So up to now I have been pretty focused on training for my 3 half marathon races over the course of September and October this year (see: http://biggoofyrunner.com/upcoming-races-signed-up-for-2-half-marathons-in-sept-2013/ and http://biggoofyrunner.com/wfps-half-marathon-got-in-with-the-second-wave-of-registration/ for more info on those races) – basically I want to break my personal best half marathon time on one of these races (1:46:11 from 2002) while concentrating on getting my weight down – so far so good as my weight is still coming down and I was within 3 minutes 43 seconds of my record on the first of the three races.
When I set up my training program for these races I also extended it (see here: training plan) out to include training for a potential run at the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge but looking at the financials for the year (putting in a pool and having to re-landscape the whole yard is not cheap – at least I saved a bunch by doing the landscaping myself) I didn’t think it was likely to happen. Then the Goofy filled and I hadn’t managed to pull the trigger so I had to let that go but figured I would still end up doing the training to keep my weight loss program on track and maybe do a virtual Goofy Challenge (or possibly virtual Dopey Challenge).
…..But my lovely wife surprised me today after my training run – she had signed me up for the Goofy Challenge just before it filled up!!! Whoohooo!! Going Goofy in 2014 after all! She was going to wait and surprise me after my next race next weekend or on our wedding anniversary on October 8th but decided to tell me early – will certainly help motivate me this week going into half #2 of 3.
Looks like she had also found deals on flights and current plan is to stay at the Pop Century resort – to keep an eye on the financials – so should be a good time – in Orlando the Thursday afternoon and leave on the Tuesday afternoon. Will be able to pick up the race packet on Thursday – do some site seeing or shopping on Friday and then race Saturday and Sunday and probably hit up the after party at Downtown Disney on Sunday night. Monday will be a rest and wander day. Sounds awesome!!
So now the trick is making sure I focus on my short term races – a week tomorrow until my next half marathon and 5 weeks today to the last of the 3 (the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Services half marathon on October 19th). I still want to hit (well or preferably smash) my personal best on the half distance on one (or both) of these 2 races – that is the short term goal. After that it is 12 weeks from the 3rd half day until the Donald Duck Half marathon on January 11th. I just did a quick review of my training plan and that timing is damned near perfect.
If I can hit my personal best on the half during the half marathons then I am in a fantastic position to keep pushing and try for my personal best on the Mickey Mouse Full Marathon on January 12th – I will have to take it easy on the Donald Half on the Saturday but it should be possible. This would mean my 4th Goofy Race and a Half Challenge would most likely be my best Goofy and my best marathon ever. Which in turn would mean I would be 42 and in the best shape of my life.
Awesome – time to kick some ass (mine)
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