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Podcasts, Blog Posts & Videos
For injury-prone runDisney runners so you can run painfree.
podcast
Running to the Castle
A podcast for injury-prone 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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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.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to get rid of plantar fasciitis pain before race day, like Princess Half Marathon Weekend.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn what to do to manage IT Band Syndrome 2 weeks before race day.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn what to do to manage leg pain 2 weeks before the half marathon or 2 course challenge at runDisney.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn 7 patterns Dr. Ali recognized as a physical therapist to runDisney runners DNF’ing their race.
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you'll learn how to prepare for runDisney races like Chills and Thrills and Wine and Dine, and Dopey through strategic base building, strength training, and personalized pacing and differentiate between soreness and shin splints.
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you'll learn how to beat the Balloon Ladies and avoid getting swept using the Triple S Method: Speed, Strength, and Stamina.
You’ll also learn personal information about me, Dr. Ali and get to know me better.
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you'll learn why more strength training isn't always better for injury prevention in runDisney runners.
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn how to strategically prepare for the Dopey Challenge, especially if you're a new runner. I cover the essential steps to avoid injury and cross that finish line strong
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn why jumping straight to heavy lifting might be sabotaging your running goals—and how starting small is the key to long-term strength and injury prevention.
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn why knee pain and shoe swaps might not be the root of your running struggles
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn why eccentric exercises are essential for runners with tendon injuries and how to perform them effectively.
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn what to do if stretching hurts you and how to effectively manage pain and tightness without making things worse.
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn why runners with tendinitis often make their symptoms worse with the wrong approach to recovery.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you'll learn if you want to spend time all training season googling answers to different things and do it yourself having a coach isn't for you.
This episode is a little tongue-in-cheek which is out of the norm for this podcast, and that's OK we can have a little fun even when Dr. Ali is typically on the serious side.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to improve your speed and pace so you can run faster at the Dopey Challenge in Disney World in 2026.
Specific important aspects of getting faster are discussed including speed workouts and how fast to run each week to make sure you get faster for Dopey 2026.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn the proof of time requirements for the runDisney Marathon and runDisney half marathon and what you need to do to get a proof of time so you get placed in lower corrals.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn the 5 key elements that you need to include in your strength plan so it works and you stop getting injured. When you have some of these elements but not all of them you won’t get stronger and stop getting injured.
Learn when to officially start training for Dopey and what to do leading up to official training. There are specific things to work out and a top mistake to avoid. Avoid this top mistake so you don’t get injured again and you can stop getting minor injuries throughout training.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn the amount of time it takes to recover from a marathon. I’ll review the typical timeline of recovery from the standpoint of normal breakdown that happens during running a marathon.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn what to do during the 6 weeks from Marathon Weekend to Princess Weekend when you ran the half marathon and are running the Princess half marathon.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn the 3 Main Elements you need to include in the time between Dopey and Princess Weekend.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to recover fast from a Marathon so you can keep training for your next race.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn what to do in the first few days after Dopey to recover fast and get rid of pain and soreness.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to fuel for a marathon when you’re a slow runner running a marathon in 6+ hours.
Find out if runners should go to the parks after runDisney races or if they should rest.
Blog
For injury-prone runDisney runners to learn the tips to crossing the finish line strong.
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Overall this was a great glute workout… I really felt my muscles working. But would it be good for my running clients with knee problems like runner’s knee, knee arthritis, meniscus tears and IT Band Syndrome, just to name a few?? Read on to find out.
Strength exercises are important for overall health and for injury prevention. 80% of runners develop a running injury at some point so having a strength routine in your back pocket could help prevent those injuries.
Strength exercises, as you know, as so important to your training. They can help you feel better, stronger and overall perform better. When done incorrectly they can wreak havoc on your plan, and when done properly they can open doors to racing possibilities. In this article I’ll be going through the what, the who and the how, including a big mistake to avoid so you can optimize your strength training and running plan.
Hey Runner! You’re running, you’re strength training… But does it matter which one you do first? It does… it matters if you run first or strength train first.
The best stretches for after running. After a run is the best time to do static stretching. This post outlines the best stretches to do in less than 15 minutes after you run.
Runners get knee pain and need to strengthen muscles to get rid of their knee pain. These are the best strength exercises for runners with knee pain.
So you want to run a 5k better, faster, stronger… you’re doing all the running and not feeling any better when you run. You want running to feel like less work and have it feel more fun. Adding this type of training will help you run farther, better, faster, stronger. See it’s not just about running… you have to incorporate this, too.
If you want to run 5k and your breathing feels good but your legs feel like lead it’s not that you’re out of shape, it’s that your muscles are out of shape. Your cardio is excellent, great job! And it’s not that your cardio isn’t important for running, it is, it’s that only focusing on cardio holds you back from optimal performance. See adding in strength training allows your muscles to strengthen so they can keep up with your breathing. There are multiple places to find good strength exercises for runners. It’s important to know if the exercises are the right ones for you, if you’re doing them right, how to modify them, how to advance them and many more, which is why I work with clients individually so they can ask the question and get the answer based on their needs without having to search google or youtube again and they get to focus on the workout.
Strength & Stretching specific blog posts
Run more with Knee Pain
Videos
Run with Shin Splints
Best for Runner’s Knee
Injured a month before your race? Watch this for what to do
Run with Plantar Fasciitis
Rehab tactics are like ingredients to a cake. Without the recipe they’re like an episode of Nailed It!
Not all training runs will feel good. The 30% rule tells you what they’ll feel like.
Runner’s Injury First Steps
Hip Flexor Pain
How to pick the best shoes when you’re injured.
If you felt under trained for wine & Dine and are doing the half+ at Marathon Weekend, Disneyland Half Weekend stay motivated to keep training.
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn if squats and lunges are the best exercises for runners with knee injuries.