Prepare to be entertained and inspired as Broadway sensation and runDisney aficionado, Caesar Samayoa, graces our latest episode of the Rise and Run podcast! We’re thrilled to bring you Caesar's unique blend of theatrical charm and running passion, as he shares his journey from watching Sandy Duncan in "Peter Pan" as a child to lighting up the stage in "Sister Act" and "Come From Away." Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Broadway audition process and hear about his latest role in "Just In Time," all while exploring the dynamic synergy between his theatrical dreams and love for the running community.
As marathon weekend approaches, we dive into essential preparation tips to keep you healthy and ready to race. With the notorious 'corral crud' and frosty weather making their rounds, we discuss the importance of hygiene and share personal experiences to help you steer clear of any pre-race pitfalls. Exciting tidbits about the upcoming 2025-2026 runDisney race calendar will have you marking your calendars.
Our conversation with Caesar also takes us through the vibrant running culture in New York City, where he finds solace amidst the buzz of Manhattan and Brooklyn. From favorite routes like Prospect Park to captivating waterfronts, Cesar relishes the rhythm of his runs. We wrap up with Cesar's dreams of performing in a Disney musical and his ambitions to connect with fans during marathon weekends, as well as a sneak peek into his upcoming Broadway show. Remember to connect with him on Instagram or his website, and we can’t wait to see you at our Disney Springs meetup—happy running!
Caesar's Links
Facebook
Instagram
Just in Time on Broadway
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
3 am again.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Why did I ever think this was a good idea?
Welcome to the Rise and Runpodcast.
Join our group of Run Disneyfriends.
As we talk about running atWalt Disney World and beyond.
We'll discuss recent runs,training, upcoming races and
surprise topics suggested by you, our listeners.
(00:30):
Well, the alarm's gone off, solet's go.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Hello, my friends, welcome to episode 172 of the
Rise and Run podcast.
No intros.
We'll get some this week.
We'll record them.
While we're there, I'll saywe're dropping this one early.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Maybe John is getting them right now at the Expo as
we speak.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
That's the thing.
Well, first of all, before wego into this, hiya, friends, I'm
Bob.
I'm here this week with Greghey, hey, hey.
And with John, hey Bob.
How you doing?
John gosh, I guess I'm doingokay.
I appreciate it.
Thanks for asking Our specialguest this week, broadway star
and run Disney runner, cesarSamayoa.
(01:20):
Looking forward to thatinterview.
Like I said, no spotlight.
We'll get back to the spotlighthere in just a couple of weeks.
So one of the fun things aboutthis episode for me and some of
the other episodes that we do onrace weekends is, without fail,
somewhere along the course,someone is going to be wearing
(01:42):
headsets and then look over anddo a double take and go.
I'm listening to you right now.
That's always fun.
So if you are, just say hi.
If you are in the act of givingJohn an intro as he wanders
(02:03):
around the expo recording intros, you'll understand what that's
for.
And Greg won't be down foranother couple of days, but
he'll be there too.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
All I got to say is the FOMO is real and the FOMO is
killing me.
But I'll see you folks realsoon.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yeah, you'll see Greg on the marathon course.
Friends, if you enjoy the Riseand Run podcast, please share us
with your friends.
Introduce them to thiswonderful Rise and Run family.
We want to share in their RunDisney journey as well.
Remember to follow us onFacebook, we're at Rise and Run
(02:39):
Podcast and on Instagram, we'reat Rise and Run Pod.
You can check out our YouTubechannel.
I finally had a chance to lookat Jack's 100 mile video.
That was superb.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
No, that wasn't that great.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
It really, really was .
Hope you get a chance to dothat.
You can visit our webpage,which is riseandrunpodcastcom,
and if you got a question, yougot a comment, you got a race
report or you want to leave usan intro, you can call us at
727-266-2344.
(03:11):
It's an automated system.
It'll just go right tovoicemail.
You can leave us a recording.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
We'd also like to take this time to thank our
Patreons, whose support helpskeep the Rise and Run podcast
rising and running.
If you'd like to join thepatreon team, please go check
out patreoncom slash rise andrun podcast.
And we want to take this timeto thank our patreon and loyal
listener, holly, who upgradedfrom the plastic cheese level to
(03:41):
the mandalorian level.
So, holly, welcome to Back tothe Future.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Thank you for that, holly.
That's very generous.
We really appreciate it.
Rise and Run podcast brought toyou by our friends at Magic
Bound Travel.
Oh look, there's Maggie overthere.
I think Greg isn't that Maggieover there running.
Some of your Magic Bound Travelguides or agents will be there
because they're at every run.
(04:08):
Magic bound makes sure that ifyou are using them to book a run
disney event, that your agentwill be an experienced run
disney runner, and I thinkthat's a good thing.
Hey, I don't know if it's toolate to look into dis
accommodations for Disneylandweekend, but magicboundtravelcom
(04:28):
is the website.
Check them out In our littleapologies and alibis section.
This is again not one, but inthe chaos that surrounds the
holiday season and the multiplerace reports we get, I missed
some, and Mary Jo set a goal torun at least one race a month in
(04:50):
2024.
And when she did the Santa'sTwilight 5K she capped off that.
So that's significant, mary Jo.
We didn't want to let that gounrecognized.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
And then I guess I'm going call this a, a potential
future apology.
So I'm gonna, I'm gonna hop inthe mandalorian, I'm gonna go to
the future and then, and thencome back but, just wanted to
give everybody a quick breakdownof the episodes that will be
coming up, uh, here in shortorder post marathon weekend.
(05:22):
So obviously this week we have,as Bob said earlier, our new
Broadway buddy, caesar, and thennext week's episode is going to
be a replay of the episode thatwas recorded live at the first
ever Run Fit Fab pop-up that istaking place after the 10K, so
(05:48):
you'll be able to hear thataudio in your feed next Thursday
.
Then the week after that willbe our 2025 Marathon Weekend
Recap Show.
The issue, hence why I wantedto possibly give this early
(06:09):
apology is that and granted, Iknow I'm going to get a lot of
groans from Bob and John, andprobably audibly from the
listening audience as well toois I go directly from Marathon
Weekend and a post-familyvacation right into a business
trip to Hawaii.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Oh, great Exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Again, I predicted this.
So, due to time changes andwork schedules and red-eye
flights and everything like that, I'm not exactly 100% sure when
I will have time to upload theaudio for that episode.
I'm going to do everything inmy power to make sure that it
(06:56):
will be in your feed thatThursday, but if it's later in
the day on Thursday or happensto be Friday, I promise you
nothing is wrong with yourpodcast feed.
You can put all the blamesquarely on me, but if I have a
general idea of the timing,maybe I'll put out a Facebook
(07:18):
post or something like that.
But I just want to make peopleaware ahead of time of what
you're going to be hearing inthese next couple of weeks and
of that potential delay as welltoo.
So, and again, if you have anycomplaints, uh, you can send
them to greg at rise and runpodcast while he's sipping on my
time I am sipping the mai taiwatching the humpback whales uh
(07:39):
in the pacific ocean.
Yes, absolutely beautifulbeautiful.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
I have a great time, man.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
That's a wonderful place to be.
Uh, it's.
It's been a.
It's been a challenge keepingour heads into where we are,
because we have time shifted somuch of the recordings over the
last four or five weeks that, uhanyway.
So this is.
Let's see, this is actuallyWednesday now.
(08:05):
This is actually Expo Day.
Well, let's take a look Now.
Look, training schedule Today'sExpo Day.
Like I said, look around John'sover there somewhere I'm not
sure where he is, that massiveline for bibs.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
I'm going to be getting there, probably I've got
.
I had to change plans a littlebit.
I typically get there rightafter lunch, but I'm going to be
a little later than that thistime.
I'll probably be there midafternoon.
So again, if you're listeningand you're at the expo in the
middle of the afternoon, two,three o'clock, come say hi, I'll
(08:43):
be hanging out somewhere.
Who else is?
Is Jack doing dopey?
Yes, yeah jack's yeah, she'llbe there jack will be at the
expo sometime today also, butyou'll be there, right, john?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
yeah and alicia usually goes the first day yeah,
she usually goes first day too.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Yeah, the only wild card they don't know is lei,
because Lexi's doing the 10K.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
So I don't know if she's going Wednesday or
Thursday.
Hey, if I were her, I'd goThursday.
Thursday will probably be thelightest day of the week.
No, I take that back, becausethe Goofys will also be picking
up their bibs on Thursday.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Well, the five people in line for Goofy.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Right, right, I get you, but they can get there
Friday.
I forgot about that.
I get those days, so yeah, soThursday will probably be the
lightest day of the week for theexpo, so that's a good day to
be there.
It's also, if you're catchingthis in time, it's also a good
day to go back.
If you got caught up in theWednesday crowd and you want to
go back, thursday is a good dayto do that.
(09:45):
Thursday, or probably Saturday,are good days to go back.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
If you want to get KT taped up again like uh yeah.
Like if you know you're goingto do the marathon or the half
and you want to get KT KT tape,go back Friday or Saturday.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Hey, it's not like it's not like it's empty.
There's going to be peoplethere, I promise you.
I'm fond of trying to catch oneof those down days to go talk
with Mr Galloway, and I canspend a couple of minutes with
Jeff and not have to worry aboutholding others up who don't
normally get a chance to talkwith them.
But let's go through as wetypically do.
It is friends.
(10:20):
It's the one we've been waitingfor all along.
We are at marathon weekend.
I'm so excited to see everyonehere.
Uh, disneyland half marathonweekend is coming up in just
three more weeks.
Three more weeks.
You're in training.
Week 15 and your distances thisweek for your long runs is four
(10:43):
miles with a magic mile.
I may mention this again at theend of the episode I did just
post.
Of course, we do have the chatgroup for Disneyland half
marathon weekend.
Now, sadly, none of the Riseand Run gang will be there, but
I went ahead and created ameetup time, used our standard
(11:06):
time, 3 pm Saturday, and therewas just a terrific place at
Disneyland.
It's the picnic area, and thebest way I can describe it is if
you are in the Esplanade or thelarge open area that's between
California Adventure andDisneyland and downtown.
(11:28):
Disney is over there.
Look at the entrance toDisneyland and then turn to your
left and over there by the lostand found, in the restrooms
there are signs for a picnicarea.
It's a great area.
It's mostly hidden by hedges.
It's encircled by hedges, butit's a great area.
It's mostly hidden by hedges.
It's encircled by hedges, butit's a great area.
A lot of privacy, a lot ofshade.
(11:50):
If you need it, and I don'tknow what to expect, but I know
our friends are going to gettogether there three o'clock on
Saturday.
That's Disneyland half marathonweekend.
Princess is not far behind myfriends.
It's only six weeks away.
You're into training week 11.
If you're doing the challenge,you have three miles walk on the
(12:11):
first day and 11 miles run walkon the second.
However, you schedule yourweekend and then we are into
training for springtime surprise, which is now 12 weeks away.
We're in training week six forthis and your long run is six
miles.
Well, guys, any trainingupdates?
Speaker 3 (12:33):
just trying to stay, stay healthy and injury free
before we get down there.
Wait, I should be down there,I'm down there, I am down there.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Keep washing, keep washing your hands.
I hear people talk about thecorral crud.
That's nothing more than thefact that you were in close
exposure to a couple thousandother people.
So if anybody has anything,it's going to spread.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
I was training today actually, so, yeah, good.
So it's cold.
It's cold up here, so I waspracticing standing outside in
the cold, uh, waiting to for thecorral to go off that's very
smart of you, john, very wise.
I will not do that, but I didhave a lot more layers on than I
probably would have on Thursday.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
One of the things I like dopey weekend.
I'm not out to break any speedrecords, so I walk a lot of it,
so I can layer up a little morethan I normally do.
I did my last training run onSaturday.
There's one on the schedule forTuesday.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
I'm not doing it, so my next activity will be on
thursday.
No, I'm right there with youguys.
I essentially have put myselfinto uh, bubble mode.
I guess you know, I as much asI have wanted to run outside.
You know we've had, you know,like little nuanced storms here
(13:57):
in pennsylvania.
So it, you know, it's to thepoint where, you know, even
though the trail might becleared, I just don't want to
risk on stepping on some blackice.
So you know all the runs, havebeen on the treadmill and then
you know, in terms of health, Igot a little scare over the
weekend.
I, I, I didn't feel so great,but but I'm gonna, I'm gonna
(14:17):
knock on some wood here.
I feel like I'm on the men andthen should be good to go for
marathon weekend but you know,just just you know, you know,
there's so much stuff goingaround right now I've been
hearing from various friends sojust trying to, you know, avoid
any of it at all costs.
But yeah, it's, you know,thankfully I haven't experienced
, you know, those.
You know, thankfully I haven'texperienced, you know those, you
(14:38):
know those taper crazies.
But I just, you know, to me,I'm, I'm just, I'm just filled
with, with excitement and andand just itching to, uh, the hop
on that plane and and get downto Orlando to see you guys and
to here, except to say I was avisitor to the emergency room
this week.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
I was not the patient , I was a visitor.
But golly, I was in anemergency room this week.
I was there for a couple hours,it was slam packed and I'm
thinking I got to get out ofhere.
Yeah, all the germs goingaround.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Same with me, bob.
I was there New Year's Day andI'm like oh.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
God, but it's been 72 hours and I think I'm good to
go and look.
As I said last week in thepodcast, I am fastidious about
washing my hands as we get tosomething like this.
That's the best way to preventor to reduce the spread of germs
.
Just keep washing your hands.
So let's see Training update.
(15:39):
Hey, I got an update for you.
This still applies.
It's not training update, butif you're at POP POP Century,
don't forget to say hi to Myraand tell her.
You heard her on the Rise andRun podcast.
We got a tremendous reaction tothat.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Absolutely we did.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Yeah, it was fun.
And look, I don't know her thatwell, I've met her twice, I
believe but she treats everybodythe same and I think she would
get a huge kick out of hearing acouple, a dozen or a hundred
(16:19):
people telling her hey, I heardyou on the podcast, myron, that
was fun.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Hey friends, we interrupt this episode of the
Rise and Run podcast to bringyou some quasi-breaking news
that broke after we got donerecording but we thought would
be vital information to passalong to you in this episode to
kick off Marathon Weekend, andthat is Run Disney has announced
(16:46):
, I'm going to say, most of therace calendar for the 2025-2026
race season and I'll explain ina second why I mean most of the
schedule.
But here are the dates andraces that were announced here
(17:07):
at the start of Marathon Weekend.
So technically, I guess the RunDisney season now starts with
the Halloween half marathonweekend out in Disneyland.
Again, that is occurringSeptember 4th through the 7th
2025.
But you know, believe it or not, we already had registration
for that.
That took place back justaround the Thanksgiving holiday.
(17:30):
So, again, that is the kickoffof the season.
Then the next race and this isthe first one in Walt Disney
World the 2025 Wine and DineHalf Marathon Weekend.
As we discussed a few weeks ago, this race is occurring a few
weeks earlier than it has in thepast, taking place October 23rd
through the 26th 2025.
Club Run Disney registrationsopens in just about a month, on
(17:54):
February 4th 2025, and generalregistration opens on February
11th 2025.
Next up and I can't believewe're talking about this already
, but the 2026 Walt Disney WorldMarathon Weekend that will be
taking place January 7th through11th 2026.
Club Run Disney registrationbegins on March 4th 2025, and
(18:21):
general registration opens onMarch 11th 2025.
Next up on the docket we havethe 2026 Disney Princess Half
Marathon Weekend, and this is aslight change than we have seen
in the past.
This race weekend will betaking place February 26th
(18:42):
through March 2nd 2026.
Club Run Disney registrationopens on June 17th 2025.
General registration opens June24th 2025.
And in the round out the season, we have the 2026 Run Disney
Springtime Surprise Weekendtaking place April 16th through
(19:06):
the 19th 2026.
Club Run Disney registrationopens on July 22nd 2025.
And general registration opensJuly 29th 2025.
Now the part that we're missing,and that is details for the
(19:26):
second race weekend inDisneyland.
Based on the graphic that youcan find on the homepage of run
Disneycom, you, you, when itsays disneyland, it just shows
the halloween half marathonweekend.
It says 2026 race details tocome.
(19:46):
So no mention of the disneylandhalf marathon weekend.
But you know this leads to somespeculation of well, is this
race going to happen?
Will it happen at a differenttime?
Are they going to rebrand it?
Or is it just a situation whichit very well could be, since
(20:07):
run disney and disneyland has towork with the city of anaheim
to get permits and and you knowemt and police and you know
various protections like thatMaybe we just do not have the
permits at this time, hence whywe don't have any details.
So we're going to have to keepour eyes and ears peeled to
information and see if we aregetting a second race weekend in
(20:29):
Disneyland for this season andthe first race weekend in
Disneyland for 2026.
And now back to your regularlyscheduled podcast.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
All right, friends, look, let's visit with our
guests for the week.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Just a few weeks ago we did a rise and run rewind
with our friend Taryn, who isour favorite stunt woman
extraordinaire.
And while Taryn is a star ofthe small and silver screens.
And while Taryn is a star ofthe small and silver screens,
this week we get to chat with astar of the great white way.
Our next guest has gracedvarious Broadway stages and
(21:15):
productions, including SisterAct, come From Away how to Dance
in Ohio and soon and this isvery exciting will be appearing
alongside Disney legend JonathanGroff in the upcoming Bobby
Darin musical Just in Time andapparently, as we found out a
couple of weeks ago, is amassive Run Disney fan.
We would love to welcome CesarSamayoa to the Rise and Run
podcast.
Cesar, welcome my friend.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
Thank you so much.
I'm so thrilled to be here.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Cesar, welcome my friend.
Thank you so much.
I'm so thrilled to be here.
We are excited to chat with youas well.
So let's start real, real easyhere, and I'm sure this is
probably.
Even though it's a shortquestion, it's got a very long
answer to it what inspired youto get into performing in the
live theatrical arts?
Speaker 4 (21:54):
Oh, wow, I love this question because it was a
teacher, actually, who inspiredme to pursue theater or to
actually love theater.
You know, my family is fromGuatemala and we immigrated to
the United States and, to betotally honest, the you know,
theater, broadway, was justnowhere in our sights.
(22:17):
You know, when I was growing upand my teacher brought us to
see a show, and I will neverforget that feeling of watching
a live performance for the firsttime and almost knowing I think
I was in maybe fourth gradeknowing immediately that that's
exactly what I was going to dowith my life.
I didn't know how, I didn'tknow what I was going to be
(22:39):
doing, I had no idea what ittook to get there, or how to get
there, or what even the nextstep was, but I knew that that's
what I was going to be doingand I'll never forget it.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Do you remember the show that you saw?
Speaker 4 (22:51):
It was Peter Pan starring Sandy Duncan, actually,
and I saw.
Captain Hook come onto thestage and I was like that's it,
that's what I want to do.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
I remember those commercials back in the day.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
Right.
You saw, Sandy Duncan flyingover the audience and you're
like whoa, what is that I can?
Speaker 2 (23:10):
still remember and I thought this was such a great
touch.
I think it was SpringtimeSurprise last year.
Yeah, because that was the theneverland tinkerbell themed race
, that's right, and and Ithought that they were just
going to play music from, youknow, the disney version.
But the fact that they wereplaying music from the kathy
(23:30):
rigby version, oh wow, and justyou know nothing better than
running around Epcot and hearingI got a crow or I won't grow up
is was such a awesome and veryunique feeling.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
Wow, that seems like it would just be so joyful doing
that, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
Well you know.
So it is so wonderful to hearthat you know you have been able
to perform in so many Broadwayproductions.
I mean, every actor's dream orI should say actor in musical
theater actor's dreams to be ina Broadway production.
Maybe let's use the show thatyou just booked a couple of
(24:10):
weeks ago with Just In Time.
Talk us through what is theaudition process like for a
major theatrical Broadwayproduction in New York City.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Oh, wow, you know it's actually.
I love this question.
It's actually very differentfor every show.
You know I'm so fortunate nowto be, you know, to have an
established career on Broadwayright now.
So this next show coming upJust in Time was a very
different audition processbecause it's with a director
(24:43):
that I've done four shows withAlex Timbers.
He's just a renowned Broadwaydirector and TV as well, and
this will be our fourth projecttogether and he basically asked
me to do it.
He asked me to work on the uhon a workshop production of this
, and then asked me to join the,the Broadway company, which is
(25:05):
amazing.
But usually, uh, a Broadwayproduction is cast through a
very lengthy audition process.
Uh, you kind of go through, youget screened first to see
whether you're right for theproject and then you go in for
your first audition and you havea preliminary set of material
that you kind of go through andyou audition, maybe in front of
(25:28):
a casting director and possiblya director, and every time you
get called back you start seeingmore and more people in the
room.
So by the time you get to afinal callback for a Broadway
show, it's usually multipleproducers, sometimes investors
in the show.
It's usually a significantamount of the creative team, if
(25:48):
not the entire creative team, inthe show and you're pretty much
doing every bit of materialthat you would be asked to do
should you get cast.
So it's a little bit of amountain to climb, but man is it
amazing when you get to the topof it.
Speaker 2 (26:06):
I got to know what are your go-to 16 bars for your
audition.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
Wow, you know, luckily I haven't gotten, I
haven't had to do a 16 bar cutyet, but I'm trying to think of,
like back in the day when I wasdoing it.
You know, I just take on it, soit was pretty different for
every project that I went in.
(26:40):
I tend to do a lot of multiplecharacter roles where I get to
play completely differentcharacters all the time.
So I love the creative process.
I love the creative process ofan audition.
Speaker 3 (26:53):
I'm sure anytime you're on stage is magical, but
has there been one particularshow or production that stands
out as your favorite?
Speaker 4 (27:01):
Absolutely.
You know I was part of theoriginal company of Come From
Away on Broadway and that was, Ibelieve, five years that we
were doing this project togetherand talk about a life changing
project.
You know it was one of thehonors of my life to be a part
of it.
If you're not familiar with thestory, it takes place during
(27:26):
9-11, the week after 9-11,actually, when 32 planes landed
in Gander, newfoundland, at thenortheast tip of Canada, and
this tiny town doubled in sizewith people from all around the
world were stranded on theseplanes and it was about this
community opening its doors tothe world, basically in a time
(27:46):
of huge need, and it became thisphenomenon.
It's still playinginternationally.
It's playing all over thecountry.
We're starting to see regionaltheaters do productions of this
and I can't wait to see highschools pick it up and it's kind
of mind-blowing that I was partof it from the start and I was
(28:07):
able to be part of the team thathelped develop this piece.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Is it still playing on Apple TV Plus?
Speaker 4 (28:14):
playing on Apple TV plus, it is it is and it's a
it's a beautiful live capture ofour show.
It actually, uh, we actuallyrecorded it during the shutdown,
while Broadway was shut down.
Oh, wow, okay, yeah, we.
We rehearsed it, uh, inquarantine in a hotel in Midtown
(28:35):
there were no Broadway theatersopen and, um, after
quarantining in the hotel, werehearsed within the conference
rooms of the hotel and then wewalked into our Broadway theater
for the first time, I believeafter more than a year of being
shut down, and we recorded theshow and I believe it's so true
to what the live production waslike.
(28:57):
So I encourage people to checkit out.
It's a beautiful show, it's abeautiful story, it's very
inspiring and it's actually veryjoyful and very funny.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
I'm sure that had to be such a an emotional moment
for you.
You know, just walking back inthere after a year, I mean I can
still remember that Great, Notnot come from away, but I
remember there a video gotreleased making a Disney
connection here the cast of, orat least at that time, the
current cast of the Lion Kingrehearsing Circle of Life for
(29:27):
the first time, and literallyjust the entire cast, just
tearful.
It was amazing that they couldstill get through the song, even
through rehearsal, because thefact that that was the first
time they could all get togetherfor, like you know, a read like
that, you know just I'm surethe emotions were through the
roof for that, oh it was throughthe roof.
Speaker 4 (29:46):
I mean, broadway is such an integral part of new
york city and especially midtownmanhattan, and during the
shutdown it was just completelydesolate.
There was nothing there and asour cast was walking towards our
theater for the first time,people lined up on the sidewalks
and out of their fire escapesand were cheering this Broadway
(30:07):
show finally coming back afterso long.
I'll never forget it.
I'll also never forget walkinginto my dressing room and seeing
everything exactly the way Ileft it the day before Broadway
shut down Almost everything,including my coffee mug, which
is a Mickey Mouse mug, and itwas as if nothing had been
(30:31):
touched that whole entire time.
Wow, Unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
So there you go, folks.
If you're looking to see ourguest on the on your small
screen in your home and you're asubscriber to Apple TV plus,
please go, go, check out, comefrom away it's.
It is truly a magicalproduction.
But you know, let's let's keepgoing with the Broadway
questions here.
Describe the feeling knowingthat your voice will be forever
(31:00):
part of an original Broadwaycast recording, like as I was,
you know, prepping for thisinterview.
Like I was, I was listening tothe recording of how to dance in
Ohio, which is a show that mywife and I wanted to go see so
desperately and by the time wewere ready to make the
commitment.
Unfortunately, you know, theclosing notice had posted.
But, like when you go tospotify and you look at the
(31:23):
track listing for that show,like there are a couple of songs
that have just your name on it.
What, what does that feel like?
Speaker 4 (31:30):
I mean I'm I'm kind of getting goosebumps talking
about it.
You have to know this about methat I was a theater kid.
I loved it so much, like in myheart, I just loved theater so
much.
When I had the wonderfulopportunity to go see a Broadway
show I would wait at the stagedoor just so I could see the
(31:51):
actors coming out and possiblyget their autograph and to think
that I'm part of originalBroadway cast albums.
Now it has to be, it's a, it'sa complete honor.
You know it's it's.
It's as if I'm I'm living a.
You know, a dream come true,actually, all right.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
Cesar, you have, you know, in your latest run of of
various Broadway shows, you havecreated original roles in these
brand new productions, which isnot a lot of people can say,
and that's what makes you sounique and and clearly you know,
such a respected and talentedactor within broadway circles.
But is there one role that youknow, if there was ever a
(32:32):
revival production or you wereable to be part of, like a
regional production of a showthat like, oh, I've always
wanted to play that role andthat role is what Wow, what a
great question.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
You know, I think of me and all my like musical
theater, all my musical theaterfriends growing up and we were
all obsessed with Sweeney Todd.
I don't know if you know theStephen Sondheim show, sweeney
Todd.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
Absolutely.
I just saw it a couple ofmonths Stephen Sondheim show.
Speaker 4 (32:59):
Sweeney.
Todd, absolutely, I just saw ita couple of months ago with
Aaron and son before it closed.
What an incredible like acouple to be doing.
You know those roles, but if Iever had the opportunity to to
play a role like Sweeney, thatwhere you see such depths, you
know of emotion and you get toexplore so much.
You know that that really,unlike you, know what most
(33:25):
people are that that would beincredible to be a part of that
and to sing Stephen Sondheim'smusic.
Honestly, to be able to sing hismusic would be wonderful, so
something along those lines.
But you know, when I get thisquestion, I always say that that
role hasn't been created yet.
I've been so fortunate tooriginate some incredible roles
on Broadway and each one feelslike it gets better and better,
(33:48):
so I'm hoping that that role isout there.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
And actually, now that I think about it in the
idea of creating roles, tell usa little bit about the role that
you're going to be playing inJust In Time.
Speaker 4 (34:02):
Oh, this is a blast.
I mean, if anyone wants to comesee a quintessential Broadway
show, this is going to be it.
Jonathan Groff's turn as BobbyDarin is really mind-blowing and
I've been able to see it forthe last couple of months.
And what happened is that AlexTimbers got a cast of kind of
(34:27):
Broadway veterans actually tosupport Jonathan and we play all
the people in his life.
All our characters couldn't bemore different.
So you're going to see actorsreally transform all around
Jonathan as he plays Bobby Darin.
We have a big band on stage,the theater is being transformed
(34:48):
into the Copa Club where BobbyDarin sang at his prime, and you
get to see his life story andhear some of the most incredible
music that I bet everyone knows.
You know that the the depth ofof his work is pretty astounding
.
Um, I'm excited to that thatpeople are going to be able to
(35:09):
see it now be honest.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
How many times does he bust out and sing lost in the
woods?
Though?
I'm just curious you mean justrandomly, yeah, he walks into
the room I will say one of myfavorite social media clips is I
I forget what late night tvshow was on, but but someone
(35:32):
would.
It might have been.
Fallon was interviewingLin-Manuel Miranda and he and
Lin was sharing this story abouthow, like his children could
not process that King Georgefrom Hamilton and Kristoff from
Frozen were the exact sameperson and then, when they
finally figured it out, likeblew their minds.
Speaker 4 (35:53):
It's amazing.
You know what I love so muchabout Jonathan.
I've known him a very long time.
He is an exceptional leader ofa company.
His heart is huge, His talentis huge and it's really quite
something to be a part of acompany with him.
Speaker 3 (36:09):
To be on stage, especially dancing, you have to
stay in shape.
But how did your runningjourney begin?
Speaker 4 (36:16):
You know I always.
You know I did not run growingup, like I didn't run in high
school or college, and it wasn'tanything I did recreationally.
And then I started readingabout I'm a very big Disney fan
and I started reading about RunDisney.
I said, wow, that seems reallycool Running through the Disney
parks, would I be able toactually do something like a 5k
(36:40):
or a 10k or a half marathon or amarathon?
And I always had it in the backof my head and um, during the
shutdown I believe they startedthese virtual runs.
Speaker 2 (36:52):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
Right and and I said you know what, like, what do I
have to lose?
Like, why not, why not try this?
And um, and I believe it was,it was something to do with
villains.
Is that correct?
Am I?
Am I thinking of the right one?
Speaker 2 (37:07):
that would have been.
What was that, john the, thewine and dine from?
Oh, is it?
Because I think it was whenthey came.
That was when that was thatshort stint where they were
offering the in-person but alsothe virtual as well too, I think
.
Speaker 4 (37:21):
Right, right.
And I just remember seeing I'ma huge Disney villain fan and I
was like, well, if I'm going totry, let me just try this.
And I believe it was a 10K, itwas an Ursula 10K or something
like that OK.
Speaker 2 (37:34):
Yep, yeah, that's right.
Speaker 4 (37:36):
So I started training and I started doing the Jeff
Galloway training method and Imean honestly, I started doing
it and for the first time I saidI love this.
It's the first time my mindshuts down, it's the first time
I can just focus on my body andwhat I'm doing and the couple of
steps ahead of me and I startedto really enjoy it.
(38:00):
And I remember when I receivedmy medal it came in this
beautiful box.
I happened to be working forDisney Theatricals at the same
time.
Speaker 2 (38:13):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 4 (38:29):
Project I actually don't think I could mention it,
but you know, really tries to do.
You know, oh, wow, believe whatI just got.
And it's like this Disneyvillain medal, as I'm playing a
Disney villain for a very shortlittle workshop that they were
doing.
But that was my first runDisney race and ever since that
one I started to do the virtualraces and then I said you know
(38:50):
what I really want to try forthe half marathon?
And when Disneyland opened uptheir half marathon, I said
that's the place I want to do it, that's the place I want to do
it at.
So I started training and Inever looked back.
I love it.
Now I'm a little bit addicted.
I try to sign up for every racethat I can do.
I've been telling myself thatthe half marathon is as much as
(39:15):
I'll go.
And then I just finished wineand dine and said, huh, I wonder
if I got a marathon there we go.
Speaker 2 (39:21):
It's the gateway drug , as we like to say.
Speaker 4 (39:24):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
So we got to know those.
I mean, you know it's, it'sgreat hearing, you know your run
Disney backstory, but how doyou find time to train while
putting on eight shows a weekand rehearsal and probably dance
rehearsals and stage combat andyou know and just you know,
maybe work with like a vocalcoach or something like that?
(39:47):
How do you find the time totrain for something like this?
Speaker 4 (39:49):
It's I'm not going to sugarcoat it, it's.
It's hard, right.
You have to really scheduleeverything to within an inch of
its life, especially becausedoing live theater you have to
be at 100% for that seven oreight o'clock curtain.
There's no way around it.
You know these long runs closeto the race get, get, you know,
(40:16):
pretty difficult sometimes andand you just have to make sure
that you're living your life ina way that that is beneficial to
what I need to be doing in theevening, so that for me that
means a lot of rest, that meansreally looking after my
nutrition, that means reallybeing careful.
That's why I think the JeffGalloway method is so incredible
(40:38):
, because it really diminishesthe possibility of injury and
for me that's really importantbecause if I get injured I'm out
of a show.
I'm out of a show, you know,like that is my job, so it was
kind of a perfect combination ofeverything, and it was also a
(40:59):
time.
Working in midtown Manhattan ismagical and it's also very
overwhelming.
So for me, running is my kindof Zen place.
It's my place that really letsme just forget about everything
and zone everything out and justfocus on my breathing and kind
of the beauty that's around meand watching New York, you know,
(41:19):
go by me, or Brooklyn, go by me.
So it really helps me.
I love it.
I want to say that when my cast, my how to Dance in Ohio cast,
found out that I was doing theDisneyland half marathon First,
they were really mad that Ididn't have a costume.
(41:40):
So like right before I left,they got me, like like you at
least have to have, like aDisney hat.
So they got me a Disney hatthat I could, that I could wear
for for my race.
Send, yeah, send, send themover to costuming right?
Speaker 2 (41:58):
Yes, exactly, so you know, working in, in, in, living
in the city, you know you.
You talked about Brooklyn, butwhat are some of your favorite
places in the city to go running?
I mean, I'm sure Central Parkis, you know, offers a lot of
opportunities.
But what are some other gemsyou know in such a major
metropolitan city that you findgreat to run in?
Speaker 4 (42:17):
Absolutely.
I live in Brooklyn and thereare some gems here.
You could run along the wholewaterfront here and just watch
Manhattan go by and pretty muchdo your entire long run there.
There's tons of piers that youcould go in and out of.
There's also a beautiful placecalled Prospect Park that really
is stunning to run in and thatcould pretty much take care of
(42:41):
your long run there.
So it's actually very easy tofind some beautiful runs here.
Also, parts of Brooklyn arevery residential, so running
through Brownstone Brooklyn canalso be magical at the right
time of day.
Speaker 3 (42:55):
You're a New Yorker, any chance of you running any of
the New York Roadrunner races.
I'm not putting you at themarathon yet, like the New York
City half or the Brooklyn half.
Speaker 4 (43:08):
Absolutely.
You know, I think this lastrace, this last run Disney race,
which really was only my secondkind of non-virtual race,
really opened my eyes to howmuch I love running and how much
I love the community.
I mean, there is nothing likethis community.
So I'm really excited to startlooking at races all around the
(43:29):
country.
Actually, and you know, knowingme, I'll probably start
venturing internationally aswell whenever I can, but but I
can't wait to run some of theBrooklyn races and some of the
Manhattan races as well.
Speaker 2 (43:42):
So now are you going to be like, you know, the tie in
a modern day musical.
Right now Are you going to belike Cynthia Erivo and you know,
go run like the New York CityMarathon and then, you know, go
put on a show later that night.
Is that a goal of yours?
Speaker 4 (43:58):
Hey, why not?
Right?
You know, every time I tackleI'm sure you feel the same way.
Every time we tackle one ofthese challenges you start
realizing that you have so muchmore in you and like you'd be
able to do so much more.
So like what a you know what anamazing accomplishment to be
like.
Oh yeah, I ran a marathon thismorning and here I am doing my
(44:20):
you know my Broadway show thisevening.
Speaker 2 (44:23):
We gotta know, because you know we're always,
we're always, dumbfounded by,you know the fact that you know,
when we set out on thispodcasting venture, you know,
over three years ago, we'realways, we're always,
dumbfounded by, you know, thefact that you know, when we set
out on this podcasting venture,you know, over three years ago,
we're like, oh, like a couple ofpeople are going to listen to
us, and then you know, and thatwould be it.
And now here we are, three plusyears later and we're talking
to a Broadway star.
(44:43):
So I got to know how did youfind the rise and run podcast?
Speaker 4 (44:47):
I mean, honestly, I I knew nothing about running
nothing, so I did.
I just started Googling and Iwas like, what gosh, what can I
learn?
Who can I learn from?
And I started searching in mypodcast and I saw, I saw rise
and run and I saw like theMickey hands, you know, within
(45:07):
your logo, um.
And I said, well, that seemslike a thing that I could learn
from.
And I started listening to itand I have to say, I feel the
opposite right now.
I feel like I'm talking to thecelebrities right now.
Oh, no, no, no, sir, it's socool for me to be talking to
people that I listen to everyday.
(45:28):
You have no idea the amounts oflong runs that you have gotten
me through.
When I was exhausted from aweek of performances I didn't
know what to do and I turn onyour podcast and I put on my
running shoes and I head out toProspect Park and you got me
through it.
And especially, I want tocommend you for being so honest
(45:51):
on your podcast and talkingabout the challenges that you go
through sometimes, because Idon't think it's such a solitary
sport when you train forrunning and you forget that
other people are going throughthe exact same thing.
So it's really inspiring.
It's really inspiring to me.
So I'm just so grateful thatalmost the perfect podcast kind
(46:15):
of landed in front of me as Istarted my running journey, as I
continue it.
That's awesome to hear.
Speaker 2 (46:21):
Now I just want to go back to the celebrity thing
real quick here.
I will remind you, sir, thatwhen you're done with the show
and you come out the stage door,there will be people there
waiting for your autograph.
When John and I come throughthe finisher shoot, there is no
one waiting there for us to signany paraphernalia or bibs or
anything like that.
So again you sir, are thecelebrity.
Speaker 4 (46:43):
I believe that's a challenge, so I'm going to start
having you sign stuff as soonas I can start having you sign
stuff as soon as all right.
Speaker 2 (46:55):
So you, you've talked about running in Disneyland and
you, you know, and also wineand dine.
So you know, obviously you knowit sounds like you're you're
still rolling into the in-personrun Disney journey, but what
has been like your top runDisney highlight that you've had
so far?
Speaker 4 (47:09):
I did not think that I would be able to do the 5k,
the 10k and the half marathonthis past.
Wine and dine.
I just didn't, I didn't thinkit was in me.
Um, and and being able to dothat challenge was, um, it
really opened my heart.
It opened my mind topossibilities of, of what I'd be
(47:30):
able to do down the line.
Um, and there's something somagical about running through
Epcot during the morning and,you know, seeing all the
different uh countries, seeingthe lights, uh, going through
the resorts.
Um, for me, what I what hasreally taken me back, both in
(47:51):
the Disneyland run and the Wineand Dine run, are the people
helping each other out duringthese runs, because, you forget,
there's all types of peoplerunning in these races and
there's all types of differentneeds and all those needs are
being met and that's reallyinspiring to watch.
It's really inspiring to hearabout why people are running and
(48:14):
everybody cheering everybody on.
It's a beautiful community andI'm really honored to be a part
of it.
Speaker 2 (48:21):
We got to know.
So you got two race weekendsunder your belt so far.
What's next on the docket foryou?
Speaker 4 (48:28):
I'm coming in for the marathon weekend.
I'm not doing the marathon yet,but I'm doing the half.
Speaker 3 (48:33):
I'm doing the 10 and a half.
Speaker 2 (48:36):
I'm so bummed I'm not going to be there, because I
would love to be able to cheeryou across the finish line.
Oh my God.
Speaker 3 (48:43):
I'll be there for the half.
I'm there already.
Speaker 2 (48:45):
Yes, so you can sign John's bib when you're done.
But actually, well, I mean,grant, I don't know what your
plans are, but we highlyencourage you to come to the
meetup on Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 4 (48:57):
Oh, I will definitely come.
I will definitely Amazing,amazing.
I can't wait to meet everybody.
Speaker 2 (49:02):
So you have Marathon Weekend in the books.
Do you have anything else forthe rest of the season, or is
that it for now?
Obviously, I'm probably withthe show starting up soon.
You probably can't commit totoo much yet, right?
Speaker 4 (49:13):
I couldn't commit yet , but I know I will be finagling
my way into a couple moreDisney races.
I really have my eye towardsthat Halloween race.
Speaker 2 (49:24):
Hopefully this time around it won't be 106 degrees,
I know.
Speaker 4 (49:27):
I know Much more enjoyable experience for people.
Yes, definitely.
Speaker 3 (49:33):
And since you're our local, you've got to come out to
Bird in Hand with us one timetoo.
Oh, there we go.
Speaker 4 (49:40):
Absolutely.
I mean, I'm hooked.
I love this.
I really love doing it.
I can't wait to start exploringother races.
Speaker 2 (49:51):
I will say that's the one thing that we enjoy about
this community is that you know,especially listen to, like the
race report or something likethat.
You know you get to hear aboutall these races that would have
never have been on a radio, likeyou know, like john just said,
with burden hand I I'm about anhour outside of burden hand and
up until four years ago I Inever knew about this race and
now it's one of my favoritenon-run Disney races and the
(50:12):
fact that I think we're going tobe taking over Lancaster County
next September is going to beawesome.
Speaker 4 (50:19):
Oh my gosh, I would love to do that.
You know, where else I wouldlove to run is Washington DC.
I was doing a show there and Iwas doing some of my training
for the for the Disneyland halfmarathon in DC.
Wow, talk about some beautifulruns and an amazing kind of
running community.
So I'm I'm going to be lookingfor some races there too.
Speaker 2 (50:40):
Well, if you ever have to go back there, you know,
you just run really fast alongsomeone and pull a captain
America and just say, on yourleft, then you'll, you'll turn
some heads, so it'll be great.
So, Caesar, one last questionthat I thought of here, that
that I think this would beperfect to to round out this
interview.
You know, encompassing all yourpassions in life.
(51:01):
If you could perform in aDisney parks production or
Disney on Broadway, what showwould it be?
Speaker 4 (51:11):
Wow, if I could perform in.
Well, you know, I I keep onhearing stirring like little
rumblings about Coco being madeinto a musical and I would
always.
I was just, I would love to bea part of of that company and
you know, I have a massive dreamof being able to sing for a
Disney ride or a Disneyfireworks show.
(51:33):
Um, and that that's always kindof like been something that
that I would just love to do.
It'd be like one of the topkind of dreams.
Speaker 2 (51:43):
Um well, this is what you have to do when you're,
when you're done, rehearsing atthe theater.
Just walk over the Hades town,knock on the stage door, ask for
Jordan Fisher, and I'm surehe'll be able to give you all
the ins and outs of how to makethat happen.
Speaker 4 (51:55):
There we go.
Speaker 2 (51:59):
Awesome.
Well Caesar, thank you so muchfor you know taking the time to
be a part of this.
If people want to follow alongon your not only your running
journey, but your your Broadwayjourney as well, how can uh, how
can people reach out to you?
Speaker 4 (52:13):
Yeah, the easiest way , um, just write on my Instagram
, which is my name, at CesarSamayoa, or, uh, my website,
cesarsamayoacom.
Um, and please say hi.
I just uh.
I love meeting people.
I love meeting people with, uh,with run Disney and in this
community.
So I'm here.
Speaker 2 (52:34):
And also let's plug the show too.
When can people start buyingtickets for just in time you?
Speaker 4 (52:39):
can start buying tickets right now, just in time,
we'll be at circle in thesquare and we start performances
on March 28th on Broadway.
Speaker 2 (52:49):
Oh, wow, okay, so you guys are kicking out Romeo and
Juliet, is that right?
Speaker 4 (52:54):
Romeo and Juliet ends its run.
I believe January.
I believe it ends in January.
And then we swoop in.
Speaker 2 (53:02):
Excellent.
Well, I feel awkward sayingthis, but in terms of the
theatrics, break a leg.
But in terms of running, pleasedon't do that please don't.
Speaker 4 (53:16):
That's so good.
We'll see you soon.
I'm very excited to see you.
Thank you so much for having meon well, caesar.
Speaker 2 (53:24):
Once again, thank you so much for your time.
It was an absolute pleasure, uh, getting a chance to chat with
you, and, for those of you thatyou know are are listening to
this marathon weekend, you know,as Caesar said, he is there at
marathon weekend.
He is running the uh, he'srunning the 10 K and he's
(53:45):
running the half marathon.
So if you see him on the course, be sure to give him a shout.
And John and I have continuedever since we recorded that
interview a couple of weeks ago.
We have continued to be intouch with Cesar and highly
encouraging him to come to themeetup that we're having this
(54:05):
weekend as well too.
So hopefully we'll be able to,um, you know, meet another guest
in real life and, uh, anextremely talented one at that
too.
You know, and you know, I diddouble check and we had talked
during the, the interview about,you know, his time, uh, in the
production of come from away,and I just did double check that
(54:26):
, um, that production is stillavailable to view if you are a
subscriber to apple tv plus.
Uh, you can.
You can watch the originalcompany of come from away as
part of that streaming service,and even when you look at, like
the artwork that is part ofapple tv plus, their sees are
right dead center uh in theframe.
(54:48):
So an extremely talented fellaagain.
Best of center in the frame.
So an extremely talented fellowAgain.
Best of luck in the races anddefinitely break a leg in your
upcoming production of Just InTime, especially if you're a fan
of Bobby Darin's music.
This is a whole jukebox musicaldedicated to him and if you
live in the Northeast and wantto head to Broadway, you can go
(55:09):
see a.
Who would have ever thought youcould go to a live theatrical
performance, and a former guestof the Rise and Run podcast
would be on stage.
That's pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (55:18):
Hey, maybe we have a Rise and Run Broadway meetup.
Speaker 2 (55:22):
There we go.
That would be awesome.
Speaker 1 (55:25):
Well, I hope he gets there.
I hope Cesar gets to the meetup, that would be great.
Speaking of the meetup, he getsthere.
I hope Cesar gets to the meetup, that would be great.
Speaking of the meetup, it'snot too late to remind your
friends.
3 pm, food Truck Area, disneySprings.
We're hoping the weather holdsout.
We won't know until we getthere, but right now it looks
like whatever rain is in theforecast is going to be earlier
(55:45):
in the day.
Hopefully it'll be after thehalf but before the meetup and
get out of the way.
But we'll manage regardless.
I'd like to remind everyone.
3 pm.
We're typically there a littlebit early, sorry about that.
We're typically there a littlebit early and at 3.30, weather
(56:10):
permitting, we'll gather for thegroup photo.
So if you can, please try to bethere and hang around till 3.30
.
If you're new to our meetups,they go until we have dinner
reservations most of the time,so you can expect folks to be
there till 4.30 or5 o'clock.
So if you can't make it by 3.30, but you can come later on,
(56:30):
we'd still love to see you.
A quick announcement I talkabout run gum from time to time.
I'll be using it, probably onthe half and definitely on the
marathon, and I'll have somewith me.
I'll have some with me to giveout.
So if you want to try some rungum, please hit me up.
I'll try to bring as much withme as is reasonable.
(56:52):
Uh, if you like the product andyou know about it already and
you want to order, you can usemy code bob r20 bob r20 or you
can use the code rise and runand I think either one of those
will save you 20 on your run gumorder.
My friends, it is time for therace report, race report
(57:15):
sponsored by our buddy, thomasStokes.
We should.
Is that Tom John?
Is that Tom over there?
I know.
Speaker 3 (57:26):
I think that's him.
Speaker 1 (57:27):
It's in the tutu.
I think he's probably wearing ashirt this weekend gonna be my
guess.
Tom's pretty bold, but I'm notsure he's gonna be able to go
shirtless this weekend.
We'll see.
Of course, if he hears this,he'll take it as a challenge and
do it anyway.
Stokesfit slash rise and runcoaching is the website you want
(57:48):
to go to to take advantage ofthe several terrific offers Tom
has for the Rise and Run family.
Most notably, right now he'sgot a challenge that starts in
two weeks and this will be aneight-week challenge.
If you're not used to Tom'sprogram, this is a great way to
get introduced to it.
The cost for the eight-weekchallenge is $97, but if you use
(58:15):
the code RISE50, you'll take$50 off that and make it $47.
And, friends, it's a great deal, great deal for a great program
.
I've never been much of a gymrat.
I got actively involved in it.
I have to admit I've gottenaway over the holidays and
between chopping part of mythumb off and all that, but I am
(58:37):
excited to get back just assoon as Dopey is done and I'll
definitely be part of thatchallenge.
All right, let's take a look atthe race report and we're going
to go all the way back to NewYear's Eve.
Grace was all lined up for theNew York Roadrunners midnight
run for Mylar.
But if you'll recall, and Iknow John, you and Greg will, we
(59:00):
were recording an episode atabout that time.
Yes, we were, and you rememberthe lightning and thunder.
Speaker 2 (59:07):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (59:08):
Yes, this event was canceled, no surprise.
Good move.
Grace went out the next day,ran four miles in central park
because she wasn't going to bedefeated good job.
We had several runs on newyear's day.
Rob did one in glen rock, newjersey, the glen rock midnight
(59:29):
run.
I think this was probablymidnight New Year's Eve, going
into New Year's Day, because healso mentioned the thunderstorms
but they got a break at about1130.
Rob went over to the start ofthe race expecting to see maybe
he'd end up running solo but tohis surprise he saw a couple of
(59:52):
people there, including a friendwho doesn't see enough now, now
that their kids are out of highschool.
And they were there, had a verypleasant 5K to start out 2025.
A friend, jennifer, did a NewYear's Day 5K and I'm not sure
where it was, but I'm sure itwas great.
(01:00:13):
Jessica was in Safety Harbor,florida, very close to where I
live, for the New Year's DayFirst Chance 5K.
It's a lovely course.
Safety Harbor is a lovely smalltown, kind of a Nazi town.
Of course it goes alongBayshore Drive.
It's an out and back.
It did get a little bit warm.
It was getting up into the 70smid-70s, had about 100 people
(01:00:36):
there.
Some had kids, some had dogs.
Jessica got a lot ofcompliments on her outfit but no
PR.
That's okay.
When they finished they cameback to the Union Steakhouse to
mimosas and barbecue slidersCool.
And one of the race directorsplayed trivia to keep everybody
(01:00:58):
entertained, got two medals forthis race and a tech t-shirt.
Shortest commute yet forJessica to a race Only two
stoplights between her home andthe start of this race in Safety
Harbor In Wittonsville,massachusetts.
The Tri-Valley Frontrunnersfirst day 5K Brian with his
(01:01:21):
sister-in-law and his oldest son, graham.
By Massachusetts standards itwas reasonably warm, kind of
drizzly.
This is a birthday run forBrian.
Happy New Year's Day birthday.
That's an interesting one.
Hey, everybody, you got to beborn sometime, right?
(01:01:42):
Anyway, he starts off the yearon the right foot.
For this.
It wasn't fast, got it done.
Pr for Brian fast, got it done.
Uh, pr for brian.
He says it wasn't fast but gota pr.
And then graham who his oldestson, who is 15 did his first 5k.
(01:02:02):
So that's pr.
Also in st louis the snowballseries 5k.
It's a series In St Louis, theSnowball Series 5K.
It's a series of four races.
This was the first one.
Katie did it In the low 30s butlots of sunshine.
That helps About 1,000 peopleon this one Everybody from
competitive runners to casualwalkers, every pace in between.
(01:02:24):
Not Katie's best 5K Cold reallykind of zapped her lungs a
little bit, made it tough, butuh, watch her, watch her garment
, whatever she's wearing, saysshe did just fine, ran a little
faster than she felt she wasdoing up in erie, pennsylvania,
where just last week we heardabout how much it was snowing in
(01:02:44):
erie, the erie runners club newyear's day five miler michmiler
.
Michelle Rennett did not set outto PR the five-mile.
It was freezing, rain, yuck.
Her goal was to enjoy themorning with the community.
However, she is happy to startoff 2025 with a whopping 15
(01:03:10):
minutes off of her previous time.
I assume she's talking abouther previous time in that race,
which is great.
That's three minutes a mile.
That's outstanding.
Good job, michelle.
Speaking of series, we weretalking about the series in St
Louis.
There's a series in Houston,texas, the Sam Houston Race Park
5K.
(01:03:31):
This was race number one.
Katrina, her husband and hertwo children, the Bear family,
is back at the race and they getshouted out by the race
announcers there.
That's kind of neat.
I know they look forward tothat Dead.
Last start for this raceStarted to drizzle a little bit
but then stopped as the rainstarted.
(01:03:52):
They all had a great time.
Speaker 2 (01:03:54):
Wait, so it wasn't actually a family of bears that
was on the course, Okay.
I understand that I thought wewere in a potential Goldilocks
situation.
Your dad ran too fast, mama rantoo slow the baby bear ran just
right.
Speaker 1 (01:04:07):
Just right, yeah, no, neither Yogi nor Boo Boo were
there either.
Speaker 3 (01:04:13):
No Boo Boo.
Speaker 1 (01:04:17):
And the Lehigh Valley , pennsylvania.
The Lehigh Valley, new Year'sChaser 5K Denise with her dad,
bruce.
Bruce is still out thererunning at age 81.
Way to go, buddy, way to go,buddy, way to go, bruce, you're
my hero.
Speaker 2 (01:04:33):
I'll have to ask Denise about this one, because I
looked it up after she postedin the Facebook group and this
race takes place very close towhere I grew up.
Okay, and the medal lookedawesome and it's more than just
a 5K they do.
I think there's a 10K and ahalf marathon associated with
this.
So, yeah, I'll have to lookinto this one for the future.
Speaker 1 (01:04:56):
Well, denise said she did some run-walk intervals
instead of all walking Comingback from any injuries.
Slow but steady, that's the wayto do it.
And Bruce, congratulationswinning your age group.
Don't tell me how many peoplewere in your age group, bruce,
81, you crossed the start line.
You deserve a medal,congratulations.
Let's see here in Indianapolis,indiana, the cheers to New
(01:05:20):
Year's.
5k Kathy did it, first race ofthe new year, which is good
because it was January 1st.
It was a cold one Wind and icepellets, yuck and yuck.
Getting out of a nice warm bedto do a run in freezing
temperatures.
That's dedication.
(01:05:41):
Either dedication or peerpressure, or Kathy's just plain
crazy.
I'll let you decide.
Panama City Beach, florida, theball dropped.
5k Lenore did it.
60s and sunny at the start inPanama City Beach.
Guys, you know what they dropin Panama City Beach.
Speaker 2 (01:06:02):
I can't wait to hear this On New Year's.
Speaker 1 (01:06:04):
It's perfect Iguanas A beach ball.
Speaker 3 (01:06:08):
Okay, a beach ball.
Speaker 1 (01:06:09):
Yeah, panama City is up on the panhandle.
Speaker 2 (01:06:12):
Uh, not far from where I used to live in alabama
well, I remember uh on thecustomized training call uh that
week.
I know coach twigs was talkingabout I guess his town drops a
shrimp, yep, and then uh and Iwas telling him about uh again,
the area where I grew grew up inthe town of Bethlehem, right,
(01:06:34):
that is the location of the JustBorn Candy Company.
So, if you like, mike and Ike'sor Peep's, it's all made there,
and every New Year's they havea big celebration.
They drop a giant Peep.
Speaker 1 (01:06:48):
They drop a Peep in golly I think it's Mobile they
drop a moon pie.
Speaker 2 (01:06:55):
Okay, I don't know what Tampa does he told me about
, I think somewhere in Indiana,I think, someone dropped a
pierogi.
Speaker 1 (01:07:02):
Yes, yes, yes All sorts of unique stuff they
Speaker 2 (01:07:05):
drop besides a crystal ball.
Speaker 1 (01:07:08):
Potato in Idaho, I'm not sure which city Boise.
I don't know what tampa does.
Tampa has their own, but I'mnot sure what.
It is all right enough.
Uh, let's see.
Uh, let's wrap up.
Where are we're still on newyear's day in western arkansas,
the western arkansas runnersannual frozen buns, 5k Joe did
(01:07:30):
this one.
Good weather in the 40s, nicecrafted metal, delicious chili
after the race Best way to startthe new year every year.
Good job, joe.
On Friday, the Hill and Dale8-Miler in Memphis, tennessee.
Suzanne was there.
(01:07:52):
We had a bunch of friendsrunning the inaugural Polar
Opposite Peachtree Race inAtlanta, georgia.
It's like the Peachtree whichis run on the 4th of July, but
it's backwards.
I mean you don't have to runbackwards, but the course is
laid out backwards and it's coldinstead of really hot as the
(01:08:17):
Peachtree and the fourth almostalways is.
Let's see, megan was there.
Brooke said it was in the 20sand windy.
Gosh, fingers and toes werefrozen even before the start.
Hot hands, hot hands, brooke,I'll be.
I'll have hot hands with methis race weekend.
(01:08:37):
Uh, brooke ran into an oldcoworker before the start, so
that was a nice distraction fromthe cold.
Race itself was fun.
Not much crowd support?
I wouldn't think so.
I wouldn't think people wouldbe hanging out on the course to
cheer for random strangers whenit's 20s and windies.
Energy from the volunteers andthe other runners made up for it
(01:09:00):
though.
Sweatshirt at the end worth theprice of the race and the medal
was a nice bonus.
Medal was a nice bonus.
Kim also loved the medals.
Loved that hoodie sweatshirt.
Thought it was a great course.
She ran it with her friendAllie.
Andrew and Molly ran.
It had a lot of fun.
No PRs, unless you countfinishing their coldest race
(01:09:23):
ever.
Well, it counts, andrew andMolly, it doesn't count as a PR,
but it counts.
Good for you.
Allison was there.
Katie had an absolute blast.
She said, coming from Minnesota, she thought the weather was
just fine.
Didn't know what all theseGeorgians were complaining about
.
Let's see who else was there.
Matt was there, marty ran itand loved it.
(01:09:44):
Matt was there with Tucker andKessler and Sherry was also
there.
So for inaugural event, quite afew Rise and Runners attending
that one Sounds like you had agood time.
I'm glad to hear it.
Still, on Saturday in ReddingPennsylvania, the Pretzel City
(01:10:04):
Sports Frigid Digits 5K.
Denise ran that one.
We had Denise earlier.
Denise was there.
Yes, we did Yep, so she wasbusy.
Thisk Denise ran that one.
We had Denise earlier.
Speaker 2 (01:10:11):
Denise was there.
Yes, we did Yep, so she wasbusy this weekend.
Speaker 1 (01:10:13):
Yeah, she was Well good job.
On Sunday we had a couple inFort Myers, florida, the Hooters
River, roots and Ruts 10-miletrail race.
Rob ran that.
And let's wrap it up with thenew year, new me 5K in Port St
Lucie, florida, where Amber hada great last training run prior
(01:10:40):
to this very weekend.
Course was super flat, tempswere right around 50.
Not usually a fan of 5K medals,she she says, but this was a
good one, looked good.
All right, friends,congratulations.
That's the race report forepisode 172.
(01:11:00):
All right, my friends, and ifyou run, you know you are our
friend.
We are hoping to see you realsoon.
Just look around, we'll besomewhere.
I promise that one of us willbe somewhere at all time.
I don't know who and I don'tknow where, but one of us will
(01:11:21):
be somewhere at all time, downthere at Disney World, and we'll
be excited to say hi to you.
Speaker 3 (01:11:27):
And something else, Bob, just like what I mentioned
if you see us, don't be afraidto say hi, Just come up to you.
And something else, Bob, justlike what I mentioned if you see
us, don't be afraid to say hi,Just come up to us.
We don't bite.
You know, Maybe if there's likea Dole Whip or a pretzel by, it
might be a little iffy, butwe're pretty good.
Speaker 1 (01:11:43):
It's my favorite part of the weekend.
It is my favorite part of theweekend.
It is meeting new and oldfriends.
Absolutely love it, so we lookforward to seeing you there.
Speaker 2 (01:11:58):
But until we do happy running.
The Rise and Run podcastdiscusses general information
about Run Disney and is in noway affiliated with Run Disney
or the Walt Disney Company.
Any information or advicediscussed on this podcast should
(01:12:19):
not be considered medicaladvice and should always consult
with your health care provideror event organizer.
Thank you.
3 am again.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Why did I ever think this was a good idea?
Welcome to the Rise and Runpodcast.
Join our group of Run Disneyfriends.
As we talk about running atWalt Disney World and beyond.
We'll discuss recent runs,training, upcoming races and
surprise topics suggested by you, our listeners.
(00:30):
Well, the alarm's gone off, solet's go.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Hello, my friends, welcome to episode 172 of the
Rise and Run podcast.
No intros.
We'll get some this week.
We'll record them.
While we're there, I'll saywe're dropping this one early.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Maybe John is getting them right now at the Expo as
we speak.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
That's the thing.
Well, first of all, before wego into this, hiya, friends, I'm
Bob.
I'm here this week with Greghey, hey, hey.
And with John, hey Bob.
How you doing?
John gosh, I guess I'm doingokay.
I appreciate it.
Thanks for asking Our specialguest this week, broadway star
and run Disney runner, cesarSamayoa.
(01:20):
Looking forward to thatinterview.
Like I said, no spotlight.
We'll get back to the spotlighthere in just a couple of weeks.
So one of the fun things aboutthis episode for me and some of
the other episodes that we do onrace weekends is, without fail,
somewhere along the course,someone is going to be wearing
(01:42):
headsets and then look over anddo a double take and go.
I'm listening to you right now.
That's always fun.
So if you are, just say hi.
If you are in the act of givingJohn an intro as he wanders
(02:03):
around the expo recording intros, you'll understand what that's
for.
And Greg won't be down foranother couple of days, but
he'll be there too.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
All I got to say is the FOMO is real and the FOMO is
killing me.
But I'll see you folks realsoon.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yeah, you'll see Greg on the marathon course.
Friends, if you enjoy the Riseand Run podcast, please share us
with your friends.
Introduce them to thiswonderful Rise and Run family.
We want to share in their RunDisney journey as well.
Remember to follow us onFacebook, we're at Rise and Run
(02:39):
Podcast and on Instagram, we'reat Rise and Run Pod.
You can check out our YouTubechannel.
I finally had a chance to lookat Jack's 100 mile video.
That was superb.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
No, that wasn't that great.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
It really, really was .
Hope you get a chance to dothat.
You can visit our webpage,which is riseandrunpodcastcom,
and if you got a question, yougot a comment, you got a race
report or you want to leave usan intro, you can call us at
727-266-2344.
(03:11):
It's an automated system.
It'll just go right tovoicemail.
You can leave us a recording.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
We'd also like to take this time to thank our
Patreons, whose support helpskeep the Rise and Run podcast
rising and running.
If you'd like to join thepatreon team, please go check
out patreoncom slash rise andrun podcast.
And we want to take this timeto thank our patreon and loyal
listener, holly, who upgradedfrom the plastic cheese level to
(03:41):
the mandalorian level.
So, holly, welcome to Back tothe Future.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Thank you for that, holly.
That's very generous.
We really appreciate it.
Rise and Run podcast brought toyou by our friends at Magic
Bound Travel.
Oh look, there's Maggie overthere.
I think Greg isn't that Maggieover there running.
Some of your Magic Bound Travelguides or agents will be there
because they're at every run.
(04:08):
Magic bound makes sure that ifyou are using them to book a run
disney event, that your agentwill be an experienced run
disney runner, and I thinkthat's a good thing.
Hey, I don't know if it's toolate to look into dis
accommodations for Disneylandweekend, but magicboundtravelcom
(04:28):
is the website.
Check them out In our littleapologies and alibis section.
This is again not one, but inthe chaos that surrounds the
holiday season and the multiplerace reports we get, I missed
some, and Mary Jo set a goal torun at least one race a month in
(04:50):
2024.
And when she did the Santa'sTwilight 5K she capped off that.
So that's significant, mary Jo.
We didn't want to let that gounrecognized.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
And then I guess I'm going call this a, a potential
future apology.
So I'm gonna, I'm gonna hop inthe mandalorian, I'm gonna go to
the future and then, and thencome back but, just wanted to
give everybody a quick breakdownof the episodes that will be
coming up, uh, here in shortorder post marathon weekend.
(05:22):
So obviously this week we have,as Bob said earlier, our new
Broadway buddy, caesar, and thennext week's episode is going to
be a replay of the episode thatwas recorded live at the first
ever Run Fit Fab pop-up that istaking place after the 10K, so
(05:48):
you'll be able to hear thataudio in your feed next Thursday
.
Then the week after that willbe our 2025 Marathon Weekend
Recap Show.
The issue, hence why I wantedto possibly give this early
(06:09):
apology is that and granted, Iknow I'm going to get a lot of
groans from Bob and John, andprobably audibly from the
listening audience as well toois I go directly from Marathon
Weekend and a post-familyvacation right into a business
trip to Hawaii.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Oh, great Exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Again, I predicted this.
So, due to time changes andwork schedules and red-eye
flights and everything like that, I'm not exactly 100% sure when
I will have time to upload theaudio for that episode.
I'm going to do everything inmy power to make sure that it
(06:56):
will be in your feed thatThursday, but if it's later in
the day on Thursday or happensto be Friday, I promise you
nothing is wrong with yourpodcast feed.
You can put all the blamesquarely on me, but if I have a
general idea of the timing,maybe I'll put out a Facebook
(07:18):
post or something like that.
But I just want to make peopleaware ahead of time of what
you're going to be hearing inthese next couple of weeks and
of that potential delay as welltoo.
So, and again, if you have anycomplaints, uh, you can send
them to greg at rise and runpodcast while he's sipping on my
time I am sipping the mai taiwatching the humpback whales uh
(07:39):
in the pacific ocean.
Yes, absolutely beautifulbeautiful.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
I have a great time, man.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
That's a wonderful place to be.
Uh, it's.
It's been a.
It's been a challenge keepingour heads into where we are,
because we have time shifted somuch of the recordings over the
last four or five weeks that, uhanyway.
So this is.
Let's see, this is actuallyWednesday now.
(08:05):
This is actually Expo Day.
Well, let's take a look Now.
Look, training schedule Today'sExpo Day.
Like I said, look around John'sover there somewhere I'm not
sure where he is, that massiveline for bibs.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
I'm going to be getting there, probably I've got
.
I had to change plans a littlebit.
I typically get there rightafter lunch, but I'm going to be
a little later than that thistime.
I'll probably be there midafternoon.
So again, if you're listeningand you're at the expo in the
middle of the afternoon, two,three o'clock, come say hi, I'll
(08:43):
be hanging out somewhere.
Who else is?
Is Jack doing dopey?
Yes, yeah jack's yeah, she'llbe there jack will be at the
expo sometime today also, butyou'll be there, right, john?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
yeah and alicia usually goes the first day yeah,
she usually goes first day too.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Yeah, the only wild card they don't know is lei,
because Lexi's doing the 10K.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
So I don't know if she's going Wednesday or
Thursday.
Hey, if I were her, I'd goThursday.
Thursday will probably be thelightest day of the week.
No, I take that back, becausethe Goofys will also be picking
up their bibs on Thursday.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Well, the five people in line for Goofy.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Right, right, I get you, but they can get there
Friday.
I forgot about that.
I get those days, so yeah, soThursday will probably be the
lightest day of the week for theexpo, so that's a good day to
be there.
It's also, if you're catchingthis in time, it's also a good
day to go back.
If you got caught up in theWednesday crowd and you want to
go back, thursday is a good dayto do that.
(09:45):
Thursday, or probably Saturday,are good days to go back.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
If you want to get KT taped up again like uh yeah.
Like if you know you're goingto do the marathon or the half
and you want to get KT KT tape,go back Friday or Saturday.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Hey, it's not like it's not like it's empty.
There's going to be peoplethere, I promise you.
I'm fond of trying to catch oneof those down days to go talk
with Mr Galloway, and I canspend a couple of minutes with
Jeff and not have to worry aboutholding others up who don't
normally get a chance to talkwith them.
But let's go through as wetypically do.
It is friends.
(10:20):
It's the one we've been waitingfor all along.
We are at marathon weekend.
I'm so excited to see everyonehere.
Uh, disneyland half marathonweekend is coming up in just
three more weeks.
Three more weeks.
You're in training.
Week 15 and your distances thisweek for your long runs is four
(10:43):
miles with a magic mile.
I may mention this again at theend of the episode I did just
post.
Of course, we do have the chatgroup for Disneyland half
marathon weekend.
Now, sadly, none of the Riseand Run gang will be there, but
I went ahead and created ameetup time, used our standard
(11:06):
time, 3 pm Saturday, and therewas just a terrific place at
Disneyland.
It's the picnic area, and thebest way I can describe it is if
you are in the Esplanade or thelarge open area that's between
California Adventure andDisneyland and downtown.
(11:28):
Disney is over there.
Look at the entrance toDisneyland and then turn to your
left and over there by the lostand found, in the restrooms
there are signs for a picnicarea.
It's a great area.
It's mostly hidden by hedges.
It's encircled by hedges, butit's a great area.
It's mostly hidden by hedges.
It's encircled by hedges, butit's a great area.
A lot of privacy, a lot ofshade.
(11:50):
If you need it, and I don'tknow what to expect, but I know
our friends are going to gettogether there three o'clock on
Saturday.
That's Disneyland half marathonweekend.
Princess is not far behind myfriends.
It's only six weeks away.
You're into training week 11.
If you're doing the challenge,you have three miles walk on the
(12:11):
first day and 11 miles run walkon the second.
However, you schedule yourweekend and then we are into
training for springtime surprise, which is now 12 weeks away.
We're in training week six forthis and your long run is six
miles.
Well, guys, any trainingupdates?
Speaker 3 (12:33):
just trying to stay, stay healthy and injury free
before we get down there.
Wait, I should be down there,I'm down there, I am down there.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Keep washing, keep washing your hands.
I hear people talk about thecorral crud.
That's nothing more than thefact that you were in close
exposure to a couple thousandother people.
So if anybody has anything,it's going to spread.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
I was training today actually, so, yeah, good.
So it's cold.
It's cold up here, so I waspracticing standing outside in
the cold, uh, waiting to for thecorral to go off that's very
smart of you, john, very wise.
I will not do that, but I didhave a lot more layers on than I
probably would have on Thursday.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
One of the things I like dopey weekend.
I'm not out to break any speedrecords, so I walk a lot of it,
so I can layer up a little morethan I normally do.
I did my last training run onSaturday.
There's one on the schedule forTuesday.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
I'm not doing it, so my next activity will be on
thursday.
No, I'm right there with youguys.
I essentially have put myselfinto uh, bubble mode.
I guess you know, I as much asI have wanted to run outside.
You know we've had, you know,like little nuanced storms here
(13:57):
in pennsylvania.
So it, you know, it's to thepoint where, you know, even
though the trail might becleared, I just don't want to
risk on stepping on some blackice.
So you know all the runs, havebeen on the treadmill and then
you know, in terms of health, Igot a little scare over the
weekend.
I, I, I didn't feel so great,but but I'm gonna, I'm gonna
(14:17):
knock on some wood here.
I feel like I'm on the men andthen should be good to go for
marathon weekend but you know,just just you know, you know,
there's so much stuff goingaround right now I've been
hearing from various friends sojust trying to, you know, avoid
any of it at all costs.
But yeah, it's, you know,thankfully I haven't experienced
, you know, those.
You know, thankfully I haven'texperienced, you know those, you
(14:38):
know those taper crazies.
But I just, you know, to me,I'm, I'm just, I'm just filled
with, with excitement and andand just itching to, uh, the hop
on that plane and and get downto Orlando to see you guys and
to here, except to say I was avisitor to the emergency room
this week.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
I was not the patient , I was a visitor.
But golly, I was in anemergency room this week.
I was there for a couple hours,it was slam packed and I'm
thinking I got to get out ofhere.
Yeah, all the germs goingaround.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Same with me, bob.
I was there New Year's Day andI'm like oh.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
God, but it's been 72 hours and I think I'm good to
go and look.
As I said last week in thepodcast, I am fastidious about
washing my hands as we get tosomething like this.
That's the best way to preventor to reduce the spread of germs
.
Just keep washing your hands.
So let's see Training update.
(15:39):
Hey, I got an update for you.
This still applies.
It's not training update, butif you're at POP POP Century,
don't forget to say hi to Myraand tell her.
You heard her on the Rise andRun podcast.
We got a tremendous reaction tothat.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Absolutely we did.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Yeah, it was fun.
And look, I don't know her thatwell, I've met her twice, I
believe but she treats everybodythe same and I think she would
get a huge kick out of hearing acouple, a dozen or a hundred
(16:19):
people telling her hey, I heardyou on the podcast, myron, that
was fun.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Hey friends, we interrupt this episode of the
Rise and Run podcast to bringyou some quasi-breaking news
that broke after we got donerecording but we thought would
be vital information to passalong to you in this episode to
kick off Marathon Weekend, andthat is Run Disney has announced
(16:46):
, I'm going to say, most of therace calendar for the 2025-2026
race season and I'll explain ina second why I mean most of the
schedule.
But here are the dates andraces that were announced here
(17:07):
at the start of Marathon Weekend.
So technically, I guess the RunDisney season now starts with
the Halloween half marathonweekend out in Disneyland.
Again, that is occurringSeptember 4th through the 7th
2025.
But you know, believe it or not, we already had registration
for that.
That took place back justaround the Thanksgiving holiday.
(17:30):
So, again, that is the kickoffof the season.
Then the next race and this isthe first one in Walt Disney
World the 2025 Wine and DineHalf Marathon Weekend.
As we discussed a few weeks ago, this race is occurring a few
weeks earlier than it has in thepast, taking place October 23rd
through the 26th 2025.
Club Run Disney registrationsopens in just about a month, on
(17:54):
February 4th 2025, and generalregistration opens on February
11th 2025.
Next up and I can't believewe're talking about this already
, but the 2026 Walt Disney WorldMarathon Weekend that will be
taking place January 7th through11th 2026.
Club Run Disney registrationbegins on March 4th 2025, and
(18:21):
general registration opens onMarch 11th 2025.
Next up on the docket we havethe 2026 Disney Princess Half
Marathon Weekend, and this is aslight change than we have seen
in the past.
This race weekend will betaking place February 26th
(18:42):
through March 2nd 2026.
Club Run Disney registrationopens on June 17th 2025.
General registration opens June24th 2025.
And in the round out the season, we have the 2026 Run Disney
Springtime Surprise Weekendtaking place April 16th through
(19:06):
the 19th 2026.
Club Run Disney registrationopens on July 22nd 2025.
And general registration opensJuly 29th 2025.
Now the part that we're missing,and that is details for the
(19:26):
second race weekend inDisneyland.
Based on the graphic that youcan find on the homepage of run
Disneycom, you, you, when itsays disneyland, it just shows
the halloween half marathonweekend.
It says 2026 race details tocome.
(19:46):
So no mention of the disneylandhalf marathon weekend.
But you know this leads to somespeculation of well, is this
race going to happen?
Will it happen at a differenttime?
Are they going to rebrand it?
Or is it just a situation whichit very well could be, since
(20:07):
run disney and disneyland has towork with the city of anaheim
to get permits and and you knowemt and police and you know
various protections like thatMaybe we just do not have the
permits at this time, hence whywe don't have any details.
So we're going to have to keepour eyes and ears peeled to
information and see if we aregetting a second race weekend in
(20:29):
Disneyland for this season andthe first race weekend in
Disneyland for 2026.
And now back to your regularlyscheduled podcast.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
All right, friends, look, let's visit with our
guests for the week.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Just a few weeks ago we did a rise and run rewind
with our friend Taryn, who isour favorite stunt woman
extraordinaire.
And while Taryn is a star ofthe small and silver screens.
And while Taryn is a star ofthe small and silver screens,
this week we get to chat with astar of the great white way.
Our next guest has gracedvarious Broadway stages and
(21:15):
productions, including SisterAct, come From Away how to Dance
in Ohio and soon and this isvery exciting will be appearing
alongside Disney legend JonathanGroff in the upcoming Bobby
Darin musical Just in Time andapparently, as we found out a
couple of weeks ago, is amassive Run Disney fan.
We would love to welcome CesarSamayoa to the Rise and Run
podcast.
Cesar, welcome my friend.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
Thank you so much.
I'm so thrilled to be here.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Cesar, welcome my friend.
Thank you so much.
I'm so thrilled to be here.
We are excited to chat with youas well.
So let's start real, real easyhere, and I'm sure this is
probably.
Even though it's a shortquestion, it's got a very long
answer to it what inspired youto get into performing in the
live theatrical arts?
Speaker 4 (21:54):
Oh, wow, I love this question because it was a
teacher, actually, who inspiredme to pursue theater or to
actually love theater.
You know, my family is fromGuatemala and we immigrated to
the United States and, to betotally honest, the you know,
theater, broadway, was justnowhere in our sights.
(22:17):
You know, when I was growing upand my teacher brought us to
see a show, and I will neverforget that feeling of watching
a live performance for the firsttime and almost knowing I think
I was in maybe fourth gradeknowing immediately that that's
exactly what I was going to dowith my life.
I didn't know how, I didn'tknow what I was going to be
(22:39):
doing, I had no idea what ittook to get there, or how to get
there, or what even the nextstep was, but I knew that that's
what I was going to be doingand I'll never forget it.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Do you remember the show that you saw?
Speaker 4 (22:51):
It was Peter Pan starring Sandy Duncan, actually,
and I saw.
Captain Hook come onto thestage and I was like that's it,
that's what I want to do.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
I remember those commercials back in the day.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
Right.
You saw, Sandy Duncan flyingover the audience and you're
like whoa, what is that I can?
Speaker 2 (23:10):
still remember and I thought this was such a great
touch.
I think it was SpringtimeSurprise last year.
Yeah, because that was the theneverland tinkerbell themed race
, that's right, and and Ithought that they were just
going to play music from, youknow, the disney version.
But the fact that they wereplaying music from the kathy
(23:30):
rigby version, oh wow, and justyou know nothing better than
running around Epcot and hearingI got a crow or I won't grow up
is was such a awesome and veryunique feeling.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
Wow, that seems like it would just be so joyful doing
that, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
Well you know.
So it is so wonderful to hearthat you know you have been able
to perform in so many Broadwayproductions.
I mean, every actor's dream orI should say actor in musical
theater actor's dreams to be ina Broadway production.
Maybe let's use the show thatyou just booked a couple of
(24:10):
weeks ago with Just In Time.
Talk us through what is theaudition process like for a
major theatrical Broadwayproduction in New York City.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Oh, wow, you know it's actually.
I love this question.
It's actually very differentfor every show.
You know I'm so fortunate nowto be, you know, to have an
established career on Broadwayright now.
So this next show coming upJust in Time was a very
different audition processbecause it's with a director
(24:43):
that I've done four shows withAlex Timbers.
He's just a renowned Broadwaydirector and TV as well, and
this will be our fourth projecttogether and he basically asked
me to do it.
He asked me to work on the uhon a workshop production of this
, and then asked me to join the,the Broadway company, which is
(25:05):
amazing.
But usually, uh, a Broadwayproduction is cast through a
very lengthy audition process.
Uh, you kind of go through, youget screened first to see
whether you're right for theproject and then you go in for
your first audition and you havea preliminary set of material
that you kind of go through andyou audition, maybe in front of
(25:28):
a casting director and possiblya director, and every time you
get called back you start seeingmore and more people in the
room.
So by the time you get to afinal callback for a Broadway
show, it's usually multipleproducers, sometimes investors
in the show.
It's usually a significantamount of the creative team, if
(25:48):
not the entire creative team, inthe show and you're pretty much
doing every bit of materialthat you would be asked to do
should you get cast.
So it's a little bit of amountain to climb, but man is it
amazing when you get to the topof it.
Speaker 2 (26:06):
I got to know what are your go-to 16 bars for your
audition.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
Wow, you know, luckily I haven't gotten, I
haven't had to do a 16 bar cutyet, but I'm trying to think of,
like back in the day when I wasdoing it.
You know, I just take on it, soit was pretty different for
every project that I went in.
(26:40):
I tend to do a lot of multiplecharacter roles where I get to
play completely differentcharacters all the time.
So I love the creative process.
I love the creative process ofan audition.
Speaker 3 (26:53):
I'm sure anytime you're on stage is magical, but
has there been one particularshow or production that stands
out as your favorite?
Speaker 4 (27:01):
Absolutely.
You know I was part of theoriginal company of Come From
Away on Broadway and that was, Ibelieve, five years that we
were doing this project togetherand talk about a life changing
project.
You know it was one of thehonors of my life to be a part
of it.
If you're not familiar with thestory, it takes place during
(27:26):
9-11, the week after 9-11,actually, when 32 planes landed
in Gander, newfoundland, at thenortheast tip of Canada, and
this tiny town doubled in sizewith people from all around the
world were stranded on theseplanes and it was about this
community opening its doors tothe world, basically in a time
(27:46):
of huge need, and it became thisphenomenon.
It's still playinginternationally.
It's playing all over thecountry.
We're starting to see regionaltheaters do productions of this
and I can't wait to see highschools pick it up and it's kind
of mind-blowing that I was partof it from the start and I was
(28:07):
able to be part of the team thathelped develop this piece.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Is it still playing on Apple TV Plus?
Speaker 4 (28:14):
playing on Apple TV plus, it is it is and it's a
it's a beautiful live capture ofour show.
It actually, uh, we actuallyrecorded it during the shutdown,
while Broadway was shut down.
Oh, wow, okay, yeah, we.
We rehearsed it, uh, inquarantine in a hotel in Midtown
(28:35):
there were no Broadway theatersopen and, um, after
quarantining in the hotel, werehearsed within the conference
rooms of the hotel and then wewalked into our Broadway theater
for the first time, I believeafter more than a year of being
shut down, and we recorded theshow and I believe it's so true
to what the live production waslike.
(28:57):
So I encourage people to checkit out.
It's a beautiful show, it's abeautiful story, it's very
inspiring and it's actually veryjoyful and very funny.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
I'm sure that had to be such a an emotional moment
for you.
You know, just walking back inthere after a year, I mean I can
still remember that Great, Notnot come from away, but I
remember there a video gotreleased making a Disney
connection here the cast of, orat least at that time, the
current cast of the Lion Kingrehearsing Circle of Life for
(29:27):
the first time, and literallyjust the entire cast, just
tearful.
It was amazing that they couldstill get through the song, even
through rehearsal, because thefact that that was the first
time they could all get togetherfor, like you know, a read like
that, you know just I'm surethe emotions were through the
roof for that, oh it was throughthe roof.
Speaker 4 (29:46):
I mean, broadway is such an integral part of new
york city and especially midtownmanhattan, and during the
shutdown it was just completelydesolate.
There was nothing there and asour cast was walking towards our
theater for the first time,people lined up on the sidewalks
and out of their fire escapesand were cheering this Broadway
(30:07):
show finally coming back afterso long.
I'll never forget it.
I'll also never forget walkinginto my dressing room and seeing
everything exactly the way Ileft it the day before Broadway
shut down Almost everything,including my coffee mug, which
is a Mickey Mouse mug, and itwas as if nothing had been
(30:31):
touched that whole entire time.
Wow, Unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
So there you go, folks.
If you're looking to see ourguest on the on your small
screen in your home and you're asubscriber to Apple TV plus,
please go, go, check out, comefrom away it's.
It is truly a magicalproduction.
But you know, let's let's keepgoing with the Broadway
questions here.
Describe the feeling knowingthat your voice will be forever
(31:00):
part of an original Broadwaycast recording, like as I was,
you know, prepping for thisinterview.
Like I was, I was listening tothe recording of how to dance in
Ohio, which is a show that mywife and I wanted to go see so
desperately and by the time wewere ready to make the
commitment.
Unfortunately, you know, theclosing notice had posted.
But, like when you go tospotify and you look at the
(31:23):
track listing for that show,like there are a couple of songs
that have just your name on it.
What, what does that feel like?
Speaker 4 (31:30):
I mean I'm I'm kind of getting goosebumps talking
about it.
You have to know this about methat I was a theater kid.
I loved it so much, like in myheart, I just loved theater so
much.
When I had the wonderfulopportunity to go see a Broadway
show I would wait at the stagedoor just so I could see the
(31:51):
actors coming out and possiblyget their autograph and to think
that I'm part of originalBroadway cast albums.
Now it has to be, it's a, it'sa complete honor.
You know it's it's.
It's as if I'm I'm living a.
You know, a dream come true,actually, all right.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
Cesar, you have, you know, in your latest run of of
various Broadway shows, you havecreated original roles in these
brand new productions, which isnot a lot of people can say,
and that's what makes you sounique and and clearly you know,
such a respected and talentedactor within broadway circles.
But is there one role that youknow, if there was ever a
(32:32):
revival production or you wereable to be part of, like a
regional production of a showthat like, oh, I've always
wanted to play that role andthat role is what Wow, what a
great question.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
You know, I think of me and all my like musical
theater, all my musical theaterfriends growing up and we were
all obsessed with Sweeney Todd.
I don't know if you know theStephen Sondheim show, sweeney
Todd.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
Absolutely.
I just saw it a couple ofmonths Stephen Sondheim show.
Speaker 4 (32:59):
Sweeney.
Todd, absolutely, I just saw ita couple of months ago with
Aaron and son before it closed.
What an incredible like acouple to be doing.
You know those roles, but if Iever had the opportunity to to
play a role like Sweeney, thatwhere you see such depths, you
know of emotion and you get toexplore so much.
You know that that really,unlike you, know what most
(33:25):
people are that that would beincredible to be a part of that
and to sing Stephen Sondheim'smusic.
Honestly, to be able to sing hismusic would be wonderful, so
something along those lines.
But you know, when I get thisquestion, I always say that that
role hasn't been created yet.
I've been so fortunate tooriginate some incredible roles
on Broadway and each one feelslike it gets better and better,
(33:48):
so I'm hoping that that role isout there.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
And actually, now that I think about it in the
idea of creating roles, tell usa little bit about the role that
you're going to be playing inJust In Time.
Speaker 4 (34:02):
Oh, this is a blast.
I mean, if anyone wants to comesee a quintessential Broadway
show, this is going to be it.
Jonathan Groff's turn as BobbyDarin is really mind-blowing and
I've been able to see it forthe last couple of months.
And what happened is that AlexTimbers got a cast of kind of
(34:27):
Broadway veterans actually tosupport Jonathan and we play all
the people in his life.
All our characters couldn't bemore different.
So you're going to see actorsreally transform all around
Jonathan as he plays Bobby Darin.
We have a big band on stage,the theater is being transformed
(34:48):
into the Copa Club where BobbyDarin sang at his prime, and you
get to see his life story andhear some of the most incredible
music that I bet everyone knows.
You know that the the depth ofof his work is pretty astounding
.
Um, I'm excited to that thatpeople are going to be able to
(35:09):
see it now be honest.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
How many times does he bust out and sing lost in the
woods?
Though?
I'm just curious you mean justrandomly, yeah, he walks into
the room I will say one of myfavorite social media clips is I
I forget what late night tvshow was on, but but someone
(35:32):
would.
It might have been.
Fallon was interviewingLin-Manuel Miranda and he and
Lin was sharing this story abouthow, like his children could
not process that King Georgefrom Hamilton and Kristoff from
Frozen were the exact sameperson and then, when they
finally figured it out, likeblew their minds.
Speaker 4 (35:53):
It's amazing.
You know what I love so muchabout Jonathan.
I've known him a very long time.
He is an exceptional leader ofa company.
His heart is huge, His talentis huge and it's really quite
something to be a part of acompany with him.
Speaker 3 (36:09):
To be on stage, especially dancing, you have to
stay in shape.
But how did your runningjourney begin?
Speaker 4 (36:16):
You know I always.
You know I did not run growingup, like I didn't run in high
school or college, and it wasn'tanything I did recreationally.
And then I started readingabout I'm a very big Disney fan
and I started reading about RunDisney.
I said, wow, that seems reallycool Running through the Disney
parks, would I be able toactually do something like a 5k
(36:40):
or a 10k or a half marathon or amarathon?
And I always had it in the backof my head and um, during the
shutdown I believe they startedthese virtual runs.
Speaker 2 (36:52):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
Right and and I said you know what, like, what do I
have to lose?
Like, why not, why not try this?
And um, and I believe it was,it was something to do with
villains.
Is that correct?
Am I?
Am I thinking of the right one?
Speaker 2 (37:07):
that would have been.
What was that, john the, thewine and dine from?
Oh, is it?
Because I think it was whenthey came.
That was when that was thatshort stint where they were
offering the in-person but alsothe virtual as well too, I think
.
Speaker 4 (37:21):
Right, right.
And I just remember seeing I'ma huge Disney villain fan and I
was like, well, if I'm going totry, let me just try this.
And I believe it was a 10K, itwas an Ursula 10K or something
like that OK.
Speaker 2 (37:34):
Yep, yeah, that's right.
Speaker 4 (37:36):
So I started training and I started doing the Jeff
Galloway training method and Imean honestly, I started doing
it and for the first time I saidI love this.
It's the first time my mindshuts down, it's the first time
I can just focus on my body andwhat I'm doing and the couple of
steps ahead of me and I startedto really enjoy it.
(38:00):
And I remember when I receivedmy medal it came in this
beautiful box.
I happened to be working forDisney Theatricals at the same
time.
Speaker 2 (38:13):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 4 (38:29):
Project I actually don't think I could mention it,
but you know, really tries to do.
You know, oh, wow, believe whatI just got.
And it's like this Disneyvillain medal, as I'm playing a
Disney villain for a very shortlittle workshop that they were
doing.
But that was my first runDisney race and ever since that
one I started to do the virtualraces and then I said you know
(38:50):
what I really want to try forthe half marathon?
And when Disneyland opened uptheir half marathon, I said
that's the place I want to do it, that's the place I want to do
it at.
So I started training and Inever looked back.
I love it.
Now I'm a little bit addicted.
I try to sign up for every racethat I can do.
I've been telling myself thatthe half marathon is as much as
(39:15):
I'll go.
And then I just finished wineand dine and said, huh, I wonder
if I got a marathon there we go.
Speaker 2 (39:21):
It's the gateway drug , as we like to say.
Speaker 4 (39:24):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
So we got to know those.
I mean, you know it's, it'sgreat hearing, you know your run
Disney backstory, but how doyou find time to train while
putting on eight shows a weekand rehearsal and probably dance
rehearsals and stage combat andyou know and just you know,
maybe work with like a vocalcoach or something like that?
(39:47):
How do you find the time totrain for something like this?
Speaker 4 (39:49):
It's I'm not going to sugarcoat it, it's.
It's hard, right.
You have to really scheduleeverything to within an inch of
its life, especially becausedoing live theater you have to
be at 100% for that seven oreight o'clock curtain.
There's no way around it.
You know these long runs closeto the race get, get, you know,
(40:16):
pretty difficult sometimes andand you just have to make sure
that you're living your life ina way that that is beneficial to
what I need to be doing in theevening, so that for me that
means a lot of rest, that meansreally looking after my
nutrition, that means reallybeing careful.
That's why I think the JeffGalloway method is so incredible
(40:38):
, because it really diminishesthe possibility of injury and
for me that's really importantbecause if I get injured I'm out
of a show.
I'm out of a show, you know,like that is my job, so it was
kind of a perfect combination ofeverything, and it was also a
(40:59):
time.
Working in midtown Manhattan ismagical and it's also very
overwhelming.
So for me, running is my kindof Zen place.
It's my place that really letsme just forget about everything
and zone everything out and justfocus on my breathing and kind
of the beauty that's around meand watching New York, you know,
(41:19):
go by me, or Brooklyn, go by me.
So it really helps me.
I love it.
I want to say that when my cast, my how to Dance in Ohio cast,
found out that I was doing theDisneyland half marathon First,
they were really mad that Ididn't have a costume.
(41:40):
So like right before I left,they got me, like like you at
least have to have, like aDisney hat.
So they got me a Disney hatthat I could, that I could wear
for for my race.
Send, yeah, send, send themover to costuming right?
Speaker 2 (41:58):
Yes, exactly, so you know, working in, in, in, living
in the city, you know you.
You talked about Brooklyn, butwhat are some of your favorite
places in the city to go running?
I mean, I'm sure Central Parkis, you know, offers a lot of
opportunities.
But what are some other gemsyou know in such a major
metropolitan city that you findgreat to run in?
Speaker 4 (42:17):
Absolutely.
I live in Brooklyn and thereare some gems here.
You could run along the wholewaterfront here and just watch
Manhattan go by and pretty muchdo your entire long run there.
There's tons of piers that youcould go in and out of.
There's also a beautiful placecalled Prospect Park that really
is stunning to run in and thatcould pretty much take care of
(42:41):
your long run there.
So it's actually very easy tofind some beautiful runs here.
Also, parts of Brooklyn arevery residential, so running
through Brownstone Brooklyn canalso be magical at the right
time of day.
Speaker 3 (42:55):
You're a New Yorker, any chance of you running any of
the New York Roadrunner races.
I'm not putting you at themarathon yet, like the New York
City half or the Brooklyn half.
Speaker 4 (43:08):
Absolutely.
You know, I think this lastrace, this last run Disney race,
which really was only my secondkind of non-virtual race,
really opened my eyes to howmuch I love running and how much
I love the community.
I mean, there is nothing likethis community.
So I'm really excited to startlooking at races all around the
(43:29):
country.
Actually, and you know, knowingme, I'll probably start
venturing internationally aswell whenever I can, but but I
can't wait to run some of theBrooklyn races and some of the
Manhattan races as well.
Speaker 2 (43:42):
So now are you going to be like, you know, the tie in
a modern day musical.
Right now Are you going to belike Cynthia Erivo and you know,
go run like the New York CityMarathon and then, you know, go
put on a show later that night.
Is that a goal of yours?
Speaker 4 (43:58):
Hey, why not?
Right?
You know, every time I tackleI'm sure you feel the same way.
Every time we tackle one ofthese challenges you start
realizing that you have so muchmore in you and like you'd be
able to do so much more.
So like what a you know what anamazing accomplishment to be
like.
Oh yeah, I ran a marathon thismorning and here I am doing my
(44:20):
you know my Broadway show thisevening.
Speaker 2 (44:23):
We gotta know, because you know we're always,
we're always, dumbfounded by,you know the fact that you know,
when we set out on thispodcasting venture, you know,
over three years ago, we'realways, we're always,
dumbfounded by, you know, thefact that you know, when we set
out on this podcasting venture,you know, over three years ago,
we're like, oh, like a couple ofpeople are going to listen to
us, and then you know, and thatwould be it.
And now here we are, three plusyears later and we're talking
to a Broadway star.
(44:43):
So I got to know how did youfind the rise and run podcast?
Speaker 4 (44:47):
I mean, honestly, I I knew nothing about running
nothing, so I did.
I just started Googling and Iwas like, what gosh, what can I
learn?
Who can I learn from?
And I started searching in mypodcast and I saw, I saw rise
and run and I saw like theMickey hands, you know, within
(45:07):
your logo, um.
And I said, well, that seemslike a thing that I could learn
from.
And I started listening to itand I have to say, I feel the
opposite right now.
I feel like I'm talking to thecelebrities right now.
Oh, no, no, no, sir, it's socool for me to be talking to
people that I listen to everyday.
(45:28):
You have no idea the amounts oflong runs that you have gotten
me through.
When I was exhausted from aweek of performances I didn't
know what to do and I turn onyour podcast and I put on my
running shoes and I head out toProspect Park and you got me
through it.
And especially, I want tocommend you for being so honest
(45:51):
on your podcast and talkingabout the challenges that you go
through sometimes, because Idon't think it's such a solitary
sport when you train forrunning and you forget that
other people are going throughthe exact same thing.
So it's really inspiring.
It's really inspiring to me.
So I'm just so grateful thatalmost the perfect podcast kind
(46:15):
of landed in front of me as Istarted my running journey, as I
continue it.
That's awesome to hear.
Speaker 2 (46:21):
Now I just want to go back to the celebrity thing
real quick here.
I will remind you, sir, thatwhen you're done with the show
and you come out the stage door,there will be people there
waiting for your autograph.
When John and I come throughthe finisher shoot, there is no
one waiting there for us to signany paraphernalia or bibs or
anything like that.
So again you sir, are thecelebrity.
Speaker 4 (46:43):
I believe that's a challenge, so I'm going to start
having you sign stuff as soonas I can start having you sign
stuff as soon as all right.
Speaker 2 (46:55):
So you, you've talked about running in Disneyland and
you, you know, and also wineand dine.
So you know, obviously you knowit sounds like you're you're
still rolling into the in-personrun Disney journey, but what
has been like your top runDisney highlight that you've had
so far?
Speaker 4 (47:09):
I did not think that I would be able to do the 5k,
the 10k and the half marathonthis past.
Wine and dine.
I just didn't, I didn't thinkit was in me.
Um, and and being able to dothat challenge was, um, it
really opened my heart.
It opened my mind topossibilities of, of what I'd be
(47:30):
able to do down the line.
Um, and there's something somagical about running through
Epcot during the morning and,you know, seeing all the
different uh countries, seeingthe lights, uh, going through
the resorts.
Um, for me, what I what hasreally taken me back, both in
(47:51):
the Disneyland run and the Wineand Dine run, are the people
helping each other out duringthese runs, because, you forget,
there's all types of peoplerunning in these races and
there's all types of differentneeds and all those needs are
being met and that's reallyinspiring to watch.
It's really inspiring to hearabout why people are running and
(48:14):
everybody cheering everybody on.
It's a beautiful community andI'm really honored to be a part
of it.
Speaker 2 (48:21):
We got to know.
So you got two race weekendsunder your belt so far.
What's next on the docket foryou?
Speaker 4 (48:28):
I'm coming in for the marathon weekend.
I'm not doing the marathon yet,but I'm doing the half.
Speaker 3 (48:33):
I'm doing the 10 and a half.
Speaker 2 (48:36):
I'm so bummed I'm not going to be there, because I
would love to be able to cheeryou across the finish line.
Oh my God.
Speaker 3 (48:43):
I'll be there for the half.
I'm there already.
Speaker 2 (48:45):
Yes, so you can sign John's bib when you're done.
But actually, well, I mean,grant, I don't know what your
plans are, but we highlyencourage you to come to the
meetup on Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 4 (48:57):
Oh, I will definitely come.
I will definitely Amazing,amazing.
I can't wait to meet everybody.
Speaker 2 (49:02):
So you have Marathon Weekend in the books.
Do you have anything else forthe rest of the season, or is
that it for now?
Obviously, I'm probably withthe show starting up soon.
You probably can't commit totoo much yet, right?
Speaker 4 (49:13):
I couldn't commit yet , but I know I will be finagling
my way into a couple moreDisney races.
I really have my eye towardsthat Halloween race.
Speaker 2 (49:24):
Hopefully this time around it won't be 106 degrees,
I know.
Speaker 4 (49:27):
I know Much more enjoyable experience for people.
Yes, definitely.
Speaker 3 (49:33):
And since you're our local, you've got to come out to
Bird in Hand with us one timetoo.
Oh, there we go.
Speaker 4 (49:40):
Absolutely.
I mean, I'm hooked.
I love this.
I really love doing it.
I can't wait to start exploringother races.
Speaker 2 (49:51):
I will say that's the one thing that we enjoy about
this community is that you know,especially listen to, like the
race report or something likethat.
You know you get to hear aboutall these races that would have
never have been on a radio, likeyou know, like john just said,
with burden hand I I'm about anhour outside of burden hand and
up until four years ago I Inever knew about this race and
now it's one of my favoritenon-run Disney races and the
(50:12):
fact that I think we're going tobe taking over Lancaster County
next September is going to beawesome.
Speaker 4 (50:19):
Oh my gosh, I would love to do that.
You know, where else I wouldlove to run is Washington DC.
I was doing a show there and Iwas doing some of my training
for the for the Disneyland halfmarathon in DC.
Wow, talk about some beautifulruns and an amazing kind of
running community.
So I'm I'm going to be lookingfor some races there too.
Speaker 2 (50:40):
Well, if you ever have to go back there, you know,
you just run really fast alongsomeone and pull a captain
America and just say, on yourleft, then you'll, you'll turn
some heads, so it'll be great.
So, Caesar, one last questionthat I thought of here, that
that I think this would beperfect to to round out this
interview.
You know, encompassing all yourpassions in life.
(51:01):
If you could perform in aDisney parks production or
Disney on Broadway, what showwould it be?
Speaker 4 (51:11):
Wow, if I could perform in.
Well, you know, I I keep onhearing stirring like little
rumblings about Coco being madeinto a musical and I would
always.
I was just, I would love to bea part of of that company and
you know, I have a massive dreamof being able to sing for a
Disney ride or a Disneyfireworks show.
(51:33):
Um, and that that's always kindof like been something that
that I would just love to do.
It'd be like one of the topkind of dreams.
Speaker 2 (51:43):
Um well, this is what you have to do when you're,
when you're done, rehearsing atthe theater.
Just walk over the Hades town,knock on the stage door, ask for
Jordan Fisher, and I'm surehe'll be able to give you all
the ins and outs of how to makethat happen.
Speaker 4 (51:55):
There we go.
Speaker 2 (51:59):
Awesome.
Well Caesar, thank you so muchfor you know taking the time to
be a part of this.
If people want to follow alongon your not only your running
journey, but your your Broadwayjourney as well, how can uh, how
can people reach out to you?
Speaker 4 (52:13):
Yeah, the easiest way , um, just write on my Instagram
, which is my name, at CesarSamayoa, or, uh, my website,
cesarsamayoacom.
Um, and please say hi.
I just uh.
I love meeting people.
I love meeting people with, uh,with run Disney and in this
community.
So I'm here.
Speaker 2 (52:34):
And also let's plug the show too.
When can people start buyingtickets for just in time you?
Speaker 4 (52:39):
can start buying tickets right now, just in time,
we'll be at circle in thesquare and we start performances
on March 28th on Broadway.
Speaker 2 (52:49):
Oh, wow, okay, so you guys are kicking out Romeo and
Juliet, is that right?
Speaker 4 (52:54):
Romeo and Juliet ends its run.
I believe January.
I believe it ends in January.
And then we swoop in.
Speaker 2 (53:02):
Excellent.
Well, I feel awkward sayingthis, but in terms of the
theatrics, break a leg.
But in terms of running, pleasedon't do that please don't.
Speaker 4 (53:16):
That's so good.
We'll see you soon.
I'm very excited to see you.
Thank you so much for having meon well, caesar.
Speaker 2 (53:24):
Once again, thank you so much for your time.
It was an absolute pleasure, uh, getting a chance to chat with
you, and, for those of you thatyou know are are listening to
this marathon weekend, you know,as Caesar said, he is there at
marathon weekend.
He is running the uh, he'srunning the 10 K and he's
(53:45):
running the half marathon.
So if you see him on the course, be sure to give him a shout.
And John and I have continuedever since we recorded that
interview a couple of weeks ago.
We have continued to be intouch with Cesar and highly
encouraging him to come to themeetup that we're having this
(54:05):
weekend as well too.
So hopefully we'll be able to,um, you know, meet another guest
in real life and, uh, anextremely talented one at that
too.
You know, and you know, I diddouble check and we had talked
during the, the interview about,you know, his time, uh, in the
production of come from away,and I just did double check that
(54:26):
, um, that production is stillavailable to view if you are a
subscriber to apple tv plus.
Uh, you can.
You can watch the originalcompany of come from away as
part of that streaming service,and even when you look at, like
the artwork that is part ofapple tv plus, their sees are
right dead center uh in theframe.
(54:48):
So an extremely talented fellaagain.
Best of center in the frame.
So an extremely talented fellowAgain.
Best of luck in the races anddefinitely break a leg in your
upcoming production of Just InTime, especially if you're a fan
of Bobby Darin's music.
This is a whole jukebox musicaldedicated to him and if you
live in the Northeast and wantto head to Broadway, you can go
(55:09):
see a.
Who would have ever thought youcould go to a live theatrical
performance, and a former guestof the Rise and Run podcast
would be on stage.
That's pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (55:18):
Hey, maybe we have a Rise and Run Broadway meetup.
Speaker 2 (55:22):
There we go.
That would be awesome.
Speaker 1 (55:25):
Well, I hope he gets there.
I hope Cesar gets to the meetup, that would be great.
Speaking of the meetup, he getsthere.
I hope Cesar gets to the meetup, that would be great.
Speaking of the meetup, it'snot too late to remind your
friends.
3 pm, food Truck Area, disneySprings.
We're hoping the weather holdsout.
We won't know until we getthere, but right now it looks
like whatever rain is in theforecast is going to be earlier
(55:45):
in the day.
Hopefully it'll be after thehalf but before the meetup and
get out of the way.
But we'll manage regardless.
I'd like to remind everyone.
3 pm.
We're typically there a littlebit early, sorry about that.
We're typically there a littlebit early and at 3.30, weather
(56:10):
permitting, we'll gather for thegroup photo.
So if you can, please try to bethere and hang around till 3.30
.
If you're new to our meetups,they go until we have dinner
reservations most of the time,so you can expect folks to be
there till 4.30 or5 o'clock.
So if you can't make it by 3.30, but you can come later on,
(56:30):
we'd still love to see you.
A quick announcement I talkabout run gum from time to time.
I'll be using it, probably onthe half and definitely on the
marathon, and I'll have somewith me.
I'll have some with me to giveout.
So if you want to try some rungum, please hit me up.
I'll try to bring as much withme as is reasonable.
(56:52):
Uh, if you like the product andyou know about it already and
you want to order, you can usemy code bob r20 bob r20 or you
can use the code rise and runand I think either one of those
will save you 20 on your run gumorder.
My friends, it is time for therace report, race report
(57:15):
sponsored by our buddy, thomasStokes.
We should.
Is that Tom John?
Is that Tom over there?
I know.
Speaker 3 (57:26):
I think that's him.
Speaker 1 (57:27):
It's in the tutu.
I think he's probably wearing ashirt this weekend gonna be my
guess.
Tom's pretty bold, but I'm notsure he's gonna be able to go
shirtless this weekend.
We'll see.
Of course, if he hears this,he'll take it as a challenge and
do it anyway.
Stokesfit slash rise and runcoaching is the website you want
(57:48):
to go to to take advantage ofthe several terrific offers Tom
has for the Rise and Run family.
Most notably, right now he'sgot a challenge that starts in
two weeks and this will be aneight-week challenge.
If you're not used to Tom'sprogram, this is a great way to
get introduced to it.
The cost for the eight-weekchallenge is $97, but if you use
(58:15):
the code RISE50, you'll take$50 off that and make it $47.
And, friends, it's a great deal, great deal for a great program
.
I've never been much of a gymrat.
I got actively involved in it.
I have to admit I've gottenaway over the holidays and
between chopping part of mythumb off and all that, but I am
(58:37):
excited to get back just assoon as Dopey is done and I'll
definitely be part of thatchallenge.
All right, let's take a look atthe race report and we're going
to go all the way back to NewYear's Eve.
Grace was all lined up for theNew York Roadrunners midnight
run for Mylar.
But if you'll recall, and Iknow John, you and Greg will, we
(59:00):
were recording an episode atabout that time.
Yes, we were, and you rememberthe lightning and thunder.
Speaker 2 (59:07):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (59:08):
Yes, this event was canceled, no surprise.
Good move.
Grace went out the next day,ran four miles in central park
because she wasn't going to bedefeated good job.
We had several runs on newyear's day.
Rob did one in glen rock, newjersey, the glen rock midnight
(59:29):
run.
I think this was probablymidnight New Year's Eve, going
into New Year's Day, because healso mentioned the thunderstorms
but they got a break at about1130.
Rob went over to the start ofthe race expecting to see maybe
he'd end up running solo but tohis surprise he saw a couple of
(59:52):
people there, including a friendwho doesn't see enough now, now
that their kids are out of highschool.
And they were there, had a verypleasant 5K to start out 2025.
A friend, jennifer, did a NewYear's Day 5K and I'm not sure
where it was, but I'm sure itwas great.
(01:00:13):
Jessica was in Safety Harbor,florida, very close to where I
live, for the New Year's DayFirst Chance 5K.
It's a lovely course.
Safety Harbor is a lovely smalltown, kind of a Nazi town.
Of course it goes alongBayshore Drive.
It's an out and back.
It did get a little bit warm.
It was getting up into the 70smid-70s, had about 100 people
(01:00:36):
there.
Some had kids, some had dogs.
Jessica got a lot ofcompliments on her outfit but no
PR.
That's okay.
When they finished they cameback to the Union Steakhouse to
mimosas and barbecue slidersCool.
And one of the race directorsplayed trivia to keep everybody
(01:00:58):
entertained, got two medals forthis race and a tech t-shirt.
Shortest commute yet forJessica to a race Only two
stoplights between her home andthe start of this race in Safety
Harbor In Wittonsville,massachusetts.
The Tri-Valley Frontrunnersfirst day 5K Brian with his
(01:01:21):
sister-in-law and his oldest son, graham.
By Massachusetts standards itwas reasonably warm, kind of
drizzly.
This is a birthday run forBrian.
Happy New Year's Day birthday.
That's an interesting one.
Hey, everybody, you got to beborn sometime, right?
(01:01:42):
Anyway, he starts off the yearon the right foot.
For this.
It wasn't fast, got it done.
Pr for Brian fast, got it done.
Uh, pr for brian.
He says it wasn't fast but gota pr.
And then graham who his oldestson, who is 15 did his first 5k.
(01:02:02):
So that's pr.
Also in st louis the snowballseries 5k.
It's a series In St Louis, theSnowball Series 5K.
It's a series of four races.
This was the first one.
Katie did it In the low 30s butlots of sunshine.
That helps About 1,000 peopleon this one Everybody from
competitive runners to casualwalkers, every pace in between.
(01:02:24):
Not Katie's best 5K Cold reallykind of zapped her lungs a
little bit, made it tough, butuh, watch her, watch her garment
, whatever she's wearing, saysshe did just fine, ran a little
faster than she felt she wasdoing up in erie, pennsylvania,
where just last week we heardabout how much it was snowing in
(01:02:44):
erie, the erie runners club newyear's day five miler michmiler
.
Michelle Rennett did not set outto PR the five-mile.
It was freezing, rain, yuck.
Her goal was to enjoy themorning with the community.
However, she is happy to startoff 2025 with a whopping 15
(01:03:10):
minutes off of her previous time.
I assume she's talking abouther previous time in that race,
which is great.
That's three minutes a mile.
That's outstanding.
Good job, michelle.
Speaking of series, we weretalking about the series in St
Louis.
There's a series in Houston,texas, the Sam Houston Race Park
5K.
(01:03:31):
This was race number one.
Katrina, her husband and hertwo children, the Bear family,
is back at the race and they getshouted out by the race
announcers there.
That's kind of neat.
I know they look forward tothat Dead.
Last start for this raceStarted to drizzle a little bit
but then stopped as the rainstarted.
(01:03:52):
They all had a great time.
Speaker 2 (01:03:54):
Wait, so it wasn't actually a family of bears that
was on the course, Okay.
I understand that I thought wewere in a potential Goldilocks
situation.
Your dad ran too fast, mama rantoo slow the baby bear ran just
right.
Speaker 1 (01:04:07):
Just right, yeah, no, neither Yogi nor Boo Boo were
there either.
Speaker 3 (01:04:13):
No Boo Boo.
Speaker 1 (01:04:17):
And the Lehigh Valley , pennsylvania.
The Lehigh Valley, new Year'sChaser 5K Denise with her dad,
bruce.
Bruce is still out thererunning at age 81.
Way to go, buddy, way to go,buddy, way to go, bruce, you're
my hero.
Speaker 2 (01:04:33):
I'll have to ask Denise about this one, because I
looked it up after she postedin the Facebook group and this
race takes place very close towhere I grew up.
Okay, and the medal lookedawesome and it's more than just
a 5K they do.
I think there's a 10K and ahalf marathon associated with
this.
So, yeah, I'll have to lookinto this one for the future.
Speaker 1 (01:04:56):
Well, denise said she did some run-walk intervals
instead of all walking Comingback from any injuries.
Slow but steady, that's the wayto do it.
And Bruce, congratulationswinning your age group.
Don't tell me how many peoplewere in your age group, bruce,
81, you crossed the start line.
You deserve a medal,congratulations.
Let's see here in Indianapolis,indiana, the cheers to New
(01:05:20):
Year's.
5k Kathy did it, first race ofthe new year, which is good
because it was January 1st.
It was a cold one Wind and icepellets, yuck and yuck.
Getting out of a nice warm bedto do a run in freezing
temperatures.
That's dedication.
(01:05:41):
Either dedication or peerpressure, or Kathy's just plain
crazy.
I'll let you decide.
Panama City Beach, florida, theball dropped.
5k Lenore did it.
60s and sunny at the start inPanama City Beach.
Guys, you know what they dropin Panama City Beach.
Speaker 2 (01:06:02):
I can't wait to hear this On New Year's.
Speaker 1 (01:06:04):
It's perfect Iguanas A beach ball.
Speaker 3 (01:06:08):
Okay, a beach ball.
Speaker 1 (01:06:09):
Yeah, panama City is up on the panhandle.
Speaker 2 (01:06:12):
Uh, not far from where I used to live in alabama
well, I remember uh on thecustomized training call uh that
week.
I know coach twigs was talkingabout I guess his town drops a
shrimp, yep, and then uh and Iwas telling him about uh again,
the area where I grew grew up inthe town of Bethlehem, right,
(01:06:34):
that is the location of the JustBorn Candy Company.
So, if you like, mike and Ike'sor Peep's, it's all made there,
and every New Year's they havea big celebration.
They drop a giant Peep.
Speaker 1 (01:06:48):
They drop a Peep in golly I think it's Mobile they
drop a moon pie.
Speaker 2 (01:06:55):
Okay, I don't know what Tampa does he told me about
, I think somewhere in Indiana,I think, someone dropped a
pierogi.
Speaker 1 (01:07:02):
Yes, yes, yes All sorts of unique stuff they
Speaker 2 (01:07:05):
drop besides a crystal ball.
Speaker 1 (01:07:08):
Potato in Idaho, I'm not sure which city Boise.
I don't know what tampa does.
Tampa has their own, but I'mnot sure what.
It is all right enough.
Uh, let's see.
Uh, let's wrap up.
Where are we're still on newyear's day in western arkansas,
the western arkansas runnersannual frozen buns, 5k Joe did
(01:07:30):
this one.
Good weather in the 40s, nicecrafted metal, delicious chili
after the race Best way to startthe new year every year.
Good job, joe.
On Friday, the Hill and Dale8-Miler in Memphis, tennessee.
Suzanne was there.
(01:07:52):
We had a bunch of friendsrunning the inaugural Polar
Opposite Peachtree Race inAtlanta, georgia.
It's like the Peachtree whichis run on the 4th of July, but
it's backwards.
I mean you don't have to runbackwards, but the course is
laid out backwards and it's coldinstead of really hot as the
(01:08:17):
Peachtree and the fourth almostalways is.
Let's see, megan was there.
Brooke said it was in the 20sand windy.
Gosh, fingers and toes werefrozen even before the start.
Hot hands, hot hands, brooke,I'll be.
I'll have hot hands with methis race weekend.
(01:08:37):
Uh, brooke ran into an oldcoworker before the start, so
that was a nice distraction fromthe cold.
Race itself was fun.
Not much crowd support?
I wouldn't think so.
I wouldn't think people wouldbe hanging out on the course to
cheer for random strangers whenit's 20s and windies.
Energy from the volunteers andthe other runners made up for it
(01:09:00):
though.
Sweatshirt at the end worth theprice of the race and the medal
was a nice bonus.
Medal was a nice bonus.
Kim also loved the medals.
Loved that hoodie sweatshirt.
Thought it was a great course.
She ran it with her friendAllie.
Andrew and Molly ran.
It had a lot of fun.
No PRs, unless you countfinishing their coldest race
(01:09:23):
ever.
Well, it counts, andrew andMolly, it doesn't count as a PR,
but it counts.
Good for you.
Allison was there.
Katie had an absolute blast.
She said, coming from Minnesota, she thought the weather was
just fine.
Didn't know what all theseGeorgians were complaining about
.
Let's see who else was there.
Matt was there, marty ran itand loved it.
(01:09:44):
Matt was there with Tucker andKessler and Sherry was also
there.
So for inaugural event, quite afew Rise and Runners attending
that one Sounds like you had agood time.
I'm glad to hear it.
Still, on Saturday in ReddingPennsylvania, the Pretzel City
(01:10:04):
Sports Frigid Digits 5K.
Denise ran that one.
We had Denise earlier.
Denise was there.
Yes, we did Yep, so she wasbusy.
Thisk Denise ran that one.
We had Denise earlier.
Speaker 2 (01:10:11):
Denise was there.
Yes, we did Yep, so she wasbusy this weekend.
Speaker 1 (01:10:13):
Yeah, she was Well good job.
On Sunday we had a couple inFort Myers, florida, the Hooters
River, roots and Ruts 10-miletrail race.
Rob ran that.
And let's wrap it up with thenew year, new me 5K in Port St
Lucie, florida, where Amber hada great last training run prior
(01:10:40):
to this very weekend.
Course was super flat, tempswere right around 50.
Not usually a fan of 5K medals,she she says, but this was a
good one, looked good.
All right, friends,congratulations.
That's the race report forepisode 172.
(01:11:00):
All right, my friends, and ifyou run, you know you are our
friend.
We are hoping to see you realsoon.
Just look around, we'll besomewhere.
I promise that one of us willbe somewhere at all time.
I don't know who and I don'tknow where, but one of us will
(01:11:21):
be somewhere at all time, downthere at Disney World, and we'll
be excited to say hi to you.
Speaker 3 (01:11:27):
And something else, Bob, just like what I mentioned
if you see us, don't be afraidto say hi, Just come up to you.
And something else, Bob, justlike what I mentioned if you see
us, don't be afraid to say hi,Just come up to us.
We don't bite.
You know, Maybe if there's likea Dole Whip or a pretzel by, it
might be a little iffy, butwe're pretty good.
Speaker 1 (01:11:43):
It's my favorite part of the weekend.
It is my favorite part of theweekend.
It is meeting new and oldfriends.
Absolutely love it, so we lookforward to seeing you there.
Speaker 2 (01:11:58):
But until we do happy running.
The Rise and Run podcastdiscusses general information
about Run Disney and is in noway affiliated with Run Disney
or the Walt Disney Company.
Any information or advicediscussed on this podcast should
(01:12:19):
not be considered medicaladvice and should always consult
with your health care provideror event organizer.
Thank you.
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