Tuesday, February 3, 2015

The Veredict Has Been Reached

As if I needed any more confirmation that the running community is the most awesome and supportive bunch of people that you could ever hope for. Thanks to all that sent out advice regarding the Goofy Challenge. It was feedback that was much needed.

Just for the record, this was never a "Do one or the other" kind of deal. My family wants to go on a Disney cruise and I want to go as well. That trip was never in question. Family comes first above all and it's not like you need to twist my arm to go take a Disney cruise. I mean, it's a DISNEY CRUISE.

I just needed some reassurance that I was not crazy to want to still do the Goofy Challenge even if it meant forgoing the collateral "Disney fun" that usually accompanies a trip to The World. I needed that in part because the first people I consulted this issue with, being non-runners didn't understand why you would go to a Disney race and not do the "Disney Thing". It's a valid argument. There's no question about that. But they are not runners and if you look at it from a runner's perspective, especially from a runner that has set a goal to do something as challenging (at least to me) as the Goofy Challenge, you see things a bit differently.

That was clearly evident by the feedback I received here. Disney World is one of the most awesome places ever. That is why people love to run there, but setting a goal like this goes beyond the tourist stuff. That is why I traveled to Philadelphia last November and crushed my Half Marathon PR. Technically, I was in no way obligated to go there. But, a part of me felt I had to it. That part that drives you. That wants you to improve. I didn't have to do it, but I had to do it. I'm sure you understand.

Which is why the Goofy Challenge is a total go for 2016. On the cheap.

Two things I want to clear up though: When I told my wife about the post explaining her and the girl's reaction, she got a little bit defensive. She was like: "I told you that you should do the race from the beginning." Which is true. I'm sure none of you took it that way but for the sake clarity (and marital bliss LOL) let me make sure you all understand that she has always supported me through all my crazy ideas and goals and when I first thought of the "Goofy on the cheap" concept she was totally on board. It was me who had second thoughts. In fact, when I bought The Machine, she was the one that literally pushed me out the door, put the car keys in my hand and said: "Go buy it already!" That is one of the many reasons why I love her so much.

The other thing is, we totally need to come up with a term for non-running folk. Like in Harry Potter, non-magic folk are called muggles. We need a term like that for people who don't run. Non-runner sounds weird. Judgemental. Like it's wrong to not run. We need a happier term. Like muggle. 


15 comments:

  1. How about the "run-mores" ( runners) and the "Stay-stills" (non-runners). Of course I know that just cus you don't run doesn't mean you stay still but those names cam to be cus I was thinking of that game in Epcot "where's the fire" where they name the 2 teams.

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    1. Lol. I like that. "run-mores" Technically they might not be staying still but from the perspective of a runner, we are moving so fast that they look like they are staying still. lol

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  2. Yay! I'm glad you posted the outcome! Now I want to sign up for Dopey even more... Maybe I should get my decision making coin out! Ha!

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    1. Remind me to send you my "Harvey Dent" coin with the same engraving on both sides. If you guys do make it to Disney next year that would be awesome! I would love to meet you.

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    2. LOL Will do! That would be so much fun!

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  3. I think the thing a lot of people who haven't done Run Disney events don't realize is that the races themselves are "Disney things." Even if you don't go have park tickets you still get to see characters, still get to run through the parks, still get to interact with cast members, etc. It's just a different type of Disney trip :)

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    1. Absolutely! And no matter how many times you pay a ticket to go in the parks, you will never get bling like you do after a race. Those you have to earn.

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  4. Oh yes we need a term for those non runners!!! So glad you are going Goofy in 2016!!! The year I did the marathon (2013) I didn't step foot in the parks except when I was running the race. So don't feel bad about that part. It can be done. Of course I wanted to go to the parks but it just didn't happen and it definitely made the trip cheaper! ;-)

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    1. It's all about the running! Well, the bling too. LOL

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  5. I'm so glad you have a resolution that works for you! And I'm super excited to hear how your Goofy training and races go! It's so great when everything goes in the right direction!

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    1. Oh yeah... the training... ehhh excuse me, I gotta go run now.

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  6. we do a term for non-runners and we may need a term for non-disney runners because it is a totally separate thing!

    and congrats on deciding to do Goofy in 2016! I loved Dopey and definitely want to do it again but I am going to take next year off for sure because I have plans for a fall marathon, then wine and dine and avengers and all 3 races at star wars and the LA marathon will be on valentines day (a month earlier) so I will need to be lighter on mileage. Maybe 2017 or 2018? we will see!

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    1. Whoa! That's quite a schedule for sure. Wine and Dine and Star Wars are on my must-so list for sure!

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  7. I like NrD's (nerds) ! As in non-RunDisney'ers. It'll make the regular nerd's scratch their heads, I'm sure.

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    1. I like that one! Nrd's! Simple and easy to understand. Not to mention funny and ironic. Many would call us Disney runners nerds. LOL

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