Family's Tower of Terror Adventure in Running

After I completed the Dopey Challenge in January, my girls wanted to do a RunDisney race as well.  I was already registered for the Dumbo Double Dare in August, and it was simply too expensive to fly the family out to California from Georgia for them to participate in the Disneyland events.  They decided that they wanted to run the Tower of Terror 10 miler in Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios.  They agreed that they would have enough time to train from February to October for the race.

My wife, Susan, had to join us since the two youngest needed a parent to participate along with them. My oldest daughter, Faith, and youngest, Brooke, had joined me during my training runs, but nothing over seven miles.  My middle daughter, Katie, is not a runner, but loves to ride bikes.  My wife told her that they could speed walk it with no problems, and did not train.  (This would haunt them later).

I printed out the Jeff Galloway calendar/training program for the Tower of Terror 10 miler and placed it on the refrigerator for everyone to see and be reminded.  After I returned from the Dumbo Double Dare, Faith and Brooke stepped up their running and were excited for the upcoming event.  My wife wanted to cancel the trip and sell the spots, but the kids and I protested. 

The time came and we made our trek to Disney World and checked in at our resort, Old Key West.  We arrived a couple of days early to see the parks and to be rested before the event. We arrived on Wednesday to heavy downpours.  I had to go to Downtown Disney guest relations to pick up my travel agent park tickets.  Since the area was under construction, finding a parking space was our first adventure.  While walking from the Marketplace back to our car, our shoes were soaked. My girls were wearing their running shoes instead of their sandals.  After forgetting my running shoes for Dumbo, and having a friend bring them out to me, I had the forethought to bring extra, but I later learned my children did not.  We all hoped they would dry by Saturday. Friday was the day of the expo.  I knew what to expect but they didn't.  We stopped for the background photo before heading into packet pickup.

We picked up our bibs and proceeded to the trade expo to get our shirts, souvenir pins, and visit the vendors.

Katie found some shoes she couldn't be without, and Susan, Brooke, and Faith picked up some earphones.  They found the Fit Belts, Sparkle head bands, and other items.  Susan used her credit card so much it set off a fraud alert and she had to call to explain.  I told her it was time to go.  On the way out, we were face to face with Yum Yum cupcakes.  How did they know my family could not resist a cupcake or food truck in general.  She purchased one of each so the entire family could try a little of each.  I must say they were incredible. Susan said it was the best dessert she has had at Disney and it wasn't a Disney owned food truck. 

Saturday arrived and we visited a park that morning.  We had lunch at Port Orleans French Quarter.  The kids loved the beignets from Sassagoula Floatworks. 

We went back to the resort for the afternoon nap before our big event.  I helped Faith finish her handmade Maleficent horns. We got ready, pinned on our bibs, and drove to the community center at Old Key West to meet the buses.  They didn't go to each of the resort's bust stops, only at the main lobby check in.  Parking was horrible, as everyone else had the same idea.  There were not enough in resort buses to get to the front.  While running to get to the bus pick up, Brooke lost her blue Cinderella headband. At least it wasn't her shoes.  She also dropped a gel pack and shot blok.

At bus drop off, we had a security bag check.  Susan bag checked a jacket for after the race since temps were supposed to drop.  I was looking forward to the cool breezes and lower humidity.  We had our photos taken before the race.  They were amazed at the amount of runners present. I told them there were about three times that many at the Marathon.  (9389 finished the Tower of Terror 10 miler).

I suggested using the restrooms before getting in corrals.  Half the participants had the same plan.  We found our corral, "F".   We were then lead to a narrow walk to the back entrance area behind Indiana Jones Stunt Show. 

Each of the Corrals started with fireworks.

Faith and Brooke kept up with me and we stopped along the way for photos at each of the mile markers and of each of the villains we passed.  Susan and Katie kept their slower pace. 

 

Jafar being led to his admirers.

 We were making great time till just past this point, after the turnaround at the entrance to Animal Kingdom.  Here they had a large spider on the overpass.  The legs of the spider hung down where I could almost touch them.  Faith and Brooke thought it was neat.  Just past mile 4, Brooke's right ankle began hurting and she slowed.  We began doing short intervals so they wouldn't stop altogether. 

The Hyenas from Lion King

the Queen of Hearts

 Just past Captain Hook's Photo op area, we entered the wooded trail leading to ESPN World of Sports and the maze of track and fields.   Here we encountered Jack and Sally from the Nightmare before Christmas.

Narrow Trails in dimly lit woods, with fog machines

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Picture of a super excited Brooke about to meet her favorite, Stitch!

The Gravediggers looking for business

 Faith didn't want to wait in line for Stitch and ran ahead to our agreed upon meeting location.  After the picture, we tried to catch up to Faith, to no avail. We left ESPN through the stadium and out the main entrance, where the Haunted Mansion ghosts assumed they were zombies instead. 

Spectators' signs in Braves training Stadium

 As we passed mile marker 8, Susan called to tell me that Katie was picked up by the buses since she didn't get ahead of the balloon ladies.  She said Katie had a large blister on her foot, possibly from the wet shoes that didn't dry completely.  Susan said she was going to finish and tried to catch up.

Hades atop the entrance, taunting runners below

 Hades would occasionally throw up some fireball fireworks if he thought we were ignoring him.  We turned inside the park and were in the backlot tour area, running into the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. They showed us running on the Jumbotron.

 I received a runner tracking text and e-mail that Faith had finished, and we were close behind.

Nearing the finish line

 Brooke and I finished hand in hand across the finish line and she had the biggest grin on her face when she got the medal.  I felt so proud for her that she made it.  As it was after Midnight, it was officially my birthday.  It was a great and memorable Birthday!

Brooke's first RunDisney finish

Brooke and I waited for Susan at the finish.  We were yelled at to keep moving, so we walked really slowly!  We picked up our water, bananas, Powerade, and runner's boxes. As an added surprise, we were given Chill Towels.  Unknown to us, Faith had stopped by the med tent set up near the Fantasmic area of Hollywood Studios.  We walked by and didn't see her.  We made it to main entrance, when I got a text from a strange phone number.  Faith borrowed a phone and texted she was in the med tent.  We had to go back up the one way traffic, past all the volunteers yelling at us that we're going the wrong way.  One security officer stopped me and I told him my daughter was hurt. He let me pass.  Susan and Brooke were behind and got stopped by another lady.  Susan accused her of not being a mother and she was allowed to pass by as well.  We made it Faith and discovered she had a bad side cramp.  We had assumed the worst.    Now that the adrenaline had dropped, we walked back into the park area to join the villain bash.  Susan proclaimed it was her one and only race that she will ever do, and she was done.  They were tired and hurting. 

Faith wanted a picture with Maleficent, but she was nowhere to be found.  One would assume if the race was themed with Maleficent, banners, merchandise, pins... She would be present for photos.  We did find Cruella and the Evil Queen.  Brooke also was able to find Shan-Yu.  Susan had to walk back towards Indiana Jones Stunt show to retrieve her bag with her jacket, and then enter the park up main street to meet us.  We managed to ride Toy Story Mania and Tower of Terror.  Susan and Katie left early since they were exhausted.

Each of the girls agreed had they trained properly, they wouldn't have been as tired or hurting afterwards.  Faith and Brooke said it was fun experience and they were proud of their medals. Faith mentioned that she wanted to do Princess Half one day.   We got back to the resort around 4 am.  After a needed shower, sleep was great!