The History of the Goofy Challenge

The upcoming running weekend has me giddy with excitement. But perhaps not for the reasons you think. Now don't get me wrong, I am running for some wonderful causes. Raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has brought me great satisfaction. I have never tried my hand at fundraising, and to have over 90 individuals contribute nearly $7,000 to LLS in support of my running effort is really amazing. The other great cause is to celebrate my journey to another age milestone. Turning 40 could be viewed by many as a depressing time. While I have mixed thoughts about it since I don't feel 40, and certainly don't act 40 (let alone 20), I have decided to make it quite special by running 39.3 miles (and then some) at the Disney World Marathon Weekend.

While good reasons to be excited, I have one greater reason. I will be reunited with my good friend, Goofy. You see, we go way back. My first trip to Disney was in the early 1970's, and during multiple visits since then, the big fella and I have renewed acquaintances and swapped stories. In 1990 (left photo), I was working out regularly and Disney hadn't even held their Marathon Weekend. At that time, we discussed the possibility of a footrace throughout the Magic Kingdom, but lets face it, it is difficult to have a deep conversation while racing down the water slides. However, Goofy eventually agreed to discuss my thoughts with his good friend, some mousy guy named Mickey. Wouldn't you know it, three years later the Walt Disney Marathon was born (and I had a hand in it)! When I returned in 1998 (center photo), I had gained a little weight, and so had Goofy. We were both a bit mad that this Mickey dude had a 26.2 mile race, and his pal, Donald, had a 13.1 race that same day. Goofy was concerned that freakin' Pluto was going to get his own race soon.

To make a long story short, we brainstormed many options, but settled upon putting the two races on back-to-back days, and because it was such a "crazy" notion (running 39.3 miles in about 28 hours), it would be called the Goofy Challenge. The rest is history....almost.

The last time Goofy and I crossed paths was during a trip in 2003 with my daughter, Erika, where we discussed his "little race Challenge", and my ability to do it. Oh, you had to be there as we ribbed one another! He questioned whether I was fit enough. I reminded him what great shape I was in back in '90 during one of our previous reunions. Buff... But then he issued the ultimate challenge...through Erika. Whispered in her ear that I couldn't do it. Getting old. Slow. Since that day, I have been hearing it from her for the last 5 years. So...now you know the history of the Goofy Challenge, and how I got sucked into participating this year. Have to show the big-boy that I still have it!

I am sure we will cross paths again next weekend...he'll be laughing at me and questioning my ability, and I'll be looking to capture the moment on film when I cross 2 finish lines, with arms raised in triumph. A Goofy Challenge success story.

Special moments, a special bond. Based on our relationship, I sometimes I think I could be Goofy's long-lost little brother...Goofus...