233. On the Job with Amanda LaVergne, Broadway Performer

"I’m not one to usually show too much emotion crossing a finish line, but that last 100 to 200 meters, I thought about my children, my family, and all the hard work I did to put into this race that I had a lot of people doubt or question. It was just this moment of, 'This is why I do what I do.'" Roberta Groner just returned from Qatar, where she was one of three women representing the United States at the marathon world championships. But Roberta isn't a full-time professional athlete: She's a full-time nurse, a 41-year-old single mom of three, and a 2:29 marathoner. (She's one of only three U.S. women over 40 to have broken 2:30 in the marathon.) Roberta's story is pretty remarkable and wildly impressive. On this episode, she recounts her race in Doha — it was 90 degrees and 73 percent humidity, and the race started at midnight — where she finished sixth overall and was the first American finisher. She talks about why she chose to go to world championships when she was very aware of the grueling conditions that awaited her, and she talks about how she's gotten faster and stronger over the years. Roberta isn't slowing down on the roads or in life: She'll race the TCS New York City Marathon in just a few weeks, and then she'll compete at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta in February 2020. 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: Roberta breaks down the world championships marathon in Doha, including the heat and how she prepped for it, her goals, and her strategy (3:15) How Roberta is feeling now, and what her training will look like between now and the New York City Marathon in a few weeks (22:25) Roberta’s thoughts on sponsorship (32:30) Roberta shares her running story, including why she took a long break — and what brought her back (37:30) How Roberta has chipped away at her marathon time over the years (39:50) What Roberta is doing to ensure her longevity in the sport, and when she fits running into her busy life (43:40) What we mention on this episode: New York Athletic Club Truly Faster as a Master: Roberta Groner, 41, Makes U.S. World Championships Marathon Team, via Erin Strout for Women's Running Follow Roberta: Instagram @bad_boys104 Twitter @marathongirl245 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!

9 Okt 20191h 3min

"That’s running — all of us are having major fails along the way! That’s what keeps bringing us back. We’re chasing that perfect race and that perfect day." This past weekend, Janae Baron — Hungry Runner Girl — ran a 2:49 at the St. George Marathon. It was a 9 minute 55 second personal best time at the distance. It took Janae nine years to go sub-3:00 in the marathon. Last year, she ran a 2:59 — and thought she was good, done, and satisfied. Her potential, she thought, had been reached. But then: a 2:49, just one year later. On this episode, Janae recaps this breakthrough race, sharing every detail of the weekend, including what it was like being part of the elite start (and getting her own fuel and hydration bottles on the course!). She talks about how, exactly, she's gotten faster, and about joining a team and what that looks like. (She now trains with a group of "big dreamers," she told me.) Janae also opens up about what it's like racing when you're a public-facing person and have thousands of people following along: Does that add pressure, motivation, or both? 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: Recapping Janae’s 2:49 race at the St. George Marathon (4:00) Does being a public person affect Janae on race day? (35:30) How Janae went from a 2:59 to a 2:49, and what it’s been like running and training with a team (42:00) Janae’s experience experimenting with carb depletion before her race (55:00) What it means to Janae to be stubborn about her goals (59:20) What’s next for Janae? (1:01:00) Janae’s messages to marathoners in all stages this season (1:03:50) What we mention on this episode: Janae Baron on Episode 89 of the Ali on the Run Show Janae Baron on Episode 50 of the Ali on the Run Show St. George Marathon Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald Follow Janae: Instagram @hungryrunnergirl Facebook Twitter @hungryrunnergrl 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!

8 Okt 20191h 17min

"Gabe was all about trying her best, whereas I was more about striving for perfection. And thankfully, I had Gabe in my life to show me what that really meant — trying your best — and why that was so much better than striving for perfection." Ladia Albertson-Junkans is a collegiate cross-country runner turned ultramarathoner. Most recently, Ladia ran the Western States 100, and followed that up by running the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Timberline Trail around Mount Hood. Ladia is also well known in the running community as Gabe Grunewald's best friend. On this poignant episode, Ladia beautifully shares stories about Gabe, who passed away this summer. She talks about their friendship, including the sweet story of how they met, and opens up about being by Gabe's side during her final days. She talks about what it means to be brave, the role running played in her grieving process, and about learning how to say goodbye. Ladia also talks about how important it was to Gabe to make sure the Brave Like Gabe Foundation kept running and inspiring fellow cancer patients. 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: On running the Fastest Known Time on the Timberline Trail around Mount Hood, including how Ladia felt Gabe’s presence before and during the run (6:00) On running Western States in June (19:40) When does Ladia fit running into her busy life? (26:20) How Ladia and Gabe met, and why Gabe wouldn’t let Ladia quit running after college (27:30) Ladia opens up about what Gabe’s last few weeks were like, and shares a few stories about Gabe that speak to her remarkable character (33:45) Ladia talks about that visit from Chip and Joanna Gaines (41:30) Did Gabe know the impact she had on the world? (46:00) What does it mean to live #BraveLikeGabe? (55:30) What we mention on this episode: Gabe Grunewald on Episode 62 of the Ali on the Run Show Brave Like Gabe Foundation Follow Ladia: Instagram @ladiahallie Twitter @ladiahallie 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!

3 Okt 20191h 16min

"You can race as many 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons as you'd like, but that suffering that's at the end of the marathon is a totally different experience." —Greg McMillan On the final episode in the You Can Run a Marathon series, experts Greg McMillan and Dr. Cathy Yeckel are on hand to answer dozens of listener questions about training, race day, nutrition, and more. Greg McMillan is the founder of McMillan Running, where he is also the head coach, exercise physiologist, and 2:31 marathoner. Dr. Yeckel, also a multiple-time marathoner, is a human metabolism researcher and assistance clinical professor at the Yale School of Public Health. 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.)   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!

1 Okt 20191h 5min

"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 Sep 201957min

"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 Sep 20191h 14min

"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 Sep 20191h 26min

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 Sep 201946min