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. Dr. Ali and this podcast are lovers of runDisney and are not affiliated with runDisney.
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 17 minutes
- Episodes
- 157
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
RTTC #137 Fearing the Balloon Ladies Why You Have It (and How to Crush It)
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn why so many runDisney runners live in fear of the Balloon Ladies—and how that fear is often rooted in past experiences, not a lack…
RTTC #136 The Lie of Strength Training for runDisney Runners
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn why strength training isn’t the magic fix for every slow or injury-prone runner—and why blindly adding more strength may be doing …
RTTC #135 Why You Can't Diagnose Running Pain from a Facebook Post
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn why you can’t diagnose running pain from a Facebook post—and what you should be asking instead.
Dr. Ali breaks down why groin pain…
RTTC #134 Should You Train for Dopey on Your Own or With a Coach?
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn how to decide whether to train for the Dopey Challenge on your own or with a coach.
If you’re prepping for Dopey 2026 and feeling …
RTTC #133 The Top 3 Training Plan Mistakes Slower Runners Make
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn the top 3 mistakes slower runners make that quietly sabotage their progress—even when they’re doing everything “right.”
If you’ve …
RTTC #132 How Any Runner Can Train for Dopey without Popping Advil Like Candy
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn why pain isn’t just a normal part of marathon training—especially if your long runs leave you limping for days. I walk you through…
RTTC #131 Permission to Pivot How to Keep Training When Life Gets in the Way
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you’ll learn why missing runs doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it means you’re human.
I share how I got a late start on my runDisney racetraining a…
RTTC #130 The Dopey, Goofy, Marathon Survival Trap (And How to Escape It)
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to finish Dopey and enjoy training!
Ever feel like you’re just trying to survive your training plan — counting down the days, ho…
RTTC #129 Why Traditional Marathon Plans Don’t Work for Slower Runners
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn why slower runners need smarter plans, not harder plans, why running 26 miles before race day won’t guarantee you’re ready, and wha…
RTTC #128 What No One Tells You About runDisney Corrals
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn what you actually need to know if you’re starting in a later corral, what challenges to plan for, and how to train for weaving, fat…
RTTC #127 The Invisible Mistakes Killing Your Finish Line Dreams
In this episode of Running to the Castle, we’re talking about the invisible mistakes that sabotage your training—even when you’re doing everything “right.”
You followed the plan, ran yo…
RTTC #126 Slow Runners Need Smarter Plans, Not Harder Plans
In this episode of Running to the Castle, you'll learn why slower runners don’t need to train harder — they need to train smarter. If you've ever felt the pressure to “make up” for your…
RTTC #125 Do I Still Get My Dopey Medal If I Get Swept?
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn that if you get swept during the Dopey Challenge at Disney you don’t get the Dopey Challenge medal, and what to do to make sure you…
RTTC #124 Why You Break Down at 8 Miles (And How to Stop It)
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn why you always get pain around mile 8 when you’re running.
Ever felt amazing at the start of your long run — only to hit mile 8 and…
RTTC #123 The Myth of Running More to Get Stronger
In this episode of Running to the Castle you'll learn about the myth of running more automatically making you stronger.
Feel wrecked after your long runs — no matter how many miles you s…
RTTC #122 Hypermobile Runners
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to keep your body healthy if you’re a hypermobile runner.
I was asked by a member in my Free Facebook Community on what are ways…
RTTC #121 Proof of Time - How to Get Fast Enough
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to get a faster proof of time as a slow runner or injury-prone runner. For Disney races you can submit proof of time for half m…
RTTC #120 Fast Enough for Photo Stops
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to be fast enough for photo stops at runDisney races like the Disney Marathon.
On average runners typically wait 5 minutes or l…
RTTC #119 Make Your Easy Pace Faster, Better, Easier
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to make your easy pace easier so running doesn’t feel so hard. Some options runners use are conversational pace and heart rate …
RTTC #118 The Real Reason You’re Still Slow (It’s Not What You Think)
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn what’s keeping you from getting faster.
If you feel like you’re a slow runner and no matter how much you run and no matter how much …