Rise and Run

We hit a milestone and decided to do something worthy of it: build our own ranked list of the best road races in America. From the New York City Marathon’s five-borough roar to Boston’s history-soaked mystique, Chicago’s electric crowds, and the Marine Corps Marathon’s landmark-heavy patriotism, we talk through the races that feel bigger than a finish time and why they earn a spot on a true bucket list. 

We also keep it real for the runDisney community. Springtime Surprise registration moved faster than many expected, so we share what sold out when, what that might mean for the season ahead, and why charity bibs can be a smart Plan B. Then we dig into why runDisney itself belongs near the top of a “great American races” conversation, plus how we’d rank the current race weekends if you’re choosing your first one. 

And because July 4th means Peachtree, we spotlight the Peachtree Road Race with firsthand stories about the expo challenges, the party-on-the-streets vibe, the sneaky tough hill miles, and the iconic finisher shirt that makes Atlanta runners come back year after year. We also pause to remember Jeff Galloway, share a powerful origin story from his past visit, and reflect on how his encouragement continues to shape runners everywhere. 

If you like running culture, race travel ideas, training honesty, and a little friendly debate, press play. Subscribe, share this with a runner who needs a new goal race, and leave a review if the show helps you keep moving, what’s your pick for the best road race in America?

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Rise and Run Podcast is supported by our audience. When you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Magic Bound Travel   
Stoked Metabolic Coaching

Affiliate Links
The Start Line Co.
Fluffy Fizzies
Mona Moon Naturals
Rise and Run Amazon Affiliate Web Page
Kawaiian Pizza Apparel
GoGuarded

The reason you started running is probably not the reason you keep running, and that’s the point. We open with a simple community question from our friend Alan, then hand the mic to friends whose answers stretch from “I’ve never been an athlete” to “running became my only quiet place.” You’ll hear how stress, family health scares, grief, postpartum life, and plain old curiosity can turn into a steady running habit and a stronger sense of self.

We also get practical about summer training when the weather stops cooperating. We talk dew point, humidity, pacing, hydration, electrolytes, treadmills, and the mental game of making smart adjustments so you stay healthy enough to reach the starting line. There’s also a useful health sidebar on the cardiac calcium screen and why some runners consider it for peace of mind.

Then we hit the runDisney news and community buzz: Springtime Surprise registration and the messy feelings around Perfect status communication, plus a marathon playlist update and a corral prediction data project. We wrap with race reports, including a standout spotlight from Alicia on the Leadville Heavy Half, a brutal and beautiful 15.5-mile mountain race topping out at 13,185 feet, and a powerful moment of running in someone’s memory.

If this one resonates, subscribe for more, share it with a running friend, and leave a review. What’s your running “why” right now?
Rise and Run Links
Rise and Run Podcast Facebook Page
Rise and Run Podcast Instagram
Rise and Run Podcast Website and Shop
Rise and Run Patreon
Runningwithalysha Alysha’s Run Coaching (Mention Rise And Run and get $10 off)
Johns Fundraising Link For The Special Forces Foundation 
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Rise and Run Podcast is supported by our audience. When you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Sponsor Links
Magic Bound Travel   
Stoked Metabolic Coaching

Affiliate Links
The Start Line Co.
Fluffy Fizzies
Mona Moon Naturals
Rise and Run Amazon Affiliate Web Page
Kawaiian Pizza Apparel
GoGuarded

Summer training has a way of turning simple runs into big questions: Why is my pace suddenly slower, how do I stay safe in the heat, and what actually matters in the first weeks of a runDisney build? We sit down with our friend Coach Chris Twiggs to get real answers you can use right away, whether you’re gearing up for Wine & Dine, Marathon Weekend, or dreaming about Dopey.

Chris takes us from the mountains to the sidewalks, starting with the Hardrock 100, a legendary 100-mile loop in Colorado with 33,000 feet of climbing, high-altitude reality, and the famous finish-line rule: you kiss the rock. From there, we move to the training most of us are doing now. We talk consistency over speed, how to stop comparing yourself to last season, and why “pixie dust” is not a training plan even when the races are full of magic.

The heart of the conversation is heat training and performance. We break down what heat does to your body, how to acclimate on purpose, and how to cool yourself during runs. Chris shares clear red flags to stop a workout, plus hydration and electrolyte cues that too many runners miss. We also cover treadmill strategy, long-run pacing as a speed limit, and why your treadmill is usually more trustworthy than your watch indoors.

We also spotlight the Miles To Go 5K in Orlando (with a virtual option) and celebrate race weekend stories, including Nannah’s first marathon at Grandma’s Marathon and her mom, Ellen’s, half marathon PR. Listen, share with a running friend, and leave us a review, then tell us: what’s the one habit you’re locking in to stay consistent this season?

Chis Twiggs’s Links
Hard Talk Podcast
Customized Training

Miles to Go Links
Miles to Go Website
Miles to Go 5K Regitration
Rise and Run Links
Rise and Run Podcast Facebook Page
Rise and Run Podcast Instagram
Rise and Run Podcast Website and Shop
Rise and Run Patreon
Runningwithalysha Alysha’s Run Coaching (Mention Rise And Run and get $10 off)
Johns Fundraising Link For The Special Forces Foundation
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Rise and Run Podcast is supported by our audience. When you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Sponsor Links
Magic Bound Travel   
Stoked Metabolic Coaching

Affiliate Links
The Start Line Co.
Fluffy Fizzies
Mona Moon Naturals
Rise and Run Amazon Affiliate Web Page
Kawaiian Pizza Apparel
GoGuarded

runDisney didn’t just tease a surprise this time, it delivered one that can blow up travel plans. We react in real time to the Springtime Surprise weekend shifting dates, what that means for resort reservations and DVC juggling, and why having a good travel advisor can save you hours when Disney changes the calendar. 

Training talk gets practical fast: running in heat without turning it into a competition, how much to slow down as temps rise, and whether “real feel” should drive your pacing more than the number on the thermometer. We compare notes on when we start carrying hydration, electrolytes, and fuel, plus what pre-hydration looks like before a long run so race weekend doesn’t become a dehydration lesson.

Then we pivot to something purely fun: a Disney parks and resorts “last meal” draft inspired by the Last Meal podcast. Expect strong opinions and deep cuts, from Sanaa bread service and Morimoto favorites to Tonga Toast, Zebra Domes, Dole Whips, and the Beaches and Cream Kitchen Sink. We wrap with a community-packed race report and a Race Report Spotlight with John.
Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review, then tell us: what’s on your Disney last meal plate?
Rise and Run Links
Rise and Run Podcast Facebook Page
Rise and Run Podcast Instagram
Rise and Run Podcast Website and Shop
Rise and Run Patreon
Runningwithalysha Alysha’s Run Coaching (Mention Rise And Run and get $10 off)
Johns Fundraising Link For The Special Forces Foundation 
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Rise and Run Podcast is supported by our audience. When you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Sponsor Links
Magic Bound Travel   
Stoked Metabolic Coaching

Affiliate Links
The Start Line Co.
Fluffy Fizzies
Mona Moon Naturals
Rise and Run Amazon Affiliate Web Page
Kawaiian Pizza Apparel
GoGuarded

Princess registration has turned into its own endurance event, and we felt every mile of it. We break down what we saw during the Princess Half Marathon Weekend queue, why more runners are walking away disappointed, and what might be behind the slower movement now that old workarounds are gone. We also talk through the bigger forces at play like field size limits, staging constraints, rising demand, and the way social media can amplify FOMO and frustration.

Then we pivot back to what actually moves the needle: training with humility and consistency. We share practical summer running reminders on hydration and slowing down in heat, plus a smart pacing tool for sticky weather: the Galloway magic half mile. If you’ve ever panicked after getting new training paces, this conversation is for you, especially if you’re trying to build longer run intervals without blowing up.

Runner’s World Senior Health and Fitness Editor Donna Raskin joins us to talk longevity, evidence-based fitness advice, and why runDisney stands apart from typical racing culture. She connects movement to independence, community to health, and reminds us that “old” and “overuse” aren’t diagnoses. We wrap with a race report spotlight that hits straight in the heart: Amy returns to racing on the Yellow Brick Road after chemotherapy and celebrates being cancer free.

Subscribe for more runDisney news, training talk, and community stories, then share this with a friend and leave a review so more runners can find us.

Rise and Run Links
Rise and Run Podcast Facebook Page
Rise and Run Podcast Instagram
Rise and Run Podcast Website and Shop
Rise and Run Patreon
Runningwithalysha Alysha’s Run Coaching (Mention Rise And Run and get $10 off)
Johns Fundraising Link For The Special Forces Foundation 
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Rise and Run Podcast is supported by our audience. When you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Sponsor Links
Magic Bound Travel   
Stoked Metabolic Coaching

Affiliate Links
The Start Line Co.
Fluffy Fizzies
Mona Moon Naturals
Rise and Run Amazon Affiliate Web Page
Kawaiian Pizza Apparel
GoGuarded