Rock N Fly Blue Angels Half 3-18-17

Half marathon #26 for me.  All week I had been looking forward to this half.  First because it was going to be another "new" half for me and second because it was in Pensacola, Fl.  I love the beach! 

The only problem was my hip/sciatic nerve down my leg had really been bothering me since the MS50 that was 2 weeks prior.  I don't know if it was the rugged terrain that irritated my body or what.  I spent days wondering what I had done wrong to cause this pain to act back up.  All the miles I had put in between October and January with no pain at all and now I was full of pain. As with any runner, we begin to analyze everything we did differently trying to figure out where we went wrong.  OR at least I do! The only thing I had done differently lately was not walk as much.  I had done the past 3 marathons by doing a jog/walk program and now I had recently done the sea turtle half and the MS50 with little walk time.  I figured the running was pounding my spine too much causing my bulging disc to irritate my nerve (my doc has always recommended a jog/walk program due to my DDD.. it's just hard to listen sometimes when your body feels good).  It's not a good feeling when that nerve is irritated let me just tell you! I couldn't even sit without pain in my hip area.  I rolled on my tennis ball for days.  So I went to the race with no intentions of focusing on time or running hard.  My goal was to simply cross that finish line.  Two of my friends, Ashley & Jennifer, were meeting me and we were sharing a room so I looked forward to some girl time. :>) 

It was a beautiful morning with the temp in the 50s.  I was a tad worried about how fast it would warm up.  I really like racing when the temp is 30-40 degrees at start. :>) I was excited to be going on base where the Blue Angels are stationed.  We grabbed a few pictures before the race started.

The start line got crowded fast once they said for everyone to get in their corrals.  They said there were 3,000 runners.  

We had a Blue Angel fly over right before we started.  It was so cool! Here it is......

And then we were off! Ashley who was coming back from an injury had said she was going to take it easy.  Jennifer and I decided we would hang with her.  I was glad about that since my hip was still bothering me.  However, the first 5-6 miles we ran straight.  Boy my hip started hurting badly.  Every time my foot hit the ground the sharp pain went from my toes to my hip. :(  I was so glad when Ashley started taking some walk breaks. LOL  

I took a few pictures along the course when we were on walk breaks. 

I wish I had filmed the water stations.  They were a hoot! The guys were dressed up and even danced for us.  One water station had a water sprinkler.  Here's one picture I got at one. 

I was so very glad when we finished the 13.1 miles!  Ashley had a goal to finish in 2:30 and we finished in 2:20, 10 minutes under goal!  I was very proud of her. 

It was a HOT finish.  I had a good time with these girls, but I sure was ready for either my hot tub or an ice bath to help my hip.  I was not looking forward to the drive home!  I had originally planned to stay 2 nights, but Jenn & Ashley were going on to NOLA to run a race again on Sunday so I decided to get on back home.  Lord knows I got tons to do at my house in my yard!   

So I finished another half.... just barely.. ha  Whew I'm hoping the Rise and Shine half coming up on April 1st will not be anything like this half!  I wish I had not had so much pain so I could have enjoyed the race a tad more.  The only thing I didn't like is we did not run at the beach.  We ran on the base and by the bay area for a short time.  So no nice big sea to look at.  The race itself was very well organized and it was for a great cause.  I love our military!  

Not a great pic of medal... it's real cute!

Me and Jenn eating pizza afterwards

My race bib


"I run because it's so symbolic of life.  You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles.  You might feel that you can't. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you're capable of so much more than you thought."  ~ Arthur Blank 

So for me it's STRETCH... STRETCH... STRETCH.. Foam ROLL... Foam Roll... and cross train...and get ready for April 1st! I will overcome this pain to push an ARC child during the Rise and Shine half marathon. :>)  You must dig deep within yourself and find that inner strength!

until next time...... D

Children's Classic 10K (February 25) & MS50 20K plus 6 (March 4)

Two races in one post :>)  

Let me start with the Children's Classic 10K in Hattiesburg.  I had not preregistered for this race because of my recent work schedule.  I was happy on Friday when I realized that it was a very good chance we would not work on the weekend so I started thinking about going to the race.  The race is for an awesome cause!  It's for The Children's Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi (where I graduated).  Children enrolled there have a variety of special needs and diagnoses.  I love to run when the race supports an awesome cause such as children!

The 10K didn't start till 9 am so I actually got to sleep a little later than normal for a race day. :>)  I wasn't sure if any of my friends would be there since I had not even mentioned the race with me not knowing I was going to be able to go.  I was happy to find my teammate, Stan there when I arrived.

  

 I had no idea he was in town.  He works all over the country!  As it got closer to race start, I noticed a few more teammates, Katherine, Ronnie, Be and Penny!  It was so good to see them all!

  

They started by letting the kids do a fun run first.  It was so sweet watching these precious kids.  They were all "CAPEable".  Love that theme! 

Then it was time for the 10K to start.  I had not done any speed work lately so I really only had one goal and that was to try to get in somewhere around an hour.  I had not ran through the USM campus in a couple of years and forgotten all the rolling hills.  It was a challenging 10K.  I meet a young girl at the start line.  I believe she said she was 27 and this was her first 10K.  Once the race started we stayed neck in neck together.  Then around mile 4 after a water stop, I never saw her again.  Somehow I had pushed ahead.  I was now running ALONE which can be boring.  I like to run with someone that is around my same pace because it keeps me running. I finished just under an our.  YIPPIE.  Stan took a picture of me finishing. 

My time was 57 Min... the clock has an extra minute.. they started the ARC riders 1 min before us.

I started to leave and get back home, but Stan and I decided to go over to the timing booth to get our times printed out.  He had ran a new PR and was curious to see who was ahead of him.  I was shocked when they handed mine to me and had me listed as grand master winner! :>)  and he won Masters!

I love the homemade medals! :>)  The kids actually painted them.  I was blessed to run this race for an awesome cause!

Now on to the MS50 20K (12.4 miles) + 6 more.....
The MS50 is a race that I've done whether it be running the volunteer run or the actual race for the last 6 years.  It's a trail run that is local.  It's always a fun race. Tough on body but FUN.  The past 2 years I had done the 50K (31 miles), but decided to tone it down a notch this year and just do the 20K.  A couple of my friends that were planning on running with me had to back out due to injuries / sickness, so I wasn't sure who I'd be running along.  I knew Jennifer was doing the race, but she's a tad faster than me. LOL  My good friend Shine was also doing the race, but had said she was going to hang with her mother.  Seems several of us either have life issues in the way of our training or injuries this year.  It's just been an odd year starting off.  Normally there is a big group of us (R4TKs) at all the races and we have so much fun.

Jennifer had told me at the pool that she was going to run with me.  I just didn't know if she'd actually hang back with me... you can't stop a race horse. :>)  However, she did.  She ran my butt off, but she stayed with me the entire 20K.  Here we are before the race started with Serina, who was walking the 20K with her dad.

Jennifer also took a picture while we were running down a hill! You can tell by my gritting of my teeth in the picture... I don't know how she didn't fall doing that. ha  

Jennifer and I finished the 20K (12.4 miles) in 2 hours 16 minutes.  I think they may be a PR for me, however I seem to recall me and Sunshine running either a 2:15 or 2:20 one year... I'll have to check the results.  Jennifer and I waited around for Pam, my neighbor and friend.  She was doing the 50K and we planned to run the last 6 miles with her.  Jennifer captured this picture of me and Pam on that last 6 miles.  

The trails were so dry and clean! I've never seen them so dry in all the years I've done the race! It was a beautiful day! My whole body was sore however from bouncing around on the trail.  Trail running is supposed to be easier on your body, but I feel that you need to do them often to really know that.  My ankles to my head was sore.  I had to really watch and dodge tree stumps.  It was the first year that I've not fallen! Yeah me! :>)  So Jennifer and I ended up with 18.4 miles total and Pam ended up with 31.  Here's are final picture.

There was also a teammate from R4TKs, Andrea that did her first 50K.  We all took a picture together because her and Pam had ran most of the race together, but it's not on my phone.  I guess it's on one of the other's phone.  We had asked a lady to take our picture and handed her all our phones. :>)  Congrats to Pam and Andrea in accomplishing their first 50K! 31 miles on a trail is a big accomplishment!

LOVE the shirt!

Whew it's been a busy 3 weekends in a row with the Sea Turtle half, Children's Classic 10K, followed by the MS50! I'm glad this weekend does not involve a race.  I get one break before another 4 weekends in a row of racing. :>)  I love this saying that Jenn posted the other day.

TRUTH! 

Hope your training is going well.  And guess what? Daylight savings begins this weekend! YIPPIE

D

Sea Turtle Half Marathon 2-18-17

Sea Turtle Half Marathon in Gulf Shores Recap

At first I wasn't sure I was going to make this race that I had really been looking forward to!  Work has been crazy lately and just so happened that the week before the race, things really got crazy.  We were working anywhere from 7 pm to midnight every night.  Our boss told us to also be prepared to work all weekend unless we made significant progress by late Friday.  So it was not looking good at all midweek! 

I told my friend, Robbie, who lives in Gulf Shores, that I was probably not going to make it. I had really been looking forward to seeing her.  We haven't seen each other in months!  She has been struggling with some injuries and I really wanted to see her and encourage her.  And I also hoped I'd get to see Mo, my friend that had breast cancer.  She lives in Perdido and is normally at all the races there.  I was so down and out about work and just plain tired. 

Friday rolled around and it wasn't looking good, but by 4 pm things started to take a turn for the better so I finally got up the nerve to just ask my boss what the game plan was for the weekend.  I had not mentioned to him that I had a race.  I know work comes first, but I sure was wanting to get to the race.  To my surprise, he said he felt we were good, but to stay on stand by for Sunday in case he decided to call us in.  I think he honestly knew we were all just whipped out.  Mental tiredness is a whole different kind of physical and my eyes were wore out from staring at my computer for hours!

So by 6:30 pm Friday I was on the road to Gulf Shores.  I was excited, but also extremely tired.  I kept telling myself that if I could just get there and get in the bed, that I would be good on race morning.. at least I hoped....  It rained off and on during the drive and Robbie texted me telling me it was calling for 100% rain on Saturday...booooooo  Now I was kind of dreading the race hearing about rain.  

I made it finally to Gulf Shores and got in the bed rather quickly.  Saturday morning came early.  We were going to head to the start line around 6:30 am.  I really didn't sleep well.  You know how it is when you travel.... the first night in a different bed... you just don't sleep well... or at least I don't. ha

Saturday morning I did something that I never do, especially before a race!.  I grabbed a red bull at the gas station.  I thought if it could really "revitalize my mind and body" as the can said then I would be ready to run.....because I was TIRED. Boy it perked me up fast.  It was like a super dose of coffee! LOL  I was ready to run.  I was also excited that the rain had came on in quicker than they expected and was gone.  It was overcast and humid, but no rain.  

Robbie and I found Mo inside the hangout.  She was going to be working the race.  Her run organization puts this race on.  It was so nice to see her and she told me some wonderful news! Her latest pet scan was clear! She was all smiles.  The first time I've seen that on her in awhile.  She said they would do another one in a couple of months to check again.  We quickly asked someone to take our picture before Robbie and I headed out to the start line. 

Me, Mo & Robbie

There were some other friends at the race that are on team R4TK so we quickly grabbed a picture at the start line. 

Robbie, Ann, Penny & me

I also saw an old coworker! Tim recently retired from Sanderson.  I remember when he did his first 5K and today was going to be his first half! We talked several minutes about his running and he told me that he'd been doing up to 2 hours on a treadmill! I told him I hated the treadmill.  He said he had really learned to like it and the weather outside didn't interfere with his training. 
Here's a pic of me, Tim & Robbie at the start line.  

And then we were all ready to start.  I saw another old friend, Gary Thornton, way up in the front and gave him a wave and the race started.  I felt great.  I was running with Penny & Ann for awhile and we were all talking about races, etc.  They had both ran a full marathon the weekend before! And a hilly one too! Soon Penny told me to just go one because they were going to slow down some.  I guess their legs were feeling the marathon a tad.. (I know mine would have been!)   At first I didn't want to go on because I love running and talking.  It keeps my mind off the miles, but I just felt so good.  I think that red bull was really kicking in!  But don't worry... I would soon crashed. ha 

The race was an out and back course along the beach.  Going out the wind was not bad, but coming back was a different story!  It was flat and fast.  I kept looking down at my watch and smiling.  I had done so much run/walk lately that I wasn't sure I could maintain a 9 min pace (that's not fast to some..but for me here lately it was), but I sure was doing it.  Yep, and you know what happens when you go out too fast and you get the "big head" thinking you are going to have a fabulous PR? .. CRASH.. ha  well, maybe it was partly the red bull.  My coworker told me I was crazy for drinking that thing.  

Anyway, when I reached the turn around, I kept telling myself all I had to do was maintain that pace back and I was going to get a PR.  Well around mile 10, the tiredness hit me again.  And it seemed stronger than earlier that morning.  I wasn't out of breath from running, but my legs felt like they had 20 pound weights on each of them.  I could barely go! I started doing some run/walk intervals and then I noticed a guy way ahead of me that looked just like Gary Thornton who was also doing some walking.  Soon I caught up to him and was surprised it was him!  He's fast! Like 8 min and under pace normally! I told him there had to be something wrong for me to be catching up with him on the half.  He said he was just tired.  He had recently ran a couple races pretty fast and said he guess it had caught up with him.  The wind was tough on the way back in and it was HOT.  The humidity was getting to me! So we started walking and jogging off and on while talking.  It was good to catch up with him.  Him and Anna recently bought a condo in Gulf Shores.  He says they love it there.

Soon I noticed an older man up ahead of us weaving when we were somewhere between mile 11-12.  Then he walked to the side of the street to grab a palm tree and literally missed it and fell to the ground.  Gary and I both went running to check on him.  He told us he was fine and just needed help standing up.  He had meant to stop at the tree and rest, but lost his balance.  I could tell he was not fine.  He needed to rest, but he insisted we help him up.  So we did.  Then Gary and I both told him we would walk the rest of the way in with him.  We were not leaving him!  He kept trying to get us to just leave him, but we refused.  We ended up stopping 2 more times to let him rest and drink some water while walking him in the rest of the way to the finish line.  There was also a nice lady that stopped that was a nurse who offered to take his pulse and check him out.  She said his pulse was elevated and he need to take it real easy.  We walked arm in arm most of the way in to help him keep his balance.   

Here's a picture of us walking with him.  George Freeman - 85 years young! He's in the blue and Gary is in the green.

As we were walking, we learned a lot about his man.  He had on an old faded out shirt that had "Boston marathon" on it... so you know I had to ask about that. :>)  He had ran Boston 6 times he said!  He also did his fastest marathon at the age of 55 with a 3:04! Simply amazing!!!  He's originally from New York, but now lives in Gulf Shores.  Guess it's true that so many people retire and move to the beach! MY DREAM! :>)

Gary and I walked Mr. George across the finish line while a crowd of people clapped.  I didn't see any photographers during the race so not sure if anyone got us crossing.  If I find a picture, I'd add it later.  My mind totally had forgotten about that PR that I was earlier dreaming of and somehow even with the walking and stopping, I finished a 2:21 half ....guess my actual running time was pretty good. ha  I honestly believe God put me right where he wanted me.  I'm sure he didn't tell me to drink that red bull....but he put me in that spot to see this man fall and help him.  I wonder if I'll be like him when I'm 85.  Lord knows this man could run back in his day! And here he is at 85 just wanting to finish and cross that finish line.  He was still not steady after finishing.  He said his equilibrium was off.  I'm sure eventually he will have to accept that it's no longer a good thing to race and just walk casually.  Oh and he was only doing the 5K which joined the half marathoners on their 2nd mile and finished in the same spot as us.  I hope I know when to stop and quit pushing.  I'm sure that decision for him or for me will be a very difficult one.  Even at 50, I sometimes feel that I'm still 20 until I do something and then I'm reminded that I'm no longer as young as I use to be.  His eyes would light up as he talked about many of his marathon experiences.  You could just see the joy.  We visited for a good while on the bench at the finish line until his breathing had steadied.

I had hoped I'd see Robbie cross the finish line, but we missed each other when I walked Mr. George inside the Hangout where the food was at for the racers.  When Robbie and I found each other, we went outside and grabbed a picture by the Hangout hand.   

I did grab a picture with Tim after he finished too.  He laughed and told me and Robbie we were both crazy running long distance races.  He said that half wore him out.  I told him it was his first and not to quit now. :>)  I hope to see him more often at races!

I also got my feet in the sand for a few minutes while I sat quietly listening to the waves.  I could have stayed there all day!

Robbie and I both talked about being tired and I had developed a bad headache.  All we both wanted to do was go nap and that's exactly what we did.  I slept hard for a good 2 hours.  I had originally wanted to go to the bike shop in Fairhope while I was in town, but due to the nap after the race I didn't have time to make it there before closing time.  

Robbie and I went out for an early supper to catch up a little and then I made my way back home early Sunday morning.  I knew I needed to be home on Sunday in case I got the dreaded call to go to work or so I could get some much needed rest.  It was a SHORT trip, but a good trip.  

Well that's a wrap for the Sea Turtle Half.. here's the medal.

Now to prepare for the Rock'N'Fly half in Pensacola next month.  Looking forward to some girl time there! and BTW...work isn't much better this week.  I've only gotten 5 tiny run miles in this week.  We have a big management meeting coming up on the 28th and I hope after that things will return to normal.  I don't like when things are out of order and I don't get my runs in. I'm cranky. Hee Hee

  Love,
D

Frosted Fanny 2017 - 1st race of the Quad Burner Series

Seems I'm getting slower at posting after a race.  I really need to do it ASAP because I tend to forget details.  My memory just isn't like those people who you might know that remember EVERYTHING.  Mom and I were even talking about this at Disney.  I told her that I just plain can't remember.  I have to write myself post it notes to remind myself to do stuff.  I use to think it was just part of getting older or maybe I'm just so busy that it's hard, but I have friends who can remember very vivid details about their childhood, etc.  I have very few memories from when I was young that I remember well.  Mom told me she's always been the same way.  Said she is amazed sometimes how her sister can give details on something from their past when she can't remember it herself.  I'm exactly the same way.  I'll have friends that ask me if I remember something from junior high school and honestly I might remember a tid bit, but I can't remember details like they can.  I guess every one's memory is just different.  I have a coworker who has a memory like a huge filing cabinet.  Ask him anything and he can pull it out and give details.  I so wish I could some days! 

So let me get to the Frosted Fanny.  It's the first of 5 races known as the Quad Burner Series.  I love this series!  It's in Bay St. Louis, Ms.  I can easily get up on race morning, drive 1 hour 45 minutes and I'm at race site.  They have packet pickup on race morning also so no need to pay for a hotel overnight unless you just want to visit one of the Mississippi Casinos on the coast. :>)  

Here's our little group before the race.  Love their backdrop! I need to look into one for R4TKs. 

I did the series last year for the first time and loved it! However, last year we all joked as to why they called it Frosted Fanny when it was so hot on race day.  That was not the case this year!  In south Mississippi you can literally have all 4 seasons in one week!  It was a COLD morning!  I had checked the weather and even though it was supposed to be cool they were saying the sun could come out around mid morning.  So when I got up in the dark and grabbed my things, I did not grab any long pants or gloves! I had my bike gloves which have the fingers cut out so my fingers were so cold! and let's not talk about my toes.  They were FROZE.  I hoped once the race started I would warm up.  Thank goodness I had a sweatshirt and a windbreaker jacket in my bike bag! 

Bike ready

 I wore the sweatshirt for the first 2 mile run. 

I think I was praying for the sun to come out. :>) 

So thankful for the ear muffs they gave us in our race swag bag!

 The race was an option of either a Duathlon or a 4 mile run.  I always pick the Duathlon because they help me train for my TRIs.  So basically the Duathlon consisted of a 2 mile run, 11 mile bike and a 2 mile run.  Sounds pretty easy, huh? Yep that's what I thought to the first year.  When my friend Kathy and Frank talked me into doing the series, I thought to myself how hard can a 2 mile run, 11 mile bike and 2 mile run actually be because it is on flat surface. I remember Kathy telling me to be prepared for the WIND>  Well, she was right! Wind can make a huge difference on a bike ride.  Especially the bikes we are riding.  They aren't your old time aluminum bikes that are heavy.  These are carbon and very light.  Most people can lift their bike up with one hand and load it on a car.  So when a big gust of wind hits you, it's all you can do to hang on and hope the wind doesn't make you wreck.  Especially if the wind is blowing into you from the side.  If you are biking into the wind, it's like pushing against a massive force that's trying to push you back.  It can be a very challenging ride even for just 11 miles. :>)  I was so glad I had the windbreaker to wear during the bike segment! and boy my neck and shoulders hurt after the race from not riding lately!

On the bike! So thankful for Gameface taking the pictures and letting us download them for FREE> :>) 

When I came in from my ride my toes were still numb! I almost fell when I un-clipped and put my feet down to get off my bike.  I could not feel my toes! They hurt the entire time I ran the last 2 miles! I actually looked at my watch and thought to myself.. boy, I'm doing pretty good to not have trained for this race.  I had only been on my bike 1 time since Augusta! and I had not practiced biking & running together.  I remember Amanda asking me what my time was the previous year as we were running.  I told her I couldn't remember (ha) and had not looked.  She said she had looked hers up and should have been trying to beat her time, but she was just enjoying the race.  I told her I was also just enjoying although I felt surprised with my times with no training.  I actually felt good except that I was so cold! I looked my time up when I got home and to my surprise, I didn't beat my time from the previous year.  I was actually faster in 2016 and I thought I felt better while racing in 2017.  Just goes to show you that every race is different. 

Last 2 mile run... still wearing jacket and GLOVES... So thankful for Frank who gave me a pair to go over my bike gloves to cover my fingers! 

1st Duathlon of 2017 done! 

 I didn't hang around after the race to socialize because my husband and I had plans with the grand kids in Jackson.  Yes, i was on the road a lot that day!  I was so glad that I saw that Frank & Krista had not started out on their last 2 mile run so I went over and hugged them both and told them good luck and that I was leaving so they wouldn't look for me after wards.  I'm proud of Krista.  She just had surgery and did the run segments in a boot walking.  She's one determined woman! 

So that's a wrap on Frosted Fanny.  I have a half marathon coming up on the 18th of this month (Sea Turtle in Gulf Shores).  Looking forward to seeing my old friend Robbie & Mo.  Both lives there so we will get to visit and catch up.  One day I hope to be retired and maybe live at the beach like them. :>)  A girl can dream, right?  Right now I'm trying to organize my workout schedule and get back in a rhythm.  It had gotten all out of whack when I was working on completing those 3 marathons within 67 days in 3 different states! I'm now back to swimming, biking, & running for the past 3 weeks.  I am aiming to try to not do any exercise on Sunday or at least most Sundays.  I'm sure there will still be beautiful Sunday afternoons that I will want to get on my bike and ride.  However, I use to take off on Sundays before I started training for Augusta last year.  I want to have a complete down day to focus on God, reflect on my training progress, and REST.... maybe even a nap! LOL  I miss those days.  However, this will make me have to do a long run during the week to be able to do a long bike on Saturdays.  I'm praying about it and I know the good Lord will lead me in the right direction and right plan so that I can have Sunday off most weeks and also accomplish the training I need to do for my TRIs.  It's hard to do 3 sports and fit in all the training along with taking care of a house, family, job, etc.  You must find a balance that works for you.  That's what I'm aiming for! My balance. :>) 

Happy Training! 

PS... I should have taken my 15 min rest time during lunch because I'm SLEEPY (I so love shutting my door, turning off my lights, and closing my blinds at lunch most days!).  When I woke up this am at 4:30am to run it was raining so I went back to bed.  Now it's still raining so who knows if I'll get my run in today. grrrrrrrr

Dopey 48.6 / Walt Disney World / Time with MOM

WARNING....THIS MAY BE LONG... :<>)

It will be hard for me to post a short post and truly include all the things I want to remember about my Dopey trip with mom.  

Two years ago I was talking with another running friend who wanted to race at Disney.  We discussed signing up that year for the Goofy Challenge and then she decided it was not a good time for her.  The races at Disney can be very expensive.  So I ended up just doing the marathon that year.  I loved the Disney experience and said if any of my friends ever decided to do the Dopey challenge that I would go back and do it.  Well, the opportunity came around early in 2016.  Several of runners on the run team said they were planning to go back and asked if I wanted to join them.  Of course, I jumped on the opportunity.  It's much more fun doing a race that is a challenge with friends.  So we registered in April.  It was by far the most expensive race I've ever signed up to do! Just a mere $560 for registration! That doesn't include any travel cost.  I honestly don't see how the people I meet that said they have done Dopey multiple times can afford it.  LOL  

Anyway, most of the runners were all taking their family and making a vacation out of it so of course I asked my mom.  Well, first I asked my husband kind of hoping he might want to go on a trip with me, but we all know he doesn't like the race scene.  He even laughed when I asked him and said I better ask my mom.   So you know mom was excited.  She has went two other times with me to Disney and LOVES it.  

We all booked our rooms and I started saving.  I'm glad Disney will let you pay on your trip months in advance.  So by the time we left, everything was paid.  I had found us really cheap plane tickets a couple months before the trip and grabbed them.  You can't beat a direct flight!  Plus the magical Disney express picked us up at the airport and took us to our resort.  Then when it was time to return to airport, the resort printed our boarding passes, took our luggage directly from the room, and we rode the magical express back to the airport.  

It was wonderful.  No driving, no worrying about anything.  I love how Disney will take care of you.  The only time I had to drag a luggage was from the airport baggage pickup to the car.  AND boy that was AWFUL>  Mom did not have a rolling luggage and it sure was heavy.  

Notice the walmart bag...she actually thought she could pull the dang thing with that! ha

We fought over who was going to carry it.  LOL  I won.  But we were both ill then we just looked at each other and laughed.  It was just one of those mother / daughter moments I won't forget. I told her she was no longer my traveling partner until she got new luggage. :<>) 

So let me get to Dopey....  We arrive at Disney on Wednesday morning.  I as so very glad we had an early flight.  The expo opened at noon so we went straight there hoping we could get in and out quickly.  Well, no such luck!  One reason is that I had to go to guest relations to fix a problem.  I had registered mom for the 5K about 4 weeks before the race through my active account.  I did not notice to click the button that said I was registering someone other than myself.  So when I keyed in all her info, it updated my info with all her info! I didn't not notice it!  A week before the race, I noticed people posting their Dopey bib numbers. I asked where they got them and they gave me link to get mine.  Well, when I checked the link, it did not show me registered.  Instead it showed mom registered to do the Dopey.  ha!  We waited in line almost an hour before we got all that fixed.  

Luckily somehow Disney had printed my name on the bibs.  Whoooooo hoo! The lady had no idea how that had happen since her name was in system.  It didn't mater to me! I was happy that I didn't have to place a blank label over her name to write my name with the marker they had given us.  

So we both got or bibs and shirts.

I got a shirt for each race I would be running. 

 Then we wanted to look around in the expo.  There were signs showing the expo in another building from where you picked up your bib and shirts. So we headed over there to find another LONG, LONG line.  

If you've ever been to the ESPN sports center at Disney you know there are fields where they play sports there.  Well, the line wrapped around one field and one building before getting to the entrance of the expo.  I as so shocked!  I've ran the NY marathon which has 50,000 runners and never saw a line like this to get in the expo!! I almost left, but I really wanted to get me some Dopey souvenirs.  I knew this may be the only time I run this race so I was determined to get me a dang souvenir.  So we waited and waited! Finally we got in and it was so crowded and hot that I could barely breath.  We rushed and I grabbed me a car magnet and a wine glass.  

They had some nice Dopey jackets, but really I was too hot to try one on.  LOL 

By the time we got back to our room it was nearly 4pm! I felt like I had been on my feet for 24 hours.  We quickly put our stuff up and headed to Disney Springs to find supper.  I knew we had to get in the bed early and I needed to get off my feet asap.  I was amazed how they have changed what use to be Downtown Disney to what is now Disney Springs.  Boy it's nice!  We were starving and stopped and the first place we saw that looked nice.  We ate at the Boathouse.  We had the perfect seats!

Right after we got set down our waiter came over and told us to be on the watch because there was a drone show in 15 minutes.  Our table was right out by the deck area.  We could see the lake perfectly and he said the drones would come right up to the restaurant.  He was right.  It as so cool.  There were a ton of them.  They formed different shapes in the sky with their lights.  People started rushing on the deck to see them once the show started so I was so glad mom and I had a high top table and we just sat there enjoying the view.  

Race Day 1 - 5K ...  this was the only race of the week that started at 6am.  However, we had to be on the resort bus no later than 4:30am to go to the start corrals at Epcot.  I was so thrilled that I was going to be able to walk with mom.  Earlier in the week I thought I wasn't going to be able to because the Dopey runners had to maintain a certain pace for all their races to be considered a Dopey.  I found out right before we left that the 5K had no limit.  So I could walk with her.   One of my runner friends even called Disney to ask.  Her mom was going with her and we both were worried about our Dopey status if we walked with our moms.  

It was a good morning.  Mom was excited to walk at Disney in a 5K.  We had a blast and we crossed the finish line together.   Never in a million years would I have dreamt that I would be doing a 5K with my mom at Disney! LOVE!!!

We ended up spending the rest of the day at Epcot.

 I just LOVE walking around the worlds.  I did the wine walk also.  So cool to test wine from different places.  

It was a nice day with awesome weather.  I didn't have us a full schedule like I've done in years past where we rush from fast pass to fast pass to try to do everything.  We had decided since I was running 4 races for 4 days that this trip to Disney would be just for leisure.  :>)  We did ride Soarin and it was amazing.  I think they may of changed a few things because I don't remember a whale jumping out before, but maybe it did.  

It's amazing... You are just like the pic..feet dangling and riding over so many different things.  At times it looks like you are going to crash right into a mountain and then you'll soar over.  It's a must at Epcot!

We ended the night eating at Teppan (hibachi) at Epcot.  The food was very good.  Then of course we stayed for the water show with fireworks.  Mom almost had to take out a few people trying to get her seat that we had been saving for over an hour so we would be right up at the water for a front row seat.  You don't mess with that woman when she's determined. ha  The show is AMAZING. 

Race Day 2 - 10K .. another early morning.  The rest of the races started at 5:30am.  I had to be on the resort bus no later than 4am to travel to the start corral at Epcot.  Today I was meeting my running friends.  We were all going to run together.  We all dressed as Minnnie.

Not sure why my eyes are closed.. ha

 It was cool waiting to start, but when we started running we warmed up fast.  We ran a tad faster than we intended, but we all felt good.  I think we were all excited.  It was a quick 6.2 miles and we were done.  

Everyone had their own plans with their family so we said we'd see each other the next day for the half.  

Mom and I spent the day at Magic Kingdom after the 10K. 

I had reserved us a lunch reservation at Be our Guest months in advance.  It's the new smaller castle at Disney.  You know... Beauty and the Beast.. Be out Guest. :>)   It is truly beautiful inside.  Our food was fast and very good.

The "Grey" stuff... soon good!

  It was so nice to sit inside and relax.  It was HOT this day.  

Dumbo Ride

We did ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train too.  Love this ride.  

Mom had told me she wasn't interested in doing any of the fast / wild rides this trip.  In the past I had made her get on every ride. ha   So we walked around the park, saw a parade, a show in front of the Castle and ate a Dole Whip!.  

You've got to try the pineapple ice cream if you go.  It's wonderful!  We were happy to get inside to see the country bears where it was cool and I was thrilled to get off my feet for a little while.   We grabbed a spot for the fireworks early and parked ourselves for about 2 hours.  Yes, people start staking out their spots to watch the fireworks at the Castle hours before the show! You want to be in a good spot.  It's amazing.   The Castle changes colors and they put on a wonderful laser show before the fireworks.

 Oh and of course Tinker Bell flies down from the tower of the Castle. LOVE!~  

So we are sitting there waiting and Penny texts me.  I had been watching the weather because it was calling for 100% rain on Saturday..the half day! We had all discussed how we were going to stay dry while running the half marathon.  Well, when Penny text me she sent me a picture of a Disney email saying the half marathon was canceled due to weather.  I could hardly believe it.  I just sat there in shock.  You'd thought someone had died by the look on my face.  I told her I had not even checked my email.  The weather was calling for bad lightening early in the morning on Saturday.  The exact time when we would all be loading the bus and going to our corrals.  Disney had decided for the safety of the volunteers and runners to cancel the half.   I wondered why they just didn't postpone the start time.  But I feel that one of the reasons they start the races so early is so they can get them over fairly early.  The races run through the parks.  You can only imagine how crowded the parks are already without runners so just imagine a ton of runners trying to run through while all the vacationers are trying to enjoy the parks.  ha  

We had this in our room when we checked in... they were expecting a crowd.. no wonder everything was so very crowded!

I was so sad.  I kept thinking, I've paid all this money, trained for months and now I will not be a true Dopey because they canceled the half.  I started looking at the Facebook Dopey page to see what people were saying and saw that several were making plans to still run 13.1 on Saturday after the weather cleared.  I told mom that I had to do that also.  I think she thought I was crazy especially after I had just read her an email where Disney said they would still give us our medals.  Now you know me.... I didn't want that medal unless I earn it.  So our group made a plan to meet some of the other Dopey runners and do our 13.1 on Saturday also! The only problem was we were at different resorts so we didn't know how we could get together.  I would have to take the bus to a park and then take another bus back to their resort to get to them.  So we all just decided to run at our own resorts with the runners that were running there and maybe cross paths.  My resort runners were meeting up at 7am to check weather and if no lightening we would run then.  

This was the group I meet in my resort lobby on Saturday morning. 

Race day 3 - Half Marathon.  I woke up at 3am thinking it was time to get ready only to hear the loud thunder, rain and lightening.  Boy I was glad Disney had canceled the half.  I tossed and turned in the bed and finally got up at 5:30am.  The rain had stopped.  I got dressed and headed to the lobby of the resort to see what runners were actually going to be there.  I did not know any of them.  I had only seen them posting on the fb page so I was a tad concerned on what pace they might all be running.  I had planned to really take the half easy since we had a full marathon to run the next day.  The group I meet was a lovely group of people.  Some newbie runners and a couple that had done Dopey several times.  They all made me feel right at home.  We headed out and after about mile 1 we kind of all settled in with the runners who were the same pace.  I ended up running with 3 women and 1 guy.  Two of the women (Michelle and Heidi) grew up coming to Disney every year with their families on vacation.  If you wanted to know anything about Disney, they could tell you.  They had also done Dopey several times.  I really enjoyed listening to them talk.  The other lady was a few years older than me.  She had done several marathons.  Her and her 2nd husband had recently gotten married at Disney.  She said they were still honeymooning... ha  The guy was in his 40s and a new runner.  He was doing intervals.  I talked to him about my interval running and how it had helped me.  A really big rain cloud blew up along with a massive downpour.  We quickly ran to find cover at Coronado Springs.  

We waited out the rain and then started up again.  Some at our resort had decided to just run the 1 mile loop around our resort 13 times.  We had decided to venture out as long as we had a sidewalk to run.  We ran around All star movies, sports, music, over to Coronado Springs, and the parking lot at blizzard beach.  

I was amazed at how many were out getting their 13.1 miles in that morning.  Even non runners started coming out and bringing us water and donuts while cheering us on.  It was truly an amazing half marathon! We all high five each other as we past each other while offering words of encouragement.  I'v always said that runners are truly different.  So encouraging!

These were on the sidewalks in several places so I had to grab a picture!

Soon we were done with our 13.1 miles.  I was so thrilled to get mine in! Us girls grabbed a picture in the resort lobby by the Disney sign that said the half was canceled and then we on to enjoy our day. 

Notice the sign that says the half is canceled. 

Mom and I went to Animal Kingdom.  It as 71 degrees that morning when running the 13.1 miles, but the temp quickly kept dropping.  By the time we got to Animal Kingdom it was 50 and still drizzly rain off and on.  It was cold and wet.  I really didn't know if we would enjoy the day or not.

 Everyone was in ponchos trying to stay dry and warm.  We did end up doing several of mom's favorites.. we saw the birds in fight, Bugs life, Lion King,

and something we had never seen before... the tree of life came to life at night!

You've got to see the show on the tree! AMAZING!

It was amazing.  I'm so glad we had not left the park.  I'm not sure if this is something new or if I'm just always gone by the time this show starts.  It's so cool how they animals that are craved in the tree come to life.  We just stood there in amazement.  Disney really does some of the coolest things. We grabbed food at the Rainforest Cafe and headed back to the room for me to get in the bed.  Big day the next day.... 

Race Day 4 - MARATHON and final challenge of the Dopey Challenge.  The weather had continued to drop during the night.  It was 30 degrees with wind at 15-20 mph! If there had been no wind it would have been ok at 30 degrees.  But the wind was just AWFUL! People were shivering when we got off the bus at the corrals at 4am.  It was going to be a long wait till 5:30am start time and due to the corral we were in, we knew it would be around 6:30 am before we started probably.  I was in corral F and I believe Penny was also.  Most of the others were in J.  The corral police would not let them move up in corrals so we all ended up in J.  I'm not sure how many corrals they were but I do know one of the girls at my resort as in corral MM.  There was tons of people in each corral so Disney started each one a couple minutes apart.  We ended up standing in a merchandise tent for awhile staying warm until several of us had to go to the bathroom.

Notice the hat...this is the first marathon that I started with a hat and finished with it! It was a cold day!

 Once we left the tent, we were not able to go back.  We waited in line at the Porty potties shivering until we made it to the corral.  Once in the corral we gathered in a circle to use our body heat to stay warm.  Two girls that were not part of our group had started talking to several in the group so we invited them in our circle.  One of them ended up running the whole marathon with us.  The other one left us once the race started.  She preferred running alone.  

One of the few times we were not crowded by tons of walkers/joggers.  Most of the time we had to run single file.

I was so glad we had all dressed in layers!  We saw so many that were not dressed in layers and they were shivering so badly.  One girl even had on nothing but a sports bra type thing and shorts.  She was so cold.  I kept thinking these people must be new runners cause most runners know to dress in layers so you can take off once you warm up.  I will say that even though I was in layers, I was still very cold.  I was actually worried about the energy my body was using to keep warm before the race.  I wondered if I'd have enough energy to finish 26.2 miles.  By this day I was tired. I could tell that I had only slept 3-4 hours for several nights and been on my feet for hours every day.  I was ready to get the 26.2 miles over with however, I still had excitement inside me.  I couldn't wait to get that Dopey medal.  

Finally our corral started.  It was still dark.  We saw the beautiful sunrise with a couple miles.  All seven us of stayed together.  It was so very crowded especially when we started out.  They had most streets with just one lane for the runners to run down.  Just imagine several thousand runners going down a one lane road! We gave each other a number and did roll call several times during the race.  I was #4.  A couple times other runners would join in with us and continue counting.  It was funny.  The miles seemed to just fly by.  It's so much fun running with a group for something like a marathon.  Right before we entered Animal Kingdom, Penny and Michelle started talking about stopping to ride the roll-a-coaster.  At first I couldn't believe we were going to do that.  It was a thrill darting off the running path and into the line to ride.  We quickly got on and rode.

Somehow I even got a picture from the ride! I guess those magic bands really work good. 

 I had forgotten how rough Mount Everest ride is until then! It's a fun ride, but it jerks too.  I had to really hold on trying to make sure it didn't jerk my neck too bad.  I did a live video post after I rode while waiting on others to ride.  :>) 

We were half way into the marathon by now.  Andres, who was from Mexico and running with us was stopping at every mile marker to take pictures.  It was her 2nd marathon.  Come to find out, she ran NY the same year I did and was in a corral time very close to mine.  We both talked about how we loved NY marathon.  

At the Castle as we ran through Magic Kingdom.

We didn't rush.  Anytime someone wanted to stop and take pictures, go to bathroom, or ride a ride, we stopped.  The feeling when we entered back into Epcot at mile 25 was AMAZING!  

You run the last mile around the world showcase to finish.  People in the park were lined around the streets cheering you on.  It was such a good feeling.  I had thought I'd probably cry when I finished, but instead I was smiling ear to ear.  We really had a blast doing the marathon.  It was by far the longest marathon I've ever done.  I think our finish time was 6:24.  Two years earlier I had ran the marathon there in 5 hours.  LOL  But I wouldn't trade all the fun we had for nothing! 

When we crossed the finish line they ushered the Dopey runners to the right.  It was so cool.  They had a person holding our marathon medal, then our half medal, then our goofy medal, and then a person holding our Dopey medal! You just walked right through and they put each medal around your neck.  and Boy the medals were heavy. LOL  

I had texted mom right before we came back into Epcot to tell her we were about finished. I had told her to go to whatever park she wanted to and enjoy the day because I know we would be a long time finishing the marathon.  She texted me back and told me she was waiting at the finish line. :>)  I soon found her and guess what?? She brought me the cutest stuffed dopey!  THANK YOU MOM!

He's so dang cute!! 

We grabbed a picture and then we were all ready for a hot shower and FOOD!  Notice I had put back on my sweatshirt that I originally planned to thrash after I got hot.  So glad I saved it because it was cold standing there at the finish line.  Of course we got our little run Disney box of food, but we all wanted some GOOD FOOD... and lots of it.  I was starving.  

Inside our Disney Run Box

Mom and I ended up back at Magic Kingdom.  

That is our favorite park.  We ate at the Crystal Palace and saw several characters.  I had forgot that is where Winnie the Pooh and his crew are normally.  Mom loved seeing them again.  After we ate we walked down to see Mickey.  I had brought all my medals so we could get a picture with all of them at Disney.  Two years ago when I ran the marathon, I saw several people with all their Dopey medals at the park taking pictures and I had told mom that I wanted to do that one day.  Little did I know it would be just two years later.  Mickey was so cool and had to look at each of my medals.  

We got some cool pictures and then decided we wanted to see the fireworks one more time.  Because it was still very cold outside people were not quite yet sitting waiting on fireworks.  I had brought my backpack with 2 blankets in it so me and mom found another great seat and wrapped up.  It was so sweet being wrapped up with my mom.  We talked about what a wonderful time we had each day.  Yes, we were both dog tired, but there is no other way to do Disney. My apple watch that I wear when not running said we had walked 29.65 miles while at the parks.  That's not counting my 48.6 race miles.. her here I told her since our flight was not till Monday night she could pick what park she wanted to go back to on Monday or we could go back to Disney Springs and see it in the daylight.  She decided we would go to Disney Springs and do a little shopping and have lunch before catching our magical express back airport at 3:45pm.   It was a beautiful day.  Much warmer than Saturday.

I

Yes, they still had Christmas decorations all over.  I was surprised because 2 years ago the same weekend I didn't remember that much of the Christmas stuff still being up. 

 I was not feeling too good though.  I told mom I felt like I was getting sick.  My sinuses were draining like crazy.   I just felt very tired.  I'm sure dong the 48.6 miles in 4 days along with walking the parks each day with no sleep was starting to take a toll on my body.  I was ready to be home and in my bed. 

The airport was so crowded.  We saw so many runners.  Several were still wearing a medal or two around their necks and a few limping.  As for me, mine were carefully packed inside socks in my bag so they wouldn't get scratched.  When we started flying, my ears felt like they were going to explode.  I so wished I had grabbed me a pair of earphanes!  Mom even said her ears were hurting.  I was oh so happy to finally be on the ground in New Orleans, but wasn't looking forward to driving home!  I finally made it home around 11pm and sure wasn't looking forward to work the next day.  

All week, I was extremely tired.  I could barely wake myself up at 6am each morning to get ready for work.  I did not run a single day.  I did nothing.  After work I came straight home and crashed.  Today (Saturday) is the first day that I'm finally starting to feel normal.  My sinuses are better and I did a light 3 mile run this am with Troy.  He was so excited when he saw me put on my shoes.  

So that's a wrap for Dopey and Disney!  Would I do it again? YES Anytime soon? NO ha   I need a few years to rest up for that again.  It was really fun and easier than I thought.  Maybe if I had run hard it wouldn't have been or maybe if I didn't have those 6 friends who I ran with on the marathon it would have been harder... Who knows... All I know is I'm officially Dopey!  :<>)  Oh yes, there was much debate on fb about whether or not you were dopey since the half was canceled.  I think each person has to think for themselves on that one.  I did run the 13.1 on the day the half was supposed to be so for me... I am DOPEY! :>)

Looking forward to another adventure with mom in the future. BUT ONLY IF SHE GETS NEW LUGGAGE>> hee hee 


MUAH, D

Don't be afraid to go after your dreams! I'm now a marathon maniac! 3 marathons within 90 days!