22. How I Finally Got Over My Body Issues

"There is nothing we will not do for this team." Mary Kate Shea — or "MK," as she's known to the fastest marathoners in the world — is the senior director of endurance marketing for John Hancock, the title sponsor of the Boston Marathon. Every year, it's Mary Kate's job to woo, recruit, and get the best distance runners to come run the historic Boston Marathon. On this episode — which we recorded at the beginning of May, before the 2020 race had been officially canceled — Mary Kate talks about how, exactly, she puts together the 50-person pro field every year. She talks about the first thing she said to Desiree Linden after Des won the 2018 race, explains what she says is the most stressful part of her job and her entire year, and shares lots of stories about everyone's favorite elites. But don't think Mary Kate is just watching this race from the media center: She says the fastest way from Hopkinton back to Boston is by foot, which is why, after she checks the elites in and gets them on their way, she joins the second wave of runners and runs the marathon herself. MK is a 23-time Boston Marathon finisher, she's run ultramarathons including 100-milers, and she's a mom of four. Superwoman, indeed. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: What Marathon Monday is like every year for Mary Kate (8:00) MK's "Day in the Life" on Marathon Monday (15:40) What makes Marathon Monday a success? (31:10) How the recruiting process works (37:00) Which runners are on MK's "Boston wish list?" (44:40) What it means to be a "technical expert" at major marathons (49:55) How MK got her job (51:40) Follow Mary Kate: Twitter @jhboston26 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

10 Kesä 20201h 10min

"I grew up riding around in a cargo van filled with bologna sandwiches and handing them out under bridges and in parks." Ross Altenbaugh is the executive director at Flagstaff Shelter Services, the largest emergency shelter in Northern Arizona. Since 2014, Flagstaff Shelter Services has permanently housed more than 500 individuals and families, which Ross says is the goal — to find permanent housing for those who need it most. Ross is a remarkable human, an in addition to the important work she does at the shelter, she's also a mom to two boys and, of course, is a runner. On this episode, she talks about how her own childhood — and her mom's — led her to this line of work, and talks about the emotional component of working in shelter services. Thank you to Tracksmith for sponsoring the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to tracksmith.com/ontherun and use code ONTHERUN15 at checkout for 15% off your first Tracksmith purchase! Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

9 Kesä 202045min

"It's not so much what you're doing — it's why are you doing it?" Welcome to the first episode in a four-part series called Feel-Good Fridays. These short episodes are intended to leave you feeling lighter, better, more optimistic — whether temporarily or for the rest of your life. These conversations with experts are meant to be uplifting without being fluffy or delusional. We're kicking things off with Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo, licensed therapists and co-founders of Viva Wellness, a private therapy practice in New York City. In just 20 minutes, Rachel and Jor-El will help us all breathe a little easier. They bust some common self-care myths, and offer tangible advice on how we can all take better care of ourselves right now. (And, if nothing else, "eat some pie.") A great, and I think very relevant quote to take away from this episode: "This isn't the Feelings Olympics. Your feelings are valid. They're real. They mean something to you. Perspective is important, but don't let that stop you from also experiencing whatever you're feeling." Feel-Good Fridays on the Ali on the Run Show are brought to you by UCAN. Click here and use code ONTHERUN25 for 25% off your first UCAN order. Returning UCAN fans can use code ONTHERUN for 15% off. Follow Rachel: Instagram @rachelgersten Viva Wellness The Viva Wellness Podcast Follow Jor-El: Instagram @jorelcaraballo Twitter @jorelcaraballo Viva Wellness The Viva Wellness Podcast Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

5 Kesä 202029min

"I had all these supporters that were from the Black running community that were there to cheer me on because I was their representation in the race. That's really big and pretty heavy, I think. And not heavy in a bad way. But it weighs on my mind a lot, especially now." At just 24 years old — and with only two marathons under her belt so far — Peyton Thomas is already making a name for herself on the long-distance running scene. After running track and cross-country in high school and college, Peyton graduated from Baylor University and decided to run a marathon (with a 40-mile ultramarathon thrown in the mix). She made her 26.2-mile debut at the 2019 California International Marathon (CIM) and ran a 2:42.57, qualifying for the Olympic Trials on her first try. She went on to run the Trials in February in Atlanta, where she ran a three-second personal best time on a day that included big hills, wild wind, and a handful of calf cramp-induced walk breaks. (Imagine: 2:42.54 on a tough day!) Peyton was the only American-born Black female athlete who ran at the Trials, in a sea of more than 450 women. On this episode, she talks about what that was like, and talks about how her running journey has evolved from the days when she would black out while racing in high school and college. Peyton is a PhD candidate and teaching assistant at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, studying biology and marine biology. Quick note! Around 40 minutes into the conversation, you may notice some beeping. We couldn't help the fact that a truck parked outside Peyton's home for a while — and we hope you aren't too bothered by it! Thanks for understanding! Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: How Peyton got her start on the run (4:45) Peyton talks about blacking out while racing in high school and college (15:45) Why Peyton decided to train for a marathon and try to run an Olympic Trials qualifying time (20:20) Peyton reflects on running the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (35:40) On diversity and inclusion at the Trials (47:30) Follow Peyton: Instagram @ptcruisin22 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

4 Kesä 20201h 2min

"We just wish that science was faster sometimes!" Amy Diallo always knew she wanted to be a scientist. Growing up in France, her plan was always to move to the United States and study infectious diseases. And perhaps never has Amy's career as a postdoctoral researcher at University of California, San Francisco, been more relevant than today, as she's spending long hours in the lab doing Covid-19 research. Every day, Amy and her team are hard at work studying proteins to eventually develop medication that will treat the novel coronavirus. On this episode, she talks about why she wanted to work in infectious diseases, what it's like being an essential worker right now, and what it's really like being a scientist in the cutthroat biochemistry lab world. She talks about the pressure to work fast, what she wants everyone to know about where we're at right now with this pandemic, and how running fits into her busy life. Follow Amy: Instagram @dreaming_amy Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

1 Kesä 202046min

"If that's my legacy, that's a good one." Shalane Flanagan has many titles: former professional runner, four-time Olympian, Olympic silver medalist, Bowerman Track Club coach, 2017 New York City Marathon champion, American record holder, two-time New York Times best-selling author, race broadcaster — and, her newest title, mom. Last month, Shalane and her husband, Steven Edwards, became parents to their son, Jack Dean Edwards, and on this episode, Shalane talks candidly about new motherhood. She talks about what it was like being at the top of her professional game and constantly fielding questions about when she planned to have children, and explains why she and Steven chose to adopt, and what that process looked like for them. She talks about her decision to retire from professional running in 2019, about why coaching was her next dream, and her third cookbook with co-author Elyse Kopecky, and about the pressure women often feel to "do it all." Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: What's making Shalane happy right now? (3:15) What new motherhood looks like so far (5:10) Shalane and Steven's road to adoption (14:00) On fielding questions about having children (20:00) On the decision to retire from professional running in 2019 (27:00) All about Coach Shalane (36:15) How Shalane got into race broadcasting (44:20) All about Rise & Run, Shalane and Elyse Kopecky's third cookbook, coming in 2021 (49:20) Reflecting on "The Shalane Effect" and Shalane's legacy (54:30) Shalane answers listener questions (59:30) What we mention on this episode: Choice Adoptions Shalane Flanagan on The Growth Equation podcast "How the Shalane Effect Works," by Lindsay Crouse for The New York Times Run Fast. Eat Slow. Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. Untamed by Glennon Doyle Follow Shalane: Instagram @shalaneflanagan Twitter @shalaneflanagan Facebook Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

27 Touko 20201h 10min

"I'm 100 percent emotionally involved with the families I serve." Welcome to Season 2 of the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! This season, we're kicking things off with JoMarie Flores, a funeral director in Houston, TX. But don't worry: This episode isn't all death, doom, and gloom. JoMarie is so passionate about her work, and you'll quickly see why families love and appreciate her so much. On this episode, JoMarie talks about the education required to become an embalmer and funeral director, and addresses the common misperceptions about her line of work. She opens up about the emotional component of the work, shares why it's important to find laughter during hard times, and offers advice for people who are uncomfortable with death and addressing our own mortality. When she's not on the job as a "last responder," JoMarie is a marathoner, triathlete, and mom to a five-year-old boy. Thank you to Tracksmith for sponsoring the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to tracksmith.com/ontherun and use code ONTHERUN15 at checkout for 15% off your first Tracksmith purchase! Follow JoMarie: Instagram @jfloresfd Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

26 Touko 202059min

"The best thing that can happen to you is to have all your plans get blown up because then you learn how you react to that." Last week, Tracksmith announced it was adding two members to its team: professional athletes Mary Cain and Nick Willis. But Nick and Mary aren't just figureheads for the brand or sponsored athletes. They're full-time, salaried employees. On this episode, Lee Glandorf, head of communications at Tracksmith, shares the behind-the-scenes making of those deals, and talks about what hiring Nick and Mary means for both them and for the brand. She also explains why now — in the midst of a global pandemic — was the right time to make these moves. Lee is a former Yale University rower turned runner, who also shares her running story and talks about how, as someone who thrives on lists and plans, she's adjusting to life right now and finding ways to connect with the community. What you'll get on this episode: How Lee is handling this time as a self-proclaimed "control freak" (6:00) How Tracksmith pivoted strategies and plans at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic (12:00) All about Tracksmith's decision to hire professional runners Mary Cain and Nick Willis earlier this month (16:30) How Lee fell in love with running (33:00) How Lee got her job at Tracksmith (42:50) What we mention on this episode: On the Job with Taylor Ritzel, Content Acquisition at Netflix Run Free Grand Prix "Mary Cain Announces New Role at Tracksmith," via Women's Running "To Run My Best Marathon at Age 44, I Had to Outrun My Past," via Wired Follow Lee: Instagram @leeglandorf Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

21 Touko 20201h 3min