Building up confidence AFTER signing up for a race challange: AKA Goofy Challenge

 
Today's Tuesdays on the Run is about hitting that wall. As far as distance running goes, I've run several 10K's, an 11K, and a few half marathons and so far, I have never hit that "wall" that everyone talks about. However, I think I am about to hit that "mental Wall".
 
As you know, my sister and I have both signed up for the Goofy Challenge at Disney World in 2015. For those who don't know, the Goofy Challenge is a half marathon on Saturday and the full marathon on Sunday. This is something that I would expect Lacey to do ( and to be honest it probably wouldn't even be much of a challenge for her). But for me, competing a half marathon is a big deal, so of course completing a full marathon is a much BIGGER deal, and doing that after already running a half marathon the day before makes me wonder what I was thinking when I signed up for this!
 
I'm pretty certain that as far as Full Marathons are concerned, this is a one and done deal for me ( I know never say never, but I'm pretty sure).   I know this sounds silly, but I worry that in someway doing the "challenge" will reduce the excitement I feel about completing the Marathon on its own.
Although I've signed up for the challenge, I have been contemplating forfeiting the half and just running a strong race on marathon day. Of course this would mean not getting those two extra medals.
 
I'm glad I have my sister here to always talk things through with me. After quickly telling me to " Suck it up buttercup and just do it," some other sisterly advice came from this marathon runner.
 
You spent a lot of money to enter this race. You are going to finish regardless of what obstacles come along your way. You didn't spend that much  money to not get what you wanted out of it in the end. ( do the challenge)
 
*Remember, you have done a challenge before ( on a smaller scale), when you completed the Glass Slipper Challenge and you were even injured during that race weekend.
 
*Just go at a nice and easy pace and feel comfortable. You want to finish feeling good, not like you never want to do this again. 
 
*Run when you can, walk when you need to, crawl if you have to but never give up.
 
As you know, I ran the RNR VA Beach last month. That was kind of like a redeeming run for me since I ran the Princess half injured. Even though I took it slow due to fear ( fear of bringing back an injury), I still finished strong and I was not completely sore afterwards. This was a big confidence booster to me! And to think I wasn't even planning on running VA Beach. I am now glad that I ran that race so I could prove to myself that I can do at least that much!
 
Another thing that keeps me going is the fact that this race is at DISNEY. It will be a fun 26.2 miles, even if I have to walk half of them. I was prepared to run one of the most difficult marathon courses in the country last Spring ( Big Sur Marathon), before I got injured. For sure I can hobble my way through Lake Buena Vista if I had to, right?
 
 
Do I think it was a smart idea to do my first marathon in conjunction with the half marathon? Probably not.  But on the other hand, my training has been going very well. I took off a few days to rest after running VA Beach, but I picked right back up in the training schedule. In fact, my speed has even increased on some of my shorter runs.
 
So tell me, Are you doing your first marathon as part of a challenge? What advice would you give me for when I start being fearful for what I am about to do?
 
                           Thank you to April, Patty, and Erika for hosting Tuesdays on the Run.
 

40 comments:

  1. You'll be stronger in January then you think you will be, Meranda. While completing your first marathon as part of Goofy Challenge may not be advised by Jeff Galloway, plenty of runners have done it. Heck, many runners ran their first marathon as part of Dopey last year! I know that you'll be able to do it, and you'll have Lacey by your side to celebrate what will be an incredible accomplishment!

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    1. Yes, since it will be Lacey's first Goofy too, it will be an accomplishment for the both of us!

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  2. The Goofy challenge is quite an undertaking for sure. Only crazy people do that right?! I would approach it with a goal to complete it and throw all time goals out the window. Can't wait to hear about it!

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    1. You are right on! At least that's how I am going to approach it!

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  3. I was soooo tempted to sign-up for Goofy, but just stuck with the marathon. I think that as long as your don't push your body too hard during either races that you will be just fine : )

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    1. I should have resisted the urge to sign up for it and just did the marathon like you. O well, they don't call it a challenge for nothing!

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  4. Maybe you don't know this but I was 59 when I did Goofy Challenge and it was my first marathon. You are definitely able to do this but be sure to put in the training. There are quite a few runners that sign up for the challenges and don't do the work and are miserable. You will have an absolute blast that weekend and Lacey will be there to celebrate with you!

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    1. I did not know that Goofy was your first marathon. If you did that back in 2013, Lacey was running that marathon as well!

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  5. I am right there with you. My first marathon will be the same as yours, the Mickey, but instead if the Goofy challenge, I am crazy enough to do the Dopey. Take it easy on the half, and do your best for the full. I will be doing intervals, and you can join me if Lacey wants to fly! We can do this!

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    1. I did not realize that Dopey was your first marathon! That is a huge undertaking too! Thanks for the offer!

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  6. I am right there with you. My first marathon will be the same as yours, the Mickey, but instead if the Goofy challenge, I am crazy enough to do the Dopey. Take it easy on the half, and do your best for the full. I will be doing intervals, and you can join me if Lacey wants to fly! We can do this!

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  7. Wow that is an awesome goal! It sounds like your training is going well and you will be able to do it! And then how awesome will it be to be able to tell everyone that you ran your first marathon the day after running a half?!

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    1. Training is going well so far! I hope it continues that way!

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  8. Girllll... you know I'm right there with you. Can Lacey be my cheerleader too?

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  9. I am right there with you. My first marathon will be the same as yours, the Mickey, but instead if the Goofy challenge, I am crazy enough to do the Dopey. Take it easy on the half, and do your best for the full. I will be doing intervals, and you can join me if Lacey wants to fly! We can do this!

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  10. You can do it! There are all sorts of strategies, but it's Disney, just have fun.

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    1. Yes! I know I would have never signed up for this if it was some place other than disney!

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  11. I don't think you should be fearful as long as you train correctly. I would train different than if I were just running a full. I am thinking back to back runs- a mid distance run on Saturday and then the long run Sunday. Are you doing something special to train for the back to back aspect of this?

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    1. Yup! There are definitely some back to back runs built in to the training plan!

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    2. Then you should feel totally prepared for the challenge! And what FUN races to be doing.

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  12. Personally I think you will be fine. The excitement of the weekend and having family there to support you will get you through this. Take the first day really easy and then if you feel good on marathon day you can push a little. You got this!

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  13. I think that if you don't "race" them both, you will be fine. What's the saying...if your goals don't scare you they aren't big enough? I think that is appropriate here. This is a HUGE undertaking but nothing that you are not capable of with proper training. And the end goal is always to have fun and enjoy the ride!!

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    1. Thanks Sara! I will be remembering this as I am at mile 19!

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  14. I did my first marathon knowing I wanted to sign up for Dopey in January. I figured if I could train properly and get through a full strong then I'd have the confidence going into training for Dopey. My husband, however, is also doing Dopey and it will be his 2nd half and 1st full. I wasn't sure how he'd handle training but so far, he's really doing amazing! I know you can pull through the Goofy challenge strong! Just as Lacey said, run when you want to, walk when you need to!!

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    1. That is so wonderful that you and your husband are doing Dopey together. Does he have any fears? ( that he would admit?)

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  15. I think you are crazy! At the same time I totally admire what you are doing. You know you will still beat me to the finish line! So just suck it up, buttercup! ;)
    @heatherlas

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  16. Lacey is wise! I'm doing the WDW full as my first marathon, but not as part of a challenge. It's mostly because when I registered, my running/training was going pretty pathetically and I knew I was going to have a heck of a time convincing my husband (and also motivator) to do a full, let alone do it as part of a challenge.
    I don't really have any advice, but I know you can do it!

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    1. I think YOU are wise for only doing the marathon! You will do great and finish strong for sure!

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  17. I try to remember that exact thing - if I have to walk, crawl, stop for a minute, its OK.. its about finishing.. no one really cares about the time except you.

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    1. I don't care if I have to walk but if I have to crawl that means I am probably injured and I think that is what I am fearful about!

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  18. I was supposed to run the NYC Marathon in 2012 and then tackle Goofy and be done with marathons. The NYC marathon was canceled, so my first marathon was part of Goofy.

    I finished and so will you! The thing that really helped me was running the half incredibly slowly. I mean, REALLY slowly. Afterward, I iced every joint in my legs. We only did a little bit of park time after the half and mainly did attractions like shows that involved sitting. I brought my roller stick into the park with me and stretched constantly. My legs felt great the morning of the marathon and I didn't start to feel any strain until after mile 13 of the full.

    Just go slowly for the half. You'll be happy you did! You can do it.

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  19. My best an only real advice I give people who are about to attempt their first marathon is, it all comes down to what you believe. If you believe you will finish you will, if you don't believe then you might or might have problems. Your training for these two races, which means you'll be doing lots and lots of back to back longer training runs to prepare. In other words, you'll be trained, you just need to start training your brain that you WILL finish! And I guarantee, no matter the problems or tiredness, you'll get that finish!!! Like the saying, it won't be easy, but it will be worth it!

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  20. Listen to your sister! Trust your training! Do your very best and I bet you'll have a great experience. :)

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  21. I also have only done 2 halfs & am contemplating doing a full. The idea of just a full boggles my mind, so I cannot imagine doing a half the day before! So I loved this post & all the comments. The motivation & inspiration is incredible! I'm now convinced that you can totally do it...I just need to apply that attitude to myself!

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  22. OMG, so jealous. I've never done a Disney run, and to be honest don't get why all of the Disney fanatics get so excited, but this is one that I would love to do!

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  23. You can do it! Put in your training, take your time and you'll finish. Let the Disney magic carry you.

    And its an anniversary year, so its extra special bling, so no choice but to finish.

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  24. Great post. I am doing Dopey, and it will be my first marathon. I am always doubting and regretting my decision to register for such a grand challenge, but with training and building up both mental and physical endurance, I know it can be done. I don't care if I walk the entirety of the 4 races (though I hope I don't have to), as long as I have a quick enough pace to not get picked up ;) Know that you put in the training, it's going well, and have confidence!

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