What were your mistakes from your first Goofy challenge

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

I agree on the 2 plans for 2 races. I went into Goofy this year trying to PR on the half and walk run with my Mom for the full. I PR'd on the half just like I wanted too and ended up running then walking with friends for the Full. By the end of both days I just wanted to sleep, the time change was super hard on me. But I think the best thing I did was pushed my Grandma through Epcot after the Full. I was moving but also had something to lean against. The CM's joked that I had my walker.

 

[Stroller Boy]

Goofy in 2011. Worst thing I did was to get a massage post race in the tent. I have incredibly tight calves no matter what I do and one of them locked up from the massage. It was pretty brutal. I spent most of the night at the expo looking for compression socks and k-tape. I limped off the bus marathon morning as people stared at me wondering why I was even going to attempt the marathon. I pushed through it though. No post half massage for me for dopey 2014! Of course, I'm in much better mental and physical shape now than I was then anyhow, but that one has left a scar on my memory.

Pre race meals are important like the others are mentioning. Know what you can handle and go with that. I ate a pretty greasy sandwich at SSR evening prior to the marathon in 2012 and it plagued me in the morning for sure!

I've always said that the toughest thing about Disney Marathon Weekend is the early mornings. Perhaps trying to get into that routine the week prior would help...I just can't get used to mornings no matter what I do...last couple of years though, I haven't had the nerve issues that I had the first few years so I e been able to sleep regardless. Just lucky I suppose.

 

[lmillercrew]

Since this is our first Goofyrace, I am so happy that I found this thread! It will help us so much to know what to and not to do.

 

[JimB.]

"What were your mistakes from your first Goofy challenge?"............

Registering for it.

Which then leads to the question "why did I do it a second time??"

 

[goofeygirl]

"What were your mistakes from your first Goofy challenge?"............

Registering for it.

Which then leads to the question "why did I do it a second time??"

Lol. We are probably a wee bit crazy.


Chocolate milk. I had a large bottle of that in my hotel fridge at the ready! Also have a pair of scissors handy in case your top is stuck to you so tight you cannot get it off let alone over your shoulders. I had to cut myself out of a perfectly lovely $45.00 Nike tank....

 

[ccgates]

Even going into Goofy in January slightly injured, I wouldn't change much from the weekend.

Two sets of clothes/two pairs of shoes shouldn't be optional, definitely a requirement. You wouldn't necessarily need to wear the second pair of shoes, just make sure if you have them. If I hadn't brought mine, there would have been a 110% chance of rain.

We went to DTD for dinner before the marathon and didn't get back until after 8:30, which cut down on the amount of sleep I was able to get, but the fact the Packers were playing while I was trying to sleep was the larger cause of restlessness than the marathon I had to run. I'd definitely make sure that I got back from dinner earlier and do everything in my power to make sure my NFL team doesn't have a playoff game. (While I'm trying to sleep, not that they miss the playoffs.)

Only other thing I regret was dancing with my wife and sister at the Biergarten during dinner after the marathon. I thought my Achilles were going to explode afterwards...

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I have not run a marathon in more than 5 years, and I have never run two races this long on back-to-back days, but it looks like I will be doing the Goofy Challenge in January. I noticed the Dopey challenge but it is sold out (besides, just thinking about waking up that early 4 days in a row makes me tired ).

I have a few friends running the half with me. They are new to running, so it will be a run/walk experience. That should leave me with plenty in the tank for the marathon the next day.

Thanks to everyone who posted their experiences from previous years.

 

[ReindeerMom]

Goofy 2013 was my first trip to WDW. I was like a kid in a candy store, jumping from park to park, and never bothered to try and adjust to the 3 hour time difference. I walked the 5K with my husband on Friday, then spent the day at Epcot. On Saturday morning, I was Grumpy, Sleepy, Sneezy, and Dopey all rolled into one. My back was so sore from standing in lines at the parks, I could not even drag my disrespectful self off of the ground of my corral for the National Anthem. And then, less than 5 miles into the Half, I took a nasty fall. I went home with 4 medals, a scar on my face, and a newfound love for all things Disney. Lesson learned: Respect the distance(s).

Of course I registered for Dopey this year. I will forgo the park tickets and all of the distractions and just relax and get myself prepared for those early wake-up calls and long runs.

 

[goofeygirl]

Yes save the park visits for after the races I would suggest. As far as that dreaded 330am wake up call...here is what it did for me...

The night before the 5k race I was all awake and excited. The alarm went off and I was gung ho.
This repeated for the night of the half marathon but wasn't so gung ho on that saturday morning alarm bell. My nerves were at me because I knew this was the start of the toughest thing my body has ever done.
After the half I had a massage at the Yacht/Beach club and having a massage between the two races worked for me...I was so friggen nervous about doing the full the next morning because beside it being the Goofy challange, it was also my first full. Yes that was dope or dopey.
That night after the half and before full I was spent. I went to bed so early, so tired that I got a really good nights sleep. By the time that dreaded way too early alarm went off I was ready...I felt rested...I felt good.

So if you are doing the Goofy or Dopey, I will tell you that you will be tired on saturday morning no matter what but you should be so tired that night that you will go to bed early and get yourself a good night sleep for the full.

My brother travels with his kids and my father takes care of them that night so he and his wife can sleep and relax.

I think having enough sleep for a 26.2 mile run/jog/walk or crawl is the most important rest you will need for this ride.

...and stay on this disboards....remember there is that whole mental thing you have to be prepared for too!