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Kyrie
Jul 13, 2018
Hands down my favorite podcast! Ali interviews everyone! Professional runners, experts in various fields and the average everyday runner and every episode seems like you're listening to a conversation between old friends.
Episode | Date |
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521. Beyond the Run with Ali Feller, TEDxBoston Speaker
01:13:03
"It felt important to me. And so I sent the email. I took my own advice, and I sent the email."
On Monday, I had the honor of giving a TED talk. In this episode, I'm talking all about my experience speaking at TEDxBoston's "Epic Strides" event, celebrating women in sport and the 50-year anniversary of the passing of Title IX. I share how I got this opportunity, my hesitations, and how it went. Plus, I share the talk itself.
SPONSOR: New Balance — Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun to learn more about how New Balance is supporting the conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite pullover, crop top, half-zip top, quilted pullover, and jacket.)
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Emily Saul on Episode 510 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emily Saul & Ian Nurse on Episode 474 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emily Saul on Episode 59 of the Ali on the Run Show
What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan
Alexandra Angelone: TEDxBoston Hair & Makeup Artist
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May 20, 2022 |
520. Saila Consalvi, 13-Time Marathoner with Lung Cancer
01:17:10
"From the start, it was like, I’m gonna deal with this, but I’m not going to let this take over. I’m not going to let it take my life away. I’m not going to let it take my happiness away. So I do it, and I deal with it, and some days are really tough, but I still want to live my life."
In January, 13-time marathoner Saila Consalvi was told she'd be lucky if she could watch this year's Boston Marathon, let alone run it. And yet, four months later, she defied expectation: She completed the 2022 Boston Marathon. In this conversation, Saila talks about what it took to complete her third Boston Marathon, and about her road to the start line, which hasn't been easy. In 2017, Saila was 35 years old and had just completed her ninth marathon and her first Ironman. She was in the best shape of her life. But soon, things just felt...off. Then, she was diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Today, Saila — who is from Finland — lives in Denver, CO, with her husband and their four-month-old son, Enzo.
SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Jess Sims on Episode 516 of the Ali on the Run Show
"My Beauty Uniform: Saila Hanninen," via Cup of Jo
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May 19, 2022 |
519. Steph Bruce, 2022 Boston Marathon Recap
59:45
"Let’s just go out with a bang."
Steph Bruce finished 12th at this year's Boston Marathon. The professional runner for HOKA NAZ Elite ran a 2:28, and while it wasn't her fastest time at the 26.2-mile distance, Steph says Boston 2022 ranks up there as one of her best and favorite marathons. And this year's race was unique for Steph: It's her last year competing as a professional athlete. Last year, Steph was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition, and that discovery forced her to start making some tough choices. She decided that 2022 would be her last year running professionally — and that she would go out with a celebration. Steph is calling this year her "Grit Finale," and she's taking fans along for the ride. (Check out her Boston recap on YouTube here.) In this conversation, Steph talks all about that life-changing diagnosis, about her Boston training, about race day, and about her thoughts on life after professional running. As always, an open, honest, candid conversation with one of the sport's most-loved athletes.
SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order!
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Steph Bruce on Episode 104 of the Ali on the Run Show
Steph & Ben Bruce on Episode 206 of the Ali on the Run Show
Steph Bruce on Episode 354 of the Ali on the Run Show
Steph Bruce on Episode 371 of the Ali on the Run Show
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May 13, 2022 |
518. Shalane Flanagan, 2022 Boston Marathon Recap
01:10:55
"It takes a lot to get to a start line. I never take that for granted."
Shalane Flanagan has run the Boston Marathon six times: four times as a professional athlete; once as a retired pro, the day after racing the Chicago Marathon; and now, as a guide. Shalane is a four-time Olympian, an Olympic silver medalist, and the 2017 New York City Marathon champion. She is a coach, a New York Times best-selling cookbook author, and a mom to two-year-old Jack. After racing the Boston Marathon in the fall as part of Project Eclipse, Shalane returned to Boston this year — and it was different than any other time she had run the race. Because this time, Shalane's race wasn't about the pursuit of a podium or a personal best. She ran the race as Adrianne Haslet's coach and guide in the para athletics division. In this conversation, Shalane talks about coaching Adrianne, about her own training for this race, and about her goals as Adrianne's guide. She shares her favorite memories from the course, and talks about what's next both on and off the run.
SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Adrianne Haslet on Episode 514 of the Ali on the Run Show
Adrianne Haslet on Episode 506 of the Ali on the Run Show
Adrianne Haslet on Episode 192 of the Ali on the Run Show
Shalane Flanagan on Episode 462 of the Ali on the Run Show
Shalane Flanagan on Episode 438 of the Ali on the Run Show
Shalane Flanagan on Episode 242 of the Ali on the Run Show
Mary Kate Shea on Episode 247 of the Ali on the Run Show
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May 12, 2022 |
517. Beyond the Run with Carrie Jackson, Mental Performance Coach
01:18:51
"We know you can push through. We know you’re capable of that. A sign of your mental toughness isn’t pushing through — it’s can I hold back?"
On March 5, I went out for a 13.1-mile run. A few miles into the run, my lower left leg started to hurt. I cut the run short and limped home. By that night, I could barely walk. I was dealing with my first real running injury. Two months later, I'm back on the run — but I never received an official diagnosis, I'm a bit trepidatious about running again, and I'm overwhelmed trying to remember how I even fit running into my life pre-injury. I thought I would be itching to get back on the run, but I'm...not?
Enter Carrie Jackson.
Carrie is a certified mental performance consultant with a Master's degree in sports psychology. She's the author of On Top of Your Game: Mental Skills to Maximize Your Athletic Performance, and co-author of Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries. She and Rebound co-author Cindy Kuzma also host The Injured Athletes Club podcast (and check out their Facebook group).
This conversation is akin to a live therapy session with Carrie, where I'm the patient. If you've ever wondered what it's like working with a sports psychologist or mental performance coach, consider this an intro for all of us. (And I'm thrilled to report that this past weekend, I raced a 5K, had a blast, and am slowly starting to feel reinvigorated about running.)
SPONSOR: New Balance — Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun to learn more about how New Balance is supporting the conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite pullover, crop top, half-zip top, quilted pullover, and jacket.)
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May 06, 2022 |
516. Jess Sims, 2022 Boston Marathon Recap
01:23:05
"She said, ‘This is how it was supposed to be. This is how it was supposed to feel.’ And at that moment, I realized the magnitude of what we gave to each other."
Fan favorite Jess Sims is back — and this time, she returns to the Ali on the Run Show as a marathoner! On April 18, the beloved Peloton instructor surprised the world by showing up at the start (and finish!) line of the Boston Marathon. And she had a good reason for keeping her marathon debut on the down-low. In this very special conversation, Jess talks about receiving a fateful message from Boston Marathon bombing survivor Michele Blackburn last December — a message that ultimately guided Jess every step of the way toward that finish line on Boylston Street. Jess talks about her training, about how she felt on the start line, and about why she still feels marathon imposter syndrome, even after earning that blue and yellow medal. (You'll want tissues on hand 17 minutes into this one. You've been warned.)
SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Jess Sims on Episode 261 of the Ali on the Run Show
Kirsten Ferguson on Episode 505 of the Ali on the Run Show
Becs Gentry on Episode 379 of the Ali on the Run Show
Matt Wilpers on Episode 398 of the Ali on the Run Show
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May 05, 2022 |
515. Lottie Bildirici, Author of Running on Veggies
01:07:03
"It was the fear of the unknown — but that was what I loved also. I don’t want to do something I know I could finish or know I could do. I want to do this thing that’s going to be really hard… and there was no stopping me."
At 14 years old, Lottie Bildirici — a lifelong New Yorker — went from being a happy-go-lucky high schooler to a cancer patient. A lump on her neck turned out to be Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and Lottie immediately began chemotherapy treatments. She was the sick kid. But as she recovered physically (and was given a cancer-free diagnosis!), Lottie realized she had lost her identity. Who was she without cancer? And it was running that helped her redefine herself. Lottie completed a half-marathon at Disney World, and a passion for the sport was immediately ignited. She started learning more about health and nutrition — but soon lost her way. In this conversation, Lottie talks about growing up in the kitchen, and about how a love for food led her down a scary path with orthorexia and recurring stress fractures. She talks about creating her blog and Instagram account, Running on Veggies, and about working with professional athletes including Kara Goucher and Stephanie Bruce. Today, Lottie is a nutrition coach for adidas, she's an Ironman triathlete (she completed her first Ironman on the 10-year anniversary of her cancer diagnosis), and she's a published author. Her first cookbook, Running on Veggies, came out earlier this year.
SPONSOR: The WineShine Half Marathon — Register today for the inaugural event, happening July 16, 2022, and use code ONTHERUN to get $25 off your registration. See you in Napa!
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Jonathan Cane on Episode 313 of the Ali on the Run Show
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May 02, 2022 |
514. Adrianne Haslet, 2022 Boston Marathon Recap
01:21:55
“I can close my eyes still and remember every sign and every person’s face and every dog. I can remember all of it. It was a true unicorn of a day.”
Adrianne Haslet went through hell to get to the start line of the 2022 Boston Marathon. But she got there. And then, she started in Hopkinton and ran 26.2 miles — with guide Shalane Flanagan by her side every step of the way — to cross the finish line on Boylston Street. Adrianne and Shalane finished the race in 5:18:14, coming in fourth place in the para athletics division. Today, Adrianne returns to the Ali on the Run Show to share every detail of what she calls the best day of her life. ("It sounded like a Rocky movie the whole way," she says.) Plus, Adrianne's favorite moments from the course, all about that finish line feeling, and what "Boston Strong" means to her.
SPONSOR: Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Adrianne Haslet on Episode 506 of the Ali on the Run Show
Adrianne Haslet on Episode 192 of the Ali on the Run Show
Adrianne Haslet in the Washington Post
Cortney White on Episode 447 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Apr 28, 2022 |
513. Nell Rojas, 2022 Boston Marathon Recap
01:00:52
"This is the time in my life where I’m trying to do whatever I can to be the fastest I can and get the furthest in running that I can. So anything that is not working toward that goal just doesn’t make any sense."
For the second year in row, professional marathoner Nell Rojas had a big day in Boston. She finished 10th overall at the 126th Boston Marathon, running a personal best (2:25:57), and finishing as the top U.S. woman in the field. In this conversation, Nell talks Boston beyond the numbers. She talks about the pre-race press conference and about breaking some big news before the race: After signing with adidas earlier this year, Nell recently ended that partnership in favor of racing in shoes that she felt better suited her body. She talks about that difficult decision, and about how it weighed on her during her Boston build-up. Plus, she talks about her pre-race routine, about how the race played out, and about what's next.
SPONSOR: The WineShine Half Marathon — Register today for the inaugural event, happening July 16, 2022, and use code ONTHERUN to get $25 off your registration. See you in Napa!
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Nell Rojas & Hiruni Wijayaratne on Episode 484 of the Ali on the Run Show
Nell Rojas on Episode 434 of the Ali on the Run Show
Nell Rojas on Episode 431 of the Ali on the Run Show
Nell Rojas on Episode 229 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Apr 25, 2022 |
512. Beyond the Run with Tunde Oyeneyin
59:42
"When our smartphones are at 10 percent, we panic. We freak out… When our bodies are running on 10 percent, when our headspace is running on 10 percent, why don’t we have that same sense of urgency to look for an outlet, to recharge? We keep going. We allow ourselves to fully deplete before we ask to borrow a charger."
Peloton instructor — and newly published author — Tunde Oyeneyin returns to the Ali on the Run Show today. In this conversation, Tunde reflects on how her life has changed since she was last on the show in December 2020. Her Peloton classes are now taken by hundreds of thousands of people. She has amassed more than 520,000 followers on Instagram. She's the face of Revlon, and the host of the Fitness Flipped podcast. And her first book, Speak, comes out next month. Today, Tunde talks about her running journey: why she runs, when she craves a run, and what keeps her running. Plus, she offers advice on boundary setting, saying no ("Every time I say no to someone, I feel myself getting my power back"), getting unstuck, and so much more.
SPONSOR: New Balance — Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun to learn more about how New Balance is supporting the conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite pullover, crop top, half-zip top, quilted pullover, and jacket.)
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Tunde Oyeneyin on Episode 311 of the Ali on the Run Show
Kirsten Ferguson on Episode 505 of the Ali on the Run Show
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SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends! |
Apr 22, 2022 |
511. My 2022 Boston Marathon Experience
01:37:39
“This weekend I was like, ‘I just want to be me, and see where I can go with that. I don’t want to conform. I don’t want to turn off who I am to fit into the existing landscape.’”
After 1,099 days, the Boston Marathon was back on Patriots Day! And I was there! On this episode, I'm talking (for a very long time) all about my weekend in Boston, where I hosted a live show with Tracksmith (listen to it here), was the post-race on-camera interviewer for the world feed broadcast (!!!), and made my Boston Marathon finish line announcing debut. It was a nonstop weekend filled with great people, exciting events, and a big leap out of my comfort zone and onto live (global!) television. So before we get into the interviews with people who ran the race (Nell Rojas and Adrianne Haslet, coming next week!), here's my recap of the 2022 Boston Marathon from the sidelines, the media trucks, the finish line, and the photo bridge.
SPONSOR: Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.
What you’ll get on this episode:
Mentioned in this episode:
Jacky Broersma on Episode 504 of the Ali on the Run Show
Erin Azar on Episode 446 of the Ali on the Run Show
Jenna Fesemyer on Episode 508 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Apr 21, 2022 |
510. LIVE at the Boston Marathon with Emily Saul & Anoush Arakelian
01:19:29
Boston is BACK! It was such a privilege to get to host a live recording of the Ali on the Run Show at the Tracksmith Trackhouse during the 2022 Boston Marathon weekend, with the ever-delightful recent podcast guests Anoush Arakelian and Emily Saul. This conversation was filled with great advice, hilarious stories, and — because why not? — dating talk. Thank you to Tracksmith for hosting us; thank you to Emily and Anoush for the wit, wisdom, and laughter; and thank you to everyone who joined and was part of the fun!
SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 for free shipping, plus 5% of the proceeds from your order will be donated to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation!
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Apr 17, 2022 |
509. Ask Ali with Guest Host Laura Green
57:45
“The people who read my blog and supported me — whether we met in real life or from afar — they saved my life on my worst days.”
Laura Green is a runner, a mom to two boys, and a dear friend — and today, she’s a podcast host! On this edition of Ask Ali, returning Ali on the Run Show guest Laura is here to do all the question asking, reading your questions from Instagram (and coming up with a few of her own). We do a chronological Ali deep dive, from the college days, to the pre-podcast blogging days, to life today with a 3.5-year-old.
SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order!
Laura asks:
For more, check out:
Laura Green on Episode 157 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Apr 15, 2022 |
508. Jenna Fesemyer, Team USA Wheelchair Athlete
01:00:04
"Doctors said when I was born that I would be the last one to sit up, the last one to crawl, the last one to stand and walk. Well, I was the first to do all those things."
Jenna Fesemyer was born with a birth defect called proximal femoral focal deficiency, where one leg is shorter than the other. At one year old, she had her foot amputated. And she immediately defied her doctors' expectations. As a teenager, she discovered wheelchair racing, and now, she's a Paralympian who represented Team USA in Tokyo last summer. (The Paralympic marathon was just the beginning of Jenna's fall marathon season: She then raced the London, Chicago, Boston, and New York City Marathons.) This weekend, Jenna heads to Boston where she will race in the professional women's wheelchair division in both the B.A.A. 5K on Saturday and the Boston Marathon on Monday. Jenna is sponsored by Oiselle, and she is currently studying education policy at the University of Illinois (and she'll begin her doctorate program in the fall!).
SPONSOR: Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.
What you’ll get on this episode:
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Apr 14, 2022 |
507. Friendship Fest with Silvana Morgan and Yuma Haidara
01:11:05
"She’s my person."
Silvana Morgan is a nurse, a runner, and a mom to two daughters. A few years ago, she was running a race when she saw a fellow runner up ahead wearing "a really cute outfit." But when the course split — half marathoners to the left, other race distances to the right — Silvana, who is from Brazil and says she's now living her dream with her family in New Hampshire, didn't get a chance to meet that runner and tell her she liked her outfit. That runner, it turned out, was commercial truck driver, marathoner, and outdoor enthusiast Yuma Haidara. Later that day, Yuma posted about her race in New Hampshire's She Runs This Town Facebook group. Silvana saw the post, recognized the woman in the photo as the woman from the race, and a friendship was born. The two — now best friends — have been inseparable ever since. This is their friendship story.
SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
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Apr 12, 2022 |
506. Beyond the Run with Adrianne Haslet
01:17:29
“What will get us to the finish line is nothing compared to what got us to the start.”
In 2013, professional ballroom dancer Adrianne Haslet was walking near the Boston Marathon finish line when the bombs went off. She lost her leg that day, standing on Boylston Street. Then, in 2019, Adrianne — who had become a runner herself after her lower leg amputation — was walking on Commonwealth Ave. when she was hit by a car. Even in the face of so much unexpected adversity, Adrianne hasn't lost her fighting spirit. She's a survivor, an advocate, an inspiration — and on Monday, April 18, she'll return to both Comm Ave. and Boylston Street, but this time it will be en route to her own marathon finish. Adrianne will be racing in the Boston Marathon's para division alongside friend and official guide Shalane Flanagan. In this conversation, Adrianne talks about training under Shalane's guidance, about how she's feeling with race day just a week and a half away, and about what she's doing now to prepare for the potential post-marathon blues. She also talks about the emotional component of running a race that she has such a heavy history with, and about what she pictures when she imagines her finish line moment.
SPONSOR: New Balance — Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun to learn more about how New Balance is supporting the conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite pullover, crop top, half-zip top, quilted pullover, and jacket.)
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Adrianne Haslet on Episode 192 of the Ali on the Run Show
Shalane Flanagan on Episode 438 of the Ali on the Run Show
Shalane Flanagan on Episode 242 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Apr 08, 2022 |
505. Kirsten Ferguson, Peloton Tread Instructor
01:17:45
“There was a moment where I looked at myself in the mirror and said, ‘Whoa, this is what you’re meant to do. This is it.’”
Kirsten Ferguson is living her dream. She once wrote "Become a Peloton instructor" on a Post-It note, and today she's doing exactly that. (And she still has the manifestation-filled Post-It.) The Peloton Tread instructor is a single mom of two, and the road to this dream life hasn't been an easy one. Kirsten grew up with aspirations of working in the fashion industry. But when she enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology, she quickly realized that she wanted to do something completely different. She ended up getting a job working in sponsorships with the NFL, where she worked for seven years before leaving and having children. Along the way, Kirsten suffered two miscarriages. That's when she found fitness. Kirsten leaned into cycling classes during her darkest, most isolating, and most challenging days. On their third try, Kirsten got — and stayed — pregnant. In this conversation, she's honest about what new motherhood was like for her, and about what happened when she had just become a fitness instructor and was going through a separation when the pandemic hit. She talks about how she got the Peloton job and about how she became a runner, about creating the "Ratchet Mom Club," about being at the Super Bowl for Beyoncé's epic halftime show, and about why she welcomes fear into her life.
SPONSORS:
Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.
The 2022 Bayshore Marathon — Sign up for this year’s marathon and 10K, taking place May 28th in Traverse City, MI.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Fear is my Homeboy by Judi Holler
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Apr 07, 2022 |
504. Jacky Hunt-Broersma, Running 100 Marathons in 100 Days
01:09:46
"I’m tired. But I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve got a job to do and I need to do it and that’s kind of it. I’m on a mission. I just need to get it done."
Jacky Hunt-Broersma is on a quest to run 100 marathons in 100 days. That's 26.2 miles every single day for 100 days straight, while raising money for Amputee Blade Runners. We recorded this episode together at 8 AM on Day 75. Jacky — a running coach and ultramarathoner whose next goal is the Moab 240 Endurance Run — had just gotten her two kids off to school, and was getting ready for marathon number 75. In this conversation, we get to know the Jacky today, who is more than 3/4 of the way through her record-setting challenge. And we get to know the 26-year-old Jacky from 2001, who woke up one day with a golf ball-sized mass on her leg. She was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer, and had her leg amputated just weeks after the diagnosis. It wasn't until 15 years later that Jacky started running, and she says her only regret is that she didn't start sooner. In this conversation, Jacky talks about the highest (running with her daughter!) and lowest (Day 35) points of this 100-marathon challenge, about dealing with mom guilt along the way, and about her plans for marathon #92, which she'll run in the para division of the Boston Marathon.
SPONSOR: Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race — Registration for this year's virtual Peachtree is now open! Click the link to be a part of this historic 10K today.
What you’ll get on this episode:
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Apr 05, 2022 |
503. Dominique Scott Efurd, Two-Time Olympian & Atlanta Women's 5K Champion
01:21:55
“I said, ‘You definitely have this win. Don’t be so scared anymore.'”
Last weekend, two-time Olympian Dominique Scott Efurd won the first-ever elite division at the Atlanta Women's 5K. And while it may have been her first time breaking the tape this year, Dom's 2022 is off to a solid start. In January, she finished third at the Houston Half Marathon. Then, she finished second at The TEN. And this weekend, she'll race the Cooper River Bridge Run. In this conversation — Dom's first time back on the show since late 2020 — Dom talks about her recent races, about the challenging start to 2021, which included a tibial stress reaction and a case of Covid, and about her experience representing Team South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. Dom is sponsored by adidas, and she lives in Boulder, CO, where she trains with Team Boss.
SPONSOR: The 2022 Bayshore Marathon. Go to BayshoreMarathon.org to sign up for this year’s marathon and 10K, taking place May 28th in Traverse City, MI.
What you’ll get on this episode:
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Apr 01, 2022 |
502. Venus Morris Griffin, As Seen on Humans of New York
01:12:17
“I’ve just been struggling to survive. To figure out how to survive. I want people to see me and say, ‘OK, let’s not look at what we think people are.’ Because everybody has their own struggles. Life is tough!”
Earlier this month, I found myself glued to my phone, rabidly refreshing the Humans of New York Instagram account, waiting for updates in the 13-part story about a woman in Augusta, GA. The woman was Venus Morris Griffin. Today, she's a hugely successful realtor and mom of seven. But the road to becoming one of Meybohm Real Estate's leading agents (Venus has closed more than $500 million in sales she she started with the agency) has been anything but easy. In fact, it still isn't easy, Venus says.
In this conversation, Venus talks about her difficult childhood, about falling in love with a man at USC, and about having six children together. She talks about being home with the kids — the youngest was just one year old, and the oldest was 15 — while her husband was away on a work trip, and getting a call in the middle of the night from a sex worker. A call that changed everything. Not only was Venus's husband, Tripp, sleeping with sex workers, Venus also learned that there was sexual abuse within the home. Today, Tripp is serving a 45-year sentence for child molestation. Here, Venus talks about how she kept moving forward, how she showed up for her children and for herself, and why she started running to get through it all. Plus, she talks about what it was like having her story shared widely through Humans of New York, and both the amazing (a book! a movie!) and less-amazing (losing clients and sales) responses.
SPONSORS:
Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.
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Mar 31, 2022 |
501. Friendship Fest with Dinée Dorame & Mario Fraioli
01:14:08
“I could tell he wasn’t mentoring me because he wanted it to be this public thing that made him look good. I wasn’t his charity case.”
Dinée Dorame had a dream: to launch a podcast that would explore the intersection between running, land, community and culture. So she applied for the first-ever Tracksmith Fellowship program — and she won. Dinée was one of the first recipients of a Tracksmith Fellowship grant, which gave her the support she needed to bring the Grounded podcast into existence. She was also paired with a mentor: Mario Fraioli, host of The Morning Shakeout podcast and creator of The Morning Shakeout newsletter. Dinée and Mario started as total strangers, formed a fast mentor-mentee relationship, and now, one year later, are close friends with a "big brother, little sister" bond. In this conversation, they talk about their first phone call, the first time they met in real life, and how their differences have made their relationship stronger.
SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Dinée Dorame on Episode 402 of the Ali on the Run Show
Dinée Dorame on Episode 239 of the Ali on the Run Show
Mario Fraioli on Episode 266 of the Ali on the Run Show
Lauren Fleshman on The Morning Shakeout
Dinée Dorame on The Morning Shakeout
Billy Mills on the Grounded podcast
Ali Feller on The Morning Shakeout
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Mar 29, 2022 |
500. Beyond the Run with Elle Purrier St. Pierre
01:08:57
“It was pretty tough, I’m not gonna lie. I walked off the track pretty mad. I didn’t want to talk to any cameras, so I walked past the camera people because I knew they were just going to drill me with a bunch of questions that I didn’t want to talk about. And I hadn’t even had time to digest it myself. So I was about to say something I probably shouldn’t have on camera. So I said, ‘I’m making this boundary for myself,’ and I kept walking.”
Elle Purrier St. Pierre is one of the fastest women in the country. The professional New Balance athlete just capped off her indoor season by earning a silver medal in the 3K at World Indoor Championships in Serbia. In 2020, she broke the American record in the indoor mile. Then, last summer, she won the 1500m event at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials (and set a Trials record for that event), solidifying her spot on Team USA and achieving a lifelong dream of becoming an Olympian. Elle — widely known as a small-town farm girl from Vermont — is living the professional runner dream, right? On this episode, Elle talks about the tough times. She talks about getting shoved off the track just seconds into that 1500 final at the Trials, and about how she rallied to win the race. She talks about handling disappointment on the track, like when she finished third in the 1500 at USAs a few weeks ago, a race she was heavily favored to win. And she talks about that — about being "heavily favored," and what that pressure feels like. Plus, reflections on competing in Tokyo, dealing with the post-Olympics blues, and pre-race bad moods. Welcome to Episode 500 of the Ali on the Run Show!
SPONSOR: New Balance — Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun to learn more about how New Balance is supporting the conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite pullover, crop top, half-zip top, quilted pullover, and jacket.)
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Elle Purrier on Episode 210 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Mar 25, 2022 |
499. Laura Skladzinski, Theater Kid Turned 100-Time Marathoner
01:14:34
“I got off the plane, looked out at the mountains, and just felt this sense of relaxation. Like this is where I’m supposed to be, this is where life is good. And it made no sense!”
Laura Skladzinski was a dancer and theater kid growing up. She, like many of us, hated having to run the mile in gym class. Then, at 24 years old, Laura became the youngest person at the time to complete a marathon in all 50 states, and she has gone on to run more than 100 marathons and a few ultramarathons. So, what changed? In this wide-ranging conversation, Laura talks about how she became a runner, and what her approach to running is like. She talks her decision to move from New York City to Colorado, and about becoming a town trustee in her new hometown of Superior, CO. She also talks about how difficult that role has been over the past few months, after fires tore through the town at the end of 2021. She shares what that day was like as both a homeowner in Superior and as an elected official, and about why she has decided to prioritize mental health needs both for herself and for her community in the wake of those fires. Laura works as a management consultant, and when she's not working or on the run, she's a ski instructor at Beaver Creek, a Meals on Wheels volunteer and driver, and a camp counselor at Experience Camps for Grieving Children.
SPONSORS:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race — In-person registration for the July 4th event is now open! Click the link to register for this historic (Betty-endorsed!) 10K today.
Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
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Mar 24, 2022 |
498. Friendship Fest with Cara Enright Welsh & Cameron Erhardt
01:13:39
“It’s just those people when you instantly connect, and they’re one of your people. She was one of those people. And it’s so hard to find those people as adults, as we all know. She was that easy connection, easy talking to. Everything just felt like it was meant to be and meant to happen.”
Cara Enright Welsh and Cameron Erhardt are two of the nicest people on the planet — so it's no surprise this episode is warm fuzzy central. Cara and Cam met when they were both part of Nike's Project Moonshot marathon training program, and they say they became best friends the very first day they met. They immediately bonded over their mutual love for Taylor Swift and NYC "Emo Nights" ("Stay sad!"), their respective roles as the oldest of four siblings, and a shared birthday (November 5, 1990). In this conversation, Cara (a former competitive jump roper) and Cam (a former NCAA Division-1 runner) recall the day they met, and talk about the challenge of making friends and finding running buddies as an adult. Plus, Cam's stories of overcoming tough times mid-marathon and how he learned to keep moving forward, and updates from Cara on her Boston Marathon training and her relocation plans.
SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
Cara Enright on Episode 376 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Mar 22, 2022 |
497. LIVE from the NYC Half with Becs Gentry & Nev Schulman
01:13:23
"I've made it here. I'm good with that. I'm going to start this race as me. However I finish, I'm still me."
I love a live show! The day before the United Airlines NYC Half (thanks to New Balance, New York Road Runners, and the 1 Hotel Central Park South), I had the pleasure of hosting a live recording of the Ali on the Run Show with returning podcast guests Becs Gentry and Nev Schulman. (Shout-out to the live audience: You were a great crowd, and you were so much fun! Thank you for being there.) This banter-filled conversation covered everything from Becs and Nev's approaches to running and dealing with dark moments on the run, to peeing in the ocean and mastering the art of "The McDash." You'll laugh, you'll gasp (the collective sound in the room when Nev asserted that treadmill running "isn't real running," oh my...), and I hope you'll enjoy. (Oh, and by the way: The fastest marathon ever on a treadmill was run by former Ali on the Run Show guest CJ Albertson! He covered 26.2 miles on a treadmill in 2:09:58.)
SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to learn all about the conversations New Balance is having to promote mental wellness.
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Mar 21, 2022 |
496. Ask Ali with Guest Host Julia Berteletti
01:02:29
"Even though I’ve been doing this for a while, and I’ve been working for myself for a long time, I still have a hard time making my own rules."
Julia Berteletti is a runner, a mom, and a dear friend — and today, she's a podcast host! On this edition of Ask Ali, returning Ali on the Run Show guest Julia is here to do all the question asking, reading your questions from Instagram. We cover everything from favorite foods and "stranded on a desert island" scenarios, to podcasting, motherhood, running, and more.
SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order!
Check out:
Julia Berteletti on Episode 458 of the Ali on the Run Show
Julia Berteletti on Episode 157 of the Ali on the Run Show
Kyle Merber & Chris Chavez on Episode 489 of the Ali on the Run Show
Tracksmith Allston Long Shorts
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Mar 18, 2022 |
495. Betty Lindberg, 97-Year-Old World Record Holder
01:05:11
"That Saturday when I set the record and I was in the tent waiting for them to start the awards ceremony, dozens of people came up to talk to me, and they were from all over the United States! I couldn’t imagine why. I’m just doing what I like to do!"
Betty Lindberg is a local legend in her hometown of Atlanta, GA. She started running at 63 years old, and now, at 97, she's breaking world records. Last month, Betty ran the USATF Master's 5K Championships in Atlanta, and set a new world record for the 95–99 age group. (She finished in 55:48, smashing the previous record by more than 30 minutes.) Breaking that record was no accident: Betty is fiercely competitive (mostly with herself), and she takes her training seriously. (She works out six days a week. On the seventh day, she rests and enjoys her weekly hair appointment.) In this conversation, Betty shares her running story, talks about where her competitive drive comes from, and talks about her mid-race mimosa stops at the Peachtree Road Race every year. She's a legend for a reason!
SPONSORS:
Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race — In-person registration for the July 4th event is now open! Click the link to register for this historic (Betty-endorsed!) 10K today.
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Mar 17, 2022 |
494. Friendship Fest with Jenny Grimshaw & Grace Keller
01:23:20
"I don’t think I would’ve done it if Grace hadn’t. I remember saying two things: One, 'The data says you can do it.' And two, thinking about Grace."
Jenny Grimshaw and Grace Keller have only been friends for a few years, but in that time, they've helped each other dream bigger and chase down exciting running goals. Their first endeavor together: to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. On this episode, Jenny and Grace talk about meeting when they were both living, working, and running in New York City, and share how they're now making a long-distance friendship work. (Jenny lives in San Francisco with her husband and their new baby, Tate, and she works for Glossier. Grace and her husband, a professional baseball player, live in Charlottesville, VA, where she works in the finance and investment banking industry.) Their friendship is a special one that's rooted in their unwavering support and admiration for one another. (Be prepared to shed a tear or two when Grace talks about what she wrote in her journal after Jenny raced that California International Marathon.)
SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
Jenny Donnelly on Episode 215 of the Ali on the Run Show
Jenny & Judi Donnelly on Episode 193 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Mar 15, 2022 |
493. Molly Huddle & Sara Slattery, "How She Did It" Co-Authors
01:12:28
“These women are stone-cold killers on the track, so you’re just like, ‘I can’t believe you feel that way!’ But it’s really helpful for anyone who’s dealing with that to know, ‘Hey, these women had to overcome that.’ It was hurting their performance for a while and they had to figure out a way.”
Molly Huddle and Sara Slattery are incredible runners, incredible women, wonderful role models, and now, they can officially say they are published authors. Today, professional runner Molly Huddle and former pro Sara Slattery are here to talk all about their new book, How She Did It. Consider this book the ultimate roadmap for female distance runners. It includes advice from experts, plus stories, interviews, and profiles from 50 legendary women in the sport (many of whom you know, love, and have heard right here on the Ali on the Run Show). In this conversation, Molly and Sara talk about the inspiration for the book, how it actually came to be, and how they tackled the difficult task of which stories to include in the book. Plus, they talk about their friendship, Sara talks about being the head men's and women's cross-country coach at Grand Canyon University (she coaches one of Sara and Ryan Hall's daughters!), and Molly offers a pregnancy update (she's due at the end of April!).
SPONSOR: The WineShine Half Marathon — Register today for the inaugural event, happening July 16, 2022, and use code ONTHERUN15 to get $15 off your registration. See you in Napa!
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
Molly Huddle on Episode 51 of the Ali on the Run Show
Molly Huddle on Episode 66 of the Ali on the Run Show
Molly Huddle on Episode 259 of the Ali on the Run Show
Molly Huddle on Episode 391 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Mar 14, 2022 |
492. Beyond the Run with Stephanie Roth Goldberg, LCSW, CEDS
01:08:01
"I found myself when I found running."
Stephanie Roth Goldberg is a psychotherapist, licensed clinical social worker, and certified eating disorder specialist in New York City. And when she offers a listening ear and advice for her clients, she's able to do that as both a trained professional and as someone who personally has been through it. In this conversation, Stephanie shares her experiences with substance abuse and addiction and disordered eating as a teen and young adult. She talks about going to rehab for the first time at 14 years old, and about how she ultimately found recovery. And she talks about finding running — and finding herself in the process. In addition to sharing her story on this episode, Stephanie — who is an an Ironman and mom of two living in Montclair, NJ — offers advice about developing a healthy relationship with exercise, dealing with anxiety, and building a mental wellness toolbox (or Caboodle).
SPONSOR: New Balance — Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun to learn more about how New Balance is supporting the conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite jacket, joggers, and long-sleeve shirts.)
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Rachel Wyman on Episode 281 of the Ali on the Run Show
Rachel Wyman on Episode 166 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Mar 11, 2022 |
491. Olivia Baker, Professional 800m Runner for Atlanta Track Club Elite
01:07:56
"I was a complete mess. I was so emotional about it, so excited, so just…relieved to have come in, having a lot of momentum, knowing this was a possibility, and then completing a mission."
Olivia Baker is on fire. The professional runner for Atlanta Track Club Elite just competed at the USATF Indoor Track & Field Championships where she finished second in the 800m, officially making her first senior world championship team. She'll head to Serbia later this month to represent Team USA at Indoor World Championships. In this conversation, Olivia reflects on the road to Team USA, including dealing with disappointment after last summer's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials, weighing the decision of whether or not to attend medical school, and ultimately joining Atlanta Track Club Elite instead. She gushes about her teammates, talks about the tough times and low moments, and shares her confidence journey. Plus, commentating, book clubs, chocolate milkshakes, and more.
SPONSORS:
Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.
St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville — Use code ONTHERUN10 for $10 off your registration for this year’s races, taking place April 23–24.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Allie Wilson on Episode 469 of the Ali on the Run Show
"Dear Younger Me," by Olivia Baker for MileSplit
A Beautiful Work in Progress by Mirna Valerio
Grit by Angela Duckworth
Let’s Get Physical by Danielle Friedman
Running For My Life by Lopez Lomong
The Power by Naomi Alderman
Tom Holland on Lip Sync Battle
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Mar 10, 2022 |
490. Celebrating International Women's Day with Sara Hall, Emily Sisson, & Emma Bates
01:09:02
"We have all become the women we are today because of other women." —Emma Bates
It was a great privilege to get to host this virtual live show on International Women's Day with three UCAN-sponsored professional athletes: Sara Hall, Emily Sisson, and Emma Bates. All three of these women were fresh off three different races — the Tokyo Marathon for Sara, a win at the Gate River Run 15K for Emily, and The TEN on the track for Emma — so in addition to recapping their recent race experiences, we also talked about the power of women in sports. Sara, Emily, and Emma talk about the women who have pushed and inspired them in their respective careers, they talk about who they love racing against, and they talk about confidence on and off the roads.
SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
For more, check out:
Sara Hall on Episode 459 of the Ali on the Run Show
Sara Hall on Episode 321 of the Ali on the Run Show
Sara Hall on Episode 300 of the Ali on the Run Show
Sara and Ryan Hall on Episode 144 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emily Sisson & Shane Quinn on Episode 479 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emily Sisson on Episode 394 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emily Sisson on Episode 234 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emily Sisson on Episode 169 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emma Bates on Episode 444 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Mar 09, 2022 |
489. Friendship Fest with Kyle Merber & Chris Chavez
01:05:08
"We’re track and field’s biggest hype people, and we want to share the joy of the sport with as many people as possible."
You'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who loves track and field more than the dynamic duo ("the greatest bromance in track and field") of Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber. This week, we're turning our Friendship Fest attention to the guys. Chris is the founder of Citius Mag, host of the Citius Mag podcast, former Sports Illustrated journalist, director of the Magic Boost program, and one of the nicest, hardest-working people in the industry. Kyle is a former professional runner (a 3:52 miler! he won the Millrose Games mile as a high schooler!) who retired in 2020, and now works full-time for American Express while also managing The Lap Count newsletter and navigating life as a new dad. Chris and Kyle started as friends (you'll get that full story in this episode), and now work together as collaborators and track and field commentators. In this conversation, they share their enthusiasm for the sport, talk about what it's like when they run together (it's more fun for one of them than it is for the other), and share their big dreams for the future.
SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
Chris Chavez on Episode 262 of the Ali on the Run Show
Citius Mag podcast: Kyle Merber Exit Interview and The Importance of Sharing the Athlete Story
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Mar 08, 2022 |
488. Camille Herron, U.S. 100-Mile Road Champion & World Record Holder
01:18:58
“It could be two o’clock in the afternoon and the sun’s beating down on us, and I’m just smiling. I’m gritting my teeth through the afternoon sun, and still believing I can push through it.”
On February 18, renowned ultra runner Camille Herron made history — again. The queen of the ultra scene ran and won the USATF 100-Mile Road Championships in Henderson, NV, and not only won the race outright (the first male finisher was half an hour behind her), she broke her own 100-mile world record by 89 seconds, finishing in 12 hours 41 minutes and 11 seconds. That's a 7:36 per mile pace on an 85-lap course. On this episode, Camille (who turned 40 on Christmas) talks all about that race, including how she prepped for it, her goals going into the race, and how she has tweaked her training and lifestyle habits in order to "age like a fine wine," she says. Plus, how she got into running and ultras, and where her always-happy demeanor came from.
SPONSORS:
Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.
St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville — Use code ONTHERUN10 for $10 off your registration for this year's races, taking place April 23–24.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Camille Herron in the New York Times
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Mar 03, 2022 |
487. Friendship Fest with Emily Infeld & Aisha Praught Leer
01:15:57
“When I met Aisha, I was like, ‘Oh, we’re gonna be friends forever.’”
Emily Infeld and Aisha Praught Leer are professional runners and Olympians, and despite never sharing a coach, team, or hometown, they have the type of friendship that transcends all of that. On this episode, Aisha and Emily talk about how they met, share their first impressions of each other, and talk about how they bonded long-distance in the early days of their professional careers. We get some big life updates: Emily officially announces who she's being coached by since leaving the Bowerman Track Club, and Aisha talks about how her return to running has been going since having surgery to repair her torn meniscus after last year's Tokyo Olympics. Plus, LOL-worthy stories about Emily behind the wheel, Aisha in the pool, and so much more.
SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Emily Infeld on Episode 400 of the Ali on the Run Show
Aisha Praught Leer on Episode 462 of the Ali on the Run Show
Aisha Praught Leer on Episode 415 of the Ali on the Run Show
Aisha Praught & Will Leer on Episode 204 of the Ali on the Run Show
Aisha Praught Leer on Episode 197 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Mar 01, 2022 |
486. Beyond the Run with Jess Movold
01:20:07
"I didn’t prepare for it. I wasn’t ready for it. It was very, very hard, and dark, and scary."
Welcome to the second episode in the new Beyond the Run series on the Ali on the Run Show. Twice a month, we're checking in with industry experts, professional runners, and everyday runners to talk about the intersection of running and mental wellness. (The first episode in this series with Dr. Ian Nurse and Emily Saul was a must-listen.) Today, running and strength coach Jess Movold returns to the show to talk about her pregnancy (she's currently 21 weeks along with her first baby, a boy!) and how she's coped with the physical and emotional changes in her life. It's an honest, vulnerable conversation about expectations vs. reality, dealing with dark days, and how life is changing on the run and beyond.
SPONSOR: New Balance — Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun to learn more about how New Balance is supporting the conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite jacket, joggers, and long-sleeve shirts.)
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Jess Movold on Episode 249 of the Ali on the Run Show
Jess Movold on Episode 147 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Feb 25, 2022 |
485. Nev Schulman, Host of MTV’s Catfish & 2:58 Marathoner
01:26:41
“My default is trusting and looking for the good. I want to believe that people are telling me the truth when I talk to them. I assume they are. I just generally find that I always give people the benefit of the doubt and assume they’re honest and well intentioned. Obviously that’s not true. But that sort of naïveté, if you will — which definitely led to me getting catfished — has strangely served me well. I’m so glad I got duped by that woman.”
Nev Schulman is best known as the star of the 2010 award-winning documentary Catfish, and now as the host of the MTV show of the same name. (My mom knows — and adores — him as the runner-up from Season 29 of Dancing with the Stars.) But when he's not seeking scammers, he's likely on the run. Nev is a 2:58 marathoner who is currently training to run the New York City Half Marathon, where he hopes to run a personal best (sub-1:25). On this episode, Nev talks about what it was like growing up near the New York City Marathon finish line and getting to watch the race with his dad (also a 2:58 marathoner!) every year. He talks about becoming a dad himself (he and his wife have three children) and the unexpected effects of fame on both him and his family. He talks about hitting rock bottom at 19, and about how he learned not to let the hardest time in his life define him forever. And he talks about his empathetic and compassionate outlook on life, and how he's able to remain optimistic in this world, even after being catfished himself. Plus, all about his running story, including how he got started running at age 30, his favorite New York City Marathon memories, and more.
SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit shokz.com/ontherun for 15% off wireless headphones.
What you’ll get on this episode:
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Feb 24, 2022 |
484. Friendship Fest with Nell Rojas & Hiruni Wijayaratne
01:20:08
"I would declare war on all of your enemies."
Welcome to Friendship Fest! Starting today and for the next seven weeks, we'll be hearing from runner friends about how they met, the role running plays in their friendship, and what big dreams and goals they share for the future. (Consider it Love on the Run, friendship-style!) We're kicking things off today with Boulder-based besties and professional marathon runners Nell Rojas and Hiruni Wijayaratne. Nell and Hiruni are both coached by Ric Rojas (Nell's dad), and we recorded this conversation while they were at training camp in Phoenix. They share the stories of how they met, why Hiruni joined Nell and Ric's training group, what it was like running the first 20 miles of CIM together in December, and how they handle it when one of them has a great race or workout and the other doesn't.
SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Nell Rojas on Episode 434 of the Ali on the Run Show
Nell Rojas on Episode 431 of the Ali on the Run Show
Nell Rojas on Episode 229 of the Ali on the Run Show
Hiruni Wijayaratne on Episode 466 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Feb 22, 2022 |
483. Ask Ali with Guest Host Molly Burke
01:19:36
“I can only show up and do my best every time. And sometimes my best will be the best. And other times it won’t. And that’s fine. I think.”
Welcome to the first Ask Ali episode of 2022! This time, instead of answering listener voicemails, I've enlisted Molly Burke to facilitate, and we're answering questions I received before and after the 2022 State of the Ali on the Run Show episode. It's a lot of behind-the-scenes-of-the-podcast stuff, a lot of questions about my goals for the show, and a good amount of self-reflection. Also a surprising number of bear references.
SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order!
For more, check out out:
Molly Burke on Episode 455 of the Ali on the Run Show
The 2022 State of the Ali on the Run Show
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Feb 18, 2022 |
482. Girl Talk with Molly Seidel & Anoush Arakelian
01:19:29
"I’ve been working a lot on just being able to own who I am in this sport. Things have changed so drastically over the last two years, so it’s coming to terms with that, of going from someone who was going to quit the sport to now someone who is one of the better-known names in the sport. That’s been a weird transition for me, honestly."
Last week, Olympic bronze medalist Molly Seidel shared a dating-related post on Instagram. And to say it was the talk of the running world (and far beyond) would be an understatement. The post prompted all kinds of reactions (it currently has more than 2,100 comments — nearly double the response Molly received when she posted about running the New York City Marathon in November and breaking the American course record), and Molly returns to the show today to talk about all of it. We're joined by mutual friend, running coach, MyStryde Boston instructor, and 3:11 marathoner Anoush Arakelian, and we're talking about why that post struck a chord for so many. Plus, dating talk, confidence talk, mental health talk, and Boston Marathon talk. (If you're running the race this April, Coach Anoush has some advice for you!) What started as a fun and lighthearted Galentine's Day (and Super Bowl Sunday) girl talk session turned into so much more. Bottom line: You're a 10.
SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit shokz.com/ontherun for 15% off wireless headphones.
What you’ll get on this episode:
For more, check out:
Molly Seidel on Episode 420 of the Ali on the Run Show
Molly Seidel on Episode 341 of the Ali on the Run Show
Ian Nurse & Emily Saul on Episode 474 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Feb 17, 2022 |
481. Love on the Run with Josette Norris & Robby Andrews
01:37:03
"Moral of the story is if a girl is gonna stick around you when you’re sleeping until 12:30 in the afternoon, she probably likes you. Marry her."
Happy Valentine's Day! Welcome to the seventh and final episode in this year's Love on the Run Week series. Today, Jersey is in the house! Professional runners Josette Norris and Robby Andrews join the show to talk about the first time they met, the actual first time they met, and what they're each like on the sidelines when the other is racing (spoiler: loud!). Josette signed with Reebok in 2020, and is fresh off a breakout year where everyone was talking about "Josette Norris from New Jersey." And 2022 is already off to a solid start for her, with personal bests in the 1500m and the 3000m. Robby is in his tenth year competing as a professional athlete. He is sponsored by adidas, and is a 2016 Olympian: He competed in the 1500m in Rio. In this conversation, Josette and Robby (who got engaged in 2020) keep it fun talking about Robby meeting Barack and Michelle Obama and about how wedding planning is going. But they also talk about dealing with tough stuff, like Robby's experiences with Lyme disease, injuries, and surgeries, and Josette's experience being thrust into the running spotlight last year, and how she handled that. Robby offers an epic answer to the "What food would you make for Josette?" question in the Sprint, and they talk about what's on tap for 2022.
SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
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Feb 14, 2022 |
480. Love on the Run with Sinclaire Johnson & Craig Nowak
01:04:07
"I feel like I’m the best version of myself when he’s around."
It's a big weekend for professional runners Sinclaire Johnson and Craig Nowak! Sinclaire and her Union Athletics Club teammates just broke the DMR (distance medley relay) world record in Spokane, WA (Sinclaire ran the 800m leg), and Craig was tasked with pacing 1500m and the 3K. But when they're not racing, pacing, or record-breaking, Sinclaire and Craig live and train together in Portland, OR. On this episode, they share the story of how they met (at Oklahoma State University, where Sinclaire was a freshman and Craig was a fifth year senior), what it was like dating long-distance after Craig graduated, and moving in together. Sinclaire, an NCAA 1500m champion who signed with Nike after graduating, talks about her decision to leave the Bowerman Track Club last year and to join Union Athletics Club, where she is coached by Pete Julian. She talks about having that conversation with former coaches Jerry Schumacher and Shalane Flanagan, and about why the Bowerman training style wasn't working for her. And Craig talks about becoming "the pacer guy," about his role as an official pacer on race day, and about how he navigates his own racing goals with his pacing duties.
SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
For more, check out:
Sinclaire Johnson on Episode 373 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Feb 13, 2022 |
479. Love on the Run with Emily Sisson & Shane Quinn
01:09:35
“It was that classic thing of, ‘Want to go study together?’ with no actual interest in studying whatsoever.”
In the summer of 2011, the northeast was preparing to get hit by Hurricane Irene. At Providence College in Rhode Island, a group of students gathered in a dorm room to ride out the storm together. Two of those students, both at Providence to run competitively, were Emily Sisson and Shane Quinn. On this episode, professional runner Emily and mental health counselor Shane talk about why they were immediately attracted to each other (no "speed goggles" necessary), and how their relationship started (shout-out to the Providence Place mall!). They reflect on major moments in Emily's running career, like winning the 10K at the U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials last summer, and talk about what it was like when Emily competed at the Olympics but Shane couldn't be there with her. Plus, exciting life updates: Emily and Shane (and their two dogs, Desmond and Tori) just moved to Flagstaff, AZ!
SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
For more, check out:
Emily Sisson on Episode 394 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emily Sisson on Episode 234 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emily Sisson on Episode 169 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Feb 12, 2022 |
478. Love on the Run with Annie Frisbie & Dhru Patel
01:04:03
“I thought he just wanted to be my friend!”
Love on the Run Week, day four! Today we're joined by Minnesota Distance Elite's Annie Frisbie and Dhru Patel. Annie is in the midst of a breakout year on the run. She made her marathon debut at the TCS New York City Marathon in November, where she ran a 2:26, finishing seventh overall and as the third American woman. That time was the fourth-fastest marathon debut by an American woman. Then, Annie signed her first professional sponsorship deal with Puma. Last month, she raced for the first time in her new kit and shoes at the Houston Half Marathon, running a 1:10, finishing 10th, and immediately saying she was "hungry for more." When she's not running professionally, Annie is a graphic designer. On this episode, we hear all about that day in New York City from Annie's perspective, and from Dhru's, who was there to support his girlfriend and teammate. Dhru explains why he's taking a running and training break right now, and about what his days look like without running and competing. Dhru is perhaps best known for making history in April 2019. He was a senior accounting major at North Central College and ran the 5,000 meters at a meet at Stanford. Dhru finished in 13:51, breaking a 42-year division-three record.
SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
For more, check out:
Dakotah Lindwurm on Episode 476 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Feb 11, 2022 |
477. Love on the Run with Natalie & Jerold Mitchell
01:10:28
"I was like, you know what, any woman who can hop over a fence in a dress — I need to know more about her!"
It's day three of Love on the Run Week, and Natalie and Jerold Mitchell are here! Natalie and Jerold have been married for more than two decades, and have three children together. They live in Los Angeles, where Jerold works in human resources, Natalie is a run coach (she's also a 12-time marathoner with a 3:05 personal best), and they co-host the Suite Run podcast. On this episode, they talk about the first time they met (Natalie was not interested), about bonding at a friend's wedding, and about dating long-distance for two years before Jerold moved to L.A. to be with Natalie. Jerold shares the story of surprising Natalie by running a marathon with the hopes of proposing at the finish line — and they laugh about how that story actually played out. (You will, too.) Plus, they share the highs and lows of working together, and Natalie offers an update on her goals to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the marathon.
SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
For more, check out:
Natalie Mitchell on Episode 307 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Feb 10, 2022 |
476. Love on the Run with Nikki Hiltz & Emma Gee
01:16:18
“Emma was my calm within the storm.”
It's the second day of Love on the Run Week, and today we're joined by Nikki Hiltz and Emma Gee. Nikki is a professional runner specializing in the 1500 meters, and Emma was a standout collegiate runner at Brigham Young University and Temple University. Together, they're a total dream team, and they're incredible advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. (Run the Pride 5K!) Last year, Nikki came out as transgender nonbinary, telling the world, "The best way I can explain my gender is as fluid." Nikki's pronouns are they/them; Emma's pronouns are she/her. Nikki and Emma are wise and introspective, and they love self-discovery. On this episode, they talk about how they met (for the first time in a town called Hurricane!), why they fell in love, and what their relationship has been like. They talk about the good and bad sides of using their voices, and Nikki offers some sponsorship updates.
SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
For more, check out:
Nikki Hiltz on Episode 294 of the Ali on the Run Show
Nikki Hiltz on Episode 170 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emma Gee on Episode 309 of the Ali on the Run Show
Myers-Briggs test (I’m ESFJ — The Consul!)
The 5 Love Languages (I’m words of affirmation!)
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Feb 09, 2022 |
475. Love on the Run with Keira & Anthony D'Amato
01:19:52
“Our love story is a pretty long, funny one.”
Welcome to Love on the Run Week 2022! On tap: seven days, seven episodes, seven couples sharing their love stories. Prepare for lots of laughs, awwwwws, and warm fuzzies leading up to Valentine's Day. These guests — all at different stages in their relationships — will share how they met, the best parts of their relationships, the challenges, and the role running plays throughout it all.
First up: Keira and Anthony D'Amato! Keira is the newly-crowned American record holder in the marathon, and she'll be the first to tell you that she couldn't and wouldn't have run that 2:19:12 at the Houston Marathon without "Team D'Amato." And yeah, she's the fastest marathoner in the country right now, but Keira and Anthony are all about fun. Everything they do is in pursuit of a good time, from smashing records to organizing food bracket challenges with their kids, Tommy and Quin. On this episode, we'll hear all about what went down in Houston, Keira and Anthony's Vegas wedding, and the time Anthony secretly ate all the hidden Halloween candy.
SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
For more, check out:
Keira D'Amato on Episode 414 of the Ali on the Run Show
Keira D'Amato on Episode 305 of the Ali on the Run Show
Calum Neff on Episode 470 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Feb 08, 2022 |
474. Beyond the Run with Dr. Ian Nurse & Emily Saul
01:30:20
"Running is hard. Races are hard. So let’s expect that."
Welcome to Beyond the Run — a new series on the Ali on the Run Show focusing on the mental side of running. Twice a month, we'll hear from professional athletes, everyday runners, and experts in their fields about the impact running can have on our emotional well-being.
We're kicking things off today with two experts.
Dr. Ian Nurse is a chiropractor, 25-time marathoner (with a 2:25 personal best), dad of two, and owner of Wellness in Motion Boston, where he treats the everyday and amateur runner, movie stars, musicians, and professional athletes including Molly Seidel, Elle Purrier St. Pierre, and Heather MacLean. (And he treats me!) Ian is all about taking a holistic approach to his treatment, which is why in addition to his staff of chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists, he also brought Emily Saul onto the team.
You may remember Emily Saul — the collegiate rower turned marathoner and co-leader of November Project Boston — from Episode 59 of the Ali on the Run Show. She's a licensed mental health counselor with a Master's degree in sports psychology, and she's the founder of E Saul Movement.
In this unexpectedly personal conversation (two of us cried!), Ian talks about how runners can take care of their bodies this year, and Emily speaks to the mental side of it all. They talk about working with Molly Seidel the day before the 2021 New York City Marathon, and Ian talks about his struggles with aging on the run and how Emily has helped him work through that. Plus, dealing with injuries, how to know when to "push through the pain," and what seeing a sports psychologist is actually like.
SPONSOR: New Balance — Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun to learn more about how New Balance is supporting the conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite jacket, joggers, and long-sleeve shirts.)
What you’ll get on this episode:
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Feb 04, 2022 |
473. Emily Oster, Economist, Author, Professor, Runner
01:06:45
"Running has served many purposes over my whole life. But in this particular set of moments now — where so much of what I’m doing is not exactly about metrics, but about data and trying to achieve or accomplish something — I realized that trying to meet some particular bar or some standard with running was not the relationship I wanted to have with that activity. I want running to be something I do for me... It’s supposed to be fun."
If you're a parent, you're probably familiar with Emily Oster. She's an economist and professor of economics at Brown University, but among the child-rearing set, she's best known as the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. And while the media loves to call Emily a "parenting expert," Emily's actual goal is to use a data-driven approach to help parents feel more relaxed about their decisions. And while Emily swears by research and numbers in most aspects of her life, there's one area where she opts to ditch the data: on the run. Emily is a lifelong runner, and on this episode she talks about how she got into running, how she finds time to run as a busy mom of two, and how her relationship with running has evolved over the past few years.
SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit shokz.com/ontherun for 15% off wireless headphones.
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
"Emily Oster: Through the Looking Glass," via Tracksmith
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Feb 03, 2022 |
472. Emilia Benton, Boston Marathon Qualifier
59:41
“I think this time was a long time coming. I just had to believe in myself more than anything.”
The last time freelance journalist Emilia Benton was on the Ali on the Run Show, she talked about her longtime dream to qualify for the Boston Marathon. And she just kicked off 2022 by doing exactly that: running a nearly 16-minute personal best and earning a Boston qualifying time at the Houston Marathon. (Emilia's official finish time: 3:30:14!) On this episode, Emilia talks all about how she made that 12-year dream come true in Houston. She talks about the game-changing decision to hire professional runner Nell Rojas as her coach, and about what working with Nell was like throughout her marathon build-up. (Read more about their experience working together in Women's Running here.) Emilia talks about dealing with setbacks on the run, including a hip injury that sidelined her early in this training cycle, and about how she never stopped believing in herself along the way.
SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit shokz.com/ontherun for 15% off wireless headphones.
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
Emilia Benton on Episode 340 of the Ali on the Run Show
Nell Rojas on Episode 434 of the Ali on the Run Show
Nell Rojas on Episode 431 of the Ali on the Run Show
Nell Rojas on Episode 229 of the Ali on the Run Show
Calum Neff on Episode 470 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Jan 27, 2022 |
471. Sara Vaughn, 2021 CIM Winner & Puma-Sponsored Athlete
01:07:32
“Celebrating victories big or small — that’s definitely how I choose to live life now.”
The "great time to be a 30-something mom on the run" celebrations continue today on the Ali on the Run Show. Sara Vaughn is a full-time realtor and mom of four who just made — and won — her marathon debut at CIM and, within hours of crossing the finish line, was on the phone about to sign her first professional running contract with Puma. Sara has been competitive on the track for a long time, having great success particularly in the 1500m and the steeplechase. But last year, she got the itch to go long, and decided to give the marathon a try. Now, at 35, she's a fully-sponsored professional runner for the first time. On this episode, Sara talks about what life is like now with her new Puma deal, and explains how that deal came together. She talks about motherhood, identity, and whether always being pegged as a mom-on-the-run has helped or hurt her career. Plus, her spring 2022 racing plans, her decision to prioritize her mental health, and so much more.
SPONSOR: The 2022 Publix Atlanta Marathon Weekend — Go to atlantatrackclub.org and use code ONTHERUN to get 10% off your registration for the 5K, half marathon, marathon, or kids' races, taking place February 26–27.
What you’ll get on this episode:
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Jan 25, 2022 |
470. Calum Neff, Pacer for Keira D'Amato's American Record at the Houston Marathon
01:21:52
"We hit that first split bang on the money, and I told her, 'We’re good. It’s happening. It’s on.'"
It was a record-breaking, history-making weekend at the Houston Marathon! Keira D'Amato won the race and ran a new American record in the marathon, finishing in 2:19:12 and breaking Deena Kastor's former record by 24 seconds. And Keira had some company along the way: two pacers, one of whom was Texas-based ultra-runner and four-time Guinness World Record Holder Calum Neff. (You may also remember Calum as the "green shorts guy" who paced Sara Hall at the Marathon Project in 2020.) And while Calum is an incredibly accomplished runner, he — like Keira — had never broken 2:20 in the marathon. So this task would require running a personal best of his own en route to that American record goal. (Spoiler: He did it, finishing in 2:19:33.) On this episode, Calum talks about how he got the role as Keira's pacer, what it was like previewing the course together the day before the race, and what that 5:18 pace actually felt like. Plus, all the details and dad jokes from the day, hashing out the realities of pandemic marriage and parenting (Calum and his wife have three daughters), and what's next for Calum.
SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit shokz.com/ontherun for 15% off wireless headphones.
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
Calum Neff on Episode 318 of the Ali on the Run Show
Keira D’Amato on Episode 414 of the Ali on the Run Show
Keira D’Amato on Episode 305 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Jan 20, 2022 |
469. Allie Wilson, Professional Runner for Atlanta Track Club Elite
01:07:22
“I will be a nervous wreck until that gun goes off, but I will never race like I’m nervous… As soon as I’m racing, it all goes out the window, and I’m always going to race my heart out, no matter what.”
At last summer's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials, Allie Wilson officially solidified her spot as "one to watch" in the 800m. The professional runner for Atlanta Track Club Elite made it to the final round of the 800, ultimately finishing sixth. And despite not making the Olympic team, she walked away from Hayward Field proudly — and with a new personal best (1:59.02). On this episode, Allie reflects on her first Olympic Trials experience. She talks about her pre-race meltdown before the first round of competition, and talks about how she deals with race-day nerves. Allie talks about why she likes "racing under the radar," and about how she's learned not to count herself out when it matters the most. ("I may not be the fastest person going into the Trials, but I’m one of the fastest," Allie says. "And anything can happen if you put your mind to it.") Plus, all about heat training in Florida and what's on tap for 2022.
SPONSOR: The Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K, all taking place on February 6, 2022. Click here to register today!
What you’ll get on this episode:
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Jan 18, 2022 |
468. Brittany Charboneau, 2022 Dopey Challenge Champion
01:25:06
“It was just so magical. Like holy smokes, I did it.”
Last weekend, Brittany Charboneau made Disney history by becoming the first person to ever win all four races in the Dopey Challenge. The North Face-sponsored professional runner ran four races in four days — a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon — and broke the tape at each one. And she did so in carefully curated costumes that she hand-made herself, including Elsa from Frozen 2, Bing Bong and Joy from Inside Out, and Cruella de Vil from Cruella. On this episode, Brittany talks about why she wanted to complete the Dopey Challenge after a disappointing experience at last year's Boston Marathon. She talks about getting Covid just a few weeks before the races, and about her inspiration for each race and each costume. Plus, the Colorado-based comedian talks about attending "Broadway Camp" in New York City, where she spent nine hours a day training in dance, acting, and singing — in addition to training for the Dopey Challenge.
SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order!
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
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Jan 14, 2022 |
467. Dakotah Lindwurm, Puma-Sponsored Professional Runner
01:01:54
“That is how I always race — I’ve always got a smile on my face.”
Dakotah Lindwurm runs happy. If you saw her leading the 2021 Boston Marathon — where she ultimately finished as the third American woman — you saw that smile on full display, from start to finish. And that smile just got a lot bigger, as Dakotah kicks off the new year with her first professional contract. Last week, Dakotah announced that she has officially signed with Puma, and that she will continue training with Minnesota Distance Elite. On this episode, the 2:29 marathoner (and former hockey goalie!) talks about her stellar past year on the run, which included two half-marathon personal bests and a win at Grandma's Marathon, where she also ran a personal best. She talks about being pegged as an underdog, and why she loves it, and about her goals for this weekend's Houston Half Marathon.
SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit shokz.com/ontherun for 15% off wireless headphones.
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
Run the Mile You’re In by Ryan Hall
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Jan 13, 2022 |
466. Hiruni Wijayaratne, South Asia's Fastest Marathoner
01:11:51
“I feel like I’m in love again with the process of waking up early, putting my shoes on, bundling up, and going for a run. It doesn’t feel quite easy or fun all the time yet, but I’m definitely in love with the process again.”
For most professional athletes, a day in the life includes running, eating, recovering, napping, resting, running again, eating again, and sleeping. But for Hiruni Wijayaratne — the 11-time Sri Lankan record holder in distances from the 5,000 meters to the marathon, and the fastest female marathoner in South Asia — running has to happen before or after her other jobs. Hiruni lives in Colorado, where she works full-time in the tech industry, coaches with Runcoach, and trains at an elite level under the coaching of Ric Rojas. On this episode, Hiruni talks about her years-long quest to qualify for Sri Lanka's Olympic marathon team, and what it's been like to fall short of that goal and break her mind, body, and spirit in the process. She talks about her struggles over the past few years, and about clawing her way back to loving running again. Most recently, Hiruni ran the California International Marathon (with training partner Nell Rojas!), where she earned her second-fastest marathon time, finishing in 2:34:22. But the road to the CIM start line wasn't easy, and today Hiruni is here to talk about what it means to bet on yourself — and how she's learned to do it.
SPONSOR: The WineShine Half Marathon — Register today for the inaugural event, happening July 16, 2022. See you in Napa!
What you’ll get on this episode:
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Nell Rojas on Episode 434 of the Ali on the Run Show
Nell Rojas on Episode 431 of the Ali on the Run Show
Nell Rojas on Episode 229 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Jan 11, 2022 |
465. The 2022 State of the Ali on the Run Show
01:16:47
“I don’t know what the year will bring, but I know I’m going to keep showing up for myself and for all of you.”
In 2021, I released 165 episodes of the Ali on the Run Show with 134 different guests. I welcomed 10 new sponsors to the show, and maintained a strong partnership with eight longtime sponsors. In addition to the "hallmark" Thursday conversations, there was a steady stream of fun series options to choose from, including Love on the Run, On the Job, Ask Ali, What's New With You, Just Missed, Ramblings on the Run, and The Everyday Runner. After a long, pandemic-induced break, I was thrilled to return to in-person live shows in both Boston and New York City, and I hosted two virtual live shows earlier in the year. In October, the show surpassed 10 million downloads. November saw the show's single highest week of downloads, and became the show's highest-ever month of downloads. I hired a new member of the Ali on the Run Show team, and finally (finally!) created and sold merchandise.
It wasn't an easy year. We were — and still are — in this pandemic. I'm still recording all of my episodes remotely, without having face-to-face conversations with the guests. I'm still trying to do a better job of navigating my role in the running industry's problems with racism and representation, and on this episode, you'll hear me acknowledge where I feel I fell short this year.
Today, I offer my annual State of the Ali on the Run Show, reflecting on the past, present, and future of this podcast. I'm here (solo today, and returning with guests next week) to look back on 2021, sharing both the by-the-numbers and beyond-the-numbers looks at the past year. I touch on my personal highlight reel from 2021, and revisit my 2021 goals. I share some key takeaways from the year-end listener survey (thank you to the thousand of you who participated!), and share what you can expect from this show in 2022.
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Jan 06, 2022 |
464. Michelle Wolf, Comedian & Ultramarathoner
01:28:43
“If I’m stuck on a joke, I’ll go for a run and think about it during my run. And almost all the time, I can figure it out on the run.”
Michelle Wolf is a comedian who is best known for her stand-up specials (Michelle Wolf: Joke Show on Netflix, and Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady on HBO), and her roles as a writer and on-air contributor at both The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and Late Night with Seth Meyers. And though she's been successful on the comedy scene for a long time, it was her set as the headliner at the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner that really made headlines. Where was she when she got the call about being invited to the dinner? On a run. And what did she do in the aftermath, when life was, as she recalls, "tumultuous?" Go for a run. Michelle is a college high jumper turned avid distance runner, ultramarathoner, and self-proclaimed "track and field super fan." On this episode, she talks about her road to comedy fame, what her joke-writing process is like, and how she deals when rejection and feedback are essential parts of her job. Plus, all about that White House Correspondents' Dinner, including how she came up with the material, what it was like in the moment, and what happened next.
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Dec 30, 2021 |
463. Jesse Harmon, Founder of Run Hard
59:16
A disclaimer, before we get into it: This conversation talks at great length about one man's experience with disordered eating and anorexia. We discuss his eating habits and behaviors, his weight fluctuations, and what worked for him during recovery. As always, I want you to take care of yourselves and your hearts, and if for any reason these topics are hard for you to hear about right now, please consider listening cautiously or skipping this episode.
“They looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘You’re dying.’ And I didn’t believe them.”
Jesse Harmon is a 12-time marathoner with a 2:58 personal best in the distance. He's a dad of four, living with his wife and kids in South Carolina, where he's the founder of Run Hard — an after-school program for kids, where the goal is to create self-confidence through running. And though Jesse is a talented runner and an eager role model, the road there hasn't been easy. In 2013, Jesse was diagnosed with anorexia. His doctors told him he was going to die if he kept living the way he was living. On this episode, Jesse shares his story — the highs, the lows, the scary parts, and the light bulb moment that got him to finally commit to recovery. Plus, where he's at now in what he calls this "lifelong race."
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Dec 28, 2021 |
462: The 2020 Virtual Live Show Holiday Party with Shalane Flanagan, Des Linden, & Aisha Praught Leer
01:22:10
“Holiday songs are my passion.” —Aisha Praught Leer
One year ago, we closed out 2020 on the Ali on the Run Show with a holiday party of sorts. It was virtual, with a 500-person Zoom audience, a Schitt's Creek-inspired soundtrack, and an all-star guest lineup: Shalane Flanagan, Des Linden, and Aisha Praught Leer. We sat in front of our Christmas trees (Shalane wore holiday pajamas!), and indulged in 90 minutes of warm, fuzzy feelings. It felt like what we all needed at the time. And now, more than 365 days later, it seems like we might need those good feelings again. So, I'm releasing the episode to the public for the very first time. Whether you were there with us when the show first happened, or you're tuning in for the first time now, I hope this conversation brings you some holiday cheer. Shalane, Des, and Aisha talk about their holiday traditions, their earliest memories of happiness and joy, and what kept them motivated during peak pandemic times. (We also surprised Shalane, Des, and Aisha with a video that included tons of clips from their loved ones, and though you can't see the video here, listening in is still pretty fun, and you can see the names of all the guests, in order, below.)
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The video guest list (they're all past Ali on the Run Show guests!), in order of "appearance:"
Will Leer (Aisha’s husband)
Laura Thweatt (Aisha’s former teammate and close friend)
Courtney Frerichs (Shalane’s athlete and friend)
Gwen Jorgensen (Shalane’s athlete and friend)
Ryan Linden (Des’s husband)
Mary Kate Shea (Des’s friend)
Elise Cranny (Shalane’s athlete)
Listen to Des on the Ali on the Run Show:
Episode 205: Love on the Run with Des & Ryan Linden
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Dec 23, 2021 |
461. Makenna Myler, Professional Distance Runner
01:04:55
“That seems to have diminished quite a bit since having a baby. The outcomes really don’t matter. It’s just so much more about who I’m becoming as I’m trying to reach these goals. It’s so cliché, right — the journey. But it really is true. The journey and who you’re becoming are just so much more important.”
Last year, Makenna Myler went viral when she ran a mile in five minutes and 25 seconds — at nine months pregnant. On this episode, Makenna talks about that day, and about the bet she had with her husband that motivated the run. She also talks about the aftermath of going viral, and the criticism she received just days before going into labor. Today, Makenna is mom to one-year-old Kenny Lou, and she's had a strong comeback on the run. She qualified for the Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 10K, competed at the Trials and finished 14th (her goal was to finish in the top 15!), won the Deseret News Half Marathon (and set a course record in the process), and signed a professional contract with Asics. Most recently, Makenna ran the TCS New York City Marathon — and she's hungry for more. Plus, Makenna talks about her expectations about running and motherhood, and shares what the reality has been like for her.
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Dec 21, 2021 |
460. Sika Henry, Professional Triathlete
01:07:53
“I hit a severe low. I went through a bout of depression, actually. I felt lost, in some ways. I had this dream and this goal, and I was so focused, and then I achieved it…and then it was like I didn’t have anything.”
Earlier this year, Sika Henry made history, becoming the first African American woman to become a professional triathlete. She's an Ironman, an ultramarathoner (she just completed the JFK 50 Mile last month), and a Hoka-sponsored athlete. But the road to trailblazing status hasn't been without its challenges. In 2019, Sika was competing at an Ironman 70.3 event in Texas when she crashed her bike and had to be rushed to the hospital. On this episode, she recalls that day, and talks about the road to getting back on the bike, and back to herself. She talks about earning her triathlon pro card this year, and about dealing with a bout of depression afterward. Plus, all about the breakup that inspired her to get her start in triathlon (relatable!), what it was like completing the JFK 50 Mile, and why representation is so important to her. (For more from Sika, check out her recent profile in the New York Times.)
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Dec 16, 2021 |
459. Sara Hall's 2021 Recap
01:00:28
“We all want love and belonging at the end of the day. And so when you feel like your love and belonging is threatened if you fail…at a young age I started to really become afraid of that.”
We kicked off 2021 on the Ali on the Run Show with professional runner Sara Hall, and today, Sara is back to recap the highs and lows of her year, both on the run (wins and podiums!) and off (getting Covid early in the year and dealing with a long recovery). Sara talks about her win at the NYRR Mini 10K, her fifth-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials 10K, and her third-place finish at the Chicago Marathon in October. She also talks about supporting her daughters in their endeavors, whether on the sidelines at their races or in mother-daughter hip-hop classes. Plus, a look ahead at 2022 and Sara's hopes and dreams as a member of the World Championship Marathon team.
SPONSOR: UCAN. Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order!
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
Sara Hall on Episode 321 of the Ali on the Run Show
Sara Hall on Episode 300 of the Ali on the Run Show
Sara and Ryan Hall on Episode 144 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Dec 15, 2021 |
458. The Everyday Runners, Julia Berteletti & Robyn Mayer
01:11:25
“Women really only get tougher. I’ve figured that out myself, and I’ve figured that out watching others. I don’t really put a limit at this point of what being a mom and being a runner means anymore.”
Welcome to the fifth and final episode in Season 2 of the Everyday Runner series. And today, we're getting a two-for-one deal, with Denver-based running best friends Robyn Mayer and Julia Berteletti! This warm-fuzzy-filled episode is all about the power of female friendships, both on the run and beyond. Julia and Robyn met through Twitter (remember those days?!) a decade ago, and eventually met in real life when they both moved to Colorado and started working out with November Project. On this episode, they share their real-life meet-cute moment, and talk about why they hit it off right away. They talk about their expectations about running after having children, and about the reality. Julia is mom to three-year-old Max, and talks about her hopes to have a second child, and the three miscarriages she has suffered along the way. Robyn is mom to two-year-old Rosie, and talks about her experience with Crohn's disease and how it affects her every day. Both women just ran CIM as their first marathons since becoming moms, so they reflect on how marathon training is different with a little one at home when you are also working full-time outside the home. Plus, what they talk about on the run together, and all about their Shalane Flanagan and Abby Wambach moment at CIM.
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Dec 14, 2021 |
457. Ask Ali!
45:24
"I know that for me to run well, I need to be happy, I need to not be stressed, I need to be relaxed, and I need to know that the time on the clock does not define me as a human."
Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around — the last Ask Ali of the year! — we’ve got listener questions about early morning running, my favorite winter running gear, what to do when training feels discouraging, how I decide who to feature on the podcast, and more. Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!
If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer
Down For It All vest and jacket
lululemon Wunder Train Long Line bra
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Dec 10, 2021 |
456. Talya Minsberg, New York Times Sports Editor
01:18:53
“It was so cool, and so weird, and it’s still hard to describe.”
For many sports journalists — especially the ones who cover running — New York City Marathon week is arguably the busiest of the year. That was certainly true for New York Times sports editor Talya Minsberg, who not only covered the race and many of the stories leading up to it, but also ran the marathon herself (and earned a Boston Marathon qualifying time in the process!). On this episode, Talya reflects on that week, sharing the stories she was most excited to tell (notably, the one about Tommy Rivers Puzey's comeback), and stories from her own race. She talks about what her days look like writing, editing, and managing the NYT Running newsletter. Plus, tales from the Met Gala, the Tokyo Olympics, and the Times comment section.
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What you’ll get on this episode:
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Erin Azar in the New York Times
Tommy Rivers Puzey in the New York Times
"Why Are American Women Running Faster Than Ever? We Asked Them — Hundreds of Them"
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Dec 09, 2021 |
455. The Everyday Runner, Molly Burke
01:21:10
“We all just decided, we need to keep moving. We can’t just stay here and wallow in this. Obviously we’ll still be grieving, but we all made the decision that we had to just do the best we could.”
Today's episode in the Everyday Runner series is extra special: Molly Burke is here, and she is the newest member of the Ali on the Run Show team! (Merch! Events! A retreat! A live show tour! All in the works, thanks to Molly!) Molly's story — both on the run and off — is a powerful one. On this episode, Molly talks about her family, about her dad (Brian Burke, president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins) being big time in the NHL, and about the close bond she shares with her siblings. She talks about the impact her dad's very public career had on her and her siblings growing up, and shares the story of her brother, Brendan, privately and publicly coming out as gay, and being the first NHL-affiliated person to do so. Tragically, Brendan was killed in a car accident just three months later. Molly talks about leaning into running as a way to help cope with her grief, and talks about being an advocate and ally for the LGBTQ+ community. (Come for the inspiration. Stay for the story about 19-year-old Molly getting kicked out of a Bruins game for standing up to a group of men using homophobic slurs.) Plus, Molly talks about her career working at Edelman and TripAdvisor, and talks about why she was hesitant to join a run group or group fitness class — and how she got over it.
SPONSOR: COROS — Use code ONTHERUN for a free keychain watch charger with the purchase of any watch!
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
Katie Burke on Episode 327 of the Ali on the Run Show
Katie Burke on Episode 252 of the Ali on the Run Show
Katie Burke on Episode 84 of the Ali on the Run Show
Katie Burke on Episode 70 of the Ali on the Run Show
"We love you, this won't change a thing."
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Dec 07, 2021 |
454. Ramblings on the Run with Ali & Matt
01:05:45
“I ran that fresh off a breakup, fueled by vodka and cute bartenders. I was not in a good headspace, and I rage ran — and I loved it. But now, I run better when I'm very happy.”
We're back! After an eight-month hiatus, Ramblings on the Run returns! On these episodes, Matt Chittim — host of the Rambling Runner podcast and the Road to the Trials podcast — and I catch up on how our running is going, share what we’re loving right now, and talk about what we’re excited about. And then, in our fourth segment, we play a game of "High, Low, High," sharing our high and low points from 2021 both personally and in the running industry.
SPONSOR: The Run Show USA — Use code ONTHERUN to get free admission to The Run Show in Boston, happening January 29–30, 2022.
What we mention on this episode:
In It for the Long Run by Damian Hall
Grayson Murphy on Episode 450 of the Ali on the Run Show
My 2021 New York City Marathon Experience
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Dec 06, 2021 |
453. Ask Ali!
46:04
"Get holiday cheer whenever and wherever and however you want. I support that. I support all of the cheer and sparkles and glitter."
Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about my relationship with my mom, how I got into running, holiday celebrations, merchandise, and more. (Plus, a very special guest!) Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!
If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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Dec 03, 2021 |
452. Alexi Pappas, New York City Marathoner
49:23
Photo by Stone Malick.
“I just started to leap — like a prancing dancer across one of the intersections. And the crowd just lit up and went crazy… And I realized, this is fun!”
There were more than 30,000 runners at this year's New York City Marathon. But it feels safe to say that no one had more fun on that course than professional runner and Olympian Alexi Pappas. On this episode, Alexi recounts her joyful journey from Staten Island to Central Park. She talks about her plans and goals for the day, and shares the story of how she made a friend — Vito — at mile three, with whom she went on to run the entire rest of the race. She talks about leaning into fun, about channeling her true inner self on the run, and about the life-changing advice she got from Jenny Simpson after the race. Plus, how she's coped with the post-marathon comedown, and why she wants people to stop asking professional runners what's next.
SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
Alexi Pappas on Episode 330 of the Ali on the Run Show
Alexi Pappas on Episode 296 of the Ali on the Run Show
Alexi Pappas on Episode 163 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Dec 02, 2021 |
451. The Everyday Runner, Lara Kondor
01:16:17
“I just had to keep moving forward… I never let myself stop and wallow in it, because I was afraid that if I did, I’d never stop. I just had to keep going. So I did.”
Lara Kondor is — and always has been — tough. She's a 46-year-old ultra-running mom of three who lives in New Hampshire, and on this episode, she talks about how she found running, and about the powerful role running has played in her life. Lara is a 13-time marathoner and nine-time ultramarathoner, with dreams of hitting the 100-mile mark in a single event. (Her longest so far is 92 miles at The Hamsterwheel 24-hour race.) Both on the run and off, Lara is a full-time caregiver for her oldest child, Noah, who is 25 and was diagnosed with autism at three years old. Noah is mostly nonverbal, but running has given him a new way to communicate. In this conversation, Lara talks about Noah's diagnosis, about new motherhood, and about how they started running together. She talks about asking for help, about accepting help, and about seeing Noah thrive (and get faster!) on the run.
SPONSOR: COROS — Use code ONTHERUN for a free keychain watch charger with the purchase of any watch!
What you’ll get on this episode:
Check out:
Melissa Cummings on Episode 375 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Nov 30, 2021 |
450. Grayson Murphy, Mountain Running World Champion
01:01:43
“If I can make someone else get comfortable and they can get the help they need, that seems like mission accomplished to me.”
Grayson Murphy just may be the most versatile professional runner in the country right now. This year alone, Grayson has taken home wins on the trails, the track, and the roads. She won Saucony's Fast Future 10K in Germany, won her heat in the 3000m steeplechase at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials (and ultimately finished sixth in the finals), won the USATF Mountain Running Championships, won the Deseret News 10K, and earned herself a personal best in the mile. On this episode, we cover all of the highlights from Grayson's fast, fun year, and talk about the tough stuff along the way. Grayson talks about dealing with race anxiety, shares her thoughts on the emotional side of running, and offers advice for thriving in a long-distance relationship. (Yay love language talk!) She talks about her passion for rest days, her love for journaling (check out her line of 2022 planners here!), and what's next on the run. (Hint: The word marathon came up an awful lot in this conversation...)
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Nov 29, 2021 |
449. Elyse Kopecky, Marathoner
49:27
"There was never a low point for me. Is that weird?!"
Two weeks before this year's New York City Marathon, Elyse Kopecky was on the Ali on the Run Show with best friend Shalane Flanagan, talking all about their NYC Marathon plans and dreams, and about the release of their third cookbook, Rise & Run. Now, Elyse is back — and she's officially a marathoner! On this episode, Elyse shares every detail of her debut marathon experience. She talks about the highs and lows of training, about the struggle of being a mom pulled in many directions at all times, and about traveling to New York City alone. She reflects on the excitement of Rise & Run becoming a New York Times best-seller the same week as the marathon, and breaks down her race week. Then, she talks about lining up on the top of the Verrazzano Bridge next to Shalane, and about meeting her at the finish line 3 hours, 32 minutes, and 28 seconds later. Plus, all the excitement of the 26.2 miles in between.
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Nov 24, 2021 |
448. The Everyday Runner, Adalgisa Rivera
01:17:48
"I just loved what I saw. I felt seen. I felt heard. There were so many people that looked like me, or they had similar journeys. They were in a transitional point in their lives, and fitness was part of that. So I just kept coming back."
This week on the Everyday Runner series, meet Adalgisa (best known as "Lisa") Rivera. Not only did Lisa and I record this episode just a few days after she completed the New York City Marathon, we also did so on Veteran's Day — an especially meaningful day for Lisa, who served in the U.S. Army National Guard for eight years. On this episode, Lisa shares her emotional NYC Marathon recap, and talks about how she first found running several years ago. (It involved being dragged to a Harlem Run workout "kicking and screaming." Fast forward a few years, and Lisa is now a five-time marathoner and pacer for Harlem Run.) She talks about her childhood, and about discovering the importance of community. And she talks about getting her master's degree in social work, and pursuing a career working in child welfare. Plus, all about her experience at the TransRockies Run this summer (and why she wants to double that distance in 2022), and why it's so important for Lisa to be a "change agent" in her community.
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Nov 23, 2021 |
447. Cortney White, Professional Photographer
01:13:31
"This was something I would never pass up. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to document these moments."
Cortney White has a unique lens on the running world — literally. Cortney is a professional photographer who just spent the past two months on the road with Shalane Flanagan, documenting every step of her Project Eclipse journey. On this episode, Cortney talks about how she got involved with this project, and shares her own highlights, challenges, and most memorable moments from the six-marathons-in-six-cities experience. She also talks about getting started in the industry, about the camaraderie among running photographers, and about why she wants to get cameras in the hands of more women. Plus, behind-the-scenes stories from her adventures, all about her #vanlife, and her answer to whether she's ever missed a major moment on camera.
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Nov 19, 2021 |
446. Erin "Mrs. Space Cadet" Azar, New York City Marathoner
01:14:43
"My whole life, I didn’t think I was funny or anything. So when people say that, or when they say I inspire them, my brain is immediately like, 'No, no you don't, don’t listen, they’re lying!' The New York City Marathon completely changed that for me. Meeting people in person for the first time…it really made it real for me."
She's baaaaack — and this time, she's a New York City Marathoner! Erin Azar — best known online as Mrs. Space Cadet — became a viral sensation when she started running after having her third child, documenting the process for her TikTok and YouTube fans. Erin was on the Ali on the Run Show in February talking about her rise to internet superstardom. Now, she returns to the show as an official New York City Marathoner. On this episode, Erin shares all the details from her New York City experience, from the pre-race adventures on foot to the journey to the start line, and every meaningful step in between the Verrazzano Bridge and the finish line. Along the way, Erin raised more than $76,000 for Team Fox, which supports Parkinson's disease research — a cause close to Erin's heart, since her dad lives with Parkinson's. (Her goal is to hit $100,000, and they are accepting donations until the end of the month. Click here to help get Erin a few dollars closer to $100K!) Watch Erin's full recap from the day here. Dare you not to cry at the 13-minute mark!
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Nov 18, 2021 |
445. The Everyday Runner, Chloe Rosen
01:22:05
“Running doesn’t break us. It teaches us to bend.”
By very popular demand: Welcome to Season 2 of The Everyday Runner series! For the next five weeks, we'll hear from runners who are just like you and me. They are women who love running and who care about it deeply — but they don't do this professionally, and they have jobs, families, responsibilities, and busy lives off the run. They are the everyday runner.
To kick off Season 2, meet Chloe Rosen! Chloe is the real-life runner behind the popular "Your Best Running Friend" Instagram account. And no wonder it's funny: Chloe is an actor and comedian whose work has been featured on Comedy Central, Funny or Die, and College Humor! (Check out her hit web series "Dating My TV.") On this episode, Chloe talks about her road to improv and sketch comedy greatness, and about how she found running along the way. (It involves a breakup. Relatable!) She talks about how her relationship with her body has ebbed and flowed over the years, about learning not to compare herself to Past Chloe, and about how she was feeling before running the New York City Marathon last weekend.
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Nov 16, 2021 |
444. Emma Bates, 2nd Place Finisher at the Chicago Marathon
01:11:17
“I really want to represent the country, and I want to make that the focus of my entire year.”
Last month, Emma Bates was among the thousands of runners who ran the Chicago Marathon on a very hot, very humid day. But the weather didn't bring her down: Emma finished second that day, earning herself a spot on the podium and a new personal best time in the marathon (2:24:20). On this episode, the professional runner for Asics reflects on that day in Chicago, and shares the lessons she learned when the running got tough. She talks about her emotional 2020, including missing a spot on Team USA at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, and then traveling to Europe afterward and getting a bad case of Covid-19 (which she hates talking about). Then, she talks about returning to the roads for the Marathon Project, and about her decision to join Team Boss and to be coached by Joe Bosshard. Plus, all about her weekend spectating at the TCS New York City Marathon (where she was best friend Laura Thweatt's "person"), and her excitement about earning a spot on next year's world championship team in the marathon.
SPONSOR: Napa Valley Marathon & Half Marathon — Registration is now open for next year's races. Click the link and secure your spot today for these fast, scenic races on March 6, 2022.
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Nov 12, 2021 |
443. My 2021 New York City Marathon Experience
01:40:47
“I love what I do. I didn’t know any of these jobs existed a few years ago. I didn’t know I could be a podcaster, I didn’t know I could be a race announcer. Now that I’m not only doing them, but I feel really fulfilled…and I know that can be fleeting. So I’m really basking in it.”
After more than 700 days, the TCS New York City Marathon was back this weekend! And I had the best week ever — without even running the marathon! On this episode, I'm talking all about my week in New York City, where I did my best to master the balance between work and pleasure. (I'm giving myself a solid A+ on that assignment.) I talk (in excessive detail) about all of the work and all of the play, from live shows and finish line race announcing to earning a new 5K PR, galavanting around the city, and seeing as many friends as possible. And, unsurprisingly, I shed a few tears along the way.
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Nov 11, 2021 |
442. LIVE from the New York City Marathon
01:20:03
"I wasn't going to let a few bad laps on a circle in Asia redefine how I feel about myself. And I've been that way with the good things, too. The last Olympics, I was on a circle in South America and it went differently, it went great. And it's fun, and it's way more fun to do well, but also, this is a game. I'm choosing to commit my life to this game, and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose."
It's New York City Marathon week! And I had the pleasure of getting to host a live show with New Balance at the 1 Hotel Central Park South with an all-star panel of guests: professional athletes Emma Coburn and Dani Jones, Peloton instructor Selena Samuela, and Stolen Starts ambassador Lizeth Aparicio. This wide-ranging conversation covered everything from the highlight reel to the blooper reel. Emma talked about processing this year's Olympics, Dani talked about transitioning from a college all-star to a professional athlete, Selena talked about the pressure to perform live to thousands of fans, and Lizeth talked about the intersection of running and activism in her life. Big thanks to everyone who joined us in that beautiful room, and good luck to everyone running the greatest marathon in the world. You got this!
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Nov 06, 2021 |
441. Ask Ali!
48:36
"I don’t 'have it all.' I have toilet paper in my pocket for Crohn’s disease emergencies."
Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about "having it all," wedding planning, early morning races, podcast sponsorship, and more. Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!
If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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Nov 05, 2021 |
440. Catching Up with Laura Thweatt
01:19:58
"I can do this. I am more capable than I give myself credit for. I can bet on myself. I can show up on race day, on that start line, and be confident in what I’ve done and know there’s no reason why I can’t go out there and have the race of my life."
The last time Laura Thweatt was on the Ali on the Run Show, she had just finished fifth at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta. (Listen to that episode here.) She was running professionally for Saucony (still true) and training with coach Joe Bosshard and the Team Boss crew in Boulder, CO (no longer true!). On this episode, Laura offers an update on life after Team Boss. She talks about her decision to step away from her training group, and shares the news about her new coach and training plan. She also talks all about the work she's done leading up to this weekend's New York City Marathon. Laura is a 2:25 marathoner who made her marathon debut in New York City in 2015. Now, she's heading back to the start line in Staten Island with big goals, big dreams, and some big life changes happening behind the scenes. Plus, reality TV talk, Laura's hilarious story of her interaction with Des Linden after the Trials, and so much more.
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Nov 04, 2021 |
439. Dr. Abby Bales Takeover Edition
01:24:21
"You’re honestly doing a really good job. I know all you see is all the ways you think you’re failing. But I promise, you’re doing OK, and no one has it all figured out, despite what you see on Instagram! Stop scrolling. Read a book."
In 2019, I interviewed Dr. Abby Bales — a pelvic floor physical therapist and the owner and founder of Reform Physical Therapy — as part of the Ali on the Run Show's Motherhood Mondays series. Ever since, Abby has asked when I would be willing to flip the script; when I would be willing to hand over the microphone so I could answer her questions. And today is that day. Welcome to the Dr. Abby on the Run Show! On this episode, Abby is in control, asking me questions about Crohn's disease, motherhood, life with a chronic illness, running, career stuff, and how they all intersect. (Listen to Dr. Abby's previous conversations on the Ali on the Run Show here, here, and here.)
SPONSOR: The AGA IBD Parenthood Project — Follow the link for resources and support on your own journey navigating parenthood and life with an inflammatory bowel disease.
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Nov 02, 2021 |
438. Shalane Flanagan & Elyse Kopecky, Best Friends & Best-Selling Authors
01:20:50
"It’s been fun to stand on the start line with really good friends and just feel like we’re a team, in this together."
Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky are best friends — best friends who run, bake, and co-author best-selling cookbooks together! On this episode, Shalane and Elyse are here to talk about their latest cookbook (available now!), Rise & Run. They talk about the unexpected success and popularity of their Superhero Muffins, and admit that they never thought anyone would publish their first cookbook (Run Fast, Eat Slow), let alone turn it into a three-book series. They share their friendship story (and stories about tequila), talk about how motherhood has changed their relationship, and talk about how they're celebrating their 40th birthdays this year. Shalane talks about Project Eclipse — her quest to run all six World Marathon Majors in 42 days — and about how she's feeling heading in her sixth and final race, the New York City Marathon next weekend. And Elyse talks about training for her marathon debut, also in NYC. Lots to celebrate on this episode, from muffins and marathons to motherhood and more! SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.
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FOR MORE: Listen to Shalane on Episode 242 of the Ali on the Run Show.
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Oct 28, 2021 |
437. The CIM OTQ Pacers Take on the Boston Marathon
01:08:49
“You have to honor the race by going and trying to do the best you possibly can.”
In December 2019, three men — Menso de Jong, Chris Stehula, and Ken Rakestraw — led 72 women to Olympic Trials qualifying times at the California International Marathon. Soon after, they came on the Ali on the Run Show to share their stories. Before CIM, neither Menso, Chris, nor Ken had ever run 2:45 marathons before. But that day, they pulled it off. And, in the process of doing so, they each earned themselves Boston Marathon qualifying times. So now, Menso, Chris, and Ken are back on the Ali on the Run Show for another race recap episode — but this one is different. This time, the only people they were pacing were themselves, and there were plenty of highs, lows, and backward walks along the way. Enjoy hearing about their race day strategies (most of which did not go according to plan), what the rolling start in Boston was really like, and what lessons they learned on the course that day.
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Oct 26, 2021 |
436. CJ Albertson, "The Guy Who Led the Boston Marathon for 21 Miles"
01:04:48
“It was a win-win either way. If they go with me, they’re running my race, and that’s great. And if they don’t go with me, I have a huge lead at Boston, and that’s pretty awesome, too!”
If you watched the 2021 Boston Marathon, you got to know CJ Albertson — or at least his face — pretty well. That's because CJ, who runs professionally for Brooks Running, took the lead in the men's elite race right from the start, and held it for 21 miles. He ran solo that entire time, gapping the rest of the field by two minutes at one point. After 21 miles, the pack caught up to CJ — who was also celebrating his birthday that day — but he was able to hang in and ultimately finished 10th. Those 21 miles at the front may have put CJ on the Boston map, but he's hardly new to the running scene. The California native is a 2:11 marathoner and cross-country and track coach at Clovis Community College. In 2019, he completed the indoor marathon world record challenge in 2 hours 17 minutes and 59 seconds. (That's 26.2 miles, indoors, on a 200-meter track!) Then, in 2020, CJ set an all-surface 50K world best time of 2:42:30, which he also ran on a track. CJ loves pursuing the fun side of running, and is always up for a challenge, whether it's leading the Boston Marathon or topping the leaderboard of every Peloton class he takes. All that and more, on this episode of the Ali on the Run Show.
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Oct 25, 2021 |
435. Ask Ali!
37:24
“I think being sensitive can be a strength in many ways. It’s OK to be sensitive. It’s OK to be emotional. It’s OK to have feelings. It’s OK to care.”
Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about Center Stage (best movie ever), my ideal desserts, recent impulse purchases, finding a running coach, dealing with difficult people, and more. Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!
If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you!
SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order!
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Mary Johnson on Episode 195 of the Ali on the Run Show
Kaitlin Goodman on Episode 160 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Oct 22, 2021 |
434. Nell Rojas, 2021 Boston Marathon Recap
01:01:06
“I hope that brands see the value in me and my future in running and what I have to offer to the running community.”
On October 11, Nell Rojas ran her fourth marathon. In her Boston Marathon debut, Nell finished sixth overall, ran a personal best time of 2:27, and was the first American woman across the finish line. We heard from Nell before the race, and now she's back to recap every detail of race day. On this episode, Nell shares how she was feeling heading into the race, what race morning was like, and what it was like doing breathing exercises in a church nursery. She reflects on why her goal was to be first American that day, what that goal means to her now, and whether or not it matters. Plus, she shares fun stories from her post-race interviews and talks about what's next.
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Oct 21, 2021 |
433. Jason Suarez, Professional Sports Photographer @notafraid2fail
01:22:39
“I just turned around and it was like, oh man, I’m an Olympic photographer. With that one click.”
Jason Suarez — also known as @notafraid2fail — is one of the best, most sought-after photographers in running today. He has shot nearly every track and field event, every major marathon, and every athlete you know, love, and follow in this sport. And we recorded this conversation just a few days after Jason returned from a true dream-come-true experience: being an official photographer at the Olympic Games. He shot the track and field events inside Olympic Stadium, and dabbled in shooting new events, including gymnastics and swimming. But the Queens-born-and-raised former collegiate sprinter turned marathoner never planned for or expected this life. On this episode, Jason talks about his career trajectory — in addition to being a professional photographer, he also works for Apple — and about the importance of networking, relationships, and being a good person along the way. He talks about breaking into the industry, and shares his career highlights, including spending a week in Kenya with Eliud Kipchoge. Plus, he talks about feeling burned out and about questioning his next moves as a photographer.
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Oct 19, 2021 |
432. Shayla Martin, Breast Cancer Survivor
01:22:15
“In my gut, I knew my life was about to change.”
Shayla Martin has a lot to celebrate right now. First, her 43rd birthday. Then, a spontaneous experience dancing onstage at a concert with Diplo. And, perhaps most importantly, her three-year anniversary of being cancer-free. On this episode, meet two-time marathoner Shayla Martin, a woman who is always joyful, smiling, and seeking a good time. But in 2017, at just 39 years old, Shayla's world was rocked when she found a lump in her breast that turned out to be breast cancer. Here, Shayla shares her cancer story, which included a mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and three breast reconstruction surgeries. She talks about how cancer changed her relationship with her body, and why, in her forties, she decided to pursue therapy for the very first time. She talks about living her best life at Burning Man, about a low point in her life last summer, when she was arrested on her way home after a run, and about why she thinks "life should be lived in a tutu." Shayla lives in New York City where she works in hospitality sales for GrubHub.
SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.
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Black Burner Project on Instagram @blackburnerproject
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Oct 14, 2021 |
431. LIVE at the Boston Marathon with Nell Rojas
01:12:40
"My goal is to be the top American. That's my goal. And I think I can do it... To be the top American would probably be the best day of my life."
Racing is back! Major marathons are back! And, after 19 long and lonely months, live shows are back! It was such a privilege to get to host a live recording of the Ali on the Run Show at the Tracksmith Trackhouse during Boston Marathon weekend, with very special guest Nell Rojas. During the show (recorded on Saturday, October 9), Nell said that finishing as the top American during the Boston Marathon would make Marathon Monday the best day of her life — and she went on to do just that. In her fourth marathon and her Boston Marathon debut, Nell — who is currently, somehow, unsponsored — finished sixth, was the first woman from the U.S. to cross the line, and earned a personal best time of 2:27. This show was so much fun. I promise you will laugh at least once, and, special treat, you'll get to hear from Nell's dad, running legend Ric Rojas. Thank you to Tracksmith for hosting us, thank you to Nell for being a legend, and thank you to everyone who was part of the fun!
SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code AliBoston for 15% off your next Tracksmith order!
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Oct 12, 2021 |
430. Ask Ali!
56:38
"That goal wasn’t for anyone else. It wasn’t to prove anything to anyone else. It was just something new that I was going to accomplish on my own."
Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about my time as a single 20-something in New York City, redefining the word "smart," dealing with expectations and disappointment when a race isn't a personal best, muffins and more. Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!
If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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Megan Harrington on Episode 176 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Oct 08, 2021 |
429. Henna Rustami, Fifth Avenue Mile NYRR Women’s Road Mile Champion
01:09:09
“I ended up on a dude ranch in Arizona. I just wanted to go far away from New York and from home and just do something completely different. I felt like I’d kind of lost a sense of myself in that pursuit of running really fast and high achievement, so I wanted to recalibrate and go somewhere where no one knew me and running didn’t matter.”
Henna Rustami is a rising star in the running world. Though she describes herself as "the worst runner" on her high school and college teams, she has gone on to thrive on the run, becoming an Ivy League champion (running for Columbia University) and thriving on the New York City competitive running scene. Most recently, Henna won the NYRR Women's Road Mile division at the Fifth Avenue Mile, breaking the tape in four minutes and 45 seconds. And she's thriving off the run, too: Henna graduated from law school earlier this year! On this episode, Henna reflects on her running journey and her childhood, growing up in Long Island as the daughter of refugees from Afghanistan. She talks about her parents' journeys fleeing Afghanistan in the 1980s, and about what it was like growing up in a Muslim family in the wake of 9/11. She talks about finding confidence on the run, about escaping to a dude ranch for six months, and about what her training looks like today as a member of Brooklyn Track Club.
SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.
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Ali on the Run Show LIVE on International Women's Day
Caitlyn Tateishi on Episode 226 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Oct 07, 2021 |
428. Erika Kemp, Professional Runner for the B.A.A. & adidas
01:03:08
“That was the moment where I remember being like, ‘Oh, I’m not done yet.’ Like I know there’s more. It finally hit me, ‘If you just continue on, you have no idea where your ceiling is.’ So at that point, I just wanted to see how far I could go.”
This summer, Erika Kemp — like so many professional runners — had one really, really, really big goal race. Since going pro in 2018 and signing with the Boston Athletic Association and adidas, Erika knew she would want to compete at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in hopes of making her Team USA debut. When it came time to race the 5K at Hayward Field, Erika made it through the first round and advanced to the finals. But ultimately, she finished last that day, and didn't make the 2020 Olympic team. But! Erika has gone on to have an incredible season since then. On this episode, Erika talks about her physical and emotional recovery from the Trials, and explains her motivation for continuing to race throughout the year. Since the Trials, Erika won the USATF New England 5-mile championships, won the U.S. 20K championships at the New Haven Road Race (it was her debut at that distance, and it earned her a second national title), won the Cow Harbor 10K (and ran a personal best), and finished fourth at the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K the following weekend. This girl is on fire, and on this episode, she talks about how she fell in love with running — and how she stays in love with it.
SPONSOR: UCAN. Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order!
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Oct 05, 2021 |
427. Jess King, Peloton Instructor
01:21:45
“I had remembered this promise I had made to myself, which was a ‘year of yes.’ That if there was an opportunity to meet someone, to make a dollar, or whatever it was, if there was an opportunity in front of me, no matter how scary it felt or how much resistance I felt, I was at least going to give myself the chance to explore it. So I said yes.”
Every day, Jess King is in the homes of millions of people around the world. As one of Peloton's first instructors (she joined the team in 2014), she teaches cycling, Tread, Pilates, and dance cardio classes, and is known and loved for her bubbly, glittery, high-energy personality. Jess is a born performer. She grew up dancing competitively in Myrtle Beach, SC, and competed on Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance. On this episode, she reflects on that experience — on making it to the Top 10 before having to withdraw from the competition on account of a few broken ribs. She talks about the disappointment, about reading the comments on social media, and about stepping away from dance for a while afterward. Then, she talks about what it's been like for her to watch fellow Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby make his dance reality competition debut on Dancing with the Stars, and talks about the text she sent him before he first stepped onstage "from someone who's been there." Jess talks about her desire to use her platform for good, and about the power of representation as a Latina woman and member of the LGBTQ+ community. She shares her love story with fiancée Sophia Urista (power couple alert!), opens up about her own mental health and self-help journeys, and talks about how she got the job at Peloton — and how the pursuit of fame quickly transitioned into a passion for building community.
SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.
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If you love Peloton, check out:
Matt Wilpers on Episode 398 of the Ali on the Run Show
Becs Gentry on Episode 379 of the Ali on the Run Show
Jess Sims on Episode 261 of the Ali on the Run Show
Tunde Oyeneyin on Episode 311 of the Ali on the Run Show
Olivia Amato on Episode 344 of the Ali on the Run Show
Matty Maggiacomo on Episode 350 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Sep 30, 2021 |
426. Sam Grotewold, Director of Professional Athletes at New York Road Runners
01:23:41
“Everybody who has ever run a marathon in the history of ever has run a first marathon. And I guarantee you that some of the concerns and doubts and fears that you or I had in our first marathon have crept into the minds of someone like Shalane Flanagan or Meb Keflezighi in the weeks and days and hours before they ran their first marathon.”
Every year at races like the New York City Marathon and the Fifth Avenue Mile, dozens of professional runners assemble for their shot at glory. And in New York City, Sam Grotewold is the guy who brings them all together. As the director of professional athletes for New York Road Runners, it’s Sam’s job to recruit the professional fields at major events like the TCS New York City Marathon, the New York City Half, the Mini 10K, and the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile. And on this episode, the self-proclaimed “running and track nerd” explains how he makes that happen. With more than 20 years of experience, Sam knows the wooing process well. Here, he shares his goals for the recruitment process, how he measures success in his role, and how this year’s New York City Marathon field (which features professional runners from 25 countries and territories) came together. Plus, he shares some of his best stories from his time with the pros, and tells which athlete he reached out to first as he was assembling this year’s NYCM field.
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Sep 23, 2021 |
425. Ask Ali!
49:57
"So many of us, we put so much pressure and expectation on our running goals because we work so hard, we make so many sacrifices and choices, and we just want race day to be everything that we dreamed of and everything we worked toward. And sometimes life happens, and it’s just… We have to adjust our goals accordingly."
Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about what to expect at the New York City Marathon start line, hitting a wall during marathon training, race announcing vs. running, The Baby-Sitters Club, and more. Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!
If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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Sep 17, 2021 |
424. Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon Race Director
01:23:09
“We all have something in common. You know what it is? We woke up this morning. Not everyone else did. There’s the best reason to go for a run.”
Dave McGillivray is many things — philanthropist, motivational speaker, 166-time marathoner with a 2:29 PR, Ironman triathlete with a 10:36 PR, father, World Marathon Challenge finisher — but he is best known for his role as race director of the Boston Marathon. On this episode, Dave talks about what runners can expect at this year's race. As the "boots on the ground guy," Dave oversees everything that happens on race day, from the start line to the finish and every mile in between. But Dave's day doesn't end when the final finisher crosses the line: Every year after the official race concludes, Dave returns to the start line in Hopkinton and runs his Boston Marathon. Another famous Dave tradition: Every year on his birthday, Dave runs his age in miles. He's been doing this since he was 12 and hasn't missed a year yet. (This year, Dave is 67.) Dave cares deeply about this sport and the running community, and nearly everything he does, both personally and as the owner and founder of DMSE Sports, is for a greater purpose. This year, Dave served as a logistician for Covid-19 mass vaccination sites including Gillette Stadium and Fenway Park, and helped vaccinate 1.3 million people.
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"The Future of Running" Live Show
Deirdre Keane on Episode 422 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Sep 16, 2021 |
423. Courtney Dauwalter, 2021 UTMB Winner
01:00:22
“I was doing everything I could, every section that I was coming upon. So in my head it was like, if I’m doing as best I can and I get caught and passed, then that’s just how it played out, and I’m gonna cheer that person on who’s passing me because that’s cool, and that’s how we get better together.”
Last month, Courtney Dauwalter defended — and reclaimed — her title at the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc 106.5-mile race, and smashed records along the way. She broke the all-time women's course record by seven minutes, finishing in 22 hours 30 minutes and 54 seconds. She beat her 2019 winning time by two hours and two minutes, finished sixth overall (the highest finish ever by a woman), and won the women's division by more than an hour and a half. On this episode, Courtney talks about this year's UTMB experience, describing the sights (and hallucinations), sounds, highs (more than 32,800 feet of climbing!), lows, and views (of France, Italy, and Switzerland) along the way. Plus, in true Courtney fashion, we laugh a lot and talk about candy. If you're looking for a conversation that's equal parts fun, silly, inspiring, and encouraging, this is it.
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Courtney Dauwalter on Episode 302 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Sep 13, 2021 |
422. Deirdre Keane, As Seen on Humans of New York
01:15:43
“I took down all facades. I just could not hold up this fake exterior of everything was OK when I felt like I could barely get out of bed every day. I would just get up, go to work, and the only thing else that was consistent was running. I would run every day, despite how bad I felt. And it was such a sense of refuge at points. I would feel like I would be OK. And that’s when I would start planning for the future. I was like, ‘Deirdre, this is transient. This is going to get better. You are going to get better. Dad’s looking out for you. Don’t give up. Just keep going. Get through today. Tomorrow will hopefully be a better day. And if it’s not, that’s OK, too. We will get there.’ Running reinforced that resiliency that I truly thought I’d lost.”
Deirdre Keane normally flies pretty under the radar. But last month, the 33-time marathoner (whose personal best time is 3:14) became a face seen by millions when she was featured on Humans of New York. Suddenly, 11.3 million people on Instagram and 17 million more on Facebook knew Deirdre's story. In the post, Deirdre shared the story of her dad, who was an avid (and fast!) marathoner. She talked about how he ran his final New York City Marathon the day before what turned out to be his final surgery to help treat his melanoma. Deirdre talked about how her dad so badly wanted his kids to be runners when they were growing up, but they weren't interested — until after his passing, when Deidre decided to run her first marathon on what would've been her dad's birthday. Then, Deirdre talked about going through a tough time last year, and how running became her constant — it was what she did to remember who she was, and who she is. On this episode, Deirdre talks about the rest of her story. She talks about waking up at 4 AM to run 10 miles to work from her home in the Bronx to the Upper East Side, where she's a nurse practitioner in the pediatric ICU at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She talks about working through the pandemic in New York City, about leaning into running after her brother was in a near-fatal car accident, and about her big plans for her next year on the run (starting with three fall marathons: Boston, New York City, and Dallas). When she's not working or on the run, Deirdre is pursuing her MBA at New York University, where she is also the editor-in-chief of the school's graduate newspaper.
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2020 Manchester City Half Marathon Recap
From 4:13 To 3:51: My Manchester City Marathon Recap
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Sep 09, 2021 |
421. A Pep Talk from Jesse Itzler
48:27
“You hear the thing, ‘Are you glass half full or glass half empty?’ I’m so damn glad I have a glass!”
Jesse Itzler is all about "building your life resume." He's a wildly successful entrepreneur, rapper, owner of the Atlanta Hawks, 60-time marathoner, ultramarathoner, best-selling author, creator of events including the 29029 Everesting challenge and Hell on the Hill, dad of four, and husband to Spanx founder Sara Blakely (talk about a power couple). I've been a fan of Jesse's since I read his book Living with a SEAL (and, later, Living with the Monks), and was psyched when I met him at the finish line of this year's Clearwater Marathon — which he has since called his most memorable marathon. (Not because he met me at the finish, but because his four kids ran the last six miles with him, and they all crossed the finish line together.) In this rapid-fire conversation, Jesse and I cover a range of topics, including how he lives in constant pursuit of fun, and the importance of making time for ourselves. Plus, fruit, muffins, and so much more.
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Fit for Life by Harvey Diamond
Brent and Kyle Pease on Episode 389 of the Ali on the Run Show
Ashley Paulson on Episode 409 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Sep 07, 2021 |
420. LIVE with Molly Seidel, Olympic Bronze Medalist
01:31:33
"Once I got on the start line, that was the most at peace I'd felt in a long time."
"Drink a beer for me," Molly Seidel told her family over FaceTime from Sapporo, just moments after becoming an Olympic Bronze Medalist in the marathon. Even better: drinking a beer with Molly, which is exactly what a few hundred of us did on Tuesday, August 31, during this virtual live show with the newly minted Olympic medalist. During this fun celebratory conversation, Molly talks about throwing out the first pitch at the Red Sox game a few weeks ago (let's just call it a strike, OK?), that viral airplane Tweet ("It was 100 percent mansplaining," she says), where she plans to keep her bronze medal ("somewhere weird"), and the fellow Olympic marathoner she's "shooting her shot" with. Plus, every detail on the Olympic marathon, including Molly's fun travel details, tales from the Athlete Village, and some jaw-dropping stories of mid-race trash talking and why Molly was veering away from the pack (it wasn't in search of shade).
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Molly Seidel on Episode 341 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Sep 04, 2021 |
419. Ask Ali!
43:30
“To me, it’s not heroic to have a miserable experience. It’s not heroic to further injure myself. It’s not heroic to set myself back, for what? A medal, an Instagram post, a couple hundred likes? Not worth it. I’d rather be the people’s champion by saying, ‘Hey, I made the tough call.’”
Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about Schitt's Creek friendships, adjusting to hilly running routes, DNFs, and so much more. Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!
If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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Aisha Praught Leer on Episode 415 of the Ali on the Run Show
Dr. Nicole Detling on Episode 278 of the Ali on the Run Show
Dr. Nicole Detling on Episode 128 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Sep 03, 2021 |
418. Abbey Cooper, Professional Runner for New Balance
01:20:44
Photo by Jason Suarez, @notafraid2fail
“It’s not who I am. It’s something that happened to me.”
Abbey Cooper was the talk of this year's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials. She may not have ultimately made Team USA, but Abbey, who is sponsored by New Balance, threw down not one but two of the most inspiring, gutsy performances at Hayward Field. First, in the 5K prelims, when she broke away from the field and ran the majority of the race solo in pursuit of the Olympic Standard (and she hit it, with a few seconds to spare!). Then, in the 5K final, when she was with the lead pack until the final moments, when she ultimately finished fourth, just one and a half seconds off the podium. Abbey is perhaps best known for her performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, when she fell during the 5K prelims. But people don't talk about the fall — they talk about how Abbey got right back up and helped her fellow competitor to the finish. On this episode, Abbey talks about how Rio has — and hasn't — defined her, and she reflects on the highs (like her recent 5K personal best at the Prefontaine Classic!) and those just-missed moments on the track.
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Sep 02, 2021 |
417. What's New With You with Cory McGee
01:10:47
“I’ve always been my own biggest believer.”
In 2004, Cory McGee's dad was working security for the FBI at the Olympic Games in Athens — which meant Cory got to tag along! It was then that she vowed to one day return to the Olympics — as a competitor. And just a few weeks ago, Cory's dream came true when she got to represent Team USA in Tokyo. (She became an Olympic finalist, no less!) On this episode, Cory, who is sponsored by New Balance, talks about traveling to Japan to compete in the 1500m. She talks about that brutal fall in the semifinals, and about the physical and emotional toll that took on her. She shares how coach Joe Bosshard has helped her over the years, and has worked with her to turn her weaknesses into strengths. Plus, Cory talks about ending her season early on account of some bone bruising from that fall, and talks about hosting a Covid-19 vaccine event back home in Mississippi.
THE LAST TIME CORY WAS ON THE SHOW: Episode 284
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Aug 30, 2021 |
416. Courtney Frerichs, Olympic Silver Medalist
01:23:03
“He said, ‘I want you to feel like you can take over this race. And take over early.’ And I was like, ‘Wait, what?!’”
This girl is on fire! Courtney Frerichs is a two-time Olympian for Team USA who just returned from Tokyo as a silver medalist! Courtney, who trains with Nike's Bowerman Track Club, competed in the 3000m steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympics, and made the final an exciting one when she made her move and took the lead with four laps to go. (A move she attributes both to coach Jerry Schumacher's plan and to her own quiet confidence and instinct taking over mid-race.) Courtney went into the Games as the American record holder in the 3000m steeplechase and as a world silver medalist, and just a week after returning from Tokyo, she competed at the Prefontaine Classic where she became the first American woman to go sub-9:00 in the steeplechase. On this episode, Courtney talks about the hard work she's done on her mental game leading up to this year's Olympic Track & Field Trials and, ultimately, the Olympics. She talks about what it was like being in Tokyo, gives a behind-the-scenes look at life in the athlete village (where she roomed with Team USA's 1500m runner Elle Purrier St. Pierre), and shares the mantras that helped her through it all.
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Aug 26, 2021 |
415. Aisha Praught Leer, Two-Time Olympian for Team Jamaica
01:26:48
“I couldn’t hear. I couldn’t think. He was very matter of fact. He said, ‘You have a complete medial meniscus root tear. That means your meniscus tore off the bone. You need surgery — not today, but in the next couple days. Tokyo isn’t an option.’”
Professional Puma-sponsored runner Aisha Praught Leer was living every athlete's dream this summer. She'd secured her spot on Jamaica's Olympic team, and was training in St. Moritz with her Team Boss teammates Emma Coburn and Cory McGee. She was feeling fit. Fast. Ready to race the 1500 in Tokyo. But then, just a few days before boarding the plane to Japan, Aisha was warming up before a track workout when she felt a pop in her knee. That pop turned out to be a torn meniscus. ("Like meniscus fully dangling off the bone," Aisha explains.) In this conversation, Aisha reflects on that day at the track in Chiavenna, and talks about what it's like when all of your dreams are ripped away from you in an instant. She talks about her decision to race anyway, and talks about what she says was the hardest part of this injury. (It wasn't the race. It was calling her loved ones.) Plus, Aisha — who is now two weeks post-op — discusses her surgery, her recovery, and her big dreams for what's next.
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Aisha Praught & Will Leer on Episode 204 of the Ali on the Run Show
Aisha Praught Leer on Episode 197 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Aug 25, 2021 |
414. What's New With You with Keira D'Amato
01:07:02
“I feel like nothing and everything changed.”
Keira D'Amato is many things: a full-time realtor, a mom of two, a Nike-sponsored professional runner, and — her newest title — a world record holder. Last year, Keira had arguably the best running year of her life. She ran a personal best at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (2:34), ran a 5K on the track in 15:04 (beating her lifetime best by a full minute), won the Michigan Pro Half Marathon (and ran a 64-second personal best), ran a 2:22 at the Marathon Project (a 12-minute PR), and broke the 10-mile women's only American record at a race she created called the Up Dawg 10-Miler. Turns out, that race wasn't just an American record — it was also good enough for a just-ratified world record! At the peak of it all, Keira signed with a sponsor (Nike) for the first time at age 36. Unfortunately, since then, Keira has dealt with injury stuff and health stuff, and had to scratch from the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, where she'd hoped to run the 10K. Still, her perspective is as inspiring ever, and she's one of the funnest, funniest women in running. Always a good time with Keira on the Ali on the Run Show!
THE LAST TIME KEIRA WAS ON THE SHOW: Episode 305
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Aug 23, 2021 |
413. Ask Ali!
38:57
“It just feels like too much.”
Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about preparing for parenthood, podcast planning, first marathons, and so much more. Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!
If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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New England Half Marathon Recap
Manchester City Half Marathon Recap
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Aug 20, 2021 |
412. Jay Holder, Olympic Stadium Deputy Venue Media Manager
01:11:18
“I had never done this before. I mean, I’ve done press conferences before, but at this level, this was a whole other ballgame… I mean, there were several moments where I was like, ‘This is the Olympics, so I better do this right, and I better not screw this up, and I better look like I know what I’m talking about even if I don’t. Because this is the Olympics!’”
Jay Holder knows his way around a press conference. As the director of marketing and communications for the Atlanta Track Club (remember this episode?) and as a former journalist himself (he has worked for ABC and with New York Road Runners at the New York City Marathon), Jay is the guy you want running your communications operations if you're putting on a race. And Jay just got to work his biggest gig yet: as the deputy venue media manager for Olympic Stadium at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Jay spent nine weeks in Tokyo running all communications-related matters inside the stadium, including managing the press tribunes and moderating and facilitating 53 press conferences in a 10-day span! This is a fascinating conversation about all that goes on behind the scenes at the Olympics.
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Aug 19, 2021 |
411. Kara Goucher, NBC Olympics Distance Analyst
01:21:15
“When you compete at that level, there’s this high that comes with that. And I’ve missed that. And nothing has replaced it, really… And I got little bit of that feeling calling some of those races. I started to feel that little high again that I used to get when I raced.”
Last month, Kara Goucher joined the Ali on the Run Show to talk about her experience being part of the NBC broadcast team at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene, OR. Today, Kara's back — and this time, she's here to talk about what it was like commentating at the Tokyo Olympic Games! Kara just returned from Tokyo, where she served as an NBC Olympics Distance Analyst, calling the men's and women's races from the 1500m up to the marathon. She talks about how this experience compared to the Trials, and breaks down her studying process for each race, including what she did to make sure she pronounced every name of every athlete correctly. She shares the one thing she said on air that kept her up at night, reflects on getting choked up when Molly Seidel went for the bronze in the marathon, and explains why she wasn't allowed to cry on air. She talks about having to keep it together when one of her closest friends, Emma Coburn, was having a tough race in the steeplechase final, and talks about what it was like calling the men's marathon after having a complicated history with former teammate and Team USA competitor Galen Rupp. Finally, Kara, a two-time Olympian herself, answers listener questions about her time in Tokyo and what's next.
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Kara Goucher on Episode 43 of the Ali on the Run Show
Kara Goucher on Episode 86 of the Ali on the Run Show
Kara and Adam Goucher on Episode 208 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Aug 18, 2021 |
410. What's New With You with Yosef Herzog
51:08
“The best part of going to the Olympics, for me, is being able to attend events when I’m not working, and then watching athletes win and medal an event, and then knowing they’re going to come on the show and I’m going to get to work with them up close and meet them. That’s the coolest thing about my job, and what makes it unique at the Olympics.”
Yosef Herzog is the stage manager for NBC's Today show, which means part of his job is getting to go to the Olympics! On this episode, Yosef talks about what it was like being at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. (These were Yosef's fifth Olympic Games with NBC!) He talks about being on set with the country's best athletes, including Simone Biles and Allyson Felix, and talks about what it was like being inside the Olympic Stadium and getting to attend track and field events. He also talks about the challenges and perks of working a morning broadcast at 8 PM local time. (The biggest upside, Yosef says: not having to set an alarm in the morning for a change!) Yosef recently underwent surgery for a torn meniscus, so he was wearing a leg brace in Tokyo — something he says nearly every athlete commented on! He offers an update on how his recovery is going, reflects on getting Covid last year, and shares his big marathon goals for when he's able to get back on the run.
THE LAST TIME YOSEF WAS ON THE SHOW: Episode 111
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Aug 16, 2021 |
409. Ashley Paulson, iFit Coach, 91-Time Marathoner, & Professional Triathlete
01:11:08
“Build those relationships. Have those adventures. Create those memories. That’s what’s worth living for, right there.”
Ashley Paulson never stops moving. She's a professional triathlete, ultramarathoner, 91-time marathoner, U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier and runner, iFit coach, and mom of four with hot pink hair. On this episode, Ashley talks about her recent win at the Deseret News Marathon, and about the sweet story that inspired her to run the race in honor of her father, wearing the T-shirt he got after running the race in the 80s. She reflects on the toughest times in her career, both at the races (in Kona, specifically) and off (when she was served a six-month suspension from triathlon after testing positive for a banned substance in a contaminated supplement). She shares the highs (traveling the country in an RV for two years with her husband and all four kids!), and the lows (her history with disordered eating). Ashley is a ball of energy — don't be surprised if you find yourself picking up the pace along the way.
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Aug 12, 2021 |
408. Wyomia Tyus, 1964 & 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist
01:28:03
“You always have to stay in the fight.”
It is an honor and a privilege to get to share this very special conversation with the legendary Wyomia Tyus today! Wyomia Tyus, now 75, is a two-time Olympian and four-time medalist (three gold, one silver). She competed in the 1964 Games in Tokyo at 19 years old (just like Athing Mu!), and again at the 1968 Games in Mexico City, where she became the first person to ever win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the 100 meters. On this episode, Wyomia tells her life story, reflecting on growing up as the youngest of four kids in the Jim Crow South, and dealing with racism and segregation at a young age. She shares the story of her house burning down when she was 14 and, one year later, the death of her father. She talks about meeting coach Ed Temple, who took her under his wing and coached her to all four Olympic medals while also filling the void left by her father's passing. Plus, she talks about her role in the 1968 Olympic protests, and what it was like being in Mexico City during a time of so much political and social unrest. (If you love Wyomia's story — which I think you will! — you can hear more from her in her book, Tigerbelle: The Wyomia Tyus Story.)
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Aug 11, 2021 |
407. What's New With You with Neely Spence Gracey
01:06:37
“Why can’t I do it all? Why can’t I be a mom, a really good mom, be the mom that I want to be, and also be an athlete, a really good athlete, the athlete I want to be?”
The last time professional runner and coach Neely Spence Gracey was on the Ali on the Run Show, she had just run her first postpartum marathon after having her son, Athens. She ran a 2:44 at the Houston Marathon and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in the process. A year and a half later, a lot has happened in Neely's life — including another baby! On this episode, Neely offers updates about what it was like running the Marathon Trials last year and what life for her family was like during the pandemic. She talks about getting pregnant, in spite of having an IUD at the time, while she was training for The Marathon Project, and talks honestly about what that surprise was like. Neely talks about her pregnancy run streak, about giving birth to Rome on June 14, and about what postpartum life as a mom of two has been like so far.
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Aug 09, 2021 |
406. Ask Ali!
50:21
“If you’re thinking, ‘Ali, basketball isn’t really supposed to be a contact sport…’ It was the way I played it!”
Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about dealing with self doubt, running friendships, the mental side of marathon training, and so much more. Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!
If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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What I mention on this episode:
Diane Nukuri on Episode 403 of the Ali on the Run Show
Veronica Jackson and Alex Bernardi on Episode 211 of the Ali on the Run Show
Ladia Albertson-Junkans on Episode 404 of the Ali on the Run Show
Jenny Donnelly on Episode 193 of the Ali on the Run Show
"How to Wake Up for Morning Workouts"
Dr. Nicole Detling on Episode 128 of the Ali on the Run Show
Dr. Nicole Detling on Episode 278 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Aug 06, 2021 |
405. Robyn Stevens, U.S. Olympic Trials 20K Race Walk Champion
01:33:23
“I said, ‘The best thing for me right now is to just choose life, and to step away.’”
Tomorrow, Robyn Stevens will make her Olympic debut, representing Team USA in the 20K race walk. In June, Robyn won her event at the Olympic Track & Field Trials, officially becoming the fastest female walker in the country. And on this episode, she talks about the long road to becoming an Olympian, which included a 17-year break and retirement from the sport to recover from a severe eating disorder. But now, "Walkin' Robyn" is healthy, cruising at a 7:40/mile pace, and becoming an Olympian at age 38. Plus, Robyn offers a bit of "Race Walk 101" (race walking: it's not just fast walking, it's definitely not slow running, and it comes with lots of rules and regulations!), and shares her excitement about getting to head to Tokyo to compete with her boyfriend, fellow race walk champion and Team USA member Nick Christie.
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Aug 05, 2021 |
404. What's New With You with Ladia Albertson-Junkans
01:07:44
“There just aren’t enough boys named after awesome women out there, so I just wanted to contribute to that!”
The last time Ladia Albertson-Junkans was on the Ali on the Run Show, she was in Atlanta, about to run the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Ladia had qualified for the Trials, and then went on to run the Western States 100-miler, and then ran the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Timberline Trail around Mount Hood. Then, soon after running the Olympic Marathon Trials, her next great endurance adventure began: motherhood. Today, Ladia is mom to seven-month-old Gabriel Birch. On this episode, Ladia talks about what new motherhood has been like, and shares the special story of how Baby Gabe got his name. (Without giving away too much: He's named after Ladia's late best friend, professional runner Gabe Grunewald.) Plus: big goals, rainbows, and Taylor Swift.
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Gabe Grunewald on Episode 62 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Aug 02, 2021 |
403. Diane Nukuri, Three-Time Olympian
01:07:39
“I’m just training and racing and I’m living my best life… I’m living my American Dream.”
At 15, Diane Nukuri became an Olympian. At 16, she fled her home country of Burundi, seeking asylum in Canada. By 20, she was a student at the University of Iowa, fluent in English (her third language) and thriving on the run. Soon after, she competed at the 2012 Olympics, then again at the 2016 Games. Today, Diane is a dual citizen of the United States and Burundi, she's a professional runner sponsored by Asics, and she holds the Burundian records in the 1500, the 5,000, the 10,000, the half-marathon, and the marathon. She has represented Burundi in the Olympics three times at three different distances: the 5K in Sydney in 2000, the marathon in London in 2012, and the 10K in Rio in 2016. On this episode, Diane talks about growing up in Burundi as one of eight siblings, and about her decision to leave the country amidst its violent Civil War. She talks about living with family in Ontario, enrolling in a French-speaking high school, and then attending community college so she could learn English and continue running before attending the University of Iowa. Plus, periods, meditation, Diane's fall racing plans, and more!
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Jul 29, 2021 |
402. What's New With You with Dinée Dorame
01:13:18
“I was just so excited. I knew at that moment that it was going to change my life.”
Last year, Dinée Dorame, a citizen of the Navajo Nation, made her podcast debut as a guest on the Ali on the Run Show. Today: She's a podcast host of her own! At the beginning of 2021, Dinée launched her show, the Grounded podcast, which explores the intersection of running, community, land, and culture. On this episode, Dinée reflects on how the show has changed her life, and how she has found her voice and interview style along the way. She talks about being a recipient of the first-ever Tracksmith Fellowship program, and about being seen in the running community for all that she is, and not as simply "the Native runner." Plus, Dinée offers an update about how her own running is going, and the latest developments in her Accessory Navicular Syndrome. And she shares stories about interviewing some of her first guests on the Grounded podcast, including the legendary Billy Mills, Jordan Marie Daniel, and Meb Keflezighi (who surprisingly FaceTimed Dinée — who was in her pajamas — before their interview).
THE LAST TIME DINEE WAS ON THE SHOW: Dinée Dorame on Episode 239 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Mario Fraioli on Episode 266 of the Ali on the Run Show
Apply for the Tracksmith Fellowship program
Dinée on Episode 145 of The Morning Shakeout podcast
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Jul 26, 2021 |
401. Ask Ali!
01:02:23
“High hopes, low expectations.”
Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about what I'm watching right now, finding your identity when you can't run, leaving New York City, working in the running industry, and so much more. Plus: another surprise appearance by Brian Cristiano! Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!
If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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Calum Neff on Episode 318 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Jul 23, 2021 |
400. Emily Infeld, Professional Runner
01:15:51
“I’m a bit bummed with how it went, but that’s why I want to get back into more racing. I know I’m fitter than that showcased, and I want to just have fun with racing, because the Olympics are obviously the pinnacle of our sport, but I think there’s so much more aside from that. So I want to have fun with all that, and do what I love, and not feel like because I didn’t make this team it was a failure of a year or I’m a failure of an athlete.”
Emily Infeld arrived at the start line for this year's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials 10K last month with an impressive running resumé. She's a professional runner with the Bowerman Track Club, specializing in the 5K and 10K. She's a 2016 Olympian and a 2015 World Championships bronze medalist. But along the way, Emily has also been plagued with injuries — one major injury, she says, for every year of her professional career. In spite of injuries, surgeries, and setbacks, Emily has persevered and built immeasurable mental toughness along the way. So when she got to Hayward Field, she had one goal: Make another Olympic team. Unfortunately, like all but three of the athletes that day, Emily didn't finish in the top three, and missed out on this year's Team USA. On this episode, she recaps the long road to the Trials, breaks down that hot race in heartbreaking detail, and talks about what's next.
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Shalane Flanagan on Episode 242 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emily Sisson on Episode 394 of the Ali on the Run Show
Karissa Schweizer & Elise Cranny on Episode 395 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Jul 22, 2021 |
399. What's New With You with Kate Grace
01:07:44
“Nothing is guaranteed. And because of that, it enabled me to be so present and so thankful and aware of how special the whole thing was.”
Welcome to Season 3 of the What's New With You series, where we catch up with past guests on the Ali on the Run Show. And we're kicking off this season with professional middle-distance runner Kate Grace! The last time Kate was on the show, in December 2017, she had just left her sponsor, Oiselle, to sign with Nike and join the Bowerman Track Club. Now, three and a half years later, Kate has left BTC and is now a member of Team Boss, training under coach Joe Bosshard. (And she's moving! Kate is in the process of relocating from Portland, OR, to Boulder, CO, to train full-time with the team.) On this episode, Kate talks about her decision to change teams, and talks about how training is different with Coach Joe. Plus, she recaps her races at this year's Olympic Track & Field Trials, where she hoped to make her second Olympic team in the 800m, but ultimately fell short of that goal. But Kate isn't sitting around sulking: She is, in her words, "living her best life" right now, and is fresh off a European revenge tour, where she raced four times (in four different countries) in 10 days, earning two wins and three personal bests in the process. (Her new 800m PR is 1:57.2, which she ran in Monaco.)
THE LAST TIME KATE WAS ON THE SHOW: Kate Grace on Episode 53 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Jul 19, 2021 |
398. Matt Wilpers, Peloton Instructor
01:12:47
“I want you to understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. I want you to believe in the mission, and I want you to have fun. I want you to enjoy the process, and I want you to know that what you’re doing is a worthwhile endeavor.”
Like many of us, Matt Wilpers grew up wanting to be a marine biologist. ("I was really into whales," he recalls.) Ultimately, he pursued a career in finance, working as an analyst and auditor with KPMG and, later, Goldman Sachs. When he realized the NYC finance lifestyle wasn't for him, Matt decided to go to medical school, and, as a lifelong athlete and former collegiate runner, started teaching fitness classes on the side. Then, just as he was getting ready to pursue his medical career full-time, he got the call from Peloton. Plot twist! Today, Matt is one of Peloton's most popular cycling and treadmill instructors, and has his own coaching business. On this episode, Matt talks about why he's so passionate about coaching, and why getting to help people on their own fitness journeys is "the dream." He talks about coaching actress Lena Dunham, sharing stories about how while he was hired to help her, it was Lena who changed his life. Plus, he shares loads of qualified running advice about overtraining, race day anxiety, and how to "run arrogant" and more confident. Matt is a 2:54 marathoner, 1:17 half marathoner, and 10:38 Ironman who lives in New York City.
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What we mention on this episode:
Becs Gentry on Episode 379 of the Ali on the Run Show
Jess Sims on Episode 261 of the Ali on the Run Show
Tunde Oyeneyin on Episode 311 of the Ali on the Run Show
Olivia Amato on Episode 344 of the Ali on the Run Show
Matty Maggiacomo on Episode 350 of the Ali on the Run Show
Jenny Donnelly on Episode 193 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Jul 15, 2021 |
397. On the Job with Jill Cardamone, Soup Engineer
50:45
“Engineering is really about problem solving. Can you come up with a creative solution, and how do you work through it? My problems, on a day-to-day basis, are working with things like beans and corns and food processing equipment. But really, problem solving can be applied to anything. So I’m here to say that engineering is more than just planes and trains!”
Welcome to the seventh and final episode in Season 5 of the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! We're closing out this season with a soup-er conversation celebrating women in STEM! Today, meet Jill Cardamone, a senior process engineer at Campbell's Soup Company. As a member of the Soup and Broth team in research and development, Jill acts as the middle man that takes what a food scientist creates in the kitchen and translates it to a massive scale. (She'll explain this process in excellent detail using my favorite Superhero Muffins as an example.) In her five years on the job at Campbell's, Jill has dealt with soup emergencies (really!), food supply shortages, clogged equipment during the testing processes, and more, all in search of finding the best solutions possible for when her soup makes its way to your home. Jill is a marathoner and Ironman triathlete who lives in Philadelphia, PA.
SPONSOR: Tracksmith — Use code ONTHEJOB for free shipping, plus five percent of your purchase will be donated to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.
What we mention on this episode:
Victoria Asikis on Episode 349 of the Ali on the Run Show
Yuma Haidara on Episode 388 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Jul 13, 2021 |
396. Ask Ali!
51:22
“The word should can put us into tricky places. Because who’s to say what we should or should not do? A lot of things in life are a lot more nuanced than should or should not, yes or no, black or white.”
Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about racing, nutrition, New York City must-dos, running plateaus, Orangetheory memories, and so much more. Plus: a surprise appearance by Brian Cristiano! Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!
If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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What I mention on this episode:
Ali on the Run Show Episode 123: Ali & the Experts Week with Kelly Hogan, Registered Dietitian
Ali on the Run Show Episode 39: Registered Dietitian Kelly Hogan
Ali on the Run Show Episode 216: LIVE on International Women’s Day
Ali on the Run Show Episode 257: Nutrition Q&A with Starla Garcia, Registered Dietitian
Ali on the Run Show Episode 200: Starla Garcia, Olympic Trials Qualifier
Ali on the Run Show Episode 327: Katie Burke on “Taking Care of You”
UCAN Chocolate Almond Butter bars
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Jul 09, 2021 |
395. Karissa Schweizer & Elise Cranny, Olympians
01:08:45
"We’re actually going to Tokyo! This is real!"
Karissa Schweizer and Elise Cranny were already teammates as part of the Bowerman Track Club. And now they'll share another team: Team USA. At last month's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, Karissa and Elise secured their spots on Team USA by racing both the 5K (where Elise won and Karissa took second) and the 10K (where Karissa made a second team, finishing in second place). On this episode, Karissa and Elise reflect on their training leading up to the Trials, and break down both rounds of the 5K and the 10K final. They talk about how their teammate Shelby Houlihan's recent four-year ban from the sport affected them emotionally leading up to the Trials, and they share their excitement about making their first Olympic teams.
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Jul 08, 2021 |
394. Emily Sisson, Olympic Track & Field Trials 10K Champion
57:11
"I just remember thinking during the race, 'I’m running my race and I’m doing everything I can to give myself a shot at making this team.' And at the end of the day, if it’s enough, it’s enough."
The last time Emily Sisson was on the Ali on the Run Show, it was to break down her disappointing race at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Today, Emily returns to the show — and this time, we're celebrating! Last month, Emily raced — and won! — the 10,000m at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, earning herself a spot on Team USA for this summer's Olympic Games. On a hot day at Hayward Field in Eugene, OR, Emily took the lead five laps into the 25-lap race, and she held it the entire time, finishing in 31:03 and breaking a 17-year-old Trials record that was formerly held by Deena Kastor. On this episode, Emily talks about the win and shares every detail from race day. She talks about how hot it really was on the track that day, explains how she recovered physically and emotionally after last year's Marathon Trials, and shares how she feels about making her first Olympic team.
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What you’ll get on this episode:
What we mention on this episode:
Emily Sisson on Episode 234 of the Ali on the Run Show
Emily Sisson on Episode 169 of the Ali on the Run Show
Molly Huddle on Episode 391 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Jul 07, 2021 |
393. On the Job with Erica Sara Reese, Jewelry Designer
01:11:36
“Doubting yourself doesn’t get you anywhere. I decided that I was going to make this happen, and I did.”
More than a decade ago, Erica Sara Reese was having a hard time. She had been working in the fashion industry, as a buyer for companies like Coach and Barneys New York, while pursuing a nutrition degree on the side. But she was also going through a divorce, and she wasn't happy — so she started creating, making jewelry at her dining room table. When her friends started having babies, she noticed they were often getting jewelry to commemorate the life change. And road races, Erica Sara says, were her babies at the time. So why not commemorate that with jewelry? She started designing necklaces and charms with her races and finish times on them, and soon, friends started asking her to design celebratory necklaces for their own races. Erica Sara Designs was born. Today, what started as a side hobby is now a wildly successful small business, and Erica Sara's designs can be seen at finish lines across the country, and on professional athletes like Molly Huddle, Colleen Quigley, and Alysia Montaño.
And Erica Sara is generous! She's offering Ali on the Run Show listeners an exclusive discount off anything on her site. Shop ericasara.com and use code ONTHERUN to get 15% off a custom piece. (These are my favorite necklaces. Treat yourself — or a loved one!)
SPONSOR: Tracksmith — Use code ONTHEJOB for free shipping, plus five percent of your purchase will be donated to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.
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Jul 06, 2021 |
392. Kara Goucher, Olympic Track & Field Trials Commentator
01:31:06
“This was the most fun I’ve had in so long.”
If you watched any of this year's Olympic Track & Field Trials coverage, you would have heard a familiar voice calling the distance races: Kara Goucher! Kara served as commentator and member of the NBC broadcast team at Hayward Field, and today, she's here to tell all. On this episode, Kara talks about how she got the job (she will also be part of the NBC broadcast team during the Olympic Games in Tokyo later this month), how she prepared for the races, and what it was like calling all the action. She reflects on the highlights and heartbreaks from the Trials, talks about making mistakes live on air and how she handled them, and about getting the call that her husband, Adam, had gotten into a car accident right before she was about to go live. As always, Kara is open and honest, and promised nothing was off-limits during this conversation — so yes, she talks about having to wear Nike-branded apparel on air, and whether that swoosh-covering braid was intentional.
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What we mention on this episode:
Kara Goucher on Episode 43 of the Ali on the Run Show
Kara Goucher on Episode 86 of the Ali on the Run Show
Kara and Adam Goucher on Episode 208 of the Ali on the Run Show
Leslie Jones commentating the steeplechase
Shelby Houlihan & Karissa Schweizer on Episode 357 of the Ali on the Run Show
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Jul 02, 2021 |
391. Catching Up with Molly Huddle
01:05:49
“It felt like there was an earthquake in the running world, and we’re seeing these fault lines change everything. And some things are good, and some things are weird.”
As the current American record holder in the 10,000 meters, Molly Huddle was one to watch heading into this year's Olympic Track & Field Trials. But just a few days before the Trials kicked off in Eugene, OR, Molly (who is also the American record holder in the 10 mile, the 20K, and the half-marathon) announced that she wouldn't be racing the 10K after all. She pulled out of the race, citing an injury that she's been dealing with since last year's Olympic Marathon Trials. On this episode, Molly — who represented Team USA at the last two Olympics, in 2012 in the 5000m and in 2016 in the 10,000m — talks about what it was like scratching from the biggest race of the year, and how she's handling the loss of an Olympic cycle and a chance to be on this year's team. She talks about watching her training partner and friend Emily Sisson win the 10K, shares her Trials highlights as a fan of the sport, and reflects on the current state of the running industry as a whole. Plus, Molly talks about what's next, including her running goals, her upcoming book (How She Did It, out next year), and what's on tap for the Keeping Track podcast, which she co-hosts with Roisin McGettigan-Dumas and Alysia Montaño.
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