Official 2013 Tower of Terror 10 Miler

[RedskinFan]

Yes, the towels and roses were great! Did they make you stop right after the finish line to clip timers from shoelaces again, though? In 2011, I was about two seconds from heaving after finishing and I desperately needed to walk it off, but I couldn't get through with all the runners stopped. Things almost got ugly. Then I took a free Tiger Milk because, you know, it was free and chocolatey. Huge, HUGE mistake! I'm hoping to make better decisions this year.

I did have big, awesome plans to run the Iron Girl on 4/28, the Frederick Nut Job 5k & 1/2, and Maryland Full ... but then I decided to put that money toward the TOT since we have annual passes. I might do a 10k in the fall in hopes for a new PR to use for the Princess Half, though.

Now that you mention it, I do remember them being overly aggressive about getting the timing chips back. There was absolutely no shade on that race route and I definitely needed to rehydrate! My stomach is starting to cramp just thinking about what that Tiger Milk must have done to you!

Any tips on getting the cheapest airfare? We usually drive down but since it's just me going this time, flying will definitely be more cost effective. And it's a heck of a drive for a long weekend trip

 

[freepixie]

The training programs on the runDisney website have been updated!

Click here and you can find the ToT ones listed. There are 3 different programs.

YAY!! And I noticed they have all the plans up!! Got them printed out and going to play around tonight adapting them with my current race schedule!! This is getting exciting

 

[RedskinFan]

The training programs on the runDisney website have been updated!

Click here and you can find the ToT ones listed. There are 3 different programs.

Thanks! I just printed them out. How crazy is it that the training starts the week after the Williamsburg half that I am registered for? Perfect

 

[Larrabe]

Now that you mention it, I do remember them being overly aggressive about getting the timing chips back. There was absolutely no shade on that race route and I definitely needed to rehydrate! My stomach is starting to cramp just thinking about what that Tiger Milk must have done to you!

Any tips on getting the cheapest airfare? We usually drive down but since it's just me going this time, flying will definitely be more cost effective. And it's a heck of a drive for a long weekend trip

We fly Southwest, since they always seem to be the cheapest and we use SW credit card bonus points. When are you arriving/leaving? We're there Friday to Wednesday and our flights were $127 departing and $108 returning. (They're Air Tran flights, since SW bought them out.) If you see anything for $108.00 I'd grab it, since from our experience, that's most likely the lowest rate you'll see.

Tiger Milk. Still can't look a bottle in the eye.

 

[meryll83]

When/how do runners find out which corral they're in?

And to see the start and end of the race, where should spectators head for?

 

[Larrabe]

Thanks--I think he's pretty adorable too.

My debut YA came out in 2010 and since then I've been writing mostly YA and some MG, without any bites. It's a tough business!

PW starred review, awesome! I downloaded your book on my Kindle. It sounds great! And yep, this is a VERY tough business. My second book slump was a killer and I've lost track of the amount of times I've wanted to quit, but I have to do something with all these voices in my head. Are you a member of SCBWI? Have you been to our conferences?

And to keep this on-topic, (and possibly go into oversharing territory,) I have to say that Disney races has completely changed my writing! A year before the 2013 Princess Half, I made this huge list of goals for my writing, fitness, and family life. The lure of earning a gorgeous medal really motivated me to work harder, live better, and have more fun. Crossing that finish line in February was such a beautiful, emotional experience - the ultimate reward! So now, I have another big list for the 2014 Princess and TOT that includes three books to finish ... which means I better get to work now, huh?

 

[PrincessV]

When/how do runners find out which corral they're in?

runDisney has historically released the corral info about a month ahead... but you'll hear about it here first. We have our ways. Note, though, that for Princess this year, it was delayed - I think we got in the backdoor 3 weeks out and it officially posted maybe 2 weeks out. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that...

And to see the start and end of the race, where should spectators head for?

Y'know, I'm not sure spectators can really see either - the start is on a side road next to DHS that I'm not sure is accessible to spectators. The finish is behind TOT, in a backstage area. I don't remember there being anywhere for spectators to hang out near the finish; we were pushed through there and out into the park quickly and without being allowed to turn back. Here's last year's course map: http://runningatdisney.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/tot-10-miler.jpg


ETA: Egads, image was gigantic! Going with a link instead...

 

[PrincessV]

Whoops - wrong thread, lol!

 

[freepixie]

When/how do runners find out which corral they're in?

And to see the start and end of the race, where should spectators head for?

Corrals, we will find out about those later- I think it was early September when we heard last year??

For the start of the race- yes spectators can watch it, they won't be up by the start line, but near enough to see things!! My family found a spot, and when they started letting the corrals to the starting area, I saw them, and they saw the fireworks and everything!!

Finish line- there were grandstands but they were placed AFTER the finish line! The finish line was very lackluster LOL!! No characters, no cheering, nothing LOL!! The spectators were back near where you get your medals LOL!! I already had my medal when I spotted my family

Then AFTER the finish line, that was oh so much fun walking another mile at least to get back into the park!! I hope they improve on that this year!!

 

[kmchisholm]

We fly Southwest, since they always seem to be the cheapest and we use SW credit card bonus points. When are you arriving/leaving? We're there Friday to Wednesday and our flights were $127 departing and $108 returning. (They're Air Tran flights, since SW bought them out.) If you see anything for $108.00 I'd grab it, since from our experience, that's most likely the lowest rate you'll see.

Tiger Milk. Still can't look a bottle in the eye.

AirTran is having a sale and I'm kicking myself that I bought a few weeks ago and could have saved if I had waited a few weeks. I recommend checking them out or using kayak.com that allows you to compare multiple flights, times and prices.

 

[fairestoneofall]

i have a question about the start. from the video of last year's race, it looked like they had an area in the parking lot of HS with food trucks, tables and such. it almost looked like you could hang out with your family for a bit. am i seeing that wrong?

do we have to go to ESPN and then shuttle to the race? or can we show up at HS entrance? i know they'll tell us all this, but i'm curious now.

 

[PrincessV]

i have a question about the start. from the video of last year's race, it looked like they had an area in the parking lot of HS with food trucks, tables and such. it almost looked like you could hang out with your family for a bit. am i seeing that wrong?

You're not wrong! Yes, a large open area with food trucks, porta-potties, DJ booth, bag check, etc. A few picnic tables, but plenty of room to park it on the ground, too.

do we have to go to ESPN and then shuttle to the race? or can we show up at HS entrance? i know they'll tell us all this, but i'm curious now.

If you're driving, yes you have to park at WWOS and take a bus to DHS. At least, that was the case last year. If you take a bus from a host resort, it drops you right at the pre-race staging area in DHS.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you're driving, yes you have to park at WWOS and take a bus to DHS. At least, that was the case last year. If you take a bus from a host resort, it drops you right at the pre-race staging area in DHS.

How do spectators (with party tickets) get there? Does everyone get on the same bus from the host resort or are they separate?

 

[freepixie]

i have a question about the start. from the video of last year's race, it looked like they had an area in the parking lot of HS with food trucks, tables and such. it almost looked like you could hang out with your family for a bit. am i seeing that wrong?

do we have to go to ESPN and then shuttle to the race? or can we show up at HS entrance? i know they'll tell us all this, but i'm curious now.

Yup, just as PrincessV said!! They call that main area the "staging area" they had a DJ, food trucks, bag check, etc. The corrals were adjacent to that- so you could hang with your fam in the staging area, but they couldn't go in the corrals with you obviously.

If you are driving, yes, ESPN, and get the bus from there.

How do spectators (with party tickets) get there? Does everyone get on the same bus from the host resort or are they separate?

Everyone gets on the same bus Unless your family doesn't want to get there as early as you do, they can always take a later bus!

 

[moonlitelace]

What if I'm planning to already be in HS around 7pm, do I just head to the area?

 

[fairestoneofall]

You're not wrong! Yes, a large open area with food trucks, porta-potties, DJ booth, bag check, etc. A few picnic tables, but plenty of room to park it on the ground, too.


If you're driving, yes you have to park at WWOS and take a bus to DHS. At least, that was the case last year. If you take a bus from a host resort, it drops you right at the pre-race staging area in DHS.

thank you! that's awesome. we're staying at AoA, but are planning to hop on a bus at Pop. i'm glad to know that we can all hang out before the race. then, they can go on into the party while i sweat my behind off!

 

[kmchisholm]

What if I'm planning to already be in HS around 7pm, do I just head to the area?

Yes, I believe you can walk from HS, BWV, Y&BC

 

[bumbershoot]

Everyone gets on the same bus Unless your family doesn't want to get there as early as you do, they can always take a later bus!

Thanks!

 

[holleypie]

PW starred review, awesome! I downloaded your book on my Kindle. It sounds great! And yep, this is a VERY tough business. My second book slump was a killer and I've lost track of the amount of times I've wanted to quit, but I have to do something with all these voices in my head. Are you a member of SCBWI? Have you been to our conferences?

And to keep this on-topic, (and possibly go into oversharing territory,) I have to say that Disney races has completely changed my writing! A year before the 2013 Princess Half, I made this huge list of goals for my writing, fitness, and family life. The lure of earning a gorgeous medal really motivated me to work harder, live better, and have more fun. Crossing that finish line in February was such a beautiful, emotional experience - the ultimate reward! So now, I have another big list for the 2014 Princess and TOT that includes three books to finish ... which means I better get to work now, huh?

Aw, thank you! I'm not a member of SCBWI but it's probably something I should look into.

Over the years I've noticed that there's a strong correlation between the running going well and the writing going well. And so far this year the running is definitely going well, so I'm hoping the writing will catch up soon. I've been giving myself a break on goal-setting (and keeping) lately because my son is still so young, but really...I'm only working part time, and he still naps 2-3 hours a day, so I have the time now to Get Serious. Not "three books to finish" serious...but serious.

 

[PrincessV]

Does everyone get on the same bus from the host resort or are they separate?

Yep!

The corrals were adjacent to that- so you could hang with your fam in the staging area, but they couldn't go in the corrals with you obviously.

Can I just say how incredibly awesome that set-up was last year? Soooo much better than Princess! I hope they can keep it the same this time around. Really, a runner could be in her corral with her support team right next to her, on the other side of the fencing, until the start. And the in-corral porta-potties? Swoon!

What if I'm planning to already be in HS around 7pm, do I just head to the area?

I think so - you should be able to just exit the park and head into the parking lots. Follow the noise and lights to the staging area, which is in a couple of the far lots.

thank you! that's awesome. we're staying at AoA, but are planning to hop on a bus at Pop. i'm glad to know that we can all hang out before the race. then, they can go on into the party while i sweat my behind off!

Don't worry - in early Oct. they'll be sweating, too!