks away.  The event begins on January 9 2020.

(The Dopey Challenge is a 4-day series 48.6 miles (5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon)

My training is going well. However, this challenge scares the heck out of me. This is my first Dopey!

I am pushing myself harder, covering more distance than I am used to, but I will survive.

I am also pleased that I was able to squeeze in another practice Dopey Simulation.

Saturday ….3 miles 5k

Sunday …..6 miles 10k

Monday …13 miles Half Marathon

Tuesday  18  miles

Total 40 miles

……….

More news…

We recently purchased a Golden Retriever.  He is now 3 months old. We have 4 dogs total.  We have a black, yellow , chocolate and now our new Golden. Many people think I am “nuts” but I LOVE DOGS!

This week New England had our first snow storm.   We had about 8 inches. Our new dog was thrilled to see snow for the first time  My dogs love the  snow.

This week I practiced a “Mini Dopey Challenge simulation” to mimic the real one in January. I scheduled 4 days in a row of running to model the Dopey Challenge.  I ran 37 miles, which included a 20-mile-long run. Dopey is coming up in January and that will be 48.6 miles in 4 day. I think I’m making good progress.

Saturday November 16th …3… miles

Sunday November 17^th……  4 miles

Monday November 18^th ……  10 miles

Tuesday November 19^th ……20 miles

Other than running, my husband Ed and I had a good double date with our oldest daughter and her husband at a Mexican restaurant.

We also enjoyed watching the Patriots win again. That never gets old.

Wednesday night the Country Music Association Awards were on television. My husband and I love country music, so, it is always nice to watch our favorite singers receive a nominee for a potential award or win.

Dopey Challenge  …4 days series ( 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon)

Mileage is increasing. My body is screaming at me …. more fuel…I’m tired … I’m sore …this sucks….

This being said, I really do want to succeed at this challenge!

Monday …This week my long run was 19 miles.

To tackle the long run, I mentally broke it up in chunks (4 miles 4 times) +3 miles. I listened to Disney music while running and when I got tired I kept on playing Disney’s Hercules Go the Distance.

And I won’t look back,

I can go the distance

And I’ll stay on track,

no I won’t accept defeat

It’s an uphill slope

But I won’t loose hope,

’till I go the distance

I was well rested and energized, due to the fact I did very little running Halloween week.   Too much candy, pigging out at restaurants, lack of motivation, and sleeping in. This made it very hard to get out the door and run.

But that’s ok with me. It resulted in an excellent long run. And that’s a good thing

Tuesday 8.5 miles

Thursday 3 miles

Saturday 3 miles

Total this week …33.5 miles

Besides running, I am  having fun decorating my home for Thanksgiving.  I love the beauty of Autumn in New England.

Last Sunday, I visited my youngest daughter at U Mass Amherst. She loves college life.

My oldest daughter is happily married  for 6 month and is doing well.