Eighteen months ago, I couldn't run a quarter mile without stopping. I was embarrassed to even run in my own neighborhood.

Then my 13-year-old son, Andrew, asked me to start running with him.

That conversation in our living room changed everything.

This is the first video on the runDis Dad channel, and it's the story I wanted to start with - because if you're reading this, you might be where I was: curious about running, maybe intimidated by it, wondering if you can actually do this.

Here's what I learned: you absolutely can.

In this video, I share:

  • The living room moment when Andrew asked me to run with him (and why I said yes even though I knew I couldn't)

  • Those brutal first few runs where I could barely make it a quarter mile

  • Training for our first runDisney challenge weekend - three races in three days

  • The Sunday morning I dreaded most and the finish line that changed everything

  • What running has given me beyond just fitness

This channel exists to help people on the same journey - whether you're thinking about your first 5K, your first runDisney race, or your first challenge weekend.

What's next:

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be posting more videos including:

  • The complete 2026-2027 runDisney race calendar (plus registration strategies)

  • What I'm packing for the Disneyland Half Marathon

  • Real-time updates from race weekend

If you haven't already, grab my free beginner's guide: "Your First 5K: A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started" where I compare Run-Walk-Run vs. Couch to 5K methods and help you choose the right approach, get it by signing up for updates on this site.

Thanks for being here. Let's figure this out together.

- runDis Dad

P.S. What's your biggest question about getting started with running or runDisney? Hit reply and let me know - I read every response.