233. On the Job with Amanda LaVergne, Broadway Performer

"I’m kind of labeled as the gay runner. But those are two things I’m really proud of. I’m proud to be gay and I’m proud of my running." —Nikki Hiltz Nikki Hiltz and Therese Haiss are professional runners for adidas. They live in San Diego where they train with the Mission Athletics Club, and on this episode, they talk about how they met — and how their immediate friendship evolved into something more. They talk about coming out to each other, and to their loved ones, and talk about society's obsession with labels. They share their insecurities, and talk about how living authentically has made them better runners. Nikki and Therese are one of my favorite pro runner couples, and they promised that nothing was off-limits for this conversation, which we had after they had just settled in Mammoth for four weeks of high-altitude training camp. 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: What altitude training looks like for Therese and Nikki, and what sacrifices they have to make as professional runners (2:30) Nikki and Therese reflect on their trip to Doha for world championships (8:20) How Nikki and Therese met, the evolution of their relationship, and what it was like coming out to friends and family — and to each other (21:20) How coming out affected Nikki’s running (31:30) Reflecting on that now-famous adidas Pride photo, plus their take on authenticity and whether there’s pressure to be a role model (36:15) What’s coming up for Nikki and Therese? And what’s it like competing against each other in races? (49:00) What we mention on this episode: Nikki Hiltz on Episode 170 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Nikki:  Instagram @nikkihiltz Twitter @nikki_hiltz Mission Athletics Club YouTube Follow Therese:  Instagram @therese_haiss Twitter @therese_haiss Mission Athletics Club YouTube 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!

14 Nov 20191h 4min

"I want to know that every person that crosses that finish line is celebrated. I don’t care what the time on the clock says. I want everyone’s hard work and dreams to be celebrated." Last Sunday, I became an official TCS New York City Marathon finish line announcer. I always said my dream was to “stand at a finish line and cheer for all the runners.” And I got to do that on the world’s largest stage. I need about a month to sit and process the magic of this past week. What I got to do. The opportunities. The people I met. The conversations I had. The finishes and emotions I witnessed. The tears. The victories. The arms up in the air, in moments of pure awe and celebration. The chills I got, over and over. On this episode, I attempt to recap it all. 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: Recapping my 2019 TCS New York City Marathon week (1:30) Answering listener questions all about announcing at the TCS New York City Marathon finish line (32:40) What we mention on this episode: TCS New York City Marathon Mile High Run Club Amelia Boone on Episode 80 of the Ali on the Run Show Altra Solstice Team For Kids The Izzo Brothers NYRR Run with Champions NYRR Night of Champions Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K 2017 Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K Recap Ali on the Run Show Live: Why It’s An Exciting Time for Women’s Running NYRR RunCenter 2016 TCS New York City Marathon Recap Janelle Hartman on Episode 185 of the Ali on the Run Show Stephanie Pennington on Episode 183 of the Ali on the Run Show 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!

7 Nov 20191h 22min

It was an honor, a pleasure, and a privilege to host this live recording of the Ali on the Run Show at the New York Road Runners RunCenter the day before the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon. Five leaders in the industry — Mary Wittenberg, Lauren Fleshman, Alison Desir, Jen Ator, and Lindsay Crouse — discuss why it's an exciting time to be a woman in running right now, and address the work that still needs to be done to make the running world more inclusive. THANK YOU to New York Road Runners for hosting us and for sponsoring this episode. Be sure to check out all the great (free!) programming at the NYRR RunCenter featuring the New Balance Run Hub.   Follow Mary:  Mary on Episode 98 of the Ali on the Run Show Mary on Episode 129 of the Ali on the Run Show Instagram @marywruns Twitter @marywitt Follow Lauren:  Lauren on Episode 103 of the Ali on the Run Show Lauren on Episode 161 of the Ali on the Run Show Instagram @fleshmanflyer Twitter @laurenfleshman Follow Lindsay:  Lindsay on Episode 149 of the Ali on the Run Show Instagram @lindsaycrouse Twitter @lindsaycrouse Follow Alison:  Alison on Episode 3 of the Ali on the Run Show Instagram @alisonmdesir Follow Jen: Jen on Episode 142 of the Ali on the Run Show Instagram @jen_ator Twitter @jen_ator 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!

5 Nov 201956min

"Everyone talks about the roar on first avenue. Mine was trying to dodge the roar of the cleaning trucks!" Last year, 55-year-old Janelle Hartman became a marathoner. After running more than 100 races and volunteering at just as many, Janelle decided that 2018 was the year she would run the TCS New York City Marathon. And on this episode, she talks about what it's like to be the very last finisher of the marathon: Janelle was the final finisher at the 2018 New York City Marathon. She paints a picture about what it was like running the marathon in the dark, being moved onto the city sidewalks, without that famous roar of screaming fans on First Avenue. And she talks about why runners shouldn't be afraid of coming in last, and why it should be celebrated. She opens up about the times in her own life when she let her fears, worries, and concerns hold her back from pursuing her dreams, and shares what it's like on the other side of success. When Janelle isn't running or volunteering, she works as a psychotherapist in a nursing home. 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 it felt to be the final finisher of the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon (4:20) Janelle recaps her 2018 race (7:10) Janelle’s message to runners who don’t want to sign up for races because they’re “afraid of coming in last” (20:30) On receiving the 2018 Joe Kleinerman Award from New York Road Runners (27:00) Janelle talks about how she started running at 49, her inspiration, and her decision to run a marathon at 55 (31:40) What does Janelle wish more runners understood about what it takes to make a race happen? (50:00) Janelle talks about her career in psychiatry (54:00) What we mention on this episode: Peter Ciaccia on Episode 96 of the Ali on the Run Show Project Finish The Galloway Method Run, Fat Boy, Run Follow Janelle: Instagram @janhart26 Twitter @janhart26 Strava 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!

30 Okt 20191h 2min

"This illness is just a small part of me. It’s not all of me. I’m still able to be a mom. And I haven’t allowed my disease to rob me of that. It just gives me strength. It almost makes me feel like a badass some days! It’s not always pretty, but for the most part, I’m doing what I want to do with my life despite my illness." Natalie Hayden was diagnosed with Crohn's disease right after graduating college. She was on track to pursue her dream job as a television anchor, but her inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis tried to derail that. After several hospitalizations and a series of bowel obstructions, Natalie underwent major surgery to remove 18 inches from her intestines. But despite the disease's valiant efforts to keep Natalie down, she has persevered. She went on to become a TV news anchor, just as she'd always dreamed, and she's a mother to two healthy children. Today, Natalie is a freelance, work-from-home mom who chronicles her life with Crohn's disease at Lights, Camera, Crohn's: An Unobstructed View. This is an honest conversation about what it looks like when you have a chronic illness and want to become a mom, and what concerns arose for both Natalie and me in our respective journeys. Thank you to the American Gastroenterological Association's IBD Parenthood Project for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! If you or someone you know has inflammatory bowel disease, like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, go to ibdparenthoodproject.org for support on your journey to and through parenthood.   What you’ll get on this episode: Natalie talks about her Crohn’s diagnosis (4:30) Natalie talks about moving away from home and pursuing her dream job — with Crohn’s as her sidekick (11:00) How having a chronic illness has affected Natalie’s relationships and marriage (16:50) Natalie talks about her history with bowel obstructions, and her bowel resection surgery (23:50) Natalie talks about her decision to have children, and her concerns about how Crohn’s may affect her ability to get pregnant, have a baby, and be a mom (37:20) To breastfeed or not to breastfeed with a chronic illness? Natalie talks about trying to make the decision that was right for her and her family (45:20) Follow Natalie: Instagram @natalieannhayden Twitter @nataliesparacio Blog 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!

28 Okt 20191h 4min

"They don’t expect a group to be there. And any runner deserves that incredible finish, no matter if it took two hours or if it’s taken 12. It’s not so much the time that needs to be celebrated in this case, it’s the passion and the drive and the motivation behind each runner’s story." In 2015, Stephanie Pennington had just completed her first New York City Marathon. After finishing, she went out to celebrate — but before heading back home, she wanted to swing back through Central Park to see if anything was still happening. It was 7:45 PM, and Stephanie saw runners still making their way to the iconic finish line. She was inspired — and she didn't want any of those runners to ever finish 26.2 miles without a celebration. That's how Project Finish was born. (This video is a must-watch.) Now, every year at the TCS New York City Marathon finish line, Stephanie encourages people to join her and her wildly enthusiastic, growing group of supporters to cheer at the finish line until the very last runner comes through. On this episode, Stephanie — who is a fashion and technical designer for QVC — shares some inspiring finish line stories, and talks about her hopes and dreams for Project Finish this year. 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: What inspired Stephanie to start Project Finish (3:30) What is the Project Finish vibe like? (12:15) Stephanie’s favorite Project Finish memories from over the years (15:50) Why YOU should show up for Project Finish at this year’s TCS New York City Marathon (27:10) Stephanie shares her running story (34:10) All about Stephanie’s job (47:15) What we mention on this episode: Project Finish Project Finish in the New York Times New York Road Runners Virtual Training Programs Follow Stephanie: Instagram @stephanie_pennington 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!

24 Okt 201959min

"I think kindness can solve a lot of problems." Last year, Carly Gill made a goal to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the marathon. She ran CIM in December 2018 — and came up just two minutes short of her goal. So this year, Carly was ready to get stronger, faster, and fitter, and again chase down an OTQ time of 2:45 or faster. On this episode, Carly talks about her dream come true: running a 2:42 at the Berlin Marathon, and officially qualifying to run the Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta in February 2020. She talks about the mental side of training and racing, and shares her take on expectations, disappointment, and how to emotionally recover after a race. Carly is a freelance TV producer living in Brooklyn, NY. 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: Carly reflects on running an Olympic Trials qualifying time at the Berlin Marathon (2:45) On running most of the race surrounded by men (23:00) Carly revisits the heartbreaks on the way to her 2:42 marathon, and talks about putting her goals out there publicly (29:00) How Carly went from running a 6:14 mile to running 26.2 of them at 6:10 pace (35:00) A look at Carly’s Berlin training cycle, and how it was different than past marathon training cycles (42:40) Carly talks about joining a team — or not joining a team (52:00) Carly talks about life as a freelance television producer (59:30) Follow Carly Instagram @carlysheree 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 Okt 20191h 14min

“The way that I’m training is good for my soul right now.” Carrie Tollefson is a professional middle-distance runner and Olympian turned mom of three, broadcaster, race analyst, podcast host, running camp director, and so much more. Most recently, the former 1500-meter specialist added another impressive title to her list: 2:51 marathoner. Six years ago, Carrie was four months postpartum and ran her first marathon in an astonishing time of 3:02. She made a goal to someday run a sub-3:00 marathon, and this was her year. On this episode, the Minnesota native and host of C Tolle Run talks about her somewhat unconventional training methods, why this was the time to pursue her marathon dreams, and what it meant to her to race in a Brave Like Gabe singlet. Thank you to Generation 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: Carrie breaks down her 2:51 at the Twin Cities Marathon, and shares why she decided to run a marathon this year (5:35) Why Carrie says her race was “surprising” to her (12:00) What it meant to Carrie to run in a Brave Like Gabe singlet (18:15) Where does Carrie see herself in the sport right now? And where does she want to be and go? (28:30) What a day in Carrie’s life looks like, and when she gets her runs in (38:45) How Carrie got into broadcasting (44:30) Carrie revists her list of goals from two years ago! (1:04:04) What we mention on this episode: Wellbeats Brave Like Gabe Foundation Follow Carrie: Instagram @carrie_tollefson Twitter @carrietollefson Facebook Podcast & Website 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!

14 Okt 20191h 14min