In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali addresses a listener's question about how to balance a long-standing daily walking habit... particularly in a hilly neighborhood... with the added physical demands of training for a runDisney race challenge. 

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down one of the most confusing questions for slow, back-of-the-pack runners…when should you actually run fast, and when should you slow way down.

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down her run training philosophy and explains why any runner can complete any distance…as long as the timeline and training approach are appropriate.

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali explores a surprisingly common experience for runDisney runners…feeling more nervous before a race when the last one went really well.

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down why consistency is the real challenge for runDisney runners…and why it feels harder when you sign up for a race eight to nine months before you actually start training.

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali Marty explains why January 2026 is not too early to start thinking about Dopey 2027 or Marathon Weekend 2027, especially for slow, back-of-the-pack, or injury-prone runDisney runners who want to finish strong instead of just surviving. 

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali walks you through exactly what to do after you finish the Dopey Challenge so you can recover without losing fitness or falling into the all-or-nothing trap that leads to injury or burnout. 

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down exactly how to warm up and stretch during the Dopey Challenge so you can protect your body across 4 straight race days and still feel strong by marathon morning. 

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down exactly how slow, back-of-the-pack runners should approach fueling and hydration during Dopey and other runDisney races, shifting the focus away from miles and onto time on course. 

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali walks you through Dopey Race Weekend Part Two…packing and race week prep…with a very specific lens for slow, back-of-the-pack, or injury-prone runDisney runners. 

Instead of rehashing the obvious basics, she focuses on the often-forgotten recovery tools, fueling essentials, and blister-prevention strategies that actually make the difference when you’re racing 48.6 miles over four days. 

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali tackles one of the most stressful Dopey training questions she gets every year…what to do if you miss your peak week long run. 

She explains why skipping the 20-miler late in training is not only okay but often the smartest choice for slow, back-of-the-pack, or injury-prone runDisney runners dealing with illness, pain, or life getting in the way. 

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali tackles a belief that keeps so many slow, back of the pack, or injury-prone runDisney runners stuck in fear…the idea that you have to run 26.2 miles in training to prove you can finish a marathon. She breaks down why late-cycle full marathon training runs actually increase injury risk and decrease your chances of feeling good on race day.

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali tackles one of the most common questions she gets from slow, back of the pack, or injury-prone runDisney runners…can you break up a 16-mile long run when training for a marathon or Dopey? 

In this episode of Running to the Castle Dr. Ali answers a listeners question if it’s possible to actually get faster with 5 weeks left before Dopey 2026 race.

Dr. Ali dives into the nuance of yes, it is, and no it’s not, possible to get faster about 1 month before Dopey 2026.

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali tackles how back-of-the-pack marathoners can get meaningfully faster before January races so they have a bigger buffer from the balloon ladies and time for character stops.

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali discusses how to continue training for Dopey after a Marathon with 10 weeks to go.

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali discusses how to train after Wine and Dine Half Marathon or 2 Course Challenge and the Dopey Challenge, or other races that include the Marathon in January 2026.

The biggest thing to avoid is overtraining. 

In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn 5 Signs You’re Going to Not Finish Dopey.

In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn the top 3 main reasons RunDisney runners do not finish (DNF) their races:

In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to finish the Dopey Challenge even when you’re injury-prone without getting injured with strength training.