Tower of Terror 10 Miler 2014

[Dis_Yoda]

Can you use Disney Visa rewards dollars at the Runner's Expo? This may have been asked already so I apologize if that is the case. Thanks in advance.

For the RunDisney store yes. for the vendors no as they will have their own payment systems.

 

[NandK]

For the RunDisney store yes. for the vendors no as they will have their own payment systems.

Awesome! Thanks

 

[Jay Kat]

Forgive me if this has been asked already, but I am running the 5K. Will there be characters on the track? Do people stop and take pictures? Are there a combination of serious runners (meaning, a lot faster than me!) and people who are running for fun? In other words, how loose is it, and is there more of a "fun" atmosphere or more real running? Thanks for any info!

 

[wilkeliza]

Forgive me if this has been asked already, but I am running the 5K. Will there be characters on the track? Do people stop and take pictures? Are there a combination of serious runners (meaning, a lot faster than me!) and people who are running for fun? In other words, how loose is it, and is there more of a "fun" atmosphere or more real running? Thanks for any info!

5K is more fun. I think there are only characters at the beginning and the end but I'm not 100 % sure.

Edit just checked a few reviews and they just mention "entertainment". Also just remember it is a trail run so you should practice running on different surfaces.

These 5Ks are fun runs so usually only the front corrals take them super seriously.

 

[cel_disney]

Forgive me if this has been asked already, but I am running the 5K. Will there be characters on the track? Do people stop and take pictures? Are there a combination of serious runners (meaning, a lot faster than me!) and people who are running for fun? In other words, how loose is it, and is there more of a "fun" atmosphere or more real running? Thanks for any info!

We have experience with a 5k once and there were folks who were serious in the first coral and walkers in the last coral with a spread of everyone else in between! Our 5K did not have much on the course.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I haven't posted in a few weeks. A lot has been going on. But, I still read all the posts. I am glad to see people are doing well in their training.

Unfortunately, I won't be running the race afterall. For those who don't remember, I am going to be getting a divorce but I am living with the future ex-wife still until I can get back to work and get on my feet. It seems staying home with the kids for 6+ years is making that a bit challenging. I might have something soon but still not firm offer.

Anyway, the future ex has decided to start busting my you know what for any reason she can find. Despite agreeing to let me run the race she has now changed her mind. She doesn't care that the money I put out is non-refundable. I have been working on getting her to change her mind over the last couple weeks but yesterday she came out and said she doesn't care about my goals and she'd rather see the money go to waste than to see me run my race.

So, I am here to say thank you to those of you who helped me along the way. I may not be running the race with you but I do have a marathon scheduled on 10/19 still. So, all of your help and support when I first started this process is still paying off. It is still making a difference. I am down over 30 lbs now. I have been down the last couple of weeks with all that's going on so I am behind on my training. I'm still running but not as much as I need to be to be ready for the marathon. But, I will get back on track and I will finish the marathon. It's still not the race I want to finish but oh well.

I will still follow and contribute to the thread when I can. I wish you all the best race you can have. My goal is to run my first runDisney race as a celebration of the divorce when it does become final. I hope to see some of you at whatever race that ends up being. I'm thinking of doing the Dopey. If I do, that is 4 races. I'm bound to run into a few of you, right?

Thanks again. I appreciate all the help you have all given.

 

[transformer67]

so sorry to hear you are being forced to quit the race, I do hope you finish your marathon strong and you do celebrate your freedom when you do get the divorce with a Disney run. Stay strong and determined

 

[klam_chowder]

So, how's training going for everyone? Between lightning and heat, I'm spending a lot of quality time with the treadmill... you know it's bad out when the treadmill actually sounds good!

Good job on getting those miles done, in whatever format required!

As for me, I'm still plugging away at the miles. I had a gait analysis done today and switched to new shoes (Asics 2000 2 from Altras) in hopes that it will mitigate my pronation to reduce the blistering I'm experiencing under my bunions. Unless these shoes do me in, I'm still on pace to finish the ToT slow but strong! :good vibes

Just did a 10 miler,started at 10pm at night,2 months from the race and finished 4 minutes faster than my ToT time in 2013.

Congrats!

Can someone give some info on costumes? Should I stick to the theme or does everyone just wear a costume??

IMHO, just wear what you want!

Unfortunately, I won't be running the race afterall.

Sorry to hear that - hope your running goes well!


I've mapped out all my park days, have all my FP+ rezzies made! Airfare booked last week. Will be doing counter service/lounge meals as a solo so not worrying about ADRs but have an idea of where to go on which days. Feels like I just have to do my training and can relax about planning this trip for a bit.

Hope everyone's training is going well!

cheers,

 

[PrincessV]

Unfortunately, I won't be running the race afterall.

I'm sorry to hear this. Divorce is always a tough situation, I know.

I'm not at all sure of the deadlines involved, but you may want to look into deferring your registration - there's a fee, but would give you a 2nd chance to to run TOT next year without eating the entire registration fee.

Best wishes to you!

As for me, I'm still plugging away at the miles. I had a gait analysis done today and switched to new shoes (Asics 2000 2 from Altras) in hopes that it will mitigate my pronation to reduce the blistering I'm experiencing under my bunions. Unless these shoes do me in, I'm still on pace to finish the ToT slow but strong! :good vibes

Yay!! Crossing fingers they work out well for you

 

[Waiting2goback]

Thanks guys.

PrincessV- I could defer but she told me the other day when we had our battle that she wouldn't let me run next year either. But get this, after that battle that ended with her telling me she didn't care about my goals and would rather waste the money I finally accepted I wasn't going and brought myself to post it in her as my closure. I wasn't posting it before because I was hoping things would change.

Today she texts me randomly and tells me I can go. I am not getting my hopes up because she could change her mind AGAIN but there is hope. I must admit though, I am HIGHLY suspicious. Now I feel like she is up to something. But, I'll play it by ear and see how it goes. If things seem good as the race gets closer I will go. If things seem odd or she's saying stuff to the kids about it, I stay. But, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Saturday is my long run day. I am planning on 10 miles. Hoping to be up to 20 miles by the end of September so I need to get my act in gear.

 

[wilkeliza]

Thanks guys.

PrincessV- I could defer but she told me the other day when we had our battle that she wouldn't let me run next year either. But get this, after that battle that ended with her telling me she didn't care about my goals and would rather waste the money I finally accepted I wasn't going and brought myself to post it in her as my closure. I wasn't posting it before because I was hoping things would change.

Today she texts me randomly and tells me I can go. I am not getting my hopes up because she could change her mind AGAIN but there is hope. I must admit though, I am HIGHLY suspicious. Now I feel like she is up to something. But, I'll play it by ear and see how it goes. If things seem good as the race gets closer I will go. If things seem odd or she's saying stuff to the kids about it, I stay. But, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Saturday is my long run day. I am planning on 10 miles. Hoping to be up to 20 miles by the end of September so I need to get my act in gear.

Just wondering why does your soon to be ex-wife get to decide what you get to do? You need to stand up for yourself. She doesn't control you.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I will try to keep this brief to answer your question for those people who don't want to hear about my issues.

We still live together for financial reasons. The kids don't know we are going to get divorced yet. So, I am trying to keep the peace. She has always been a controlling person, she even admits it. I allowed it all these years so changing it now won't happen.

Having said that, I have been a stay-at-home dad for almost 7 years now. I have been having trouble finding a job because I have been out of work so long. So, I depend on her to be able to eat, sadly. I live in MA and in this state guys get screwed in divorce. I'll probably end up with limited visitation and paying child support even after being the primary caregiver for 7 years.

Then there is the kids of which I have 4. AgesL 10,6, 5, almost 3. The wife has shown some seriously unstable behavior lately. I won't give all the examples. The kids will hear all about how bad of a dad I am if I left without her approval, trust me. Dad abandonded you, etc... She struggles to take care of the kids for a couple hours by herself, nevermind 4 days. And before you say it, I have no idea how she'll do it after the divorce. I was cutting the grass one day and she texted me to come in an help her with the kids. I was outside for 45 MINUTES.

So, having her on the same page makes it so much easier. I LOVE Disney and I want to cross that finishline but the kids will always come first. If it means I am a pushover or a wimp, that's OK. The kids walk right by her and ask me what's for dinner because they know who takes care of them and that means WAY more than standing up for myself. My older kids think every dad in America cooks, cleans, does laundry, changes diapers, takes care of the kids when they are sick, irons, food shops, does the girls hair, etc... Not saying I am anything special but I know not many dads do ALL of that ALL the time.

If we were living apart and we had visitation then it would be a different story.

Hopefully that explains it.

 

[wilkeliza]

I will try to keep this brief to answer your question for those people who don't want to hear about my issues.

We still live together for financial reasons. The kids don't know we are going to get divorced yet. So, I am trying to keep the peace. She has always been a controlling person, she even admits it. I allowed it all these years so changing it now won't happen.

Having said that, I have been a stay-at-home dad for almost 7 years now. I have been having trouble finding a job because I have been out of work so long. So, I depend on her to be able to eat, sadly. I live in MA and in this state guys get screwed in divorce. I'll probably end up with limited visitation and paying child support even after being the primary caregiver for 7 years.

Then there is the kids of which I have 4. AgesL 10,6, 5, almost 3. The wife has shown some seriously unstable behavior lately. I won't give all the examples. The kids will hear all about how bad of a dad I am if I left without her approval, trust me. Dad abandonded you, etc... She struggles to take care of the kids for a couple hours by herself, nevermind 4 days. And before you say it, I have no idea how she'll do it after the divorce. I was cutting the grass one day and she texted me to come in an help her with the kids. I was outside for 45 MINUTES.

So, having her on the same page makes it so much easier. I LOVE Disney and I want to cross that finishline but the kids will always come first. If it means I am a pushover or a wimp, that's OK. The kids walk right by her and ask me what's for dinner because they know who takes care of them and that means WAY more than standing up for myself. My older kids think every dad in America cooks, cleans, does laundry, changes diapers, takes care of the kids when they are sick, irons, food shops, does the girls hair, etc... Not saying I am anything special but I know not many dads do ALL of that ALL the time.

If we were living apart and we had visitation then it would be a different story.

Hopefully that explains it.

That explains a lot. For your sake I hope you are keeping documents of everything she had done including texting you when you were only gone for 45 minutes that she needed help. If you can't fight for yourself right now I how you fight for your kids. They need someone like you to raise them not someone who will fill their head with lies and not give them the nurturing they need.

Best of luck in your battle.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I have all of the texts and emails saved. It may be a tough situation but I continue to gather information. I have a job interview on Monday, it is the 3rd and final for this job so if it goes well hopefully I will have an offer extended and accepted by this time next week.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I am still not very confident I will be running this race but I will go forward with my planning just in case I am able to. So, I have a question for the experienced Disney runners.

I am concerned about 2 things, only 1 you guys can help with. One is the weather. I was hoping this month would allow me to run in the normal August humidity we get in MA to help prepare for this race. Well, it has been like fall here in MA. We are talking 70's and crisp, dry air. While I love it like this, it is not helping to prepare.

2nd: What do you guys do for prerace meals? I want to have a nice filling meal but nothing too greasy or heavy, etc... I am open to suggestions? No parks for me that day so I am limited to hotels as I prefer not to go to DTD during all the construction.

 

[wilkeliza]

I am still not very confident I will be running this race but I will go forward with my planning just in case I am able to. So, I have a question for the experienced Disney runners.

I am concerned about 2 things, only 1 you guys can help with. One is the weather. I was hoping this month would allow me to run in the normal August humidity we get in MA to help prepare for this race. Well, it has been like fall here in MA. We are talking 70's and crisp, dry air. While I love it like this, it is not helping to prepare.

2nd: What do you guys do for prerace meals? I want to have a nice filling meal but nothing too greasy or heavy, etc... I am open to suggestions? No parks for me that day so I am limited to hotels as I prefer not to go to DTD during all the construction.

Most of my races I eat at the hotels. Where are you staying? Most hotels have a pasta dish. I usually eat a heavy breakfast and lunch then eat bread and pasta for dinner. Last year I have a ceaser salad which chicken though. Then in the corrals I ate an apple.

 

[disneyhorselover]

I am still not very confident I will be running this race but I will go forward with my planning just in case I am able to. So, I have a question for the experienced Disney runners. I am concerned about 2 things, only 1 you guys can help with. One is the weather. I was hoping this month would allow me to run in the normal August humidity we get in MA to help prepare for this race. Well, it has been like fall here in MA. We are talking 70's and crisp, dry air. While I love it like this, it is not helping to prepare. 2nd: What do you guys do for prerace meals? I want to have a nice filling meal but nothing too greasy or heavy, etc... I am open to suggestions? No parks for me that day so I am limited to hotels as I prefer not to go to DTD during all the construction.

No real advice on meals myself, as I am still working that out...I tend to be a morning runner and so I usually eat something light before the meal.
We have an ADR at Sanaa for lunch the day of the race, and then I will probably try to eat something small for dinner. Most people recommend staying away from something new the day of a race. That personally doesn't bother me, but I know I have a strong stomach....it is generally good advice to follow!

As for the weather, I'm in the same boat (in CT) and it is making me a little worried. The few runs I've had in the humidity have not been so great and I definitely counted on being fairly well prepared for that after July-early September...
On the other hand it is pretty hard to be mad about this beautiful weather, lol!

 

[transformer67]

when will the course map be up?

 

[bellanotte10]

I am still not very confident I will be running this race but I will go forward with my planning just in case I am able to. So, I have a question for the experienced Disney runners. I am concerned about 2 things, only 1 you guys can help with. One is the weather. I was hoping this month would allow me to run in the normal August humidity we get in MA to help prepare for this race. Well, it has been like fall here in MA. We are talking 70's and crisp, dry air. While I love it like this, it is not helping to prepare. 2nd: What do you guys do for prerace meals? I want to have a nice filling meal but nothing too greasy or heavy, etc... I am open to suggestions? No parks for me that day so I am limited to hotels as I prefer not to go to DTD during all the construction.

This weather has been perfect for running! Unless you're us and you actually want this heat and humidity. I know when I did the princess half last year coming from a frigid MA February and training in the winter, it was a little bit of a struggle to run in the overly hot princess. We finished a half hour beyond our time because we couldn't deal. But we're slightly better prepared haha. Not that that will happen to you, but I hear you on this being fall like and not the optimal temperature you want.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I am still not very confident I will be running this race but I will go forward with my planning just in case I am able to. So, I have a question for the experienced Disney runners.

I am concerned about 2 things, only 1 you guys can help with. One is the weather. I was hoping this month would allow me to run in the normal August humidity we get in MA to help prepare for this race. Well, it has been like fall here in MA. We are talking 70's and crisp, dry air. While I love it like this, it is not helping to prepare.

2nd: What do you guys do for prerace meals? I want to have a nice filling meal but nothing too greasy or heavy, etc... I am open to suggestions? No parks for me that day so I am limited to hotels as I prefer not to go to DTD during all the construction.

There are two Italian restos around the boardwalk area if you are looking for pasta. Il Mulino in the...Swan? I think it is. Swan or dolphin. Just walk to one of the two with animals on top and hope for the best! lol. And they are putting in one that's opening in Sept. Trattoria al Forno, in the former location of Kouzzina. You could either bus from your hotel to HS and then walk or boat to the boardwalk, or you could transfer to the closest park and then take a bus to the BWI.