14. My 10 Favorite Races

"I'm excited to just put myself in it and be a part of it and give myself a chance. I think incredible things happen when you believe in yourself and stay in the here and now and give yourself the chance." On June 11, 2022, Brigham Young University graduate Courtney Wayment Smith made NCAA history. Competing at NCAA Championships, she ran the 3000m steeplechase in 9:16 — not only taking a commanding win, but breaking the collegiate national record (previously held by now-Olympian Courtney Frerichs) in the process. That time also put her at #5 on the all-time U.S. women's steeplechase list, behind Frerichs, Emma Coburn, Colleen Quigley, and Jenny Simpson. To celebrate, Courtney signed with an agent (Ray Flynn) and signed her first professional contract with On! The icing on the cake: Courtney competed at USATF Outdoor Championships this past weekend, where she finished second in the 3000m steeplechase, earning her a spot on Team USA heading into next month's World Athletics Championships. Needless to say, it's been an exciting summer for Courtney, who lives in Provo, UT, and will continue training with her BYU coach Diljeet Taylor. 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: On getting used to saying "I'm a professional runner" (3:10) How the pandemic impacted Courtney's college experience and her budding professional career (7:00) Why Courtney loves the steeplechase (9:00) On graduating from college, and celebrating accordingly (13:00) Recapping NCAAs, USAs, and the celebrations in between (14:20) What it felt like lining up at USATF Outdoor Championships, and all about the process of going pro (18:55) All about the 3000m steeplechase final at USAs (27:25) On navigating post-race interviews, mixed zones, media, and more (32:25) Courtney's special bond with Coach Diljeet Taylor (41:00) All about Courtney's signature hairstyle and those extra-long lashes (44:35) Where Courtney's at mentally as she prepares for World Athletics Championships (46:50) Follow Courtney: Instagram @courtsasport20 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!

30 Kesä 202258min

"This is the first time in so long that I've been lining up with teammates, and it makes it so much more special. There's nothing better than having a teammate who, even if you're not in the same heat, you're warming up together. There's less pressure because you're doing it together." Allie Wilson and Yolanda Ngarambe are two of the fiercest middle-distance competitors in running right now. But off the track? The Atlanta Track Club Elite teammates are fun, silly, and as giggly as it gets. In this conversation, Allie and Yolanda share the story of how they first met (Allie was running late, Yolanda saved the day) and how their instant bond was formed. We recorded this conversation on Friday morning, June 24, when Allie and Yolanda were both in Eugene, OR, for USATF Outdoor National Championships. Allie had just competed in the 800m prelims the night before and was resting up before the semi-finals that night. (She ultimately advanced to the finals, where she finished fourth in a very exciting race.) And while Yolanda (the Swedish indoor mile record holder!) awaits word on whether she'll get to represent Team Sweden at World Championships next month, she was in Eugene cheering for her teammates and managing the team's social media accounts (her first time on the other side of the mixed zone!). SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to The Trevor Project. What you'll get on this episode: What Allie and Yolanda are doing in Eugene (3:20) Allie and Yolanda introduce each other (5:00) What the Atlanta Track Club Elite team dynamic is like (10:00) How Allie and Yolanda met and became friends (15:25) What Yolanda has to do to make Team Sweden for the World Championships (25:00) The lowdown on Yolanda's recent racing (26:00) All things USAs (38:00) What Yolanda and Allie are each like on race days (52:45) Yolanda and Allie shares the moments when they felt most proud of each other — and all about Allie's viral finish line moment in May (1:01:10) Check out: Allie Wilson on Episode 469 of the Ali on the Run Show Olivia Baker on Episode 491 of the Ali on the Run Show Allie's viral racing moment Follow Allie: Instagram @allie_oop9 Follow Yolanda: Instagram @yo.ngarambe 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!

28 Kesä 20221h 22min

"Don't berate, educate!" Devon Pass is a runner, a mom to daughter Evie, and a dear friend — and today, she's a podcast host! On this edition of Ask Ali, returning Ali on the Run Show guest Devon is here to do all the question asking, reading your questions from Instagram (and coming up with a few of her own). It's extra honest, extra fun, and even a little salty! ("I'm only salty behind a paywall." —Ali Feller) SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! Devon asks: Where did you learn to braid? (5:45) What is the best gift you've ever been given? (7:00) When was the last time you cried? (9:25) How many people are on your holiday card list? (12:25) Where are you at with your fitness pursuits? (14:55) What are we doing with our hair after summer runs? (22:15) Describe your ideal run (26:00) What do you listen to on the run? (28:15) Do you worry about aging? (34:15) What do you think is the biggest misperception of you? (41:30) Any advice for people in marriages with a lot of travel? (46:30) Are you determined to buy a house in your current area, or would you move elsewhere for the right house? (59:30) Ever considered releasing more video content or podcast video clips? (1:03:55) Can we ask what's going on with Shokz? (1:08:20) For more, check out: Devon Pass on Episode 369 of the Ali on the Run Show Dr. Carrie Jackson on Episode 517 of the Ali on the Run Show Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast Be There in Five podcast Rich Roll podcast Deux U podcast Comments by Celebs podcast The Forgetting podcast The Ringer podcast network Dear Shandy podcast @mom.worthy on Instagram Follow Devon: Instagram @dev.on.running Blog 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!

24 Kesä 20221h 18min

"When I'm happy and feel safe and I'm energized by the people and things around me, that's when I'm going to run the best." Nikki Hiltz returns to the Ali on the Run Show for the fifth time — with some big news! Nikki is a professional middle-distance runner who is here to talk all about their new sponsor (it's lululemon!), their new coach (Mike Smith!), their new training partners (Rachel Schneider Smith!), their recent move to Flagstaff, and the first-ever in-person Pride 5K (it's happening IRL in Flagstaff in October!). Nikki and I recorded this conversation just a few days after they ran at the Trials of Miles Track Night NYC. That night, Nikki ran a personal best in the 800m, and returned to the track 50 minutes later to finish second in the 1500m. This week, Nikki will be competing at the USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, OR. 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: On being a 1500m specialist (3:30) Why Nikki decided to open their season at Trials of Miles in NYC (3:30) "The Nikki Kick" (10:20) Nikki's new sponsor! (13:45) All about this year's Pride 5K (20:45) Nikki's decision to move to Flagstaff and train with Mike Smith (26:20) What Nikki's training has been like recently (32:20) Nikki's upcoming racing plans (36:00) Why selling T-shirts resurrected Nikki's hope in this sport (42:00) What Nikki has learned about authenticity and vulnerability (46:30) For more, check out: Nikki Hiltz on Episode 476 of the Ali on the Run Show Nikki Hiltz on Episode 294 of the Ali on the Run Show Nikki Hiltz on Episode 188 of the Ali on the Run Show Nikki Hiltz on Episode 170 of the Ali on the Run Show Trials of Miles Track Night NYC Register for the Pride 5K! Follow Nikki: Instagram @nikkihiltz Twitter @nikki_hiltz 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!

23 Kesä 20221h 6min

"You convinced me to come out for a run. And thank god I did. Everything has snowballed from that run." What a treat today to get to welcome two of my favorite friends to Friendship Fest on the Ali on the Run Show! Jess Movold and Conor Nickel are New York City-based run coaches who met one fateful day several years ago at Mile High Run Club, where they were each auditioning to be instructors. Now, they are not only the best of friends, they also continue to work together: Conor is the Chief Operating Officer at The Fortitude Strength Club, which is co-owned by Jess's husband, Kyle, and is where Jess is also a coach. In this conversation, we get to know new-to-the-show Conor — a former runner at the University of Pennsylvania who has worked in the running industry for his entire adult life. (You'll love his stories from working the start line of the New York City Marathon!) And we get an update from fan-favorite Jess, who gave birth to her first baby, a boy very appropriately named Battle, when she was just 26 weeks pregnant. (The day we recorded this, Battle turned 11 weeks old! He's still in the NICU getting big and strong, and Jess continues to prove her strength by navigating new motherhood as a NICU parent.) Jess and Conor's friendship is filled with pride and admiration — and plenty of laughter. Also: There's a part in this conversation where Conor is talking about the tunnels underneath NYC, and Jess mentions people living down there. My mind went to fantasy-type stories — perhaps I've been watching Trolls too much lately with my daughter — but Jess shared the title of a book, The Mole People, which is about the homeless population that lives beneath NYC. I ordered myself a copy and am looking forward to digging in and learning about something I, clearly, had no idea about. (When Jess mentioned this, I responded, "Cool!" because I thought surely that wasn't real and was thinking it was adventure-seekers below the surface. It's not that at all. The more you know indeed.) SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to The Trevor Project. What you'll get on this episode: What brought Jess and Conor to Mile High Run Club the day that they met (9:20) How Jess and Conor became friends (15:00) Why Conor resisted Jess's invitations to strength train with her — and what happened when he finally gave in (22:20) Is Conor single? (32:45) Conor's best stories from the New York City Marathon start line (35:35) Conor and Jess share their takes on adult friendships (48:00) Jess is a mom! (57:00) Conor and Jess share the moments when they felt proudest of each other (1:03:30) Check out: Jess Movold on Episode 486 of the Ali on the Run Show Jess Movold on Episode 249 of the Ali on the Run Show Jess Movold on Episode 147 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Jess: Instagram @jessmovold Instagram @runnersworldcoach Follow Conor: Instagram @conor_nickel 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!

21 Kesä 20221h 14min

"I loved running. I had the best race of my life and I was so excited. That feeling! You know that feeling? And they took it away from me that day. Anyone should be able to excel at what they love without these roadblocks of discrimination." In 2019, 17-year-old Noor Abukaram ran the best, fastest cross-country race of her life at a local meet in Ohio. But when she checked the results afterward, her name wasn't there. She learned that she had been disqualified before the race even started. For wearing a hijab. Noor — who was raised in a Muslim family and started wearing a traditional head and neck covering as a teenager — shared her story from that day, of being disqualified for rules unbeknownst to her, and it quickly went viral. And so she turned her heartache into advocacy. She founded "Let Noor Run," a campaign to raise awareness about religious-based discrimination in sports and beyond. She successfully helped change the laws and legislation that protect the freedom of religious expression for athletes in Ohio. And at only 19 years old, she just starred in an ESPN film that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. SPONSOR: New Balance — Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun to learn more about how New Balance is supporting 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: What Young Noor was like growing up (3:30) How Noor became a runner (9:30) What Noor's early high school experience was like (14:00) Why wearing a hijab means so much to Noor (21:00) On attending an Islamic school but playing sports at the local public high school (25:00) The cross-country meet in Ohio that changed everything for Noor (30:50) How "Let Noor Run" was born (37:00) What it was like going viral (43:00) On seeing an opportunity for change in a crappy situation (50:30) Noor's willingness to be an advocate (53:30) Noor gives us all the "SB 181 101" — what it means and what it does as a law (59:20) How all of this has affected Noor's relationship with running (1:01:35) Noor's dreams for the future (1:04:20) Follow Noor: Let Noor Run Donate a Hijab Instagram @nooralexandria 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!

17 Kesä 20221h 12min

"I have to trust that I have something I want to say, and just double down on that." Kate Fagan is one of today's most important voices in women's sports. She is the best-selling author of three books — and is best-known in the running community as the author of What Made Maddy Run, about University of Pennsylvania runner Madison Holleran. Kate spent seven years as a columnist and feature writer for ESPN, she was a regular panelist on ESPN's Around the Horn, and she was host of Outside the Lines. Today, she writes for Sports Illustrated, and is co-host of the Off the Looking Glass podcast. In this conversation, we talk about Kate's road to writing greatness, including why she never really wanted to be on TV, the compromises she made to herself along the way, and her time as a Division-1 basketball player struggling with her sexuality and identity while at the University of Colorado Boulder. She talks about the process of writing Split Image, and later writing What Made Maddy Run, and the emotions involved in both. Plus: all about Kate's recent TEDxBoston talk, her take on why we watch sports, and her wishes for the future of women's sports. 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: What Kate's watching right now, and what's making her happy (4:30) All about Kate's writing process (8:00) On caring — or not — about what people think, why Kate never wanted to be on TV, and her dreams for a women-centric sports show (9:30) Kate's efforts to get women's sports covered by ESPN (24:30) Kate's TEDxBoston experience (28:45) "Stakes & Storylines" (35:20) How Kate got involved in sports (47:00) Kate's college dreams at University of Colorado at Boulder, and how she reflects now on her college experience (52:00) How Kate became a magazine writer and book author (58:00) Reflecting on Split Image and What Made Maddy Run (1:05:30) Writing as a therapeutic process (1:19:40) A day in the life of Kate Fagan (1:22:15) For more, check out: What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan All the Colors Came Out by Kate Fagan The Reappearing Act by Kate Fagan Ali's TEDxBoston talk Kate's TEDxBoston talk Split Image by Kate Fagan for ESPN Kara Goucher on Episode 525 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Kate: Instagram @ Twitter @katefagan3 Off the Looking Glass podcast Website 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!

16 Kesä 20221h 40min

"Some of my closest friendships are with women I compete against. So when I see them do the things that they're doing, it truly makes me believe even more in myself in terms of what's possible for me." Welcome to Friendship Fest, Season 2! This seven-week series is all about celebrating friendship on the run. We'll hear from some of our favorite running buddies — from the pros to the everyday runners — about how they met, the role running plays in their friendship, and what big goals and dreams they share for the future. We're kicking off Season 2 of this series with Boulder-based besties and professional marathoners Laura Thweatt and Emma Bates. They share the story of their first meeting in 2019 ("I decided then and there that Emma Bates was my girl crush," recalls Laura), they talk about how their friendship progressed, and they talk about their time training together as members of Team Boss (which Laura has since left — with Emma's support, of course). Lots of laughter, lots of awwwwws, and lots of inspiration about how best to show up for the important people in your life. SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to The Trevor Project. What you'll get on this episode: The extended warm-up round (2:20) Emma talks about the first time she met Laura (18:50) The art of adult female friendships (23:20) Laura's decision to leave Team Boss — and Emma's reaction, after having just joined the team (32:00) Laura recaps her recent win in the citizen's division at the Bolder Boulder 10K (39:40) How Emma is feeling heading into World Championships next month (51:30) All about that post-marathon trip to Hawaii with Molly Seidel (1:01:15) What Laura and Emma are each like when the other is racing (1:08:20) Laura and Emma share the moments when they each felt most proud of their friend (1:11:50) Check out: Laura Thweatt on Episode 440 of the Ali on the Run Show Laura Thweatt on Episode 228 of the Ali on the Run Show Emma Bates on Episode 490 of the Ali on the Run Show Emma Bates on Episode 444 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Emma: Instagram @emmajanelbates Twitter @emmajbates Follow Laura: Instagram @lthweatt Twitter @thweatt11 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!

14 Kesä 20221h 28min