I did it!!!

I am officially Goofy!!! I successfully completed the Goofy Challenge (well actually the unofficial Dopey Challenge) at Walt Disney World on January 8th, 9th and 10th.

If you want to avoid reading my detailed report you can see the video version here:

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Now for the detail!

We went to the Expo on Thursday right when they opened because I was paranoid that the merchandise would be all gone. I wanted my Goofy swag!! I went and got my bibs for Goofy and Dave and mine's bib for the 5k. Dave went searching for the limited edition pins. He was successful and I met him in the Disney merchandise area. Holy Crowded!!! I purchased a ridiculous amount but hey when am I going to do this again right? (no laughing!) The rest of the Expo was also crowded but I still managed to buy a race number belt and a pair of Riders slip ons. Both purchases are awesome!

The 5k on Friday was the warmup for me and the big race for Dave. Dave has done two 5ks in our town but this was his first big one. He says he wasn't nervous but I think he was. I know he was cold . I made him wear a trash bag and he was thankful for the warmth it provided. The race was themed for the movie "Up". The characters were there at the start. The corrals were very crowded and we couldn't even get in them so we had to wait for the start. There were fireworks and we were off. The race went through the parking lot of Epcot for the first mile and then the rest was through World Showcase and Future World. Dave and I pretty much stayed together and enjoyed the race together. It was a lot of fun and I would do it again. I'm proud of you Dave!

The half marathon was the next day and I tried to get to bed early on Friday. It was tough to get to sleep but I knew that 2:30 wake up call would be coming. I got up and got on as many clothes as possible as it was in the twenties and the forecast was for snow, sleet and rain! Lovely. I got on the monorail and got over to the staging area at about 4. I was able to meet my team members from my Team All Ears group and it was great to see them. I was very impressed that Tacey and Melanie showed up to encourage us even though they weren't running that day. It meant so much!

Before I knew it it was time to head to the corrals. It's a long walk and it was snowing. I couldn't believe it was snowing in Orlando! I got separated from my team at this point and I was on my own. I found my corral and started peeling of some layers, but kept most on as it was still so cold. The fireworks went off and we started making our way to the start line.
The first few miles I felt kind of stiff as it was so cold but I soon warmed up. The run up World Drive to the Magic Kingdom was long and it sleeted during this portion. I was cold. Then you get to the Magic Kingdom and all is forgotten. I entered Main Street and got teary. I couldn't believe that after all of those training runs I was finally here!! I saw Dave and he got some pictures. I ran through the Castle!! Unbelievable!!! It was great to run through Tomorrowland, Fantasy Land, Liberty Square and Frontierland. I stopped for a few pictures it was great. We leave the Magic Kingdom and run along the road that the Grand Floridian is on and the Polynesian. Pretty quickly we get to World Drive again and are heading back to Epcot. I'm feeling great and taking it nice and easy. I don't want to push it but I'm freezing and would like to be done. But I hold back since I have a full marathon to do tomorrow.

We go over and around the overpass to get closer to Epcot and who do I see but Tacey and the Colorado sisters in the median of the highway cheering their heads off. It was an unbelievable lift and it makes all the difference. I see Dave again at mile 12 and tell him that I'm having fun!! A quick trip around future world and we are at the finish! I see Dave in the stands and smile for the camera! I get my Donald Medal and my cape of awesomeness which was much needed today. I find Dave after I exit and we try and get back to the hotel as quickly as possible. I was freezing on the monorail. I still got in the ice bath to aid my recovery and felt pretty good after a warm shower.

Here is a half marathon video recap:

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We then headed over to the Magic Kingdom to have a Team All Ears meet. It was awesome to meet everyone and share our stories of the morning. Our captains Mike Scopa and Michelle Scribner-Maclean were awesome and so supportive throughout the whole training. Deb Wills is one amazing person and it is my honor to have met her. Our team has raised over $23,000 for breast cancer research. I was honored to find out that I was the top fundraiser for our team with over $5000. I got some really cool gifts for that as well. Thank you Deb!!

After the meet we were meeting some old friends for dinner at Tony's Town Square. We had a great time but soon it was time for me to get to bed as I had to get up at 2:30 again!

I was exhausted and had no trouble falling asleep. I woke up and did the same thing again. I put on a ton of clothes and got on the monorail. This time though I headed to the Race Retreat. I splurged for this treat for the marathon. I'm glad I did as it was colder than yesterday. I was on my own today as I never ran into any team members before the race. I headed to the corrals and I was much more nervous today. I was so afraid of not finishing this. So many people knew I was doing this and I didn't want to let them down or myself! The fireworks went off all around me and again I made my way to the starting line. I felt good right away. We entered Epcot in the beginning and that booming future world music really got to me. I was so pumped up. I did have an issue of not feeling well around mile 3. I realized I was warm and unzipped my coat and tossed my hand warmers. I felt better and that was the end of feeling bad for the race. We ran back up toward Magic Kingdom again and ran through the TTC. The crowd was awesome there today. It was a big boost. Again back in the Magic Kingdom and again tears! I saw Dave again and he told me to look for him when I came out of the castle. I got to the castle and there were trumpeters heralding our arrival on top of the entrance. They played the Rocky theme! How cool!! I misheard Dave and didn't look the right way for the picture. Sorry Hon!!! We leave the Magic Kingdom and start the long boring stretch to the Animal Kingdom.

But I had a cheerleader to cheer me on. I'm running by the Poly and I hear someone yell "Holly Beck" I'm like who in the heck would be yelling my maiden name?? It was Jorge from my team!! Thanks so much Jorge it was awesome to see and hear you!! BOOM BOOM POW!!!! I'm still feeling great and get to the Animal Kingdom with no problems. I avoided falling at the water stops. They kept saying watch out for the ice. How can this be Florida??? The Animal Kingdom was fun as the park was open and it was fun to see the guests waiting for Everest. After Animal Kingdom its another long stretch to get to the Studios. I was still feeling great and couldn't believe that I wasn't hitting the wall like in previous marathons. Thank you Hammer Nutrition. Their products kept me properly fueled the entire race. I saw Brad and Julie from the team on this stretch and we cheered each other on. The Studios was great as I knew we were really getting close now. Then the run along the river between the Studios and the Boardwalk. The Breathless was out there doing tricks and it was great to watch. I saw Barrie from my team at the Boardwalk and it was another needed boost. Thanks Barrie!!

Now a quick run along the Yacht Club and someone yells to me "You Did It!! Celebrate!!" I lost it with that and was so happy. I entered Epcot and tried to enjoy the last bit as I ran around World Showcase. I'm still feeling great!! I see our Team All Ears sign right by Spaceship Earth and Deb and Amanda are there. I scream like a crazy person and give them a huge hug. Thanks so much for standing there in the cold! I run into the finish and miss Dave in the stands. I high five Mickey and smile big!!

I get my Mickey Medal and another cape of awesomeness!!! I then go get my Goofy Medal. It was great because the person who gave me the medal is my friend Lydia who I haven't seen in 10 years!! It was so special to get that medal from someone I know. I exit and find Dave and say "Can you believe it?" We hug and I cry again. I did the Goofy and ended up with a 24 minute marathon Personal Best. Final time 5:42:05. AMAZING!!!

We make our way back to the hotel and I get in one more ice bath. We head to Epcot to celebrate until the cold gets the better of us.

What a weekend.

Here's the marathon recap (warning you may need the tissues at the end!)

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Thanks so much for all of the support from everyone. I couldn't have done it without all of you. Especially to my husband Dave. You are the best personal trainer, support system, videographer, photographer and of course, husband a person could have. I could never get through this without you. I love you!!!

Stay tuned for my next adventure.

For now,

Adding to the Adventure Book!!!

Taper time!

I am officially in the taper and madness has begun. I am in a bubble like John Travolta. If you sneeze don't be offended if I run in the other direction. I am officially neurotic. I walk on the roads and sidewalks with a shuffle to avoid rolling an ankle. It's crazy!

I finished my training off in PA and NY. Home of snow and hills. PA got 16 inches of snow and I ran through it. Try going up steep hills through a few inches of snow. Quite the workout when you are used to the flat land of Illinois. I was supposed to do 10 and 20 back to back, but the snow and hills caused me to do 7 and 15.25. I called it good because I was freaking exhausted. More tired than any other training run all year even the previous 10 and 20 I did a few weeks before. I feel ready for the Goofy and really can't wait to get there.

For now,

Adding to the Adventure Book!

9 more days until we leave for Disney and The Goofy Challenge!

Cold weather training stinks!

I made it through my first 10 mile and 20 mile back to back runs. I did the 10 mile outside and got frostbite. I was pretty miserable. The next day was supposed to be even colder so I decided to do it on the treadmill. 20 miles. Oh my. I was on the treadmill for 4 and a half hours! That is just not right! I actually felt fine physically. I could have gone longer. Mentally it was draining. The weather has been horrible. I haven't been outside since the 10 miler. All my training has been on the dreadmill.

Now we are leaving town again to head east to visit our families for Christmas. I have my last big back to back this weekend. Another 10 miler and 20 miler. It is much hillier in PA and NY so I'm a bit nervous. Also a big snowstorm is coming. I don't have a treadmill there so this could be interesting!

I can't believe it's only three weeks until the races. It is so close now. I can't wait.

For now,

Adding to the Adventure Book!

The final push!

We are back from vacation. We had a great time in Jamaica. The weather was perfect for once. We usually have nothing but clouds and rain, but had beautiful sunny days every day. I stuck with my running and I have to say I am quite proud of myself. I got up at 5:30 on five mornings! I ran two 10 milers and three 5 milers. It was so hard to get out of bed after being up too late the night before. But my plan worked. I got up and got it done and then had a great big breakfast guilt free and would nap on the beach. It can be done. Not my favorite thing but I did it!

Now it's time for the real mileage. This weekend I have my first of two 10-20 back to back runs. I'm pretty nervous. Due to vacation, even though I ran quite a bit I still feel like I lost some fitness. I'm sure it will be fine, but I'll be glad to get through this weekend. It is only going to be 20 degrees both mornings this weekend. So not looking forward to that.

I really can't wait to get to Disney and meet all of my Team All Ears teammates. My fundraising is going well. I have very generous friends and family and I am very thankful!!!

For now,

Adding to the Adventure Book!

Ready for a vacation

I can't believe we are at only 8 weeks to go! Time is really flying now. My legs are tired. I've been putting in some big miles and I'm still doing well. My pace is faster than when I trained for the other marathons so I'm hopeful that the races will go smoothly. We are heading to Jamaica on Saturday for a week and yes I am packing the running shoes. I have never run on vacation before so this is going to be tough. I built in two extra weeks into my training to compensate for this, but still plan a few 10 mile runs and some 5 mile mid week runs. I don't want to blow all of this training. I will get up early and then take a nap on the warm beach! When we get back it will almost be December. I really can't believe it!

For now,

Adding to the Adventure Book!

Training continues!

We are now just 9 weeks and a few days away. It is really going fast now. Training is really ramping up and I'm getting tired. I definitely need more sleep. I fell asleep last night at 8! I did an 8 mile on Saturday and 17 mile on Sunday. That was a big back to back to get me ready. It was a very chilly weekend and I was cold on the long one on Sunday. It's supposed to warm up this weekend and I'm looking forward to it. Maybe I can run in the shorts again?

For now,

Adding to the Adventure Book!!!