Sunday was the big day of the Dopey Challenge -- the Walt Disney World Marathon. It's a journey through all 4 of the theme parks plus the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The day started like all the other days with a very early morning.
It always strikes me a little ironic that on the last morning of the Dopey Challenge runners have only completed 22.4 of the 48.6 miles -- not even half. You don't even reach the halfway point until you start the marathon.
This was the warmest morning of them all with temperatures in the upper 50's. What I didn't enjoy was that the humidity throughout the race was 90+% (that's Florida). Once I started sweating it just got worse from there. I was already soaked by the halfway point and towards the end I was just ready to be done.
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Ready for the longest race of the weekend |
The race itself went well. I was able to take my GU after miles 7 and 14 and I sipped on water from the regular aid stations. I didn't feel like my stomach wanted my final GU at mile 20 which probably slowed me down a little in the end. Regardless, I still finished faster than this year's Chicago Marathon time and so it was a better Boston Qualifying time for me for 2020.
I knew with the humidity that it was going to be a little rough, so I was determined to have as much fun as I could. Last year I think I stopped 18 times for pictures. I lost count this year, but I know I stopped at least 16 times. After starting outside Epcot, the first park we got to was Magic Kingdom.
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Had to stop for Gamora! |
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The Evil Queen and Dr. Facilier |
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I like this one with Woody and Jesse |
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Still feeling strong at the castle! |
The first part of the marathon course is essentially the same as the half marathon. It splits a little while after leaving the Magic Kingdom when you head to Animal Kingdom instead of back to Epcot.
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Still smiling for the camera in Animal Kingdom! |
You cross the halfway point in Animal Kingdom. From there, I start counting down the miles to the finish. After leaving Animal Kingdom around mile 14, you finally reach ESPN around mile 17.5. You spend 3 miles running around ESPN, including running around the track and running around the field in the baseball stadium. It's a long stretch, but there are always lots of characters here.
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Pluto was just before ESPN |
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Goofy is always on the track |
Once I left ESPN, I knew it's less than a 10K to go until the end. They gave out cold, wet sponges in ESPN which felt wonderful considering how sweaty and gross I was. You enter Hollywood Studios for a run up Sunset Boulevard and out the front before making your way along the path to the Boardwalk resorts. I ran this path so many times in the past couple years, I knew exactly what to expect. When I entered the World Showcase of Epcot around mile 25, I knew it was almost over. I honestly didn't care how fast or slow I went at that point -- I wanted to just keep running to the end.
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Snow White in Germany -- less than a mile left |
And then it was the last stretch. I passed by the Epcot globe and then the big gospel choir singing just before the final turns. When I saw that finish line, there are no words to describe the feeling.
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High fives from Chip and Dale! |
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Officially a Dopey Finisher (again)! |
It is an overwhelming, emotional moment crossing the finish line of a marathon. Completing the Dopey Challenge only heightens those emotions. I think it's the lack of sleep and all the running over the four days and knowing you stepped up and met the challenge -- it's absolutely amazing. I got teary getting my medals and I needed a minute to get myself together for my finisher photo.
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I DID IT! |
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Celebrating with Mickey... |
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...and of course with Dopey! |
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Showing off the medals! |
I wasn't sure I would do Dopey again after this year -- and then I came and did it and remembered all the reasons I love it and runDisney. Once I got home, I recapped the whole experience of running Dopey for a second time for Chicago Athlete. You can read my article
here. I have to say that I think it is one of my best articles to date -- probably because the whole experience resonates on such an emotional level with me. So am I thinking about how to fit Dopey 2020 into my plans? Of course!