Thoughts on the Goofy Race - 2009

[bunnyfoo]

After reading some of the reports and looking at the pictures from the marathon and half marathon this past weekend, I started thinking about registering for the Goofy. It seems like there's a lot to take in and that I would miss out if I only did one race and ran the whole thing ... I was thinking of running the half and then walking the full. Has anyone done this before or is this too much for one weekend?

TIA

 

[skfulkers]

Have you ever run a half or full marathon before? Just my own thoughts, but if you haven't tried either of the distances, I know I wouldn't start with the Goofy Challenge. There are some people who have done this, and kudos to them, but I personally wouldn't start there. I saw several people swept (not permitted to finish the race due to time limits) this past weekend who were participating in the Goofy Challenge. Disney is serious about the time limits. Several of us WISHers stayed to watch the very end of each race, and while it was amazing to see everyone finishing and the "drama" that unfolds near the end of these races, it was also a reality check to see the sweeper buses and security bikers coming through to pick up those not able to meet the requirements. It is a very real challenge, one that many seasoned runners shy away from due to the physical demands this type of weekend (and months of training) put on your body.

If you've done these distances before and know what's involved, I say go for it! It's an experience that you will never forget, as those who have just finished it can tell you. It definitely is a lot of training and preparation, but that medal makes it all worthwhile. Because as we know with these Disney races, it's all about the medals. Make sure to register early, as it will definitely fill to capacity quickly (even though they've increase the limit to 4,000 participants for 2009, I wouldn't be surprised if it filled up by the end of February).

Hope this helps. Good luck with your decision!

Steve

 

[thndrmatt]

What the heck Steve is responding already I'm not even done editing my signature block! Sounds like he covered it! Hmph!

 

[skfulkers]

Matt! Good to see you made it back home (at least I assume you're home. Maybe you're posting from some gas station with high speed access along the highway in Florida).

Got any tylenol I can have? I swear I didn't take any since mile 4. Or was it 8? Or maybe both.

Hope you had a good trip!

Steve

 

[solotraveler]

I think I have to concur with everything Steve said.

I think the most important piece of preparation you can do for the Goofy Challenge is completing a full at some point beforehand. Are there people that do Goofy as their very first long distance event... absolutely!! And good on 'em!! But for me, the knowledge I gained in running that first full about what a race is really like and all the people and what my body would feel like were invaluable.

The Goofy, I think, will be around for a LONG time... so there is always 2010

Kevin

 

[princessrunner]

I have to also agree with Steve on completing a half first. I was considering the Goofy 2009 but, now that I have run my first half, I have to say completing a full is my next goal before even attempting the Goofy. I was definitely not prepared for how sore I would be. Even though I have done close to the distance before, I definitely ran a little faster and harder than I had anticipated. It takes a lot out of you also, if you are not used to the humidity factor. I did not feel it out there but in the afternoon, I realized I was pretty dehydrated.

And Steve, I am STILL taking Advil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Have you ever run a half or full marathon before? Just my own thoughts, but if you haven't tried either of the distances, I know I wouldn't start with the Goofy Challenge. There are some people who have done this, and kudos to them, but I personally wouldn't start there. I saw several people swept (not permitted to finish the race due to time limits) this past weekend who were participating in the Goofy Challenge. Disney is serious about the time limits. Several of us WISHers stayed to watch the very end of each race, and while it was amazing to see everyone finishing and the "drama" that unfolds near the end of these races, it was also a reality check to see the sweeper buses and security bikers coming through to pick up those not able to meet the requirements. It is a very real challenge, one that many seasoned runners shy away from due to the physical demands this type of weekend (and months of training) put on your body.

If you've done these distances before and know what's involved, I say go for it! It's an experience that you will never forget, as those who have just finished it can tell you. It definitely is a lot of training and preparation, but that medal makes it all worthwhile. Because as we know with these Disney races, it's all about the medals. Make sure to register early, as it will definitely fill to capacity quickly (even though they've increase the limit to 4,000 participants for 2009, I wouldn't be surprised if it filled up by the end of February).

Hope this helps. Good luck with your decision!

Steve

Thanks for the advice Steve! I think I'll just stick with the half in 2009 I was only thinking about doing both after I told my friend that I was doing the half. She and I looked through some of the pictures and she joked that she didn't think I could run the whole thing without stopping for pictures here and there I'm still a beginner ... I'm going to give the Minnie 15K a try in May so I'll see how that goes.

 

[mkymsehi]

I trained all year long, and raced in several local races, the Disneyland Half in September, the Honolulu Marathon in December. Having the long miles in, plus hills and speed work was a big help for me. I trained 4 days a week, and cross-trained on the bike or stationary bike once or twice a week for an hour.

The Goofy is attainable, as long as your properly trained, and not injured leading up to the race.

Another key was I ice bathed for 15 minutes immediately after getting back to our hotel room after the 1/2 marathon, and another 15 minutes that evening before going to bed. Learn to ice bath after your regular long training runs, so it isn't a shock to your body on race day.

I also ice bathed for 30 minutes after the full marathon, and was able to walk around EPCOT and Pleasure Island that afternoon. I saw many others waddling around, and shared this tip with them.

Fortunately I completed the half in 2:31, and the full in 5:33. I love the medals that I earned, along with all the congratulations and kudos I received from other runners in the park who saw me wearing my Goofy tech shirt.

If anyone needs any other tips, just ask.

Aloha from Hawaii ,
Jeff

 

[krissylynne]

My husband did all three races this year for the first time. As being a sister of an Ironman athlete, I can say that the key to a good finish and feeling good is a good recovery drink packed with protein. My husband walked up right the rest of the day. We were back at the parks after the finish. Train well and get a good recovery drink. If my husband can do it, anyone can. He finished the full in a very good time.

 

[bjkj]

FYI - I registered for Goofy yesterday and it was already 65% full! Good luck everyone!

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I am the reverse of most. It can be done with a marathon program. Most people do double days but in 14 years(40+ marathons & 40+ Ultras) I have only done back to back long days 3 times in my life. That is right, the only time was the 3 Goofy's I have done.

Being injured and no training at all, I added a few new things this year. I did protein drink right after all 3 races. I also did my first ever ice bath after the 1/2. I have always gotten a massage after the 1/2 to get ready for the marathon the last 3 years.

BTW, a friend just crunched the numbers and I am one of 219 peole who have completed all 3 Goofy's

 

[Duanerice]

Way to go Robert! That is pretty neat.

Duane

 

[cewait]

I am with Robert on the no back to back runs. I have completed all three Goofies and MAY have run 4 back to back longer runs in the three year's training. I also limit my long runs to the 16 - 17 mile range. I do very hard hill and speed work runs a couple times mid-week and cycle 3-4 times a week. Other than that nothing else. I have come into all three events healthy and ready to run.

The kicker.... Three Goofies ...three PR's in the half (06,07,08).... One PR in the Full (06) and a reset of the Goofy PR this year (08). I was only 9 minutes off my full PR in 08 and wasted 6 of those minutes in a med tent just after mile 13.