Rise and Run

runDisney can look effortless on Instagram: a castle photo, a medal shot, a costume selfie, and done. Then reality hits at 1:30am when the alarm goes off again, you’re juggling corrals and buses, and there are still miles of dark highway between the highlight reel moments. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome back Lisa Dinoto Glassner after four years to talk about her new book, The Run Disney Companion: Your Race Day Guide From Fantasy To Finish Line And Beyond.

We get into what the guide is really built for: helping first-time runners pick a race, register, train, pack, fuel, sleep, and actually enjoy the weekend without feeling overwhelmed. Lisa shares the misconception she wants to correct most often: these are real races, even when there are characters and tutus. Her most underrated tip is also the simplest: protect your sleep, because you cannot out gel bad sleep. We also talk why the history of runDisney matters, how veterans can still find meaning in the “lessons learned” side of the book, and what moments are almost impossible to explain until you experience them, especially cheering the final finisher.

Along the way, we keep it classic Rise and Run: training updates (including Greg’s Wawa-themed 50K plan), a fun “What Would Alysha Do” segment with the Merlin Bird ID app, and a race report spotlight from the Jack and Jill downhill half marathon with its famous tunnel and gravel pacing curveballs. If you’re chasing a proof of time, planning Wine and Dine, Princess, Marathon Weekend, or dreaming about Dopey, this conversation gives you a clearer plan and a better mindset.

Listen now, then subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, share the episode with a runDisney friend, and leave a review to help more runners find our running family.

Lisa’s Links
The Castle Run
The Castle Runner on Instagram
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)
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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.

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 start as a massive, must-register-in-minutes phenomenon. It grew into that, and Jon Hughes was in the middle of the turning points. We finish our conversation with the Track Shack leader who helped bring the Walt Disney World Marathon to life, then watched it evolve into a global runDisney culture where first-timers, costumers, walkers, and marathoners all belong on the same course.

Jon shares when the races first felt “bigger than expected,” why the paper signup era created real confusion about sellouts, and how new weekends and concepts like Wine and Dine’s early night-race vibe reshaped logistics. We also get the origin story of the Goofy and Dopey challenges, including the moment the Dopey name clicked and why well-trained multi-race runners can actually fare better than people who show up underprepared for a single event. Along the way we talk characters, entertainment placement, and the simple reason so many people start running at Disney: they feel safe and welcomed.

Back with the hosts, we bring it to the present with summer training honesty: slowing down in heat and humidity, staying consistent through wind and bad air quality, and holding onto the mindset that your current pace might be someone else’s dream. Plus, Julia joins us for the race report spotlight to celebrate her 50th half marathon at Presque Isle and a strong finish as she lines up an ambitious season ahead.

If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a running friend, and leave us a review so more runners can find the Rise and Run community.
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 feels like it’s always been there, but it hasn’t. The real story includes years of pitching, countless meetings, tough operational compromises, and a whole lot of faith that runners would actually show up. We’re joined by Jon Hughes from Track Shack, the first race director of the Walt Disney World Marathon and one of the key voices who helped convince Disney a marathon belonged on property.

Jon takes us back to the early days of Track Shack, when running specialty stores were rare and races were often built from scratch just to grow the sport. We dig into what makes a great race director, why course design and logistics matter more than most people realize, and how Disney’s marketing excitement didn’t always match the realities of operations. You’ll hear how the marathon finally got the green light, why the early course didn’t fully match the dream, and what it felt like to face a start line that ballooned to 8,400 runners before the first race ever happened.

We also keep things practical and personal: training updates in peak summer heat, hydration lessons, the mental tricks that get us out the door, plus community news like our charity fundraising plans and the first-ever Rise and Run virtual trivia night. Then we roll into race reports from across the Rise and Run family, from local 5Ks and an 8K series with a baked potato finish to truly wild endurance feats.

If you love runDisney history, marathon origin stories, or smart training talk that’s honest about real life, hit play. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend training for their next race, and leave a quick review to help more runners find the Rise and Run family.
Track Shack Website
Track Shack Instagram
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 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

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?

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

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