Goofy, Dumbo, and Dopey?

So I'm sure by now you've heard... there is yet another challenge in the runDisney world... the Dopey Challenge.  The same weekend you can be completing the Goofy Challenge, you can also be attempting the Dopey Challenge.  Andy yes, you really must be dopey to compete in this challenge.

The dopey is not just 2 races... not just 3 races... but 4 races!  A 5k on Thursday, a 10k on Friday, the Half Marathon on Saturday, and the Full Marathon on Sunday.  That's 48.6 miles of running in 1 either very magical or very difficult (or probably both so magically difficult) weekend.

Now the challenge intrigues me and some who know me are already expecting me to give in and sign up on April 9th... or April 2nd for the Runner's World Challenge.  I probably won't do the challenge... it depends on how much the race itself is, but considering the challenge doesn't even offer rooms this time... For more information on the run (and the Runner's World Challenge) visit the runDisney blog and their article on the announcement here.

I will definitely need to get some real help with my knees and ankles if I do decide to take on this challenge, but that's also something that has been a long time coming in all honesty.  But if I train right (and find the time to train) this should be fine.  I still have a few weeks to decide so we shall see...

I'm definitely taking on Dumbo... but Goofy and Dopey too?  This should be interesting...

Review: The Runner's Rule Book

Part of the Runner's World Challenge is that you can pick 1 of 3 books about running.  The first one was like an encyclopedia about running, the second one about a man's triumphant return to running after being seriously wounded and told he would not be able to run again, and then there was the Runner's Rule Book: Everything A Runner Needs To Know- And Then Some.

Since I am not yet able to sign up for the challenge, I started investigating the books a little more and ended up buying the Runner's Rule Book for my kindle.  It was one of the best decisions I've made in the last week or so.  I do plan on getting the second book as well, but I have a few "fun" books I need to finish first.

Now, The Runner's Rule Book starts off with the most obvious of all rules when it comes to athletics... Have Fun.  But there are just some great abstract and hilarious rules that follow.   Mark Remy's sense of humor is pretty much thinly veiled sarcasm.  While he does have some serious rules and in put, he's also poking fun at generic rules, rumors, or overly serious runner rules.  

Here are a few of my favorites:

Rule 1.25- Love Your Tan Lines

Rue 1.34- Read The Sports section Backward

Rule 1.40- Good Runners Make Good Drivers

Rule 1.52- Run Like A Dog

Rule 2.29- Pretend You're British

Rule 2.32- Do Whatever It Takes To Finish Ahead Of A Costumed Runner
               Because being outkicked by Elmo is too much to bear.

There are the joking rules mixed in with the serious and there are even a few guidelines for packing and things like that.  So if you every find some time to yourself when you're not working, cleaning, or of course running; I would suggest picking up a copy.

So Many Decisions

You know, from an outside point of view, running seams to be a very inexpensive sport.  Sure you have some expensive shoes, but if all you're doing is going out and jogging a few times a week or so, there really isn't much you need.  Maybe some better head phones or a case for an iphone, ipod, or whatever you use. But then you decide to get serious...

So my journey didn't exactly start out that way, but it definitely has been getting more and more expensive.  For those of you who have attended runDisney races or probably any other race for that matter, you know the entry fees are pretty steep.  I like to think about all the things the money is going to (charitable foundations, goody bag items, race course help, etc...), but it's still quite daunting.  Then there's all the books, magazines, gels, water bottles, belts, tech shirts, etc... that you can get to increase your training.  So now I have two of those expensive decisions to make in the next few weeks, if not the next few days.

First, the Walt Disney World Marathon has partnered with Runner's World Challenge for a VIP package.  The package itself is waaaaay too expensive for me and I know I won't be getting it.  It's mostly made for people coming in for the race anyway and I'm local so I don't need everything in the package.  However, I started looking at the general Runner's World Challenge and it looks like a pretty good training package.  You can check it out at the challenge's website here.

Second, the Princess Half Marathon opened for registration yesterday.  I've done the race 2 years in a row now and this will be it's 5th anniversary.  It's going to be about a month and a half after the full marathon and it seems like that should be enough time to recover/train for Princess.  Princess has a lot of meaning for me considering it was my first half marathon in Florida, it was the first half marathon for my good friend, and it was the marathon I paired with the Disneyland Half to get my coast to coast.  So... maybe for sentimental value?  I don't know.  I really do enjoy the Princess Half Marathon which makes this decision harder and harder.

I can always try and work some extra overtime in the coming months...