306. How to Train for Disney Marathon Weekend: 5 Mistakes Runners Make with Coach Whitney LaCombe

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Dr. Duane Scotti shares running tips, tools and more to help you get stronger, run faster, and enjoy lifelong injury free running! If you're a dedicated runner, often injured runner, or beginner runner who is interested in staying healthy so you can get in those mental clearing miles subscribe for helpful training episodes to optimize the 6 steps to growing as a runner (mindset, strength training, run plan, nutrition, recovery, and race day strategy) so you can grow in your running journey. Dr. Duane Scotti, DPT, PhD, OCS is a running physical therapist, run coach, host of the Healthy Runner podcast, and founder of Spark Healthy Runner and has been a leader in the rehab and running community for 20+ years. He is truly living his passion educating the running community that they don't need to stop running to get over a running injury. After 19 years teaching in higher education, Duane decided to step away as a Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy to pursue his passion educating the running community. Through his signature 1:1 coaching program, Healthy Runner Academy membership, weekly videos, and podcast episodes, he empowers runners to get stronger, run faster, and enjoy lifelong injury free running. Through strength and run specific training you can build your body to have a strong mind, strong body, and just keep running! New podcast episodes uploaded every other week. Thanks for listening, welcome to Healthy Runner!

Are you training for Disney Marathon Weekend like you would for any other marathon?

That could be one of the biggest mistakes you make.

Disney Marathon Weekend isn't just about covering 26.2 miles. Between the early wake-ups, standing in corrals, walking through the parks, Florida weather, and for Goofy and Dopey runners… racing on back-to-back days, your body has to handle much more than the mileage on your training plan!

In this episode of the Healthy Runner Podcast, I'm joined by Coach Whitney LaCombe from the Spark Healthy Runner team to break down 5 of the biggest Disney Marathon Weekend training mistakes and show you how to prepare for the entire experience, not just the marathon.

We cover:

🔋 Why Disney is really an energy-management event and how to protect your "Disney Battery"

🏃🏻 Why time on your feet may matter more than chasing a specific long-run mileage

🔁 How to use back-to-back long runs to prepare for Goofy and Dopey

🚦 How to tell the difference between normal cumulative fatigue and an injury warning sign

⏰ Why you should practice early wake-ups, fueling, costumes, crowds, and your race-day routine

💪🏻 Why strength training is essential for building the durability you need for Disney

😴 How to recover between races so you can keep your body feeling strong

🏰 How to finish healthy enough to actually enjoy the parks and celebrate afterward

We also share the story of Jess, who came to us with knee pain during Dopey training. After working on a personalized running and strength plan, she went on to complete all four races of the Dopey Challenge (including her first marathon) and felt great during her recovery.

Whether you're training for the Disney Marathon, Goofy Challenge, or all 48.6 miles of the Dopey Challenge, this episode will help you train smarter so you can enjoy every magical mile.

Because Disney isn't about surviving race weekend.

Train for the experience, not just the marathon. 🏰✨

Grab your FREE RunDisney Marathon Training Guide Here!

If you're ready for structured strength plans, recovery routines, nutrition, and coaching support so you're not guessing week to week during your rundisney training, join the Healthy Runner Academy!

Episodes and Resources mentioned in this episode:

Listen to my previous episode on the 20-week strength plan to finish Disney Strong

Listen to my previous episode on 6 Steps to Mastering runDisney Training

Listen to my previous episode on How to Prepare for RunDisney Marathon Weekend: 7 Race Week Essentials for Dopey Challenge Runners

Listen to my previous episode on How I Conquered the 2026 Dopey Challenge Feeling Strong, Durable, and Healthy

Watch how Sonya overcame her fears to finish her first marathon in Disney by getting stronger not only physically but mentally here!

Watch how Dipti went from chronic shin splints for over a year to running the Disney Dopey Challenge in 6 months here!

Watch how Stephanie went from IT band pain with every long run to conquering the 48.6 mile Dopey Challenge here!

Want to work individually with our team using a structured strength, nutrition, and a run plan with full support and accountability to crush your Disney Marathon Weekend experience? Book a call and learn more about Healthy Runner coaching here

A big thanks to Kila for your support for this episode!

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As a running physical therapist and coach, I appreciate that Kila provides a more dynamic alternative to traditional rigid orthotics while allowing your feet to move more naturally.

Visit kilarun.com and use code HEALTHYRUNNER to get $50 off your first order!

Connect with coach Whitney:

- Instagram: @runwhitspark

- Email: whitney@sparkhealthyrunner.com

- Healthy Runner Facebook Community

Connect with Dr. Duane:

- Instagram - @sparkhealthyrunner

- Sign up for the Healthy Runner Newsletter

- Join our Healthy Runner Facebook Community

- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

- duane@sparkhealthyrunner.com

- www.sparkhealthyrunner.com

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