The Expert
Has been to every Disney park in the world
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2009
I’m curious to hear more about why you thought the full was harder than Dopey. I did the full in 2020, and am debating, but intimidated by Dopey - so would love to hear more!
2020 was my first full ever and I really felt confident and trained until the weather forecasts started to show that heat. My absolute worst nightmare was that, so I went into that day just mad about it. I banked miles until the sun came up and walked the rest, got caught behind the course cut... it was brutal and I felt ripped off by the experience. I vowed a do-over and then decided to just jump to Dopey.
I didn't physically train as well, but mentally I was in a far better head space. I set myself up well by focusing the whole week on the races, taking the time adjustment more seriously, and making sure I was connected to the group for support.
I made a plan and stuck to it... in bed by 7 every night, up with plenty of time to get ready and on the first bus, make the meet ups for that boost. Then I held back and walked the 5K and 10K entirely. For the Half, I ran to the castle for pics in the dark, then took the rest easy. Whatever was left was for the full. I'm not going to say it was easy, but knowing I endured and finished my worst nightmare conditions in 2020, I knew I could get through it. I'm also super grateful for finding a runner at my pace with similar goals ( @Herding_Cats ) to hang with for all those long boring stretches and to keep me doing intervals when I just wanted to walk.
So, ymmv (literally) but being here and doing the other races helped me mentally prepare gradually for the full. I just felt ready in a way I definitely didn't for my first.
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