What a Dopey Challenge!

So what exactly is the Dopey Challenge, I outline it here!

Basically, this is a 4 day challenge culminating in a full marathon at Disney! And each race has a story for it, each race was an entirely different experience!

So I guess the place to start is at the beginning! With, nope not the first race, but packet pick up!

This process was spread over 3 buildings and I had headed here from Animal Kingdom and was amazed at the vendors that were there, the process was extremely smooth and I was able to meet the creator of my training program. I decided before I registered that I would run, walk, run these races because I have metatarsalitis (pain under the ball of my foot when under pressure) and I also ended up with a grade 2 sprain in August. I took most of September off of training (both Karate and Running) and eased back into it, which paid off. But my ankle and foot are always sore…despite that, I willed myself through the training runs (with doctor and physiotherapist approval), and cross-training through out this entire process! Then it was time to get some sleep after meeting the man, myth and legend, Jeff Galloway! And his lovely wife Barbara!

2 am came quick! The house next door decided to have a party and they ended around 1 am, this did not help us rest at all… Which leads me to this question: are you one of those sleepers that just wakes up with an alarm if you have an early day, or do you wake up every hour thinking you overslept? (PS: I am the later). My kids were the former thankfully, and they were so excited to experience their first Run Disney Event. The 5k had amazing characters, fun music along the course, the amazing pre-show, marching bands, chiors, and we met a few Rise’n’Run Podcasters, including Bob. My son kept saying, “Hi, Bob!” in such a funny way, and because we weaved amongst each other the entire course he got to say it multiple times! Bob even highlighted Sam aroun 34:23 on https://riseandrunpodcast.com/ep-121, pretty amazing stuff!

We started the race strong and ran to Epcot doing the run, walk, run method (using light posts as markers), and while in Epcot we took our time and enjoyed the sights running around the world, getting pictures with characters, talking with other runners, and of course, enjoying the Epcot Ball in all its nighttime glory! And since my son picked the theme of Olaf, Queen Anna, and Spirit Elsa, we went all out and I decided to add lights to our dresses! Sadly, we left his Olaf hat at home, but don’t worry I will show it off in the post about how we tailored these to make them our own! This to us represented overcoming challenges, like endurance training and cold and “finally finding summer”. For me the Anna costume represented taking a leadership role, maybe not one ever thought would be mine (like Anna), and taking kids on a journey of what heatlhy relationship with running looks like.

Side note: This park was the planned park for the day, but because of our lack of sleep and early wake-up, we decided to call the park day short in Epcot and just head to nap instead, the hard, but right call in the end. Check out “Surviving Disney” for more on how we made the trip work for our kids. So these are the only nighttime ball pictures these two have because of that change in plans.

My joy in seeing these two finish their first race, and to their favorite song (swifty song of course) is written all over my face and the day couldn’t have been better. It was chilly, and started to drizzle as we finished which really caused the kidsto get cold and a little crabby, but that’s just reality sometimes because weather is never predictable (in Florida) and this is just an example of how to adapt and overcome–insert mylar to the rescue. All in all we had so much fun, in fact maybe a little too much fun! And this is just the first of many experiences for them, they are already asking when we can go and do another Disney race!

So for the mindset shift moment you knew I’d drop….do you ever wonder what it may feel like to watch your kids set a goal, go for it, and then let them loose to finish strong?! I did, and I was not disappointed. We had so much fun! I hope they always remember the feeling of crossing that finish line! This is a close depiction of how it felt. Our consistently positive mindset stimulates positive emotions associated with and around exercise, running, and participation in events. However, this was a mindset shift for the kids to really focus on a long term goal and work toward it for months, a first but not the last time they’ll do this.

Phew, that’s a lot….Stay tuned for part 2 of this Dopey Challenge trilogy! Where I’ll cover the 10k and 1/2 of a 1/2 Marathon….

Curious about Disney Races? Check them out, they’re a great introduction to the running community. I am not paid or affiliated in any way with Disney or Run Disney. As always, please leave any comments or questions below. I’d love to interact more!