Many years ago I learned about the Dopey Challenge, a 48.6 mile challenge race as part of the Walt Disney World Marathon. That's a 5k (3.1mi), 10k (6.2mi), a half marathon (13.1mi), and a full marathon (26.2mi) in four days. Anyone who runs all four races must be "Dopey" It is a huge feat for the feet or face defeat (sorry, I just had to).
In the back of my mind I thought this was enough of a real physical challenge coupled with a chance to enjoy Disney World. I knew I wanted to try despite the fact I had never run a marathon before! I signed up for last year's challenge but ended up deployed to Kuwait the week before the race. I was able to get into this year's races on the 25th anniversary of the marathon. 
Lisa also registered TJ to run the 5k with me and she signed up for the half marathon. I trained over the fall up to 14 miles. I was never really worried about being able to finish because I knew I had the stamina and I also knew I would be stopping along the way for pictures. It was never my game plan to race - only to run through Disney World.
I did go all out and made costumes for the races: Marlin and Nemo, Goofy, Mickey, and I channeled Dopey for the last race. Yes, silly, I know. And? About half of the runners were in some kind of costume. I did not feel out of place in over sized red shorts with big yellow buttons on the front at all.
Very rarely in life does something live up to the expectations you set in front of it. These four races - with my family with me and cheering me on - running through and behind the scenes of Walt Disney World met all of my expectations. The miles were filled with what-will-they-do-next. From rarely seen characters to a homage to the former rides at the Magic Kingdom to having live animals out for pictures at Animal Kingdom, Disney pulled out all the stops. 
On the last half mile of my last race the little voice inside my head repeated, "you are going to do this, this is really going to happen," I thought of my mom and dad. I thought of my family. I thought of my love of Disney and running. I sobbed once or twice but I came across the finish line smiling.
After the marathon I collected my medals - one for each race, one for running the half and full marathon (called the Goofy Challenge) and one for all four - the Dopey Medal - six medals in all.
I ran my first marathon! I ran the Dopey Challenge! Two Bucket List items I have wanted to do for many years. The third thing on my Bucket List was to have vacation with the family where everyone got along, had fun, and the kids could go and enjoy themselves without mom and dad having to be there. And ALL of that happened! (Look for another post about that!)
On the ride home Lisa asked me what else I had on my Bucket List. I thought about it for a while. I don't know, learn to fly?
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