I did Dopey! Now what?

With Dopey 2024 in the rearview mirror, the question I keep getting (from others and myself) is, “What Next?”

While I don’t have a clear short term goal just yet, I do know that it most likely will not be another Dopey. Don’t get me wrong. Dopey was EPIC. I’m glad I did it. I would recommend the experience to anyone looking to challenge themselves. But for me personally, the thought of doing Dopey again is kind of like the mundane feeling you get playing a video game after you’ve already beaten it. Like, I’ve already done it, so why do it again? Not to mention the $$$. Registration, travel, food, lodging, taking off work…it adds up.

Deep down, I also don’t think the next thing is another runDisney event. Again, I have no complaints about runDisney so don’t come for me. I have enjoyed every RD event I’ve participated in. (Even my husband, who is not a runner, was inspired just from being around everyone during Marathon Weekend.) However, over the years, I’ve felt like my values and Disney’s values are going down different paths. I don’t want to sound like an old fart, but Disney is so different from what it was when I was younger. So I feel conflicted in continuing to give them my money. ***Disclaimer: I could probably be persuaded to do another RD event if someone I loved asked me to join them…

In the meantime, I’ve discovered through Dopey that 13.1 is my favorite distance to run. Long enough to break a sweat, but not so long that you can still walk afterwards. So now, I’m thinking my new long term running goal may be to complete a half marathon in every state!

What about you? Would you ever do a Dopey? Any interesting halfs in your area I should know about?