I've done 3 races challenges so far: 2013 Goofy Challenge, 2013 Dumbo Double Dare and 2014 Glass Slipper Challenge. I did not enjoy a single one of these events.
Don't get me wrong, in theory, they sound amazing and fun. The problem is that if those challenges happen to fall on, say, a really hot race weekend, you have not one, but at least two miserable days of racing. Your chances of having crappy race weather is exponentially higher at Disney World than Disneyland, but Disnelyland Half Weekend's weather has been crappy for the last two years, so there you go.
Yesterday, I was feeling all bummed that I chose to only sign up for the half during Star Wars Weekend. I did this on purpose, but suddenly the fact that I was only doing one race that weekend had me all sad. Then I remembered how effing miserable I was during Glass Slipper Challenge and I figured I had made a good choice.
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| This was after the 10K at GSC. Do I look happy? |
I distinctly remember while running both of these races during GSC weekend that I had decided I was so over race challenges. Especially at Disney. You have to get up at 2 something in the morning multiple days in a row and be careful not to be on your feet too much at the parks.
But doing challenges gets you extra medals, shirts and bragging rights. It's gotten to the point where if you choose to participate in just one race, people start slipping into "you only did the half?" type of thinking. Myself included.
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| I mean, who doesn't want these beauties? |
As of right now, I don't have any half marathons on the calendar until Star Wars, and that will be my 20th half. I think I'd really like to get a shiny new PR for my 20th half rather than say I did the challenge. I don't feel particularly proud of the challenge accomplishments because I end up with mediocre performances for two races rather than just doing one and doing it well.
Someone please remind me I wrote this when I'm crying into my Cheerios (gluten free, of course) about only getting one medal and shirt. Remind me how much GSC sucked ass because I could literally see the humidity in the air. And how hard it was to do my first full the day after a half because I wanted to do Goofy.
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| Abby, Ronda and me after the WDW marathon. |
Finishing the full is still one of the coolest things I've ever done. The tears in the picture are more about becoming a marathoner than completing Goofy.
I'm not saying I'll never do another challenge, but for now, I'm done.
Posted with Blogsy
So you mean you ONLY did the GSC, you didn't do the 5K too? ( I kid of course).
ReplyDeleteI never thought the GSC was miserable, but I did think the RnR VA Beach was miserable and told myself that I was only going to do the 5K this year, but what did I do, I signed up for the half ( the challenge even).
I agree that challenges usually result in only mediocre performances. I have not participated in any Marathon weekend races yet ( only volunteered and watched my sister run), so next year I will be going Goofy. Of course I know there will not be a PR in my future that weekend, the goal will just be to get through it and finish. But now you are really scaring me. I don't want to be in tears when I am done...lol
I wouldn't worry one stupid bit about ONLY getting one medal. I tell you after next year I am done with the challenges. The only reason I am doing GSC next year is because my mom ONLY did the half this year and she wishes she would have done GSC. She was nice enough to run the entire half with me this year at MY pace and walked with me some when my injury got to much to bear. I feel I owe it to her and run a "good" race with her next year. After that, heck I may only do the 5K's and 10K's. You run that ONE race and you run it awesome! ~M
Don't be scared!! The only reason I cried after Goofy Challenge was because I was so excited to be a marathoner! It's definitely worth doing the challenges once or twice, but after that, it just seems exhausting! Best of luck at GSC- maybe you'll get better weather!
DeleteI could not agree more Jamie. While I participated in not only Goofy, Dumbo and GSC, I also added Dopey to that list. It was good to do them once, but the cost and extra medals is just not worth it to me. I raced the 10k during GSC, but ran my worst ever half, but have to admit it was tons of fun. However, one race per weekend for me now.
ReplyDeleteI was almost sucked into the inaugural Dopey after doing Goofy the year before, but honestly, I didn't regret missing it. It just seemed so exhausting!
DeleteDisney race weekends are still really fun, especially when I get to meet up with people I've met through blogging!
I know what my recovery is like from a full, so I'm very hesitant to take on Goofy, although I'm very curious about it. In theory, I can push myself thorough, but I'm not sure why I'd want to. I thought I'd do Dumbo at some point too, but the cost is just too ridiculous. I'm not really motivated by the third medal. I actually sold my Heavy Medals from the Rock and Roll series on ebay. It feels like a gift with purchase to me since I already earnined the medals for each race. I do like my coast to coast, though...
ReplyDeleteHonestly, if you're not really into the bling, I'd say just do the full. I'd like to go back and just do the full again one day...but not for awhile. NYCM might be the last marathon I do, lol!
DeleteI HATED Princess when I ran in 2013. But then I loved Tower of Terror in October 2013. I think for TOT it made a difference that the sun was setting, as opposed to rising for Princess. That said, I'd run TOT again but have ZERO desire to ever run a Disney World "morning" race because the only way I can see conditioning for that kind of humidity is to run in a steam room! For Tink 2014, my friend and I did the 10K and half, not a challenge but back to back. We really enjoyed it. We're looking forward to DDD!
ReplyDeleteI ran Princess in 2011 and had a pretty good time. GSC in 2014 was Craptastic on so many levels from the weather to the over crowding.
DeleteMarathon weekend in 2012 was really nice with great weather and I heard 2014 was great. I just happened to do Goofy the year they had the hottest temps in years. I won't lie- it was hideous. But I'd risk that weekend again. Princess- meh. I'm over Princess weekend.
Wine & Dine is on my list. Maybe 2015. I've heard it's great.
Not that I can talk AT ALL (I signed up for GSC again even though I swore off the whole damn weekend after last year's sh$tshow) I completely understand that sometimes it's not about RUNNINGALLTHERACES GETTINGALLTHEBLING- sometimes it's just nice to run one race and enjoy your trip. You're spending a hell of a lot of $$ to be miserable- WTF?! ESPECIALLY for a runDisney event.Ignore the peer pressure and do your own thing- you'll be a lot happier.
ReplyDeletePS- sorry about all the cussing ;)
Well, you know I love cussing! ;)
DeletePrincess was definitely a wreck this year. Maybe they'll make changes for next year.
It's really more about RUNALLTHERACES than the bling for me now- mainly because I did so many races so quickly that I wound up with lots of bling, but didn't take the time to enjoy the accomplishment. I keep them all on a hat rack and rarely look at them, so really, I shouldn't be upset about not getting them. I'm actually more upset about not getting all the shirts. Long sleeve tech shirts in women's sizing?! I want them all!!!
Where were you with all the wisdom when I was signing up for GSC again!?!!?! Fingers crossed it is better than last year. But after GSC I'm definitely back to one race per weekend.
ReplyDeleteHa! I'm pretty sure you, Abby and I were all in agreement around mile 11 that were OVER IT. Next time, I'll stage an intervention. ;)
DeleteI hear ya. I am a SUCKER for race challenges, and it's all about that damn extra bling...I just can't help myself! But, you're right, it definitely takes a toll on your body, and I have to be better about not giving into temptation, haha.
ReplyDeleteAnd it takes a toll on your wallet! I've never spectate a Disney race before, so it'll be fun to watch my friends during the 10K.
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