Official 2013 Tower of Terror 10 Miler

[PrincessV]

I did eight miles for the first time! I am hurting though. But I did it!

Congrats - that's a great accomplishment!

I was able to get late resignations from gettravel last week.did not think we could make it this year and suddenly everything changed.definitely behind on the training but I'm sure we can do it.

See you all there!

Awesome!

Awesome run reports this weekend! I got in 9 doing 2min run/1 min walk, was perfect running weather here in VA this am. Best news is that I constantly held a 12min mile (and that was while managing a almost 2 yr old boxer). While that's not fast if I can maintain it for 13 miles it will be a PR for a half for me as my best is 2:45!

Fantastic!

I was happy to get in 8 with 2 min intervals of running and walking. But man am I tired today!

Wooo hooo!

Well I haven't done the Galloway "finish upright" plan's 9 miles but I did do 4 miles, with some hills, today all* at a running pace. Which was fabulously awesome IMO.

That's great - WTG!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My turn... after a week off, I wasn't sure what I'd end up doing Saturday, but I woke up feeling really good! Ran an easy 1 out of every 5 minutes for 3 miles and felt fine - no knee pain at all - so I switched to 1:00/1:00 intervals for another 3 miles - again, no pain! I felt really, really good, too; like I could have done the 11 miles called for in my plan, but I opted not to push it and called it at 6.

I had a little swelling and discomfort (not even really pain) that evening, but it was gone by the time I woke up yesterday. My plan calls for 4 miles of hill repeats this weekend... but I think that's pushing it. Think I'll do an easy 4-5 instead, aim for 11.5-12 the weekend after that, and do hills instead of speed on 9/14. 13-14 miles on 9/21, and then... taper time! Race day is coming up FAST!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Great to hear about others' weekend runs -- awesome job, all!!

After a week off for that knee issue I had, I ran 9 miles yesterday! My longest before that was 7, plus my knee held up, so I'm pretty happy! My time wasn't my best, but I'm just looking to finish my first 10-miler - not so worried about that aspect (good thing!).

Now hopefully the body cooperates until at least Oct 5th!

 

[bumbershoot]

With just over a month to go, I went and got new shoes and a very first pair of orthotics. RoadRunnerSports finally got me, LOL. But I was so unhappy with my shoes (and no orthotics) and feet that a change had to happen.

Luckily it's while I'm visiting my brother, who is a runner, and we're running on land instead of the treadmill (b/c there's someone else to watch my son as long as we go before my sis in law leaves for work), so it's a great time to make the change.

 

[HiMagicFan]

GREAT JOB everyone!

My 9 mile walk is on Thursday....I start my hill training this weekend for the next 3 weekends.

I am not doing the mile run/mile walk because I don't really like to run, so will probably wait til next month Wednesdays to do actually some running.

I don't really plan to run the TOT but was planning to walk it....you don't actually have to run it, right?

 

[TammyAlphabet]

GREAT JOB everyone!

My 9 mile walk is on Thursday....I start my hill training this weekend for the next 3 weekends.

I am not doing the mile run/mile walk because I don't really like to run, so will probably wait til next month Wednesdays to do actually some running.

I don't really plan to run the TOT but was planning to walk it....you don't actually have to run it, right?

I think as long as you don't exceed 16 per mile, you are okay. But not 100% sure on that.

 

[MightyDuck001]

I had a brutal run today, but I ordered the lights for my costume so the prospect of being a one woman electrical parade made everything better. Costumes always make everything better.

 

[tiki23]

I had a brutal run today, but I ordered the lights for my costume so the prospect of being a one woman electrical parade made everything better. Costumes always make everything better.

Absolutely!

 

[HiMagicFan]

I think as long as you don't exceed 16 per mile, you are okay. But not 100% sure on that.

Thanks - that's what I thought too - so gonna work on my times next.

 

[PrincessV]

After a week off for that knee issue I had, I ran 9 miles yesterday! My longest before that was 7, plus my knee held up, so I'm pretty happy! My time wasn't my best, but I'm just looking to finish my first 10-miler - not so worried about that aspect (good thing!).

Now hopefully the body cooperates until at least Oct 5th!

Yay, so glad to hear it went well! Fingers crossed all around

I don't really plan to run the TOT but was planning to walk it....you don't actually have to run it, right?

Not at all - plenty of people walk all or most of it.

I think as long as you don't exceed 16 per mile, you are okay. But not 100% sure on that.

Exactly - the maximum pace allowed is a 16:00/mile. The "sweeper clock" starts when the very last person crosses the start line; that person maintains a 16:00/mile pace - you just need to stay in front of her/him. So, really, you can easily end up racing an average pace slower than 16:00 if you start a corral or two ahead of that last person... battling an injury, I wound up with an average pace of 16:21 last year, but I started in the middle of C (corrals were A-D) and was able to run a good portion of the first few miles, which put me far ahead of the sweeping point. Even logging a couple miles with a pace well over 16:00, I never saw the sweepers.

I still recommend training for a 15:00/mile pace to give some padding, but don't worry that you have to maintain that at every second of the race. Unless you start at the very back of the last corral. In that case, yes, pick up the pace!

 

[happysummer]

I am really worried I am going to be sweep. I hurt the top of my foot tripped on a root running. I was already behind in training now this. I am not even a runner, this is my first long race.
Any other overweight new runners doing this race?

I am still trying to walk but the top of my foot hurts when I have running shoes on.
Just having a bad day.
I hope everyone else is having good runs.

 

[cewait]

I am really worried I am going to be sweep. I hurt the top of my foot tripped on a root running. I was already behind in training now this. I am not even a runner, this is my first long race.
Any other overweight new runners doing this race?

I am still trying to walk but the top of my foot hurts when I have running shoes on.
Just having a bad day.
I hope everyone else is having good runs.

Hopefully, you are icing the injury and as soon as it quits swelling, heating for comfort. If it does not start to feel better a week or so post injury make sure to visit a doc for evaluation.

I have no idea what training plan you are training under but understand that all training plans are built to make the race easier. Missing some training is not the end of the world. From a mental aspect you want to have completed every run as that takes some of the worry away. Know that you can still run and complete the event.

Get healed. Get back out there. Smile while you walk/run to relieve upper body stress. Stay within yourself, trying to go too fast for your come back condition will gas you quickly and leave you sucking hard for air. Do not bail just yet. You still have 5 weeks. In the simplest of schedules you could go 2 miles this weekend, 4 the next, 6, 8 and then race day. This is subprime but adding 2 miles a week is not too outlandish either.

Hang in there. We will See Ya at the Line!

ADDED - not to be negative at this point... Start the race. If you get swept take it and use it as a learning experience. I will guarantee you that you will not be the first on the van/bus nor the only one . I have not finished a a couple races and while it stung at the moment, I have used those experiences in a positive way since those days.

 

[GrownUpLilo]

New question: how dark are the night races at Disney? Do people carry flashlights/glow sticks or anything?

 

[HiMagicFan]

Hopefully, you are icing the injury and as soon as it quits swelling, heating for comfort. If it does not start to feel better a week or so post injury make sure to visit a doc for evaluation.

I have no idea what training plan you are training under but understand that all training plans are built to make the race easier. Missing some training is not the end of the world. From a mental aspect you want to have completed every run as that takes some of the worry away. Know that you can still run and complete the event.

Get healed. Get back out there. Smile while you walk/run to relieve upper body stress. Stay within yourself, trying to go too fast for your come back condition will gas you quickly and leave you sucking hard for air. Do not bail just yet. You still have 5 weeks. In the simplest of schedules you could go 2 miles this weekend, 4 the next, 6, 8 and then race day. This is subprime but adding 2 miles a week is not too outlandish either.

Hang in there. We will See Ya at the Line!

ADDED - not to be negative at this point... Start the race. If you get swept take it and use it as a learning experience. I will guarantee you that you will not be the first on the van/bus nor the only one . I have not finished a a couple races and while it stung at the moment, I have used those experiences in a positive way since those days.

How wonderful - havent injured myself and i know this wasnt directed at me but thank you!

Yup! Dont give up and take your time. U CAN DO IT!

And even if u get swept - you tried! Not to try might lead to regret.

Take your time - and great advice given.

Go for It!

 

[HiMagicFan]

New question: how dark are the night races at Disney? Do people carry flashlights/glow sticks or anything?

Never done any night runs but i am planning on wearing glow stick bracelets. No flashlight - that is something i dont want to carry around.

 

[PrincessV]

I am really worried I am going to be sweep. I hurt the top of my foot tripped on a root running. I was already behind in training now this. I am not even a runner, this is my first long race.
Any other overweight new runners doing this race?

I am still trying to walk but the top of my foot hurts when I have running shoes on.
Just having a bad day.
I hope everyone else is having good runs.

I'm so sorry - I know how scary and frustrating it feels to be injured this close to your first distance race. Your primary focus needs to be on healing the injury, though - take care of that and you've won more than half the battle!

Hopefully, you are icing the injury and as soon as it quits swelling, heating for comfort. If it does not start to feel better a week or so post injury make sure to visit a doc for evaluation.

I have no idea what training plan you are training under but understand that all training plans are built to make the race easier. Missing some training is not the end of the world. From a mental aspect you want to have completed every run as that takes some of the worry away. Know that you can still run and complete the event.

Get healed. Get back out there. Smile while you walk/run to relieve upper body stress. Stay within yourself, trying to go too fast for your come back condition will gas you quickly and leave you sucking hard for air. Do not bail just yet. You still have 5 weeks. In the simplest of schedules you could go 2 miles this weekend, 4 the next, 6, 8 and then race day. This is subprime but adding 2 miles a week is not too outlandish either.

Hang in there. We will See Ya at the Line!

ADDED - not to be negative at this point... Start the race. If you get swept take it and use it as a learning experience. I will guarantee you that you will not be the first on the van/bus nor the only one . I have not finished a a couple races and while it stung at the moment, I have used those experiences in a positive way since those days.

Listen to Coach! I didn't do as he suggests and pushed myself right into a much, much worse injured state before my first distance race, which happened to be last year's TOT. Not fun. Lesson learned.

New question: how dark are the night races at Disney? Do people carry flashlights/glow sticks or anything?

The course is lit well enough - no need for flashlights, though glow sticks/necklaces/laces/bracelets/etc. can be fun in the darker sections. I painted glow-in-the-dark spots on my skirt last year and they never showed up; it wasn't dark enough.

That said... if anyone thinks they'll need to use a porta-potty on the course, you may want to think ahead about how to light things up in there! I wore my iPhone in an armband and found that just hitting the Home button to light up my phone screen gave me enough light to... well, avoid touching anything in the Little Shack of Ick that ought not be touched. I was just dealing with a Team Sparkle skirt - I imagine a little light would have been even more critical were I wrangling a tutu!

 

[sanapunk]

So depressed. My training was going amazingly, and on schedule. Now I have a strained quad and my run has been reduced to a limp The race is so close and now this.

I have not run all week and am trying to take it easy and ice it but it does not seem to feel any different! Hoping it heals up by next weekend for that 10 mile run >_<

 

[cewait]

New question: how dark are the night races at Disney? Do people carry flashlights/glow sticks or anything?

....

The course is lit well enough - no need for flashlights, though glow sticks/necklaces/laces/bracelets/etc. can be fun in the darker sections. I painted glow-in-the-dark spots on my skirt last year and they never showed up; it wasn't dark enough.

That said... if anyone thinks they'll need to use a porta-potty on the course, you may want to think ahead about how to light things up in there! I wore my iPhone in an armband and found that just hitting the Home button to light up my phone screen gave me enough light to... well, avoid touching anything in the Little Shack of Ick that ought not be touched. I was just dealing with a Team Sparkle skirt - I imagine a little light would have been even more critical were I wrangling a tutu!

I agree for the most part. I find that WDW adds enough light to keep you on course and relatively safe. What is troubling for me in a location or two are misplaced (but well intentioned) portable lighting that shines towards the runners. To overcome this I will wear a visor that I can slide down a little if I run into the situation again.

 

[cewait]

So depressed. My training was going amazingly, and on schedule. Now I have a strained quad and my run has been reduced to a limp The race is so close and now this.

I have not run all week and am trying to take it easy and ice it but it does not seem to feel any different! Hoping it heals up by next weekend for that 10 mile run >_<

Do you roll and stretch your legs? If not, get a foam roller and roll the calves, hams and quads 2x a day. It will hurt like all get out the first few times you roll over a tight spot.

In the interim, you may want to consider a NSAID for a couple days to help with the micro-inflammation. If there is no swelling, try heat to help comfort the pain (especially since it is muscle and not joint). I would consider skipping out on your run this weekend to help the area heal.

Hang in there. The race is almost here.

 

[belle032]

Got in 8 miles today! Feel like I'm a little off schedule due to me falling off my horse going over a jump the other week. Sprained elbow and bruised tailbone, couldn't get off the couch! I definitely sympathize with all ya'll who have been injured during training.

So it occurred to me that since I'm already sweating profusely in the NY heat, I know FL will be killer. Did ya'll bring towels or sweat bands for this race?

Also, I've determined I like the GU Chomps but do any of you bring granola or energy bars to run with? I feel like with all the gumminess, I'd like to have something to chew on!

 

[PrincessV]

Got in 8 miles today! Feel like I'm a little off schedule due to me falling off my horse going over a jump the other week. Sprained elbow and bruised tailbone, couldn't get off the couch! I definitely sympathize with all ya'll who have been injured during training.

So it occurred to me that since I'm already sweating profusely in the NY heat, I know FL will be killer. Did ya'll bring towels or sweat bands for this race?

Also, I've determined I like the GU Chomps but do any of you bring granola or energy bars to run with? I feel like with all the gumminess, I'd like to have something to chew on!

OUCH! I've (knock on wood) been lucky so far - haven't fallen from a horse yet. Watched my son go down once and it scared me to death! He was fine, but still... Glad you're okay and back to running!

I live in FL and use a wicking visor or hat all summer. It helps some. I also use one of those old-school terrycloth wrist sweat bands. I can use it to catch sweat before it drips into my eyes, plus it makes a great sponge! I soak it with water along the way and squeeze it out down my back.

I can't subsist on chews alone, so I alternate between chews and either a Clif bar or Honey Stinger Waffles. Works well for me!