797. Laura Galeazzo, 2:49 Marathoner

"I've always been my own biggest believer." In 2004, Cory McGee's dad was working security for the FBI at the Olympic Games in Athens — which meant Cory got to tag along! It was then that she vowed to one day return to the Olympics — as a competitor. And just a few weeks ago, Cory's dream came true when she got to represent Team USA in Tokyo. (She became an Olympic finalist, no less!) On this episode, Cory, who is sponsored by New Balance, talks about traveling to Japan to compete in the 1500m. She talks about that brutal fall in the semifinals, and about the physical and emotional toll that took on her. She shares how coach Joe Bosshard has helped her over the years, and has worked with her to turn her weaknesses into strengths. Plus, Cory talks about ending her season early on account of some bone bruising from that fall, and talks about hosting a Covid-19 vaccine event back home in Mississippi. THE LAST TIME CORY WAS ON THE SHOW: Episode 284 SPONSOR: UCAN. Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order! What you'll get on this episode: Cory's decision to end her season earlier than expected (4:45) On becoming an Olympian (9:00) On performance ruts and getting through them (12:50) Cory looks back on competing at the U.S. Track & Field Trials and earning her spot on Team USA (17:50) What training was like between the Trials and the Olympics (20:00) What makes Cory McGee tick? (22:45) All about the travel journey to Tokyo (27:45) What it was like walking into Olympic Stadium for the first time (38:50) That semi-final fall (43:00) What running the 1500m final was like (51:40) On phone calls back home (54:50) What the Closing Ceremonies and flight home were like (57:10) On hosting a Covid-19 vaccine drive in Mississippi (1:03:00) What's next for Cory (1:07:15) Follow Cory: Instagram @corymcgeeruns Twitter @corymcgeeruns Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Aug 20211h 10min

"He said, 'I want you to feel like you can take over this race. And take over early.' And I was like, 'Wait, what?!'" This girl is on fire! Courtney Frerichs is a two-time Olympian for Team USA who just returned from Tokyo as a silver medalist! Courtney, who trains with Nike's Bowerman Track Club, competed in the 3000m steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympics, and made the final an exciting one when she made her move and took the lead with four laps to go. (A move she attributes both to coach Jerry Schumacher's plan and to her own quiet confidence and instinct taking over mid-race.) Courtney went into the Games as the American record holder in the 3000m steeplechase and as a world silver medalist, and just a week after returning from Tokyo, she competed at the Prefontaine Classic where she became the first American woman to go sub-9:00 in the steeplechase. On this episode, Courtney talks about the hard work she's done on her mental game leading up to this year's Olympic Track & Field Trials and, ultimately, the Olympics. She talks about what it was like being in Tokyo, gives a behind-the-scenes look at life in the athlete village (where she roomed with Team USA's 1500m runner Elle Purrier St. Pierre), and shares the mantras that helped her through it all. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: Where is Courtney keeping her silver medal? (3:30) Courtney's plans and goals for the Pre Classic, and whether she feels pressure going into the race (5:40) All about Courtney's decision to prioritize her mental health recently (9:30) Courtney's first impressions when she got to Tokyo (23:15) How Courtney was feeling before the racing started at the Games (32:00) What running was like in Tokyo (40:45) Courtney recaps the Prelims (43:30) Courtney shares her pre-race routine (47:00) All about Courtney's race plan and that "big move" (53:50) What it felt like to cross the line and earn an Olympic silver medal (1:02:50) How Courtney is feeling now (1:08:30) On going back to school for nutrition (1:10:15) Follow Courtney: Instagram @courtneyfrerichs Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Aug 20211h 23min

"I couldn't hear. I couldn't think. He was very matter of fact. He said, 'You have a complete medial meniscus root tear. That means your meniscus tore off the bone. You need surgery — not today, but in the next couple days. Tokyo isn't an option.'" Professional Puma-sponsored runner Aisha Praught Leer was living every athlete's dream this summer. She'd secured her spot on Jamaica's Olympic team, and was training in St. Moritz with her Team Boss teammates Emma Coburn and Cory McGee. She was feeling fit. Fast. Ready to race the 1500 in Tokyo. But then, just a few days before boarding the plane to Japan, Aisha was warming up before a track workout when she felt a pop in her knee. That pop turned out to be a torn meniscus. ("Like meniscus fully dangling off the bone," Aisha explains.) In this conversation, Aisha reflects on that day at the track in Chiavenna, and talks about what it's like when all of your dreams are ripped away from you in an instant. She talks about her decision to race anyway, and talks about what she says was the hardest part of this injury. (It wasn't the race. It was calling her loved ones.) Plus, Aisha — who is now two weeks post-op — discusses her surgery, her recovery, and her big dreams for what's next. SPONSOR: Oiselle — Use code ONTHERUN for 15% off. What you'll get on this episode: How Aisha made Jamaica's Olympic team this year (11:40) How Aisha's training was going leading up to the Olympics (19:30) The day Aisha heard that "pop" at practice, and the aftermath (22:30) The journey to Tokyo, and what Aisha says was the hardest part of the injury (49:00) What it was like racing the 1500 on a torn meniscus in Tokyo (1:05:20) Aisha's goals for the future (1:17:45) What Aisha's watching right now (1:19:00) What we mention on this episode: Aisha Praught & Will Leer on Episode 204 of the Ali on the Run Show Aisha Praught Leer on Episode 197 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Aisha: Instagram @aishapraughtleer Twitter @aishapraught Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Aug 20211h 26min

"I feel like nothing and everything changed." Keira D'Amato is many things: a full-time realtor, a mom of two, a Nike-sponsored professional runner, and — her newest title — a world record holder. Last year, Keira had arguably the best running year of her life. She ran a personal best at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (2:34), ran a 5K on the track in 15:04 (beating her lifetime best by a full minute), won the Michigan Pro Half Marathon (and ran a 64-second personal best), ran a 2:22 at the Marathon Project (a 12-minute PR), and broke the 10-mile women's only American record at a race she created called the Up Dawg 10-Miler. Turns out, that race wasn't just an American record — it was also good enough for a just-ratified world record! At the peak of it all, Keira signed with a sponsor (Nike) for the first time at age 36. Unfortunately, since then, Keira has dealt with injury stuff and health stuff, and had to scratch from the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, where she'd hoped to run the 10K. Still, her perspective is as inspiring ever, and she's one of the funnest, funniest women in running. Always a good time with Keira on the Ali on the Run Show! THE LAST TIME KEIRA WAS ON THE SHOW: Episode 305 SPONSOR: UCAN. Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order! What you'll get on this episode: What's making Keira happy right now? (6:00) Keira's advice for raising confident kids (10:00) All about D'Amato family food challenges (13:50) Reflecting on running the Up Dawg 10-Miler and setting both an American Record and a World Record (20:00) On becoming a sponsored runner and signing with Nike (26:20) How a kind compliment from Molly Seidel changed so much for Keira (35:00) On the decision to scratch from the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials (40:00) All about Keira's recent 5K vs. her husband — where he got a big advantage! — and their Vegas wedding (49:50) Keira's biggest hopes, dreams, and goals on the run and beyond (1:01:00) Follow Keira: Instagram @keiradamato Twitter @KeiraDAmato Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Aug 20211h 7min

"It just feels like too much." Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we've got listener questions about preparing for parenthood, podcast planning, first marathons, and so much more. Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy! If you want to be part of a future "Ask Ali" episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever's on your mind! I can't wait to hear from you! SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! You asked: What can I do to prepare for pregnancy and motherhood? (6:00) The Ali on the Run Show recording and releasing timeline (12:00) All about the Ali on the Run Show theme music (18:40) My favorite places in New England (24:30) The best half marathons on the east coast (31:45) Advice for a first-time marathoner (33:50) I mentioned: 36 Hours in Bar Harbor, Maine New England Half Marathon Recap Manchester City Half Marathon Recap Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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!

20 Aug 202138min

"I had never done this before. I mean, I've done press conferences before, but at this level, this was a whole other ballgame… I mean, there were several moments where I was like, 'This is the Olympics, so I better do this right, and I better not screw this up, and I better look like I know what I'm talking about even if I don't. Because this is the Olympics!'" Jay Holder knows his way around a press conference. As the director of marketing and communications for the Atlanta Track Club (remember this episode?) and as a former journalist himself (he has worked for ABC and with New York Road Runners at the New York City Marathon), Jay is the guy you want running your communications operations if you're putting on a race. And Jay just got to work his biggest gig yet: as the deputy venue media manager for Olympic Stadium at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Jay spent nine weeks in Tokyo running all communications-related matters inside the stadium, including managing the press tribunes and moderating and facilitating 53 press conferences in a 10-day span! This is a fascinating conversation about all that goes on behind the scenes at the Olympics. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: What is a press tribune? (5:15) Where Jay was during most of the races (7:40) Jay explains his role for the press conferences (10:00) What makes a great press conference question? (17:30) Is Jay's role stressful? (21:30) How Jay measured success in his role at the Olympics (24:20) How Jay got this job (26:40) All about Jay's quarantine once he got to Japan (40:00) What it was like getting ready for the Opening Ceremonies (53:40) What was the best part of it all? (59:30) What's next? (1:06:45) Follow Jay: Instagram @jayholderruns Twitter @jauntingjourno Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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!

19 Aug 20211h 11min

"When you compete at that level, there's this high that comes with that. And I've missed that. And nothing has replaced it, really… And I got little bit of that feeling calling some of those races. I started to feel that little high again that I used to get when I raced." Last month, Kara Goucher joined the Ali on the Run Show to talk about her experience being part of the NBC broadcast team at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene, OR. Today, Kara's back — and this time, she's here to talk about what it was like commentating at the Tokyo Olympic Games! Kara just returned from Tokyo, where she served as an NBC Olympics Distance Analyst, calling the men's and women's races from the 1500m up to the marathon. She talks about how this experience compared to the Trials, and breaks down her studying process for each race, including what she did to make sure she pronounced every name of every athlete correctly. She shares the one thing she said on air that kept her up at night, reflects on getting choked up when Molly Seidel went for the bronze in the marathon, and explains why she wasn't allowed to cry on air. She talks about having to keep it together when one of her closest friends, Emma Coburn, was having a tough race in the steeplechase final, and talks about what it was like calling the men's marathon after having a complicated history with former teammate and Team USA competitor Galen Rupp. Finally, Kara, a two-time Olympian herself, answers listener questions about her time in Tokyo and what's next. SPONSOR: Oiselle — Use code ONTHERUN for 15% off. What you'll get on this episode: Kara explains what her role was at the Tokyo Olympics, and when she could be heard commentating (3:55) How Kara was feeling confidence-wise heading into the Olympics broadcast (16:45) How Kara studied and prepped for the races she'd be calling (22:00) How Kara decompressed each night after working the races (27:45) The races Kara was most excited to call, and how to find the line between excitement and emotion (30:00) How Kara recalls her own experiences on the run during these races — without talking about herself too much (43:00) How Kara and her team called the men's and women's marathons (44:30) Does Kara feel respected in this role? (50:20) What's next for Kara on the commentating front and beyond? (51:30) How being at the Games this year gave Kara a different perspective on her own time competing (56:15) Kara answers listener questions from the Ali on the Run Show Facebook Group (1:03:30) What we mention on this episode: Kara Goucher on Episode 43 of the Ali on the Run Show Kara Goucher on Episode 86 of the Ali on the Run Show Kara and Adam Goucher on Episode 208 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Kara: Instagram @karagoucher Twitter @karagoucher Facebook Clean Sport Collective Podcast Blog Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Aug 20211h 21min

"The best part of going to the Olympics, for me, is being able to attend events when I'm not working, and then watching athletes win and medal an event, and then knowing they're going to come on the show and I'm going to get to work with them up close and meet them. That's the coolest thing about my job, and what makes it unique at the Olympics." Yosef Herzog is the stage manager for NBC's Today show, which means part of his job is getting to go to the Olympics! On this episode, Yosef talks about what it was like being at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. (These were Yosef's fifth Olympic Games with NBC!) He talks about being on set with the country's best athletes, including Simone Biles and Allyson Felix, and talks about what it was like being inside the Olympic Stadium and getting to attend track and field events. He also talks about the challenges and perks of working a morning broadcast at 8 PM local time. (The biggest upside, Yosef says: not having to set an alarm in the morning for a change!) Yosef recently underwent surgery for a torn meniscus, so he was wearing a leg brace in Tokyo — something he says nearly every athlete commented on! He offers an update on how his recovery is going, reflects on getting Covid last year, and shares his big marathon goals for when he's able to get back on the run. THE LAST TIME YOSEF WAS ON THE SHOW: Episode 111 SPONSOR: UCAN. Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order! What you'll get on this episode: How was Tokyo?! (3:10) Yosef talks about what his role entails at the Olympics (5:15) The things that are stressful about live television (14:15) How many athletes at the Games asked Yosef about his leg brace? (18:15) The athletes Yosef was most excited to have on set (21:00) Which events Yosef got to watch in person (28:00) All about Yosef's meniscus surgery and recovery, and what his Covid experience was like (35:45) Yosef's thoughts on returning to "normal" on the Plaza (41:15) Follow Yosef: Instagram @yosefherzog Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Aug 202151min