Official 2013 Tower of Terror 10 Miler

[bumbershoot]

YES!!! Oh... was that too enthusiastic? Um, a post-race beer was very, very, very good.

There were carts. Lots of carts. A variety of beer choices and I'm pretty sure one had some sort of mixed drinks.

mmmmm.

Last Friday after I did my first 10 mile run the ONLY food that sounded good was an ice cream sundae and a BEER.

Then after, when I was tipsy almost immediately, DH got me crackers and dip.



Is it just me or is that J corral enormous? Really hoping my 10K this weekend allows me to move up corrals.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

A couple people said they want to stop and have pictures with Vader, but last year he was not on the course and just at the after party.

Is this true for this year? Is there a listing somewhere with characters who will be on course?

 

[RunnerRen]

YES!!! Oh... was that too enthusiastic? Um, a post-race beer was very, very, very good.

There were carts. Lots of carts. A variety of beer choices and I'm pretty sure one had some sort of mixed drinks.

I was actually wondering this too!! Thanks for the info! :0)

 

[fairestoneofall]

A couple people said they want to stop and have pictures with Vader, but last year he was not on the course and just at the after party.

Is this true for this year? Is there a listing somewhere with characters who will be on course?

i'm hoping he's at the party again. i want my a picture of my kids with him.

 

[kramerzoo]

Don't know if ths has been asked but...


We arrive Friday night cuz of work and probably headed to MNSSHP. planning on going to Expo first thing on Saturday....With the Expo, do a lot of the officially merchandise sell out quickly?? I'm mostly concerned with like official pins and Vinylmations and "I Did It! Shirts....

TIA!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Today I was at the store and the powerade was in my face. And I remembered that tons of people on this board say that the powerade given at the drink stations is *powdered*. So it's actually different ingredients than the form in the bottle.

I don't particularly want to drink the bottled stuff, given my hatred of HFCS, but I looked around for the powdered online and it's sweetened differently. But I can't find it locally (especially not the lemon lime? one I saw them mention). So how can I test this out?

Or should I just focus on my carried sports beans and shotbloks and water, and figure I'll be OK without the electrolyte *drink*? (I know this is 10 miles and not a marathon, but I'm a person who sweats like crazy, and I've found that I have a pretty intense need for electrolytes and water while I run)

 

[DOOM1001]

Today I was at the store and the powerade was in my face. And I remembered that tons of people on this board say that the powerade given at the drink stations is *powdered*. So it's actually different ingredients than the form in the bottle.

I don't particularly want to drink the bottled stuff, given my hatred of HFCS, but I looked around for the powdered online and it's sweetened differently. But I can't find it locally (especially not the lemon lime? one I saw them mention). So how can I test this out?

Or should I just focus on my carried sports beans and shotbloks and water, and figure I'll be OK without the electrolyte *drink*? (I know this is 10 miles and not a marathon, but I'm a person who sweats like crazy, and I've found that I have a pretty intense need for electrolytes and water while I run)

I'm also a serious sweater and at the full marathon I had water and powerade at pretty much every stop along with like 5-6 Gu gels,2-3 packs of Gu Chomps and a couple of packets of sport beans.For the ten miler I'm going to bring the same energy products but obviously in fewer quantity.In reality I probably won't need too many of these products for a ten mile race but it's better to be safe than sorry as the sweating will probably be pretty intense given it's likely to still be plenty humid.As far as the powerade at the stops I hear people say they're pretty diluted so it's not a strong concentration of the powdered stuff,it's basically water with a tad of sugar,salt and flavor.

 

[bumbershoot]

I should have probably mentioned that my stomach is touchy and I haven't had an energy type drink in a long, long time. Well, at least it's fluid. I finally chatted with my brother about his marathon experience and what happened when he tried something new during the race. It was a gu type thing, and he didn't have enough water, and the way he describes it sounds like it just sucked ALL the water from everywhere and put it in his belly. Hard to run when there's no water in the rest of you. Poor guy.

But a drink won't do quite the same.



I gotta say...THANK YOU to everyone on this thread (and the other threads) who have helped me through to this point in training. I can truly say I have never done ANYTHING like this before; even the varsity sport I was on in college was one I just sort of fell into because a friend thought that Crew would be fun, and I kept doing it after she quit because I'd started it, not because I really meant to do it. I was strong despite my shrimpiness, they didn't kick me out of the boat, and I seemed decent at it. I did what the coach told me to do, showed up when I was told, etc.

But this TOT run has been a decision to sign up for it, and then many many decisions to keep doing the training along the way. Daily decisions to get myself stronger. And you guys have helped me SO much. Thank you thank you.



And last night, by IM (b/c hubby's travel schedule is insane), I shared all the "warning signs of dehydration" and "how important fueling is in the first 30 minutes after a run" stuff from the new reading materials from rundisney we got. He was most appreciative. I don't plan on letting dehydration or electrolyte wonkiness to happen, but it's good to know that he knows what to look for now. He hasn't really seen me after many runs (except the one I fainted after), but DS has, so now the two of them can really look after me. Hoping it won't be necessary, but it's good to give him the knowledge.


I was glad to see Muppets, Great Movie Ride (well, not THAT happy about that one), and Star Tours on the list for attractions that will be open during the party!

 

[MightyDuck001]

I was glad to see Muppets, Great Movie Ride (well, not THAT happy about that one), and Star Tours on the list for attractions that will be open during the party!

You had me on your side right up until your lessened enthusiasm for the Great Movie Ride. It's a close second to Spaceship Earth on my list of best rides ever but then I'm a real thrill junky, so you know... Some people can't handle them.

 

[cewait]

I was planning on posting this next week, but decided to post today based on where the thread has headed.

Trust your training, or lack of training if that is the case. You have done the work now its time to party. Yes, the race is a party to celebrate your accomplishment. If this is your first time at this distance, celebrate your victory and congratulations!

This race is yours! Line up and hold your head high. If you have not figured it out, most all runners in the corral with you are very supportive; you belong there too. When the fireworks go off, take a deep breath, walk up to the line with your newfound friends and take off. Double-check your efforts a little more often than on a training run during the first mile. It is all too easy to set a PR in mile 1 and have 9 more left. As you make your way through the cloverleaf corners and onto Osceola, the flavor of the race will change. You will begin to feel what the day is bringing you. Adjust and use the tool chest of little tricks learned through training to get your through the tough spots that will occur.

Plan on the weather being hot and sticky. Fall does not hit the CFA until later in October. Take it easy on race day and relax. If you are headed to the parks, take plenty of breaks and stay hydrated. You know your fuel strategy, make sure to follow it as best you can during the day. You really do not want to hit a large, heavy buffet dinner at 7 pm; that is, unless that is the way you trained. For many on this thread, you will need to slow up a bit to adjust to the higher than accustomed dew points.

Finally, if you have not trained well for any number of reasons, come on out and start the race; unless it is a sidelining injury. You never know you may find your stride and have a great race. I know through personal and through those I have coached that you can have a good race on a longest training run of 5-6 miles. You may have to play a few mental games at points in the race, but you can still make the end in fine fashion. For my friends who are pace challenged. Again, I say start the race. There is no shame in being out here and attempting the race. You may find that the adrenaline of race night will give you wings. Come and attempt the start. Make it your goal of focusing on the ‘relentless pursuit of forward momentum’. It you do end up falling off pace, review your training and race and create a list of lessons learned. Use that list as your starting point for the next event.

I hope to see you guys soon. Have a great trip down and let make this a great race!

 

[PrincessV]

Or should I just focus on my carried sports beans and shotbloks and water, and figure I'll be OK without the electrolyte *drink*? (I know this is 10 miles and not a marathon, but I'm a person who sweats like crazy, and I've found that I have a pretty intense need for electrolytes and water while I run)

FWIW, training here in FL, I NEED the extra electrolytes in my drink in summer, even on 4-5 mile runs. I pre-hydrated, pre-salted, drank Nuun the entire time, and at the end of my last 11-miler, my capris were caked in white salt. Now, this is all in full sunlight - I definitely drank less during the TOT last year than I did in training thanks to the darkness... but I'm also well acclimated to the weather.

Trust your training, or lack of training if that is the case. You have done the work now its time to party.

Thank you for that, Coach! I'm sidelined now with ITBS and really struggling mentally with the "did I do enough?" thoughts. Yes, I did. And I know that my priority now is getting my IT Band under control, not adding mileage... but it's hard to trust that some days. Thanks for the reminder.

For many on this thread, you will need to slow up a bit to adjust to the higher than accustomed dew points.

I really want to echo this. I am NOT an expert on running, but I AM an expert on FL weather and can speak well on disappointment from "failed" expectations... please, please, please take the heat seriously. I think the hardest part of being hurt last year and ending up far in the back pack was seeing how badly some folks were hurting from the heat/humidity, and how mentally and emotionally painful it was for so many to be so much slower than in training. Unless you're used to our weather, I strongly encourage you to assume you'll be slower for this race. If you're feeling great after a few miles, awesome - gun it and go! But for newer runners, especially, I think you'll have a lot more fun and come out feeling better about yourselves with realistic expectations.

FTR, that applies to me, too. Yes, I'm acclimated to our weather, but I don't ever again want to feel like I felt after TOT lat year - let down, disappointed in myself and struggling to celebrate anything. I should have been so proud of myself, but I'd gone in with lofty, unrealistic expectations of both myself and the race course. I'm changing my approach entirely this time.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Trust your training, or lack of training if that is the case. You have done the work now its time to party.

I LOVE this -- thanks so much for posting!!

FWIW, training here in FL, I NEED the extra electrolytes in my drink in summer, even on 4-5 mile runs. I pre-hydrated, pre-salted, drank Nuun the entire time, and at the end of my last 11-miler, my capris were caked in white salt.
...
I should have been so proud of myself, but I'd gone in with lofty, unrealistic expectations of both myself and the race course. I'm changing my approach entirely this time.

You are SO right about focusing on feeling proud of yourself! As a type-A person, this does NOT come easily to me. While I've gotten better in my "old age" , I still fight that feeling that I COULD have achieved a better pace... even when it was 80 degrees with 84% humidity! Silly, really, given that I started running for the first time ever this past April.

A question for you, too... you mentioned Nuun... do you use this INSTEAD of plain water, or have some of both on a long run? I'm trying to figure this one out...

 

[PrincessV]

As a type-A person, this does NOT come easily to me. While I've gotten better in my "old age" , I still fight that feeling that I COULD have achieved a better pace...

Yep, ditto for me! I think it's extra hard with Disney races, too; pretty much every training plan assumes - and encourages you - that adrenaline and excitement will make you faster on race day than in training. And that may well be true... but Disney races are crowded. And have things to stop and take pictures of. And sharp turns that require slowing down. I'm always much slower in a Disney race than in good training runs, but have turned in a PR in every non-Disney race I've run. It's for that reason (well, and because I can't afford runD anymore, lol!) that I'm planning to do more non-Disney long races after GSC; I want to really see what I'm capable of!

A question for you, too... you mentioned Nuun... do you use this INSTEAD of plain water, or have some of both on a long run? I'm trying to figure this one out...

It mostly depends on how motivated I am to mix Nuun in the middle of a run. My summer long runs usually end up like this:

Pre-run: down 16-24oz Nuun

First few miles: drink two 10oz bottles of Nuun (mixed at home)

Next few miles: drink two 10oz bottles of water w/ a little leftover Nuun (because I have a swish of Nuun left in each and don't want to lose time to pull out a fresh Nuun tab, so I just add water at a fountain)

Last few miles - realize I've stopped sweating. Pull Nuun tablet (already cut in half) out of waist belt and attempt to remove sticky cling wrap - drop one half of Nuun tablet on ground. Pick up, blow off dirt and decide to use it anyway. Open top of bottle #1 with teeth, toss in 1/2 a Nuun, add water, close cap, put bottle back on waist belt. Open cap of bottle #2, drop on ground. Pick back up, rinse off in fountain, add 1/2 Nuun, add water, replace cap, jam onto belt.



The intent is to drink Nuun the whole time, but it seldom actually happens.

 

[HiMagicFan]

I greatly appreciate the continued words of support and encouragement!

I just did another 8 miles walk last night - still feeling unsure about hitting that 10 miles mark - not that I can finish but how I will be feeling AFTER I finish.

I do well in the beginning, fatigue out in the middle and then catch my second wind at the end. So I anticipate that that will happen to me on this trip as well.

Yes, I am worried about the humidity as we just get hot here but have tradewinds -
Yes, I am worried about dehydration - have decided to carry my own powerade as I have been doing on my current training walks
No, I am not going to munch on too much of anything on the walk - I don't do it now but Yes, I will take a small packet of almonds with me just in case.
Yes, I am gonna take vitamin C chews with me for my middle fatigue since I do this for our Great Aloha Run (8 miles).

At this point, I am just waiting til we leave next week to see what the weather is gonna be like.

So thank you EVERYONE! I AM looking forward to starting and AM looking forward to finishing...

 

[HiMagicFan]

Question - I am finding that after my 8 miles training walks that I feel like I have to shower. I know there is no showers after the TOT -

what is suggested? Take a washcloth and put it in the Bag place and just do a wipe down? or just walk around the party and shower when I get back?

what do you all do?

 

[cewait]

Yep, ditto for me! I think it's extra hard with Disney races, too; pretty much every training plan assumes - and encourages you - that adrenaline and excitement will make you faster on race day than in training. And that may well be true... but Disney races are crowded. And have things to stop and take pictures of. And sharp turns that require slowing down. I'm always much slower in a Disney race than in good training runs, but have turned in a PR in every non-Disney race I've run. It's for that reason (well, and because I can't afford runD anymore, lol!) that I'm planning to do more non-Disney long races after GSC; I want to really see what I'm capable of!


It mostly depends on how motivated I am to mix Nuun in the middle of a run. My summer long runs usually end up like this:

Pre-run: down 16-24oz Nuun

First few miles: drink two 10oz bottles of Nuun (mixed at home)

Next few miles: drink two 10oz bottles of water w/ a little leftover Nuun (because I have a swish of Nuun left in each and don't want to lose time to pull out a fresh Nuun tab, so I just add water at a fountain)

Last few miles - realize I've stopped sweating. Pull Nuun tablet (already cut in half) out of waist belt and attempt to remove sticky cling wrap - drop one half of Nuun tablet on ground. Pick up, blow off dirt and decide to use it anyway. Open top of bottle #1 with teeth, toss in 1/2 a Nuun, add water, close cap, put bottle back on waist belt. Open cap of bottle #2, drop on ground. Pick back up, rinse off in fountain, add 1/2 Nuun, add water, replace cap, jam onto belt.



The intent is to drink Nuun the whole time, but it seldom actually happens.

The one issue with NUUNs and running is that folks usually do not have an alternate source of water. Many folks will find the drink salty and either shy away from drinking or over drink. Used in conjunction with a race's aid stations should work well. It is one of the drinks I would say practice before going long.

I greatly appreciate the continued words of support and encouragement!

I just did another 8 miles walk last night - still feeling unsure about hitting that 10 miles mark - not that I can finish but how I will be feeling AFTER I finish.

I do well in the beginning, fatigue out in the middle and then catch my second wind at the end. So I anticipate that that will happen to me on this trip as well.

Yes, I am worried about the humidity as we just get hot here but have tradewinds -
Yes, I am worried about dehydration - have decided to carry my own powerade as I have been doing on my current training walks
No, I am not going to munch on too much of anything on the walk - I don't do it now but Yes, I will take a small packet of almonds with me just in case.
Yes, I am gonna take vitamin C chews with me for my middle fatigue since I do this for our Great Aloha Run (8 miles).

At this point, I am just waiting til we leave next week to see what the weather is gonna be like.

So thank you EVERYONE! I AM looking forward to starting and AM looking forward to finishing...

I hear your fear. I can tell you from running in both states I find little issue adapting. The largest difference will be the loss of the trades; the dew points may actually be lower.

Question - I am finding that after my 8 miles training walks that I feel like I have to shower. I know there is no showers after the TOT -

what is suggested? Take a washcloth and put it in the Bag place and just do a wipe down? or just walk around the party and shower when I get back?

what do you all do?

W ash cloth or moisture wipe would work... though really a change of clothing may give you all that you need. Regardless of the route taken, you will more than likely be sweaty again once you start moving around after changing clothing.

 

[GrownUpLilo]

Trust your training, or lack of training if that is the case. You have done the work now its time to party. Yes, the race is a party to celebrate your accomplishment. If this is your first time at this distance, celebrate your victory and congratulations!

Finally, if you have not trained well for any number of reasons, come on out and start the race;

That was a GREAT motivational "speech"

Thank you! I'm going to print this and bring it with all my travel stuff.

I really like your points I highlighted above - especially the one about the race being a celebration. Good for me to remember that - the race is not the point my training, my training is the point of my RACE. I.e. I need the big goal to keep myself exercising, and it works! Even with injuries, if all goes well, I will have completed about 50 or so of the 56 workouts in my training plan over the 14 weeks prior to race. That is a reason to celebrate!

Thanks again!

 

[bumbershoot]

You had me on your side right up until your lessened enthusiasm for the Great Movie Ride. It's a close second to Spaceship Earth on my list of best rides ever but then I'm a real thrill junky, so you know... Some people can't handle them.

I'll try it again, no worries. Maybe this time we'll get into it.


Normal bathrooms are open at the party, right? I figure I'll stick my head under a faucet. Maybe have DH bring a little washcloth for me, too. Along with my change of clothes and shoes.

 

[Weluvdisny]

Question - I am finding that after my 8 miles training walks that I feel like I have to shower. I know there is no showers after the TOT -

what is suggested? Take a washcloth and put it in the Bag place and just do a wipe down? or just walk around the party and shower when I get back?

what do you all do?

Someone I talked to yesterday mentioned that they bring baby wipes to help clean off the sweat.

 

[run2relax]

Today I was at the store and the powerade was in my face. And I remembered that tons of people on this board say that the powerade given at the drink stations is *powdered*. So it's actually different ingredients than the form in the bottle.

I don't particularly want to drink the bottled stuff, given my hatred of HFCS, but I looked around for the powdered online and it's sweetened differently. But I can't find it locally (especially not the lemon lime? one I saw them mention). So how can I test this out?

Or should I just focus on my carried sports beans and shotbloks and water, and figure I'll be OK without the electrolyte *drink*? (I know this is 10 miles and not a marathon, but I'm a person who sweats like crazy, and I've found that I have a pretty intense need for electrolytes and water while I run)

,
I can't tolerate powerade. I run with an i fitness belt and fill the 2 bottles with a diluted mix of Gatorade and addition to my shot blocks. It's helped me push through the humidity during races here in FL