What if collecting your stars didn’t require juggling hotel hunts, expo lines, and start-time puzzles? We sit down with Destiny2Sport founder Victor Ortiz to unpack a smarter way to run the world; from Berlin’s fast streets and Chicago’s walkable logistics to New York’s electric maze, Tokyo’s quiet precision, Boston’s legendary grind, London’s all-out roar, and Sydney’s shiny new major status.

As a former soccer player turned triathlete and marathon tour operator, Victor shares the practical moves that save energy when it matters most: stay near the start in Tokyo, arrive by Thursday in Berlin to beat jet lag, fuel for NYC’s long pre-race wait, budget for Boston’s premium finish-zone hotels, and time the London expo so you can enjoy the Tower Bridge crescendo without missing aid stations.

We get tactical about course profiles, pacing traps, and on-the-ground choices that make or break the weekend. You’ll hear how room blocks close to finish lines change everything, why a Friday shakeout is more than a photo op, and how flexible group itineraries let introverts and social butterflies thrive. Sydney’s expo lessons, smarter merch runs, and those finish-line photos by the Opera House? Covered. Plus, a peek ahead at Cape Town and Shanghai as likely new majors, and what that means for entries, pricing, and planning your next racecation.

If you want your training to show up on race day, cut the logistics noise and protect your focus. Tap into Victor’s blueprint, choose hotels that serve your legs, and surround yourself with a community that knows the route from lobby to start corral to the medal. Want to learn more about a tour package with Destiny2Sport? Head to their website here.

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Ready to start 2026 on your terms—with movement, magic, and a community that actually feels like you belong? We’re hosting a curated Central Florida retreat built around three themes: epic adventure, extraordinary movement, and pure celebration with fellow Extraordinary Strides podcast listeners!

Think flexible dates, thoughtful resort choices on the Skyliner, and a weekend you can shape to your energy: group yoga, a medal-earning 5K, Epic Universe thrills or relaxed resort time, and a flat, friendly race in the town of Celebration.

We brought in Ashley from Mystical Dream Travel to make planning easy and personal. She walks through value, moderate, and deluxe resort options (Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, Riviera), organizes group transportation for our outings, and helps you customize park days without the guesswork. Deposits are straightforward, travel protection is available, and dietary or accessibility needs can be noted in advance. You can reach Ashley at ashleyl@mysticaldreamtravel.com for more information on how to secure your spot for this magical celebration.

Whether you’re a runner, walker, or elite cheer squad captain, we’ll help you craft an itinerary that fits your budget, schedule, and vibe.

The crowning event of the weekend is Sunday’s Celebration Half/Full Marathon—a flat, PR-ready race that’s welcoming for first-timers and back-of-the-pack legends alike. We share why this course is ideal if you’re chasing a personal best or working on a new Proof of Time for better runDisney corral placement, plus a discount code (EXTRA2026) that saves $15 before tier pricing rises.

After the finish, we reset at Epcot to toast milestones, maybe a champagne in France, maybe that famous moonshine sour in America, before Monday’s mellow goodbyes.

If you want a training plan that can deliver an extraordinary & celebratory experience, our 16-week half-marathon program starts October 6, with community support through the Extraordinary League. Fill out your training interest form here or reach out at christine@extraordinarystrides.com

If your New Year’s momentum needs warmth, guidance, and good company, this is your weekend.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you.

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Sydney Marathon beckoned as the newest World Marathon Major, and I couldn't resist answering the call after earning my six-star medal in Tokyo. This Australian adventure would become my seventh major—a milestone I never expected to reach when I started this journey.

The electric atmosphere at the expo set the tone for the weekend, with volunteers and organizers proudly showcasing Sydney as the latest "world wonder" in the marathon circuit. Abbott created special photo opportunities for seven-star finishers, and I was thrilled to see strong female representation among participants. While the expo ran smoothly on day two, some logistical challenges emerged on race morning—most notably a 75-minute porto potty wait that left me rushing to my corral!

Let me be crystal clear: Sydney offers the most challenging course among the majors, with significant hills in the later portions. The spectacular route winds through beautiful landscapes with perfect weather, culminating in that iconic finish at the Sydney Opera House. What Sydney currently lacks in crowd support compared to Chicago or New York, it compensates for with stunning scenery and strategic entertainment stations. Fellow runners considering this race should incorporate hill training at the end of long runs to prepare for those climbs on fatigued legs.

Managing the 14+ hour time difference presented its own challenge. I fully committed to time-shifting protocols—even giving up caffeine despite Australia's amazing coffee culture! While not a perfect solution, these strategies helped me avoid illness despite extensive travel. The experience reinforced valuable lessons: you get the race you train for, preparation matters, and finish lines aren't endings but transitions to what comes next in our running journeys.

Ready for your own extraordinary challenge? Join our October "Ghoul-Friend Gauntlet" in the Extraordinary League for accountability, connection, and a bit of spooky season fun. Drop into the Stride Collective to share what you're training for next, and keep making those extraordinary strides!

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The Ghoul-Friend Gauntlet: The Coven Clash Challenge is a 31-day movement challenge designed for runners and walkers who start strong but struggle to maintain their momentum. This October challenge pairs you with one teammate in either Team Luna or Team Shadow to create accountability that prevents you from ghosting yourself.

• Walk or run at your own pace every day for 31 days
• Get sorted into a coven (Team Luna or Team Shadow) with one accountability partner
• Receive guided audio workouts, weekly playlists, and fun pop-up challenges
• Limited spots available - already over 50% full
• Challenge focuses on consistency rather than speed or fitness level
• Designed to be small and intimate for maximum accountability

Join for $57 with code PodCoven before midnight on September 28th.

Not sure which "coven" vibe you bring to the challenge? Take the "Which Witch Are You" quiz to discover your coven.

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Jet lag isn't just feeling tired—it's a temporary circadian misalignment affecting hormones, temperature, digestion, and athletic performance that runners feel particularly strongly.

• Endurance performance depends on precise timing of biological functions that get disrupted during travel
• Core body temperature minimum sits 2-3 hours before wake time and is key to understanding light exposure timing
• Morning light moves your clock earlier, evening light moves it later
• Delay path (treating destination as behind rather than ahead) is usually faster and kinder for adjustment
• Time-shifting apps like TimeShifter and FlyKitt provide personalized schedules for light, darkness, and supplements
• Caffeine timing can help shift your clock but should be used strategically
• Keep naps short (20-30 minutes) to avoid disrupting nighttime sleep
• Place easy aerobic workouts during times you need to stay alert
• Save harder workouts for when your body temperature is higher, not near your temp minimum
• Older adults can still shift their clocks but it takes longer
• PR races are generally more successful when sleeping in your own bed without travel disruption

If you're traveling for races this season, stack your controllables by managing light exposure, darkness, and caffeine timing. Remember your body will adapt—you've done harder things and can still have a fantastic race experience!

Resources:
NASA Technical Reports Server
Semantic Scholar PDFs
PMC
Oxford Academic
PMC
JCI Insight
Journal of Circadian Rhythms
PMC
Cochrane
PMC
PubMed
PMC
thenbsca.com
Timeshifter®+1
Fount

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We take you on a satirical journey through Taper Town, a psychological landscape every runner visits during the final weeks before race day. Through humor and relatable anecdotes, we map the strange mental territory where reduced mileage creates increased anxiety.

• Exploring the "Weather Bureau" where runners obsessively check forecasts and compare contradicting weather apps
• Visiting the "Taper Diet Diner" where hunger is constant and every nutritional choice feels monumental
• Navigating "Phantom Injury Lane" where mysterious aches appear out of nowhere
• Surviving "Retail Row" with its panic-driven purchases of unnecessary gear
• Managing the "Domestic Affairs Department" where mood swings and cleaning frenzies reign
• Enduring the "Bureau of Unsolicited Advice" from non-runners
• Overthinking in the "Packing District" where lists multiply endlessly
• Confronting fears in the "Hall of Doubt" where training is second-guessed
• Finding solidarity in "Town Square" among fellow tapering runners

Grab your free Taper Town bingo card to track your taper madness!

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Coach Christine shares how she tackled Sydney Marathon training during a chaotic summer filled with caregiving responsibilities, relocation, and constant travel, discovering that romance novels became her unexpected training partner and source of resilience.

• Trading structured training schedules for flexibility and adaptability
• Finding companionship in audiobooks during solo runs in unfamiliar places
• How to pair different types of runs with the right audiobook experiences
• Reviews of Abby Jimenez's books including The Friend Zone, Happy Ever After Playlist, Life's Too Short, Part of Your World, and Say You'll Remember Me
• Learning that training success doesn't require perfect circumstances
• Using library apps, Spotify Premium, Chirp, and other platforms to access audiobooks
• Finding community and support when training feels overwhelming

Would you be interested in a book club that combines running and reading? Imagine listening to the same audiobook during training and connecting with fellow runners afterward to discuss. If that sounds like your vibe, let me know - drop me a message or join the Stride Collective and say you'd love to participate!

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We saddle up for a journey through Disney's Frontierland, exploring its rich history, hidden details, and Western-inspired magic that can transform your next run into a frontier adventure for runDisney's Big Thunder Mountain Virtual Summer Series.

• Frontierland was one of Walt's original lands when Disneyland opened in 1955, designed to transport guests back to the 1800s
• The wooden fort walls at the land's entrance were made from real ponderosa pine trees
• Mark Twain's riverboat was technically the first working Disneyland attraction, hosting Walt and Lillian's 30th anniversary four days before opening
• Tom Sawyer Island was the only Disneyland attraction designed entirely by Walt himself
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened in 1979, replacing the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland
• Look for hidden details like upside-down horseshoes in the dynamite scene representing bad luck in the "cursed" mine
• Disney's Western films include classics like Davy Crockett, Old Yeller, and The Apple Dumpling Gang
• Frontierland dining options include Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn, Golden Horseshoe Saloon, and Thunder Mesa's Cowboy Cookout
• Western-themed running costume ideas include cowboy/cowgirl runner, sheriff runner, rodeo rider, and gold prospector
• Our special Wild West Strides Spotify playlist is available here to keep your feet moving during your run

Check out our podcast Facebook group for themed challenges, costume ideas, and to connect with other Extraordinary Striders.

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