Pre-Trip George and Scott plan a family-free ToT Ten Miler trip

I guess you could say that the beginnings of this thread started in another Trip Report. Mine actually. In November of last year I took a trip to run in my first runDisney race, the Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon. I finished the race, had a good time, got home, wrote up my trip report. Next thing I know, I get a message in my WDWMagic Inbox from @George

Scott,
I read the beginning of your trip report and it gave me an idea. Since my kids are school age, the Disney races aren't at good times, would you consider doing a half marathon or Tower of Terror Ten Miler with me? We could pick the exact dates and times later, since there are 4 or 5 options.
Thoughts?
- - George

With this, the seeds of a trip were planted.

We've had a few brief conversations via phone and PM to set some of the basics. We decided upon the Tower of Terror Ten Miler race, in October 2014, mostly because we're excited for the afterparty at DHS. We've registered for the race.

We've also somehow gotten the blessings of our spouses that this trip will be "solo". Just two gentlemen heading down for some wholesome fun, to run a 10 mile race through the WDW Property, to ride some rides, enjoy some of the fine food options, and have a good time enjoying the parks without kids slowing us down there to join us in the fun. I've even got my wife to let me put off telling my kids until just about a week before I leave for the race, so I don't have to spend the next 8 months with my children openly hating me.

What I thought would be fun though is if @George and I would make the plans for our trip out here in the trip report forum under a Pre-Trip heading. That way we can solicit the opinions of anyone who would be so inclined to read this little thread, and we can utilize the vast knowledge of our fellow WDWMagic fans to prepare a great short vacation.

So, to start off @George I think we firm up the dates. I'm thinking we fly down on Thursday, 10/2 and return on Monday 10/6. That'd give us a couple days in which we're not being asked to run ungodly distances where we can enjoy the parks. A day or two prior to the race, and a day or two limping around after the race.

I think the flight schedules open up soonish, so if you'd like to fly out of your local airport and meet me down there, or if you'd like to pop up to my place and stay on Wednesday night and we fly together out of Midway, that would work as well. If we did that, it would give me the added benefit of staging a faux kidnapping in front of my kids so that I can claim plausible deniability in knowingly leaving them to go to WDW.

 

[George]

Yep. Really looking forward to it. Let us start off with one of the basics. We're checking into the Villas at Wilderness Lodge on 10/2 and checking out on 10/6.

 

[Nemo14]

Do you 2 need cheerleaders?

 

[sshindel]

Yep. Really looking forward to it. Let us start off with one of the basics. We're checking into the Villas at Wilderness Lodge on 10/2 and checking out on 10/6.

I'm super excited about that!

I've only been over to WL once, when we were hopping from DTD to the MK. I walked from the busstop to the boat docks, stopping for a potty break for the oldest and to be tempted by the DVC kiosk.
I may have to pay you a small fee while we are down there to keep me away from the vile temptresses that are the DVC salespeople.

I did love the look of the main hall when I was there though, it rocketed up to the top of my wish list, so in some ways, you're already making dreams come true!

So, from 10/2 to 10/6. 5 day park-hopper tickets for me if we were to go to the parks every single day. Do we have any interest in doing the thing most hated to Disney execs and finding our way over to Universal to experience the new Potter section, or since this is a quick trip, should we focus on the Pixie Dust?

 

[sshindel]

Do you 2 need cheerleaders?

Cheerleaders are always going to be welcome.
After this winter, where I actually found myself winded going up one flight of stairs briskly to catch the train this morning, I think I may need cheerleaders, coaches, trainers, and a group of EMTs on call at all times to finish running 10 miles.

 

[Nemo14]

I'll be down in Bradenton that week, but I might be able to drive up for the day and see you 2 collapse, er, I mean run.

 

[George]

Do you 2 need cheerleaders?

Of course!

I'll be down in Bradenton that week, but I might be able to drive up for the day and see you 2 collapse, er, I mean run.

You know where you'll be 8 months in advance?

One thing I was thinking about was taking up smoking. I figure you'll be out in the open in some of the spaces where you'll probably be allowed to smoke. Plus, I could blow smoke in the face of my various competitors to intimidate and punctuate my points should we strike up a conversation. Further, I think most studies show that if I smoke whilst training, I will increase my lung capacity faster since the the lungs will have to deal with the smoke and the rigors of jogging.

 

[Nemo14]

Of course!

You know where you'll be 8 months in advance?

not usually, but my niece asked me if I could help her out that week and the week before babysitting because her usual sitter (my sister) is going on a cruise. I only have to work Monday - Wednesdays though, so I might pop up there then. Do I have to reserve it 60 days out?

 

[sshindel]

One thing I was thinking about was taking up smoking. I figure you'll be out in the open in some of the spaces where you'll probably be allowed to smoke. Plus, I could blow smoke in the face of my various competitors to intimidate and punctuate my points should we strike up a conversation. Further, I think most studies show that if I smoke whilst training, I will increase my lung capacity faster since the the lungs will have to deal with the smoke and the rigors of jogging.

There are so many advantages to smoking while running this race
1) The aforementioned lung exercise.

True story. I had a couple roommates back 10-12 years ago. One of them was the typical studly ladies man kinda guy. Big gym rat. Athletic. The other, well, he was a ladies man as well, but in such a way that if you were drunk enough, he kind of looked like a Kevin Costner impersonator you might find at 3am on the Vegas Strip. Anyway, this guy was (still is) a HUGE smoker. Smoked like the proverbial chimney. Anyway, every spring, the two of them would decide to start jogging. They'd get up early in the morning, head out for a run, and come back after a couple of miles. They'd both come back to the place and head out onto our balcony. Every single time, the athletic guy would be doubled over panting, gasping for air. The other guy would saunter out, grab a glass of water, and immediately light a smoke. The other guy was always just exasperated at this. He couldn't figure it out. Smoker would just say "Look, when you go out for a run, you are exercising your lungs, then you don't for the rest of the day. I exercise mine all day long"

It became such a long running joke to us that I found a large framed print of this photo from an old Tour De France at a Restoration Hardware, and purchased it to hang in our living room. It was our major piece of art.

Wow, sorry for the long sidebar. Back to the list

2) When someone goes to pass you, and you don't want them to, flick the lit cigarette butt at them. They'll think twice.

3) You could use one of those armbands people use for iPods to hold your smokes. I'm guessing that will be something most people have rarely seen

4) It's a Villians themed after-party. I think nothing would be more fitting for during/post race photo ops than with a lit cigarette.

I'm all for this. I quit smoking about 6 years ago when my first kid was born. I can easily pick it back up.

 

[xdan0920]

Just saw this on the WDW Facebook page...

Spectacular.

Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit for life.

 

[sshindel]

Just saw this on the WDW Facebook page...View attachment 46716

Spectacular.

Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit for life.

I, for one, can not wait to enjoy a beverage or two on a quiet evening there!

 

[xdan0920]

I, for one, can not wait to enjoy a beverage or two on a quiet evening there!

The resort is fantastic. I am beyond jealous of this trip.

 

[sshindel]

So, I just thought of something that I probably shouldln't admit out loud on a WDW forum. I might get my account locked. I'm thankful that there is not a "dislike" button, as I'd get hammered by it.

Ready.

I've never had Tonga Toast.

Quick, get the smelling salts.

I've made a homemade version for my wife for last Mother's Day based on a video I found by Disney (and freestyled a little by making bananas foster to put on top of it), but I've never had the real version.

I was thinking that we might need to decide on our first ADR for the trip. I can think of nothing better to celebrate a successful run than a morning stuffing our faces full of deep fried french toast. It might have to be later in the morning. I'm a morning person at heart, last year after getting to bed around 4am after the 1/2 marathon, I was still up around 8am or so when the rest of the family got up to drag me to the park. Still though, we might want a little extra time in the morning to limp down to the boat docks and get over to the Poly.

Also, one more thing. I found out the hard way last year that it seems tradition to wear our medals around the parks the next few days. I didn't, and missed out on all the camaraderie from fellow runners the next day. Yes, the medals are quite heavy, and I might have given myself neck-strain wearing it, but I would have happily done so if I had known.

My question was, should we make up some special T-shirts to wear the second day to commemorate our accomplishment. They would be something that is easy to see, so likely some shade of neon. I also think a saying is in order. Something to show our pride as well as our superiority over the non-runners. In a nice and respectful way of course .

 

[Master Yoda]

So, I just thought of something that I probably shouldln't admit out loud on a WDW forum. I might get my account locked. I'm thankful that there is not a "dislike" button, as I'd get hammered by it.

Ready.

I've never had Tonga Toast.

I have had it and while it is good, it pales in comparison to the pineapple macadamia nut pancakes.

 

[sshindel]

I have had it and while it is good, it pales in comparison to the pineapple macadamia nut pancakes.

After running 10 miles, maybe I'll just treat myself to both!

 

[Tiggerish]

There are DVC rooms available that weekend... @Nemo14 and I could form a cheerleading squad. Or, I could do my second Happy Haunted 5K. Unfortunately, though, my AP will have expired by then.

@sshindel, you are not the only person to have never tried Tonga Toast. I'm a member of that club, too.

 

[jlsHouston]

The resort is fantastic. I am beyond jealous of this trip.

YES and I am on my way there in 2 weeks...can't wait

 

[abeachchick]

I have had it and while it is good, it pales in comparison to the pineapple macadamia nut pancakes.

I agree!!!!!!

 

[abeachchick]

After running 10 miles, maybe I'll just treat myself to both!

Do it!!!!

 

[abeachchick]

There are DVC rooms available that weekend... @Nemo14 and I could form a cheerleading squad. Or, I could do my second Happy Haunted 5K. Unfortunately, though, my AP will have expired by then.

@sshindel, you are not the only person to have never tried Tonga Toast. I'm a member of that club, too.

I want to be on the cheerleading squad!!