Running

It’s Called Dopey for a Reason

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 26th 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 4th – 5k (3.1 miles)
  • Friday, January 5th – 10k (6.2  miles)
  • Saturday, January 6th – Half-Marathon (13.1 miles)
  • Sunday, January 7th – 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

6 Comments

  • Mimi

    Love the Galloway method!! The Dopey challenge is not something for anyone to take lightly and from your training plan looks like your going to kick butt!!. I’m following Hal Higdon with Galloway 5:1 run-walk ratio right now for this marathon season for health/high heat purposes but incorporating what I learned from my running coach last season. Having someone look at your weak points is always beneficial and good luck to you!!

    • ecblackwell

      At first, I was skeptical of the run-walk. You know I just want to get out there and run, BUT after researching it, I think it’s going to be great for my body. And it seems like it’s been a pretty successful method. I want to take care of my body and make it to the finish line! What marathons are you training for right now?!

      • Mimi

        It’s a total helpful tool as well when runs are going crappy. Just have to tell yourself to get thru 5 minutes and you get to walk/take a break. But I felt the same way “like I can just keep going” but it helps for when the miles get longer, gets hotter, etc. I find myself able to go faster overall (right now) than I would without it. I’m training for Chicago again (a bunch of us got in so Girls Trip!) but I have a lil blob growing at the moment so hubby is trying to veto it. so depending on whether I can complete training determines if it will be a go or not. So far so good and Doc gave the go!! Training is totally flipped on its head right now and feel like I just began running sometimes instead of the “been doing this” feeling. So Galloway is saving me right now!! Cross fingers!! ??

        • ecblackwell

          OMG!!! You’re so badass! Congrats and sending all the positive vibes your way! So glad you checked with your Doc! I was reading a story the other day about a woman who ran a half and full while preggers, yall are champs. Good luck with training, and keep me updated on how it goes!!! I’m rooting for you 🙂

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