Official 2014 Dopey Challenge Thread!

[dburg30]

Last year, it became a joke with my sister, "I hear a Goofy runner..."

I wouldn't wear them all, mostly because I imagine that's going to get a little heavy. I'm excited, though, and unlike last year when I wasn't able to get my picture with Mickey after the marathon I want a picture with each character after I get their medal. So Disney better have Dopey out and about on Sunday.

I'm really shocked by how excited I am about this, I don't think I'm fully realizing that this a weekend of running 48.6 miles.

I think they should have goofy and dopey at the finish area for the goofy and dopey finishers for pictures ..

 

[camandjacksmom]

I think they should have goofy and dopey at the finish area for the goofy and dopey finishers for pictures ..

One could only dream and wish!! Think about how amazing that would be!!

 

[cewait]

Goofy, Mickey, Minnie and Donald frequent the finish line. Though it is NOT a photo op. Once in the finish chute (the fenced area after running past the grassy knoll) you need to be very aware of the fact you have folks who are running it to the line, those who are sprinting, those who are about to fall over. High 5 the character guarding the line and keep moving on.

There is a spot for post race photos after medals and mylar... For those in the runner retreat, you are almost certain to find a post race photo op in the tent. I would expect the rest of us will be looking for Dopey in the park.

 

[SAHDad]

Goofy, Mickey, Minnie and Donald frequent the finish line. Though it is NOT a photo op. Once in the finish chute (the fenced area after running past the grassy knoll) you need to be very aware of the fact you have folks who are running it to the line, those who are sprinting, those who are about to fall over. High 5 the character guarding the line and keep moving on.

There is a spot for post race photos after medals and mylar... For those in the runner retreat, you are almost certain to find a post race photo op in the tent. I would expect the rest of us will be looking for Dopey in the park.

Yep. And if you suddenly break right or left to high five a character, you might want to check behind you first. I just about plowed into a runner who did that this year - they wanted to high five each of the characters (one on each side of the finish line) before crossing it, and darted out in front of me.

 

[kimmiepcft]

I ran the Runner's World Hat Trick this past weekend, which is basically Dopey without the marathon. I ran the 5K and 10K on Saturday and the Half on Sunday. It was super hilly, but I still felt like I could run more on Monday. It definitely took a load off my mind, where finishing is a concern. I know that I can do it now

 

[cewait]

Yep. And if you suddenly break right or left to high five a character, you might want to check behind you first. I just about plowed into a runner who did that this year - they wanted to high five each of the characters (one on each side of the finish line) before crossing it, and darted out in front of me.

Great catch.

I did plow into a runner in MK 4-5 years back during the half. She was running course right and I was near the left. She saw a furry friend that most folks would not even know the name. She suddenly turned 90 degrees left and ran across the race focussed on the character rather than where she was. It was dark and all I saw was a bunch of folks to my right trying to avoid something. I defensively pulled my arms up and whammo, she took a hit from me and the runner to my left. I think she was OK, as I recall she was a little dazed – but then I could not be certain that was not her starting condition. My entire thought/reactive process was "I am at mile 5 with 33 left and I am not going down."

 

[dburg30]

Yes, just to be clear, I was in no way urging people to stop at the finish for photos!! It was just a dream they would have goofy and dopey somewhere other then the race retreat (possibly) to get a shot after the race...Hopefully dopey will be out and about a few days to get a shot with him.

 

[RnbwSktles]

Goofy, Mickey, Minnie and Donald frequent the finish line. Though it is NOT a photo op. Once in the finish chute (the fenced area after running past the grassy knoll) you need to be very aware of the fact you have folks who are running it to the line, those who are sprinting, those who are about to fall over. High 5 the character guarding the line and keep moving on.

There is a spot for post race photos after medals and mylar... For those in the runner retreat, you are almost certain to find a post race photo op in the tent. I would expect the rest of us will be looking for Dopey in the park.

Good to know! I figured stopping for a photo there was pretty common and it didn't even occur to me that it would be crowded enough to possibly cut people off. I will definitely be mindful of that in Jan.

 

[rachlovestv]

Good to know! I figured stopping for a photo there was pretty common and it didn't even occur to me that it would be crowded enough to possibly cut people off. I will definitely be mindful of that in Jan.

Yeah, they actually don't even let people stop to take photos there at the finish line. Which is good, because it's hard enough dodging people who want high-fives from every character. I always just try to stay to one side.

 

[WVUFan]

Good to know! I figured stopping for a photo there was pretty common and it didn't even occur to me that it would be crowded enough to possibly cut people off. I will definitely be mindful of that in Jan.

I've gotten pictures taken there at every Disney race but my first. They are some of my favorites!

 

[rachlovestv]

I've gotten pictures taken there at every Disney race but my first. They are some of my favorites!

Really? They've actively stopped people from getting finish line photos at all of the Disney races I've been at.

 

[jamesg]

Hi everyone! I was wondering what running shoes people are planning on using for the Dopey Challenge.

I've been training for the Dopey Challenge for a while now and it only recently occurred to me evaluate my running shoes for the event. I've been running in Saucony Mirage 3's since June with no major problems, but I'm wondering if a different shoe, maybe something with more cushioning, would make things slightly easier for covering nearly 50 miles in four days. Does anyone have opinions on various shoe features such as heel drop (mine are 4mm), inserts, weight, brand, etc? Anyone try different shoes and have recommendations on ones to try/avoid?

 

[Ariel484]

Really? They've actively stopped people from getting finish line photos at all of the Disney races I've been at.

I have pictures from the finish line of each Disney race I've done too...did the same this year for Goofy, and a CM was the one that took the pictures for me.

 

[miker1251]

Hi everyone! I was wondering what running shoes people are planning on using for the Dopey Challenge.

I've been training for the Dopey Challenge for a while now and it only recently occurred to me evaluate my running shoes for the event. I've been running in Saucony Mirage 3's since June with no major problems, but I'm wondering if a different shoe, maybe something with more cushioning, would make things slightly easier for covering nearly 50 miles in four days. Does anyone have opinions on various shoe features such as heel drop (mine are 4mm), inserts, weight, brand, etc? Anyone try different shoes and have recommendations on ones to try/avoid?

Talk about opening a can of worms. In my experience runners tend to be very loyal to the make and model shoe they wear, as well as inserts. As Coach often says, "We are all an experiment of one." What works for someone else might not be the best fit for you. If the Saucony works for you, I would say stay with it. If you want to try something new, work the new shoe in as your second pair. I am a loyal ASICS fan. I am running in the Gel-Noosa Tri7 and Tri8. Gotta love the colors. As for the Dopey, I am planning on using 3 pairs of shoes, one for the 5K and 10K, another for the half, and yet another for the marathon.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Talk about opening a can of worms. In my experience runners tend to be very loyal to the make and model shoe they wear, as well as inserts. As Coach often says, "We are all an experiment of one." What works for someone else might not be the best fit for you. If the Saucony works for you, I would say stay with it. If you want to try something new, work the new shoe in as your second pair. I am a loyal ASICS fan. I am running in the Gel-Noosa Tri7 and Tri8. Gotta love the colors. As for the Dopey, I am planning on using 3 pairs of shoes, one for the 5K and 10K, another for the half, and yet another for the marathon.

I wear ASICS Kayanos. They are fantastic shoes. I'm bringing two pairs down to Orlando with me, one for the 5k and half, and the other for the 10k and full. I find I get the best use out of shoes by rotating and giving the shoes 48 hours to breathe in between wearings.

 

[kimmiepcft]

I over pronate so I wear boring, ugly Brooks Adrenalines. I hope to buy a second pair in the next month so that I can break them in and rotate.

 

[IamTrike]

Hi everyone! I was wondering what running shoes people are planning on using for the Dopey Challenge.

I've been training for the Dopey Challenge for a while now and it only recently occurred to me evaluate my running shoes for the event. I've been running in Saucony Mirage 3's since June with no major problems, but I'm wondering if a different shoe, maybe something with more cushioning, would make things slightly easier for covering nearly 50 miles in four days. Does anyone have opinions on various shoe features such as heel drop (mine are 4mm), inserts, weight, brand, etc? Anyone try different shoes and have recommendations on ones to try/avoid?

I'll bring shoes to rotate through the races. If the Mirage's have been working for you I wouldn't switch it up. I had been doing long runs in Hoka Stinson Tarmacs, but I think they are leading to some ankle issues so I am switching to adidas boost.

Personally my plan for Dopey is a follows:
2 pairs of shoes I am comfortable running in.
1 pair of comfy recovery shoes for walking around (they'll either be comfy sandals or plush shoes, I like Saucony Cortana's
Multiple pairs of compression socks. If you don't have compression socks I would highly recommend them. While they are good during the race, it's great to wear recovery socks in between the races.

Talk about opening a can of worms. In my experience runners tend to be very loyal to the make and model shoe they wear, as well as inserts. As Coach often says, "We are all an experiment of one." What works for someone else might not be the best fit for you. If the Saucony works for you, I would say stay with it. If you want to try something new, work the new shoe in as your second pair. I am a loyal ASICS fan. I am running in the Gel-Noosa Tri7 and Tri8. Gotta love the colors. As for the Dopey, I am planning on using 3 pairs of shoes, one for the 5K and 10K, another for the half, and yet another for the marathon.

Completely agree, you need a shoe that works for you, and that may not be the same as what works for other people.

 

[SAHDad]

Hi everyone! I was wondering what running shoes people are planning on using for the Dopey Challenge.

I've been training for the Dopey Challenge for a while now and it only recently occurred to me evaluate my running shoes for the event. I've been running in Saucony Mirage 3's since June with no major problems, but I'm wondering if a different shoe, maybe something with more cushioning, would make things slightly easier for covering nearly 50 miles in four days. Does anyone have opinions on various shoe features such as heel drop (mine are 4mm), inserts, weight, brand, etc? Anyone try different shoes and have recommendations on ones to try/avoid?

As other said, can of worms and experiment of one. I run in Vibrams, and will bring along two pairs, so that they can dry out between races. I did it for the Goofy this year, and it worked out fine for me.

 

[RussTKD]

I'll be picking up two pairs of shoes sometime in mid-late December and will try to get 10-15 miles on both before I leave.

 

[SAHDad]

Kinda tore my feet up a bit (blisters) doing speedwork the other day, so I decided to do the run/walk bit for my long run today. Run about 1.1 miles, walk for a minute or two, repeat as needed. Only got through 10 miles before the hot spots & blisters were becoming problematic, so I bagged it there. Got the daily mile in, and will run short & slow 5ks for a couple of days, and then revisit the long run early next week.