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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Get Faster to Beat the Balloon Ladies and About Dr. Ali
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.
Strength Training More Can Hurt You...Avoid this Injury-Causing Mistake
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.
When Should You Train for Dopey?
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
Lifting Heavy for Running Injuries
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.
New Running Shoes to Heal Your Injury
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
What To Do When Stretching Hurts You
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.
Stretching Hurts You
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.
Don’t Get a Coach for runDisney Races If You Want This All Season
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.
Run Your Fastest Dopey in 2026
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.
How to Get a Proof of Time for runDisney Marathon
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.
5 Key Elements Your Strength Plan Needs So It Works and You Stop Getting Injured
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.
Run Your Strongest Dopey in 2026
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.
If You Want to Get Faster Do This
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to get faster as a slow runDisney runner. If you want to run faster, increase your speed and increase your pace follow the steps in this episode.
How Long Do You Need to Take Off to Recover from a Marathon?
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.
Go from Half Marathon to Princess Half 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.
Go from Dopey to Princess Challenge
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.
Recover from a Marathon Fast so You Can Keep Training
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.
Get Rid of that Dead Leg Feeling After Disney Race (Post-Race Recovery)
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.
Marathon Fueling as a 6 Hour Marathon Runner
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.