Chip'n'Dale Runner: Go Nuts!

Roughly one week ago exactly I completed the Walt Disney World 2015 Goofy Challenge – essentially ran the Half Marathon on Saturday, and followed that up with the Marathon on Sunday. As expected, by Monday morning, I had some issues moving around. That continued until around Thursday, when I was back to walking normally. Now a week out, I’m still having some tightness in my calves, but hopefully a trip to the chiropractor next week should help that out.

I’ve gotta admit, and many people warned me about it, the post-marathon blues are legit. I’ve been kinda depressed this week. Even when I sit back and think about the fact that I ran nearly 40 miles in 2 days, it doesn’t excite me like it did beforehand. But it’s nice to put the word “MARATHON RUNNER” alongside my name. Hopefully, I’ll get back into running, and focus on the next race… not sure what that will be… I have a couple of 5K options coming up, but I may just target the St. Luke’s Half and try to PR that one (2014 finish of 2:45).

I just ran a total of 39.3 miles in 2 days. Knocked a 26.2 mile MARATHON off my bucket list! Still in shock that I ran this thing… seemed like an impossible goal months ago! Thanks to everyone for the encouraging and motivating words. Thanks to Meghan for sticking with me up until that last mile, when I got some ungodly surge of adrenaline and powered through.

2015 Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge – COMPLETE! 39.3 MILES – 2 DAYS!

My Bucket List Completed – FOR NOW!

2015 WDW Marathon FINISHED!!! 26.2 MILES!

Earlier today, I finished the 2015 Walt Disney World Half Marathon! Donald’s Race, and the first part of Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge. Coming in just under a 3:30, I took my time running it in preparation for the first full marathon tomorrow. Now to try and get to sleep before that…

2015 WDW Half Marathon Finisher!

Tomorrow morning, I leave for Walt Disney World to run the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge. I’ve been talking about it enough these last few weeks, but the time has finally come. I feel as ready as I’m going to be to conquer 39.3 miles in 2 days. Months back, I started a Facebook training group for Goofy First Timers. Over the weeks, it grew into a small but very solid online community. Tonight, I posted an update that sums up my feelings on the impending weekend – felt the need to repost here:

As the clock ticks down to the first 1/3 of Goofy this Saturday, I can’t help but look back at this group’s inception. It’s absolutely amazing to see how tight knit this group became, encouraging each other through the blood, sweat, tears… injuries… illnesses… all to make it to this weekend. For the Dopeys, you’ve got 3.1 down, 45.5 to go. For the rest of us, we’ve only got 207,504 feet to go… one foot in front of the other! If you see each other out on the course, give a shout out, a high-five (unless you’ve just been to a port-a-potty), or just an encouraging nod. I have no clue what I’ve going to be like when I cross the finish on Sunday, physically or mentally. But when it’s all said and done, I have a 92’ish year old grandmother who constantly tells me I’m crazy for doing this. But you know what, right now, that amazing feeling to know you’ve done something that you probably didn’t think you could do weeks/months/year ago, and pushed yourself mentally, physically, emotionally past those barriers… that’s something no one can ever take away. My old martial arts instructor used to encourage us all to “make the impossible possible”. I challenge us all to do the same this weekend! See you all in Disney World! Let’s rock this thing!

Here goes nothing!

My official running stats for 2014: 173 workouts, 120.7 hours, 544.68 miles. Sounds like a lot, till I realized there were a couple of weeks where due to injury or illness, I just couldn’t get in a decent workout. The great news is after 2013 when I ran my first half marathon, I met my personal goal to complete 5 half marathons. I had the opportunity to complete 3 of those half marathons at Disney, 2 at Disney World (Princess, Wine & Dine) and 1 at Disneyland (Dumbo Double Dare). My best marathon time was at the St. Luke’s Half in April, finishing with a 2:44 overall time. Toss in a couple 5K’s, and 2 10K’s, plus the Runner’s World Hat Trick (5K, 10K, Half), and it was a fun year for running.

The next, and biggest challenge, is the Goofy Race and a Half coming up in 5 more days. A half marathon and my first full marathon back to back. What a way to kick off 2015! My goal this year is to keep this running thing going, and hopefully complete 6 half marathons, with the crown of course being the full marathon this coming weekend. It would be nice to beat those 544’ish miles for the year, and that starts with knocking out 39.3!