Four Parks, One Dope: A 2015 Dopey Challenge Trip Report!

[rteetz]

Yay Dis meets! I've never had any but I hope to someday.

Seriously though your report really makes me want to run dopey even more. After my race and reading all about the other ones I just can't wait to do it again. Hey running is better than most addictions.

 

[ursalita]

Wow. I am so in awe of you runners. I can't believe that you're two miles in to the marathon and halfway through your total miles. Crazy!

 

[Ariel484]

Yay Dis meets! I've never had any but I hope to someday.

I hope you do! DISmeets are fun!

Seriously though your report really makes me want to run dopey even more. After my race and reading all about the other ones I just can't wait to do it again. Hey running is better than most addictions.

I get it - I wasn't interested in running, period, until a friend of mine ran the WDW marathon and I read her report. And here I am now. Definitely not a bad thing to be addicted to!

Wow. I am so in awe of you runners. I can't believe that you're two miles in to the marathon and halfway through your total miles. Crazy!

I was definitely anticipating mile 1.9!!

 

[Ariel484]

Breaking news that only I care about...


I AM IN!!!

This Dumb Dope is going Coast to Coast in 2015!!! SOOO EXCITED! AHHHHHHHH ALLLL THE MEDALS!!!

that is all.

 

[mbwhitti]

Breaking news that only I care about...


I AM IN!!!

This Dumb Dope is going Coast to Coast in 2015!!! SOOO EXCITED! AHHHHHHHH ALLLL THE MEDALS!!!

that is all.

Ahhh, I'm so jealous. Trying to talk a couple of friends into going. Don't think I can swing the trip solo. Maybe I'll see you there! I really want those medals...and the Coast to Coast. Plus, I've never been to CA!

 

[rteetz]

Breaking news that only I care about... I AM IN!!! This Dumb Dope is going Coast to Coast in 2015!!! SOOO EXCITED! AHHHHHHHH ALLLL THE MEDALS!!! that is all.

Woohoo! I have never been to Disneyland hopefully someday.

 

[sumlee]

Breaking news that only I care about... I AM IN!!! This Dumb Dope is going Coast to Coast in 2015!!! SOOO EXCITED! AHHHHHHHH ALLLL THE MEDALS!!! that is all.

This cracked me up! GET ALL THE MEDALS!

Congrats, Shannon!!!! Woo-hoo! I'm feeling pretty jealous though! Crossing my fingers for regular registration!

 

[steph0808]

Yay for the DDD!

I just got onto Facebook and saw something about early registration from runDisney and my first thought was "I wonder if Shannon was able to register early!"

I remember seeing you during the 2013 marathon when I was in line for the villains picture. I wish I had jumped out and met you!

 

[Ariel484]

Ahhh, I'm so jealous. Trying to talk a couple of friends into going. Don't think I can swing the trip solo. Maybe I'll see you there! I really want those medals...and the Coast to Coast. Plus, I've never been to CA!

Yay! I hope you can make it happen. I know, that Coast-to-Coast medal is soooo fantastic. I can't wait!

Woohoo! I have never been to Disneyland hopefully someday.

Woohoo! I think I have been to Disneyland once, but I was 2 or 3 years old so I can't say I remember much.

This cracked me up! GET ALL THE MEDALS!

Congrats, Shannon!!!! Woo-hoo! I'm feeling pretty jealous though! Crossing my fingers for regular registration!

BUT REALLY - 11 medals when all is said and done!

I am sure you'll get in on the 10th!!

Yay for the DDD!

I just got onto Facebook and saw something about early registration from runDisney and my first thought was "I wonder if Shannon was able to register early!"

Woohoo!! Aw, thanks for thinking of me. I'm so glad I got in, sounds like there was some trouble for others.

I remember seeing you during the 2013 marathon when I was in line for the villains picture. I wish I had jumped out and met you!

Ahhh, I know! I am sure we will cross paths on a runDisney course some day!

 

[ZellyB]

Marathon day!!!

It was actually Chris who recognized you in line. He doesn't belong to the Dis, but he has read your trip reports. I get what you mean about wishing we'd made more of the meet-up. I have a group of friends who I met 12 years ago online when we were all pregnant with twins. We are all very close now, but I remember those first "in person" meets and those initially moments are kinda odd, because you feel like you know each other, but yet you don't. So, after saying hi, I was not sure what else to say. But, I really was so happy to get to see you!

Great start to your race. So exciting to hit the halfway mark on your Dopey mileage. Chris and I talked about how after the half you still aren't halfway there which is just crazy.

Great pace for the first split, you definitely banked some time for those sloooooow miles through MK.

And for the Dumbo Double Dare and that lovely Coast to Coast medal. I'm so jealous!!!

 

[Miffy2003]

Wonderful news! I get to live it vicariously through you

 

[Miffy2003]

Oh, nice start on the marathon!!

 

[garneska]

I ran my first goofy in 2010 for the anniversary medal and that was the same year I did my first Disneyland half for the 5 year anniversary medal. I did every goofy since then to get to the 10 year anniversary medal and had planned on DL half. Got the goofy in but I can't do DL this year. Sad but I am happy as my dog mallory is still here. She has DM so she comes with us to WDW but I can't fly her to DL. I am just glad she is still here. If you want to see pics of her you can check out my trips reports on the camping forum, "mallory" is in the title.

 

[Ariel484]

Marathon day!!!

It was actually Chris who recognized you in line. He doesn't belong to the Dis, but he has read your trip reports.

Really? Awesome! Thanks for reading, Chris!

I get what you mean about wishing we'd made more of the meet-up. I have a group of friends who I met 12 years ago online when we were all pregnant with twins. We are all very close now, but I remember those first "in person" meets and those initially moments are kinda odd, because you feel like you know each other, but yet you don't. So, after saying hi, I was not sure what else to say. But, I really was so happy to get to see you!

I totally know what you mean about feeling like you know people even though you *really* don't. I actually met Courtney, Jess and Holly through anothes Disney message board (which we have all since left for a different board)...on the "old" board we all did trip reports, so the first time we met in person one of us would be saying something and everyone would just be like, "yeah...I know, I read about that in your report last year!" Or whatever. Never experienced anything like that!

Tangent...anyway...glad you guys said hi!!!

Great start to your race. So exciting to hit the halfway mark on your Dopey mileage. Chris and I talked about how after the half you still aren't halfway there which is just crazy.

I know! Like...day-wise you are, but not mileage-wise. So weird.

Great pace for the first split, you definitely banked some time for those sloooooow miles through MK.

Thanks

And for the Dumbo Double Dare and that lovely Coast to Coast medal. I'm so jealous!!!

WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO DISNEYLAAAAAANNNND!!!

Wonderful news! I get to live it vicariously through you

Thanks!!!

Oh, nice start on the marathon!!

And thanks again!

I ran my first goofy in 2010 for the anniversary medal and that was the same year I did my first Disneyland half for the 5 year anniversary medal. I did every goofy since then to get to the 10 year anniversary medal and had planned on DL half. Got the goofy in but I can't do DL this year. Sad but I am happy as my dog mallory is still here. She has DM so she comes with us to WDW but I can't fly her to DL. I am just glad she is still here. If you want to see pics of her you can check out my trips reports on the camping forum, "mallory" is in the title.

Congrats on all of the Goofys!! Very impressive!

Your dogs are SO beautiful!! If I were in your position I would do the same thing - dog > Disneyland Half. Here's my dog, Archie! believe I haven't found some other excuse to post a picture of him here yet! :

 

[Ariel484]

2015 Walt Disney World Marathon! The Magic Kingdom

In we go!

The lights were still on, on Main Street and the castle, and I had a big, stupid grin on my face that I'm pretty sure stayed there for the rest of the day.

Voila!

Into Tomorrowland we go!

I passed Buzz in front of the Lunching Pad and the White Rabbit in front of the teacups. The Tangled Mime was not out when I ran through Fantasyland, but Courtney has pictures with him from later so I guess I just missed him? Which is fine, I wouldn't have stopped again.

The Frozen crew was out again on the backside of the castle, just like yesterday. So for those of you keeping track: they appeared at 3 races, but never as a Meet & Greet. Probably because half the runners would get swept waiting in that line. And no Mickey meet at the castle.

Through the castle, wheeee! Warning: I got lots of pro pictures today, and they're the best from the weekend...so you'll be seeing a lot of my smiling face over the next few updates.

And again...

...and again! Hey, I paid for this photo package, may as well use it!

Louis was not out in Liberty Square when I went by (but I saw pictures of him from later). And I don't remember anyone being out in Frontierland. So this was a first for me...I was done with the Magic Kingdom part of the course in less than 13 minutes! And with no character pictures!! This was my 6th time running this Magic Kingdom route (once during Princess Half, twice during the WDW Half and now a third time during the WDW Marathon) and that has NEVER happened before!

Rapunzel and Flynn were out in the backstage area of the Magic Kingdom - long line, met them before, passed them up.

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

2015 Walt Disney World Marathon! The Journey to Mile Marker 10

Now for some crowded backroads! Yay? And hey, there's the 5-hour pace group (the white and red balloons)!

Back at the Grand! I think Mary and Bert were out again?

There was another golfer set-up today...when I went by Donald was out. Met him before! He's so cute in argyle though.

And into the Speedway we go!

Entering the Speedway was BY FAR my least favorite part of the race!! Runners go down a hill and then back up to get inside, and I forgot how freaking steep it is...very steep going down, and then very steep going right back up again. And the concrete gets slippery. I started out walking because I was trying to be cautious...but I could feel my shoes slipping, so I sprinted all the way down instead just to get it over with and managed to not kill myself.

Back up and out the other side! This is what my face looks like when I'm running and don't know a camera is there.

Cars don't do anything for me, so I find this part of the course to be sooooo boooooring. Also, I'm pretty sure my arches were a little achy again...not as bad as yesterday, but I could still feel it just a bit.

Yawn.

Are we done yet?

And OUTTA THERE! Woo!

We left the Speedway and began the trek down Bear Island Road. Just like 2012 and 2013, there was an awesome character meet here - VILLAINS!! I didn't wait because I've already done this meet twice (so I've met all of the villains in the picture below), and the line was HUGE - pretty sure it was one of the two biggest I saw all day.

7 villains in the Elephant Graveyard!!

Mile 10! And another split!

10 miles in 2:03:34, 12:22/mile pace. Estimated finish time of 5:23:57 (11:27AM). I DID look at my phone when this split came in and remember thinking, "...hey, not bad!" I mean, duh...WOW, if I don't stop for all of the character photos I'll have a faster time?! What a concept!

Continued in Next Post

 

[steph0808]

Ahhh, I know! I am sure we will cross paths on a runDisney course some day!

I know the DDD is your next runDisney race, but which one are you planning at WDW next?

I am trying to determine whether to defer my GSC again or just let it go and plan on a different race in 2016 or 2017. I just don't know if I can ever make a February race work!

 

[Ariel484]

I know the DDD is your next runDisney race, but which one are you planning at WDW next? I am trying to determine whether to defer my GSC again or just let it go and plan on a different race in 2016 or 2017. I just don't know if I can ever make a February race work!

TENTATIVELY planning on Princess 5K + Glass Slipper Challenge for 2016. By that I mean, I'm definitely signing up but may end up deferring to 2017.

I hope you can make it work some day!!!

 

[rteetz]

I agree if they had the frozen characters out that line would be the longest in the history of RunDisney races.

That hill at speedway would bother me too.

Great pace! I can't wait to hear about the rest.

 

[tehvalerie]

Cars don't do anything for me, so I find this part of the course to be sooooo boooooring. Also, I'm pretty sure my arches were a little achy again...not as bad as yesterday, but I could still feel it just a bit.

Then you'll really love the two-or-so miles leading up to Angel's stadium in the Disneyland Half. Though I will say, cars don't do anything for me either, but I found that stretch of the race MUCH more entertaining then the speedway at WDW, which I equated to a death march in 2013. The year I did the WDW full some of the drivers were revving their engines on the speedway, because doesn't everyone want to inhale car exhaust during a marathon?