Running to the Castle

By Dr. Ali MartySports Health & Fitness Fitness Running

Running to the Castle episodes

January 11, 2025RTTC #80 Disney Marathon Fueling as a 6 Hour Marathon Runner
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In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to fuel as a marathon runner running a marathon 6 hours or longer.
Avoid the top mistake that runDisney marathon runners make when fueling so you don’t bonk at 18 miles and hit a wall.
Aim for 60-90 grams of carbs per 60-90 minutes you’re out on the marathon race course. You can fuel with honey stinger waffles because they’re about 21 grams of carbs so you can eat one of those every 20 minutes to stay on top of it.
I review symptoms you may have if you’re behind on fueling and hydration. I review other options to use as fuel and how many grams of carbs they have per unit.

6 week Speed Program
Ready to stop panicking about how far ahead of the balloon ladies you are and start actually stopping for character photos? That's what the Back-of-the-Pack Runner's Speed Program is for. Join the Waitlist today to learn more and get first dibs on registration.
7 month Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program
Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race?
Get personalized support, smarter training, and strategies designed specifically for slow, back-of-the-pack runners who want to build a bigger buffer ahead of the balloon ladies, have time for character photos and energy to enjoy the Disney Parks. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!
Free Resources
Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
Join the Facebook Community to get training support
Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
...
17 min
January 10, 2025RTTC #79 Disney Half Marathon Fueling
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In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn what to do to fuel for your half marathon.
In general for a half marathon aim for 60-90 grams of carbs per hour you’re racing, starting at the start line.
Options for half marathon fueling include gu, gels, flat soda, gummy bears, pretzels, tortilla chips, cosmic brownies, gatorade, powerade, liquid iv, scratch, pickle juice and more.
Fuel for your future self and if you’re already feeling thirsty or hungry you’re late so definitely drink or eat in that moment.
Space out your fueling throughout the hour to get your 60-90 grams of carbs. I lay out how often and how much to eat in this episode. Spoiler alert: avoid using mile markers as your cue to take in carbs.

6 week Speed Program
Ready to stop panicking about how far ahead of the balloon ladies you are and start actually stopping for character photos? That's what the Back-of-the-Pack Runner's Speed Program is for. Join the Waitlist today to learn more and get first dibs on registration.
7 month Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program
Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race?
Get personalized support, smarter training, and strategies designed specifically for slow, back-of-the-pack runners who want to build a bigger buffer ahead of the balloon ladies, have time for character photos and energy to enjoy the Disney Parks. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!
Free Resources
Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
Join the Facebook Community to get training support
Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
...
15 min
January 09, 2025RTTC #78 Should You Rest After Each Race During Dopey?
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In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn if you can go to the parks after each Dopey race or if you should be resting.
In this episode I give examples of what seasoned Dopey runners do. And I include after each race day for Dopey, the 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon at Disney. There is one day in particular that seasoned runners, the majority, said the same thing.

6 week Speed Program
Ready to stop panicking about how far ahead of the balloon ladies you are and start actually stopping for character photos? That's what the Back-of-the-Pack Runner's Speed Program is for. Join the Waitlist today to learn more and get first dibs on registration.
7 month Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program
Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race?
Get personalized support, smarter training, and strategies designed specifically for slow, back-of-the-pack runners who want to build a bigger buffer ahead of the balloon ladies, have time for character photos and energy to enjoy the Disney Parks. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!
Free Resources
Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
Join the Facebook Community to get training support
Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
...
12 min
January 08, 2025RTTC #77 Dopey Fueling
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In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how to fuel yourself during the Dopey Challenge races.
Learn how to fuel for the 5k,10k, half marathon and full marathon.
Some often forgot times related to the Dopey Challenge like waiting around in the corral for hours and family reunion area means you need to bring fuel for those times, too.
Listen to the whole episode to hear examples of how many carbs are in honey stinger waffle, honey stinger chews, clifbloks, gummy bears and more. Top tips for the hard miles, fuel by time not mileage, and how often to take in fuel.
Links mentioned: Carb Loading for Dopey

6 week Speed Program
Ready to stop panicking about how far ahead of the balloon ladies you are and start actually stopping for character photos? That's what the Back-of-the-Pack Runner's Speed Program is for. Join the Waitlist today to learn more and get first dibs on registration.
7 month Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program
Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race?
Get personalized support, smarter training, and strategies designed specifically for slow, back-of-the-pack runners who want to build a bigger buffer ahead of the balloon ladies, have time for character photos and energy to enjoy the Disney Parks. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!
Free Resources
Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
Join the Facebook Community to get training support
Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
...
18 min
January 07, 2025RTTC #76 Race Day Breakfast at Disney
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In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn what to eat and how to eat first thing in the morning for breakfast on race day, especially if you’re not hungry in the morning or you have to wake up super early (hello runDisney 2am wake ups!)
Some things that may sound crazy include me trying soda first thing in the morning! Learn what to eat the morning of the race if you aren't hungry.

6 week Speed Program
Ready to stop panicking about how far ahead of the balloon ladies you are and start actually stopping for character photos? That's what the Back-of-the-Pack Runner's Speed Program is for. Join the Waitlist today to learn more and get first dibs on registration.
7 month Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program
Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race?
Get personalized support, smarter training, and strategies designed specifically for slow, back-of-the-pack runners who want to build a bigger buffer ahead of the balloon ladies, have time for character photos and energy to enjoy the Disney Parks. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!
Free Resources
Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
Join the Facebook Community to get training support
Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
...
9 min
January 06, 2025RTTC #75 Do You Need to Fuel for a 5k?
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In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn my recommendation as a coach for runDisney runners who needs to fuel for a 5k and in what situations you should fuel for a 5k.
Special situations you’ll learn about:
Multi-day races like Dopey Challenge
Workouts that include strength training or stretching
runDisney races with early early morning races
The best tip: you’re fueling for future you, not current you.

6 week Speed Program
Ready to stop panicking about how far ahead of the balloon ladies you are and start actually stopping for character photos? That's what the Back-of-the-Pack Runner's Speed Program is for. Join the Waitlist today to learn more and get first dibs on registration.
7 month Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program
Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race?
Get personalized support, smarter training, and strategies designed specifically for slow, back-of-the-pack runners who want to build a bigger buffer ahead of the balloon ladies, have time for character photos and energy to enjoy the Disney Parks. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!
Free Resources
Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
Join the Facebook Community to get training support
Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
...
9 min
January 05, 2025RTTC #74 Race Week Carb Loading for Dopey
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn how much and when to start carb loading for the Dopey Challenge at Disney World.
If you’ve ever bonked, felt like your legs were dead during a race and your training and strength were on track it could be because you weren’t fueled well enough, if that’s the case: this is the podcast episode for you.
You’ll learn which day to start carb loading, how many carbs to eat each day and a better way to get those carbs in easier.

6 week Speed Program
Ready to stop panicking about how far ahead of the balloon ladies you are and start actually stopping for character photos? That's what the Back-of-the-Pack Runner's Speed Program is for. Join the Waitlist today to learn more and get first dibs on registration.
7 month Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program
Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race?
Get personalized support, smarter training, and strategies designed specifically for slow, back-of-the-pack runners who want to build a bigger buffer ahead of the balloon ladies, have time for character photos and energy to enjoy the Disney Parks. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!
Free Resources
Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
Join the Facebook Community to get training support
Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
...
16 min
January 04, 2025RTTC #73 Race Day Blister and Chafing Prevention
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In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn tips to avoid one of the most common running problems that’s easily avoidable.
You’ll learn about specific clothing and socks to wear to avoid chaffing on your legs or blisters on your feet. There are special types of bandages you can use in addition to the special socks to give your feet an extra barrier to prevent blisters.
You’ll also learn what to do if you do if you do get blisters to prevent them from getting worse.

6 week Speed Program
Ready to stop panicking about how far ahead of the balloon ladies you are and start actually stopping for character photos? That's what the Back-of-the-Pack Runner's Speed Program is for. Join the Waitlist today to learn more and get first dibs on registration.
7 month Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program
Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race?
Get personalized support, smarter training, and strategies designed specifically for slow, back-of-the-pack runners who want to build a bigger buffer ahead of the balloon ladies, have time for character photos and energy to enjoy the Disney Parks. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!
Free Resources
Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
Join the Facebook Community to get training support
Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
...
13 min
January 03, 2025RTTC #72 Should You Run Race Week?
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In this episode of Running to the Castle you’ll learn whether it’s a good idea to run the week of your race.
For the injury-prone runDisney runner you may want to run the week of your race to get a few final miles in… or you may feel guilty about taking time off.
Listen to this episode to find out which is best: running race week or taking some time off.

6 week Speed Program
Ready to stop panicking about how far ahead of the balloon ladies you are and start actually stopping for character photos? That's what the Back-of-the-Pack Runner's Speed Program is for. Join the Waitlist today to learn more and get first dibs on registration.
7 month Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program
Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race?
Get personalized support, smarter training, and strategies designed specifically for slow, back-of-the-pack runners who want to build a bigger buffer ahead of the balloon ladies, have time for character photos and energy to enjoy the Disney Parks. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!
Free Resources
Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
Join the Facebook Community to get training support
Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
...
9 min
January 02, 2025RTTC #71 Pre-Race Warm Up
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In this episode of Running to the Castle I’m talking about how to warm up and stay warm before your runDisney race.
The mornings are early and waiting around in the corral is long, to avoid muscle cramping, vice-grip like feeling in your calves warm up properly before your race.
Recommendations for your pre-race warm up include how to stretch in the tight corrals and how to get started in the first 1 mile of your runDisney race.

6 week Speed Program
Ready to stop panicking about how far ahead of the balloon ladies you are and start actually stopping for character photos? That's what the Back-of-the-Pack Runner's Speed Program is for. Join the Waitlist today to learn more and get first dibs on registration.
7 month Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program
Ready to cross the finish line stronger, faster, and prouder at your next runDisney race?
Get personalized support, smarter training, and strategies designed specifically for slow, back-of-the-pack runners who want to build a bigger buffer ahead of the balloon ladies, have time for character photos and energy to enjoy the Disney Parks. Learn more about the Stronger. Faster. Finisher. Program today and be the first to know when doors open!
Free Resources
Follow me on Instagram @rundisneydpt
Join the Facebook Community to get training support
Check out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website.
...
11 min