538. Ask Ali!

"I still don’t know if it was good, but I did my best. And it was the first time where I realized I’m kind of willing to fail at something. I’m not usually. But with this, I was like, 'OK, I’m going to do my best. And it might be a total flop. It might suck. And that’ll be OK! I’ve never done it before!'"

Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, I’m flying through 42 (!!!) randomly selected listener questions, sent in via Instagram Stories (I’m @aliontherun1), about everything from my summer plans (I leave for World Championships tomorrow!), my approach to running right now, balancing work and motherhood, and a surprisingly emotional dive into my favorite Ted Lasso episode.

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You asked:

• What are you most looking forward to about this summer? (4:00)
• What’s the funniest thing that Annie has said? (6:20)
• Will you bring back the Everyday Runner series? (7:00)
• Should I cut my hair off? (7:10)
• Does Ellie have separation anxiety? (7:45)
• How did you get to do a TED Talk? (8:25)
• If you could go to the Olympics for any sport, what would it be? (9:20)
• How is house hunting going? (10:00)
• Do you follow a training plan or are you just fun running all the time? (10:30)
• Where is a good cheer spot for the NYC Marathon? (12:00)
• What would “starting out Ali” ask “now Ali” in an interview question? (13:30)
• How have you started connecting with pros for the podcast? (15:00)
• I’m nervous about balancing a child, work, and running. Any advice? (17:20)
• Worst bathroom emergency story (20:25)
• Would you ever talk about the pay of race announcing? (21:00)
• What was your very first podcast episode? (22:20)
• Do you train with a hydration pack? (22:40)
• Any ultra runners you’d like to have on the show? (22:50)
• Do you miss Orangetheory? (23:20)
• What brings you the most energy and what drains you the most? (23:40)
• Tell us about your favorite Ted Lasso episode (27:00)
• How do you get past feeling starstruck when you interview people? (30:25)
• What does your family do for the Fourth of July? (32:50)
• Favorite pre-race and post-race dinners (33:45)
• Should everyone run a marathon at least once? (34:15)
• What is your favorite race to run? (34:45)
• Did you get rid of your Peloton Tread when you got injured? (35:35)
• Are you going to be the race announcer for this year’s Beach to Beacon? (36:15)
• Are you doing any live shows at World Championships? (36:45)
• If you started a podcast about anything other than running, what would it be? (38:05)
• How do you pick which Peloton classes to take? (38:55)
• If you had to guest teach P.E. at a local school, what would you teach? (40:00)
• What’s a running event or distance you would like to try? (41:00)
• How do you prioritize sleep with all the stuff you are doing? (43:30)
• What’s on your summer running playlist? (44:10)
• To-do list: on paper or on an app? (45:25)
• Ocean or lake? (45:40)
• Do you have an emotional support water bottle? (45:45)
• Favorite shorts for running and hanging around (46:35)
• Is there anything particular that you do to prepare for finish line announcing? (48:00)
• Favorite snack to bring on a road trip (49:15)
• Most surreal moment of the last several months (49:30)

Check out:

Beyond the Run with Ali Feller, TEDxBoston Speaker

Forestbound ESCAPE bag

New England Half Marathon

NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K

My Peloton Playlist (via Spotify)

My favorite running shorts right now:

• lululemon Align 6” Short
• Tracksmith Allston Short
• lululemon Base Pace Short
• lululemon Fast & Free Short

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Join the Facebook group
• Twitter @aliontherun1
• Support on Patreon
• Blog
• Strava

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!