Wow. When did thatsneak up on me?! The Goofy Challenge – 13.1 miles on Saturday and then 26.2 miles on Sunday – is just one month away. Again, wow. I have completed two of three long runs – a 16 miler and 18 miler. I have a 20 miler in two weeks (this weekend is a fallback week) and then I will begin the taper. I feel ready, as ready as I am going to be. Sure, I would like to be faster, but I won’t be, not this time. And, I don’t think this race is about speed. For me, it is about remembering my mother and her favorite place, Walt Disney World.
It is about taking the vacation my mom, sister and I did not get to take earlier this year. And it’s about now enjoying a vacation with the ones I love most:
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| Mollie (sister), Michael (husband), Me & Dad. |
In one month, I will be staying here:
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| The Beach Club |
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| With views of Epcot – my favorite place! |
And enjoying this after my races:
Not to mention, this:
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| Hollywood Studios. |
And this:
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| The Animal Kingdom. |
And this:
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| Epcot. |
And, of course, this:
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| Magic Kingdom. |
Can you tell I love the parks at night? I am mesmerized by all the lights and fireworks.
This training season hasn’t been my best. In fact, it may be one of my worst. My whole life has changed and I can’t change it back. Ever. Many of my runs have been a struggle, but I have had some great runs too. Those are the ones I am choosing to focus on. Like my 16-miler with my friend, Deb. I felt fantastic that day!
So, in one month I’ll hopefully get to hang with some of these guys, who always make me smile:
I really can’t wait!
Until the next mile marker,
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Can’t believe the goofy is already only a month away! you are going to have such a blast running in honor of your mom and surrounded by family! i will be cheering for you of course 🙂
Whoo hoo! One month away! I’m excited for you!
I love Disney parks and totally agree with you- so much better at night =)
You have put in so much training for this event, it’s really heartwarming to read that you’re focused on being prepared (of course!) but also honoring your mother’s memory. I think you’re awesome!
I can’t wait to live vicariously through you and read about your experience!
Ah, Sara, I am getting so excited for you. I wish we were going to be there to cheer you on. but certainly will be thinking of you. You know that my heart is in Disney World, too. We have stayed at Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans in the past, but explored all over the World. Are you staying at the Beach Club? So lovely!
I especially love the country pavillions at Epcott, and the 50’s diner at MGM Park. And the water taxis… Love love love Disney and make sure to give Japanes Minnie a hug from me if you see her!
🙂
It’s very exciting!
And when you’re doing a weekend of 36.3 miles speed should be left out of the conversation. In fact, you should probably run those miles slower than you think you should just to avoid any kind of injury!!
I wish I could be there to cheer you on (and because I love Disney too!)
I can’t believe how quickly it is coming up!
How exciting! Can’t believe it’s only a month away!
I am so excited for you! You’d better take a million pictures on your trip.
Do you have a running buddy for your 20 yet?
I will take TONS of pictures! I am not sure if I have a buddy for 20 yet! Any takers?! 😉
Elle, you bring back so many awesome memories of vacations my family and I have had there. We are staying at the Beach Club – it was my mom’s favorite! And it is where we were going to stay with her in May.
I love Epcot! It is my favorite place. I think we are having dinner in Italy the night before one of the races (the half maybe?). Love it! I like that you can walk to Epcot from the Beach and Caribbean. I would rather go over there than to the pool or something! I love the Mexico Pavilion and the Norway one too. I like the boat rides! 🙂
I really want to go the Goofy Challenge! It sounds amazing!
I would love to run with you! If we can make the logistics work, count me in. You’re running next Saturday?
The Beach Club looks fancy! I haven’t been to Disney since I was pre-teen! I think a Disney race will have to be on my running bucket list – all those pictures are inspiring!