Official inaugural Tower of Terror 10 miler thread. September 29, 2012

[jeanigor]

My race recap is done: Tower of Terror 10-Miler Race Recap I have a lot of the same concerns echoed here - hope runDisney's listening!

Depending upon your concerns you can write a letter to runDisney and/or the race director, too. Not just hope they hear it through the grapevine, express your concerns.

 

[AnotherPrincess]

Princessallegra, you were right in front of me. I was just a few minutes behind your chip time. I'm thinking I may have seen you and your hubby. Did you have a tutu on? I know when I passed mike 7 they said I was 2:55 behind pace so they didn't cut it off right at pace. I'd love to know just how far behind me they cut it off. In any case I never want to be that close again. Also, I was 30 seconds ahead at 6 so I lost almost 3:30 during that mile. My Nike splits reflect this. I don't know what it was about that mile but it was by far my hardest.

 

[princessallegra]

Princessallegra, you were right in front of me. I was just a few minutes behind your chip time. I'm thinking I may have seen you and your hubby. Did you have a tutu on? I know when I passed mike 7 they said I was 2:55 behind pace so they didn't cut it off right at pace. I'd love to know just how far behind me they cut it off. In any case I never want to be that close again. Also, I was 30 seconds ahead at 6 so I lost almost 3:30 during that mile. My Nike splits reflect this. I don't know what it was about that mile but it was by far my hardest.

Yup! I had a purple tutu and headband. Hubs had a bright sky blue tech tee on. I'm sorry for any fighting or cursing you may have witnessed. He was really really pissed off :-(

I was just damn proud of myself for being able to walk virtually the whole way with just 2 miles of jogging and cross that finish. I never would have expected that, and frankly if they had a med tent at the 5K mark I would have stopped there.

We are almost definitely doing the Princess this year.

 

[walkdmc]

How many men participate in the princess 1/2? I'd love to do it and know DH would come along. I don't have any GFs who run so can't enlist them.

I was so disappointed in my performance (walking the last 2 miles) that I'm dying to try a 1/2 in the near future. Funny, I went from swearing off distance runs, sticking to 5ks, to needing to run a 1/2....soon!

 

[pinkxray]

​

The TOT run was my first Disney run. To be honest I was very disappointed. The weather was horrible, which I know Disney can't control so I don't really factor that in.


I thought the course was incredibly boring. I did like seeing the hyenas and liked running the track and baseball course, but there was such a lack of characters along the boring highways stretches I couldn't wait for the race to be over. Then, the finish line was boring. I was expecting at least Mickey in a Halloween outfit or something


Another thing that really bothered me was that people who walked and jogged had no consideration for others. There were multiple times where the person infront of me jogging came to a dead stop and started walking without checking if anyone was behind them. Everytime I stopped jogging and went to a walk I looked around first and moved behind someone else walking so that people who were jogging had somewhere to go. I had trained enough to where I could have jogged more, but didn't have enough energy in the heat/ humidity to have to deal with the weaving around walkers. In a few cases when the joggers who stopped dead in their tracks there were walkers on both sides so there were about 5/6 walkers across. I had to jog backwards to not crash into them, sideways to get around them, and then faster to pass them After a few times of that happening I gave up and ended up walking most of it. I have heard of people having to weave through the crowds but couldn't believe how many people just came to a stop without considering if someone was behind them


I finished in 2:35 which was horrible to me. I had trained up to 12 miles during the heat and humidty in CT and never had a time that bad. Even on the worst day I never went over a 14m pace on long runs, most were around 13m. I knew FL would slow me down but not to the point were I had to make sure I was under the 16m pace requirement.


After the run I didn't feel very well, so I didn't get to check out the party. DH and DD were able to ride Toy Story and Star Wars with low waits. I was pretty sad that I wasn't feeling well enough to go on the roller coaster since it was the first year DD was tall enough. I had to sit that one out and sat on the ground for about 45 minutes. I felt pretty horrible and was afraid I wouldn't be able to get up again and walk out. Once DH and DD came back I got up and started walking and had to sit down again 2 minutes later. I ate a pretzel and felt much better. Next time I need to make sure I eat right after so that doesn't happen again. I probably would have been better off if DH had a pretzel waiting for me when I was done.


Overall I am very bummed with how it went. I had expected to come out motivated to train harder for the Princess Half, but am really lacking motivation now. If I hadn't already rented DVC points and booked airfare I wouldn't even sign up for the Princess.


I definitely won't be doing this one again. I really hope the Princess is better, because I had the marathon in sights in the next year or two and will really need a Disney marathon to keep me motivated enough to train.​

 

[Jubilee]

​

I definitely won't be doing this one again. I really hope the Princess is better, because I had the marathon in sights in the next year or two and will really need a Disney marathon to keep me motivated enough to train.​

It is better!!!!!!! =)

Honestly, I think Disney split all their race volunteers since all of the races were on Saturday, and being a night race, there are probably less people able to volunteer anyway, hence the lack of motivational crowds. Princess also has a higher capacity so they have more of a budget... I think all of the budget for this race probably went to the DHS party, which I didn't really utilize whatsoever.

 

[princessallegra]

How many men participate in the princess 1/2? I'd love to do it and know DH would come along. I don't have any GFs who run so can't enlist them.

I was so disappointed in my performance (walking the last 2 miles) that I'm dying to try a 1/2 in the near future. Funny, I went from swearing off distance runs, sticking to 5ks, to needing to run a 1/2....soon!

This year there were 19,000+ participants and I think they said 1,000 men. DH is totally cool with being surrounded by women!

 

[PrincessV]

OK, we've all aired our opinions on the race, but I want to know seriously,

Who is planning to do this race again next year?

I'd put me down as "highly unlikely." I just really don't enjoy night races, I'm finding - though I've already agreed to do the Wine & Dine 2013 with a friend, so that'll take the place of TOT anyway.

Depending upon your concerns you can write a letter to runDisney and/or the race director, too. Not just hope they hear it through the grapevine, express your concerns.

Oh, I already have! But whether they actually listen to our concerns is another story.

I was just damn proud of myself for being able to walk virtually the whole way with just 2 miles of jogging and cross that finish. I never would have expected that, and frankly if they had a med tent at the 5K mark I would have stopped there.

We are almost definitely doing the Princess this year.

Bolding is mine - I'd have done exactly the same, lol! In retrospect, I really wish I'd have stopped when the pain hit. It's a weird feeling - I am proud of finishing, but I'm kind of mad at myself for doing so, too. But I'm still on for the Princess - see you there!

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

I want to comment on how WDW totally wowed me after the race... I didn't buy an "I did it!" shirt at the expo for fear of bringing bad luck. And I didn't buy one at the after-party because I was mentally wiped and wasn't even sure I could manage using a credit card. And I didn't buy one at EP the next day because I wasn't feeling so great about finishing at the time. So Monday, I decide I WANT that shirt and begin my search at Team Mickey at DTD... nope, they had no race stuff. Next stop was WWOS... the Clubhouse store was closed, but 2 CMs were walking by and I asked when it would open - "It's usually open on Thursdays," I was told, "What do you need?" So I told him about the shirt saga and said, "Oh well, it wasn't meant to be!" Next thing I knew, he said, "Hang on," went inside the dark, closed store, came back and held up the shirt in the window and asked "Is this it?" I gave him a thumbs-up, he unlocked the door and let me go in to buy it. He made my race weekend! As a frequent WDW visitor, I often feel lately that that incredible Disney service is slipping, but Kenny totally restored my faith.

 

[yulilin3]

I probably won 't do it next year, not because I didn't enjoy it, I did and my 2 biggest issues were no characters at the staging area/start area and finish line and the other was the bag pick up going down stairs at Indy, but I'm sure they'll address this...I won't because I'm hit with the Run Disney bug, I'm already registered for the Princess Half, my DD12 and I are planning on doing Expedition Everest (the medal and scavenger hunt ) and the Dine and Wine Half. If I come upon some extra money I'll do it next year.

 

[FireDancer]

I was wondering if anyone knew what overall time or time per mile would get you in coral A? I was in coral B and I cut off over 2 mpm from the time that I entered.

I run a half between 1:25 and 1:29 depending on the course and weather and that gets me into Coral A at Disney. A 1:30 half translates to about a 1:09 10-miler. I would guess (and that is all it is) that for a 10 miler 1:15 or 1:20 would be the cutoff for Coral A.

It is interesting reading the reviews. I'm not sure how I would have felt about this race. I don't care about characters, at least not as far as photo ops, but I do like running past them. The lack of spectators was the same with the first F&W and it does make parts of the run a little boring. I don't do Disney races as much for the on course entertainment, I do them to run through the parks and on property and treat it just like any other race between the start gun and finish line. I do them more for before and after like spending some time in the parks and then celebrating a race in one after.

The reports I'm reading sound a lot like the reports from the first W&D, actually I think these are less scathing than those were since some of the logistics were so bad, and keep in mind they made a lot of positive changes to that race before year two to deal with the complaints. I am not sure if I'll ever do this race because the W&D has become my favorite race at WDW so I'd rather do that but it is good to read the reviews.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

​

The TOT run was my first Disney run. To be honest I was very disappointed. The weather was horrible, which I know Disney can't control so I don't really factor that in.


I thought the course was incredibly boring. I did like seeing the hyenas and liked running the track and baseball course, but there was such a lack of characters along the boring highways stretches I couldn't wait for the race to be over. Then, the finish line was boring. I was expecting at least Mickey in a Halloween outfit or something


Another thing that really bothered me was that people who walked and jogged had no consideration for others. There were multiple times where the person infront of me jogging came to a dead stop and started walking without checking if anyone was behind them. Everytime I stopped jogging and went to a walk I looked around first and moved behind someone else walking so that people who were jogging had somewhere to go. I had trained enough to where I could have jogged more, but didn't have enough energy in the heat/ humidity to have to deal with the weaving around walkers. In a few cases when the joggers who stopped dead in their tracks there were walkers on both sides so there were about 5/6 walkers across. I had to jog backwards to not crash into them, sideways to get around them, and then faster to pass them After a few times of that happening I gave up and ended up walking most of it. I have heard of people having to weave through the crowds but couldn't believe how many people just came to a stop without considering if someone was behind them


I finished in 2:35 which was horrible to me. I had trained up to 12 miles during the heat and humidty in CT and never had a time that bad. Even on the worst day I never went over a 14m pace on long runs, most were around 13m. I knew FL would slow me down but not to the point were I had to make sure I was under the 16m pace requirement.


After the run I didn't feel very well, so I didn't get to check out the party. DH and DD were able to ride Toy Story and Star Wars with low waits. I was pretty sad that I wasn't feeling well enough to go on the roller coaster since it was the first year DD was tall enough. I had to sit that one out and sat on the ground for about 45 minutes. I felt pretty horrible and was afraid I wouldn't be able to get up again and walk out. Once DH and DD came back I got up and started walking and had to sit down again 2 minutes later. I ate a pretzel and felt much better. Next time I need to make sure I eat right after so that doesn't happen again. I probably would have been better off if DH had a pretzel waiting for me when I was done.


Overall I am very bummed with how it went. I had expected to come out motivated to train harder for the Princess Half, but am really lacking motivation now. If I hadn't already rented DVC points and booked airfare I wouldn't even sign up for the Princess.


I definitely won't be doing this one again. I really hope the Princess is better, because I had the marathon in sights in the next year or two and will really need a Disney marathon to keep me motivated enough to train.​

I hear you about being disappointed with timing. I've been training hardcore because I am running the Goofy this January and wanted to be in a good corral. I was pleased to be in B for TOT, and was anticipating finishing in 1 1/2 hours. I finished at 2 hours and 17 minutes. I was NOT pleased in any way, especially considering my 10 mile runs take me, on average, 1 1/2 hours. I am also running the Wine and Dine next month, and I am now worried that this time from TOT will be factored into my starting corral, and I'll have bad placement.

 

[jeanigor]

I am quite certain that your time for ToT will not effect your corral placement for Wine & Dine. RunDisney can't know if you decided to go slow or had issues or if you were Lightning McQueen. If you had a time that would you be bumped up it would be on you to submit the time.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

BTW - I want to see your pics! Here are a few from the weekend:

Proud Mom moment; my kids ran their first races.

This picture cracks me up - he was giving everyone the thumbs up all day.

Waiting for the race to start (I'm on the left).

All done.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

BTW - I want to see your pics! Here are a few from the weekend:

Waiting for the race to start (I'm on the left).

LOVE your shirt! Is that something you had made or can you buy it?

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

I am quite certain that your time for ToT will not effect your corral placement for Wine & Dine. RunDisney can't know if you decided to go slow or had issues or if you were Lightning McQueen. If you had a time that would you be bumped up it would be on you to submit the time.

Glad to hear this!

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

LOVE your shirt! Is that something you had made or can you buy it?

Thanks! I purchased it off of Etsy from a shop called Ruffles with Love. I asked if she could make a custom saying, and she did!

 

[John VN]

I run a half between 1:25 and 1:29 depending on the course and weather and that gets me into Coral A at Disney. A 1:30 half translates to about a 1:09 10-miler. I would guess (and that is all it is) that for a 10 miler 1:15 or 1:20 would be the cutoff for Coral A.

It is interesting reading the reviews. I'm not sure how I would have felt about this race. I don't care about characters, at least not as far as photo ops, but I do like running past them. The lack of spectators was the same with the first F&W and it does make parts of the run a little boring. I don't do Disney races as much for the on course entertainment, I do them to run through the parks and on property and treat it just like any other race between the start gun and finish line. I do them more for before and after like spending some time in the parks and then celebrating a race in one after.

The reports I'm reading sound a lot like the reports from the first W&D, actually I think these are less scathing than those were since some of the logistics were so bad, and keep in mind they made a lot of positive changes to that race before year two to deal with the complaints. I am not sure if I'll ever do this race because the W&D has become my favorite race at WDW so I'd rather do that but it is good to read the reviews.

Frank, we are on the same page regarding so many issues, see my bolding. Heck, I'd race even if there was no medal. I just wish I was faster and able to race with you but at 62 and a worn out body that could never happen, unless you run backwards.

 

[jimandami]

I run a half between 1:25 and 1:29 depending on the course and weather and that gets me into Coral A at Disney. A 1:30 half translates to about a 1:09 10-miler. I would guess (and that is all it is) that for a 10 miler 1:15 or 1:20 would be the cutoff for Coral A.

It is interesting reading the reviews. I'm not sure how I would have felt about this race. I don't care about characters, at least not as far as photo ops, but I do like running past them. The lack of spectators was the same with the first F&W and it does make parts of the run a little boring. I don't do Disney races as much for the on course entertainment, I do them to run through the parks and on property and treat it just like any other race between the start gun and finish line. I do them more for before and after like spending some time in the parks and then celebrating a race in one after.

The reports I'm reading sound a lot like the reports from the first W&D, actually I think these are less scathing than those were since some of the logistics were so bad, and keep in mind they made a lot of positive changes to that race before year two to deal with the complaints. I am not sure if I'll ever do this race because the W&D has become my favorite race at WDW so I'd rather do that but it is good to read the reviews.

I think they were WAY more liberal with corral placement than that. I submitted a 1/2 time of 1:57 and I was in A for ToT.

 

[Disneychix]

I don't think we would run this race again unless they changed the course. It was just very dull and I'd much prefer to be all those people at the after party that were having fun and riding rides and drinking than those of us that stunk, were sore and dripping wet with sweat and hardly had a chance to ride anything or in some cases needed medical attention.
I spent about 2.5hours at the party and I can tell you I saw 3 people collapse right in front of me (one in the bag check line!) and at least 3 other instances of medics biking or running to collapsed people. All over the place there were people laying (napping?) on benches and I presume their loved ones were riding rides? It just didn't seem to be a good scene.
That long walk after the race with the food box and drinks and pictures is laughable now but torturous then! Who designed that?

I'm sad how our Brightroom pictures turned out. We waited right at the end for the picture with the ToT sign behind us and it's all blury. The picture of us at the finish is very very dark. Just sad!
I guess can say I had fun training with my DH and am glad we got into shape together, but this was enough for running in Fl in Sept for me!

 

[John VN]

I hear you about being disappointed with timing. I've been training hardcore because I am running the Goofy this January and wanted to be in a good corral. I was pleased to be in B for TOT, and was anticipating finishing in 1 1/2 hours. I finished at 2 hours and 17 minutes. I was NOT pleased in any way, especially considering my 10 mile runs take me, on average, 1 1/2 hours. I am also running the Wine and Dine next month, and I am now worried that this time from TOT will be factored into my starting corral, and I'll have bad placement.

I pulled off the course for a McDonald's M&M McFlurry and then had a fall at mile 8.5 with the results being much slower than my corral A start would suggest. There is no connection between races that will affect my Dopey placement so as mentioned, you have no worries.