Why I'm Not Dopey (or Goofy or Mickey or Minnie)

Photo credit: RunDisney

So.  I'm not registering for the new Dopey Challenge on Marathon Weekend (5K + 10K + Half + Full).  I never had a desire to go Goofy (Half + Full), so Dopey's definitely too much for me.  Even Mickey (Full) pushed my limit.  But that still leaves Donald (Half) and Minnie (10K) as options, you say!  Which leads me to say something that almost pains me, and as a Disney Park lover that I never dreamed I would:

I reached my runDisney tipping point - and tipped over.

runDisney has priced me out of their races.  And not just that - I feel that the level of service has gone down in the past couple of years, while the prices have skyrocketed (yes, registration cost is a big factor, but so is lodging - especially now that marathon weekend is no longer considered "value" season at the resorts).  The Marathon Weekend races have become overcrowded, and I truly believe that the almighty dollar has finally managed to outpace Disney's legendary customer service - at least when it comes to the runDisney brand.  Maybe I'm just feeling nostalgic for "the good old days," but Disney race weekends have lost a little "magic" for me.

Not to say I didn't have to almost physically restrain myself from going into Active yesterday and registering for SOMETHING (especially the Minnie 10K) - the desire was there.  I love racing through the parks, getting Disney bling, and seeing a lot of good friends on race weekends.  I'm already experiencing serious FOMO over that weekend, and I'll be insanely jealous of everyone's beautiful medals.  But I just can't do it next year.  I need a break from the craziness into which Disney races have evolved recently.

So the annual (and regularly semi-annual) runDisney trips for this girl are no more.  The plan is to hopefully be back for Marathon Weekend in 2015, but even that is up in the air (especially if the prices keep increasing at the current rate - ouch!).  In the meantime I'm going to try to plan a non-running trip to WDW (kinda forgot we could do those) during a week where it's not as crowded and we can just enjoy the parks and get some of that magic back.

I haven't updated the tag line or the title block of the blog yet, because I'm just not sure what to put up there.  And it's not just because I'm not participating in Marathon Weekend - I'm not planning to run ANY Disney races in the next year.  Which is saying something considering they've got quite the year coming up!

• Expedition Everest Challenge
• Inaugural Dumbo Double Dare
• Tower of Terror 10 Miler
• Wine & Dine
• Inaugural Dopey Challenge
• Tinkerbell
• Princess

Q4U: So what do y'all think?  If you've participated in past runDisney events, have you noticed the same changes I have?  Is it keeping you from going back or is the Mouse still getting your running money?  Why or why not?  I'd love to hear your opinions!

What To Do When You're NOT Running a Race That All Your Friends Are?

Many of my friends are running the runDisney Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 Miler (ToT) this weekend.  And I'm not.  Big BOO.  It just didn't fit well into my training schedule for MCM, or fit with this year's travel/budget constraints (too many races and trips, not enough time and money).

In order to cope with the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) from not running this race, I've come up with a list of coping strategies.  Actually, I've come up with two lists - feel free to choose whichever works best for you - adapting as needed for your own personal circumstances.

OPTION 1: Pretend like there's NOT a race going on this weekend to make yourself feel better about your "normal" plans, indulging in a little jealousy and general snarkiness along the way:

• Prior to race day:
• Avoid all mentions of "that race" others are running;
• Remind yourself you ran ToT three years ago (you're not missing out on anything, been there - done that);
• On Race Day:
• Run your last long training run for MCM (twice as long as ToT - and way more hardcore);
• Recuperate in an ice bath (not needed after ToT);
• Curl up on the couch and nap (no time for naps at WDW);
• Avoid ALL forms of social media;
• Watch the Texas Longhorns play their first conference football game of the season (kickoff just about when the racers should be headed for the runner's village - they'll miss the game); and, finally,
• Go to bed at a decent hour (after-parties are over-rated).

OPTION 2: Be the best "virtual spectator" you can be:

• Prior to race day:
• Listen to your friends bubbling over with excitement about the race, trying not to beat yourself up about not finding SOME way to make the race happen;
• Offer advice about what the race was like the year you ran it;
• Torture yourself by reading all the message boards, tweets, blogs, and FB posts about weather forecasts, cute costume ideas, and who's staying at what resorts on WDW property;
• Make a list of who's racing, with their bib #s,  so you know who to virtually track; and
• Pour over all the race materials, including the race guide, and the final race instructions.
• On Race Day:
• Post a general "Good luck to everyone racing today" as your FB status before heading out the door at o'dark-thirty on previously mentioned training run;
• Spend the afternoon trolling social media sites for status updates, tweets, photos, etc. from friends spread all over WDW property.
• Set up "Texas Tracking Central" with smartphone & laptop in front of the big TV downstairs so you can track friends while you finish watching the Texas Longhorns play their first conference football game of the season;
• Using, FB, Twitter, and runDisney's runner tracking app, track your runners - sending virtual hugs and cheers along the way; also send a funny or motivational text message to anyone who may seem to be struggling;
• Express congratulations and pride to all your friends who finsh the race and post pics of their awesome new elevator bling;
• Stay up as late as you possibly can, poring over more social media posts and pics about how much fun everyone is having at the post-race bash.

I'm going with Option 2.  Whichever option you choose, the Post-Race Plan is the same: find some way to make next year's race fit into your schedule and register!  Missing out on all the fun your friends are having running at Disney is no fun at all for you, and causes serious FOMO!

Good luck to everyone running ToT this weekend!  Can't wait to hear about how much fun everyone had. Are you one of them?  If not, do you have any additional FOMO coping strategies to add (to either list)?

Run for the Roses

The 137th running of the Kentucky Derby, also known as The Run for the Roses, was yesterday.  Last year on this weekend, we were in Louisville attending the Derby in person.  This year I had to settle for watching it on T.V.

As I was watching the horses running, I was once again stuck by the strength, power, and grace of each horse as they were making their way around the track, and couldn't help but be a little jealous.  Then I thought about it and realized that those horses probably put in at least 10 times the amount of training than I do...

So, as I was starting out this morning, thinking about the 7.5 miles ahead of me, I decided to just take it easy and get into a good rhythm.  After all, the race I'm training for is a half marathon, not a sprint like the Derby.  Well, my strategy worked!  I had a great 7.5 miles, and I got to really enjoy spending time out on the trails (even if it was warm), since my weekday runs are on the treadmill these days.

Today's stats:

• 10 minute warm-up walk
• 7.51 mi run; 1:35:29; 12:43 mm avg pace
• 0.5 mi cool-down walk

Like the Big Bad Wolf

When I run, I huff and puff like the Big Bad Wolf, and sweat like the three little pigs he's chasing after!  I am insanely jealous of other runners that breeze past me on the trail with perfect cadence and even breathing - those people who glisten with perspiration and seem to exude a ethereal glow in the morning light - those people who make it look effortless.  However, I have faith that some day in the not-too-distant-future I will be one of "those people," too!

It was an absolutely gorgeous morning to be out and about: low 60's, slight breeze, clear and sunny - amazing for September in Dallas!  Today's run was scheduled to be a 2.5-miler, but I'm trying to build up my endurance a little more quickly, so I tacked on an extra mile of walking (0.5 mile warm-up & 0.5 mile cool-down before and after the run, respectively), and I was very pleased with my performance:

• Distance: 3.56 mi;   Time: 0:53:22;   Avg. Pace: 14:59;
• Dog Park Loop 9/14/10