Getting Back to Business

731267-1049-0041sFirst, I want to apologize for being MIA for the past few days, and thank you all for your kind words and support with regards to the news I shared in my previous post. I really do appreciate all of your well wishes and words of encouragement, and they really have helped me a great deal in making this transition. I’m so incredibly grateful to be part of this community. So, thank you!

IMG_6948

I’d be lying if I said that my running has been a bit off schedule, at best. After taking on the Superhero Half Marathon last month as my third half over the course of six weeks, I decided I deserved a bit of a break. I was EXHAUSTED, and each race seemed to become a whole lot harder than the last. I’ve been keeping up maintenance runs — 3 miles here, 4 miles there — but my training plan has sort of fallen by the wayside.

However, my crazy half marathon streak did earn me acceptance as a Half Marathon Fanatic! Meet Half Fanatic #4358!734267_3145089682661_410711098_n(1)

Now I’m getting back to business, and have jumped right back on the training bandwagon to get my butt in shape for Dumbo Double Dare! I’m pretty much going to follow the same beginner plan as I did for the Princess Half Marathon (since we all know I don’t participate in runDisney races to set PRs), but I’m incorporating some back-to-back longer runs on Fridays and/or weekends to help gear up for running the 10k followed by a half.

As for cross training, I’m continuing with martial arts (Thai Kickboxing and Taekwondo) and cycling. I’m supposed to test for my gold belt (FINALLY) in Taekwondo this month!

Meanwhile, the thought of my impulsive decision to sign up for the Dopey Challenge is still looming over me. As thrilled as I am by the prospect of taking on my first full marathon — and, let’s be honest, scooping up so much runDisney bling in one weekend! — as the weeks pass, the thought of ramping up my training FOR REAL becomes more and more terrifying.

Deep down, I know this is something I can do. I know this is something I WANT to do. All I can do now is make a plan, get psyched, and hope my body cooperates when I begin my official training!

I also have to admit that I’m definitely toying with the idea of registering for the new Glass Slipper Challenge. Held on Princess Half Marathon weekend, the new challenge means I’d get to run the new Disney Enchanted 10K and the Princess Half Marathon (i.e. same idea as Dumbo Double Dare) in the same weekend. And, since the Princess Half was my fiHalfFanaticrst half marathon ever, I thought it would be pretty cool to make my triumphant return one year later to celebrate an anniversary, of sorts. It’s especially significant to me seeing as how I was CONVINCED that I’d never be able to finish my first 13.1!

But, of course, I realize it’s slightly INSANE to head to Disney World for for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in November, the Dopey Challenge in January, and the Glass Slipper Challenge in February. Or…is it? :-D

What’s everyone training for? For all of you Dumbo runners (that sounds rude, but, you know what I mean!), how are you training?

Comments

  1. kimmiepcft says:

    congrats and welcome to the HF (#3034 here!) we better get together sometime during Dopey!

  2. I am running in the Princess half in February my first half marathon, and the 5k Family Fun run Marathon weekend in Jan. These will be my first races (unless I reigster for something in between) and I will be starting to train as soon as I am cleared after surgery. You inspire me!

    • That is SO awesome! Thanks for reading, that’s so sweet of you to say. You will absolutely love the Princess Half; I couldn’t have asked for a better first half marathon experience! It’s such a blast.

      Best of luck to you with your surgery and your training, and I hope you’ll keep me posted on how you’re doing! :)

  3. Yay for being a fanatic! Marathon training is daunting for sure, but it is also so rewarding and fun! Just make sure you carve out time in your schedule on the weekend for a long run :)

    • Thanks so much, Amy! Haha, you can say that again…but it’s something I just HAVE to do! I will definitely have to make more than a few adjustments to my schedule, but I know it’ll be worth it. ;-D

  4. Congrats on your HF. I don’t know how y’all do that, my body definitely needs a break after each half.

  5. I just signed up for my first full marathon! So “training” started today, even though I’m really just building a solid base for a few weeks. The race isn’t till November, so I have plenty of time! Super excited.

  6. Jennifer says:

    You’d better sign up for GSC – because I did! Given the amount of time we’re going to be spending at the parks running over the next year, I became an annual passholder and signed up early :) I’ve benn following one of the Galloway plans as for distance for Dumbo and if you do that and then pick up on the Dopey plan you’ll be all set. This past weekend was 6.5 miles on one of the plans, so you’re in a great place having recently run so many halfs (congrats by the way on your HF). Dopey still scares me too, but I am just going to trust the plan and continue one foot in front of the other.

    • Haha, alright, alright, you convinced me! I’m IN! It sounds like you’re doing an awesome job with your training, and I’m getting back into the swing of things now. We CAN do this! :-D

  7. Welcome back Jennifer! I am so happy to hear you are doing better already :)

  8. Welcome back! I’m glad things are looking up for you! I’m registered for the Glass Slipper Challenge and I cannot wait! The idea of running the 10K and half on back to back days it kind of really terrifying but like you said I’m not running for PRs at Disney.

  9. Stephanie@nowiun.com says:

    You can do it! You can do it! How awesome to have such a huge accomplishment in your future! :)
    I’m going to start training soon for my 2nd full marathon. Right now I’m deciding on a training plan. There are so many choices! Sheesh!
    I’m glad you’re working through your stuff. Remember that you need YOU. YOU are enough for you.

Leave a Comment

*