Running to the Castle

Dr. Ali Marty
  • 4.8 (24)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 6h ago

    RTTC #228 Running Is Part of Your Life Not Your Whole Life

    Send us Fan Mail 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?  Dr. Ali shares her personal philosophy that running should fit into your life, not the other way around, and why embracing that mindset is actually what makes training sustainable.  She covers the structure of her recommended training week, the value of cross-training and rest days, and how slowing down on easy runs can transform running from a chore into something you genuinely look forward to.  Whether you're wondering if you can split a long run, skip a workout, or simply miss Global Running Day guilt-free, this episode gives you permission to make running work for your real life. Episodes mentioned that talk about “The Gray Zone”: Episode 202, Episode 203, Episode 206,Episode 210 Episode 211Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. ! 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 @rundisneydptJoin the Facebook Community to get training supportCheck out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website. Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense. Hi, I'm Dr. Ali I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

    32 min

  2. 2d ago

    RTTC #227 Proof of Time Half Marathon Training Week 3

    Send us Fan Mail 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.  She explores how to triage your workouts when everything piles up, why the order of your training days matters more than you might think, and how building toward a race pace is a long game that requires patience, paced testing, and a willingness to get honest with yourself mid-treadmill. From a breakthrough 30-20-10 to a strong 4.84-mile long run in Las Vegas heat, Dr. Ali shows what it really looks like to train smart when perfect isn't an option. Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. ! 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 @rundisneydptJoin the Facebook Community to get training supportCheck out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website. Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense. Hi, I'm Dr. Ali I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

    48 min

  3. May 28

    RTTC #226 Will Running Longer Intervals Make Me Faster?

    Send us Fan Mail 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.  Using a real question from a Stronger Faster Finisher member preparing for a 10-miler, Dr. Ali walks through the math behind run/walk pacing and reveals four distinct levers every runner can pull to improve their overall pace.  The episode challenges runners to think beyond just their run interval and consider the surprising power of walking faster. Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. ! 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 @rundisneydptJoin the Facebook Community to get training supportCheck out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website. Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense. Hi, I'm Dr. Ali I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

    32 min

  4. May 26

    RTTC #225 Proof of Time Half Marathon Training Week 2

    Send us Fan Mail 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.  From navigating a low blood pressure episode that threw off her early week, to a brutal hill workout that ended with her on the kitchen floor eating spoonfuls of maple syrup, to a Friday long run that finally clicked, she shares the full picture of what training actually looks like.  She also dives into the science behind one rep max testing, the osmolality of Coke as pre-run fuel, and why building time on your feet matters more than hitting exact mileage. Links mentioned: Fuel Run Recover Podcast about Coke Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. ! 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 @rundisneydptJoin the Facebook Community to get training supportCheck out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website. Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense. Hi, I'm Dr. Ali I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

    37 min

  5. May 21

    RTTC #224 Cross Training What It Is and Why Every Slow Runner Needs It

    Send us Fan Mail 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.  She makes the case that true cross training is any cardiovascular activity that challenges your heart and lungs the same way a run would, from stationary bikes and ellipticals to paced walking.  She also digs into how to use cross training to train to replace overloaded run days, and stop letting your breathing be the thing that slows you down on race day.  If you've ever felt like your legs were ready but your lungs weren't, this episode is your answer. Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. ! 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 @rundisneydptJoin the Facebook Community to get training supportCheck out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website. Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense. Hi, I'm Dr. Ali I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

    22 min

  6. May 19

    RTTC #223 Proof of Time Half Marathon Training Week 1

    Send us Fan Mail 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. She shares why she chose a longer training runway instead of rushing into a summer race, how she structured her weekly schedule around speed workouts, cross training, and long runs, and what she learned during her very first week of pace testing and 30-20-10 intervals.  Dr. Ali also gets honest about the realities of learning to strength train for speed, adjusting her run/walk strategy, and how a low blood pressure day on Mother's Day is a reminder that progress isn't linear  and consistency always matters more than perfection. Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. ! 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 @rundisneydptJoin the Facebook Community to get training supportCheck out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website. Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense. Hi, I'm Dr. Ali I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

    54 min

  7. May 14

    RTTC# 222 How Should I Carry Water for runDisney Races and Training?

    Send us Fan Mail 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.  She breaks down the pros and cons of handheld bottles versus hydration vests, explains why hydration needs are different from adding extra weight for training, and shares why she personally prefers a handheld bottle because of sensory overload and claustrophobia.  Dr. Ali also dives into one of the biggest mistakes slow, back-of-the-pack, or injury-prone runners make… waiting until long runs to test hydration gear instead of gradually building tolerance from the beginning.  Along the way, she shares practical hydration strategies, discusses how heat and environment affect training decisions, and explains why thoughtful planning matters so much for Dopey and marathon training. Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. ! 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 @rundisneydptJoin the Facebook Community to get training supportCheck out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website. Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense. Hi, I'm Dr. Ali I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

    28 min

  8. May 12

    RTTC #221 How Many Races Should You Sign Up For?

    Send us Fan Mail 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.  She shares her own strategy of training for a 10K proof of time months in advance instead of rushing into races unprepared, and explains why shorter races can actually help runners earn better placements for runDisney events.  Dr. Ali also dives into the physical reality of marathon recovery, why constantly signing up for races can backfire, and how social media can create unrealistic expectations about racing frequency.  She encourages runners to choose races strategically, focus on enjoying training, and remember that consistency and staying healthy matter. Learn more about Stronger. Faster. Finisher. ! 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 @rundisneydptJoin the Facebook Community to get training supportCheck out FREE training plans for injury-prone runDisney runners on my website. Book a Free 30 minute Call with me if you're wondering how you should train and if working together makes sense. Hi, I'm Dr. Ali I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.

    26 min
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4.8
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Ali Marty
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    228
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Running to the Castle
  • Show Website
    Running to the Castle

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