233. On the Job with Amanda LaVergne, Broadway Performer

"I’m not going to throw a pity party. I’m celebrating this day. I was a part of history."   It's so hard to believe it’s been nearly a month since we were all in Atlanta for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials — truly the good old days! And I want to keep remembering and celebrating those days. Andrea Toppin is a chiropractic student and elite marathoner for Oiselle who trains with the Minnesota Distance Elite — and she didn’t have the race of her dreams that day in Atlanta. On this episode, Andrea shares her story, opens up about the tough decision to DNF at the Trials, and talks about her outlook moving forward. (Spoiler: One race does not define you as a runner or as a human!)   What you’ll get on this episode: Andrea recaps her race at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (7:10) What’s next for Andrea? (39:30)   What we mention on this episode: Anita Perez on Episode 218 of the Ali on the Run Show LIVE at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with Carrie Tollefson, Meb Keflezighi, & UCAN   Follow Andrea: Instagram @atop1212   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!

22 Mar 20201h

“I viewed myself as a runner my whole life. That was my main identity. And so when I started considering the possibility that that might be taken away from me, I just felt this grief I didn’t even know how to handle yet, of who are you if you’re not a runner?”   Even if you don't know Dr. Jacqueline Alnes by the name, you definitely know her work. She's the woman behind the "tiny art" paintings you've seen all over Instagram featuring inspiring women from within the running community. (You can buy her prints on Etsy here!) Jacqueline is a creative writing professor in Pennsylvania, and on this episode, she opens up about the neurological disorder that left her passing out on the run as a Division-I athlete in college — and talks about how she came back and rediscovered her love for running.   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: Why Jacqueline is training to run the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon in honor of the Brave Like Gabe Foundation (5:10) Jacqueline explains the neurological disorder she’s been experiencing since college (8:20) What Jacqueline’s health and running are like today (26:35) The story behind Jacqueline’s “tiny art” on Instagram (31:00) The app that helped Jacqueline get over a bad breakup (41:40)   What we mention on this episode: Support Jacqueline’s Brave Like Gabe fundraising efforts! The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai   Follow Jacqueline: Instagram @jacquelinealnes Etsy Website   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!

18 Mar 20201h

"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 Mar 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 Mar 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 Mar 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 Mar 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 Mar 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 Mar 20201h 19min