Official 2013 Tower of Terror 10 Miler

[BuckeyeBama]

My wall is very much mental though. I've walked long distances with no problem and in the middle of a race even if I'm just walking I start to tense up. It is all because of my teenage years when I was constantly told ill never be able to run. My JROTC instructors, my dad, my track coach. They all said I was a hopeless case. Now that I've found Hal Hogan and the runDisney guy and have been following their plans I can do a 5 mile at a 12-13 min mile pace and 10-half marathon at a 15 min mile pace.

However this time around I am training a little better. I only have 10 weeks to train this time due to an injury but I'm sticking with it. I didn't even hurt myself running! I slipped in the shower after a run and tore a tendon in my foot, talk about luck haha. Now I'm all better and still gunning for TOT.

Okay, I get it. Congratulations on your confidence. It will help in every aspect of your life.

 

[bumbershoot]

My wall is very much mental though. I've walked long distances with no problem and in the middle of a race even if I'm just walking I start to tense up. It is all because of my teenage years when I was constantly told ill never be able to run. My JROTC instructors, my dad, my track coach. They all said I was a hopeless case.

(that guy is supposed to look sad and empathetic and sympathetic)

 

[wilkeliza]

(that guy is supposed to look sad and empathetic and sympathetic)

Thanks. Running is definitely helping me mentally. I just wish it wasn't so hot. I ended up joining a gym so I can train.

 

[PrincessV]

I just wanted to note that if you are hitting a "wall" before the 20 mile mark, it is a result of racing beyond your training preparation. You are running too far or too fast (or both) for your current level of running fitness. Please keep this in mind, as many runners have been badly injured by pushing themselves too far, too soon - or by not adequately training for a distance.

Perhaps we have different definitions of the term "wall." My "wall" hits around 4-6 miles and is that point at which I'm not particularly enjoying the experience anymore and would really like to just stop - the point at which the negative thoughts show up. But once past that, I'm faster, happier, in my groove and loving every minute. Given that I've run for years, have followed solid training plans for distance, and routinely turn in negative splits from mile 5 or 6 on (up to 14 so far), I definitely don't think it's a matter of not being fit or trained enough. That's just how my runs go; different for everyone, I'm sure.

 

[PrincessV]

Thanks. Running is definitely helping me mentally. I just wish it wasn't so hot. I ended up joining a gym so I can train.

I hear ya on the heat - I ran outside last night because it was cloudy... 5 minutes in I wished I'd opted for the treadmill, lol! Literally felt like the air was thick. (Probably didn't help that I ran my favorite park - which is a wetlands preserve. )

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Ran 9 miles on the treadmill last night.....yay.....but my back is killing me this morning as is the top of my left foot. Any thoughts? The foot issue started a few weeks ago after a 5 mile run. It feels like it's bruised. Does that make sense?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I hear ya on the heat - I ran outside last night because it was cloudy... 5 minutes in I wished I'd opted for the treadmill, lol! Literally felt like the air was thick. (Probably didn't help that I ran my favorite park - which is a wetlands preserve. )

I hear that! I've been doing earlier morning runs to try to beat the heat, but when I finish it's still around 82 degrees, "feels like" 88-90, with 75%-80% humidity. I'm not in Florida... is this even considered HOT for Florida?!?! I'm HOPING that training in this will help me...

 

[moonlitelace]

10 miles for me will be the longest I've ever run, any suggestions?

 

[PrincessV]

I hear that! I've been doing earlier morning runs to try to beat the heat, but when I finish it's still around 82 degrees, "feels like" 88-90, with 75%-80% humidity. I'm not in Florida... is this even considered HOT for Florida?!?! I'm HOPING that training in this will help me...

LOL, yes - that's HOT in my book, no matter the location! Actually, that's about what I've been seeing here in the mornings - it was 80 at 5am yesterday, with a Feels Like of 86. The sun wasn't even up yet! A start temp at 7am in the low-80s is pretty typical, but the earlier I go out, the higher the humidity: 90-100% is the norm at this point.

10 miles for me will be the longest I've ever run, any suggestions?

Are you using a training plan? I highly recommend doing so! Jeff Galloway supplies his plan for the TOT on the runDisney site. Hal Higdon also has a 10 mile/half-marathon plan.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

LOL, yes - that's HOT in my book, no matter the location! Actually, that's about what I've been seeing here in the mornings - it was 80 at 5am yesterday, with a Feels Like of 86. The sun wasn't even up yet! A start temp at 7am in the low-80s is pretty typical, but the earlier I go out, the higher the humidity: 90-100% is the norm at this point.

Yikes! OK... good... so at least I'm using this heat wave to my training advantage!!

 

[moonlitelace]

LOL, yes - that's HOT in my book, no matter the location! Actually, that's about what I've been seeing here in the mornings - it was 80 at 5am yesterday, with a Feels Like of 86. The sun wasn't even up yet! A start temp at 7am in the low-80s is pretty typical, but the earlier I go out, the higher the humidity: 90-100% is the norm at this point.


Are you using a training plan? I highly recommend doing so! Jeff Galloway supplies his plan for the TOT on the runDisney site. Hal Higdon also has a 10 mile/half-marathon plan.

I've been trying to stick to the Galloway method, but being a newbie to running I'm struggling with the longer runs.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

I've been trying to stick to the Galloway method, but being a newbie to running I'm struggling with the longer runs.

you shouldnt really be struggling all that much, if you read the guide it said you shouldnt really be huffing and puffing if you are having issues and getting tried lower your ratios a bit or take a couple walk breaks you are probably trying to push yourself too hard.. dont really stress your time yet you will improve you just need to get past the mental blocks when it comes to distance.

 

[MightyDuck001]

For anyone who's done night race costumes before, I saw at W&D a girl who had battery powered lights sewn into her tutu. Does anyone have any recommendations for lights? I'm looking for pink and purple ones for my Cheshire cat costume...

 

[moonlitelace]

you shouldnt really be struggling all that much, if you read the guide it said you shouldnt really be huffing and puffing if you are having issues and getting tried lower your ratios a bit or take a couple walk breaks you are probably trying to push yourself too hard.. dont really stress your time yet you will improve you just need to get past the mental blocks when it comes to distance.

I know it's more of a mental thing, but I'm wondering if it's also a weight thing as I'm over 200 lbs. I am slowly getting faster though as well as being able to last longer than when I started

 

[heyitsmejosh]

I know it's more of a mental thing, but I'm wondering if it's also a weight thing as I'm over 200 lbs. I am slowly getting faster though as well as being able to last longer than when I started

well im overweight myself im a little over 250 (was 270 when i started running).. but im male as well.. while sure weight will have something to do with it you have more mass to move, but the weight will start to come off as you run as long as you are eating right and running will be easier since you are lighter. just make sure you focus more on running goals then weight goals they are little more rewarding and you will progress faster and that will help you stay motivated. if you are having trouble finishing the longer runs really you just need to slow down a bit and walk a little more i'm not sure what ratio you are using during the week but maybe reduce it a bit i use 25/35 during the week and then 20/40 or 15/45 on the long run. Back to the eating right thing make sure you are eating enough food so that you have energy to make the long runs, some people diet and starve themselves to lose weight but end up with no energy for the runs, maybe even try some gels during the run.... either way it sounds like you are me and you just want to get across the line well keep in mind we are still over two months out so dont really worry about getting your times down just yet that will happen on its own and it will happen faster than you expect.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I make bad life choices sometimes.

I went to a wine dinner @ Shula's tonight (6.5 glasses of wine) and when I got home, I decided to run 1.4 miles on the road after being restless for 45 minutes.

I'm more focused now relaxing at home but I gave myself shin splits like I've never had before.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh Yoda, OUCH.



So...given my reaction to just *living* in the unusual-for-this-area heat, and my reaction even while running indoors, I think I just have to admit I'm going to have to carry a bunch of water with me during the 10-miler. I was just describing it to DH, saying I'd have a huge Camelback pack, with waistpacks full of Shot Bloks and sports beans strapped to me bandolier-style, with salt tabs (I really have to try those in training, see if they work nicely for me or not) taped to my arms. What an image!

But seriously, talk to me about carrying fluid on a race. I'm just getting used to a small waistpack, I'm not sure I could deal with water bottles bouncing on a waistpack, and honestly I'm not sure a couple smallish water bottles will do much for me. I'm a majorly sweaty jogger.

So, camelback? Talk to me about them please? Do you feel water sloshing around? Does it annoy you? Is being annoyed worse than or better than being dehydrated and not finishing the race? (yeah, easy answer there) Does anyone use them? Which ones?


Thanks, all. Oh, and most importantly for my vanity...I won't be the only one using such a thing, will I? There will be at least one other person carrying fluid on their back, right?

 

[moonlitelace]

well im overweight myself im a little over 250 (was 270 when i started running).. but im male as well.. while sure weight will have something to do with it you have more mass to move, but the weight will start to come off as you run as long as you are eating right and running will be easier since you are lighter. just make sure you focus more on running goals then weight goals they are little more rewarding and you will progress faster and that will help you stay motivated. if you are having trouble finishing the longer runs really you just need to slow down a bit and walk a little more i'm not sure what ratio you are using during the week but maybe reduce it a bit i use 25/35 during the week and then 20/40 or 15/45 on the long run. Back to the eating right thing make sure you are eating enough food so that you have energy to make the long runs, some people diet and starve themselves to lose weight but end up with no energy for the runs, maybe even try some gels during the run.... either way it sounds like you are me and you just want to get across the line well keep in mind we are still over two months out so dont really worry about getting your times down just yet that will happen on its own and it will happen faster than you expect.

I think it's also the fact that I'm running an hr or 2 after dinner. Probably not the best time to run, but I've gotta work it in somehow, lol. Being on Nutrisystem has helped with the weight too. They actually have a pb&j bar that I eat for lunch! I'm pretty sure my problems are just a mental issue. I gotta start telling myself I can do this

 

[BuckeyeBama]

So, camelback? Talk to me about them please? Do you feel water sloshing around? Does it annoy you? Is being annoyed worse than or better than being dehydrated and not finishing the race? (yeah, easy answer there) Does anyone use them? Which ones?

I used the waist one for about a year and did not like it. I had to cinch it very tight to keep it from bouncing when it was full. I switched to the 70 oz backpack about 10 years ago and love it. I make sure that I remove all of the air when I fill the reservoir, so I do not hear any sloshing, and it does not bounce at all, even when completely full.They no longer sell the exact backpack that I use - the closest thing is the Classic, though the Marathoner Vest also looks like it would work well.

 

[annmarieda]

Oh Yoda, OUCH.



So...given my reaction to just *living* in the unusual-for-this-area heat, and my reaction even while running indoors, I think I just have to admit I'm going to have to carry a bunch of water with me during the 10-miler. I was just describing it to DH, saying I'd have a huge Camelback pack, with waistpacks full of Shot Bloks and sports beans strapped to me bandolier-style, with salt tabs (I really have to try those in training, see if they work nicely for me or not) taped to my arms. What an image!

But seriously, talk to me about carrying fluid on a race. I'm just getting used to a small waistpack, I'm not sure I could deal with water bottles bouncing on a waistpack, and honestly I'm not sure a couple smallish water bottles will do much for me. I'm a majorly sweaty jogger.

So, camelback? Talk to me about them please? Do you feel water sloshing around? Does it annoy you? Is being annoyed worse than or better than being dehydrated and not finishing the race? (yeah, easy answer there) Does anyone use them? Which ones?


Thanks, all. Oh, and most importantly for my vanity...I won't be the only one using such a thing, will I? There will be at least one other person carrying fluid on their back, right?

I personally limit what I "carry". I have a great water bottle. (an amphipod.) It holds enough water...and my beans. It has an easy top that comes off. I usually, take it off just before eat water stop (I don't even need to stop running to do this) I then grab a water cup and dump as I run... grab another and dump. I am usually able to completely refill my bottle while running by doing this. The bottle itself slides over my hand.. I can grip it lightly if I wish...or if my fingers are tired... I can completely let go and it stays put. My only complaint is that the zipper to the pouch is on the right side. If I were to wear it on my left hand I would probably work better. I wear it on my right.. and have to reach over to open the pouch. It is kinda akward. Still... it holds all the beans I need it too. As far as on my waist.. I will carry a spibelt to hold a camera.. but anything that might slosh or be heavy I don't think I could handle. However... you will not be alone wearing a full gear belt...or a camel back. I have seen various degrees of "additions" at every event I have been to. (well, except the color in motion..probably for obvious reasons)