Running to the Castle

RTTC #186 Dopey Race Part 5 Warm Up and Stretching

Season 3 Episode 3

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0:00 | 27:53

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In this episode of Running to the Castle, Dr. Ali breaks down exactly how to warm up and stretch during the Dopey Challenge so you can protect your body across 4 straight race days and still feel strong by marathon morning. 

She explains the difference between dynamic movement, mobility work, and static stretching…and why doing the wrong type at the wrong time can actually make you feel worse.

Dr. Ali walks through how warming up properly helps your body redirect blood flow to working muscles, loosen stiff joints, and prevent early cramping, especially for slow, back-of-the-pack, or injury-prone runners. 

She also gives clear, practical guidance on when to stretch, how long to hold stretches, which muscle groups matter most after each race, and how to layer in tools like compression, foam rolling, and elevation so soreness doesn’t snowball by day 4.


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    Hi, I'm Dr. Ali
    I've been running for 15+ years and been in the rehab space since 2012 when I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. I get injury prone runDisney runners across the finish line without feeling broken.