I am trying to kick off 2018 with a BANG! I’ve set two major goals for myself: To Charity Run the Dopey Challenge during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend on behalf of the National Down Syndrome Society, and to begin my journey to run 50 marathons in 50 states (Runderlust Fifty 50)! In order to reach these goals, I am spending the rest of the year conditioning my mind and body (running is just as much mental as it is physical). Check out some Summer Goals that I have set for myself. I have been trying to build up a solid foundation to kick off my training on June 26^th for the Dopey Challenge. Check out my training plans below. (UPDATES – CHECK OUT HOW MY TRAINING WENT AND ALL THE UPDATES THAT I MADE TO MY TRAINING SCHEDULE: WEEKS 1-10 & WEEKS 11-22 & The Training Finale )

What’s the Dopey Challenge?:

The Dopey Challenge consists of 4 days of back to back races:

• Thursday, January 4^th – 5k (3.1 miles)
• Friday, January 5^th – 10k (6.2  miles)
• Saturday, January 6^th – Half-Marathon (13.1 miles)
• Sunday, January 7^th – Full Marathon (26.2 miles)

All at the glorious Walt Disney World Resort. I am hoping it is quite the magical weekend!

Runderlust Fifty 50:

Since running my first marathon I have had the desire to do it again and to do it better. What better way to experience amazing people and places then running all over my corner of the globe!? (When I say that I do realize there’s a billion less strenuous ways to experience those things, but I am a runner so let me live). With only one marathon completed in New Orleans, LA, I have 49 more states to go! Next up: Florida! Wish me luck and join me for some runs!

Dopey Challenge Training Plan:

Disney puts out a 29-week training plan, prepared by Olympian Jeff Galloway, to help runners prepare for the Dopey Challenge. I used this plan as a foundation to build the color coded plan you see above. I mixed it with an 18 week plan put out by Hal Higdon. I wanted to take the full 29 weeks to prepare, which is why I used both plans.

• My plan starts out with three run days a week (green), two cross-training days (blue), and two rest days (yellow). I’m putting some serious consideration into adding a speed running day and an additional easy run. I know my body and running just three – four days a week isn’t going to be enough for me (another reason for adding in Higdon’s adaptions).
• Jeff Galloway is known for the run-walk-run method. Incorporating frequent walk breaks into your runs is supposed to be better for your body and decreasing your run time, but I do intend to run all of these miles.
• Long runs will incorporate the run-walk-run method IF my body needs it.
• Starting week 11, my schedule will add a longer run on Sundays (every other week), in addition to my Saturday long run.
• Also starting week 11, I will drop down to one cross-training day.
• On race week, my goal is to take the first three races easy and put my all into the marathon.

Adjustments

I am NOT married to this schedule. I will adjust the schedule as necessary as my training progresses. Also, if it feels like I am doing too much cross-training, I will go down to one cross-training day a week or find something that has less impact on my body. Over the last few weeks, I have been working with a personal trainer, Loraine Madueno, to help me identify my weak spots and problem areas, and I will continue to work with her throughout my training!

I am beyond excited to get started training. The Dopey Challenge is a race that I have been considering for a couple of years now, and initially told myself it was too crazy to do. I am uber intimidated by the idea of running 4 races back to back, but I am confident that with proper training I will do excellent. The ultimate goal is to enjoy running while raising money for the National Down Syndrome Society!!!

Visit my fundraising page for more details and updates as I attempt to raise $3,100 for the NDSS.

UPDATES: CHECK OUT HOW TRAINING WENT

• WEEKS 1-10
• WEEKS 11-22
• THE FINALE