176. Megan Harrington, Creator of The Runner's Kitchen
"One run or two runs, or even a handful of runs, in the grand scheme of things isn't really going to make that much of a difference. So I try not to get too stressed out about it." You may know Megan Harrington (formerly Kretz) as one of the OG running bloggers: She is the woman behind the popular "Runner's Kitchen" blog. In 2008, Megan had just graduated from Wesleyan University and moved to New York City to pursue her writing dreams. She joined the Central Park Track Club — and Twitter! — and started blogging about her training, in addition to working a slew of different jobs, including writing, editing, and working at a law firm. Today, Megan is a mom of two (to Teddy, 3, and Evelyn, 13 months) living in upstate New York with her husband, Brian. She works several part-time jobs: She's a freelance writer, social media manager for a local newspaper, and peer breastfeeding counselor for the county WIC program. On this episode, Megan talks about her recent postpartum half-marathon PR, when she fits marathon training into her busy life, and how running has changed for her since becoming a mom. Megan will be running the Chicago Marathon in two weeks. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle! What you'll get on this episode: Megan talks about running a big postpartum half-marathon PR, and her decision to hire a coach at this point in her life (3:45) How Megan found and fell in love with running (8:00) On having a running blog back in the glory days of blogging, and how the running industry has changed over the past decade (16:20) Megan talks about her career evolution (20:30) How running has changed for Megan since becoming a mom (24:40) All about being a breastfeeding educator for the local WIC program (36:15) Megan's advice to newly postpartum women who are eager to get back on the run (42:25) Megan's Chicago Marathon plans, goals, hopes, and dreams (46:00) What we mention on this episode: Kelly Hogan on Episode 123 of the Ali on the Run Show Central Park Track Club New York Road Runners Follow Megan: Instagram @meganireneh Twitter @runnerskitchen Facebook Blog Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Twitter @aliontherun1 Facebook 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!
25 Syys 201957min
175. You Can Run a Marathon with Meb Keflezighi
"The marathon is a metaphor for life. It's about patience, and you get out of it what you put in it." This is a very special episode of the You Can Run a Marathon series, because it was recorded live in front of a fantastic audience at Finish Line Physical Therapy in New York City. Meb Keflezighi is the only person to ever win the New York City Marathon, Boston Marathon, and Olympic silver medal. Runner's World named him The Most Influential Person in Running, and he's the author of several books, including Meb for Mortals and 26 Marathons. On this episode, Meb reflects on his career on the run, talks about what he's learned about life and running and how they intersect, and shares whether there's any chance we might see him at the start line of the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials in February. He also shares the story of getting a congratulatory phone call from President Obama after winning the 2014 Boston Marathon, and dining with the Obamas a few weeks later. Thank you to Generation UCAN for sponsoring the You Can Run a Marathon series on the Ali on the Run Show! Click here and use code ONTHERUN for 20 percent off your order, plus free shipping. (First-time buyers, check out the UCAN Run Starter Pack here, and get 50 percent off.) What you'll get on this episode: What does it mean to Meb to "run to win?" And how does he keep going when the race is getting tough? (5:30) Meb's New York City Marathon-specific advice (13:25) What are the keys to being able to run for life? (17:50) Why the 2013 New York City Marathon was so special for local runner Mike Cassidy, who got to finish with Meb (22:00) Why the marathon is a metaphor for life (26:20) All about that post-Boston-win call from President Obama (28:30) Why the marathon for Meb? (35:20) On pre-race nerves and anxiety, mental training, and visualization (46:10) What race week looks like for Meb (53:30) Is there any chance we might see Meb at the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials?! (55:30) Follow Meb: Instagram @runmeb Twitter @runmeb Facebook Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Twitter @aliontherun1 Facebook 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 Syys 20191h 14min
174. A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Ali on the Run Show
"If you are sitting on an idea, a dream, a plan, the longer you wait to execute on it, the sooner someone else will. So stop waiting, stop procrastinating. Do as I say, not as I've done!" It's solo episode time! On this episode, I'm talking all about what goes on behind the scenes of the Ali on the Run Show, answering listener questions about getting started, choosing guests, recording, editing, working with sponsors, pay days, and more. I also talk about the episodes I've recorded but never aired — and why — and share a few never-before-told stories. Next week it's back to regularly exciting running-related programming. Until then, I hope you enjoy this long-winded peek behind the microphone. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle! What you'll get on this episode: Getting started (2:10) All about equipment (12:00) How I prep for episodes (15:00) On choosing guests and having conversations (21:50) All about recording and editing (48:00) Sponsor stuff (1:01:40) And more random questions about podcasting and the Ali on the Run Show (1:08:10) What we mention on this episode: Blue Snowball microphone Blue Yeti microphone Audacity Libsyn hosting ShePodcasts Facebook Group Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Twitter @aliontherun1 Facebook 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 Syys 20191h 26min
173. You Can Run a Marathon with Dawn Grunnagle
At about mile 9, I was in the porta-potty, wishing and praying that somebody would pick it up. I was like, 'If I stay here long enough, somebody will pick up the porta-potty. I just want to disappear in here.' That's how terrible I felt."" At 41 years old, Dawn Grunnagle is proof that you can, in fact, keep getting faster with age. Dawn is a Nike-sponsored professional 1500-meter runner turned master's marathoner. (Before going pro, she spent 10 years teaching third and fourth graders. Aw!) She has qualified for the Olympic Trials three times: first in 2012 in the 1500, and then in 2016 and 2020 in the marathon. Last year, she ran a 2:34 personal best time — but the road to OTQ glory hasn't been easy or pretty for Dawn. On this episode, she talks about her earliest marathon days, which involved a lot of porta-potties and puking. (Relatable!) She talks about how she chipped away at her time over the years, going from a 2:49 to a 2:34, and talks about her adventures in fueling. (Key takeaway: Just because it works for someone you admire doesn't mean it will work for you!) Dawn is currently training for the 2019 Berlin Marathon. Thank you to Generation UCAN for sponsoring the You Can Run a Marathon series on the Ali on the Run Show! Click here and use code ONTHERUN for 20 percent off your order, plus free shipping. (First-time buyers, check out the UCAN Run Starter Pack here, and get 50 percent off.) What you'll get on this episode: How Dawn got into the marathon distance — and why she stuck with it despite getting off to a rough start (2:00) What Dawn considers her breakthrough race (17:50) How Dawn went from a 2:49 marathon to a 2:34, and what her marathon training looks like (19:00) What Dawn's recovery looks like (26:50) What race week is like for Dawn (33:00) What Dawn's goals are for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials (39:30) Follow Dawn: Instagram @dawngrunnagle Twitter @dawngrunnagle Website Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 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 Syys 201946min
172. Amanda Nurse, Elite Marathoner for adidas
"We decided, 'OK, I'm gonna run in the Trials and then we'll hopefully get pregnant right away, and then I'll maybe even be able to run a fall marathon the next year!' And…it didn't happen like that." You probably know Amanda Nurse by her Instagram moniker: Amanda Runs Boston. And she sure does. Amanda is a 20-time marathoner and two-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon. She's a clinical social worker turned adidas-sponsored runner and coach who has taken her marathon time from 3:26 to a very impressive 2:40. On this episode, Amanda talks about her road to elite distance running, her decision to make a major career change, and her adventures in motherhood. She opens up about her "plans" to get pregnant and what that means for a professional runner, and shares what actually happened on her road to having Riley, her now two-year-old son. It's an honest, real-talk-filled conversation about the realities of new motherhood. (And fun fact: Amanda is coached by former Ali on the Run Show guest Kaitlin Goodman! Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle! What you'll get on this episode: Did Amanda always want to be a runner? Plus, the time Joan Benoit Samuelson called Amanda a sandbagger (2:50) How Amanda met her husband at a local 5K (13:00) Amanda reflects on the first time she qualified for the Olympic Trials in the marathon, and what running the Trials was like (22:00) How Amanda has improved her mental strength (30:30) On deciding to have a baby, and the surprising amount of time it took to get pregnant (34:40) How Amanda felt throughout her pregnancy, and her adventures in postpartum running (45:00) On postpartum emotions, depression, and more (54:10) What Amanda wishes she had known as a new runner (1:02:35) What we mention on this episode: Beach to Beacon Dana-Farber Cancer Institute How Bad Do You Want It by Matt Fitzgerald Barre3 Kara Goucher on Episode 43 of the Ali on the Run Show Molly Millwood on Episode 155 of the Ali on the Run Show Amanda's postpartum post To Have and To Hold by Dr. Molly Millwood Follow Amanda: Instagram @amandarunsboston Twitter @amandarunsbos Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Twitter @aliontherun1 Facebook 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 Syys 20191h 13min
171. You Can Run a Marathon with Molly Bookmyer
"You deserve to be on that starting line. Believe in yourself and your training." Molly Bookmyer is a 2:44 marathoner who recently finished third in the U.S. 25K championships. But the road to an Olympic Trials qualifying time hasn't been easy. On this episode, Molly shares her inspiring story of resilience and positivity. In 2013, Molly's doctors found a brain tumor and needed to perform brain surgery to remove it. Then, she suffered a seizure while running on the treadmill, and had to have a second brain surgery. After recovering, getting healthy, and getting back on the run, Molly and her now-husband got married. But one week after returning from their honeymoon, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Molly is a force to be reckoned with, on the run and beyond. Thank you to Generation UCAN for sponsoring the You Can Run a Marathon series on the Ali on the Run Show! Click here and use code ONTHERUN for 20 percent off your order, plus free shipping. (First-time buyers, check out the UCAN Run Starter Pack here, and get 50 percent off.) What you'll get on this episode: Molly's inspiring story (2:05) On leaning into running during difficult times (8:50) On grieving an injury and healing emotionally (12:15) What Molly's work day looks like right now (15:20) Why the marathon? Plus, what Molly's first marathon training cycle and race looked like (16:10) How Molly fuels for marathon training and racing (22:00) When Molly realized she had the potential to run an Olympic Trials qualifying time in the marathon (26:00) On training in Ohio's ever-changing weather (34:10) What race week looks like for Molly (35:10) Follow Molly: Instagram @mollybookie Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 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 Syys 201947min
170. LIVE at NYRR RunnerCon with Nikki Hiltz & Allie Ostrander
"Pressure is a privilege." —Nikki Hiltz Allie Ostrander and Nikki Hiltz are both having huge breakthrough years on the run. Allie, who recently signed with Brooks Running, and Nikki, who is in her second year as a pro athlete for adidas, joined me for a live show at New York Road Runners's second annual RunnerCon event the day before the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile to talk racing, big dreams, goals, and activism. Neither Allie nor Nikki had ever run Fifth Avenue before, so it was fun talking to them on the eve of the big race. (Nikki ended up running strong and placing fourth!) What we mention on this episode: Emma Coburn and Jenny Simpson on Episode 96 of the Ali on the Run Show Allie Ostrander on Episode 162 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Nikki: Instagram @nikkihiltz Follow Allie: Instagram @allie_ostrander Twitter @allie_ostrander Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 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!
8 Syys 201945min
169. Emily Sisson
"At this level, everyone works really hard. You can't just say, 'Oh, she just works the hardest.' All the elite athletes on that starting line, everyone has their own challenges in their build up and had to overcome those. Everyone has their own story." Emily Sisson just might be having the best year of her life. The professional runner for New Balance kicked off her year by running a 1:07 at the Houston Half Marathon — coming just five seconds short of the American record. In April, Emily made her marathon debut at the London Marathon, where she ran a 2:23, finishing in sixth place and becoming the seventh-fastest U.S. woman ever at the marathon distance. It was also the second-fastest marathon debut by an American woman. This summer, Emily competed in the 10,000 meters at USA Track & Field Nationals, and landed a spot on the U.S. world team. She'll head to Doha later this month to represent the United States. On this episode, Emily reflects on her breakout year and talks about what's next, including where her head is at leading up to the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials in February. She talks about what training at altitude is really like and what her training looks like right now, and she shares the game-changing marathon advice she got from Meb Keflezighi, Des Linden, and training partner Molly Huddle. Thank you to the New York Road Runners Virtual Halfway There 13.1M for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE to register (it's free!) and complete your 13.1-mile run between September 7 and October 13. Everybody's doing it! What you'll get on this episode: How was Emily's run today? (3:00) What is training at altitude really like? (4:20) All about Emily's relationship with her husband and part-time pacer (10:30) Emily reflects on the highlights of her year on the run (14:30) What advice did training partner Molly Huddle give Emily before running London? (19:30) Why Emily chose not to run this year's NYRR New York Mini 10K, and how she came back to land a spot on the U.S. 10,000m team (21:50) Is there pressure surrounding the 2020 Olympic Trials? Plus, what it's like being an American female distance runner right now (28:00) How Emily and Molly became friends and training partners (38:10) What Emily's diet looks like (42:20) What we mention on this episode: Molly Huddle on Episode 66 of the Ali on the Run Show Molly Huddle on Episode 51 of the Ali on the Run Show Amy Cragg on Episode 97 of the Ali on the Run Show Des Linden on Episode 100 of the Ali on the Run Show Des Linden on Episode 64 of the Ali on the Run Show Maurten The Heart's Invisible Furies Follow Emily: Instagram @em_sisson_ Twitter @em_sisson Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Twitter @aliontherun1 Facebook 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 Syys 20191h 6min
