Dopey Race Weekend Do's and Dont's

The Walt DisneyWorld Marathon weekend is like nothing I have ever done before, completing the 48.6 miles with a marathon PR and becoming a dopey finisher was an accomplishment like no other! The belief and pride I felt seeing mile 25 and knowing what was happening is something that still makes me emotional even now 4 weeks later. Dopey challenges you more mentally than physically if you DO THE TRAINING your body will be so prepare but your mind, your mind on that 4th morning is going to try to play tricks on you! Its going to try to tell you, you cant, that you wont, that this is to hard because it is UNCOMFORTABLE! You are on day 4 of early morning wake ups, day 4 of running and doubling that distance from the day before, but you know something despite what your mind is telling you babe YOU CAN DO IT!

Here are my top 5 Do's and Dont's for your Dopey weekend!

Lets start with my top 5 DO's!

1. Take a day out of the parks between the marathon and half marathon. We did this and it was huge! It one gave our bodies some time to recover, relax and rejuvenate, it also helped my mind a ton! Knowing that we were going to take naps and just lounge helped me mentally focus on the race (it did also however create some big nerves because I was by myself (going to get into this a little more in the DON'T part))

2. Run SLOW or even WALK your first 3 races! We walked the 5k, ran a slower pace for the 10k, and what felt comfortable for the half (probably should have gone a little slower as my legs felt a 2:08 half on them the next day!)

3. Take an ice bath and stretch after each race! This will help with your muscle recovery and push some of that lactic acid build up, it will also help you with soreness!

4. Speaking of lactic acid don't be afraid to walk around!!! You can do this at your resort or at the parks! We would go to each park until 2:30 or 3 each day walk around and enjoy being in DisneyWorld. It was a nice mental distraction being in the parks and with friends, and it helped with working out that lactic acid! Saturday when we stayed at the resort we even got a small walk in just to make sure we were keep those legs as loose as we could and then a very nice stroll around Epcot to celebrate after the marathon!

5. GET REST!!! Like I mentioned in number 4 we would leave the parks around 2:30-3 and go back to the hotel, we would get back have dinner and then go back to our rooms and lay low for the night, trying to get to bed around 7 for me it was usually 7-7:30 and alarms set for 2:30. Rest is so important during this weekend and trying to get as much as you can!

Now to our DONT's!

1. Seek running shoe advice from other runners, do yourself the favor go into a running store and have a professional fit you and find how you plant your foot, how you rotate and so much more! I was the girl who wanted to cute shoes and wouldn't see a professional, and babe I am STILL paying to this day because I was in the wrong shoe! Each of us runs different and what works for me may not work for you so get fitted! Also if its been awhile do yourself the favor and get fitted as well!

2. Don't stay by yourself! I mentioned this above, but for me rooming solo was a challenge going into the marathon day because I was so afraid that I would over sleep! If you want to room solo great, but see if you can do a joining rooms with a friend or stay super close together (like same building) to help with this!

3. Drink a ton before races, I think this one is one of the more obvious ones but drinking a ton of alcohol between races is going to dehydrate you and your body will not be happy! I saved my cocktails for celebrating the 48.6 miles being completed!!

4. Try new foods or samples at the expo! You are spending 18-28 weeks preparing for this and learning how to fuel your body, don't mess that up with trying new things at the expo! I have done this babe and it was the worst come race day when my stomach was a mess because I tired some samples at the expo the day before!

5. DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!!!! You spend the money you put the time and effort in, now celebrate it! I am the worst at this lol its something that I am really going to push myself to do this time, to soak in and enjoy the marathon course! Its the victory lap from all those weeks of training!

I hope this helps you as you prepare for your dopey training and journey!

Love,