My friend Chaitali and I were both staying at the Disney Swan ( which is in the Boardwalk area) so we were just able to walk over to the start line at Hollywood Studios. This helped ease my nerves a little. Although I did not wear a costume, I was loving my Running Skirt from Runningskirts.com. I fit SO much stuff in those pockets. I had my phone, some tissues, some extra safety pins, a Honey Stingers Waffle, and a trash bag ( to sit on before hand). I also carried my own hand held water bottle.
Okay, now on to the race..........
I think the corrals went from "A" to "J". I was in corral "C", so I didn't have to wait very long.
The start line was complete with fireworks. It was kind of tough to get started. I was going to just do a light jog/shuffle to keep pace with my corral, but I am glad that I started running my own pace right away. It was pretty crowded starting out so I had to do a lot of weaving in and out. I always feel guilty passing people right away. The last several Disney races I did not listen to my own music, but I thought I needed it this time to keep myself energized. I fumbled with my ipod for a few seconds and then I got in my groove.
I had my trusty Garmin on but this is the first race that I didn't use it. I had it set for intervals, but I didn't follow it. I just kind of kept track of my time by the clocks on the mile markers. As we left Hollywood studios we ran up on an on-ramp. and then on the highway to Animal Kingdom parking lot. I ran the first 3.1 miles then took a 30 second walk break. I ran till mile 4, then another 30 second break. Mile 5 was back on Mickey's Haunted Trail, so that is where my time really slowed down. I was happy to see that it was only a small portion of the trail and glad that I had experienced it earlier that day. It was dark up there and there was also some thick fog that made it hard to see. I did have a keychain flashlight with me but didn't take time to pull it out. There was a girl in front of me wearing a light up tutu, so I left her lead the way!
As we came out of the woods we ran around the track at the sports complex. This was a nice track and was a good place to pick up some speed. I ran till mile 6.2 and then took another 30 second walk break. The next mile was leading into Champion Stadium where there was a crowd waiting for us and cheering us on.
Mile 8 was back on the highway and we hit mile 9 at the Hollywood Studios toll booth. ( before the toll booth there was a small bridge and it had tracking or something on. I actually got my shoe caught in one of them ( and almost tripped) and but was able to hop over the second one a few feet ahead) That last mile was through the park and it seemed like the longest mile ever. We ran past the set of the stunt show, down New York street and around the sorcerer's hat where there was an announcer and a large crowd. I honestly thought I was nearing the finish, but I wasn't. I had ran out of water at mile 9, so I was ready to be done. We ended up running a little further and then through the backstage tunnel where all the costumes are made. At one point we were in a tunnel that had spinning lights ( like you were in the twilight zone) and it was starting to make me dizzy.
A little further and I finally crossed the finish line! I was exhausted but so excited because I knew I beat ALL of the goals that I had for this race. I not only beat them, I exceeded them.
I did not have negative splits, but that's okay. I know I slowed down around mile 5 because of the trail. My results ended up being: 5K:29 minutes, 10K: 1:01, and the final time for the 10 Miler was 1:40:38. I was pleased with this time but then when I saw what it was, I wished I would have pushed a little harder for those last couple of seconds to come in under 1:40. O, well. I place 528 out of 6,150 women who ran. Over all I was 1340 out of 9,389 runners. I read on another blog that 800 or so runners got swept, ouch!
So what did I honestly think about this race?
The weather was PERFECT. It was well lit except for the little part of the trail, and I never felt that it was unsafe. I actually liked that the trail portion was very minimal. It was actually kind of nice running at night. I didn't bother taking pictures along the course because I figured they wouldn't turn out anyway.
What I did not like about this race was some of the course. There were several on/off ramps and turns on the road. I didn't mind the inclines, but I did mind the turns. I know this is hard to explain in writing, but the turns made it so uneven to run on and I kept thinking, "this is how I probably strained my IT band in the first place." I did not want to run with my one hip on a higher surface than the other, so while everyone else was trying to take the tight corners by running on the inside of the curves, I ran on the top edge of the road where I felt it was a little more even. I know this added more time to my race. O well, better safe then sorry. When I ran on the track at Wide World of Sports, I knew enough to run in the inside since it was nice and even!
Although I did have a good time, I didn't think this would be a race that I would be signing up for the following year. Then I heard last week that it would not be scheduled for next year anyway. Now, I'm kind of glad I ran it this year. If Disney decides to bring TOT back in the future I would do it if my sister or mom wanted to run it with me, but I don't think I would do it again by myself. Disney did a great job with the race but I just didn't care for some of the route. Let me re-state that. I did like the route, meaning where we ran. I guess I just didn't like the quality of the road. Does that make sense?
I was very pleased with the shirts this year. I didn't see them a head of time and it was kind of nice to be pleasantly surprised. The women's were a V-neck and the men's were the traditional round neck. Does anyone know if this was the first year that they had a women's cut shirt? And of course the medal is fabulous. The lights in the windows glow in the dark.
If you also ran the Tower of Terror race this year, don't forget to download your finishers certificate. they are available now at
Earlier this day I ran Mickey's Haunted 5K. You can read about that HERE.
Stay tuned to hear about the Post Race Villain Bash at Hollywood studios.
Have you ever run a race where you really didn't care for the course? ~M
I believe this is the first year that the women got v-neck shirts. I ran last year and both men and women had a dark blue short sleeve tech tee. Sad to hear they aren't scheduling this one for next year! Maybe that just means I'll have to finally do Wine and Dine!
ReplyDeleteI like the V-necks. I wish the princess shirts would be V-necks!
DeleteI am gad you had a great time at TOT- it does look like it may be the last one for awhile, who knows! The shirt looks much better than some I have seen in the past! I know what you mean by the course and it is hard to explain, the couple of races that I have done at Disney I swear the last mile seems like 2! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYes, I was pleased with the shirt and pleased overall that I did the race this year!
DeleteCongrats on a great race. The only race I ran where the course was not really to my liking was the Asheville Half Marathon in June that had a huge amount of elevation change. However, it was great to challenge myself so I would consider running it again. I really loved this Tower of Terror but since I plan to run one of the major marathons next fall, had no plans to sign up again next year. I do hope Disney brings it back after the construction is complete in HS.
ReplyDeleteSometimes not so good courses can end up being a good experience at least. Good thing you did not end up injured on such a challenging course!
DeleteI'm going to have to put this one on my schedule for next year! I love night races period, but a night race at Disney during Halloween sounds so fun!
ReplyDeleteSadly you may have to wait till 2016 if they bring this race back.
DeleteCongrats on another strong race! And did 800 runners really get swept? That's crazy!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I read on another blog. That sounds like a lot doesn't it?
DeleteAwesome job, your time was great and you look so cute in your post race picture (how do you do it? I always look like a hot mess!) I have run a few races where the course was terrible and I won't be returning, if I am going to spend time away from my family (and money) I want a great experience all around. However, I do think if you ran this next time with your mom and sister, the course may not matter as much to you! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sara! You are too kind. This was actually one of the cooler races I've run and also my first night race. I think that's why I wasn't a hot sweaty mess at the end.
DeleteAwesome! And you were so nervous about the whole thing. Awesome time, awesome splits,awesome finish. Did I mention you did awesome?
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks Frank! Once I got to my corral, I started to settle in and I wasn't so nervous after all. It was kind of fun!
DeleteI love Running Skirts and have the one you're wearing. I can fit so much stuff in those pockets that I don't know what to do when I'm not wearing a Running Skirt.
ReplyDeleteI actually brought my running belt too cus I had my powerbar gummies in them. I ate the gummies before the race started, so I actually wore a race belt with nothing in it. I could fit everything in my skirt pockets. I loved that!
DeleteCongratulations on running an awesome race! That medal is so cool!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's quite heavy too!
DeleteGreat re-cap of the race and great job on the time! I was so impressed with how much your skirt could hold :) And I absolutely know what you mean about the road. It was really slanted on the highway ramps and I was a little worried about my knee. It ended up being ok but I walked some of the downhill ramp because it was so slanted and I felt off balance.
ReplyDeleteThank Chaitali! I love my running skirts! Glad that your knee was okay. Some of those turns were brutal!
DeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who went high on the ramps, instead of hugging the inside. Having IT band issues from running the same path with the same leg overextending step after step, I was not about to trigger all of that again! Great job on your time! I know you were hoping to finish fast for a better coral placement in next year's races.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that was a good call running higher where it was a bit more even. No need for more injuries! As for corral placement, I know I wont be in Lacey's corral, but at hopefully she wont have to move back as far to run with me.
DeleteJust want to make sure you know, since you mentioned the glow in the dark on the medal but not this (and it's my favorite part). The elevator also goes up and down!
ReplyDeleteYes, I did know that too! I felt mine was kind of sticking, so I stopped playing with it...haha. I didn't want to break it!
DeleteI actually decided not to run a race I signed up for because I didn't want to run the course. It was a full marathon and it was advertised as NOT an out and back course. Well, after I signed up, and about a month and a half before race day, it was changed to an out and back. I was PISSED in contacted the race director and asked for my money back, as at the time I had no interest in running an out and back course. The RD would not give me my money back and I was very mad. It was the Gettysburg Marathon in case you were wondering!
ReplyDeleteYou look so cute!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the t-shirts!... & of course the medals.
Why aren't they having it next year?!?!? Of course... that's the year we're trying to get down there. Are you freakin' kidding me?!?!?
Big congrats to you for getting through this race with a smile on your face! Glad you had a good run! I get what you're describing about the roads; the streets in my neighborhood have that angle, and I feel like it strains my left leg (running against traffic), so I end up in the middle of the road, except for when I see a car coming. It sure adds a bit of difficulty to running.
ReplyDeleteCute medal and shirt!
Great picture of you! I wish I looked that good after a race:)
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad about the course being uneven. I have noticed that problem a lot as I run different races around the country, especially in states that get heavy rains. I know they can't help the roads, but if it's so severe they should probably consider a different course if possible.
Congrats on your finish, so awesome! Really looks like it was a fun race, I love all the pictures. They also gave cute shirts, I love V-neck shirts:) Another awesome medal too, so fun loved your recap!!!
Congrats on the race! I know exactly what you mean by running on the highway and off ramps. I had the same situation on my ten miler yesterday. Not my best. Perhaps I should try your interval method?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the race! It looks so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI can see what you mean about a course like that...that's frustrating. Clearly the people at Disney were less serious-runner-oriented and more entertainment-oriented. It seems more like a family/friends affair for sure. But I have to admit it sounds like a blast :) I love the Tower or Terror!
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, it was a nice course. It was just certain parts that were curvy and uneven. I liked the route we took.
DeleteAwesome job on the race and with your pacing/timing! I know exactly what you mean about the inclines/terms on the bridges and overpasses… Kills my IT band every time. Great recap!! :)
ReplyDeleteDo you know if other Disney races imitate this same course?
DeleteGreat job! Knew you'd kill it.
ReplyDeleteYou did awesome and I love your race outfit!! I can't believe 800 runners got swept! I feel like that's a lot. Do you know how many normally get swept during Disney races?
ReplyDelete