Fall means another race season is upon us. And as we take on new challenges, we are both super excited about this year's line up of events.
Disney Groom
My 2015/2016 race season kicks off this Saturday with the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. This season is pretty packed with 4 marathons, 3 half marathons, and 2 legs (swim and run) of a half Ironman. My schedule follows (with my famous commentary), if you are planning to attend any of these races, let me know.
Disney Bride
My focus this fall and winter is to get strong on the bike as I prepare for a half Ironman relay in April 2016. To that end, I've really cut back on the number of running events.
runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon 11/7/15
DG: We've been coming to Wine & Dine weekend every year since 2012 for the 5K. Surprisingly, the half is the only Florida runDisney race we haven't run. I will be taking advantage of all the characters and entertainment on the course. I will not be running this one with any focus on time - just about having fun! I am looking forward to an epic Food and Wine festival at the conclusion of my run. Someone save me a beer!
Also, I will be volunteering at the Jingle Jungle 5k in the morning; I have not been given an assignment yet. Keep a look out on twitter and instagram, I'll let everyone know where I am going to be. FYI: I will have my favorite and best costume yet!
Space Coast Marathon 11/29/15
DG: I have enjoyed this race the last two years. This year I will be completing the Milky Way Challenge. I am also shooting for a PR. Its been awhile since I have gone for a marathon PR, so far my training has gone well. It appears that a PR is well within reach.
DB: This is a really well organized event. The course support is fantastic and I love getting to see so many of my runDisney friends again. I'm back for my third Space Coast Half Marathon
Best Damn Race (Marathon) Cape Coral, FL 12/13/15
DG: The destination race that's not a destination race. Cape Coral is the town where I grew up. My parents live less than 5 miles from the starting line. Depending on how things go at Space Coast, I may make a second attempt at a PR. I look forward to a very flat course on very familiar streets.
Swamp Forest Trail Half Marathon 1/3/16
DG: Returning for my second year. (Unless you count pacing DB for final 6 miles of this course when she ran it in 2013.)This is an absolutely amazing race on some beautiful trails in Tallahassee. I plan on using this as a taper run for the Dopey Challenge.
Walt Disney World runDisney Dopey Challenge 1/7-1/10/16
DG: Returning for year 3, I can't wait to join thousands of my runner friends for an epic 4 day race series. I will continue my "Perfect Dopey" streak.
DB: I'll be running the 5K and 10K (or what is quickly becoming known as the Bashful Challenge). Plus I'll be volunteering at the half and serving as sherpa during the full to support my Dopey.
Tallahassee Marathon 2/7/16
DG: This is the year I finally run a marathon in the town I live. The Tallahassee Marathon has completely changed their course this year. The new course features some of Tallahassee's most famous landmarks. You should consider adding this race to your calendar.
Ironman Florida 70.3 (Relay) Haines City, FL 4/10/16
DG: Because running by itself isn't crazy enough, DisneyBride has dragged me into the world of triathlon. I fought it pretty hard, however, I am really enjoying the swimming. This should be a really great event. I am doing the 1.2 mile swim and the 13.1 run.
DB: I am SO very excited for this! Am looking forward to this race like no other event that has come before. I am working with a coach to help me on the bike as I take on the longest leg of the event: a very HILLY 56 miles. Yes we do have hills in Florida.
Walt Disney World Star Wars Darkside Challenge + 5k 4/15-17/16
DG: RunDisney always seems to make a pretty big deal about new races. I look forward to seeing what they have in store for this weekend. I'm in for the 5K & Dark Side Challenge (10K + 13.1).
DB: Okay - so this is just 4 days after our Ironman 70.3. Will we be wrecked? Probably. Can we pass up an Inaugural runDisney event in Florida? Heck no! I'm in for the 5K and 10K.
The season will be busy, the training will be hard, and the glory will be eternal. Don't forget to let us know if you will be running or volunteering at any of the above races.
