Admitting a BIG goal: Dopey Challenge 2027

Well, here it goes...

Admitting a big goal...

I will be doing the Dopey Challenge 2027!

What in the heck is the Dopey Challenge?

Great question- The "Dopey Challenge" is a 4 day running event in Walt Disney World that consists of running a 5k on the first day, a 10k on the second day, a Half Marathon on the third day, and a Full Marathon on the fourth day. The total mileage is 48.6 miles. Yes, 48.6 miles through theme parks before the sun comes up, in January...

How did this goal come about? You're not really an adept runner...

Very true. I'll be the first to admit that I am slow, and in it for the experience rather than time. How it came along is after doing the first 10k in 2022 with friends at WDW, I wanted to try more. So, I went back in 2024 with Sarah and did the three courses at Wine and Dine weekend. After that weekend, we thought "what the heck, why not try for the Dopey sometime? We've already done 3/4 of the races back to back..."

This is insane.

Truly. I'm fully aware, especially since I've never done a full marathon, and doing so at the tail end of other races is absolutely bonkers, but whatever. Why not take wild (but healthy) challenges in life?

How did you get in? Registration was darn near impossible!

We tried general registration. We did. 7+ windows, multiple devices, up way to early... None of our little windows were able to register before everything sold out. However, I knew that was a possibility since the RunDisney races have become increasingly popular (which is no surprise since they're the most fun and cheerful races you can do) so as soon as it was clear everything sold out on general registration, we looked into charity bibs and found "Team in Training by Blood Cancer United."

Tell me more about this charity bib...

Absolutely! I'd love to. So the charity Sarah and I will be running with is "Blood Cancer United" which was previously known as "The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society" and through our bibs we each need to raise $5,500 to hit our goal.

Why this charity?

It was one of the first that popped up when searching, sure, BUT I got really attached when I saw this one because of the personal connection and affect that Blood Cancer has had on loved ones in my life. My dad was diagnosed with AML in 2015, and sadly passed in 2022- and I will be running in his memory.

My grandmother also had leukemia, (she passed in 2023) I also have an aunt that had a diagnosis as well (but has since gone into remission, I believe, and is doing well currently) Any type of cancer is absolutely devastating, but the money raised for organizations like this can help fund research and treatment to make the lives of the patients and families affected better. The road to recovery and all treatments are very intensive, and require so much, every bit helps.

How can I donate?

My fundraiser page is here - any amount is extremely helpful and I am beyond grateful for any and all support in this endeavor.

I still think this goal is insane.

Oh- same here, but I'm going to try hard and document the journey along the way!

Here's a photo of me and my dad right before he started his chemo in 2015. He battled HARD throughout his illness and is a true testament to what human endurance can do. I know he would have been a big cheerleader of this endeavor (although, not without a healthy dose of sass and challenging me in the process) To anyone with blood cancer, any type of cancer, or a friend or family member of a loved one affected by it- I'm cheering for you!