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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Running Is Part of Your Life Not Your Whole Life
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali explores one of the most common questions she hears from runners: what do you do when life gets in the way of your training schedule?
Proof of Time Half Marathon Training Week 3
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali takes us inside Week 3 of her Proof of Time half marathon training, a week where life got lifey and the schedule had to bend.
Will Running Longer Intervals Make Me Faster?
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down one of the most common assumptions in the run/walk world: that running longer is the key to getting faster.
Proof of Time Half Marathon Training Week 2
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali walks through every workout and non-workouts of her second week of Proof of Time half marathon training.
Cross Training What It Is and Why Every Slow Runner Needs It
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali redefines what cross training actually means for slow runners, and it goes way beyond strength training.
Proof of Time Half Marathon Training Week 1
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali kicks off her real-time proof of time training experiment as she prepares for a September 10K to earn a faster runDisney corral placement.
How Should I Carry Water for runDisney Races and Training?
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali answers a listener question about the best way to carry water during runDisney training and races… and whether hydration vests are basically the same thing as weighted vests.
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.