Ok, here’s my Show Me Sunday!!
Hi! My name is Laurel and I blog at From Pennies to Yennies (www.penniestoyennies.com). I was beyond thrilled when Ashley asked me to write a guest post for Show Me Ashley because we have a lot of the same hopes, dreams and goals when it comes to running and wellness!
For today’s Show Me Sunday I wanted to show you all how I dreamed big- with my experience at Run Disney’s Goofy Challenge. For those unfamiliar, Goofy’s Race & a Half Challenge is a 39.3 mile run spread over two days- a half marathon Saturday morning and a full marathon the next day. I began running in January of 2012, and had reached half marathon distance by June. Looking for a new challenge, I decided Goofy was it! I signed up for the 2013 Goofy Challenge, which was 6 months from then.
I got overconfident though. I had some vacations planned, had some issues with finding good running shoes I was compatible with, and before I knew it the holidays were here. I was really slacking off with my training. I was still confident I’d be ok though… but before I knew it, it was January! I had no game plan, and without even realizing it, just after passing the 13 mile mark of the marathon, I saw the sweep bus parked across the race course. I cried and cried. I felt so defeated. I wanted to blame everything around me. Disney. The awful heat. My ankle pains. But I knew deep down, it was completely my fault.
I was upset about my experience for a long time. Months, even. I didn’t want anyone to know, and I never talked about it. By May 2013, I was back on track, running regularly and feeling better. After a talk with my husband we decided to sign up for Goofy 2014. I knew I couldn’t fail again. I don’t think anyone really knew how badly I wanted to cross that finish line. I downloaded a training plan. I signed up for a marathon relay and other distance events. Of course there were times I got off-track a bit, but I always bounced right back. And most importantly, I never missed any of my back to back distance runs.
Two weeks ago I landed in Orlando with a tickle in my throat. I was getting sick! It all felt so unfair. I was trained. I was prepared this time. But by Saturday morning I felt like garbage. I knew the half would be no problem so I went for it. I felt yucky but I finished and went back to my room to rest. All day though, I fretted about the marathon the next day. Am I well enough to finish? Should I try if I’m just going to get swept again? It was agonizing!
By Sunday morning I figured I had to at least try. By the time I got to mile 13, I knew I had it. I knew I was going to finish. I still felt absolutely awful, but I knew it was my training that was carrying me through. All those hours of running laps in the park were being put to use. I was doing it! And eventually, I crossed that finish line. I can’t even describe to you what it felt like.
Tears filled my eyes but this time, I promise, they were happy tears. I collected my marathon medal and my coveted Goofy medal. I got my picture taken and met with my husband who had finished before me. My body hurt. My head felt stuffed up. But I still had this feeling that felt so incredibly good, I didn’t know I could be so happy.
The moral of the story? I definitely won’t say I’m glad I got swept in 2013. There was nothing good about that at all! But I learned SO much from that experience. It made finishing this year so incredibly unforgettable. You have to work for something if you want it. From the time I first signed up for Goofy Challenge June 2012, to receiving my medals January 2014, I learned that goals don’t happen over night. Completing Goofy Challenge has given me more strength than you can possibly imagine. It started as a dream nearly 2 years ago. My dream just came true. What do I do now? Keep dreaming! I’m not sure what my next goal will be for myself. But I’m going to continue to dream big!
Aww so sorry about being swept! No kidding that is my biggest fear. I’ve come in dead last in 2 of the 3 races that I’ve run so I know that would be a distinct possibility for me! Glad you picked yourself up and did it though! What an amazing accomplishment!
Thanks Ashley! Sharing!! <3!
Laurel this is an awesome blog post! When I saw you at the expo that Friday I could tell you weren’t feeling well. I also saw something on your face… Now I know what it was. You had a LOT weighing on your mind! Will you be at Princess?