Why was I Dopey?

If you had told me a year ago that I would run a marathon in the next year I probably would have laughed at you and said you were crazy. I mean why in the world would I want to run a marathon? A half-marathon maybe but a marathon? Yea, right! And yet here I am on January 20, 2014 having already run a half-marathon and a marathon. Both things that I had never done before. This prompted me to think about why I decided to sign up for the Dopey Challenge and run a marathon when I've never had a desire to do one.

Why I signed up for the Dopey Challenge:
1. It included two inaugural events (10K and Dopey Challenge) and lots of shiny medals, both of which I am a sucker for. I mean just look at all the bling I got! 

2. My friends are very persuasive and once you do one runDisney event you want to do many many more. They are just that much fun!

3. When I registered last spring I was unsure if I would still be in Florida and figured it was a solid way to make sure I would be able to go back and visit. This plan seems to have worked because I got to visit my friends and have wonderful amounts of fun!

4. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this. No matter what else was happening in my life I could complete the Dopey Challenge and live to tell about it. And guess what... I DID!! I have never felt better about myself than I did the day after completing the marathon. I was on cloud 9! (At least when I could get out of bed.)

The Dopey Challenge was one of the most reckless un-thought out things I have ever done and though I'm not sure I will be signing up for next year's (unless I get talked into it again) I am glad that I did it this year. I would not trade the feeling of holding that medal and being able to do this with one of my best friends for anything. Thanks for pushing me to be great Elena!

xoxo
-B

P.S. The picture of my friend and I was taken after dinner outside the restaurant. It should have taken us 5 minutes to walk from our hotel room to the restaurant.... it took us 10. C'est la vie. 

Dopey Challenge Finish!!

Well everyone.... I did it!!!!!

5K Finishers!

10K Finishers!

Start of the Marathon!

Fireworks to start every corral.

All of my Medals!!!

 
I completed the Dopey Challenge!! I want to thank everyone for their support and good thoughts for me. 

5K - 48:59
10K - 1:37:51
1/2 Marathon - 3:14:30
Marathon - 6:38:57

Other than blisters everything is just sore. I think I got off pretty good overall. I didn't pull anything or do any other sort of damage...to my knowledge. 

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend!

xoxo
-B

Running = Blisters

Total: 46 miles!!!

Saturday: 11 m

Sunday: Cross-training

Monday: Rest

Tuesday:Sick

Wednesday: Sick

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 3 m

Saturday: 8 m

Sunday: Rest

Monday: 11 m

Tuesday: 5 m

Wednesday: 8 m

Wow it's been a long week! There were moments I thought I would die.. and I've got a couple of blisters to prove that fact. However, I made it through!! I even managed to follow my training plan for two whole weeks (minus my two sick days). This is what I am most proud of. Also the fact that I went 46 miles!! I still cannot believe that. I must have recounted my mileage about 6 or 7 times to make sure I got it correct. Most of it might have been walking or a job but I do not care. All I care is that I made it in one piece and that it is preparing me for the Dopey Challenge in January. Mini-motivators seem to be what works for me. I'm so glad I found my groove.  

By the way blisters seem to be my problem no matter what I do. I've gotten the double socks that guarantee no blisters, I've worn bandaids, and I've used gel and glidesticks. I'm at a loss of what to do about them. Any pointers?

Happy Travels!

-B

How do you handle blisters? Or exercise caused stiffness? 

Ouch! or The Post Where I Start My Training

Total: 16 miles
Tuesday: 4 miles
Wednesday: 8 miles
Thursday: 4 miles
Friday: Rest (thank goodness)

I have stuck to my training plan for the Dopey Challenge for three whole days!!!! I am so freaking excited I cannot contain myself! (I am completely serious. I mean I have told strangers at work that I ran 8 miles.) It might not seem like a lot to some people but to me this is a big deal. I am not very efficient at following plans like this unless someone is making me or I have mini motivators. Well... I have both. My mom is holding me accountable for my training plan and believe me she means business. Hi mom! I do not hear the end of it when I miss a run and have been getting a lot of flack for not following it for the last month or so. I finally grew tired of it and decided I should probably follow my plan. It has been a little rough but over all I feel great about it. Though, I might be a little sore (note a lot).

Want to see what I'm working towards right now? It's pretty awesome! (At least I think so.)

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This beauty is an REI Airflyte Hybrid Jacket. The body is insulated while the sleeves give room for movement. And the best part? It's on sale!!! Yes I realize that at $68 that is still expensive but compared to the original $99 it's a definite discount (but it's so comfy). And this little babe will be mine in only 2 more weeks. I can't wait!

In other news I have started Jen Lancaster's Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big; Or, Why Pie Is Not the Answer. Let me tell you it is just as good as the first two in her memoir series and I cannot wait to finish it!

How was your week? Any exciting plans for the weekend? I'm going to run 12 miles and hopefully go to a Sherlock Holmes Exhibit. 

-B

Remember the Dopey?

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Remember that run that I signed up for? The one that's going to kill me in January if I don't get my ass in gear?  What!? You don't remember?

...

That's alright I barely remember it either. Which means the time has come for my running to become serious.. I mean really serious. I am officially a week behind according to the training schedule that they provide for the Dopey Challenge. My hard core training starts tomorrow. I've decided that instead of running on the roads surrounding my parents house I'm going to head down to one of the larger parks in town and do some trail running. It should be a good change of pace from the little running that I have been doing.  

Though I haven't been running as much as I should be I have been doing a bit of reading on it. I am still rather confused about fueling during longer runs but I am sure I will figure it out as my training gets more intense. I've also been warned that wearing the same pair of shoes throughout training can actually harm your run... maybe I should get a new pair of shoes? I'm not sure. I guess I'll see what lies ahead and continue to read and ask questions. 

I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer thus far and continues to enjoy the sunshine. 

xoxo
-B

P.S. Do you like the picture of Orange Bird running? I thought it was adorable and slightly fitting since I've been running away from my running.