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

In two weeks, I will run the New York Marathon for the charity Familial Dysautonomia (FD) community.

I am still taking donations. https://tinyurl.com/4cwk2wtx

Last weekend, I was in Chicago for my friend’s son’s wedding.
We had a great time.

. My husband and I arrived in Chicago on Saturday. Besides the wedding, while we were there, we exercised nonstop. We both hate shopping, touring museums, and other touristy stuff, so exercise is what we did.
I am glad I have a spouse willing to do nutty stuff with me and deal with my antics.

Saturday 10-mile walk. My husband was a great sport doing the miles with me.
We walked the Lake Front trail.

Sunday
45-minute swim in the hotel pool
I had the pool to myself.
strength training hotel gym 45 minutes
20-minute gentle bike ride indoors
Wedding time 4-10 pm (PARTY)

Our biggest whoops was my spouse’s legs were sore after the ten-mile walk because he wasn’t trained for it. The ten-mile walk was nothing for me but something for him.

LOL…I forgot that not everyone can walk 10 miles easily.

He prefers strength training and high-intensity 45-minute classes, not steady cardio for 2+ hours. He is in good shape, but he hates marathon running/ training.
Once again, the wedding was terrific. Thanks for inviting us. My husband and I had a fun time in Chicago.

When times are sad in Israel, I run. 🇮🇱 These are my people. I am Jewish.
Long run 22 miles.
The New York Marathon is three weeks away. ✡️💙🤍🇮🇱

The run felt amazing, and it was a big confidence booster.

I think God gave me the extra strength I needed. I also had extra energy to play ball outside with my four crazy Labrador Retrievers.

So, this weekend, I laced up my sneakers and ran. With all the sadness and tragedy in Israel, running was a form of healing. As I ran, I reflected, processed, and shared with other runners what was happening in Israel. Running also releases endorphins, a happy hormone that helps with grief.

This weekend especially, I would say the sport of running was my therapy.

In times of tragedy, part of Judaism is to repair the world and add more mitzvot., in other words, good deeds.

On November 5th, I will proudly run the New York Marathon.
I am running on behalf of the Familial Dysautonomia (FD) community.

Hopefully, continued research and the funds I raise will help find a cure for this disease.

I will continue running marathons as long as I can.

Also, my body is like a temple of God.

The almighty gave me a body designed in his image.

By taking good care of it, I am honoring God.

I need to be strong, focused, and determined to succeed. Hopefully, in 3 short weeks, he will carry me across the finish line.

Time to Taper
It is time to slow down, rest, and get ready to run New York!

Still, time to donate https://tinyurl.com/4cwk2wtx

Familial Dysautonomia (FD) community.

Last week
Monday, Barbell Class
Friday Barbell Class
Saturday 7-mile run
Sunday 22-mile run

 Five more weeks until the New York Marathon 

   Overall, My training is going well. The body has responded well to all the demands I force upon my body. It has adapted well to the multiple miles I have been doing. After the 15 miles, the only sore part of my body was the bottom of my feet. I will take that. 

Saturday 5.5 miles 

Sunday 15 miles. 

 My biggest concern now is not the race but navigating the Train system to get to The Staten Island Ferry that will take me to the start of the race.   

I had my first Zoom meeting with the charity Familial Dysautonomia Foundation. It was nice to meet my teammates and all the staff who work at the foundation. They all seem very nice.  If you like to donate the link is https://tinyurl.com/4cwk2wtx

My New York Marathon 2023 Women’s Jacket came in the mail yesterday.  

  I will wear it AFTER I complete the marathon because of superstition. I need to earn the ability to wear it.  

I must run 26.2 miles before the jacket is worn by   

me. I don’t want bad luck.

 My favorite recovery drink Chocolate Milk .

 

My spouse likes this Bumper sticker. He is not a runner.