When Is It OK to Train the Full Race Distance?

PodcastRunning After DNF Disney RaceDopeyMarathonHalf MarathonLong Run / Easy Run
Written By Ali Marty

Season 3 of Running to the Castle Podcast w/ Dr. Ali Marty

Episode 205 How to Train for the Full Marathon Disney runDisney Races

In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali explains when it actually makes sense to train the full race distance for a half marathon or marathon… and why most slow, back-of-the-pack runners shouldn’t do it during race training. 

She breaks down why her training philosophy focuses on time on your feet rather than full distance, and how going all the way to 13.1 or 26.2 miles during a training cycle can lead to exhaustion or injury for non-elite runners. 

Dr. Ali also explains the five phases of a successful training cycle and reveals the one phase where running the full race distance can be useful if you need the confidence or mental reassurance that you can finish. 

By understanding when to push your distance and when to protect your body, runners can train smarter, stay healthier, and arrive at race day ready to finish strong instead of feeling broken.

Ali Marty

Hi! I’m Ali. I’ve been in the health and wellness space since graduating with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2012. I worked in the typical outpatient clinic with active men and women with orthopedic injuries (shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, muscle and ligament tears, knee pain, IT Band pain, plantar fasciitis, and hip and knee arthritis until 2018 at which point I started Mobile Physical Therapy in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over the past few years I’ve transitioned to helping women running runDisney races after they’ve had an injury and they want to finish strong and enjoy the rest of their runcation.

https://dralipt.com
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From 7-Hour Marathoner to 6:19 at Dopey… A Real runDisney Success Story with Amanda Mueller