Ep 212 Doug Gordon On The Peoplemover Future: Life after Cars, Disney Style
The countdown to Wine & Dine is on, and the energy is real. We swap last-week training moves. We also share practical travel advice for 2026 bookings. Additionally, we have a surprisingly useful shoe debate: are Brooks’ Stitch-themed Glycerins a smarter buy than limited race-weekend drops?
The episode begins with an introduction from Denise and Angela on a sunny morning in Carolina. If you’d like to introduce an upcoming episode, please reach out to us on our social media. You can also email us, or leave us a message on our hot-line (727-266-2344).
Doug Gordon on Re-Imagining Our Streets
Author and advocate Doug Gordon (Life After Cars) joins us to explore a world with fewer cars. He promotes more options such as walking, cycling, transit, and micro‑mobility that actually fit everyday life. Doug uses Disney’s transportation web—monorail, Skyliner, ferries, buses—as a live model for moving huge crowds smoothly without private cars. We discuss runner safety. We emphasize the power of systemic fixes, like lower speeds, protected lanes, and better crossings. We focus on design that invites lingering, not just passing through.
Doug’s Disney parallels cut deep. We choose vacations where we ditch the car and log 15,000–30,000 steps because walkable places simply feel better. He reminds us Walt’s Epcot dreamed of car-free centers with people movers and monorails, technology forward yet human scaled. The takeaway isn’t purity; it’s practicality. Try a “meatless Monday” approach to mobility—cut a few car trips a week with an e-bike or neighborhood market. Advocate for a safer shoulder on your town’s favorite running route. Ask for design that invites lingering, like benches and shade, because great places reward staying, not just passing through. It’s a blueprint for runners to become builders of better streets.places that feel good to move in.
The Race Report Sponsored by Stoked Metabolic Coaching
The Chicago Marathon roundtable is the heart of the race report. Runners share stories of an expo that hums. They describe a 5K that showcases global community on bibs. The race day hardly had a single dead zone due to the crowds. We hear about sub-three triumphs and 60-minute PRs. There are gritty finishes from the back of the pack as the course comes down. We also hear the heavy news of a teammate lost to traffic violence who was honored with a 15-minute PR. Charity tents become sanctuaries—American Cancer Society, Ronald McDonald House, Achilles International—turning massive logistics into manageable care. The lesson is human: chase happiness. Trust training. Adjust goals mid-course. Let neighborhoods refuel your spirit at mile 20 when legs start to argue.
If you love RunDisney, safer streets, and finish-line feelings that last, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and tell us: what small change would make running safer where you live?
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