This is my first multi-page post (fancy I know). Please click the title of the post above if you don’t see the page numbers at the bottom of the first page. 🙂
The 2012 Goofy Challenge is over and I am happy to say I arrived on the other side of 39.3 miles (+3.1) unscathed! Kate and I arrived at Disney World on Thursday this year and went straight to the Expo after dropping by the hotel to see if our room was ready (it wasn’t). We stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacation near the Vineland Premium Outlets just a 5 minute drive from Disney property. Why stay off property you ask? Two words…Jacuzzi Tub, but more on that later!
While at the Expo I picked up a new wardrobe of running shirts as each of the three races came with a shirt and I also purchased Goofy Challenge memorabilia and two coast-to-coast challenge shirts as I’m doing the Disneyland Half Marathon in September. Be sure to register on January 18th, 2012 if you missed the registration at the Expo!
One of the best things about the Expo was getting to meet a long time twitter follower, Facebook friend, and Disney Mom’s Panelist…Deborah Bowen also known as @DisneyDeborah on Twitter!
Deborah is not only a fantastic person and friend, but also completed her first full marathon on Sunday! So proud of her!
Running Down a Dream 23's Blog 
Loved reading this! Thanks for giving me a glimpse of what goes on during the runs. Loved how many characters they had out for you all. Super fun. Have just started running and am doing my 2nd 5K next Friday night at Disneyland. Thinking of registering for the Sept Disneyland 1/2! May just see ya there 🙂
Good luck on 5K #2 Lynnette! Might see ya in DL come September! 🙂
Congrats to Deborah and YOU!!
Thanks Maggie!
So proud of you and your accomplishments! I really enjoyed reading about the races and I love that you took pictures, had a beer and truly took in the whoe experience. I think in a couple of years (when the girls are a little bigger), I will go for the challenge too, thanks to you!
It was a lot of fun! Can’t wait to run one down there with ya! 🙂
Congratulations – What an awesome accomplishment! I just ran the inaugural Tinker Bell Half this weekend and can’t wait until March to register for Wine and Dine so I can get my Coast to Coast 🙂 I have 3 friends going Goofy in 2013 and they’re trying to talk me into it (I ran my first marathon in Oct 2011). We shall see, but knowing you can buy beer right before the finish line just might be the difference between going Goofy or not!
I ran my 1st full in January 2011 (also WDW), ran my 2nd in November (locally) and went Goofy just now! You can do it! 🙂
Very cool… I’m hoping to run the 2013 Goofy Challenge (assuming the world doesn’t end in December), so it was very fun reading your recap. Any tips on training?
Hey Mike – Sorry for the late reply. I have boat loads of tips, but consistency is #1. Find a training plan and stick to it. #2 Tip is rest and recovery! There are a lot of miles to be run so take your rest days seriously and get the recovery you need so you can keep going. I wrote a blog on recovery during the Goofy weekend that’ll help on that topic. I’m happy to chat more if you have questions!
-Brian
Great post! I was at the marathon in Jan. and will be running my first half at WDW in 2013! I’m staying on property but have friends going who are staying off. How do you find the transportation to the race from off property? do you drive and where you do find instructions on where to parK?
thanks!
Diane, you will have a fantastic time! I just finished the Coast-2-Coast challenge by running the Disneyland half and it was great! runDisney knows how to put on a race! Let me know if you have any questions about Marathon weekend. I’m happy to help!