304. Disney Marathon Training: The Strength Work Most Runners Skip

About

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!

Disney Marathon Weekend isn't just a marathon… it's one of the most unique endurance events you'll ever train for.

Between miles on unforgiving concrete, long days walking through the parks, early morning wake-ups, and for many runners, back-to-back races like Goofy and Dopey, your body needs more than just a running plan.

It needs a strength plan.

In this episode, Dr. Duane Scotti, running physical therapist, running coach, and two-time Dopey finisher, shares the exact 20-week strength training roadmap he uses to help runners prepare for Disney Marathon Weekend without breaking down.

You'll learn:

-Why strength training is the missing piece for most Disney runners

-The 4 phases of a 20-week strength training plan

-The best exercises to build stronger hips, glutes, calves, and core

-How to progress your strength work as marathon mileage increases

-When to reduce strength training during your taper

-The three biggest strength training mistakes Disney runners make

-How to stay healthy, recover faster, and enjoy the parks after your race

Whether you're training for the Walt Disney World Marathon, Half Marathon, Goofy Challenge, or Dopey Challenge, this episode will help you build the strength and resilience you need to cross the finish line feeling strong… not just survive it.

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 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

Listen to my previous episode on my 2024 Disney Marathon Weekend Recap Conquering the Dopey Challenge

Listen to my previous episode on what to do after you sign up for the Dopey challenge

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 with Dr. Duane as your running physical therapist and coach with structured rehab, 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

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