1 week from the time this post is published (6:15am!) I’ll be crossing the starting line of my 48.6 mile Dopey Challenge journey!
The training is done, the trip plans are made, my costume is ready (just 1 for the 10k) and all that’s left to do is keep an eye on the weather and finish my packing, so I thought it would be a good time to share a quick review of my training and preview of my trip!
Re-stocking my race day bag!
To read about my race day essentials bag click HERE!
Training
My training for the Dopey Challenge went well. Despite going through a few periods of being stressed and getting a little off track, I managed to get in all my major runs and did 2 back-to-back-to-back-to-back “Mini-Dopey” simulations.
The arch of my foot has really been bothering me, so I’ve been taking extra care to ice and roll it, stretch and remember to KT tape before my runs. (See my Tips for Happy Feet post HERE!)
Long run with Patrick and Daniel!
Trip Plans
Hotel – check!
Flight – check!
Dinner reservations – check!
Between running, eating and focusing on recovery for the next day’s race I feel like I’m going to be SO busy! I’m really hoping I have enough time to see all the friends who are going to be down for the races too – luckily I’ve made plans with many of you guys already!
The Race Plan (x4)
The 5k – just a nice easy 3 mile run hopefully with a few stops for some fun character photos!
The 10k – this is my costume race! A few friends and I will be dressing up so I expect to be stopping for a lot of photos along the way! I didn’t reveal my costume before the Disneyland 10k and in hindsight I wish I had that way people would have known what to look for and they could have said hi! So…look for my costume to be revealed before I leave for Florida next week!
The Half Marathon – I’m going to take the same approach for the half marathon as I did when I did Goofy last year…take my time, probably use intervals and stop for lots of pictures! Definitely want to save my legs for the full!
The Full Marathon – I’m hoping to go into the full with my legs still feeling good! I’ll probably use some sort of intervals or occasional walks breaks, but I’ll wait and determine the exact run/ walk ratio once I know what the weather is going to be like (heat totally kicks my butt, especially after training in the cold!). Photo stops are always a nice way to rest my legs over 26.2 miles!
Unofficial “Dopey” 2013, this year will be 6 medals!
Between Race Recovery
I’ll be following my usual R.I.C.E. recovery plan – Roll, Ice, Compression and Elevation – between each race as well as making sure to stay well fueled and hydrated!
For all the details on my approach to R.I.C.E. for runners check out THIS post!
So, there you have it, my Dopey Challenge Review/ Preview!
Will you be at Marathon Weekend?
How you feeling? Ready? Excited? Nervous?
Live, Run, Grow 
Oh I can’t wait to get to WDW to start running and earn all those medals. My packing is in progress and the excitement is growing each day. It seems like it was so long ago that we all signed up for Dopey!
Oh my goodness, I know! That’s one of the hardest things with these Disney races, you have to register SO FAR in advance it’s sometimes hard to keep up your excitement by the time race day gets here!
I have too much stuff and too small a suitcase.
Ha! This is pretty much the only trip I pull out the BIG suitcase for!
Wow, that’s a lot of running over a few days. A friend of mine did the “Coast to Coast” challenge last year. A friend of mine is heading to Disney World shortly for that race series. Unfortunately, he has a stress fracture in his pelvis and will be there supporting his buddy instead.
If you are looking to frame all of those medals I can send you a pic of the frame I made for my friend.
Aw, that’s too bad your friend us hurt, but it’s great that he’s still making the trip to support others! Right now all my medals are just hanging on a medal rack, but if I ever decide I’m interested in a frame I’ll be sure to let you know, thanks!
Good luck next week! I know that you will rock these races. Your training has gone so well!
Thanks Lisa! It was a bit hard to get motivated to train for another marathon coming right off of MCM, I’ll definitely be taking a bit of a break after Dopey!
I can’t believe it’s finally here! I only work 3 days next week, then I’m off for 4. I need to start packing but I probably won’t until Tuesday…
Oh my goodness, I know, with the holidays and everything Marathon Weekend always kind of sneaks up! I started packing a little so far (really just left anything out after I did laundry that I may take instead of putting it away!), but I’ll have to finish up this weekend.
Hey, Danielle! I can not BELIEVE we’re so close! I’m excited to see your 10K costume, and will definitely be keeping an eye out for you next weekend! I’m glad to hear your Dopey training went so well; I finished a “mini-Dopey” too, and that made me feel a whole lot better about taking on this challenge…but I’m definitely still feeling nervous!
Are you doing costumes for all 4 races?? You’ll do great! The training’s the hardest part and you made it through that!
So excited for you! I can’t wait to read all about it!
Thanks, I can’t wait to write about it all, I love having my blog to record and share all these great experiences!
Just came across your blog. I’ve done the marathon 3 times, but this year will be doing the Dopey too! We’re almost there!
I know, it’s so soon! Thanks for stopping by and good luck next week!
Your ice bath picture makes me laugh every. single. time. You are cute! 🙂 Yes, I cannot believe we’ll have finished the 5k this time next week. Crazzzzzy! Can’t wait to see you!
I love that picture of you in the ice bath. It makes me laugh every single time! 🙂
Our race strategies are basically the same except we’re dressing up for the 5k. I can’t believe we’ll have finished the 5k this time next week. Crazzzy! Can’t wait to see you!
And my comment just posted twice basically. I’m a stalker!
Can’t wait to see your 10K costume!
I clearly need a bigger essentials bag.
I can’t believe this weekend is here already.
Even though I was only going to do 2 races and not the Dopey, I am still so bummed I’m couldn’t make the trip work out. BUT, definitely keeping all this information for when I finally do make it down there for marathon weekend! Good luck!