Running to the Castle
A podcast for slow, back-of-the-pack runDisney runners on a journey to running magical miles. Join me, Dr. Ali, as I share the secrets I've gathered as a runner, Doctor of Physical Therapy and coach. You'll learn the exact ways I get my clients to the castle strong without feeling broken or held together with KT tape as they cross the finish line.
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How Many Races Should You Sign Up For?
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down how many races slow, back-of-the-pack, or injury-prone runners should realistically sign up for each year without ending up burnt out, injured, or hating training.
Should Slow Runners Wear a Weighted Vest?
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali answers a Stronger.Faster.Finisher. listener question… should slow runners wear a weighted vest?
How to Do Intervals in a Crowded Race Environment
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali answers a listener question about how to manage run/walk intervals in crowded runDisney race environments, especially when dodging other runners makes the experience frustrating instead of fun.
How to Stay Consistent With RunDisney Training Without Hating Every Run
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down what consistency actually looks like for slow, back-of-the-pack runDisney runners… and why it has less to do with willpower and more to do with whether you actually enjoy your workouts.
The Non-Negotiable Everyone Should Add To Their Run
In this episode of Running to the Castle Dr. Ali shares the one non-negotiable every runner needs to add to their routine, and it’s not another workout, speed session, or long run. It’s recovery.
How Fueling More Helped a Back-of-the-Pack Runner Finish Dopey an Interview with Kai
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali sits down with Kai to share his powerful journey from walking for weight loss to completing the Dopey Challenge after years of setbacks, surgeries, and time away from running.
Springtime Surprise Recap
In this episode of Running to the Castle Dr. Ali recaps her Springtime Surprise weekend experience from start to finish, sharing everything from travel chaos and expo surprises to race strategies and emotional finish line moments.
How Slowing Down Long Runs Helped Her Go From Just Finishing a Marathon to a Princess PR an Interview with Christina Bowler
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali talks with Christina Bowler about how she went from a self-proclaimed non-athletic Disney fan who could barely run the mile in gym class to a runDisney runner who completed multiple race weekends, finished her first marathon, and then cut her pace enough to hit a huge goal at Princess Fairytale Challenge.
Race Day Cross the Finish Line With Confidence
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali walks listeners through exactly how to approach race week so they can cross the finish line feeling calm, prepared, and confident instead of panicked and second-guessing themselves.
How a Back-of-the-Pack Runner Finished Dopey from the Last Corral Interview with Page Bitner
In this episode of Running to the Castle Dr. Ali sits down with Page Bittner to walk through her full journey from a gymnast who hated running to a Dopey Challenge finisher, and not just any finish, but one that required adaptability, trust, and grit in brutal race conditions.
What to Do When Your Running Feels Worse Than It Did Months Ago
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down one of the most frustrating experiences for runners…when your pace slows down and your stamina feels worse despite months of training.
No Pain No Gain Really?
In this episode of Running to the Castle… Dr. Ali breaks down the biggest misconception in running, that “no pain, no gain” is the key to getting faster.
Before You Stop Running Because of Pain Listen to This
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali Marty breaks down one of the most common fears she hears from runners: that a painful week of training means they've injured themselves and need to stop completely.
What Should You Eat When Training for runDisney Races?
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali talks about one of the most common questions runDisney runners ask: what should you eat when training for your races?
How To Stay Consistent Training for runDisney As a Slow Back of the Pack Runner
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down what consistency actually looks like for slow, back-of-the-pack, or injury-prone runDisney runners…and why it has less to do with motivation and more to do with how your training is structured.
How to Run A Faster Half Marathon As a Slow runDisney Runner
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down how slow, back-of-the-pack runDisney runners can actually get faster in the half marathon without exhausting themselves or overtraining.
When Is It OK to Train the Full Race Distance?
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.
From 7-Hour Marathoner to 6:19 at Dopey… A Real runDisney Success Story with Amanda Mueller
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali talks with returning guest Amanda Mueller about what changed between her previous runDisney races and her most recent Dopey Challenge and Disneyland races… and how trusting her training completely transformed her experience.
If You Passed Character Stops But Really Wanted to Stop… This is How You Do It
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali explains why many runDisney runners end up skipping character stops even when they really want them, and what actually needs to change so you can stop without worrying about getting swept.
Why Am I Not Getting Faster?
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali tackles one of the most frustrating questions in the running community: "Why am I not getting faster?"
By focusing on running with purpose and changing only one variable at a time, Dr. Ali provides a roadmap for slow, back-of-the-pack runners to see real, measurable improvements in their pace.