Running to the Castle – Details, episodes & analysis

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In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn what it was like to run the final Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend before the race series goes on hiatus. 

Dr. Ali shares her experience running all three races—the 5K, 10K, and half marathon—including the lessons she learned about pacing for photo stops, fueling with flat Coke and Nerds Gummy Clusters, and checking in every half mile to stay steady in the heat.

You’ll also hear how course support, character stops, and Anaheim’s hills played into her strategy, why she skipped the parks to prioritize recovery, and how she finished the half in 3:04 feeling strong.

 Whether you’re planning a future RunDisney race or looking for practical race-day tips, this recap gives you insights you can use for your own training and race execution.

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how Amanda transformed her half marathon experience from a 4-hour struggle to a confident 3:15 finish. 

She shares how she rebuilt after illness and setbacks, shifted to smarter pacing with intervals, practiced fueling earlier and more consistently, and leaned on strength training and recovery strategies to stay strong. 

Amanda also talks about the mental side of racing, from handling “dark miles” to celebrating progress, and how a family-centered Disney running tradition keeps her motivated and joyful.

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn about Achilles pain—what it feels like, why it happens, and how to both recover from it and keep it from coming back during your runDisney race training. 

Dr. Ali breaks down the common symptoms and underlying causes of Achilles issues, then walks you through a step-by-step rehab plan. 

She also shares practical, proven strategies to prevent future injuries so you can train consistently and cross the finish line feeling strong.

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode of Running to the Castle I’m discussing the controversial topic of running more than 3 hours.

I’m answering the question is running more than 3 hours bad for you? I’m talking about this in relation to training for a marathon and discuss if you should or shouldn’t limit your training runs to 3 hours.

In particular I’m discussing this in relation to slow runners, runDisney runners who will finish their marathon in 6+ hours. I also discuss options for getting the training in to make sure you cross the finish line.

Link to Free Marathon Training Plan

1-on-1 Coaching information

Finish Line Academy Information

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode of Running to the Castle I’m explaining what “run slow to run fast” actually means and who it works for.

This means that 80% of your running should be a conversational, slow pace. The other 20% you can push your limits.

Running slow works for runners with

• Knee pain
• Old knee injuries that flare up
• Difficulty breaking through a specific pace
• Goals of running faster

Listen to the podcast to know how slow, actually pace-wise, you should run, and what kind of speed workouts to do if you’re using run-walk intervals.

When you run fast over and over again for every training run it’s like pulling all nighters in college night after night… it works fine for a few runs (or a few nights) but it’s not sustainable. You can’t do it all the time, it’s going to catch up to you.

If you push yourself running fast every run you are actually going to get slower.

Links mentioned in this episode

Ways to work together

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode of Running to the Castle I’m explaining what happens in the 2 week process while you’re taking a break from running.

Taking 2 weeks off from running is one of the most common recommendations from healthcare providers like doctors and physical therapists because pain can go away on its own without treatment or intervention in 10-14 days after a new injury.

But, for the majority of running injuries it takes 2 weeks for the pain to go away but it takes at least another 4 weeks for the tendon to heal.

You’ll learn why this doesn’t work for runners because the pain and inflammation will come back in full force and what to do instead.

Links mentioned in this episode: Train Between Races

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode of Running to the Castle I am answering a DM question I received: I took 2 weeks off due to pain, can I jump right back into my training plan?

Listen to this episode as I review what my alternative was to this runner when I said no, don’t hop right back into the training plan.

This particular runner had run 8 miles no problem, but the next run, a 30 minute short/maintenance run was painful and then they did a few more maintenance runs as a test after 2 weeks off. This is common that the long run actually wasn’t the problem, but the next short run caused a lot of pain.

Listen in to learn what to do so you don’t cause more pain and have to rest for 6 weeks, instead of the 2 you already rested.

Links mentioned in this episode 

How to Train Between Races

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll hear a free workshop I put on to teach you how to structure your strength workout and exercises so you can get stronger glutes without squats and lunges so you don’t aggravate your knees.

In this episode you’ll hear me discuss:

• The 5 positions to include in your workout
• The 3 directions you need to move your legs to strengthen all 3 glute muscles
• The top 3 mistakes to avoid when strengthening your glutes
• The types of knee injuries these exercises are best for including
  • IT Band Syndrome
  • Meniscus tears (new and degenerative)
  • Knee arthritis
  • Runner’s Knee
  • Pain in the front of the knee and knee cap

Links mentioned in this episode:

Glute strength workouts

Free Disney Training Plans

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode of Running to the Castle I outline how to incorporate strength training and running when you’re training for a runDisney race.

When you’re training for a race it is safe (and recommended) to strength train, too.

Listen to the episode to learn whether you should strength train before or after you run.

Other topics I talk about include when to start new strength exercises, add more weight or resistance, strength train on long or short run days, and strength train on rest days or not.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Glute strength workouts

Free Disney Training Plans

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

Send us a text

In this episode of Running to the Castle I’m talking about what to do and what to avoid when doing strength workouts as a runner with knee arthritis.

When you’re doing strength workouts and you have knee arthritis, knee osteoarthritis to be more specific (I’m not talking about RA or Gout) there are some positions and movements you want to be mindful of including loading painful knees and the alignment of your knees.

Don’t poke the bear, if your knees are really angry (really painful) don’t poke the bear and make them angrier. While they’re flared up back off how much you’re loading through your knees, adjust your exercise program. And when you don’t have flared up knee arthritis watch your knee position as you do your exercises to keep the alignment good to not put too much pressure on the arthritis.

I outline how to back way off to allow your knees to heal and tolerate loading again so you can maximize your strength workouts.

Listen to this episode to learn where to start, when to back off and how to load your knees enough to build strength without flaring them up.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Build Your Glutes Workshop

Free Disney Training Plans

Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. !

Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race? Get personalized support, smarter training, and injury-prevention strategies designed specifically for slow, injury-prone, and “not really a runner yet” runners. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!

Free Resources

• Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
• Join the Facebook Community to get training support
• Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
• Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense.
  
  Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
  I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.