Rise and Run

A fractured kneecap, a missed flight to Honolulu, and a coaching mindset stronger than ever—Jeff Galloway joins us with candid lessons on healing, pacing, and performing when it counts. We kick off the new year one week from Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, and Jeff brings the practical wisdom runners need: how to decide when it’s safe to return from injury, why walking long sessions preserves endurance, and how run-walk-run kee...

A little Christmas magic meets marathon grit. We open with holiday cheer, community thanks, and a few playful ideas—from telethons to extra-big meetup cookies—before diving into a rewind that still gives us goosebumps: the Walt Disney World Marathon story of first-time marathoner and champion, Stephanie Muscat.

Stephanie’s path started in the pool. Years of swimming turned into tentative laps on an indoor track, then into ...

The early alarms, the corrals, the castle, the finish line glow—Marathon Weekend is closer than it feels, and we’re tackling the questions you’re actually asking. We dig into the big simulation week and why it’s more about patience than pace, then talk taper calm and how to internalize race pace without burning yourself out. From there, we zoom into the choices that matter: smart carb loading at Disney (yes, fries can be part of a ...

The alarm hits at 2 a.m., the corrals open in the dark, and somehow the magic feels brighter than ever. We bring together Dopey veterans and a first‑timer to unpack the real playbook for Marathon Weekend: how to shop the expo without losing your day, when to join the virtual queue, and which transport options get you to EPCOT stress‑free. From the 5K’s calm walk to the marathon’s 4:30 a.m. start, we map water stops, fuel options, s...

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on one of the most misunderstood parts of the runDisney experience—the Dead Last Start. Often seen as a disadvantage, the DLS is actually a unique community filled with resilience, camaraderie, and surprising benefits.

We’ll break down what the Dead Last Start really is, clear up common misconceptions, and hear firsthand stories from runners who’ve embraced starting at the very back. F...

A rainy run outside Tokyo Disneyland. A Thanksgiving table full of training plans, inside jokes, and hard-won wisdom. And a milestone we never imagined hitting: 500,000 downloads. This one brings the energy, the honesty, and the practical tools you need heading into Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and the Dopey simulation.

We walk through the training calendar and get tactical about the big Dopey sim: why long-run pace ...

A game show rivalry meets runner wisdom in a rubber match that’s equal parts chaotic, helpful, and heartfelt. We pit Team Rise and Run against Team Will Run For in a custom Family Feud built from real Run Disney life: favorite expo merch, the best post‑race resort pools, the cleanest, quietest in‑park bathrooms for that urgent corral P‑stop, and the most energizing on‑course entertainment that isn’t a character. Along the way, you’...

The miles are getting long, the holidays are closing in, and motivation is wobbling—so we get honest about what actually works. We talk through the head game of marathon training: patience over pace on long runs, how to break the distance into chunks that calm your mind, and why comparing speeds on social media can derail your best week. You’ll leave with simple mental cues, smarter pacing targets, and a healthier way to handle mis...

The sunrise hits the Staten Island Ferry and everything changes. We go from small talk to big miles fast—unpacking 2026 Coast to Coast qualification, why Wine and Dine is sticking to October, and how that choice ripples into Marine Corps and New York City plans. If you’re eyeing runDisney weekends or plotting a world major, the booking and timing intel here will save you stress and money.

We dive into medal craft and cours...

Start with a sunrise 5K in costume, add a social 10K with better photo flow, then stir in a half marathon that put course design under the microscope. That’s the arc of this Wine and Dine weekend—equal parts magic, logistics, and heart. We walk you through the expo’s new rhythms , a refreshed core runDisney merch line with some questionable shirt cuts, and the small tweaks that make or break a big weekend when sleep is scarce and p...

The fastest way to upgrade a race weekend isn’t a workout—it’s a conversation. We kick off the 2025 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend with a clear plan to turn nerves into connection, mapping exactly where to find us before each start, how to spark easy chats in the corrals, and why your first bus and first hello can change the whole vibe. If you’re arriving solo, you don’t have to stay that way; we’ll make the introductions an...

The countdown to Wine & Dine is on, and the energy is real. We swap last‑week training moves, practical travel advice for 2026 bookings, and a surprisingly useful shoe debate: are Brooks’ Stitch-themed Glycerines a smarter buy than limited race-weekend drops? Then we bring in a conversation that will change how you see your run, your city, and your next trip to Disney.

Author and advocate Doug Gordon (Life After Cars) ...

Ready to arrive at the start line feeling like a coiled spring instead of a burnt match? Coach Chris Twiggs joins us to lay out a clear, no-nonsense roadmap for the final weeks before race day—why tapering wins races, how to dial in run-walk ratios, and what actually matters for multi-day challenges like Wine & Dine and Dopey. We dig into the simple details that make a huge difference: 30-second walk breaks to avoid late-race f...

This week we bring all of it together—training breakthroughs, fandom debates, and the power of community—with NYT bestselling author AJ Wolfe, the voice behind Disney Food Blog and AllEars. We dig into her book Disney Adults asking why the label sparks so much heat online, and how subcultures like DisneyBounding, Dapper Days, and RunDisney become places people actually live. AJ doesn’t sugarcoat it: the same fans who keep the parks...

Costumes transform runDisney races from mere athletic events into moving celebrations of creativity and character. In this lively episode, we welcome back the Rise and Run Council of Costumes – a panel of expert race-day costumers who've turned heads and sparked joy with their elaborate designs.

What makes a successful race costume? Our council reveals the delicate balance between showstopping aesthetics and practical...

Episode 208 transports us to the heart of Amish country as we dive deep into the Bird in Hand Half Marathon weekend. "It's like running through a postcard," our friend, Ryan, commented.  From camel selfies to cornfield runs, our special guests Ellie, Carrie, Tracy, and Kim capture the pastoral magic that makes this event unlike any other running experience. You'll feel like you're right alongside them as th...

Running truly connects us across continents, time zones, and finish lines—a truth brilliantly illustrated in this globe-spanning episode. We begin with a comprehensive look at the triumphant return of Disneyland racing through the Halloween-themed race weekend that kicked off the 2025-2026 runDisney season. Our panel of runners shares firsthand experiences navigating the Disneyland expo, enjoying extensive park time during both the...

What drives someone to document their first marathon journey? In this captivating episode, we dive deep with filmmaker Andres Vargas who created a professional documentary about training for and completing his first marathon at Walt Disney World. Despite having no prior filmmaking experience, Andres crafted a compelling story that captures both the physical demands and emotional rollercoaster of marathon preparation.

Andre...

What does it take to rise from refugee to Olympic medalist? Marathon legend Meb Keflezighi reveals his extraordinary journey from war-torn Eritrea to becoming the only American to win Boston, New York, and an Olympic medal in the marathon.

Meb's story begins with a father who walked 225 miles to escape persecution, a family separated for five years, and a young boy who discovered his talent by simply trying to earn an...