What's The Big Idea?

At some point in 2013, Molly said, "One year we should do all the Run Disney races." I said, "Sure," because I am cray-cray enough to think that would be a good idea. And even cray-crayer enough to think that I would be trained and ready to do such a thing. And then the evil Run Disney announced the Dopey Challenge for 2014.

Ignore the kissing strangers in the back ...

For those of you not in the know, The Dopey Challenge is when you run a 5K, a 10K, a half-marathon, and a full marathon - all on consecutive days in one weekend. And so Molly said, "Let's do all the Disney races in 2014." And not having lost any of my cray-crayness, I said, "Okay." Even though I had sworn never to do another marathon. And even though this marathon would be my 13th (superstitious, anyone?). Nevertheless, we signed up for the Dopey and somehow I managed to finish all the races. And thus began our 2014 quest to do all the Disney races. And we did them.

And here are the numbers:  5Ks: 10  ***  10Ks: 4  ***  10 Milers: 1  ***  Half Marathons: 6  ***  Full Marathons: 1 

Total Races: 22     ***     Total Medals: 28     ***     Total runDisney miles: 170.6

These races represent races at Disney World, Disneyland, and Castaway Cay (Disney Cruise Line's private island). Several races were held on back-to-back weekends, which meant one weekend in Florida and flying out to California the next weekend. Some we did with family and friends, and some we did with just the two of us. Some races had perfect weather, some had rain, some had wind, and some were just plain hot. Some started in the early morning and some started late at night. A few had after-parties (which we skipped, preferring instead a hot shower and bed).

There were a lot of logistics involved. First, we had to make sure we got entered in each race, which is an ordeal in itself when it comes to Disney races. Some of the races sell out in an hour (yes - an hour). Molly and I would be on our individual computers with a couple of different browsers on, and on the phone with each other, seeing who could get registered first. On this last 5K, I had put the wrong birth year on Molly's registration and nearly panicked when I couldn't find her confirmation. Luckily we figured out my error and all was good again.

We also had to figure out flights (especially when she was out of town on business on the weekends we were headed to races) and hotels and transport. We planned (why, I don't know) meals and park visits and running outfits. We ordered and tried on things and looked at other people's ideas. And on race weekend, we started a race and kept going.

And the result? WE DID IT!!! (And here's hoping Molly keeps her next big idea to herself!!)

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Today is a gift because: GDiz here for a visit; Lindley and Everley time all day; new Pandora bracelet