I crossed the finish line at Disneyland Half Marathon on Sunday morning.

13.1 miles through the parks and the streets of Anaheim. Characters on the course. Running through the castle as the sun came up.

Here's the honest version of how it went:

It was a head game. I fell off training through the holidays and didn't feel good coming into this one. I aimed for 3 hours and landed just over - which was still faster than Wine & Dine back in October. I offered a lot of prayers for a lot of people over those 3 hours.

I'm proud of finishing. And I'm already looking ahead: a 12:30/mile pace at Springtime Surprise in April would earn me a better starting corral for Wine & Dine in October. October's goal is a sub-2:30 half.

One highlight from the weekend: I got to volunteer with Kellsie's Hope as part of the Kellsie's Krew, cheering on runners during races I wasn't running. That meant more to me than I expected.

 

But the race also clarified something I've been wrestling with.

I went to Disneyland thinking I'd come back fired up to create content. Document everything. Build runDis Dad into a bigger platform.

Instead, I realized something: I want to run these races, not cover them.

When I was at the parks, I didn't want to be filming and producing. I wanted to be present. Enjoying it. Huge thank you to Suzanne and the boys for letting me do this and supporting me in it - I couldn't wait to get home to them.

So here's what runDis Dad is going to be:

A resource for dads (and anyone) who want to get into runDisney.

Not a race weekend content machine. Not a pressure-filled production schedule. Just practical help from a regular dad who figured this out - and wants to help you do the same.

 

What's Next: Springtime Surprise

In 75 days, I'm running the challenge weekend at Disney World with my son Andrew. Three races. Three days. 19.3 miles total:

  • Friday: 5K (3.1 miles)

  • Saturday: 10K (6.2 miles)

  • Sunday: 10-Miler (10 miles)

This is the race that started it all for us - where Andrew and I ran our first challenge together last year. And Thomas is planning to join me again for Wine & Dine in October.

Today I'm releasing two free resources to help you train:

1. The 75-Day Training Plan (PDF)

A complete week-by-week plan from wherever you are now to race-ready for a challenge weekend.

Right now, we’re about 75 days until Springtime Surprise. You can start this TODAY.

  • Run-walk method guidance (the official runDisney approach)

  • A challenge simulation weekend built into Week 6

  • Recovery weeks so you don't overtrain

  • Race day strategies for all three distances

2. The 75-Day Challenge Trainer (Interactive App)

Track your progress through the full 75 days. Mark workouts complete, add notes about how they went, earn badges at key milestones, and watch your progress build toward race weekend.

Both are free and as-is - no signup required. Links below.

 

What You Can Expect From Me

Here's what's coming over the next few months:

Mid-February: What to Expect at Your First runDisney Expo

  • The bib pickup process, what's worth buying, how long it actually takes

Late February / Early March: How to Actually Enjoy the Parks on Race Weekend

  • Why you won't want to rope drop after a 3am wake-up

  • Low-energy attractions that still feel like Disney

  • Why where you stay matters (bus logistics matter more than you think)

  • And my favorite insight: if you can walk all day at Disney, you can absolutely tackle a 5K with your kid

March: I Just Ran 3 Days in a Row - What I Learned

  • I'll document my own challenge simulation weekend and share what actually helps with cumulative fatigue

April: Springtime Surprise with Andrew

  • A light recap of racing with my son - the experience, not a production

 

That's it. Practical content when I have something useful to share. Honest perspective from a dad still figuring this out.

What you won't get is a content creator trying to cover every race weekend. That's not where my energy is - and I'd rather give you something real than something forced.

 

Get the Training Plan & App

If you're training for Springtime Surprise - or any spring race - the 75-day plan starts this week.

Download the 75-Day Training Plan (PDF)

Try the 75-Day Challenge Trainer (Companion App)

Let's figure this out together.

- Michael

P.S. Next up for me: Springtime Surprise with Andrew in April, then Wine & Dine with Thomas in October. If you're running any of those, I'd love to hear about it.