How a Spontaneous Disney Trip Turned Into My First RunDisney Race (and Changed Everything)
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You know those tiny moments that don’t feel life-changing at the time… but end up rewriting your entire story?
This is one of those moments.
And if you’re a beginner runner wondering whether you’re “ready” to start, or if you could ever run a Disney race, a half marathon, or even a full 48.6 miles, this is proof that readiness is a myth. The only thing that matters is deciding to start.
This is how a fanny pack, a random snowstorm, and a last-minute Disney trip turned me into a RunDisney runner.
The Unexpected Moment That Started My RunDisney Journey
Marathon Monday, April 2018.
Freezing. Sideways sleet. Not the spring break vibe my mom and I had planned.
I half-joked, “If we wake up to snow tomorrow, we’re going to Disney.”
And sure enough, when I looked out the window… white everywhere.
By 2 p.m., we were on a plane to Disney World.
Halfway through the trip, I saw signs in our hotel lobby for something called a RunDisney Race Weekend. I’d never heard of it, but the idea of running through Disney parks sounded magical - and honestly, a little ridiculous for someone like me.
Still, curiosity won. I emailed the race team to ask about signing up for a 5K.
They didn’t answer. I let it go.
…for about a day.
Because once I get an idea in my head, it doesn’t leave quietly.
From “No Way” to “Why Not?” — The Decision That Changed Everything
A week later, I finally heard back: registration was closed.
Totally reasonable.
But the email mentioned another upcoming weekend — the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. Perfect! Except the only option left was the Two-Course Challenge: a 10K plus a half marathon.
I immediately thought:
“Yeah, no. I can’t do that.”
And then…
“Wait. Could I?”
You know that dangerous little space between no way and maybe I could?
That’s where questionable — or possibly brilliant — decisions are made.
A few weeks later, I bought running shoes and started jogging around my neighborhood. Slowly. Awkwardly. Breathlessly. But I kept going.
When I finally went to register — plot twist — it was sold out.
So what did I do?
The only logical thing: I found a charity team with available bibs… and signed up.
My first official race weekend ever, and I jumped straight into 19.3 miles.
And somehow… I finished.
Sore? Absolutely. Emotional? Completely. And hooked? Without a doubt.
That weekend, I drank the RunDisney Kool-Aid — and never looked back.
Lesson One: You Don’t Need to Feel Ready to Start Running
If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this:
👉 Readiness is a myth.
We wait for the perfect conditions — better weather, more motivation, more time — but those conditions almost never come.
You don’t think your way into confidence.
You act your way into it.
When I signed up for the Two-Course Challenge, I couldn’t even run a mile.
But every messy run and every small bit of progress gave me proof:
“I can do hard things.”
That’s all running really is — collecting tiny pieces of proof.
Lesson Two: Consistency Is an Act of Self-Respect
Motivation feels good.
Discipline builds you.
Over the next few years, I ran more 10Ks and half marathons. But behind the medals were plenty of imperfect runs:
- slow miles
- bad sleep
- sore legs
- zero motivation
- unpredictable energy
Still, I kept showing up — even when it wasn’t pretty.
Because following through, even imperfectly, became an act of self-respect.
Every time I kept a promise to myself (“just 20 minutes today”), I built trust in my own ability to follow through. Psychologist Albert Bandura calls it self-efficacy — the belief that you can do what you set out to do.
Confidence doesn’t appear magically.
👉 It grows in the little choices no one sees.
Lesson Three: Doing Hard Things Changes Who You Believe You Are
When I registered for 19.3 miles, it felt impossible.
When I later registered for the Dopey Challenge (48.6 miles in four days), it felt borderline insane.
But here’s the thing:
Every time you do something hard, your definition of “hard” changes.
What once felt impossible becomes your new baseline.
Your comfort zone stretches.
Your identity shifts.
And somewhere in the middle of all those early mornings and messy miles, you realize:
You are far more capable than you ever thought.
Why I Ultimately Signed Up for the Dopey Challenge
People always ask, “Why would you sign up for the Dopey Challenge if you don’t even love running?”
The truth is… I didn’t sign up because I love running.
I signed up because I love what running teaches me.
Running taught me that:
- I can do hard things
- I can keep showing up
- I can trust myself
- Everything changes when you take the first step
And that’s what I want for you too — whatever your version of “Dopey” is.
Maybe it’s running.
Maybe it’s starting a business.
Maybe it’s surviving a tough season.
Whatever it is, remember:
👉 You don’t need to feel ready. You just need to decide to start.
The magic happens in the ordinary, unglamorous, small choices you make again and again.
One tiny spark of “why not?” might change everything.
✨ Freebie: The Dopey Diaries Run Journal
Track your miles, your mindset, and your magic moments — without stressing over pace.
It’s simple, cozy, and completely free.
👉 Download your Run Journal Page here
Resources Mentioned
The 5 Second Rule — Mel Robbins
The Compound Effect — Darren Hardy