Go Big or Go Home: Challenge Accepted

So, those who know me, and/or read this blog, know that I had been planning on using 2014 as a training year with very few races, if any at all. This is still the case. But I'm sure many of you don't know why that is or what I'm training for.

For the past two years I've been a busy bee with my races, running twelve in 2012 and seventeen in 2013. I've been coaching for a year and helping others up their game in running and fitness in general. I decided that in 2014 I would focus on training and run fewer races, but I would have a goal in mind. And that goal is the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World in Florida. The Dopey Challenge is actually having it's inaugural run this coming weekend in fact, beginning Thursday, which is why I'm writing this post.

I found out about the Dopey Challenge last March when it was announced. I had always thought to do Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, but never happened. When I saw the Dopey, I knew I had to strive for this and make it a goal for myself. I also knew it wouldn't be possible for the inaugural race in January of 2014. I was disappointed, but money is a necessity to run races and travel for them...especially at Disney, so I would aim for January 2015.

For those who are unfamiliar with these particular Disney challenges, let me break them down for you:

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge: run the WDW Half Marathon on Saturday and run the WDW Marathon on Sunday. It's a total of 39.3 miles in two days. You receive both your half and full marathon medals plus a special Goofy medal for completing the challenge.

Dopey Challenge: run the WDW 5K on Thursday, the WDW 10K on Friday, the WDW Half Marathon on Saturday and the WDW Marathon on Sunday. This is a total of 48.6 miles in four days. You receive medals for the 5K, 10K, half and full marathons as well as the Goofy medal (since you are technically completing the Goofy Challenge as well) and the Dopey medal.

And those who know me...I'm a sucker for the bling.

Now on a slightly different, yet connected topic, I know an incredible woman. I had the privilege of running with her for a short time back when I lived in Connecticut and got back into running. She kept me going when I was training for my first half marathon and while she wasn't officially one of my couches, I always thought of her as such. This past summer she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but did she let that stop her? NO! After all sorts of surgery and chemotherapy and whatnot, not only has she continued to run races (Chicago Marathon, Disneyland Half, Wine & Dine Half, New York City Marathon and MANY OTHERS) she is tackling the inaugural Dopey Challenge this weekend as well.

This woman is a beast and such a motivation and inspiration for me. She is a powerhouse and she makes me smile when I read her blog or see her posts on Facebook.  You can visit her blog and read all about her journeys through races and life here. I heart you, Kimberly. You are such a strong, amazing person and I'll be thinking about you as you rock out all of those races this weekend!

So, this year is about focus. It's about pushing myself towards a goal that most people wouldn't contemplate let alone do. It's about making sure that not only will I succeed in all of these races, but that I will be comfortable during the process and enjoy it. The training program I am working with will take about half a year to complete, so...I'm going to do it twice. :-) Why not, right? Practice makes perfect, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...and all that jazz.

I have friends who have agreed to sign up for a few of the races (only one has agreed to go the full Dopey distance with me) and I'm grateful for each of them. It will be an experience that I know they will never forget (since none of them have run a Disney race before) and neither will I.

Good luck to all of those who are beginning this fantastic and magical adventure this week. I look forward to hearing all about it and getting tips from you for next year!

Stay tuned as I live the ups and downs of my intense training year. I'm ridiculously excited for it. :-)

Goodbye 2013; Hello 2014!

2013 is officially over and the year of 2014 has begun.

The year of 2013 was filled with ups and downs, just like any other year. I accomplished a lot. I failed at times. I took emotions twists and turns. I endeavored to have new experiences as well as continue with old ones. As December 31st approached, I was looking at quotes, phrases, ideas, anything that would help me moving forward in the new year and here are some of the ones that I took note of:


"Collect memories, not things."

"Do all things with love."

" A year from now, you'll wish you'd started today."

"I'm too passionate to not be a priority."

"Take time to do the things that make your soul happy."

"Good things take time."

"Start where you are; use what you have; do what you can."

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."


I'm not saying to take any of these words to heart personally (that is a matter of choice for you), but they connected with me and I believe words are powerful objects that can help you remember, forget, succeed or fail. With the right words, you can achieve what you wish to achieve and believe what you would like to believe. These are some of the words I'm choosing to listen to, remember and hopefully live by in the upcoming year.


Now, in a moment of retrospect, here's a look back at 2013...

Highlights of 2013: (in no particular order)

• Vacationing in London with my parents
• Successfully completing 5 half-marathons (including setting a new PR) and 12 other races
• Surviving being the Interim General Manager at DTC
• Directing the ESD Alumni Musical (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee)
• Spending time with Bailey (just in general)
• Coaching my runners (and getting two of them through their first half-marathons)
• Making new friends
• Strengthening older friendships
• Road trip down to Austin with my girls
• Finishing one full year at DTC
• Navigating my first year being single in a decade

So, I don't enjoy making resolutions. The main reason: I can never stick with them. So, this year, I'm making goals for myself. You may ask, what's the different between a resolution and a goal. Honestly, I have no idea, but the fact that it's a different word has me thinking differently about them. I feel like I can make and hit goals, but resolutions equal failure.


Now, here is a list of goals for 2014...

Goals for 2014: (in no particular order)

• Setting mini-monthly goals (easier to accomplish: i.e. no eating out for a month, etc)
• Push harder as a runner (and train for Dopey in 2015)
• Expect more as a coach
• Say 'YES' more often when it comes to friends and family and 'NO' more often in terms of work (within reason)
• Keep more of an open mind
• Have a more positive attitude (that might be difficult....haha, see what I did (or didn't do) there?!)
• Take more chances on things and people

I may succeed with these, I may fail. The purpose is to at least try and that I shall do. Life passes by quickly, as this year proved. Take the bull by the horns and live.