5 Months Until My First Marathon

In 5 months, I'll be running my first marathon at Walt Disney World Marathon on January 11, 2015. It will be the final race of the Dopey Challenge. The Dopey Challenge is a 48.6 miles run spread out over 4 days.

Disney Family Fun Run 5K on January 8, 2015
Walt Disney World 10K on January 9, 2015
Walt Disney World Half-Marathon on January 10, 2015
Walt Disney World Marathon on January 11, 2015

I first learned of the Dopey Challenge in 2013 while researching half marathons and marathons. Unfortunately, the 2014 Dopey Challenge was sold out. I made it a goal to register for the 2015 Dopey Challenge. I wanted my first marathon to be memorable. The thought of earning 6 medals was the cherry on top of completing my first marathon.

The 6 medals 2014 Dopey Challenge participants earned.

On April 22, 2014, I successfully registered for the 2015 Dopey Challenge. I am unsure how many runners will take on 2015 Dopey Challenge, but there were 7000 participants in 2014.

There are several Dopey Challenge Training Guides:

• Official 28 week guide from RunDisney and Jeff Galloway
http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/training/running/plans/2014/Marathon/Marathon15_Dopey.pdf 
• 18 week guide from Hal Higdon
http://www.halhigdon.com/writing/57107/Dopey%20Challenge%20Training%20Guide
• Runner's World: http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/how-to-train-for-the-dopey-challenge?page=single
• 16 week guide from Lee Hoedl http://www.hoedlshaven.com/DISNEYMARATHON/goofychallenge.html

How do you plan to train for the Dopey Challenge? What are your tips and strategies for marathon running?