This woman in the pictures is 55 and has reached a big running goal.
I just completed my 5th official Dopey!
In 2020 I ran my first Dopey.
From then on, I challenged myself to run Dopey every year, as my personal goal.
In 2020 I wanted to be a Dopey “streaker”. Age 55 ….5 Dopeys!!!!! I like to set the bar high for my goals!
2020 DOPEY 2021 COVID canceled 2022 Dopey 2023 Dopey 2024 Dopey 2025 Dopey I am so grateful that, I was able to do this. I succeeded. 5 Dopey’s in a row.
That night My spouse and I headed to Boardwalk Bakery for a celebration cake. We spent our last night in Disney World walking around the boardwalk.
Tomorrow Monday, we check out of Old Key West and we fly back to Massachusetts. My body is sore, but it has been a great Dopey. I am so proud of all my running friends, I met while running.
My husband and I will finish packing all my Disney stuff, relax, and then bed.
Ed, thanks for keeping me company for 5 years at Run Disney. I hope you had fun shmoozing at the bars as I ran. Cheers!
Dopey Challenge 2025 is also a mark in time for me.
I have been married for 30 years to a great spouse Ed; I am 55 years old.
My two kids, Carrie and Izzy, are doing well, as are our two grandkids, Sarah(4) and Issac(1), and my son-in-law, John.
My youngest daughter is engaged and getting married this July to a fellow named Bobby.
Half Marathon … 3 races done ……one to go. Now, I relax and prepare for the finale (The Marathon). The sun is down, and it is time to sleep. Hopefully, on Sunday night, I will be back sharing the good news that I completed the Dopey Challenge 48.6 miles. This will be my fifth consecutive Dopey! Wish me good luck!
I am here to participate in A CRAZY THING called the Dopey Challenge.
Dopey Challenge is a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon held back to back over four days, a total of 48.6 miles.
It’s Disney’s ultimate race challenge because well, you’d have to be Dopey to do it!)
My husband and I flew down to Florida, early this morning. It was a nice flight. Later during the day, we 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. My good luck meal. I am a creature of habit; this has been my go-to restaurant for every marathon weekend in the past 5 years. I had a pizza.
Our home for the weekend is awesome. We love staying at Disney’s Old Key West Resort Villas because the villas have a fully functional kitchen, which allows me to cook my meals. I am also a picky eater, especially before a big race. The Villa’s also has a nice dining room, a washer and dryer room, and a jacuzzi in the bathroom creating a more “at-home” experience during our Disney vacation.
After the race, I hauled a bicycle pedicab taxi ride back to my hotel.
It was nice to be greeted by you Ed Stairman, on the sidewalk next to our hotel.
That meant a lot to me.
Love you.
Why I Love Team for Kids
……Running gave me a purpose, confidence, and identity. I know firsthand the work this charity does. I want all kids to discover running and blossom.
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MY MARATHON STORY……..
Saturday
My spouse and I flew to New York on Saturday.
My husband was my marathon supporter this weekend.
We arrived in New York around noon and headed to the expo to pick up my bib number and some swag.
We had a nice dinner at Il Mulino, and then it was time for bed.
I am a creature of habit; this has been my go-to restaurant for past marathons.
I am also superstitious when it comes to running a marathon.
I consider it bad luck to wear my Celebration New York Marathon 2024 Jacket anywhere until I cross the Finish line.
Also, nothing New on Race Day!
Marathon
Sunday morning arrived, and I left my hotel around 7:15 in the morning.
I walked to the private Team for Kids ferry, which took the team to Staten Island.
The ferry even cruised right past the Statue of Liberty on the way.
Once on Staten Island, our team was guided to buses for a 3-mile ride to Fort Wadsworth public park.
Team for Kids had a tent area, complete with food, drinks, heat, volunteers, and porta-potties.
We also stretched and mentally prepared ourselves to run 26.2 miles.
Around ten thirty, it was time for my corral to line up.
We lined up for the start of the race on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
The national anthem played, and we were off.
I got in the “focus zone “and ran.
Fellow runners have told me I become so hyper-focused that if someone yelled, “Go, Robin,” I probably would not hear them.
I trusted that my body knew what it was supposed to do from all the past training.
I used the Jeff Galloway run/walk method.
The weather was also in my favor.
It ranged from 49-60 degrees.
I walked through every water station and took walking breaks throughout the miles. The run-walk intervals kept me comfortable without feeling miserable.
I reached 20 miles, 6 more to go.
The last 6 miles are always the hardest.
I only had 6.2 miles to go.
I counted my steps…1, 2, 3, 4 and repeated right foot, and left foot several times. Hopefully, no one heard me counting to myself or saying right foot, left foot repeat.
Also, I waved to all the spectators gathered along the course.
I high-fived volunteers, thanked the folks at the water stations, talked to fellow runners, and waved to the fans, EMTS, police, and firefighters along the course.
I will be toeing my 2nd New York Marathon this Sunday.
Ed, Thanks for your plan to keep me company this weekend.
My children…This Bubbie ( Grand Ma), at 55, still can do hard things. Many Bubbies don’t run Marathons.
Friends, and acquaintances in my life, The New York Marathon is special. I will try my hardest to cross the finish line.
The reason … I love to run is that it makes me feel good about myself, it’s my passion and it keeps me healthy. My gift.
My goal is to finish strong. Smile and enjoy the day Finish under 7 hours I am well-rested, well-fueled, and well-hydrated. Now it’s all mental strength to get me through the marathon.
Thank You to all those who donated to Team for Kids.
Thank you to all who read my running stories on my Facebook or blog.
I am officially in taper mode. The long runs were not pretty but done. This proud back-of-the-pack runner expects to finish in around 7 hours.
. The marathon is a bit less than three weeks away. I have been pushing hard to get those final long runs in. October 1 …..20 miles October 8 ….14 miles October 15….. 22 miles I am tired. I need a good nap. It is time to heal my muscles and get ready for the big day. Lots of rest and cutting back on the running
