If You are Going to Jump at the Finish Line, Be Sure You Stick the Landing – A 2018 Dopey Run TR

[ZellyB]

INTRODUCTION


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Hello all, For those of you who haven’t read anything from me before, allow for a brief introduction. My name is Gisele. I’m a 53 year old who decided to take up running about 5 ½ years ago and became a runDisney addict in the process. My husband, Chris, also runs with me and is the best running partner, friend and spouse a girl could ask for. This trip followed right on the heels of a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise, so we had our time to soak up the warmth and sun while there - which was a good thing since the weather was less than ideal for our trip to Florida as you might be able to guess from the stocking caps we were wearing in the picture above.

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We have 3 teenage kids who have accompanied us on a few Disney trips, but this year, it was a Mom and Dad solo trip.

We’ve run 4 previous marathon weekends which included 2 years of marathon only races and 2 years of the Goofy challenge. The Goofy challenge includes a half-marathon on Saturday followed by a full marathon on Sunday. However, last year, the half marathon was canceled for severe weather, so that particularly Goofy challenge was really not fulfilled.

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For the last few years, though, we have had our eye on finally attempting the Dopey Challenge. This consists of a 5k, 10k, half-marathon and full-marathon run on 4 consecutive days. 4 races and 6 medals in 4 run-filled days. Dopey, indeed. This year was especially ideal since it was the 25th anniversary of the WDW Marathon and the 5 year anniversary of the Dopey challenge.

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Our plan was to arrive on January 2nd and staying through the 9th. I was especially excited this time to be staying at the Polynesian Resort.

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We had really wanted to try a monorail resort for one of the race weekends and we were able to get a decent rate for the weekend, so the plan was set.

So, welcome to the report and I hope you enjoy it.

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[ZellyB]

Table of Contents

Journey to the World
Banshees, Tiffins and Rivers of Light
Aloha, Poly and Epcot
Expo Madness and DHS
5K Race
The Long Way to Magic Kingdom
10K Race
AK and a Dis Meet-Up
Half-Marathon Race - Through the castle
Half-Marathon Race - Through the finish
Let's Run a Marathon
Through MK and to Halfway
Expedition Everest and Through WWoS
Let's run around the World and Stick the Landing
Celebrating Victoria & Alberts Style
Last Day in the Parks
The Final Wrap Up!

 

[rteetz]

Yes!!! Can't wait to follow along!

 

[Chris-Mo]

So excited to see what happened!!

 

[kski907]

Following along. Excited to read how your experience was.

 

[CherieFran]

Following! How else would I recognize you from the internet?

 

[roxymama]

So excited to see what happened!!

Bwahaha! I bet you're on pins and needles

But I agree about being excited!

 

[emilyindisney]

Following along! You lucky duck, starting your trip with a cruise! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures!

 

[TeeterTots]

I’m here! I enjoyed last years TR so much! I’m excited about this one. I love the poly and know you enjoyed it! No fair, Disney on the heels of a cruise! RCI was our go to vacay prior to kids!!

I also feel terrible that I didn’t say hello at HH DisMeet! I recognized you both immediately but thought how would they know little old me! Sorry! Next time for sure!!!

 

[run.minnie.miles]

I’m here and ready to read!!

 

[Capang]

Excited to follow along!

 

[ZellyB]

Yes!!! Can't wait to follow along!

Woohoo! Happy to have you along.

So excited to see what happened!!

Be sure you stick around so you don't miss out.

Following along. Excited to read how your experience was.

Welcome!

Following! How else would I recognize you from the internet?

I'm so glad you did. It was great to meet you in person!

Bwahaha! I bet you're on pins and needles

But I agree about being excited!

I hope I can live up to all the excitement.

Following along! You lucky duck, starting your trip with a cruise! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures!

I'm so glad we had that cruise. AT least we got some tropical warmth.

I’m here! I enjoyed last years TR so much! I’m excited about this one. I love the poly and know you enjoyed it! No fair, Disney on the heels of a cruise! RCI was our go to vacay prior to kids!!

I also feel terrible that I didn’t say hello at HH DisMeet! I recognized you both immediately but thought how would they know little old me! Sorry! Next time for sure!!!

Oh, I feel bad that I didn't get around to talking with more people there as well, but I wish you would have said hi. We absolutely need to talk the next time around!

I’m here and ready to read!!

Glad you are here!

Excited to follow along!

Yay! Thanks for joining in.

 

[ZellyB]

The Journey to the World - It's got to be warmer in Florida right?

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Our journey began leaving from Missouri for a early morning 6:00 AM flight out for Florida. Temps were in the single digits, and we had been looking forward to heading to sunny warm Florida. However, along with most other marathon weekend participants, we'd been watching the forecast and knew that warmth was not really on the agenda. The previous year, we'd suffered through a very chilly wait for the marathon and this year we were determined to be prepared to keep ourselves warm before the races. That resulted in 3, yes I said 3, checked bags and a carry-on for the two of us and a week long stay.

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We were stocked up though on throwdown sweats and blankets and enough mylar wraps to block alien transmissions for a multitude of people!

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We did run into a couple of delays with our flights, but we did eventual arrive in MCO and headed down to catch our magical transportation to Disney! Christmas decorations were still heavily in use.

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The line wasn't too long for our Poly bus, but I'd say we waited around 15-20 minutes or so for our bus to arrive. We piled on and headed off and in fairly short order we were walking into the Poly lobby!!

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By this time it was around 1:30 or so and not surprisingly our room wasn't ready yet. We dropped our carry-on bag off to hold and found our way toward the buses. We had plans for the rest of the day and no time to WASTE!!

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Next up: Banshees, Tiffins and Rivers of Light!!

 

[michigandergirl]

Yay, following!

 

[ZellyB]

Yay, following!

YAY!! So glad to see you here.

 

[rteetz]

Yes the weather was not fun but at least once we got moving it wasn't terrible. I also brought a bunch of Mylar.

That is a much emptier DME area than we had.

Can't wait to hear about the rest!

 

[ZellyB]

Yes the weather was not fun but at least once we got moving it wasn't terrible. I also brought a bunch of Mylar.

That is a much emptier DME area than we had.

Can't wait to hear about the rest!

I agree the temps were actually great for running, if only we didn't have to wait around for 2 hours before the start!

I was surprised how few people there were waiting at DME. I think we just hit a lull or something.

 

[Blue Caterpillar]

Following, can't wait to see how your weekend went!

 

[Mickey Momma]

I’m here! I’m here!!

 

[ZellyB]

Following, can't wait to see how your weekend went!

Excellent. So happy you are here.

I’m here! I’m here!!

YAY!! Thanks for joining in.