Official 2013 Tower of Terror 10 Miler

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Before I ran my first marathon I had gained about 50 pounds and not run in more than 5 years. I decided to run the marathon to give me a goal that required real effort to achieve. I wanted to be able to run as much of it as possible, only walking toward the end (if necessary). I made this decision only 5 months before the marathon. So, I went from couch to marathon in 5 months. I will link the training plan that I used. I ran the first 17 miles without stopping (or feeling like I needed to stop). After that, I walked/ran the remaining 9 miles and finished - but I hurt for a few days afterward.

You need to decide how hard you want to push yourself. To be able to run 10 miles straight through, you will need to put in more running days and miles each week than the Galloway plan requires. I have tried the Galloway method and it does not work for me, but I know people who swear by it.

Beginner Marathon Training Schedule - 20 weeks

Beginner Half Marathon Training Schedule - 12 weeks

So much great info from you RunDISers!!!

What an incredible accomplishment on your part -- fantastic!!

This is a new resource for me -- thanks for sharing it! I could definitely bump up from the 3 days/wk I've been doing with C25K. I have that addictive personality that creeps in, so I have to watch for OVERdoing it... Will definitely look into this new training program option -- thanks!!

 

[PrincessV]

Thank you so much for your insight as a fellow exercise-induced asthma "sufferer"!! I've found that on days when my allergies are bad and I'm running outside, my lungs are pretty... unhappy... by the end of a 5K.

Yep, same here - and forget cold, dry days!

Question for you... I use my inhaler about 30min before running and that has generally been good for a 5K. Do you use one, and if so, do you ever use it DURING a longer run as well?

I use it before runs most of the year - I can generally skip it in summer, as high humidity seems to work just as well. I brought it on my first few long runs, just in case, but I've never needed a second hit. In fact, I feel like the longer i go, the better my breathing becomes. I'm not at all sure if that would be true without the walk intervals.

 

[annmarieda]

As a total newbie, I'm wondering about this: how many run/walk vs. only run these Disney races?

My background... until a couple of months ago, I hadn't run more than across the street to catch the light, since hating the "endurance run" we had to complete in high school. Didn't help that I had undiagnosed exercise asthma at the time... not fun.

Inspired by my 8-YEAR OLD SON starting to run (and running his first 5K this Sat!!), and my sister who ran the Princess 1/2 this year, I started C25K in April. I'm now able to complete a 5K with 5min walking warmup at the start, and running the rest without walk breaks -- to the tune of a 11:30 pace overall (w/warmup).

My question is about next steps... I was looking at the C210K, working toward running a 10K (without walk breaks seems to be what the app trains you for). Assuming I live through that (!!), my question is what then?? Seems hard to imagine that I could run-only a whole 10 miler. But the short intervals that Galloway does seem unappealing to me.

Anyone out there running as much as possible of a 10 miler? What training program do you use? Do you take the "occasional" walk breaks as needed?

Thanks all!!

I used a C25k.. then C210k before the ToT last year. The way I trained was to run without breaks. Once done with the 10k, I just took my miles up a bit more. I think the most I got to was 7 miles... and I was more than prepared for the 10 miler. Course, I didn't end up running much because the person I was with did not train the same way I did. I finished feeling very good. Once back from that I did step up my training to a C221k program (although it is not from the couch it assumes you can do a 10k already) I ran nearly all of the phm, except for potty break, picture break and walking up one of the last hills.

You can totally do it! And really there is no wrong way to do so. You can walk or run or some combination there of. Just have fun! No matter if that fun is running the entire thing or stopping to meat ever character.

I think it entirely depends on the experience you want from the race. It would probably be a good idea to talk to your friends and see what their expectations are for the race, and if they match up with yours. If you are all ok with going slowing and stopping for each other as needed, regardless of time, then it would be fun to run together.

I have a trio of really good friends that I travel with and also run, and the running together question usually comes up before each race. I'm the slowest of the 4 of us, so slowing my pace to match theirs has never been my particular challenge. I always tell them, you're welcome to run with me at my pace, but you should feel no obligation to do so, and I won't be offended if you decide partway through the race that you want to run faster and leave me behind. Of the 10 half marathons we've run "together", 3 we ran together from start to finish (usually an attempt to help me get a PR, or if they were feeling like pushing it), 4 we started together and then split up during the race (once as early as .5 miles in, once as late as 10 miles in), and 3 we started in completely different corrals, and ran entirely separate.

So yeah, talk to your friends. That's the only way you'll know if running together is a good idea for you guys.

You put this so perfectly! Communicate!!! That is where I personally completely dropped the ball last year. This year I hope I am doing a better job. Course, it takes people being able to listen too... and this year, the friends I am going with are a tad better at listening.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Yep, same here - and forget cold, dry days!

I use it before runs most of the year - I can generally skip it in summer, as high humidity seems to work just as well. I brought it on my first few long runs, just in case, but I've never needed a second hit. In fact, I feel like the longer i go, the better my breathing becomes. I'm not at all sure if that would be true without the walk intervals.

Thanks again for your insight! I guess I'll play it by ear and I start C210K, and remain open to the possibility of intervals if need be.

I used a C25k.. then C210k before the ToT last year. The way I trained was to run without breaks. Once done with the 10k, I just took my miles up a bit more. I think the most I got to was 7 miles... and I was more than prepared for the 10 miler. Course, I didn't end up running much because the person I was with did not train the same way I did. I finished feeling very good. Once back from that I did step up my training to a C221k program (although it is not from the couch it assumes you can do a 10k already) I ran nearly all of the phm, except for potty break, picture break and walking up one of the last hills.

You can totally do it! And really there is no wrong way to do so. You can walk or run or some combination there of. Just have fun! No matter if that fun is running the entire thing or stopping to meat ever character.

Thanks so much for the encouragement and info!!! I think I may go the same route you did training-wise, and see how it goes. Good to know that these races are great opportunities to run HOWEVER YOU NEED/WANT TO. Makes me feel even better about this being my first big race!

 

[swimfly]

Diving into this board! DH decided he wanted to start running again. So, I'm going to run the TOT with him in October. Finally booked our rooms today but hoping a FL/AP deal comes out in the fall.

2013-2014 RD repetoire includes TOT, Dopey, Glass Slipper Challenge, & hope to add DDD.

 

[Light Cyan]

I just noticed that corral placement was out for WDW marathon weekend?? One would think the same was true for TOT but I can't seem to find it?! Does anyone know if coral placement is out there yet!?

 

[DOOM1001]

I just noticed that corral placement was out for WDW marathon weekend?? One would think the same was true for TOT but I can't seem to find it?! Does anyone know if coral placement is out there yet!?

Where did you see runner corral placements for the marathon weekend in January?Are you sure it was for 2014 because I think it's a little early for that info to come out.I gave it a quick search and didn't see anything.

 

[rachlovestv]

You put this so perfectly! Communicate!!! That is where I personally completely dropped the ball last year. This year I hope I am doing a better job. Course, it takes people being able to listen too... and this year, the friends I am going with are a tad better at listening.

Haha, yeah, you have to make sure when you're talking about your race plan with your friends that everyone is paying attention and being clear and honest. It's actually the same as any sort of vacation planning in my experience - as long as everyone knows what everyone else expects, there shouldn't be any surprises or hurt feelings. It probably helps my situation that we are all run-straight-through runners, and don't have to worry about intervals, walking, etc, and we've also never stopped for photos really.

 

[moonlitelace]

Where did you see runner corral placements for the marathon weekend in January?Are you sure it was for 2014 because I think it's a little early for that info to come out.I gave it a quick search and didn't see anything.

I was just on the rundisney website and didn't see it posted. Could you post a link to the info please?

 

[TMcDwyer]

As a total newbie, I'm wondering about this: how many run/walk vs. only run these Disney races?

My background... until a couple of months ago, I hadn't run more than across the street to catch the light, since hating the "endurance run" we had to complete in high school. Didn't help that I had undiagnosed exercise asthma at the time... not fun.

Inspired by my 8-YEAR OLD SON starting to run (and running his first 5K this Sat!!), and my sister who ran the Princess 1/2 this year, I started C25K in April. I'm now able to complete a 5K with 5min walking warmup at the start, and running the rest without walk breaks -- to the tune of a 11:30 pace overall (w/warmup).

My question is about next steps... I was looking at the C210K, working toward running a 10K (without walk breaks seems to be what the app trains you for). Assuming I live through that (!!), my question is what then?? Seems hard to imagine that I could run-only a whole 10 miler. But the short intervals that Galloway does seem unappealing to me.

Anyone out there running as much as possible of a 10 miler? What training program do you use? Do you take the "occasional" walk breaks as needed?

Thanks all!!

I can only run if I do walk/run intervals. I follow the Galloway training plan and do 1.5/1 run/walk intervals.

 

[TMcDwyer]

Where did you see runner corral placements for the marathon weekend in January?Are you sure it was for 2014 because I think it's a little early for that info to come out.I gave it a quick search and didn't see anything.

I agree. It is way to early for coral placement for Jan. I don't even think the DL 1/2 is out yet.

 

[swimfly]

I agree. It is way to early for coral placement for Jan. I don't even think the DL 1/2 is out yet.

Can't imagine it being out before POT is due 08/01.

 

[HiMagicFan]

My sister and I signed up for our FIRST RunDisney - the Tower of Terror.

I have never done 10 miles and I have never run at night.
I do more of a fast walk and rarely run so am worried about being swept.

I have not started training and after reading this I am both freaked and encouraged. It's never too late, right....

But I do have goals (a) not getting swept (b) 12-14 min so that I can stop and take pictures (c) finish! and (d) not embarrass myself by getting sick after the event and thereby not enjoying the Bash

I have read from the beginning and then had to stop, lost my place, so will start again. I definitly have some questions for the more experienced and appreciate the help everyone willingly gives.....

 

[TMcDwyer]

My sister and I signed up for our FIRST RunDisney - the Tower of Terror.

I have never done 10 miles and I have never run at night.
I do more of a fast walk and rarely run so am worried about being swept.

I have not started training and after reading this I am both freaked and encouraged. It's never too late, right....

But I do have goals (a) not getting swept (b) 12-14 min so that I can stop and take pictures (c) finish! and (d) not embarrass myself by getting sick after the event and thereby not enjoying the Bash

I have read from the beginning and then had to stop, lost my place, so will start again. I definitly have some questions for the more experienced and appreciate the help everyone willingly gives.....

I am traveling with 2 girlfriends for TofT. I am running, but they are both planning on walking. If you put the training miles in I am sure you will do great!

 

[moonlitelace]

My sister and I signed up for our FIRST RunDisney - the Tower of Terror.

I have never done 10 miles and I have never run at night.
I do more of a fast walk and rarely run so am worried about being swept.

I have not started training and after reading this I am both freaked and encouraged. It's never too late, right....

But I do have goals (a) not getting swept (b) 12-14 min so that I can stop and take pictures (c) finish! and (d) not embarrass myself by getting sick after the event and thereby not enjoying the Bash

I have read from the beginning and then had to stop, lost my place, so will start again. I definitly have some questions for the more experienced and appreciate the help everyone willingly gives.....

The official training just started on Tuesday so hopefully you'll make it as this Saturday is the first long walk/run

 

[Light Cyan]

Where did you see runner corral placements for the marathon weekend in January?Are you sure it was for 2014 because I think it's a little early for that info to come out.I gave it a quick search and didn't see anything.

It WAS an old link! Someone posted it in the PHM Facebook group today?! Phew! Sorry for the confusion!! I didn't think that would be possible.

 

[bumbershoot]

As a total newbie, I'm wondering about this: how many run/walk vs. only run these Disney races?

My background... until a couple of months ago, I hadn't run more than across the street to catch the light, since hating the "endurance run" we had to complete in high school. Didn't help that I had undiagnosed exercise asthma at the time... not fun.

Inspired by my 8-YEAR OLD SON starting to run (and running his first 5K this Sat!!), and my sister who ran the Princess 1/2 this year, I started C25K in April. I'm now able to complete a 5K with 5min walking warmup at the start, and running the rest without walk breaks -- to the tune of a 11:30 pace overall (w/warmup).

My question is about next steps... I was looking at the C210K, working toward running a 10K (without walk breaks seems to be what the app trains you for). Assuming I live through that (!!), my question is what then?? Seems hard to imagine that I could run-only a whole 10 miler. But the short intervals that Galloway does seem unappealing to me.

Anyone out there running as much as possible of a 10 miler? What training program do you use? Do you take the "occasional" walk breaks as needed?

Thanks all!!

I haven't gone more than a 5K yet (except for while training), so I'm no expert, but I've continued to use walk breaks while preparing for the TOT. I've been running since later last summer; started with the C25K and just kept going. During that program I found I had to repeat repeat repeat, especially once the run portions got longer. After I did the program for *time*, I went through it again and did it for the miles. And again I had to repeat weeks to make sure my cardio-pulmonary-vascular system, not to mention muscles, tendons, and ligaments, were up to it as well.

I've found that doing the walk breaks, as long as I'm doing the work, is helping with everything. I *plan* to take regular walking breaks during the TOT, but hey, maybe I won't *need* to. But if I do, it's totally OK. Doing the intervals keeps me stronger and keeps me from "dying" at the end, and that's good!


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In case anyone wondered, my Skirt Sports running skirt is fabulous! The Happy Girl version is nice and long, and doesn't make me feel like I'm flashing my rear. I didn't have to mess with the shorts even once. It wasn't cheap, but it was seriously worth it.

 

[moonlitelace]

Here's a pic of some of my costume as I'm still not sure what shirt I'm wearing or if it'll be too hot for the sleeves, lol. The skirt has shorts under it too!

 

[erinna]

Here's a pic of some of my costume as I'm still not sure what shirt I'm wearing or if it'll be too hot for the sleeves, lol. The skirt has shorts under it too!

Raw Threads has an "Evil Queen" t-shirt:

http://www.rawthreads.org/evilqueenblackvneck.aspx

 

[PrincessV]

Finally booked our rooms today but hoping a FL/AP deal comes out in the fall.

For sure, I've gotten AP rates during that time for years.

I have never done 10 miles and I have never run at night.
I do more of a fast walk and rarely run so am worried about being swept.

HiMagicFan and others - it's absolutely positively possible to walk the entire thing! I watched lots and lots of people doing it last year. My advice is to clock your pace now, as you're just getting started. That will give you an idea about where you're starting and where you need to go to hit your goal pace.

Here's a pic of some of my costume as I'm still not sure what shirt I'm wearing or if it'll be too hot for the sleeves, lol. The skirt has shorts under it too!

That skirt is so much cuter on than in flat pics! My friend tried the sleeves last year... she yanked them off within a mile. Too hot.

Raw Threads has an "Evil Queen" t-shirt:

http://www.rawthreads.org/evilqueenblackvneck.aspx

I was thinking the same thing!


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I had the nicest run last night - there really is hope for getting through summer! I went out around 7:30pm, a few hours after the last band of TS Andrea had departed my area... 78* and breezy - just lovely!