Tower of Terror 10 Miler 2014

[PrincessV]

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.

I can only work off of 2nd-hand info, since I'm down here in hot as Hades FL, but I think your best bet is to simply plan on slowing down to deal with the heat. Honestly, it's what we do as FL runner,s too - it's just that we've been slowed down for months in advance, so race day isn't much of a change, lol!

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.

I like a nice sandwich for dinner before a night race. A little protein from the meat or cheese, some carbs in the bread, with a side of pasta salad - perfect!

when will the course map be up?

It's up! The Event Guide is up, and the course is on page 28.

 

[disneyhorselover]

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.

Oh I forgot to mention...I have been doing my runs in the middle of the day when possible, usually I avoid the midday heat but I figure that 72 prepares me a little better than the morning temp of 55. That might help if that's an option for you.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Thanks for the responses. I am staying at AS Sports to answer that question.

I was planning on a big breakfast on race day. I have heard many good things about Boma or Trails End? Any opinions?

One of my main issues is that I have been dairyfree and gluten free since December so all the bread, pasta, pizza, sandwich suggestions are good but that would be a big change for me and that is what I am trying to avoid on raceday.

Yes, the weather is AWESOME. I love the fall so this has been great. Any other year I would be loving this weather. (Well I still am but it is not helping to prepare me for the race). I am not worried about the temp so much as I am about the humidity. Oh well, I will go and do the best I can and that's always good enough.

 

[Chaitali]

I haven't been around in a couple weeks but it's getting so close now! I was excited to see the program up the other day. For anyone who ran the race last year, does the course look the same as it did last year? I'm assuming that the only hills are the highway ramps then?

Also, I should be receiving the running costume I ordered from Etsy tonight! I'm super excited since I wanted to make sure to try out some training runs in it.

This weekend is supposed to be a 9 mile run for me, the longest so far and then 10 miles the week afterward Good luck with training, everyone!

 

[Castle2Castle]

One of my main issues is that I have been dairyfree and gluten free since December so all the bread, pasta, pizza, sandwich suggestions are good but that would be a big change for me and that is what I am trying to avoid on raceday.

We haven't stayed at Sports yet (January!) but from the other food courts we've had, I think you could find a gluten and dairy free option. While I don't do gluten free, it seems like Disney has been promoting their willingness to help guests with such a restriction. Checking out the menu options (as of 12/13) you could possibly do a build-your-own-taco salad (minus tortilla, cheese and sour cream). That's about the best thing I'm seeing there, but they may have more options that just haven't been updated on that site. If it is that limited, ASMovies and ASMusic are nearby and may have some other options -- when we stayed as ASMovies a couple years ago, they had sliced turkey and build-your-own salads with grilled chicken that was pretty good. Or you may hop a little further to other resorts it you see other options that suit and have the time to do so.

 

[PrincessV]

For anyone who ran the race last year, does the course look the same as it did last year? I'm assuming that the only hills are the highway ramps then?

Yep, looks the same as the past two years. Even speaking as a coastal FL runner (read: used to flatlands), the overpasses are nothing as far as grade/height/length. The thing that does bother a lot of folks is the steep camber of the cloverleaf we run over twice. The sideways slant of the roadway can be hard on hips, knees, ankles.

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

72 at mid-day. Ohhh, I would love, love running in that. Like Florida, Louisiana is unbearably hot. this week is in the mid to upper 90s with the heat index at around 105-110. At 10PM it's still in the mid 80s and in the mornings it's only mid to upper 70s with high humidity so you sweat buckets.

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

Ok. I have a question for all you smart TOT runners! My original plans had me arriving on Friday 10-3 but plane tickets for that day for some unknown reason (all week actually) so it's cheaper to fly out and arrive the day before on Thursday 10-2. I can get cheaper flights, book a room and still have money left over.

My original reservation has the free meal plan included and I've called to add one day and come in the day before but the meal plan in unaviable for that day. So I would have to book one night on a separate reservation and then my original package would start on Friday. I've called 4 different times but same answer.

Anyone know of any ways or have any ideas on ways to get the free dining plan on that one extra day???

Thanks!!

 

[Chaitali]

Yep, looks the same as the past two years. Even speaking as a coastal FL runner (read: used to flatlands), the overpasses are nothing as far as grade/height/length. The thing that does bother a lot of folks is the steep camber of the cloverleaf we run over twice. The sideways slant of the roadway can be hard on hips, knees, ankles.

Thanks for that information! Is there somewhere to run (i.e. the middle, the outside, etc.) that's better for minimizing the slant or any other tips for this?

 

[DOOM1001]

72 at mid-day. Ohhh, I would love, love running in that. Like Florida, Louisiana is unbearably hot. this week is in the mid to upper 90s with the heat index at around 105-110. At 10PM it's still in the mid 80s and in the mornings it's only mid to upper 70s with high humidity so you sweat buckets.

I went 5 miles during the day (4pm) last week,notice I said went and not ran as it was just too much ,like 93-94 with heat indexes of 105 or more,I probably walked half the way,at least during the day its just near impossible to actually run for too long.I did run 10 miles at 10pm with the temperatures in the low 80's about 2-3 weeks ago,that's going to be closer to what we'll get at ToT,still hot but much more doable.

 

[disneyhorselover]

72 at mid-day. Ohhh, I would love, love running in that. Like Florida, Louisiana is unbearably hot. this week is in the mid to upper 90s with the heat index at around 105-110. At 10PM it's still in the mid 80s and in the mornings it's only mid to upper 70s with high humidity so you sweat buckets.

Ohh that sounds awful...I'm sweating just thinking about it!! Usually New England has an equally hot and humid summer...last summer there were several weeks where my weather app showed it being hotter here than in Disney...we've just really lucked out this year!

 

[suedon70]

I went 5 miles during the day (4pm) last week,notice I said went and not ran as it was just too much ,like 93-94 with heat indexes of 105 or more,I probably walked half the way,at least during the day its just near impossible to actually run for too long.I did run 10 miles at 10pm with the temperatures in the low 80's about 2-3 weeks ago,that's going to be closer to what we'll get at ToT,still hot but much more doable.

OMG that sounds like what I have to deal with. I live an hour south of WDW and my friends and I just took up running in late April of this year, so we have been training for the Princess Half (and other 5k and 10k races) in the Florida heat and humidity. It has been a challenge to say the least. Either you have to run at 5:00am when it's 70-75 degrees and still humid, or 8:00pm or later when its 80 degrees plus. To have any decent runs I have to run on the treadmill at my gym in the air conditioning! I can't wait to run in 50-60 degree weather in December, January, & February!

 

[Waiting2goback]

We haven't stayed at Sports yet (January!) but from the other food courts we've had, I think you could find a gluten and dairy free option. While I don't do gluten free, it seems like Disney has been promoting their willingness to help guests with such a restriction. Checking out the menu options (as of 12/13) you could possibly do a build-your-own-taco salad (minus tortilla, cheese and sour cream). That's about the best thing I'm seeing there, but they may have more options that just haven't been updated on that site. If it is that limited, ASMovies and ASMusic are nearby and may have some other options -- when we stayed as ASMovies a couple years ago, they had sliced turkey and build-your-own salads with grilled chicken that was pretty good. Or you may hop a little further to other resorts it you see other options that suit and have the time to do so.

I have stayed at Sports before. The food court was done over last year though so I don't know if it means the food will be better. I was looking for a nicer sit down place though, preferably with a buffet. I might also have to suck it up and deal with the gluten thing while I am there. I am not allergic to it. I stopped because I read that it might help with weight loss by avoiding it, which it did. But, I can deal with it for 4 days if needed.

I just need to keep checking places out and reading menus. I am not going to the park Saturday though. I figure I will just check out a couple resorts and hang by the pool that day.

 

[dawn8179]

I'm a little jealous of folks running in cooler weather. I have been running in the 80's. During the week it's not as bad since my son is in preschool. Last weekend the 8 miles we did was miserable since I was hot and pushing the jogging stroller and we have hills. I'm hoping the race won't be as bad since the sun won't be out to make my skin feel like it's on fire. I do need to get back to finishing my costume for the race. I put it to the side and forgot about it for a while.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'm a little jealous of folks running in cooler weather. I have been running in the 80's. During the week it's not as bad since my son is in preschool. Last weekend the 8 miles we did was miserable since I was hot and pushing the jogging stroller and we have hills. I'm hoping the race won't be as bad since the sun won't be out to make my skin feel like it's on fire. I do need to get back to finishing my costume for the race. I put it to the side and forgot about it for a while.

The problem with this race is the humidity. Drink more than you think you need to and just stay in front of the balloon ladies. This is not a race where you PR.

 

[PrincessV]

Thanks for that information! Is there somewhere to run (i.e. the middle, the outside, etc.) that's better for minimizing the slant or any other tips for this?

If there is, I haven't found it, lol! I tend to end up on the inside of the curve - which is, admittedly, about the steepest section, but the shorter distance so less time dealing with it. Every year, folks are tempted by what looks to be flat grass next tot he inside shoulder of the road... but we Floridians can tell you it is NOT flat, the grass is likely half a foot deep, and is chock full of holes that can easily swallow a foot. Don't give in to that temptation - stay outta the grass!

I'm a little jealous of folks running in cooler weather.

Tell me about it - my last run was in a feels like of 102 with 85% humidity! I honestly can't even remember what it feels like to run in temps lower than 80.

The problem with this race is the humidity. Drink more than you think you need to and just stay in front of the balloon ladies. This is not a race where you PR.

Could not say it any better than this! ^

 

[Chaitali]

If there is, I haven't found it, lol! I tend to end up on the inside of the curve - which is, admittedly, about the steepest section, but the shorter distance so less time dealing with it. Every year, folks are tempted by what looks to be flat grass next tot he inside shoulder of the road... but we Floridians can tell you it is NOT flat, the grass is likely half a foot deep, and is chock full of holes that can easily swallow a foot. Don't give in to that temptation - stay outta the grass!

Yikes! That's good to know about the grass, I probably would have been tempted by it.

 

[EpicBilynn]

I'm so excited! I finally got confirmation from my boss that I can have Friday Oct 3rd off of work which means we can fly Thursday night and go to MNSSHP Friday! Now I really need to get on the ball with my costume for MNSSHP and my race costume for the run. Is anyone else going to MNSSHP the same night?

 

[AThrillingChase]

I'm so excited! I finally got confirmation from my boss that I can have Friday Oct 3rd off of work which means we can fly Thursday night and go to MNSSHP Friday! Now I really need to get on the ball with my costume for MNSSHP and my race costume for the run. Is anyone else going to MNSSHP the same night?

Here I am still deciding on a costume. I have a jasmine top, but not pants that match it (I prefer the minty blue colored Jasmine costume, so I have a minty perfectly cut top, but my costume pants are very blue). And my hair is red right now so I thought Ariel, but then trying to piece it together is hard while keeping it family friendly but also true to character. First world problems right!

 

[SunDial]

I went 5 miles during the day (4pm) last week,notice I said went and not ran as it was just too much ,like 93-94 with heat indexes of 105 or more,I probably walked half the way,at least during the day its just near impossible to actually run for too long.I did run 10 miles at 10pm with the temperatures in the low 80's about 2-3 weeks ago,that's going to be closer to what we'll get at ToT,still hot but much more doable.

It really is warmer this summer than last year isn't it. I think it will be much warmer for this years ToT. I was out for 8 miles Wednesday night and it still felt like the index was close to 100. I Guess I have to put new batteries in my weather station.