Sadly, it does not look like I’ll be at marathon weekend this time around. I don’t have enough time & money to cover a potential trip to Vegas at Christmas, 10 days for marathon weekend, an already booked trip to South America in Jan/Feb, and an anniversary week in Bermuda in March. Aside from maybe Christmas, I don’t think we'll be in the States again until late 2022. I’ll be cheering from afar and joining DATW virtually, though.
That stinks, sorry to hear that. You will be missed (even if I don't end up doing a race, someone will miss you. LOL)
If you are going to do the Goofy no matter, just go ahead and do the DOPEY! It is just a 5k and 10k extra. You will kick yourself if you don't do it!
There is a lot going into my decision. I am struggling big time if I am being honest.
I have been down on Disney lately because of all that they are taking away, in addition to the price increases. The service level has dropped significantly as well. And the stuff that bothers me aren't explained away by Covid either, it was happening before that. Recent decisions just made it worse for me.
My wife and I went for a weekend earlier this month and it just wasn't the same. I had heard from people on the disboards, who have been long time fans like most of us, that the magic was gone. I was wondering for myself if this was true and sadly, this is what I felt when we went too. I can't explain it. From waiting in line at Food and Wine while employees are standing around doing nothing at their registers, and i am melting in the sun (happened in 4-5 different lines so it wasn't a one time thing), to having to walk all over creation for a water at the vending machine the night we arrived, it just didn't feel like the Disney of old. We got there after the food court closed and the vending machines in our building weren't working. I tried several. Disney used to be known for details and none of these machines didn't work. I might as well have been at
Walmart.
I know there will always be the Disney defenders, no matter what Disney does, and I get that. I used to be one. I am not trying to start an argument with the people who will always make excuses for Disney bringing this stuff up. I just found things to be different down there a couple weeks ago.
The 50th feels underwhelming to me compared to DL 60th. So do I want to go and pay top prices when all there will be is some new fireworks, a few decorations, and 50 gold characters around the parks? I went to Epcot last trip so I wouldn't be going there this trip anyway. The construction was a turn off and those barges are god awful to look at so I don't even care to see that show.
Here is why I do want to go though. My running has been bad this year. I had previously discussed this stuff on the running thread earilier in the year for those of you who recall. I had knee issues and I was having bad back pain with shooting pains down my legs. I went to PT and she told me I would probably never be able to run again. she even told me there was a chance for paralysis if I kept running. I was devastated. I was going to a chiropractor and he told me to stop running too. It took a while to get an appt but I finally went to an orthopedist and he did an MRI. He told me it is a disk issue and I am in no danger to do further damage (that the PT had told me). In fact he told me to keep running because a strong core would help me, and he said running is a great core exercise, on top of the other stuff he suggested. So, I have been running, and riding my bike, for the last couple months to regain some fitness. The race was meant to keep me focused through the fall and early winter. Once I am back in the habit of cosistency I know I will be fine moving forward.
That brings me to which race to do. My back still hurts randomly, and it always will. Do i push myself hard and do Dopey (I have always wanted to do Dopey but schedule and/or budget always prevented it in the past.) Now I can pull it off but is my body ready or do I just do the full and not stress as much about the training of 4 days in a row.
Finally I need to decide if I pay more for the convenience of staying on property or do I save money and stay off property.
Or do i just say screw it to Disney and find a race elsewhere. LOL.
There is just a comfort in running a marathon at Disney to me as I have done it twice before and it takes out the issues of being unfamiliar with a new race and logistics.
Sorry for the long post, this is just what's running through my brain right now.
and it worked. Book Wednesday-Tuesday at ASM and then call and cut the Monday night off later. 
