Ep 113: The Magic of Race Weekend - Takeaways from runDisney's Wine & Dine Challenge 2026, with Dr. Michelle Quirk of Mindful Marathon

There's something special about a runDisney race weekend, especially when you get to share it with family, friends, your team of athletes, and the running community. In this episode, I'm recapping the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World! I ran the 10k with my husband, Tony, and my niece, Grace, and then joined Grace for the half marathon. Together, Grace and I completed the Two Course Challenge, covering 19.3 miles over two days. I also had the chance to meet up with several Mindful Marathon athletes and friends, celebrate their accomplishments, and host my first Mindful Marathon meetup. Beyond the race memories, I'm sharing some lessons and practical advice for anyone planning a runDisney trip. In this episode, I cover four takeaways: runDisney races are great to run with family. I share some of my favorites memories of running with my husband and niece, enjoying the miles together, taking character photos, and making memories with the people you love. runDisney races are great to run with friends. I share some of the special moments connecting with my athletes in person, including takeaways from their training cycles and how everything came together to create an awesome race weekend. Balance your race with your Disney vacation. Think intentionally about time on your feet, sleep, recovery between races, and realistic expectations for how much you can fit into a weekend. Sometimes a nap or an afternoon by the pool is exactly what your body needs. Preparation creates freedom. When you've trained consistently, practiced your fueling, and thought through race-day logistics, you can spend less time worrying about the details and more time enjoying the experience. Whether you're planning your first runDisney race or returning for another challenge weekend, I hope these stories and tips help you make the most of your next race adventure. Ready for your next runDisney race? Visit mindful-marathon.com/rundisney for more Mindful Marathon Podcast episodes about runDisney, training and race preparation, and information about working with me on a personalized training plan for your next runDisney race. Follow along with Coach Michelle's adventures on Instagram: @mindful.marathon *** The information contained in this podcast is intended to serve as educational information and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should consult your primary care physician before undertaking any fitness regimen or exercise, which can pose serious health risks if undertaken or performed improperly. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in the videos is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/advanced practice provider. ***