Remember Yesterday When I Said I Was Running A Marathon? I Left a Little Something Out…
Today is Walt Disney World Marathon weekend registration day, and I won’t lie, I’m freaking a little bit out. Since it’s currently 4:31am and I’m WIDE awake (and have been for an hour,) clearly it’s weighing on me. The funny thing is, it’s not what you think.
I’m actually EXCITED. Not just to register for my first marathon, but I’m going to do something pretty Goofy. You knew where this was going, didn’t you?
Today I’m going to right an injustice. Injustice? That’s a little extreme isn’t it Shenanigans? I don’t think so. I realized this weekend that I have run every half marathon at runDisney except for one: Donald’s race. I asked myself the ever burning questions: Why doesn’t Donald get any Shenanigans love? What exactly do I have against Donald?
The basic answer is timing and logistics. The Princess Half and Donald share the exact same course and are a little over a month apart. Plus you guys know how I feel about running Tinker Bell. In recent years, Tink’s race fell right after Donald’s and going coast to coast in a week is not high on Shenanigan’s list! Plus I had to work and scheduling time off to make it all happen was pretty dicey.
This year though… ahhhhh, I’m looking at a whole other scenario! No day job, possibly no Princess Half (#whompwhomp), and Tinker Bell has been moved to May. Oh… and I’ll be there anyway for the Marathon.
Don’t you think I need this medal too?
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| photo: runDisney |
I’ve always said if you are going to run WDW Marathon, you might as well run Goofy. I naively assume that once you put the training miles and time in for the big Daddy run, doing a half will be child’s play! Just walk it, my buddy Jeff Galloway says. It will be fine, he says.
Ahem.
I fully recognize the stupidity of my logic and can hear you previous Dopey and Goofy runners laughing your cute little bootays off. But I’m going to trust in Jeff for this one. And for the record, getting up early two days in a row doesn’t bother me. (Side note: staying out of the parks to save my legs: that bothers me. I simply love the parks.)
I won’t lie: it’s the allure of the accomplishment. And the bling. For sure it’s the bling. You’ve seen the Goofy medal, right? It’s gorgeous! It spins.
And I’ll be relying a lot on my faith to keep moving one foot in front of the other during training and during the race weekend. This verse will be on a constant loop in my head while I undergo this task.
Are you running Goofy? Have you run it in the past? I’d love to hear your tips and strategy for these two races!
Patty Holliday is the owner and creator of all things No-Guilt Universe. As a lifelong fangirl and pop culture connoisseur, she’s been creating online since 2009. You can find her work at No-Guilt Disney.com, No-Guilt Fangirl.com, No-Guilt Life, and as host of the top-rated No-Guilt Disney Podcast.
How exciting!! I agree, the Goofy medal is far too great an allure to pass up! You go girl!
I was underwhelmed, then they came out with both sides and won me over! I am all about the bling. I know this course, I am confident on this course, and I’m excited about registering (which is the big tell factor for me!) Thanks for the support Lauren.
I’m a newbie to runDisney races…heck…I’m a newbie to running period (PHM was my first half ever.) But I have loved reading your blog for information and inspiration and I’m super excited to read about this journey!
Thank you so much for saying that! I hope your PHM was amazing! Goofy may end up being, well, Goofy. But I’ve gotta try it.
I’m in your same boat! Can we “walk” together? `M
Absolutely. 🙂
YEESSSSSSS! I think this deserves two margaritas at mile 25 – I’ll have one in each hand for you!!! #epicness
I might need shots by then.
Good luck! I’d like to do the WDW full one of these days, but flying so far and having to sacrifice time in the parks to do it…that’s a huge trade-off that’s going to take a lot more discussion between me and myself.
I won’t lie- I’m not thrilled about losing out on park time. I can’t see me doing this one annually unless I REALLY get buff and fit. And maybe a lobotomy since I’m sure I’ll hate 75% of the actual running parts. 😉 But I do want a marathon, and I do want it to be Disney. Goofy was just the kicker.
How exciting that you are running Goofy! Princess Half in Feb was my first runDisney event ever. Over the past year I’ve been thinking (and praying) about what race did I want my first marathon to be. I decided if I was going to do it, it had to be runDisney (WDW)! I’m so nervous and excited…and everything in between. I’m even more excited that you are going to earn some pretty sweet medals! And I’m with Jeff…walk it out and have fun! You rock!
It’s going to be amazing. Good luck to you too!
Now you are TOTALLY in for my #PerfectlyGoofy party!
LOL- yes Gail! I need pictures of my first Goofy with #PerfectlyGoofyGail
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Okay, clearly I’m having tech issues trying to comment lol…but I think I got it now! How exciting that you are running Goofy! Princess Half in Feb was my first runDisney event ever. Over the past year I’ve been thinking (and praying) about what race did I want my first marathon to be. I decided if I was going to do it, it had to be runDisney (WDW)! I’m so nervous and excited…and everything in between. I’m even more excited that you are going to earn some pretty sweet medals! And I’m with Jeff…walk it out and have fun! You rock!
Wow! This is a HUGE undertaking (coming from a Goofy & Dopey runner)! BUT–here’s my little secret–my first race I ever ran was a marathon. Yep, just decided to do it, and do it big, so I have no doubt that you will be able to conquer those miles! Be sure to train, train, then train some more. The biggest tip, though, for these challenges is to go along with your running training, be sure to train and practice recovery. You will want to try different things to figure out what works best for a quick recovery for your body. For me, it’s chocolate milk at the finish line and an ice bath immediately following. Oh…and I DID go to the parks…everyday…between Dopey…and PR’ed the marathon… SO IT CAN BE DONE! (just no fireworks…you do need to get to bed early) Congrats! You’ll do great!
Thanks for the tips! I do think I’ll need to walk around after the half to keep my legs from getting too tight for Sunday. And well, I probably couldn’t stay out of the parks anyway! Recovery: check! I have a pretty good recovery program going on for the halves, but I’ll have to see if they work for the fulls too.
So excited to be goifun on this journey with you. You will do awesome and better yet have fun doing it.
I cant do it without my friends!
Ack!! That’s Amazing!! good for you. I have no desire to ever run a full marathon. I have a hard enough time finishing the half.
I didn’t either- for almost 40 years. 😉 But I’m ready now. someday Kendra- who knows?
All I can say is WOW! I’m totally looking forward to following along as you get ready for this HUGE moment in your life! I’m sure there will be lots of complaining along the way, but you’ll finish and amaze yourself along the way. I wish it was in the finances to be out there and take on the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge as well. Next time I go to WDW for a runDisney event, I’ll be doing the Goofy Challenge. Good luck to you in all those miles of training you’ll do in preparation. Can’t wait to see the picture of you with your shiny Goofy medal next January!
You are so positive- thank you once again! I’m excited and not scared right now. I’m sure that will change- but majorly at peace with this decision. 🙂 Hope to see you at DDD!
So excited you decided to run! I hope I run into you at WDW Marathon weekend! and the announcement of all new medals has me even more excited!
The new medals… swoon! I can’t wait! I’m sure we will see each other Juliana!
Aw, that’s so exciting! For one insane second, I thought about registering for Goofy, but I came to my senses before I hit the pay button. This will be my first marathon, and I don’t think I could handle the pressure of two big races when I need to focus on one. I didn’t think about just walking it. You’re going to be great!
I’m just going to stroll the half. 😉 And have faith in my training! It’s going to be an amazing first marathon for us Jennifer!
You are crazy, girl! But I know you’re going to do awesome and I can’t wait to cheer you on! If your goals don’t scare you, you didn’t set them high enough!
That’s what I decided April! I wasn’t being really scared so I wasn’t being really challenged. This should do both. 😛
Did I mention I need Goofy and the Full to sell out SOON. I’m being tempted by you disbroads and Yanni threw in the promise of passing along her Aegean Sea SS to me when I do a full… Ugh…
This IS exciting! You’re going to be great and you’ve got wonderful supporters along side you. 🙂
Totally- it’s going to be ok. It’s going to be ok. It’s going to be ok.
I’m so excited for you!! The Goofy medal looks awesome this year. I can’t wait to read about your training 🙂
Thank you Lauren! I’m going to be doing a lot of running. A lot. lol
You go girl! I have to be honest and the thought has crossed my mind. Not sure I can commit though, but it may be my first biggie too, someday. I do love the medal! Good luck!
Congrats on your decision! I think you’ll be happy that you accomplished this!
Good for you! I’ve always wanted to do it and was certain that would be my first runDisney experience; alas, life got in the way, and this year’s Princess Half was the winner.
Like a previous poster mentioned, a marathon was my first (well, 2nd, as I ran a 5K 4 months before) race. I am a Galloway runner, so I would definitely recommend his Goofy training plan.
Happy training!