Tower of Terror 10 Miler 2014

[DOOM1001]

When talking about running shoes I find it amazing that I went out and spent a pretty good amount of money on a pair of Hokas to run all the races I'm signed up for in the next 6 months (TOT,Goofy Challlenge as well as 7 other half marathons) and so far even though they offer incredible cushioning I'm afraid on longer runs they'll give me blisters as I've gone 10 miles with them and a blister was well in the process of forming,even with bodyglide applied.On one run it also squished my little pinky toe on one foot,basically when I was done the bottom of the pinky toe was in a triangle shape.I'm seriously considering buying another pair of Skechers Go Run Ultras which I ran the Disney full this year along with 3 other half marathons.It doesn't have the same amount of cushioning but still a decent amount and this shoe from day one never gave me even a hint of a blister or any other issue with my feet when running,it was like perfection every time out and I probably put 250-300 miles on them.The Skechers cost like half of what the Hokas cost but aside from the pillow effect I get with the Hokas everything else favors the Skechers.I'm going to eventually just get another pair of those same model Skechers but will run TOT and 2 other Half marathons in October and November with the Hokas and see how they feel after those runs,for Goofy I'm not sure what I'll do,maybe wear one one day and the other the next???I bought the Hokas with the intention of the cushioning reducing all the pounding especially for the Goofy Challenge,but so far they have other issues.If the cushioning after Goofy will lessen any knee pain or stiffness it may be worthwhile to stick with the Hokas,I think I just need to put in some longer runs to get a better idea of how they'll feel.

 

[bumbershoot]

Doom, is it too late to return the Hokas? Those sound like they aren't good for your longer runs.

It doesn't have the same amount of cushioning but still a decent amount but this shoe from day one never gave me even a hint of a blister or any other issue with my feet when running,it was like perfection every time out and I probably put 250-300 miles on them.

Sounds you have something you know works for you!

My brother felt that way about the last GT 2000s, and bought several pairs b/c he knew they would be changing them. He breaks out a new pair as needed.

 

[DOOM1001]

Doom, is it too late to return the Hokas? Those sound like they aren't good for your longer runs.



Sounds you have something you know works for you!

My brother felt that way about the last GT 2000s, and bought several pairs b/c he knew they would be changing them. He breaks out a new pair as needed.

I can't say I dislike the Hokas,they feel good and I enjoy the feeling of like I'm running on a cloud or a pillow,the pinky thing happened on one of my first runs with them and has not been as bad since,the blisters hasn't been serious but I'm worried it could be if I go longer.I have TOT and 3 Half marathons before Goofy,I think I'll learn more about them the more I wear them or maybe I'm still getting used to them.I'm still going to buy the Skechers as I see them online for like $60,another thing I like about the Skechers is how flexible they are,the Hokas,not so much but they do have their positives so I do plan to keep them.

 

[cbman]

I know you can buy food and drink at the party after the run, but how about clothing, like shirts? We'll be buying shirts anyway during our stay, so I'm thinking why not buy them at the Hollywood Bash and use them as a post-race change of clothing.

Also, does anybody know what's up with the Final Race Instructions? The RunDisney page says they'll be posted about a month before the run. I'm patient and willing to wait, but I've seen a few people on this board saying RunDisney emailed the Final Race instructions directly to them.

 

[bellanotte10]

I know you can buy food and drink at the party after the run, but how about clothing, like shirts? We'll be buying shirts anyway during our stay, so I'm thinking why not buy them at the Hollywood Bash and use them as a post-race change of clothing. Also, does anybody know what's up with the Final Race Instructions? The RunDisney page says they'll be posted about a month before the run. I'm patient and willing to wait, but I've seen a few people on this board saying RunDisney emailed the Final Race instructions directly to them.

Check your spam filter maybe? That's where mine accidentally ended up.

 

[faneuil]

No, I basically decided it was time to get in shape and get out of my comfort zone. I was looking for motivation and I love Disney. So, I decided I would sign up for a runDisney race and go from there. I bought a pair of shoes and off I went.

Actually, that sounds like me.
I was just having so much hip pain, that I almost gave up.
I work with kinesiologists, and they suggested doing a running test. That's how I found out I roll my right foot out when running, which explained why my right hip was in agony.

It took a few pairs, but I got the Asics that help with the pronating, and now the only time I have pain is when I push the shoes for too much total mileage.

The GT series is so perfect for me, and I'm excited Asics came out with a GT - 1000 3. Cause for some reason, I feel more comfortable trying those than the 3000s.

 

[bellanotte10]

Finally ran my full 10 miles. Woke up this morning super sore, cursing the world, and really upset. Took some Advil had my tea and now I just have minor knee achy soreness. So proud of myself. I was so sore after the princess I was freaked out that it would happen again. But if this is how I'll feel then I'm 10x more excited! 17 days until I fly down!

 

[PrincessV]

I know you can buy food and drink at the party after the run, but how about clothing, like shirts?

Maybe... but I wouldn't count on it. I saw race shirts for sale at the party in 2012, but don't recall seeing them last year. If you don't care what kinds of shirts, I'm pretty sure the regular gift shops were open... but not 100% certain of that.

Finally ran my full 10 miles. Woke up this morning super sore, cursing the world, and really upset. Took some Advil had my tea and now I just have minor knee achy soreness. So proud of myself. I was so sore after the princess I was freaked out that it would happen again. But if this is how I'll feel then I'm 10x more excited! 17 days until I fly down!

Awesome - congrats!! I've got 10 planned this weekend and I'm expecting the worst; my allergies are off the charts (FYI, it's ragweed season down here and it's a doozy!) and merely walking up stairs is leaving me wheezy. I suspect it may be my slowest 10-miler ever...

 

[klam_chowder]

Congrats to all those who were able to make significant corral changes via rD - I have to say I'm impressed with rD's willingness to act on individual requests. Some may say it shouldn't have happened in the first place, but we all know stuff happens, recovery is key!

Has anyone received the iGiftBag link or Final Race Communications? It says on the runDisney website they'll send it about a month out. I never get any e-mail from rD so I wasn't sure what the status was.

Haven't received mine yet either - even after checking spam folder. Is it just a link or is it racer-specific? If it's just a link, can someone pls post it?

There was some talk here recently about compression socks. It got me looking into them. On all of my runs, beginning at about 2 miles, my calves get really tight. My shins have been hurting too.

We're new runners and my training buddy was having tight calves (mostly right) and shin splint issues. I suggested compression sleeves post-run for the calves and a softer heel strike to mitigate the shin splints. Both have worked, as well as twice daily calf stretches (takes less than 7 min per session - google it and choose ones that work for you). I am not a healthcare professional, nor do I play one on the internet...YMMV. Good luck with your training!

Question- What are most of your training plans like the week before ( 7 days out) ? Should I just be doing yoga and stretching that last week? Most plans I've seen have you doing almost nothing that last week

I'm planning on just running 3 miles on Tuesday and 3 or 4 miles on Thursday.


Wow, so close now! I better nail down my trip plans today!

cheers,

 

[klam_chowder]

I've got 10 planned this weekend and I'm expecting the worst; my allergies are off the charts (FYI, it's ragweed season down here and it's a doozy!) and merely walking up stairs is leaving me wheezy. I suspect it may be my slowest 10-miler ever...

Have an awesome run - you will rock it even if you're slower than you hoped!

cheers,

 

[wilkeliza]

As I start hitting the pavement again after several halts in my training this year (sinus infections suck fyi) I know I'm under trained but still confident. Vera Bradley and Disney announced something today that will give me a goal that will keep me moving. I know I can do 10 as this will be my 3rd ToT but I really wanted to improve time this year. My goal is if I finish I get the new Vera Bradley and I'll focus on time for Wine and Dine.

 

[Waiting2goback]

What training plan are you using?

I'm not using a specific plan. I reviewed Jeff Galloway's play, as well as Hal Higdon's, and I looked at the plan in my RunKeeper app. I kinda made my own that fit my schedule and went with that. I was doing well until July when we went on vacation and the future ex told me I couldn't go to run the ToT. I had some motivation issues that month. It through me off. By now I should be up to at least 18 miles and the longest I have done is 13. So, I will see what I can do in the next couple of weeks . If I can get up to 16 or 17 I think I'll still try it. If not I will email the race director and see if I can switch it for the 1/2 on the same day.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Crazy question (that comes to mind b/c of my last week post dental work), but did you take cold medication over the last few days that might be covering up pain (like for sinuses)? Be careful, if so! I messed up last week with some classes I took, thinking they were easy, when actually I was overworking myself without realizing it because I was blunted by the ibuprofen.


No professional store tells you to buy shoes that don't feel good in the store. It's just a matter of finding a good shoe type for you, pulling out all of that type of shoe and having you find out what feels good.

They aren't always right; they had me in "stability plus" shoes, then "stability". Over a few years, my feet and ankles were getting weaker and weaker. I finally told them to shush and got into a minimal shoe. My ankles feel soooo much better and stronger, and while I'm still "breaking in" my tendons and ligaments" for longer mileage, my runs are much better.

But for other people the suggestions are spot on and worth going from! After all, I wouldn't have known to switch to minimal if it hadn't been for my time in the "built up" shoes and seeing how I felt over time.

I took some motrin at night to help my headache and help me sleep but I wasn't taking it all day long for the last couple of days. So, I don't think that was it. I usually listen to the dis unplugged podcasts or my running podcast. Yesterday I listened to my music. Maybe the energy was from the music as opposed to listening to a "conversation".

I will explore the shoe idea some more over the winter and see what happens.

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

I don't have anything to complain about. Just wanted to say TIME IS GETTING SHORT!!!!.

With that being said, I'm going to double check our corral placements!

 

[mordyr]

I know you can buy food and drink at the party after the run, but how about clothing, like shirts? We'll be buying shirts anyway during our stay, so I'm thinking why not buy them at the Hollywood Bash and use them as a post-race change of clothing.

Also, does anybody know what's up with the Final Race Instructions? The RunDisney page says they'll be posted about a month before the run. I'm patient and willing to wait, but I've seen a few people on this board saying RunDisney emailed the Final Race instructions directly to them.

I haven't received the final race instructions so i wrote on sunday an email to the RunDisney Team and yesterday they send me a copy.

 

[klam_chowder]

Does anyone remember if you can catch a bus at ESPN/WWoS directly to DTD? I was hoping to go to DTD after packet pickup. If it isn't possible, what's a good resort bus route?

Also, was there Powerade/Gatorade at the water stops? Was there a Gu stop later on?

Thx for any insights.

cheers,

 

[wilkeliza]

Does anyone remember if you can catch a bus at ESPN/WWoS directly to DTD? I was hoping to go to DTD after packet pickup. If it isn't possible, what's a good resort bus route?

Also, was there Powerade/Gatorade at the water stops? Was there a Gu stop later on?

Thx for any insights.

cheers,

I don't remember any buses going to DTD or the parks from the expo.

Yellow Poweraid (no gateraid) is at every stop if memory serves me correctly .

There are no fuel stops so you must bring your own.

 

[Chaitali]

Does anyone remember if you can catch a bus at ESPN/WWoS directly to DTD? I was hoping to go to DTD after packet pickup. If it isn't possible, what's a good resort bus route? Also, was there Powerade/Gatorade at the water stops? Was there a Gu stop later on? Thx for any insights. cheers,

I think Saratoga Springs is a host hotel for the race. If so, you should be able to take a bus front the expo to Saratoga Springs and then walk across the bridge to DTD.

 

[klam_chowder]

wilkeliza & Chaitali, thx a mint for the great info!

Bringing my own is no problem, just wanted to not go into mental/physical shock if I think I "need" it.

I'll look up the SS walk route - heard of it but never experienced it.

cheers,

 

[spideymike]

I don't recall at the last Tower of terror events that they sold any other items after the race other than what was already in the RunDisney store at the expo. In fact it was more or less the leftovers.