238: Running to the Castle: Dr. Ali's Quest for Stronger Runners

A race weekend can feel like pure fun until real life breaks through. We start by remembering Lauren Bullis, a beloved Rise and Run community member whose kindness showed up in every Holler Hype, comment, and encouraging word. In the wake of her passing, our listeners do what runners do best: we show up. A simple, powerful idea takes hold, dedicating runs across the country to help Lauren reach her dream of racing in all 50 states, turning grief into a shared tribute and a reminder that community is built one mile at a time.

Then we pivot into Springtime Surprise mode with the kind of practical runDisney talk that actually helps on race week: meetup details, travel stress, early alarms, and the latest Brook's runDisney shoe drop (including what’s available at the expo and what ships later). If you’re heading to Walt Disney World, juggling a challenge, or just trying to enjoy the parks without your legs falling apart, these small logistics matter.

Our featured guest is Dr. Ali Marty, a physical therapist, run coach, and host of the Running to the Castle podcast. We dig into running recovery, injury prevention, and smarter training: the “too far too soon” trap, underfueling, how to spot early warning signs like plantar fasciitis symptoms, and how to tell normal soreness from a problem. Dr. Ali also shares simple strength training for runners (single-leg heel raises and single-leg deadlifts) plus her favorite recovery non-negotiable after hard workouts, and yes, her famously simple pre-run fueling approach.

If this helped you, subscribe for more runDisney training tips, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more runners can find the show.

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