Tower of Terror 10 Miler. Not So Scary at All.
Sometime we need to revisit things in life because they didn’t go as planned the first time around.
Last September my husband and I ran the inaugural Tower of Terror 10 Miler at Walt Disney World.
We died.
Okay not literally, but that race kicked my rear.
Lots of heat and humidity. We had only run about eight to nine miles maximum in training. Because what is 10 miles? At night?
Well, it was a lot more than my sorry behind could handle. We ended a pretty pathetic duo. Rather than riding all the rides afterwards as planned (the park stays open till 4 a.m.), we sat on a bench for two hours chasing a Tylenol with a few beers. The only rides we felt like attempting were — well, let’s just say there wasn’t any 40″ height requirement.
I was determined to have a great race. Because all my race experiences at Disney have been great. I wasn’t going to let 10 miles get the best of me.
So last weekend, once again we found ourselves in the parking lot at Hollywood Studies at 9 p.m. checking the college scoreboard on our phones and taking goofy shots because how else were you going to kill two hours before the race started?
The race commenced. We were pretty far back.
Which was fine, because I was going to take it slow have fun and my husband was going to walk.
He walks fast. So fast, I can’t walk with him. So we had major inappropriate PDA at the start (because we might never see each other again) and went our own way for 10 miles.
Now for some of my outstanding photo journalism.
There was a little bit of cross-country running about mile 5.
This guy and girl were with me the whole race. Every time I looked up at a mile marker, he was taking her photo.
Not sure who he was supposed to be. Her costume was a cross of Jasmine and the Cheshire Cat.
Was standing there taking the photo below when a creepy Walking Dead-esque pallbearer sidled up to me.
I got away speedy fast.
About this time I stopped taking pics because it occurred to me — once you’ve seen one picture of sweaty people running at midnight you’ve probably seen ten more than you really care to.
So I finished my 10 miles, got my coolio medal and sat on the ground and waited for my husband praying my phone battery would last till we met up.
We met up for the after race photo.
The photographer told us to kiss.
I included this proof because as I turned to my dearest, I kind of forgot what I was supposed to do.
Yes. I still was a little oopy after running 10 miles in 79 degrees and 79 percent humidity.
But after properly hydrating, we were able to ride the ride that bears the race’s name.
WARNING: The photo below is why you will never EVER see me sitting on a bar stool at 3 a.m.
Scary.
So what’a ya think? Up for running 10 miles at 10 p.m.?
Linking up with the fabulous Greta@gfunkied (who would totally be up for running 10 miles at 10 p.m.) and the equally fab Sarah@sundayspill for #iPPP.
Walkers of the world unite. You have nothing to lose but your chains.
Whoa…they have races at Disney?
There is nothing wrong with a good PDA…I’d have to partake because I’d probably die during the run.
http://www.makemommygosomethingsomething.com/ (oops, Kimberly. I hit the wrong but on my phone and removed your Luv link back to your blog. I’m all thumbs. j )
They sure do Kimberly. All different distances all throughout the year.
Well Johnny if you can’t change the world — you can change your little corner.
Up for 10 mi. at 10 p.m.? No thanks! At least not in the foreseeable future.
I’m working my way up to 4 miles – WALKING. And, I am a morning person. I’m a basket case after 9 p.m.
All that to say … you are my hero! You go, girl!
10 miles at 10 sounds like it could be fun…sounds like a great girls weekend kind of thing to do (since my husband wouldn’t go for it).
Looks like it was fun!
KC
I’d love it, KC. Lots of women to girls’ weekends at the Princess Half in February.
I’m a morning person too Jerralea — by necessity. It wasn’t that hard to stay up and do the race — but I have paid for that crazy weekend all this week at home. Can’t really bounce back like I used too.
That sounds like SO MUCH FUN!!! Yes, I would love to run that! Although, I don’t remember the last time I ran in the evening…I’m a morning runner.
Awesome photos, and I love that your husband is a runner too! (or a really fast walker ;))
It is fun Jen — and on my husband and walking. He was a tailback on a college football team. He was really fast. (and his sister was a Junior Olympian in track) but he HATES running. He associates with training and football, etc. But he puts on an audio book and likes to walk. I am happy because it is really good cardio for him and without the walking, he wouldn’t be doing anything.
This just painted such a visual image. Nothing says Disney’s Hollywood Studios and wholesome family fun like sitting on a bench at 2 am drinking beer. You’re my hero! 🙂
Well, Dan. I tried to change my little corner of Hollywood Studios (at 3 a.m.)
How cute are y’all? So cute! That looks like a lot of fun, actually! Especially the last part… 😉 Great pics!
haha! I’d need some more time before attempting that. 😀 I’m glad you both survived, I’ve anxiously waiting to hear how it went! love the pictures!!
It really was fun Elaine — but if you are not used to running in that humidity (and by now even in Georgia it’s cooler in the mornings), we learned to train a bit more and we had a great race.
We survived Greta and we able to ride the rides afterwards. Last year, I was a puny, nauseated mess.
LOVE this post, Jamie!
I’m not a runner, but I walk my dog for a few hours every day and I’m a pretty fast walker. At least I could outwalk a zombie, I hope.
It’s so great that you did that!
http://kerstinauer.tumblr.com/
(I accidentally removed your Luv link too Kerstin. I love this post about meeting your author friend. I should never try to reply to comments from my phone. J)
Moving is all that counts Kerstin. Keep it up. Good for you — good for your dog. My lab would love to be walked that much. I do take him when I run but that’s not every day. And you’ve got to watch out for those zombies. They can sneak up on you.
I wanna make out with my husband on a Disney race course. Alas, he will not be running with me. Looks like y’all had an absolute blast! 🙂
Jane recently posted: http://janasthinkingplace.com/2013/10/type-takeaways/
This looks like so much fun. I’ve always wanted to do one of the Disney races. We were at Disney for January Marathon Weekend about two years ago but the only marathon I participated in was the one involving too much luggage, too little sleep and young kids. Maybe someday…
Jana — I bet if you keep running Disney races he will join you one day. It’s like trying to fight a tidal wave. 🙂
Jennifer — It might be better (I think) to do this when your kids are a little older. I had a friend and her husband who ran the marathon together and they were able to leave their kids asleep in the hotel room. The oldest was fifteen and youngest was about 10. It wasn’t like they had to drag a young tired toddlers around the parks the next day.
How fun! Congratulations!
How I love your pics, particularly the ones of you and your husband before and after! And yes, if I could run 10 miles, I’d run them at 10 p.m. Maybe I should make it my goal before next year… hmmm….
I would love to be up for running 10 miles at 10 pm. It’s not going to happen any time soon, but it sounds wonderful!
It was so nice to meet you! Me and the kids stayed at Animal Kingdom for another three hours and rode Expedition Everest THREE times. They loved it. Hope the rest of your trip was nice!
Hey Amy. It was fun meeting you and chatting in line. I’ve been behind posting but want to share the photo of your cute birthday boys. Take care.
So impressed with you and your ability to keep running races at all hours of the day and night. You and your hubby are such a cute couple!
xoxo tiffani
[…] Okay. I’m a little drained from a 10 mile run this a.m. Hadn’t run that much since beginning of October. […]