Ep 87: Friendship, Character Stops, & My Favorite 10-Miler Yet - runDisney Springtime Surprise 2026 Recap, with Coach Michelle Quirk of Mindful Marathon

On this week’s episode of the Mindful Marathon Podcast, I’m recapping my weekend at runDisney’s Springtime Surprise Weekend 2026.

In this episode, I share my best takeaways from the weekend including why an adults-only run-cation with running friends can feel so restorative, why we chose to skip the parks entirely this trip, how I approached race strategy differently for the 10k vs the 10-Miler, the mindset shift that finally allowed me to stop for character photos during a Disney race for the first time ever in ten years of running Disney, and why letting go of pace and productivity actually made the experience more meaningful and fun.

Plus, we look ahead to runDisney's Wine & Dine Weekend this October. We discuss the upcoming Proof of Time deadline, why proof of time matters for corrals and race strategy, and upcoming Wine & Dine specific, Mindful Marathon training plans that are coming soon.

Links to older episodes mentioned in this episode: 

Episode 41: Running After Organ Donation - A Story of Courage & Comeback with Aly Giampapa

Episode 78: Planning Ahead for runDisney's Wine & Dine Race Weekend - A Quick Proof of Time Guide

Whether you’re training for your next race, planning a runDisney weekend, or trying to untangle productivity from your running experience, I hope this episode reminds you that a PR in fun is so important!

Follow Coach Michelle on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/Mindful.Marathon

If you have questions about your own training, reach out on Coach Michelle's website, and let's explore working together for personalized support. https://mindful-marathon.com

*** 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. ***