Running to the Castle
A podcast for slow, back-of-the-pack, or 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.
Dr. Ali and this podcast are lovers of runDisney and are not affiliated with runDisney.
Episodes
205 episodes
RTTC# 205 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. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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29:13
RTTC #204 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 complete...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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1:19:36
RTTC #203 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. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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36:16
RTTC #202 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?" She breaks down her comprehensive Finisher Framework, explaining that speed is ...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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35:22
RTTC #201 I Just Finished Princess Now What?
In this episode of Running to the Castle Dr. Ali congratulates all the Princess Half Marathon Weekend finishers and dives deep into the crucial "what comes next" phase of the training cycle. She emphasizes that regardless of whether...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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22:40
RTTC #200 If You’re Slow and Training for runDisney, This Is for You
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali celebrates the podcast's 200th episode milestone by dedicating it to the "slow, back-of-the-pack" runners who often feel out of place in a speed-obsessed running culture. She address...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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20:33
RTTC #199 Calf Tightness in the First 2 Miles of a Run for Slow Runners
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali tackles a frustration shared by many back-of-the-pack runners: that stubborn calf tightness that seems to haunt the first two miles of every run. She debunks the myth that more stret...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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19:52
RTTC #198 What Training and Mileage Should Look Like Between Races
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali addresses a common listener question regarding how to manage training and mileage during the "off-season" or the gaps between major race weekends. She emphasizes the importance of th...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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25:16
RTTC #197 Should I Still Taper When I Missed 2 Weeks of Running?
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali addresses a common dilemma for runDisney participants: whether to continue tapering for a race even after missing significant training time due to illness or "life getting lifey". Us...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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13:51
RTTC #196 How to Incorporate Daily Walking into Your Running Routine
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali addresses a listener's question about how to balance a long-standing daily walking habit... particularly in a hilly neighborhood... with the added physical demands of training for a runDisney ra...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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15:11
RTTC #195 How to Train for Wine and Dine Half Marathon, 10k or 2 Course Challenge as a Slow Run/Walk Runner
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali discusses the essential preparation steps for the upcoming Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, emphasizing that even though the races are months away, the work begins now. She highl...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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19:13
RTTC #194 When Should a Slow Runner Run Fast and When Should They Run Slow?
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down one of the most confusing questions for slow, back-of-the-pack runners…when should you actually run fast, and when should you slow way down. She explains why long runs sh...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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24:01
RTTC #193 Fueling for Long, Slow Miles…Why Elite Runner Nutrition Doesn’t Work for You
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down why fueling advice made for elite runners and the general population completely misses the mark for slow, back-of-the-pack, or injury-prone runDisney runners tackling long, slow mile...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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37:27
RTTC #192 My Run Training Philosophy Why Anyone Can Do Any Distance
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down her run training philosophy and explains why any runner can complete any distance…as long as the timeline and training approach are appropriate. She walks listen...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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23:55
RTTC #191 Why Am I So Nervous for My Race…Even Though the Last One Went Well?
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali explores a surprisingly common experience for runDisney runners…feeling more nervous before a race when the last one went really well.Using a client’s comment as inspiration, she...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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19:43
RTTC #190 How to Stay Consistent Training for runDisney Races
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down why consistency is the real challenge for runDisney runners…and why it feels harder when you sign up for a race eight to nine months before you actually start training. S...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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36:25
RTTC #189 Dopey 2027 Marathon 2027 Start Here
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali Marty explains why January 2026 is not too early to start thinking about Dopey 2027 or Marathon Weekend 2027, especially for slow, back-of-the-pack, or injury-prone runDisney runners wh...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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34:29
RTTC #188 How Slow runDisney Runners Can Have Time for Character Stops
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down how slow, back-of-the-pack runDisney runners can actually have time for character stops without risking a sweep. She explains why character waits are usually sho...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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27:23
RTTC #187 Dopey Race Part 6 After the Races
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali walks you through exactly what to do after you finish the Dopey Challenge so you can recover without losing fitness or falling into the all-or-nothing trap that leads to injury or burno...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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16:23
RTTC #186 Dopey Race Part 5 Warm Up and Stretching
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down exactly how to warm up and stretch during the Dopey Challenge so you can protect your body across 4 straight race days and still feel strong by marathon morning. She expl...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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27:53
RTTC #185 Dopey Race Part 4 Fueling & Hydrating
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down exactly how slow, back-of-the-pack runners should approach fueling and hydration during Dopey and other runDisney races, shifting the focus away from miles and onto time on course.&n...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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25:21
RTTC #184 Dopey Race Part 3 Carb Load
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali walks you through exactly how to carb load and fuel for the Dopey Challenge…without fear, perfectionism, or second-guessing yourself. She explains when to start carb loading based on...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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40:43
RTTC #183 Dopey Race Part 2 Packing & Race Week Prep
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali walks you through Dopey Race Weekend Part Two…packing and race week prep…with a very specific lens for slow, back-of-the-pack, or injury-prone runDisney runners. Instead of rehashing...
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Season 2
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Episode 114
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19:05
RTTC #182 Dopey Race Part 1 Missed Long Run
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali tackles one of the most stressful Dopey training questions she gets every year…what to do if you miss your peak week long run. She explains why skipping the 20-miler late in training...
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Season 2
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Episode 113
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14:45
RTTC #181 If You Feel Like You Need to Run More to Prove You Can Run The Marathon Do This
In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali tackles a belief that keeps so many slow, back of the pack, or injury-prone runDisney runners stuck in fear…the idea that you have to run 26.2 miles in training to prove you can finish a maratho...
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Season 2
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Episode 112
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23:45