2026 is off to a long start – 48.6 miles long, that is.

Last weekend, I started and finished my first Dopey Challenge during the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. While you can participate in any of the individual races (5k, 10k, half-marathon, or full-marathon), you can also participate in the “Dopey Challenge” and complete all four races.

It just so happened to be my first runDisney race and my first marathon, so I was just a little nervous about it! However, my nerves completely went away just as the my first day of racing started because I had a blast.

Along the way, I had 10 key learning moments that were crucial to my success in completing the Dopey Challenge. And believe it or not, these takeaways are also crucial to your success in walking more, hurting less, and enjoying the magic of your next Disney vacation.

1. Have a Goal and Plan

As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” My goal for the Dopey Challenge was simply to finish each race (which is a lofty goal in and of it self). But without a day-by-day plan, I would be leaving my goal to luck and risking my entire race weekend (and my hard-earned money).

2. Soak in all the Magic, but Keep an Open Mind

Part of my plan for the weekend was to stop at most of the character meet-and-greets (which is one thing that makes runDisney races so special). What I didn’t expect were the magical moments in between: running by the Electrical Water Pageant, getting a stunning view of Space Mountain that no other daytime guest will ever get, the “in-the-moment” selfies I took with DJs, Cast Members, and spectators… Remember that while you might have a specific way you want to soak in the magic of Disney, you never know what magical surprise might come up.

3. Physical Preparation is Key to Feeling Strong

Even though I wasn’t racing for a specific finish time, I wouldn’t have been able to complete the Dopey Challenge without training for it. Physical preparation involves being ready for my feet pounding the pavement for more than three hours (for the marathon), stopping and standing at character stops, small bursts of acceleration after meeting characters, and the undulating overpasses. Had I not trained correctly, I would have cramped and been unable to finish.

By the way, I’ve been working on this exciting project to help Disney travelers walk more, hurt less, and enjoy the magic without pain or burnout. I’m looking to get 3-5 people to be a part of this first beta test. In exchange for helping give me feedback and potentially a review or success story, you’ll get a discount as a founding member. When you’re ready to join, click here to schedule a Disney prep discovery call!

4. Adjust Your Sleep Schedule Accordingly

Running races at Disney are unique in that they start at 5am, meaning I needed to wake up at 3am. With some basic math, I’d need to sleep before 8pm to get at seven hours of quality sleep. Going to sleep this early and getting quality sleep can only be done by adjusting my sleep schedule gradually in the days prior to my first race.

5. Have an Effective Morning and Evening Routine

Without an effective morning and evening routine (like I discuss in my book Disney Ready: Your Pain Free Parks Survival Guide), I wouldn’t have the energy to feel my best at one race, let alone all four races of the Dopey Challenge. Without these routines, I would have wasted precious time wondering what I should be doing each morning and evening on race days. Take away the guesswork of what to do, and you’ll save yourself the mental effort and overwhelm that could spell disaster.

6. Utilize a Warm-Up and Cool-Down

Running a race on cold legs makes you feel sluggish – like the energy was completely sucked out of your legs. Additionally, not including a proper cool-down makes it harder for your body to recover. However, failing to include both a warm-up and cool-down increases your risk of injury, which could ruin your entire weekend.

7. Eat to Fuel, but also to Enjoy

Loading up on carbs is crucial during the Dopey Challenge. And while it’s easy to fall into the trap of eating heaps of pasta and rice, finding ways to also enjoy meals keeps myself from getting sick of eating the same foods over and over again. Striking a balance between eating to fuel and eating to enjoy kept my energy up and my motivation sky-high.

8. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Even with proper physical preparation, high-quality sleep, and the right fuel, my race weekend would have been a disaster had I not stayed hydrated. This meant drinking enough water all day (and during each race) so that my urine color stayed light or colorless and taking in enough electrolytes to prevent cramps and fatigue. As many endurance athletes say, once you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

9. Lean on People with More Experience

Even though I’ve been running for over twenty years, I had no idea what runDisney was all about because I never participated in a runDisney race until last weekend. That’s why I approached several people who have more experience with runDisney to get their perspective. That way, I gained more insight than the logistical information Disney provides on their website.

By the way, you can listen to my conversations with some of these runDisney athletes here and here!

10. Most of all, Have Fun Along the Way!

It seems cliché to say, but too many people (whether they’re doing a runDisney race or on their vacation at Disney World) get caught up in the logistics and planning that they lose sight of one thing: the fun and magic of Disney. Enjoying the entire journey, from the 3am wake-ups to the roar of the crowds cheering you on along Main Street, U.S.A., is what made the entirety of the Dopey Challenge worth it.

Whether or not you were following along in the Happily Ever Active Club or on Instagram, thank you so much for your support. My next runDisney race is Springtime Surprise in April, so make sure to follow along for my second runDisney race ever!