64. Desiree Linden

"It's almost like I was running away from what had happened." Anita Perez just might be one of the most inspiring, hardworking, dedicated women you'll ever meet. She's a 2:39 marathoner (who also runs a 1:17 half marathon), a single mom to two kids, and a middle school special education teacher. She's kind and caring, and she works her butt off in every facet of her life (including waking up at 3 AM to get her workouts in). On this episode, she talks about what it was like running at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials last month, compares that to her experience running the 2016 Trials, and opens up about the years in between. She talks about her mom passing away after a short and devastating bout with cancer, and opens up about how that affected her running. It's a powerful, poignant episode. Thank you to the Atlanta Track Club for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! The Atlanta Track Club is proud to host the AJC Peachtree Road Race — the largest 10K in the world! — every year on the Fourth of July. The lottery for this year's race opens on March 15, so head to ajc.com/peachtree to enter! What you'll get on this episode: Anita recaps her race at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (3:40) Reflecting on running through grief (14:45) On the goal to run an Olympic Trials qualifying time (25:00) What Anita's typical day looks like (37:30) Why Anita loves her work as a middle school special education teacher (43:45) What we mention on this episode: LIVE at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with Carrie Tollefson, Meb Keflezighi, & UCAN MyCookieDealer on Instagram Follow Anita: Instagram @anitaruns26.2 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group 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!

13 Maalis 202056min

"I wasn't there as a runner. I wasn't there as a sister, a mother...I was there as a fan of the sport, and as a supporter of so many of these women. And in a very different way I found my own 'I belong,' and it was realizing I am bringing something to the running community." It's a solo episode! On this episode, I reflect on my experience traveling to Atlanta to watch the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. (To read more about the weekend, check out this post.) 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 I mention on this episode: Westin Peachtree Plaza Atlanta Track Club LIVE at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with Sarah Cummings, Kaitlin Goodman, Amanda Nurse, Ladia Albertson-Junkans, & Jenny Donnelly LIVE at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with Carrie Tollefson, Meb Keflezighi, & UCAN Veronica Jackson & Alex Bernardi, Olympic Trials Qualifiers Veronica Jackson & Alex Bernardi Recap the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Jenny & Judi Donnelly BONUS EPISODE! Subscribe to the Fast Women newsletter "Why Are American Women Running Faster Than Ever?" via The New York Times Starla Garcia, Olympic Trials Qualifier & Registered Dietitian Carly Gill, Olympic Trials Qualifier Jen Bigham AKA Local Elite Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group 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!

11 Maalis 202048min

In honor of International Women's Day, I sat down with an all-star panel of smart, inspiring women — Abby Bales, Rozalynn Frazier, Kelly Hogan, and Henna Rustami — to talk about everything from periods, nutrition, and diversity in running to the whys behind why we started running and why we keep running. Thank you to New Balance for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show. Go to newbalance.com and use code ONTHERUN20 for 20% off your order of $100 or more. Happy shopping! Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group 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!

11 Maalis 202057min

"I am here to try and find the best version of myself." —Sarah Cummings "I am here because running makes me feel the most alive." —Kaitlin Goodman "I'm here because I found running later in life, and it felt like it fed my soul." —Amanda Nurse "My why is Gabe Grunewald." —Ladia Albertson-Junkans "I'm here because running feels like home. And because despite years of subpar performances and giving up on myself, I had people who didn't, and I'm very grateful for that." —Jenny Donnelly It was a tremendous honor and privilege to host a live show at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Expo in Atlanta, GA, with five former Ali on the Run Show guests and Trials runners: Sarah Cummings, Kaitlin Goodman, Amanda Nurse, Ladia Albertson-Junkans, and Jenny Donnelly. This was an inspiring, uplifting, at times emotional conversation about goals, the running community, choices and sacrifices, and each woman's "why." Follow Sarah: Instagram @sarahccummings Follow Kaitlin: Instagram @runnerkg Twitter @runnerkg RunningJoyfully.com Strava Follow Amanda: Instagram @amandarunsboston Twitter @amandarunsbos Follow Ladia: Instagram @ladiahallie Twitter @ladiahallie Follow Jenny: Instagram @jenny_donn Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group 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!

5 Maalis 202051min

"This showed me I can make more dreams — because apparently they come true!" —Veronica Jackson Last week, we heard from U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon qualifiers, friends, and former training partners Veronica Jackson and Alex Bernardi. This week, they're back to recap their respective races in Atlanta. (Spoiler: Veronica finished 63rd and Alex ran a personal best!) 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: How Veronica and Alex were feeling three days after running the Trials (2:30) Breaking down the early miles of the race (7:25) On the crowds and the spectators (13:45) Alex and Veronica talk about what it was like seeing each other during the race (20:10) Veronica talks about experiencing pre-race anxiety the day before the race (24:00) What it was really like being in Atlanta (32:25) What we mention on this episode: Veronica on Alex on Episode 211 of the Ali on the Run Show Atlanta Track Club Kaitlin Goodman on Episode 160 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Alex: Instagram @aebernardi Follow Veronica: Instagram @vjaxs Twitter @vjacks01 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group 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!

5 Maalis 202050min

This is the first of several post-U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials episodes coming your way this week. It was such an honor to co-host a live show after the race alongside Carrie Tollefson and Meb Keflezighi — in front of a 400-person audience! After an inspiring opening speech by UCAN President and CEO Shoba Murali and a few remarks from Meb, we recapped the race with Carrie (who was the official race announcer) and Meb (the official race starter). Then, we welcomed seven UCAN athletes — Sarah Sellers, Taylor Ward, Dawn Grunnagle, Tyler Pennel, Andrea Toppin, Anita Perez, and Jocelyn Todd — who shared their stories from the day. Some had breakthrough races (a PR for Sarah Sellers!), while others had challenging days on the course. All of their stories were honest, uplifting, and relatable, and I'm so grateful for everything they shared. Thank you to UCAN for sponsoring this episode of 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: Opening remarks from Shoba Murali, UCAN President and CEO (3:40) A few words from Meb Keflezighi (9:00) The live show begins! Carrie and Meb recap the race from their perspectives (12:30) Taylor Ward, Sarah Sellers, and Dawn Grunnagle recap their races at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (30:45) Tyler Pennel joins the conversation to talk about his race, where he finished 11th overall (43:20) Andrea Toppin, Anita Perez, and Jocelyn Todd share their races stories from the day (58:30) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group 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!

4 Maalis 20201h 19min

Welcome to the second edition of a new monthly series on the Ali on the Run Show: Ramblings on the Run with Ali & Matt. Every month, Matt Chittim — host of the Rambling Runner podcast and the Road to the Olympic Trials show — and I will come together to talk about running industry news, our own running, and things we're loving right now, and to answer listener questions about running and podcasting. It's something new we're trying, so let us know what you think and what you want more (or less!) of. On this episode, it's all about Trials talk. We share our excitement for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, talk about our predictions about what might happen while admitting none of us really have any idea, and answer listener questions about podcasting. What we mention on this episode: Superhero Muffins Publix Atlanta 5K Peter Bromka on Road to the Olympic Trials Lou Serafini on Road to the Olympic Trials Sarah Ibbetson @runningbcba on Instagram (2:45.01 series) "In Celebrating Local Olympic Hopefuls, We Lift Up Our Communities" by Erin Strout for Women's Running Jay Holder on The CITIUS MAG Podcast Jay Holder on C Tolle Run Kaitlin Gregg Goodman on Episode 160 of the Ali on the Run Show Sara Hall on Episode 144 of the Ali on the Run Show Steph Bruce on Episode 206 of the Ali on the Run Show Steph Bruce on Episode 104 of the Ali on the Run Show Alison Wade and Erin Strout on Road to the Olympic Trials Elle Purrier on Episode 210 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Matt: Instagram @rambling_runner Rambling Runner podcast Road to the Olympic Trials podcast Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group 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!

27 Helmi 20201h 2min

"The only reason this was my goal is because it was her goal. I only have this dream because she was crazy enough to dream it first." —Veronica Jackson Veronica Jackson and Alex Bernardi are among the 500+ women who will be running the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon this weekend in Atlanta, GA. They're longtime training partners, and on this episode, they talk about the power of running friendships, and the effects your best running friends can have on your goals. Today, Alex and Veronica live in separate cities — Veronica in Boston where she's an attorney at the Partners Healthcare Hospital System, and Alex in New York City, where she's a research associate at a nonprofit — but we got together in person to record this episode (after they finished their 20-miler, of course). 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: How Alex and Veronica were feeling two weeks out from the Trials (7:30) Alex reflects on qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Trials (8:30) What does it mean to each of them to get to run the Trials? (14:00) Alex talks about her postpartum running experience, and shares how she qualified for the Trials again after having her son (16:20) #TBT: Alex and Veronica share the story of how they met, and the importance of running friendships (19:50) How moving out of NYC affected Veronica's training (34:15) How Veronica found new running buddies in Boston (52:00) How Veronica and Alex support each other from afar, and what the OTQ community is like (56:15) What we mention on this episode: Central Park Track Club Sarah Cummings on Episode 112 of the Ali on the Run Show Jenny Donnelly on Episode 193 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Alex: Instagram @aebernardi Follow Veronica: Instagram @vjaxs Twitter @vjacks01 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group 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!

26 Helmi 20201h 14min