Rise and Run

Confetti at the finish is only part of the story. We sit down with Walt Disney World Marathon champion Matt Hensley to trace the path from family running roots and college grind to a smart, tactical win built on adaptation, fueling, and a decisive late-race move. Matt walks us through race-week realities—working the expo, long park days, heavy legs—and explains how dew point data and small early adjustments can save a marathon when heat sneaks in. He opens his playbook on fueling (60–90g carbs per hour), mid-race decision-making, and the difference between racing for time and racing for place, including the surge that sealed the pass near mile 20.

The conversation widens to purpose, mindset, and coaching. As the founder of Boulder Underground, Matt shares how he coaches beginners to elites by aligning big goals with daily habits, calling on a trusted network of PTs, dietitians, and mental performance experts. We dig into his three-part framework for 26.2—body, mind, and spirit—so listeners leave with practical steps: test nutrition in training, find early flow instead of forcing splits, and anchor to a meaningful why when the tough miles arrive. Along the way, you’ll hear a hilarious nearly-Guinness-record family saga, Disney course highlights, and the energizing role of characters, music, and community on race day.

We also spotlight our Disneyland meetup details, roll call an enormous list of racers, and celebrate listener PRs from 5K to marathon. Whether you’re chasing a Boston qualifier, your first half, or a steadier long run, you’ll find tools and motivation to sharpen your next start line. If this conversation helps your training, share it with a friend, follow our show, and leave a quick review—what’s the one strategy you’ll try on your next long run?
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Boulder Underground  Running 
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Start with a grin, stay for the goosebumps. We sit down with marathon winner and runDisney favorite Brittany Charbonneau for a candid, no-filter look at a race that felt hard from the gun, a costume with a story, and the moment she stepped off the fence to encourage the final finisher home. From sleepless nights with a teething baby to Florida humidity after Denver air, Brittany opens up about panic in the early miles, how she reset her mindset, and why a mid-race character stop with Joy was the medicine she needed to run happy again.

We also unpack the new Wine and Dine themes and what expanded 5K start windows could mean for buses, corrals, character lines, and that beloved pre-race hangout vibe. Expect thoughtful speculation, not hot takes—our focus stays on access, flow, and how to make race day feel welcoming for more runners. Then we get practical about blisters: toe socks vs. tape, lube strategies, nail care, and the honest truth that even perfect prep can still lead to hot spots across four days of running.

Brittany brings coach-level wisdom you can use this week. Practice in-run pivots to break negative loops. Accept that progress looks like a mountain range, not a ladder. Take real time off after big goals so motivation can return on its own. And most of all, remember that every story matters—front, middle, or back of the pack. Her finish-line moment with the last runner says everything about the culture we want: inclusive, kind, and loud with encouragement.

We round things out with Disneyland Half Marathon meetup details, Loopy Looper relay plans, and a race report full of coastal sun, frosty miles, and nostalgic roads. Hit play for logistics you can trust, coaching tips you can apply, and community energy that lasts beyond your cooldown. If this conversation moved you, follow, share with a running friend, and leave a quick review—your support helps more runners find their people.

Brittany’s Links
Funnyrunner26.2 Instagram
The Funny Runner Website
Brittany’s Coaching
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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
Rise and Run Podcast Cruise Interest Form with Magic Bound Travel

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The kind of weekend that turns runners into storytellers started with lines out the door and ended with smiles wider than Main Street. We dig into the real Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: the Dopey merch experiment that strained patience, a 5K power outage that couldn’t dim the vibe, and shoes, shirts, and sizing choices that had everyone talking. Then we lace up for the races—Epcot-forward 10K joy, half marathon strategy you can actually use, and marathon Sunday’s heat that forced smart decisions and small, lifesaving hacks.

You’ll hear what it’s like to push an adaptive athlete down Main Street USA and orchestrate safe space for fist bumps, and how a community rallied to bring Myra back to the start line—twice. We trade the best on-course tactics for hot weather: drink one cup, pour one cup, stash a wet sponge, eat the banana, and when needed, reset your brain with a ride on Expedition Everest or a vending-machine Coke. We unpack the Blizzard Beach cut, how it reshaped pacing, and why embracing joy can be the difference between finishing and fading. And yes, we celebrate Brittany Charbonneau—dominant on the course, generous at the finish.

Beyond the miles, the Disney Springs meetup proves why this community keeps growing: hundreds of friends, homemade cookies, raffle surprises, and quiet moments of encouragement before the last big push. Medal Monday reflections bring practical park tips and a few cautionary notes about embroidery lines. Whether you ran 3.1 or 48.6, you’ll find yourself in these stories—costumes, castle photos, new marriages, and first-time Dopey's crossing the line with tears and laughter.

Press play for a full recap, hard-earned lessons, and the kind of heart that makes runDisney weekends unforgettable. If this episode lifted you, share it with a friend, subscribe, and leave a review to help more runners find our crew.

Rise and Run Links
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Runningwithalysha Alysha’s Run Coaching (Mention Rise And Run and get $10 off) 
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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
Rise and Run Podcast Cruise Interest Form with Magic Bound Travel

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

Start lines can carry more than nerves—they can carry whole lives. We kick off Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend with equal parts heart and how-to, celebrating Jack's wedding, sharing practical travel and cheering plans, and diving into two stories that remind us why miles matter.

Wendy opens her journey with honesty about grief’s physical weight after losing her husband; a man who once signed up for a 5K just to support her Dopey dream. She talks about the moment a Thursday Zoom call pulled her back to community, how coaching helped her rebuild a routine from dog walks to long runs, and why she’ll run in hot pinks and hearts to keep love visible on the course. Her insight is clear and kind: grief doesn’t follow rules, so neither should your healing.

We then turn the volume up on community with our annual Rise and Run roll call—Dopey, Goofy, marathon, half, 10K, and 5K—giving first timers and veterans their well-earned spotlight. 

Jon’s story brings purpose into sharp focus. A single dad chasing his first marathon to model dedication for his kids, he speaks candidly about battling old habits, choosing to prioritize time rather than “find” it, and refusing to let imperfect weeks derail the goal. His mantra is simple: hard work works. He’s aiming to finish strong, not chase a hero split, and to show his kids that promises kept to yourself change who you become.

Whether you run to heal, to grow, or to prove you can, there’s room for your reason here. Tap play, feel seen, get the logistics you need, and take your next step toward the start line with us. If this episode lifts you, share it with a friend, hit follow, and leave a review so more runners can find their story in our community.

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) 
Send us a text
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
Rise and Run Podcast Cruise Interest Form with Magic Bound Travel

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

A fractured kneecap, a missed flight to Honolulu, and a coaching mindset stronger than ever—Jeff Galloway joins us with candid lessons on healing, pacing, and performing when it counts. We kick off the new year one week from Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, and Jeff brings the practical wisdom runners need: how to decide when it’s safe to return from injury, why walking long sessions preserves endurance, and how run-walk-run keeps you moving without adding stress.

We get specific about race-week decisions that make or break your day—starting slower than you think you should, choosing a conservative pace group for built-in support, and fueling in simple, steady doses to avoid GI surprises. Jeff shares a clear rule of thumb: two to four ounces of water and 30 to 40 calories of sugar every two miles, with a smart pre-start snack inside 30 minutes to prevent an energy dip. We also talk character stops, run-by selfies, and the moment to pull back if swelling, pain, or loss of function shows up midrace.

Beyond the logistics, we celebrate what makes Run Disney different: kindness, camaraderie, and the friendships forged at 3 a.m. in a parking lot and on quiet miles after Hollywood Studios. Jeff reframes success to include six-minute miles and sixteen-minute miles, reminding us that progress is personal and community-powered. He previews 2026 plans—from Greece with Dean Karnazes to a Munich race weekend—and shares how mantras and community help quiet the monkey brain during recovery.

If you’re tapering, coming back from a setback, or toeing your first Marathon Weekend start line, this conversation is your calm, clear plan. Listen, share with a friend training for Disney, and tell us: what pace group are you choosing and why? Subscribe, leave a review, and join the Rise and Run family as we cheer you to the finish.

Jeff’s Links
Jeff Galloway
Jeff’s  Training App
Jeffs Training Hub
Galloway Training Groups
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Rise and Run Podcast Instagram
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Rise and Run Patr
Send us a text
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
Rise and Run Podcast Cruise Interest Form with Magic Bound Travel

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