The Million Dollar Question

ByPatty Holliday

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It was hard to fall asleep last night.  Mr. Shenanigans opened the door to Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.  As we were headed to bed he asked about resorts.  You know.  Because he already thought we were going.

Wait, what the what?!  Convincing the spouse to go on (yet another) runDisney vacation can sometimes be the biggest hurdle.  Sounds like the hard part is done, right?

You know where my mind went.  I saw this image immediately.

I wasn’t really planning on attending.  Though it’s been on my mind for months.  I had briefly toyed with running my first marathon at Walt Disney World in 2015 and then talked myself out of it.  Way out of it. 

But then the DisBroads got on board and planned an amazing weekend.  I had the pull again.  I wanted to be there.  I wanted to experience my first marathon with my #BestRunnerFriends.  I particularly wanted to cross the finish line with DisBroad Julie, my running companion for 3 of my most recent half marathons and 10K.

Support?  I got it.  Completely.  Mr. Shenanigans is all for it.  In fact, he’s talking Dopey.  He’ll be by my side from start to finish.  That makes me calm down a bit.  Our favorite Travel Agent has some amazing prices on resorts which makes this affordable (well… ahem, as far as Disney trips are concerned!)

Oh boy… what’s a girl to do?

Am I?  Am I, really?  If I’m asking that question… does that mean I’m not ready?

Or.

Am I scared to do something challenging and that’s making me think I’m not ready?

Is it as simple as this?

So, experienced marathoners, how do you know when it’s the right time to run your first?  Is there a magic sign that points you down the path to your first 26.2 miler?

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51 Comments

  1. Go for it! We did our 2nd marathon at Dopey this year. We are walkers, and we trained for 6 months. (We did our 1st marathon in September to shake out the nerves.) One word of caution: Dopey is exhausting because of the early mornings. Get to bed early every night and don’t wear yourself out during the day.

  2. For me, it was just admitting to myself that even though the thought of running 26.2 miles for FUN was yes, crazy, it was something I really wanted. It passed that point where it actually become more exciting than scary. You can do it, I know you can, just dig deep and find out if those feelings you have are something you want! I think you’ll be surprised by the answer since you’re already going back and forth :0) See you there hopefully! Hubby and I are doing Dopey 2015!

    1. Congrats on Dopey Lauren! I think it’s fear keeping me back- but usually once I get past the fear, I’m all in (whatever I’m doing) I’m glad exciting overtook fear for you. Hope that happens for me too!

  4. Man, you’ve got the spousal support I say go for it! Especially a Disney Marathon because as you know those races are beyond well supported so you’ll have plenty of people there for you even if you aren’t speedy. the hardest part of a marathon, for a slower runner at least, is feeling like the last person left on the course.

  5. If you are thinking about it and have the support in place to have a great race (Husband, Best Running Friend…) go for it. You already love running and Disney now you just get to experience both at the same time for a “little” longer. After 9 Goofy’s I still think, “why did I sign up for this again,” when the alarm goes off but I get to the start and all the fun begins and I know why. Go for it!

  6. If you think it’s something you’d ever want to do (like if it’s a goal you’re working towards, or even a bucket list item), then go for it – you know you’ll have a great experience at WDW.

    But…for me, personally? Running for upwards of 6 hours does not like “fun.” I haven’t even mastered the art of the effortless half yet. No thank you.

    1. I have had some “easy” halves and some I struggled and hated every second. So it’s by no means, easy, for me either. I don’t think this will be easy. But maybe that’s exactly WHY I should do it?

  7. I ran two fulls before I ever did a half. My attitude was that if I was going to do it, I might as well do it all the way. So…yeah. If you want to do it, set your mind to it and just do it. The only roadblocks are the ones that come up in your own head. The training is the hardest part because once you get past about 15 miles, the long runs can suck up some time. If you’re able to set the time aside for those last few weeks to train, go for it!

  10. I agree, if you are thinking about it, then go for it, but just make sure you are properly trained. I had to give up a marathon this spring so I think i’m going to replace it with wdw as my first. We can be scared together!

    1. LOL Sounds like a plan girl. I will be trained. I have the time and the interest to get the training in. I’ll be able to work the miles. I won’t LIKE it though. That’s the problem- I gotta get over that.

  11. I love this post. I love the cute decision tree pic too. You know I would love for you to join us for the full – but ultimately it’s your call. If you decide to do the half, we will support you. If you do the full, we’ll support you too. Cuz that’s what BRFs do! (But I hope you’ll go Mickey with us – cuz you can’t drink a margarita in Epcot at mile 25 of the half…#justsayin)

  12. Two thumbs way up for using a Chasing Liberty quote on your blog! Who doesn’t love a good Mandy Moore cinematic masterpiece? And as I am not an experienced marathoner, I am not going to weigh in on what signs point someone towards taking the leap to sign up for a marathon. But I will share this poem, that helps me assess where my head is at:

    “And then the day came,
    when the risk
    to remain tight
    in a bud
    was more painful
    than the risk
    it took
    to Blossom.”
    – Anais Nin

    Good luck!

  13. I have the utmost respect for anyone who can run a marathon. I don’t think I could run 26 miles unless Freddie Kruger and a pack of dogs were chasing me. 🙂

  15. You should definitely do it! I ran the Disney Marathon in 2013 for my first and it was great! This year my sister and I are going down to do it. This will be her first one! Not only are we doing the Marathon, but we are doing the Goofy Challenge. Should be a fun weekend. Hope to see you there!

    1. So exciting taking your sis for her first marathon! A first is a big deal, should be run with those you love, right? Well… those I love are all running it… sooooo…. !!! EEP! Might see ya there Lacey! 😉

  16. I would love to attend but I would never make it with my bad knees and health. I used to do 30 mile walks when I was in my teens and that’s probably what damaged them. It gives you a good feeling though.

  17. If a husband says “yes” to something Disney, definitely go with it! Just registered yesterday for the 2015 Marathon, and it will be my first full marathon. 🙂 As for Goofy or Dopey, I don’t have a problem with running that much, but I just can’t wake up that early either two or four days in a row! My only question is whether to do the race retreat again or not . . .

    1. I’m just the opposite- I have NO problem with early wake ups. That’s easy for me. The running part… whole ‘nother story! lol Good luck! And so true- the husband says yes, who am I to mess with the universe?

  18. DO IT! You will love it for sure and you will have a great time and you have the support of BRFs and hubby! and I swear if the day ever comes when my boyfriend references WDW trips before going to bed, I will die of happiness in my sleep.

    for me personally, I ran the 2014 LA marathon after I told my mom I was planning on running Dopey 2015 (this was over a year ago) and she begged me to run and train for a full before that. That marathon was the hottest, most humid, crazy race of my life so I feel I am definitely in for it now!

    Just do keep in mind-respect the distance. It isn’t just double a half. You have to train-just plan it all out now (I’m a crazy who has all of my runs planned through tinkerbell 2015!) then you know what you are getting into. and if you do Dopey, there is a 4 day training (3 + 5+ 12+ 25) the week before christmas.

    but YES DO IT! The medals will be worth it 🙂

    1. Thanks Juliana! The LA Marathon was the one I had hoped to run this year- but it didn’t happen. And holy moly- it was so hot! I’m glad I missed it. 😉 Congrats to you!

  19. I have yet to run a full marathon, but I’m piping in with my support. When I get around to my first “real” marathon, I certainly hope to do something as awesome as a Disney-sponsored event!

  20. I can’t tell you what to do. I don’t have the answer for myself yet…whatever you decide, the Broads will support you no matter what.

  22. This is such a hard decision. Don’t be pressured. You do it if you feel it’s right for you. I would love you to be there that weekend, but even if you are doing the half, that would be awesome too.

  24. My 2c, do it for YOU. Not because your friends are doing it or people are telling you to do it or you think someone AHEM will be alone. Its alot to train for. IF you think you might want to do it, then I think you know the answer. That being said we would have blast together if you go for it! Love your infographic 😉

  25. I’ve been struggling with this too. I was sorely tempted to sign up for the WDW Half (or Goofy) and/or the Ragnar Keys for 2015. I’m working on a whole post about why I’m not going to do either just YET. Having your husband’s true support is really important, so that’s a big plus for you (mine is only kind of supportive) and your DisBroads will be a huge help. I know you can do it, I guess it’s just whether you’re ready to do it now or not. Best of luck in your decision, but I bet I know what it is already! 😉

  26. Do it! You know you want to! 😉
    I just convinced my hubby we should do the WDW marathon and you’re right, that’s the hardest part. He suggested the half, but I pushed for the full, and now I’m the one who is scared! It’s daunting, but I know deep down I want to do it, to say “yup, I’m a marathoner.” 🙂

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