Tower of Terror 10 Miler 2014

[Waiting2goback]

Lots of good conversation today. Welcome back LadyDi. Thanks for the info on the Halloween party.

I am so torn. I spent some time trying to figure out my plans so I could make any dining reservations and fastpass selections so if I do get into the parks I will be able to do everything I want. I figured out a schedule.

I always try to do something new each time I go. I have always said I wanted to go see some resorts but never do. So, do I resort hop and take the money I would spend on tickets and get a nicer hotel or do I hit the parks. This trip I was going to hit AK. I haven't been since 1998 (my honeymoon). While I have been before I am sure it has changed quite a bit since then. Haven't ridden Everest. I heard on the DisUnplugged podcast that the Lion King and Finding Nemo shows there are excellent.

I was planning on seeing Fanatasmic before the race but it looks like there will be no Fantasmic that night at all. They close the park at 6pm and it doesn't show on the schedule that day.

Does anyone know what the Expo will be like. I have heard on the Mickey Miles podcast that you can easily spend a few hours there and much more depending how much you want to look around?

Either way I am excited. All this talk means it is real and getting close. When I first signed up it was still frigid up here in MA and running wasn't even an option as the streets were so narrow from all the snow. Now we are making plans and setting reservations.

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

Lots of good conversation today. Welcome back LadyDi. Thanks for the info on the Halloween party.

I am so torn. I spent some time trying to figure out my plans so I could make any dining reservations and fastpass selections so if I do get into the parks I will be able to do everything I want. I figured out a schedule.

I always try to do something new each time I go. I have always said I wanted to go see some resorts but never do. So, do I resort hop and take the money I would spend on tickets and get a nicer hotel or do I hit the parks. This trip I was going to hit AK. I haven't been since 1998 (my honeymoon). While I have been before I am sure it has changed quite a bit since then. Haven't ridden Everest. I heard on the DisUnplugged podcast that the Lion King and Finding Nemo shows there are excellent.

I was planning on seeing Fanatasmic before the race but it looks like there will be no Fantasmic that night at all. They close the park at 6pm and it doesn't show on the schedule that day.

Does anyone know what the Expo will be like. I have heard on the Mickey Miles podcast that you can easily spend a few hours there and much more depending how much you want to look around?

Either way I am excited. All this talk means it is real and getting close. When I first signed up it was still frigid up here in MA and running wasn't even an option as the streets were so narrow from all the snow. Now we are making plans and setting reservations.

I think, but could be wrong, that fast pass selections can't be made until you're within 60 days of your check in date. That's torture.

That's a good question. We just went in January, only our 3rd time. We planned on resort hopping one day, I mean there is so much to see and since it was 2000 since the last trip, figured there was a lot of new stuff. The hotels are great. Unfortunately we never got the chance. I even asked about the where to catch the monorail and ride from start to finish since we've only rode it once. I would like to go through all the parks.

If it's been a while since you've been, you'll be surprised at Downtown Disney. In 2000 the House of Blues was off by it's self, with nothing around, now there are shops and stores everywhere. And they are still expanding and not supposed to be finished until 2016.

Since we've only been to one expo, not sure what this one will be like. I would think smaller. But the Marathon weekend was huge, tons of booths, tons of merchandise. But opposite of what I had heard from peeps that went before, the lines were fine. I think this year Disney's merchandise booths were huge compared to years before. The New Balance shoes we had to wait around for our turn but other than that, you can get in quickly if you choose.

Now I'm all excited as well.

 

[PrincessV]

This trip I was going to hit AK. I haven't been since 1998 (my honeymoon). While I have been before I am sure it has changed quite a bit since then.

FWIW, AK is a favorite of mine to hit solo!

Does anyone know what the Expo will be like. I have heard on the Mickey Miles podcast that you can easily spend a few hours there and much more depending how much you want to look around?

Caveat: I hate race expos - the noise, congestion and visual stimulation gets to me quickly, and I'm not a shopper at all. So my usual mode is to get in, get what I need to get, and get OUT! That said, TOT's expo bothers me the least, by far. It still offers a decent amount of stuff to peruse, but seems to lack some of the over-the-topness of a marathon weekend or PHM expo. How long you stay mostly depends on how thoroughly you want to explore the vendors' offerings; you could probably make it a couple hours, but could just as easily be done in a half hour or less if you opt not to shop.

All this talk means it is real and getting close.

I think, but could be wrong, that fast pass selections can't be made until you're within 60 days of your check in date.

Correct.

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

Okay, who's started thinking about costumes/outfits?! I've got a couple ideas rolling through my head, but nothing concrete yet.

 

[bellanotte10]

I've already started making my costume. Wanted it to look good. Also doing it last minute for last years PHM stressed me out.

 

[moose615]

who's started thinking about costumes/outfits?! I've got a couple ideas rolling through my head, but nothing concrete yet.

Started working on mine, great thing is if your doing MNSSHP you can essentially use it 2 times or 3 w/ Halloween. My ToT costume will be a dumbed down version of my MNSSHP costume for heat/ running reasons but as soon as it registered the wheels were spinning.

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

My wife and I ran In Jan and neither of us had a costume. The marathon we did break down and she had Minnie ears and I had a Mohawk Mickey do-rag. I know, wow, we went all out....

But seeing people gets you in the spirit. And of course, that is not as costume.... ummm, associated as a race in October.

So, maybe we will dive a little further in with the costumes. But everything you hear, is the heat, humidity, sweat. We're from south Louisiana, so that's par for the course. But how practical is it to wear something more than a shirt and shorts in those conditions? What would be some cool (as in less sweaty) ideas?

 

[PrincessV]

But everything you hear, is the heat, humidity, sweat. We're from south Louisiana, so that's par for the course. But how practical is it to wear something more than a shirt and shorts in those conditions? What would be some cool (as in less sweaty) ideas?

Wicking tech material is key - anything you can put together from regular running clothes is going to be best. I've done all but W&D of the long races at WDW now and no other race has as many abandoned costume parts on the sides of the course as TOT, lol! I'd say most folks go with an outfit "inspired by" a character or theme rather than an all-out costume. Though the ones who do go all out are amazing to see! I'm talking to you, guy dressed as THE Tower of Terror

 

[PrincessV]

Need costume ideas: Here's rD's TOT album from last year: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.754474021245229.1073741840.139057592786878&type=3

And the the costume portraits album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.759073364118628.1073741841.139057592786878&type=3

 

[DOOM1001]

My wife and I ran In Jan and neither of us had a costume. The marathon we did break down and she had Minnie ears and I had a Mohawk Mickey do-rag. I know, wow, we went all out....

But seeing people gets you in the spirit. And of course, that is not as costume.... ummm, associated as a race in October.

So, maybe we will dive a little further in with the costumes. But everything you hear, is the heat, humidity, sweat. We're from south Louisiana, so that's par for the course. But how practical is it to wear something more than a shirt and shorts in those conditions? What would be some cool (as in less sweaty) ideas?

I did TOT last year as well as another Halloween themed half marathon.I did the half marathon with a few friends who were all dressed up in a similar costume,I decided to be the odd man out and simply bought an under armor dri fit Batman tee which I realized was the smart choice after seeing the cotton shirt they made for their costumes.Not only was it a thick cotton but the graphic it had on the front of the shirt was about 1 inch thick ,I just can't wear that,for TOT I was drenched in sweat.I'm doing those two races again this year and plan to buy one of those themed ink n burn tech shirts and add some other touches to make it a costume.

 

[Waiting2goback]

If it's been a while since you've been, you'll be surprised at Downtown Disney. In 2000 the House of Blues was off by it's self, with nothing around, now there are shops and stores everywhere. And they are still expanding and not supposed to be finished until 2016.

Since we've only been to one expo, not sure what this one will be like. I would think smaller. But the Marathon weekend was huge, tons of booths, tons of merchandise. But opposite of what I had heard from peeps that went before, the lines were fine. I think this year Disney's merchandise booths were huge compared to years before. The New Balance shoes we had to wait around for our turn but other than that, you can get in quickly if you choose.

Now I'm all excited as well.

Thanks for the info on the Expo.

I have been recently. I went on a solo trip 8/13 and 5/11, and a family trip in 8/06. I haven't been to AK since 1998 though.

 

[leholcomb]

Hello all!

This will be my first TOT run and my first true long distance race.

Experienced TOT runners, does anyone know what time segments the corrals are broken into? I am running in a few weeks for POT and I like to have a goal in mind.

Any other tips, tricks and advice would be great too!

 

[Waiting2goback]

Hello all!

This will be my first TOT run and my first true long distance race.

Experienced TOT runners, does anyone know what time segments the corrals are broken into? I am running in a few weeks for POT and I like to have a goal in mind.

Any other tips, tricks and advice would be great too!

You can do a google search for 2013 Tower of Terror corral placement. It pulled right up for me. I have no tips to help as I am new too. Sorry.

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

Hello all! This will be my first TOT run and my first true long distance race. Experienced TOT runners, does anyone know what time segments the corrals are broken into? I am running in a few weeks for POT and I like to have a goal in mind. Any other tips, tricks and advice would be great too!

Submitting ANY POT is better than nothing. Those without times will be in the last corral. At PHM a friend submitted a time over 16min/mile and was about three corrals from the end.

 

[PrincessV]

H
Experienced TOT runners, does anyone know what time segments the corrals are broken into? I am running in a few weeks for POT and I like to have a goal in mind.

We won't know for sure until they're released, which is around a month before the race. But you can get a ballpark form last year's corrals: 2013 TOT Corrals (The image is gigantic, so I went for a link instead of embedding.)

Submitting ANY POT is better than nothing. Those without times will be in the last corral. At PHM a friend submitted a time over 16min/mile and was about three corrals from the end.

Absolutely yes - submit ANY PoT for a better chance of an earlier corral.

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

Did anyone see Disney released a 'sorta' new race today. It's in January and a Disney cruise race on the Cay. It's a challenge along with the Marathon weekend. Boy, that could be an expensive, long trip. It's weird they released on a Wednesday and registration opens on a Friday. It's always been Tuesdays and Tuesdays to my knowledge.

Little fun conspiracy theory. The runners on the pic when Avengers was announced, one had a 3 number bib and that is the day registration opened or when the race was (can't remember). The other bib was 925, so with Tuesdays out the equation now, my money is that on 9-25, a new race (Star Wars) will be announced.

Just a lil fun.


I'm assuming the temps on ToT weekend are just fine for going to a water park?

 

[SpringSprite]

Thanks ya'll for sympathizing with me on not getting my proof of time for my 10K last weekend...but I got it fixed, and it is now submitted to Disney, woohoo!!!

While I was afraid it wouldn't be fixed, I found a local 10K I'd not seen before, in June. So it looks like I'll be trying for a better time anyway!

Although my "better time" is so statistically insignificant that I doubt it'll move my corral. But still it's good training, right?!

As far as costumes, my hubby is Gaston...red tech shirt that I'm sewing the big yellow collar on, black running shorts (or pants if he's super brave) a santa type belt, clip in ponytail and boot covers. Not too hot, hopefully.

I'm Ursula - black tech tank, the shell necklace, white hair and HOPEFULLY tentacles over black running shorts. Probably not eight, though, to keep the weight down!!! I am getting so excited for this race. I LOVE villains.

 

[ksloane]

Did anyone see Disney released a 'sorta' new race today. It's in January and a Disney cruise race on the Cay. It's a challenge along with the Marathon weekend. Boy, that could be an expensive, long trip. It's weird they released on a Wednesday and registration opens on a Friday. It's always been Tuesdays and Tuesdays to my knowledge.

Little fun conspiracy theory. The runners on the pic when Avengers was announced, one had a 3 number bib and that is the day registration opened or when the race was (can't remember). The other bib was 925, so with Tuesdays out the equation now, my money is that on 9-25, a new race (Star Wars) will be announced.

Just a lil fun.


I'm assuming the temps on ToT weekend are just fine for going to a water park?

Sometimes (when it comes to vacations anyways) I hate being a teacher...I would totally book that cruise to do that one. No way to do it though since it would require missing so much school. BOO! I need to win the lottery and quit work.

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

Don't we all!!!

 

[Chaitali]

Thanks ya'll for sympathizing with me on not getting my proof of time for my 10K last weekend...but I got it fixed, and it is now submitted to Disney, woohoo!!!

While I was afraid it wouldn't be fixed, I found a local 10K I'd not seen before, in June. So it looks like I'll be trying for a better time anyway!

Although my "better time" is so statistically insignificant that I doubt it'll move my corral. But still it's good training, right?!

As far as costumes, my hubby is Gaston...red tech shirt that I'm sewing the big yellow collar on, black running shorts (or pants if he's super brave) a santa type belt, clip in ponytail and boot covers. Not too hot, hopefully.

I'm Ursula - black tech tank, the shell necklace, white hair and HOPEFULLY tentacles over black running shorts. Probably not eight, though, to keep the weight down!!! I am getting so excited for this race. I LOVE villains.

Congrats on getting the time for the 10k worked out! I love the costumes For the halloween party the night before I'm going to do an Ursula inspired costume and my husband is doing Hades. For the race itself I'm purchasing a Vanellope costume from Etsy. There's someone on there who does running costumes out of actual moisture wicking material.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I am struggling BIG TIME with motivation right now. Does anyone else have this issue ever? I had a great run last Saturday, I thought that would get me fired up to keep up the progress. Tuesday came, which is my next running day. I didn't want to run at all. But, I went out anyway and I could only get out 2 miles. Last night was a scheduled workout but the wife didn't get home from work until 8:30, which is much later than usual, so I didn't get in my run. But, I didn't really want to go anyway so I wasn't that upset.

What is the deal? I have my 10K in 2 weeks and the longest run I have had is 4.77 miles last Saturday. Now I am worried I won't be ready.

On top of that, I have been really hungry so I am not sure I am eating enough to fuel the workouts.

Very frustrated!!!