30. My Crohn's Disease Story

"I didn't know that this was how good a relationship could be. I didn't know how healthy relationships could be. Being with Montana is like seeing daylight." Happy Valentine's Day! In this edition of Love on the Run, we are getting to know Dakotah and Montana Popehn. They share the story of how they met, who made the first move for the first kiss, who said "I love you" first, and everything that happened next, including Montana's proposal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (where Dakotah finished 12th in the marathon) and their intimate wedding just one week before the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. SPONSORS:  Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN Edge sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Feb 1h 18min

“We’re unstoppable on the same team.” It's Love on the Run Week! I am not ashamed to admit that Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. People will say it's a Hallmark holiday, or they'll say "but we should tell people we love them every day!" And OK! We totally should, I agree. But a day that's all about celebrating love? I'm so into it. The way I see it and celebrate it, it's about love is love is love is love is love is love is love. It's a heart-filled time to honor and acknowledge and appreciate all of the love in your life, whether it's a long-term romantic relationship, a one-night fling, a special friendship, your trusty barista, a favorite colleague, or a family member. In this edition of Love on the Run, I'm putting a family member of my own in the spotlight. Meet Jacqueline Adair: "Cousin Jackie!" Jackie is — you guessed it — my cousin, and she's one of my very best friends. She lives in Arlington, VA (by way of Pennsylvania), with her husband and two daughters, she works in national security, and she's a marathoner and ultramarathoner.  Jackie has played one of the biggest, most supportive roles in my life over the past few years, and I'm delighted to get to introduce her to you today. SPONSOR:  Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I'm an Otter!) Use code ALI at checkout for $25 off your next Lagoon order. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Feb 1h 12min

"I would just look at the clock and accept, like, 'OK, we’re running really really fast. And this is gonna be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. But if you can hold on, you’re in for a treat.'" In her first few years as a professional athlete, Gabbi Jennings has quickly earned and solidified her spot as one to watch in the 3000m Steeplechase. Last summer, she finished fourth in the steeple at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials — a tough spot to finish, but one that came with plenty of worthwhile and hard-earned lessons. In this conversation, the adidas-sponsored member of Team Boss talks about what she gained from that day in Eugene, and about how it inspired her goals for 2025. Last weekend, Gabbi raced the mile at the BU Terrier Classic in Boston. She finished second (behind winner Elise Cranny) in a personal best 4:25.32. Now, she's headed to New York City, where Gabbi will race the 3K at the Millrose Games. FOLLOW GABBI @the__gabs SPONSOR:  St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville: Register for the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 mile, KiDSROCK, or Doggie Dash, all taking place April 26–27, 2025 in Music City, USA! Use code ONTHERUN at checkout for $10 off your Saturday race registration.  New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season. In this episode: How Gabbi’s feeling after the BU Terrier Classic (2:00) Gabbi’s special bond with teammate Cory McGee (3:10) Gabbi recaps her 4:25.32 PB in Boston (5:55) The shortest and longest distances Gabbi is willing to race (10:00) The competitors Gabbi loves racing (17:20) Gabbi’s goals for Millrose, and what a pre-race pep talk from Coach Joe Bosshard typically entails (21:00) All about pre-race Gabbi (26:45) What Gabbi’s excited about in 2025 (31:55) Gabbi’s takeaways from the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials (34:15) Why Gabbi chose to join Team Boss (43:15) Why Gabbi chose the steeplechase (51:25) Gabbi’s plan to be fearless in 2025 (56:20) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Feb 1h 10min

"It feels like I’m tapping into what I’ve always believed I should be doing." Chris Heuisler is back! Chris made his Ali on the Run Show debut on Episode 6, back in 2017. He's an actor turned National Run Concierge for Westin Hotels and Resorts turned actor again, and in this episode, the marathoner and dad of two is catching us all up on life since this episode in 2020. In addition to offering a running update, a work update, and an update on his sobriety journey, Chris is also here to do what Chris does best: talk about how he and his four siblings have been celebrating their respective 40th birthdays! Ever wondered what it's like to be a contestant on Family Feud? Chris has you covered. *Watch Chris and his siblings on Family Feud on Tuesday, February 11!* SPONSORS:  Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I'm an Otter!) Use code ALI at checkout for $25 off your next Lagoon order. UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN Edge sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. In this episode: How Chris has been since the last time he was on the show (4:45) How Chris has navigated the changes in his career over the past few years, and what he’s up to now (8:50) The role running plays in Chris’s life right now (16:25) Why the Heuisler siblings go big for their 40th birthday celebrations (21:00) The big plan for Chris’s sister’s 40th (30:15) The Family Feud experience (47:20) What’s next? (1:03:10) Chris’s message for anyone going through a hard time right now (1:16:45) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Jan 1h 38min

"It is so fun to have a hobby that is just for fun where I do not care about the outcome. It’s awesome." Welcome to Ask Ali, a monthly series where I answer all of your questions submitted on Instagram (I'm @aliontherun1). This time around, we're covering everything from ski racing and a silly injury to a certain pro athlete's return to racing — and more. SPONSOR:  goodr: Click here and use code ALI for $5 off your next order. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Jan 56min

"Kurt’s seen it and my teammates have seen it. I’ve gotten better every single week for two years straight. So the world is seeing this massive jump, but for me, it’s over 100 weeks of improvement. That’s super steady. At some point it was going to be reflected in one big performance. It didn’t happen overnight." In March 2023, Erika Kemp was gearing up to make her marathon debut. The six-time collegiate All-American and multiple-time USATF national champion was on a racing hot streak, having earned titles from the 5K up to the 20K. She had just signed with Brooks Running, and was being coached by Kurt Benninger. But, Erika insisted, she hadn't had her big, breakout, career-defining performance yet.  That changed this past weekend at the Houston Marathon. Erika finished second in 2:22:56 — and 11-minute personal best, and comfortably under the world standard. She remains the fastest American-born Black woman in the marathon. In this conversation, Erika talks about her breakout day in Houston, and about what it took to make such a massive improvement in the marathon. Plus, the advice and affirmation Erika got from Des Linden before the race, her snapshot moment from the day, and how she learned to embrace the "marathoner" title. FOLLOW ERIKA @imtinyrik SPONSOR:  St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville: Register for the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 mile, KiDSROCK, or Doggie Dash, all taking place April 26–27, 2025 in Music City, USA! Use code ONTHERUN at checkout for $10 off your Saturday race registration.  Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. In this episode: How Erika is feeling after Houston (1:50) “Erika Kemp, Marathoner” (4:30) Erika’s snapshot moment from the 2025 Houston Marathon (5:10) Erika’s time goals for Houston (8:00) How Erika has learned to trust herself on race day, and the advice she got from Des Linden before Houston (10:50) How Erika recovered physically and mentally after a DNF at the Olympic Marathon Trials last year (15:10) Why Houston? (17:10) Erika’s takeaways from her Houston training (18:00) How Erika knew Houston was going to be her day (30:15) Why Erika ran the race with her friend, Jonas Hampton (34:50) What Erika eats the night before a marathon, and what her morning routine is like (38:00) What Erika was hoping to get out of Houston (43:00) What it felt like standing on the start line (45:40) Erika recaps her Houston Marathon experience (46:45) How Erika celebrated (57:30) A look at Erika’s 2025 racing calendar (1:01:45) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Jan 1h 6min

"It was horrible and wonderful at the same time." Ali and Allie on the run! Professional track, trail, and road runner Allie Ostrander returns to the Ali on the Run Show today to talk about signing with Oiselle, and about her goals for her 2025 racing season. Allie will be making her half marathon debut at the Mesa Half Marathon in just a few weeks, and in this episode she talks about why she's intrigued by the distance, and what she hopes to accomplish in 13.1 miles. Plus, her reflections on her first injury-free year since 2019, what it's like being a full-time runner and content creator (subscribe to her YouTube channel and get this girl to 100K!), and her advice on how to be a better downhill runner on the trails. SPONSORS:  The Eugene Marathon: Register for the Eugene Marathon (April 27, 2025) and save $10 with code ONTHERUN. UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN Edge sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. In this episode: Why Allie doesn’t run on Sundays (2:25) What Allie can share about her 2025 racing calendar (7:45) Allie’s goals for her half marathon debut (16:45) All about Allie’s decision to sign with Oiselle (19:45) Allie’s goals for 2025 (24:00) Allie’s advice for how to be a better trail runner (25:45) What it took to have an injury-free year for the first time in five years (31:20) How Allie sees the business of running (38:40) How Allie learned to reframe failure (48:30) What Allie would say to her 16-year-old self, and her future self (50:45) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Jan 1h 14min

"Take away the paces. Take away the expectations. And approach every single interval or every single mile like you’re listening to your body and understanding that this isn’t an exterior thing you’re doing for someone or to achieve something. It’s you inside, and that’s all that matters." It's been a hard year and a half for Nell Rojas. The Nike-sponsored professional athlete had a speedy ascent in the world of marathoning. She won the 2019 Grandma's Marathon, and was the top American woman at the 2021 and 2022 Boston Marathons. In this conversation, Nell explains what's been going on with her mind and body recently. She talks about where her fitness is at these days, and about her spring marathon plans. (This just in: Nell will, in fact, be racing this year's Boston Marathon.) Plus: Nell's takeaways from the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials, her foray into voice lessons, and her story about "the most nervous she's ever been." Nell — a running coach herself, with more than 50 athletes on her current roster — lives in Boulder, CO, where she is coached by her father, Ric Rojas. SPONSOR:  St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville: Register for the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 mile, KiDSROCK, or Doggie Dash, all taking place April 26–27, 2025 in Music City, USA! Use code ONTHERUN at checkout for $10 off your Saturday race registration.    In this episode: Nell’s take on New Year’s Resolutions (2:00) How Nell spends her days — and what her ideal date entails (4:00) What Nell’s loving right now (9:45) All about Nell’s workout today (15:45) An update on Nell’s health (17:30) How Nell is feeling on the run (33:10) What Nell is excited about right now (37:10) Nell’s takeaways from the 2024 Marathon Trials (41:45) Why Nell decided to take singing lessons (44:40) The one exercise Nell says all runners should be doing, and Nell's advice to all spring marathoners (48:50) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Jan 56min