Official 2013 Tower of Terror 10 Miler

[moonlitelace]

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

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

I saw that, but it doesn't come in my size as I usually wear a 2x Maybe next year after I've lost weight from all this running!

 

[cewait]

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!!

As a newbie I would seriously consider the run/walk program and work up to running continuously should that ever be a goal.

By run/walking you
- stress the legs less because walks use the muscles a bit differently

- you are forgiven when running inconsistent paces; trust me, most folks will naturally try to speed up as the run continues. A newbie simply will not have the cardio engine to support that.

- R/W can allow you to go farther, longer, quicker; speaking more along the lines of building miles not building pace.

- Do not feel like an amateur when run walking, many really fast and experienced runners run that way.

The secret of run/walking is to start the interval as you start your run. Waiting until you need to walk defeats many of the benefits of the style of running.

 

[HiMagicFan]

Thank you for the encouragement! Found my shoes!

Gonna look up the jeff galloway and that other plan and make adjustments as necessary.

I think we have the right temperatures here but not sure what to expect about the humidity.

Also our nights are cooler than the days......so I am gonna be training right after work when it is the hottest.

but was wondering should I bother with a night walk?

 

[HiMagicFan]

Also since I didn't know what we were doing and I guessed the wrong dates when I booked our trip, we will be doing the parks prior to the walk.

My sister and I don't think we can count the walking we will be doing in the parks as a "walk" so has anyone done some practice walks in the evenings at their resort? We are staying at Port Orleans and I figure when we get back to the room it should be around 10:30 to midnight and if we walked for an hour after that we should be good, right?

Thanks

 

[HiMagicFan]

Thanks to the original OP who started this and everyone for sharing!

I have been getting really great ideas/tips as I begin....

do the stores in the resorts sell the sports drinks or do you have to go grocery shopping?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

do the stores in the resorts sell the sports drinks or do you have to go grocery shopping?

They sell Powerade.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

You should read my fall trip report. I don't know how you and your friends are, but I can tell you this ended very badly for me and mine. It isn't easy for a person who is not much of a runner to try to keep up with a faster paced runner and it is t fun for a faster paced runner to attempt to stay back.... At least I my case it wasn't. It didn't help that between us, one wanted lots of character stops and the other didn't care. Maybe if both had character stops as a priority the pace wouldn't have mattered.

If a decent time- not even a pr matters to you, I would suggest running on and meeting at the end. You all will have a better time if you do.

Reading it now. THANKS!!!

 

[erinna]

I am running this race with a few friends. Question is, would you run your own race, at your own pace with a good corral placement OR run with friends but knowing you'll be in the last corral and won't PR????

My theory is everybody should run solo and the speedy fast runners should pickup the bags, track the slower ones and be waiting with a beer and a big HURRAH at the finish line. Of course, that's probably because I AM the slower runner.

 

[annmarieda]

They sell Powerade.

POFQ even had it on tap...so free in your refillable mug.

Reading it now. THANKS!!!

cool! Noticed my link was not good in my signature...so fixed it. If you notice any other broken links... let me know.

 

[bumbershoot]

My theory is everybody should run solo and the speedy fast runners should pickup the bags, track the slower ones and be waiting with a beer and a big HURRAH at the finish line. Of course, that's probably because I AM the slower runner.

I like that theory!


Being a slower runner, I would be so sad if I kept someone from running their race just so they could stay with me. Communication is definitely important!

Thanks to the original OP who started this and everyone for sharing!

I have been getting really great ideas/tips as I begin....

do the stores in the resorts sell the sports drinks or do you have to go grocery shopping?

You're probably already thinking along these lines, but be sure to buy and use what you've been using during training. Don't ever try something for the first time while on a race course. You just never know how your system is going to react to something, and you can make yourself sick if you try something your body doesn't end up liking. My brother tried something, a gu maybe, for the first time while feeling great and on the road to a PR in a marathon, and it stopped him in his tracks. Made the rest of the run absolutely miserable. It's been a few years now, and he still looks miserable when he talks about it. Really ruined his day.

So only buy at the parks, and only drink while on the course, things you know work for you from your training.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Hearing from all of you here has really been enormously helpful -- and I'll take any MORE advice I can get, too -- always!

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!

Thanks for sharing your experience!! I did some repitition with the C25K, too. Or modification might be more accurate. When I saw that I was expected to go from run 8min, walk 5min, run 8min, to run 20 min I FREAKED OUT!! I made it 10-5-10, then 10-3-10, then run 20. Not sure how much of this was necessary physically vs. psychologically...

Just started C210K today: run 10min, walk 1 min -- repeat 4 times. It felt doable, and I did a bit over 4mi this way. I dunno... I think I may need to work in walk breaks for my lungs -- that stinkin' exercise-induced asthma.

I can't help but wish I didn't need to... Type-A curse!! I think I might just need to get over it!

As a newbie I would seriously consider the run/walk program and work up to running continuously should that ever be a goal.

By run/walking you
- stress the legs less because walks use the muscles a bit differently

- you are forgiven when running inconsistent paces; trust me, most folks will naturally try to speed up as the run continues. A newbie simply will not have the cardio engine to support that.

- R/W can allow you to go farther, longer, quicker; speaking more along the lines of building miles not building pace.

- Do not feel like an amateur when run walking, many really fast and experienced runners run that way.

The secret of run/walking is to start the interval as you start your run. Waiting until you need to walk defeats many of the benefits of the style of running.

I hear ya' -- and thanks for the insight!! Funny that I think my "issues" at the moment are at least as much psychological as they are physical!!

 

[rachlovestv]

My theory is everybody should run solo and the speedy fast runners should pickup the bags, track the slower ones and be waiting with a beer and a big HURRAH at the finish line. Of course, that's probably because I AM the slower runner.

I concur! This is exactly what occurred at the end of my first half. Luckily, I am also the slower runner in this scenario!

 

[kmchisholm]

Week 1 done - 10.5 miles total. Slow and nursing a calf injury, but done! Good luck on everyone's run today and keep dry for those on the east coast!

 

[bumbershoot]

My Saturday 3 mile run was a 3.1 mile official run, and it went great! My only issue was that I had stuff in the pockets of my running skirt, and the stuff was pulling the skirt down annoyingly! Lesson learned...don't use the pockets.

Another lesson learned, I heat up super-quick, so don't wear the zip-up sweatshirt.


I did the Castaway Cay in over 46 minutes, and I did this one, which starts downhill, gets flat, goes up, goes down, the ends on a long uphill slog, in 39:12.


I just ignore the guys that finish it in 17 minutes, LOL. They have all sorts of races going all at once, and there's a 15 minute wait between the 5K runners and the 12K runners. This one guy ran the 5K, got back, switched bibs, and did the 12K run. I can't even imagine!


Even though I've been almost exclusively treadmill for training, I found the ground to be wonderful to run on. I always have the treadmill at an incline, and I try to be very mindful of using those hamstring muscles instead of letting the treadmill do that work for me, and I guess that combo has worked. It felt great!

And while most of the spectators were ONLY cheering for their own people (grr), the few volunteers and few spectators who cheered for everyone were awesome. When it was time for DH and DS to finish (they were doing the walking 5K, which left half hour after my race), I went to the finish chute and clapped for everyone coming by. My hands are sore, but I feel good having done that.

 

[PrincessV]

Week 1 done - 10.5 miles total. Slow and nursing a calf injury, but done! Good luck on everyone's run today and keep dry for those on the east coast!

Way to get it done!

My Saturday 3 mile run was a 3.1 mile official run, and it went great! My only issue was that I had stuff in the pockets of my running skirt, and the stuff was pulling the skirt down annoyingly! Lesson learned...don't use the pockets.

Yay! And double yay for figuring out wardrobe issues ahead of time!

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

4 miles for me at sunrise this morning - almost 3 of them hill repeats bookended with warm-up and cool-down. 77, 94% humidity and cloudy - so, cool for FL summer, lol! Felt GREAT

 

[momabaarjo]

For me the Galloway Method has turned out to be a God send! I was really struggling with the C25K as the intervals changed into almost straight running. I am not a runner, never going to fool myself into thinking that I will ever be a runner, but with the Galloway method I have learned that a 10 mile Race and yes, even a 1/2 Marathon is something that I can possibly do! I know there are a lot of nay sayers and eye rollers out there about running 2 minutes and walking 1 minute...but hey, it is working for me and I don't dread getting out there for a "RUN" and actually look forward to those mornings when a run is scheduled. Don't worry about me trying to beat you or get in your way...I will cross the finish line in my own time. I am not running for time, but for myself...getting into better shape and accomplishing something that I am certain will shock most people that know me. Time is not important (other than staying away from the sweepers) but having fun and finishing (wearing that medal around my neck) is.

 

[tinydancr06]

For me the Galloway Method has turned out to be a God send! I was really struggling with the C25K as the intervals changed into almost straight running. I am not a runner, never going to fool myself into thinking that I will ever be a runner, but with the Galloway method I have learned that a 10 mile Race and yes, even a 1/2 Marathon is something that I can possibly do! I know there are a lot of nay sayers and eye rollers out there about running 2 minutes and walking 1 minute...but hey, it is working for me and I don't dread getting out there for a "RUN" and actually look forward to those mornings when a run is scheduled. Don't worry about me trying to beat you or get in your way...I will cross the finish line in my own time. I am not running for time, but for myself...getting into better shape and accomplishing something that I am certain will shock most people that know me. Time is not important (other than staying away from the sweepers) but having fun and finishing (wearing that medal around my neck) is.

Go you! But remember, if you run (whether its 2 or 20 minutes at a time) you ARE a runner

 

[annmarieda]

Go you! But remember, if you run (whether its 2 or 20 minutes at a time) you ARE a runner

EXACTLY! Plus... running 2 then walking 1 means you can't say you are more of a walker than runner!!!

 

[momabaarjo]

Go you! But remember, if you run (whether its 2 or 20 minutes at a time) you ARE a runner

EXACTLY! Plus... running 2 then walking 1 means you can't say you are more of a walker than runner!!!

Thanks...for some reason it is hard for me to say that I am a runner. I know that I am running more than I am walking...but I am moving ahead at a faster pace than my body likes to do at times! LOL

Finished a 5 1/2 mile run this morning....felt good and strong and AMAZED how far I have come since January when I really got serious about doing this!

 

[annmarieda]

Thanks...for some reason it is hard for me to say that I am a runner. I know that I am running more than I am walking...but I am moving ahead at a faster pace than my body likes to do at times! LOL

Finished a 5 1/2 mile run this morning....felt good and strong and AMAZED how far I have come since January when I really got serious about doing this!

I think you have made great progress since January. INCREDIBLE progress really. I have about plateaued.... Since last October, I have bettered my pace by maybe a minute...minute and a half.