
56. Susan Pass, Nurse & 3:18 Marathoner
“You should talk more and smile. It’s my favorite.” Susan Pass — best known on the internet as “Susan Runs” and as the blogger behind “Nurse on the Run” — is a 15-time marathoner who holds a 3:18 personal best time. Susan is currently in school to become a nurse anesthetist — a career path she decided on after majoring in dietetics and going on to nursing school, then working in a burn unit in New York City for 7.5 years. Here’s what you’ll get in this episode: • How Susan started running (4:05) • Susan’s history with injuries, surgeries, and a labral tear (6:11) • What the first run back after double hip surgery felt like (10:28) • Susan’s first marathon experience (11:55) • Susan’s current running goals (14:05) • How Susan became a nurse — and what she thought she wanted to do before deciding on nursing (14:30) • How Susan decided on a nursing specialty (16:00) • What it’s like working in a burn unit (22:25) • What it’s like working the night shift at a hospital (25:15) • Why Susan decided to go back to school and what her current 27-month program is like (28:10) • How Susan balances a demanding job and schooling with running (33:50) • Susan’s craziest nursing story (38:00) • What it takes to be a good patient (41:45) • Susan’s take on being an introvert (46:00) What We Mention on this Episode: Eugene Marathon: https://www.eugenemarathon.com/ TCS New York City Marathon: https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/ New Jersey Marathon: https://www.thenewjerseymarathon.com/ Susan’s 2013 New Jersey Marathon recap: http://www.susanruns.com/2013/05/08/2013-new-jersey-marathon-race-report/ Chicago Marathon: https://www.chicagomarathon.com/ Marine Corps Marathon: http://www.marinemarathon.com/ Hal Higdon Marathon Training Plan: http://www.halhigdon.com/ Boston Marathon: http://www.baa.org/ University of Maryland: https://www.umd.edu/ Rush University: https://www.rushu.rush.edu/ Burn Unit: Saving Lives After the Flames: https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Unit-Saving-Lives-Flames/dp/0306814196 Au Bon Pain: https://www.aubonpain.com/ Mount Sinai: http://www.mountsinai.org/ Pura Vida: https://puravidaspa.com/ Big Sur International Marathon: http://www.bsim.org/ Follow Susan: Instagram @susanruns: https://www.instagram.com/susanruns/ Twitter @susanruns: https://twitter.com/susanruns Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurseontherun Blog: http://www.susanruns.com/ Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1: https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliontherun/ Twitter @aliontherun1: https://twitter.com/aliontherun1 Blog: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13333410 Thank you for listening to and supporting the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Spread the run love!
18 Tammi 201856min

55. Nick Symmonds
“I wanted to prove to everyone that all the sacrifices I’d made and dumb decisions I made were worth it.” Nick Symmonds was a professional track and field athlete for 12 years, specializing in the 800 meters. He made two Olympic teams — the first when he was just 22 years old — and represented Team USA in Beijing and London. Nick, who lives in Eugene, OR, and is the CEO of Run Gum, retired from professional racing last year, and is now a proud, self-professed “hobby jogger.” He made his marathon debut at the 2017 Honolulu Marathon, and is now training to break three hours in the 26.2-mile distance this spring. Here’s what you’ll get in this episode: — How Nick got into running (3:20) — When he realized he could make a career out of running and the life-changing training decision that launched his professional career (5:20) — Nick’s advice for mastering the 800m (8:45) — What it’s like competing at the Olympics (11:00) — When he was “the most nervous he’s ever been for a race” (12:35) — How Nick developed his mental strength and overcame “the rollercoaster of emotions” (14:00) — The sacrifices he made to become an Olympian (16:45) — How he made the decision to retire in 2017, and how he felt the day after his retirement (17:45) — Why he wanted to run a marathon (20:45) — Why he says the Boston Marathon pisses him off and “is B.S.” and that running it would be going against his core beliefs (26:00) — The Run Gum story (30:00) — What Nick sees as the biggest problems in professional track and field (35:00) — Nick’s take on doping in professional sports and lifetime bans (37:00) — The latest on Nick’s love life — plus how he ended up on a date with Paris Hilton (40:40) Follow Nick: Instagram @nicksymmonds: https://www.instagram.com/nicksymmonds/ Twitter @nicksymmonds: https://twitter.com/NickSymmonds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nick.symmonds/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeXJQ2GQh4BoRuAEkteU0Wg Website: https://www.nicksymmonds.com/ Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1: https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliontherun/ Twitter @aliontherun1: https://twitter.com/aliontherun1 Blog: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13333410 Thank you for listening to and supporting the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Spread the run love!
11 Tammi 201851min

54. Gwen Jorgensen, Olympic Gold Medalist & Professional Triathlete
“It’s easy as an athlete to know what your body is saying, but it’s very hard to listen to it.” Gwen Jorgensen is a professional triathlete, multiple-time world champion, and Olympic gold medalist. She represented Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she brought home the gold in the triathlon, and that same year, she made her marathon debut at the TCS New York City Marathon. (She ran a 2:41, coming in 14th place overall.) So how do you follow a year like that? For Gwen and husband Patrick Lemieux, it meant welcoming their first child, Stanley, who was born in August 2017! It also meant declaring big, bold, exciting dreams: At the end of 2017, Gwen announced her goal to return to the Olympics in 2020, and to win another goal medal. But this time, she wants to do it as a marathoner. Gwen has officially begun her pursuit to chase her marathon dreams and compete at Team USA in the 26.2-mile distance. Gwen was a blast to talk to — I smiled the entire time! Here’s what you’ll get in this episode: — Gwen’s expectations vs. reality when it came to her pregnancy and returning to running after giving birth to Stanley. — Exactly how Stanley’s birth went down. (“I hope your listeners don’t mind details,” Gwen said before getting pretty graphic about the process!) — What motivated Gwen’s marathon decision. — How she got into triathlon. — Where she keeps her gold medal! — Why husband Patrick has been called “the secret to her success.” — Exactly how she plans to shave 20 minutes from her marathon time. — Her best advice for triathletes, including how to master tricky transitions. Stuff We Mention on this Episode: TCS New York City Marathon: https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/ Shalane Flanagan: https://twitter.com/ShalaneFlanagan Amy Hastings Cragg: https://www.instagram.com/hastyhastings/ “Happy Wife, Happy Life” via NBC Sports: http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/gwen-jorgensen-triathlon-husband-patrick/ “How This Pair of Ultra-Fit Athletes Makes It Work” via Runner’s World: https://www.runnersworld.com/elite-runners/how-this-pair-of-ultra-fit-athletes-makes-it-work “Why Patrick Lemieux Quit His Career to Support Wife Gwen Jorgensen” via Triathlete: http://www.triathlete.com/2016/05/features/why-patrick-lemieux-quit-his-career-to-support-gwen-jorgensen_131699 Meghan Markle: https://www.instagram.com/meghanmarkle/ The Island House Triathlon: http://www.islandhousetriathlon.com/ Molly Huddle on Episode 51 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/12/19/ali-run-show-episode-51-molly-huddle/ Meb Keflezighi: https://marathonmeb.com/ Follow Gwen: Instagram @gwenjorgensen: https://www.instagram.com/gwenjorgensen/ Twitter @gwenjorgensen: https://twitter.com/gwenjorgensen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GwenJorgensenTriathlete/ Website: http://www.gwenjorgensen.com/ Blog: http://www.gwenjorgensen.com/blog/ Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1: https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliontherun/ Twitter @aliontherun1: https://twitter.com/aliontherun1 Blog: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13333410 Thank you for listening to and supporting the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Spread the run love!
4 Tammi 201835min

53. Kate Grace
It’s been a big few years for professional runner and Olympian Kate Grace. In 2016, the Yale graduate won the Olympic Trials in the 800-meter event in Eugene, OR, and went on to represent Team USA in Rio, where she finished eighth. She chased that with a personal best in the 800 meters in Zurich, running a 1:59.47. A few months later, Kate's contract with Oiselle, her sponsor of four years and her first major professional sponsor, was up, and she announced her decision to join Nike, the industry behemoth despised by many at Oiselle. Then, this past fall, Kate officially joined Portland, OR-based Bowerman Track Club, where she now trains alongside some of professional running’s greatest, fastest women, including Shalane Flanagan, Amy Cragg, and Emily Infeld, and is coached by Jerry Schumacher. On this episode, Kate lets us all inside the head of a hardworking athlete and Olympian. She shares what it’s like training with some of the fastest women in the world, and talks about the “not glamorous” parts of racing. She explains her recent sponsorship decisions, breaks down how to master the 800m, and talks about why the 800-meter race at the Trials was “a shitshow.” Plus, Kate shares what it’s like competing at the Oympics — and what the athlete’s village is really like — and talks about how to deal with injuries, her fitness-world-famous mom, the comeback she’s hoping for this February, and what’s next. Stuff We Mention on this Episode: Oiselle: http://www.oiselle.com/ Bowerman Track Club: http://www.bowermantc.com/ Nike: https://www.nike.com/ Yale University: https://www.yale.edu/ Shalane Flanagan: https://twitter.com/ShalaneFlanagan “How the ‘Shalane Effect’ Works” in The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/11/opinion/sunday/shalane-flanagan-marathon-running.html?_r=0 “Kate Grace Joins the Bowerman Track Club” via Flotrack: https://www.flotrack.org/articles/6021328-kate-grace-joins-the-bowerman-track-club Sally Bergesen on the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/11/29/ali-run-show-episode-48-sally-bergesen-ceo-founder-oiselle/ USATF: http://www.usatf.org/Home.aspx NJ/NY Track Club: https://www.njnytc.com/ Lauren Fleshman: http://asklaurenfleshman.com/ Kim Conley: http://kimfconley.com/ Kathy Smith: https://www.kathysmith.com/ Honolulu Marathon: https://www.honolulumarathon.org/ Kathrine Switzer: http://kathrineswitzer.com/ Boston Marathon: http://www.baa.org/ Inside Out: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/ Votivo Red Currant candle: https://www.votivo.com/shop/?Product%20Line=RED%20CURRANT%20COLLECTION&orderBy=Id&page=1 Paul Farmer: http://ghsm.hms.harvard.edu/person/faculty/paul-farmer Follow Kate: Instagram @kategrace: https://www.instagram.com/fastkate/ Twitter @fastk8: https://twitter.com/fastk8 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1: https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliontherun/ Twitter @aliontherun1: https://twitter.com/aliontherun1 Blog: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13333410 Thank you for listening to and supporting the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Spread the run love!
28 Joulu 201756min

52. The Brian Cristiano Takeover Episode
I’m fresh off a life-changing trip to California, where I spent a week road tripping from San Francisco to Los Angeles — alone. I learned a lot about myself on this trip. My only goal was to surround myself with beautiful things. I went in with no expectations and an open mind, and by the time I flew back home, I felt lighter, happier, and more fulfilled than I have in years — or maybe ever. So on this special bonus episode, we’re flipping the script: This time, I’m in the hot seat, and my husband Brian is taking over the hosting duties. He asks all the hard, insightful, let’s-really-get-into-it questions (including why I really booked this trip, why I never give myself credit for my successes, and why I often say no to things without considering the potential amazing outcomes), and I enjoyed digging a little deeper into my feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and dreams. Enjoy! Stuff We Mention on this Episode: CAli on the Run: My 7-Day Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/12/18/california-coast-road-trip-itinerary/ “Making It Count”: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/12/04/making-it-count/ Brian on Episode 2 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/03/01/episode-2-brian-cristiano-married-someone-crohns-disease/ Brian on Episode 17 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/04/06/ali-on-the-run-show-episode-17-brian-cristiano/ Brian on Episode 47 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/11/22/ali-run-show-episode-47-brian-cristiano-newport-pie-run-turkey-trot/ Westin St. Francis San Francisco: http://www.westinstfrancis.com/ Chris Heuisler on Episode 6 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/03/01/episode-6-chris-heuisler-national-run-concierge-westin-hotels-resorts/ Bike ride to Sausalito: https://www.strava.com/activities/1309995780 Andrea Barber on Episode 45 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/11/09/ali-run-show-episode-45-andrea-barber-aka-full-houses-kimmy-gibbler/ Golden Gate Park: https://goldengatepark.com/ Ali’s Half Marathon PR Recap: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2011/03/27/national-half-marathon-recap/ Erica Sara Designs: https://www.ericasara.com/ Natural Bridges State Beach: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541 Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa: https://montereyplazahotel.com/ The Madonna Inn: http://www.madonnainn.com/ Cerro San Luis Trail: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cerro-san-luis-trail-san-luis-obispo Meet Brian: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2011/09/28/meet-my-handsome-friend/ Follow Brian: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldceo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boldceo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/boldceo Growing BOLD: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc0OV-7Bct-i1h_7a7pXA-A BOLD Worldwide: http://www.boldworldwide.com/ Follow Ali: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/aliontherun1 Blog: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13333410 Thank you for listening to and supporting the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Spread the run love!
22 Joulu 20171h 15min

51. Molly Huddle
You know her, you love her, and she’s here today: Molly Huddle! Molly is a professional distance runner and 25-time national title holder who lives and trains in Providence, RI. On this episode, Molly talks about her Olympic dreams that started when she was young, and what it’s been like to actually achieve those dreams — twice. She talks about what it’s actually like competing at the Olympics (she represented Team USA in the 5K in 2012 and in the 10K in 2016), and explains why last year’s Olympics felt “like a local road race.” She also talks about the relationship between United States female distance runners right now (warm fuzzy alert!), how she trains her mental game, and her scariest career moments. Plus, she reflects on her marathon debut (at the 2016 TCS New York City Marathon), talks about being at the finish line for Shalane Flanagan’s 2017 NYCM win, and shares what’s next. (Since recording this episode, Molly has announced she will officially be racing the Boston Marathon in 2018! Go Molly!) Stuff We Mention on this Episode: TCS New York City Marathon: https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/ United Airlines NYC Half: http://www.nyrr.org/races-and-events/2018/united-airlines-nyc-half Shalane Flanagan: https://twitter.com/ShalaneFlanagan Saucony: http://www.saucony.com/en/home Ray Treacy: http://www.friars.com/sports/m-xc/mtt/treacy_ray01.html Providence College: http://www.providence.edu/ USATF: http://www.usatf.org/Home.aspx Mary Keitany: https://www.runnersworld.com/mary-keitany Meb Keflezighi: https://marathonmeb.com/ Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/11/06/abbott-dash-finish-5k-recap/ Runner Girl emoji: https://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/the-running-emoji-youve-been-waiting-for-is-here Unicode: http://unicode.org/emoji/ University of Notre Dame: https://www.nd.edu/ Houston Half Marathon: http://houstonhalf.com/ Nordstrom: https://shop.nordstrom.com/ Cumberland Monestary: http://cumberlandlibrary.org/sites/default/files/attachments/CompleteMonasteryTrailMapV.1.6.0.pdf All Saints: https://www.us.allsaints.com/ Joan Benoit Samuelson: http://www.joanbenoitsamuelson.com/ Follow Molly: Instagram @mollyhuddle: https://www.instagram.com/mollyhuddle/ Twitter @mollyhuddle: https://twitter.com/mollyhuddle Website: http://www.runmollyhuddle.com/ Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1: https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliontherun/ Twitter @aliontherun1: https://twitter.com/aliontherun1 Blog: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13333410 Thank you for listening to and supporting the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Spread the run love!
20 Joulu 201749min

50. "Hungry Runner Girl" Janae Baron
This week, I am thrilled to welcome to the Ali on the Run Show my dear friend — and everyone’s favorite running blogger — Janae Baron! Before we get to that, please join me in congratulating Janae and her family on the arrival of their newest member, Skye, born December 9! Janae, of course, is the beloved personality behind the popular Hungry Runner Girl blog. Janae is a super speedy runner who lives in Utah with her husband, Andrew, their kids (Brooke, Knox, and now Skye!), and their dog, Beretta. Janae was nearly 37 weeks pregnant when we recorded this episode and, as always, was just as sweet, positive, and bubbly as she is on the internet — plus, she was willing to get super honest about everything. Throughout the episode, Janae and I chat about her struggles with amenorrhea, dating after divorce, running before, during, and after her pregnancies, how negative comments really make her feel, and both the beautiful and challenging parts of raising a blended family. She opens up about how she actually makes a living as a blogger, talks about the game-changing blog post that got 600 comments, debunks some common Mormon myths, and shares more about her past with disordered eating, and whether she now considers herself fully recovered. (I smiled this entire time, but then Janae made me weepy when she talked about how she found her place in Knox’s life. So prepare to experience every emotion throughout this episode!) Stuff We Mention on this Episode: Ali’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Las Vegas 2011 Half Marathon Recap: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2011/12/06/rock-n-roll-las-vegas-half-marathon-recap/ Janae’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Las Vegas 2011 Half Marathon Recap: https://hungryrunnergirl.com/2011/12/rock-n-roll-las-vegas-post-injury-pr.html Caesars Palace Las Vegas: https://www.caesars.com/ Janae’s Amenorrhea post: https://hungryrunnergirl.com/2011/05/running-and-periods.html Dear Evan Hansen: https://dearevanhansen.com/ Ali’s “Claustrophobia” Post: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2013/11/25/claustrophobia/ Why I Love My Thirties: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/05/02/ali-run-show-episode-24-lessons-ive-learned-thirties/ Ali’s “Meet My Handsome Friend” Post: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2011/09/28/meet-my-handsome-friend/ @tanksgoodnews on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanksgoodnews/ Dance Spirit: http://www.dancespirit.com/ Janae’s Mom’s Lasagna Recipe: https://hungryrunnergirl.com/2013/03/we-are-moving.html St. George Marathon: https://www.stgeorgemarathon.com/ Brooks Running Shoes: http://www.brooksrunning.com/ Kara Goucher on the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/10/25/ali-run-show-episode-43-kara-goucher/ Natalie Morales on the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/06/01/ali-run-show-episode-33-natalie-morales-today-show-west-coast-anchor-host-access-hollywood/ Follow Janae: Instagram @hungryrunnergirl: https://www.instagram.com/hungryrunnergirl/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HungryRunnerGirl/ Twitter @hungryrunnergrl: https://twitter.com/hungryrunnergrl Blog: https://hungryrunnergirl.com/ Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1: https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliontherun/ Twitter @aliontherun1: https://twitter.com/aliontherun1 Blog: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13333410 Thank you for listening to and supporting the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Spread the run love!
14 Joulu 20171h 12min

49. Abby Bales, Founder of Reform Physical Therapy
Abby Bales is the founder of Reform Physical Therapy, which is all about keeping pregnant and postpartum women healthy, active, and injury-free during and after pregnancy. On this episode, Abby explains what exactly that means, why it’s so important — and often overlooked — and what women need to understand about returning to exercise after pregnancy. (Because spoiler, it’s a lot more in depth than just waiting six weeks after birth and then jumping back in.) As someone who isn’t pregnant, has never been pregnant, and has no children, I had loads of questions for Abby, and she was game to answer all of them. She even walked me through the proper way to do kegel exercises! But this episode isn’t just about pelvic floors. Abby and I also talk about her history with Ulcerative Colitis (we’re IBD sisters!), her relationship with running before, during, and after her own pregnancies, and what it’s like being an entrepreneur and mom of two. Stuff We Mention on this Episode: 16 Handles: http://16handles.com/ Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation: http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/ Brian Bosworth: http://nyulangone.org/doctors/1881643849/brian-p-bosworth Canasa: http://www.canasa.com/ Remicade: https://www.remicade.com/ Kara Goucher: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/10/25/ali-run-show-episode-43-kara-goucher/ TCS New York City Marathon: https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/ Hamptons Marathon: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2011/09/25/i-am-a-marathoner-the-official-hamptons-marathon-recap/ Bank of America Chicago Marathon: https://www.chicagomarathon.com/ Elvie: https://www.elvie.com/ Goop: https://goop.com/ Hillstone: http://hillstonerestaurant.com/ River to Sea Relay: https://www.r2crelay.com/ Follow Abby & Reform Physical Therapy: Instagram @reformptnyc: https://www.instagram.com/reformptnyc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reformptnyc/ Twitter @reformptnyc: https://twitter.com/ReformPTNYC Website: https://reformptnyc.com Email: abby@reformptnyc.com Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1: https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliontherun/ Twitter @aliontherun1: https://twitter.com/aliontherun1 Blog: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13333410 Thank you for listening to and supporting the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Spread the run love!
7 Joulu 201759min