I had heard about the Walt Disney World Marathon and the Dopey Challenge long before I started running. When my friend told me about the Dopey challenge I thought, "That is the most crazy thing I've ever heard." I never in a million years thought I would be able to do it.
What is the Dopey Challenge?
four consecutive days of running
Thurday-5km
Friday-10km
Saturday-1/2 marathon
Sunday-marathon
All the races are run through Walt Disney World parks and property.
Our original plan was to register Jody and the boys in the 5km race but it was sold out within 20 minutes of opening and we didn't get them in.
What is the Dopey Challenge?
four consecutive days of running
Thurday-5km
Friday-10km
Saturday-1/2 marathon
Sunday-marathon
All the races are run through Walt Disney World parks and property.
Our original plan was to register Jody and the boys in the 5km race but it was sold out within 20 minutes of opening and we didn't get them in.
Thursday January 7 2016
5km
I was up at 430 with the race starting at 600. I've never run in a big race. This was bigger than big. The energy pre race was electrifying: music, thousands of people, dancing, loud announcers, fireworks as each corral started, and Mickey. We had to lineup in corrals and I was in one of the middle ones. I wasn't going to dress up for the races but my friend from work kept encouraging me even going so far as to tell me if I didn't she was going to make me a costume. I'm glad that I did dress up. It added to the festivity and helped me get into a Disney mood.
What a blast. Most of the race was through Epcot. I couldn't keep the smile off of my face. If every run were through Disney they would all be easy. My time was 30:56 minutes. Hoping to save my legs, I was aiming for a bit slower but my competitive side took over.
Jody and the boys were to meet me at the finish line but we didn't understand the transportation system that day or really any of the days. Anyways to make a long story short they couldn't get there for the finish or for about an hour after the finish. We went to the breakfast which honestly was a rip off. It was expensive and not that good. Oh well, we made the best of it and then spent the rest of the day walking around the Magic Kingdom.
5km
I was up at 430 with the race starting at 600. I've never run in a big race. This was bigger than big. The energy pre race was electrifying: music, thousands of people, dancing, loud announcers, fireworks as each corral started, and Mickey. We had to lineup in corrals and I was in one of the middle ones. I wasn't going to dress up for the races but my friend from work kept encouraging me even going so far as to tell me if I didn't she was going to make me a costume. I'm glad that I did dress up. It added to the festivity and helped me get into a Disney mood.
What a blast. Most of the race was through Epcot. I couldn't keep the smile off of my face. If every run were through Disney they would all be easy. My time was 30:56 minutes. Hoping to save my legs, I was aiming for a bit slower but my competitive side took over.
Jody and the boys were to meet me at the finish line but we didn't understand the transportation system that day or really any of the days. Anyways to make a long story short they couldn't get there for the finish or for about an hour after the finish. We went to the breakfast which honestly was a rip off. It was expensive and not that good. Oh well, we made the best of it and then spent the rest of the day walking around the Magic Kingdom.
Friday January 8 2016
10k
An even earlier start. today. I was up at 3:45 with the Race starting at 5:30.
It's was raining today. Not bad but still wet. It's all relative, the local people were calling it a down pour some even wondering if the race would be cancelled. They obviously haven't seen a down pour.
This one went by fast too. It's different with so many people racing. You have lots of people watching to do plus you have to really watch what your doing so you don't run into anyone or no one runs into you. The last half went particularly fast due to some mysterious EDM music on my run play list. The one song lasted from about mile 4 to the end. I spent a good portion of that time thinking about all the funny EDM conversations that have occurred at work in the middle of the night. Thanks work friends.
I was amazed how many spectators were out on the course cheering. It makes you feel like a star. Disney knows how to do it right.
After yesterdays busing issues we all thought it was better if Jody and the boys just stayed at the hotel. They are always such a support to me when I race. I wanted them to save their early mornings for the last two races.
After getting to the hotel and showering we were off again to explore Disney World. I got pretty tired and turned in early tonight. Jody said he couldn't believe how sound asleep I was when they got back to the hotel. They had a party and I just slept through it.
10k results
Finish 1:03:12 Again a bit faster than I wanted but that EDM just moved me along.
736/6280 women
70/595 division
2343/11001 overall
10k
An even earlier start. today. I was up at 3:45 with the Race starting at 5:30.
It's was raining today. Not bad but still wet. It's all relative, the local people were calling it a down pour some even wondering if the race would be cancelled. They obviously haven't seen a down pour.
This one went by fast too. It's different with so many people racing. You have lots of people watching to do plus you have to really watch what your doing so you don't run into anyone or no one runs into you. The last half went particularly fast due to some mysterious EDM music on my run play list. The one song lasted from about mile 4 to the end. I spent a good portion of that time thinking about all the funny EDM conversations that have occurred at work in the middle of the night. Thanks work friends.
I was amazed how many spectators were out on the course cheering. It makes you feel like a star. Disney knows how to do it right.
After yesterdays busing issues we all thought it was better if Jody and the boys just stayed at the hotel. They are always such a support to me when I race. I wanted them to save their early mornings for the last two races.
After getting to the hotel and showering we were off again to explore Disney World. I got pretty tired and turned in early tonight. Jody said he couldn't believe how sound asleep I was when they got back to the hotel. They had a party and I just slept through it.
10k results
Finish 1:03:12 Again a bit faster than I wanted but that EDM just moved me along.
736/6280 women
70/595 division
2343/11001 overall
Saturday January 9 2016
1/2 marathon
I was up at 3:30am today. The early mornings were getting harder. Planning food was a bit of an issue. We didn't have a kitchen to cook my traditional race morning meal, red river cereal. I had to make due with bananas, granola bars and nuts.
I couldn't believe how many people were at the race. There were even more than the 5 and 10k races. 21,500 people! The energy was even more electric today. I was pumped by the time my corral started.
Highlights:
My name was on my bib-always wanted that
The double amputee running the race
A veteran singing the national anthem
Running into the Magic Kingdom which was packed with people cheering.
Cinderellas castle lit up. I actually stopped in my tracks.
Seeing all the signs people made.
The volunteers cheering like I was the leader.
The bands and choirs.
The blind runner.
1/2 marathon results
2:21:32 finish
1921/12303 women
149/1052 division
5133/21497 overall
1/2 marathon
I was up at 3:30am today. The early mornings were getting harder. Planning food was a bit of an issue. We didn't have a kitchen to cook my traditional race morning meal, red river cereal. I had to make due with bananas, granola bars and nuts.
I couldn't believe how many people were at the race. There were even more than the 5 and 10k races. 21,500 people! The energy was even more electric today. I was pumped by the time my corral started.
Highlights:
My name was on my bib-always wanted that
The double amputee running the race
A veteran singing the national anthem
Running into the Magic Kingdom which was packed with people cheering.
Cinderellas castle lit up. I actually stopped in my tracks.
Seeing all the signs people made.
The volunteers cheering like I was the leader.
The bands and choirs.
The blind runner.
1/2 marathon results
2:21:32 finish
1921/12303 women
149/1052 division
5133/21497 overall
Sunday January 10 2016
marathon
The marathon was amazing. (I can say that now.)
One interesting thing about running is that something that hurts so bad can be an amazing experience.
I had to get up even earlier Sunday morning, 3:15. That has been one of the hard things of these races, four early mornings.
It was warm and humid for the entire race, a running condition I'm not used to.
Highlights of the marathon
-Seeing the double amputee out running again.
-Main Street of magic kingdom. It's was hard to believe that there were even more people out cheering.
-Spectators along the way handing out candy. Totally needed it.
My two favorite moments:
Around mile 15 I was in some dark running place in my head. I was no longer pain free, my pace was slowing and I wasn't enjoying myself much. I was going through a water station and one of the volunteers called out, "Sandra, your doing great." It snapped me out of that dark space. It made me think how important a name is and being addressed by name can make an immediate connection.
The last mile through Epcot...spectators 5-6 deep cheering, Disney employees out cheering, dramatic: "your finishing a marathon music", and a teen gospel choir in gold robes all added up to a crying runner.
Marathon results
4:52:40 finish
1675/10315 women
105/765 division
4714/19838 overall
marathon
The marathon was amazing. (I can say that now.)
One interesting thing about running is that something that hurts so bad can be an amazing experience.
I had to get up even earlier Sunday morning, 3:15. That has been one of the hard things of these races, four early mornings.
It was warm and humid for the entire race, a running condition I'm not used to.
Highlights of the marathon
-Seeing the double amputee out running again.
-Main Street of magic kingdom. It's was hard to believe that there were even more people out cheering.
-Spectators along the way handing out candy. Totally needed it.
My two favorite moments:
Around mile 15 I was in some dark running place in my head. I was no longer pain free, my pace was slowing and I wasn't enjoying myself much. I was going through a water station and one of the volunteers called out, "Sandra, your doing great." It snapped me out of that dark space. It made me think how important a name is and being addressed by name can make an immediate connection.
The last mile through Epcot...spectators 5-6 deep cheering, Disney employees out cheering, dramatic: "your finishing a marathon music", and a teen gospel choir in gold robes all added up to a crying runner.
Marathon results
4:52:40 finish
1675/10315 women
105/765 division
4714/19838 overall
When I was done the race I said to Jody, "I'm really glad I did that but I don't think it's a race I would want to do again." Not my usual response, I always want to do the same race next year. That lasted about a week and then I started missing the race and planning when I can do another one.
If anyone is thinking of doing a Disney Run...go for it. It is a magical experience that I don't think you would get anywhere else.
If anyone is thinking of doing a Disney Run...go for it. It is a magical experience that I don't think you would get anywhere else.