805. My 2025 Boston Marathon Weekend Recap

"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. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: On Rise & Run making the New York Times best-seller list the week of the marathon (3:00) Elyse shares her pre-NYC knowledge (5:00) The highs and lows of training (8:00) All the new things Elyse did before race day (11:15) What it was like lining up at the start line next to Shalane (16:30) All about the race! (20:00) That finish line feeling (29:30) How Elyse celebrated her marathon finish (34:00) "The biggest thing that was new on race day" (39:45) Now what? (44:30) Follow Elyse: Instagram @ElyseKopecky Twitter @ElyseKopecky Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

24 Marras 202149min

"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. SPONSOR: COROS — Use code ONTHERUN for a free keychain watch charger with the purchase of any watch! What you'll get on this episode: Lisa reflects on her time serving in the military (4:10) Lisa's emotional New York City Marathon recap (17:00) What Lisa's childhood was like, and how she got into social work (27:00) How Lisa found running (39:30) What's next for Lisa? (59:50) Follow Lisa: Instagram @lovelylisa125 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

23 Marras 20211h 17min

"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. SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! What you'll get on this episode: All about Cortney's #vanlife (4:00) How Cortney got involved with Project Eclipse (6:00) Seeing that giant billboard in NYC (12:30) The logistical side of Project Eclipse (15:20) Cortney's favorite photo from Project Eclipse (29:45) Project Eclipse superlatives! (32:55) The camaraderie among professional photographers (35:30) All about that Abby Wambach and Glennon Doyle moment at the New York City Marathon (48:50) How Cortney got her start as a photographer (51:50) On working with the Bowerman Track Club during a difficult year (59:45) Cortney's favorite part of the job and the ultimate dream assignment (1:02:30) Follow Cortney: Instagram @cortneywhite_ Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

19 Marras 20211h 13min

"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! SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: How it feels to be a New York City Marathoner (2:30) The moment from NYC that Erin keeps going back to in her mind (6:00) Erin's journey to the New York City Marathon (12:30) Training reflections (17:15) How the day before the race played out (25:00) The journey to the start line (33:45) What was going through Erin's head at the start, and what she thought about the Verrazzano Bridge (40:00) Erin's journey through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx (44:00) That finish line feeling (59:00) All about appearing on the Today show on Marathon Monday (1:05:00) What's next for Erin? (1:09:00) Follow Erin: Instagram @immrsspacecadet TikTok @mrs.space.cadet YouTube Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

18 Marras 20211h 14min

"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. SPONSOR: COROS — Use code ONTHERUN for a free keychain watch charger with the purchase of any COROS watch! What you'll get on this episode: On the post-wedding comedown — and how it compares to the post-race comedown (5:15) What Chloe's childhood was like (10:15) On teaching English in India, and how it changed Chloe's life (22:25) How Chloe broke into comedy (31:20) How Chloe found running (44:25) All about "Your Best Running Friend" (50:00) How Chloe's relationship with running has evolved (58:50) Pre-NYC Marathon thoughts (1:06:15) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

16 Marras 20211h 22min

"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. What you'll get on this episode: On being Laura Thweatt's "person" during the New York City Marathon (4:00) How Emma celebrated after the Chicago Marathon, and how recovery is going (12:00) Emma's 2022 plans, hopes, and dreams (18:30) What Emma remembers most from Chicago (21:10) Emma's pre-race conversation with coach Joe Bosshard, what Emma's like on race day, and all about "methodical patience" (25:30) When the race got hard (29:00) On running and grief (33:00) What the last mile of the Chicago Marathon was like, and what happened after the race (36:00) Reflecting on the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, and getting Covid after (45:00) Reflecting on the 2020 Marathon Project (51:00) All about joining Team Boss (52:00) On being an emotional runner (1:00:00) What's next for Emma? (1:02:00) Follow Emma: Instagram @emmajanelbates Twitter @emmajbates Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

12 Marras 20211h 11min

"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. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: All about my week in New York City (1:45) Listener Q&A (1:08:45) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

11 Marras 20211h 40min

"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! SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to learn all about the conversations New Balance is having to promote mental wellness. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

6 Marras 20211h 20min