800. Aisha Praught Leer, on Life After Professional Running

"All of a sudden, I was over here, alone, living in a small apartment the size of a dorm room, not having a lot of friends, I didn’t have anything to do. I didn’t have any future that I was looking forward to. I didn’t know what to do with myself except to put on my running shoes and go out and start running." Yuki Chorney is a 39-time marathoner with a 3:15 personal best. She has run 21 ultramarathons, including 100 milers. And she does it all — whether it's a 5K or an all-day event — decked out in glitter, sparkles, and rhinestones. Yuki Chorney is a self-proclaimed "running unicorn," and if you've ever seen her on the run, you know it's hard not to smile when she passes you (which she probably will, with a joyful, genuine smile). At 50 years old, Yuki is finding joy in running more than ever before. In this conversation, she talks about growing up in Japan, moving to the United States, and finding running — and herself — in the process. Today, Yuki lives in Mont Vernon, NH, with her husband, two teenage daughters, two dogs, three cats, two goats, five chickens, and guinea pig. She works as a human resources professional for a financial services company, and she really wants you to try running in a tutu. ("Just once," she says, "and see what you think!") SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. What you’ll get on this episode: What’s making Yuki happy right now, and what she’s currently training for (3:30) What Yuki’s childhood was like (6:30) What life looked like after college (10:15) How Yuki found running (12:00) Yuki’s fondest Boston Marathon memories (18:35) Yuki’s introduction to the running community (21:15) All about Yuki’s iconic running costumes! (26:10) The most fun Yuki has ever had running a race (41:45) Why Yuki started running ultramarathons (45:00) What Yuki’s daughters think of her running in costume, and how Yuki’s relationship with running has evolved throughout parenthood (49:30) Yuki’s approach to training and racing (57:00) For more, check out: Millennium Running Gate City Striders Girls on the Run Yuki’s 2019 Boston Marathon interview on WBZ Follow Yuki: Instagram @zitiminami Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava 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 Jul 20221h 10min

"I’m a track athlete and I’m doing full-time something else, and people feel like they can’t do both. But I feel like me and Jasmine, and a few others, are definitely showing that’s possible. I feel like we’re definitely paving our own way in the sport." Jasmine Todd is a professional long jumper and sprinter. Katelyn Hutchison is a 400m runner and three-time All-American who just finished running for Ithaca College, and is now headed to the University of Kentucky to finish out her NCAA eligibility. These two dynamic (and fast!) women just met for the first time three weeks ago — and they are already the best of friends. In this conversation, Jasmine and Katelyn talk about meeting at USATF Outdoor Championships and forming an immediate bond. They talk about their experience in the mixed zone with Citius Mag, interviewing professional athletes, and about what they hope to bring to this sport. They share their best stories from USAs (including getting that coveted Sha'Carri Richardson interview), and talk about their big dreams and goals for World Athletics Championships (starting this week!), and more. SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to The Trevor Project. What you’ll get on this episode: Meet Jasmine and Katelyn! (3:10) How Jasmine and Katelyn met and became friends (5:50) The story of how Katelyn ended up getting to go to U.S. Outdoor Championships (8:45) How Jasmine navigated competing at USAs and covering the event as a member of the media (18:00) Where Jasmine and Katelyn find inspiration to compete and be members of the track and field media, and how they’re navigating all of it (20:15) How Katelyn and Jasmine came up with some of the super fun questions they asked athletes in the mixed zone (30:30) On representation in running media (38:15) How Jasmine and Katelyn really bonded (45:30) Katelyn and Jasmine’s plans for World Championships (47:45) Katelyn and Jasmine share the moments when they’ve felt especially proud of each other (50:30) Check out: Chris Chavez & Kyle Merber on Episode 489 of the Ali on the Run Show Out of the Blocks podcast Follow Jasmine: Instagram @Msgoogleme Twitter @Msgoogleme Follow Katelyn: Instagram @_kxnaomi Twitter @kxnaomi Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava 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 Jul 20221h 3min

"I still don’t know if it was good, but I did my best. And it was the first time where I realized I’m kind of willing to fail at something. I’m not usually. But with this, I was like, 'OK, I’m going to do my best. And it might be a total flop. It might suck. And that’ll be OK! I’ve never done it before!'" Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, I’m flying through 42 (!!!) randomly selected listener questions, sent in via Instagram Stories (I’m @aliontherun1), about everything from my summer plans (I leave for World Championships tomorrow!), my approach to running right now, balancing work and motherhood, and a surprisingly emotional dive into my favorite Ted Lasso episode. SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! You asked: What are you most looking forward to about this summer? (4:00) What’s the funniest thing that Annie has said? (6:20) Will you bring back the Everyday Runner series? (7:00) Should I cut my hair off? (7:10) Does Ellie have separation anxiety? (7:45) How did you get to do a TED Talk? (8:25) If you could go to the Olympics for any sport, what would it be? (9:20) How is house hunting going? (10:00) Do you follow a training plan or are you just fun running all the time? (10:30) Where is a good cheer spot for the NYC Marathon? (12:00) What would “starting out Ali” ask “now Ali” in an interview question? (13:30) How have you started connecting with pros for the podcast? (15:00) I’m nervous about balancing a child, work, and running. Any advice? (17:20) Worst bathroom emergency story (20:25) Would you ever talk about the pay of race announcing? (21:00) What was your very first podcast episode? (22:20) Do you train with a hydration pack? (22:40) Any ultra runners you’d like to have on the show? (22:50) Do you miss Orangetheory? (23:20) What brings you the most energy and what drains you the most? (23:40) Tell us about your favorite Ted Lasso episode (27:00) How do you get past feeling starstruck when you interview people? (30:25) What does your family do for the Fourth of July? (32:50) Favorite pre-race and post-race dinners (33:45) Should everyone run a marathon at least once? (34:15) What is your favorite race to run? (34:45) Did you get rid of your Peloton Tread when you got injured? (35:35) Are you going to be the race announcer for this year’s Beach to Beacon? (36:15) Are you doing any live shows at World Championships? (36:45) If you started a podcast about anything other than running, what would it be? (38:05) How do you pick which Peloton classes to take? (38:55) If you had to guest teach P.E. at a local school, what would you teach? (40:00) What’s a running event or distance you would like to try? (41:00) How do you prioritize sleep with all the stuff you are doing? (43:30) What’s on your summer running playlist? (44:10) To-do list: on paper or on an app? (45:25) Ocean or lake? (45:40) Do you have an emotional support water bottle? (45:45) Favorite shorts for running and hanging around (46:35) Is there anything particular that you do to prepare for finish line announcing? (48:00) Favorite snack to bring on a road trip (49:15) Most surreal moment of the last several months (49:30) Check out: Beyond the Run with Ali Feller, TEDxBoston Speaker Forestbound ESCAPE bag New England Half Marathon NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K My Peloton Playlist (via Spotify) My favorite running shorts right now: lululemon Align 6” Short Tracksmith Allston Short lululemon Base Pace Short lululemon Fast & Free Short Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava 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 Jul 202253min

"Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you have to be slower." Some people have obvious superpowers. Others — like professional triathlete Dede Griesbauer — keep their superpowers closer to the chest. Dede recently gave a TEDxBoston talk about her own superpowers: persistence and determination. And in this conversation, she explains how receiving a "Persistence & Determination" award as an 8-year-old at summer camp helped her become the successful athlete she is today. Dede is 51 years old, and has been competing as a professional triathlete for the past 20 years. She started competing at a time when many pros are starting to think about transitioning out of the sport. That's never deterred her, though. Dede doesn't care that her competitors are often half her age. Because she is the one with persistence and determination. And she has the trophy case to show for it: Dede is a three-time Ironman champion, a three-time Top 10 finisher at Ironman Kona, and was the top American finisher in Kona twice. Her current favorite event: the Ultraman. Dede completed her first Ultraman event — a three-day, 320-mile event that includes a 10K swim and 91-mile bike ride on the first day, a 171-mile bike ride the second day, and a double marathon on the third day — in 22 hours, 48 minutes, and 31 seconds, smashing the world record by more than an hour. When she's not on the swim, bike, or run, Dede is a commentator for Ironman. She lives in Boulder, CO, with her husband, dogs, and scooter. SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. What you’ll get on this episode: What’s making Dede happy right now (5:00) What Dede’s training for right now (7:55) All about 8-year-old Dede’s life-changing summer camp experience (21:15) How Dede has dealt with pressure and expectations (29:00) Dede’s early career working on Wall Street (38:40) What it’s like standing on start lines next to competitors who are half Dede’s age (48:00) Dede’s advice for longevity in sport (51:10) For more, check out: Dede’s TEDxBoston Talk! Kate Fagan on Episode 528 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Dede: Instagram @dedegriesbauer Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava 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 Jul 20221h 10min

"When it’s race time, we’re competitive. I’m never just going to let Annie win! But it’s also really fun that when the race is over, we get to celebrate together regardless of how it went." Annie Frisbie and Dakotah Lindwurm have a lot in common. They train together as members of Minnesota Distance Elite. They're both sponsored by Puma. And they're both chill, low key, and low profile in their everyday lives — but when it's marathon go time, they unleash their superpowers. This week on Friendship Fest, Annie (a 2:26 marathoner who made her 26.2-mile debut at the New York City Marathon last year) and Dakotah (who just won Grandma's Marathon in a personal best of 2:25) talk about how they met, how they bond during weekend long runs (by refusing to slow down for the boys), and how they find joy in racing. Plus, what's next for each of them. SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to The Trevor Project. What you’ll get on this episode: Dakotah’s story of doing the Macarena mid-marathon (4:45) How Annie and Dakotah met (6:00) How and why Annie and Dakotah each signed with Puma (9:45) Would Annie and Dakotah rather race together and race each other, or be on the sidelines to cheer on their friend? (12:45) Dakotah recaps her recent win at Grandma’s Marathon — and Annie talks about what it was like watching from afar (15:10) All about Annie’s recent races (20:30) What’s coming up for Annie and Dakotah? (24:30) What Annie and Dakotah are like on the run and off (26:00) Looking back at Boston 2022 (31:10) How Annie and Dakotah’s friendship has progressed over the years, and what they’re each like on race day (38:40) Dakotah and Annie share the moments when they’ve felt proudest of each other (48:15) For more, check out: Dakotah Lindwurm on Episode 467 of the Ali on the Run Show Annie Frisbie on Episode 478 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Dakotah: Instagram @dakotahlindwurm Follow Annie: Instagram @anniefrisb3 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava 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 Jul 20221h 1min

"I’m like, 'Oh this isn’t good! I’m locked inside of my own porta-john, 15 minutes before the start of the most prestigious marathon in the world, that I’ve been working on with everyone else for a year!' And I’m in a porta-john, and no one can hear me. And if I shake it too much, it’s gonna fall over, and that’s not good! Helicopters are circling above us, so you can’t hear very well, so no one’s hearing that I’m locked in the porta-john. So I had a choice…" Dave McGillivray is best known as the longtime race director for the Boston Marathon. (And every year, after fulfilling his race director duties, Dave returns to the start line in Hopkinton, MA, where he runs the marathon himself.) Dave is the president and founder of his own company, DMSE Sports, which is an event management business in Boston that has produced, directed, and consulted on more than 1,600 events around the world. Dave has run more than 165 marathons, he's an Ironman triathlete, and he's a World Marathon Challenge finisher. In this conversation, we go beyond Dave's personal and professional accolades — less about the logistics, and more on what drives him and what he gets out of doing all of this. We talk about what it really took to pull off directing two Boston Marathons in a six-month span. (If you remember, the 2021 Boston Marathon took place on October 11 because of the pandemic.) Dave shares some of his favorite Boston Marathon memories (including an unforgettable porta-potty story), and answers the question we're all asking: "Is racing back?" SPONSOR: New Balance — Click here to learn more about how New Balance is supporting conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite bra, pullover, and crop top.) What you’ll get on this episode: What’s making Dave happy right now (4:05) Dave’s Boston Marathon porta-potty story (10:50) What were the greatest challenges in pulling off two Boston Marathons in a six-month span? (14:00) On being a local celebrity on race weekends, and how Dave takes care of himself during extraordinarily busy times (24:35) All about Dave’s 50th running of the Boston Marathon (33:30) Dave’s most memorable Boston Marathon moments (44:30) Is racing back? (1:02:00) What hasn’t Dave done? (1:06:00) For more, check out: Dave McGillivray on Episode 424 of the Ali on the Run Show “The Future of Running” Live Show Follow Dave: Twitter @dmse Instagram @dmsedave Website Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava 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 Jul 20221h 14min

"I’m excited to just put myself in it and be a part of it and give myself a chance. I think incredible things happen when you believe in yourself and stay in the here and now and give yourself the chance." On June 11, 2022, Brigham Young University graduate Courtney Wayment Smith made NCAA history. Competing at NCAA Championships, she ran the 3000m steeplechase in 9:16 — not only taking a commanding win, but breaking the collegiate national record (previously held by now-Olympian Courtney Frerichs) in the process. That time also put her at #5 on the all-time U.S. women's steeplechase list, behind Frerichs, Emma Coburn, Colleen Quigley, and Jenny Simpson. To celebrate, Courtney signed with an agent (Ray Flynn) and signed her first professional contract with On! The icing on the cake: Courtney competed at USATF Outdoor Championships this past weekend, where she finished second in the 3000m steeplechase, earning her a spot on Team USA heading into next month's World Athletics Championships. Needless to say, it's been an exciting summer for Courtney, who lives in Provo, UT, and will continue training with her BYU coach Diljeet Taylor. SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. What you’ll get on this episode: On getting used to saying “I’m a professional runner” (3:10) How the pandemic impacted Courtney’s college experience and her budding professional career (7:00) Why Courtney loves the steeplechase (9:00) On graduating from college, and celebrating accordingly (13:00) Recapping NCAAs, USAs, and the celebrations in between (14:20) What it felt like lining up at USATF Outdoor Championships, and all about the process of going pro (18:55) All about the 3000m steeplechase final at USAs (27:25) On navigating post-race interviews, mixed zones, media, and more (32:25) Courtney’s special bond with Coach Diljeet Taylor (41:00) All about Courtney’s signature hairstyle and those extra-long lashes (44:35) Where Courtney’s at mentally as she prepares for World Athletics Championships (46:50) Follow Courtney: Instagram @courtsasport20 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava 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 Jun 202258min

"This is the first time in so long that I’ve been lining up with teammates, and it makes it so much more special. There’s nothing better than having a teammate who, even if you’re not in the same heat, you’re warming up together. There’s less pressure because you’re doing it together." Allie Wilson and Yolanda Ngarambe are two of the fiercest middle-distance competitors in running right now. But off the track? The Atlanta Track Club Elite teammates are fun, silly, and as giggly as it gets. In this conversation, Allie and Yolanda share the story of how they first met (Allie was running late, Yolanda saved the day) and how their instant bond was formed. We recorded this conversation on Friday morning, June 24, when Allie and Yolanda were both in Eugene, OR, for USATF Outdoor National Championships. Allie had just competed in the 800m prelims the night before and was resting up before the semi-finals that night. (She ultimately advanced to the finals, where she finished fourth in a very exciting race.) And while Yolanda (the Swedish indoor mile record holder!) awaits word on whether she'll get to represent Team Sweden at World Championships next month, she was in Eugene cheering for her teammates and managing the team's social media accounts (her first time on the other side of the mixed zone!). SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to The Trevor Project. What you’ll get on this episode: What Allie and Yolanda are doing in Eugene (3:20) Allie and Yolanda introduce each other (5:00) What the Atlanta Track Club Elite team dynamic is like (10:00) How Allie and Yolanda met and became friends (15:25) What Yolanda has to do to make Team Sweden for the World Championships (25:00) The lowdown on Yolanda’s recent racing (26:00) All things USAs (38:00) What Yolanda and Allie are each like on race days (52:45) Yolanda and Allie shares the moments when they felt most proud of each other — and all about Allie's viral finish line moment in May (1:01:10) Check out: Allie Wilson on Episode 469 of the Ali on the Run Show Olivia Baker on Episode 491 of the Ali on the Run Show Allie’s viral racing moment Follow Allie: Instagram @allie_oop9 Follow Yolanda: Instagram @yo.ngarambe Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava 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 Jun 20221h 22min