555. Ask Ali!

"People have to start looking at what's going on globally, but also locally. What does your running club look like? Who do the people you run with look like? What are the books you read? Who are they by? These individual decisions and choices that we make all come together and change the landscape." You probably know Courtney Carter by her Instagram moniker: EatPrayRunDC. Both on- and offline, Courtney's work has a major impact on the world. The 10-time marathoner is a former practicing lawyer who now leads diversity initiatives at a large law firm in Washington, DC, and she was recently named Oiselle's Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. On this episode, Courtney talks about what that means, what her vision is for both Oiselle and the running community at large, and shares her own running story and goals. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: Why it was a good day for Courtney (2:55) What Courtney's job entails, and her path to her current role (8:00) All about Courtney's role as Oiselle's Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (21:20) Courtney's wishes for U.S. distance running right now (32:25) Courtney shares her running story (46:50) What we mention on this episode: "A Wish for U.S. Running From a Black Marathoner," by Courtney Carter for Women's Running "Let's Talk About the Word Colorblind," by Courtney Carter for the Oiselle blog Peyton Thomas on Episode 244 of the Ali on the Run Show Aliphine Tuliamuk's Resiliency Beanies on Etsy Follow Courtney: Instagram @eatprayrundc Twitter @eatprayrundc Blog Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

17 Jun 20201h 8min

"Music literally changes peoples' lives. It really has the ability to uplift people, especially during today's times. That's a really powerful thing, and that, to me, is success. Beyond the sales and the accolades and the awards — being able to create positive change through music." As Senior Vice President of Marketing at Atlantic Records, Grace Kim James works pretty much 24/7. On this episode, she talks about breaking into the music business, and what it's really like working for the number one label in the U.S. She talks about working closely with artists including Lizzo and Missy Elliott, and recalls that fateful day in the dining hall at NYU where it all started. There's glitz, glamour, and long, late nights on set or "at the club" — and somehow in between all that, Grace has trained for and run eight marathons. Thank you to Tracksmith for sponsoring the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to tracksmith.com/ontherun and use code ONTHERUN15 at checkout for 15% off your first Tracksmith purchase! Follow Grace: Instagram @gracekimjames Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

15 Jun 202054min

"Now more than ever is the time to learn how to be a leader for ourselves, and to learn how to handle a pivot — and thrive." Welcome to the second episode in a four-part series called Feel-Good Fridays. (Be sure to check out the first episode, too, with therapists Jor-El Caraballo and Rachel Gersten.) These short episodes are intended to leave you feeling lighter, better, more optimistic — whether temporarily or for the rest of your life. These conversations with experts are meant to be uplifting without being fluffy or delusional. Today, running coach and 3:13 marathoner Jess Movold is here to talk about how to find meaning, purpose, and motivation on the run right now. She talks about how to connect to your "why" as a runner, and offers up some fun workouts to add to your routine. (Warning: death by burpees!) Feel-Good Fridays on the Ali on the Run Show are brought to you by UCAN. Click here and use code ONTHERUN25 for 25% off your first UCAN order. Returning UCAN fans can use code ONTHERUN for 15% off. Follow Jess: Instagram @jessmovold Instagram @runnersworldcoach Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

12 Jun 202029min

I was honored when UCAN asked me to host a conversation with five running industry leaders and experts called "The Next Step Forward: The Future of Running." This conversation is about how we get back on our feet and on the run in a post-pandemic world, and you'll hear some really eye-opening insights about what's happening now in the running community, and where we go from here. Enjoy hearing from Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray, renowned running coach Greg McMillan, super-agent Hawi Keflezighi, professional runner Sarah Sellers, and Steph Blozy, owner of Fleet Feet West Hartford. This conversation is brought to you by UCAN. Click here and use code ONTHERUN25 for 25% off your first UCAN order. Returning UCAN fans can use code ONTHERUN for 15% off. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

11 Jun 202056min

"There is nothing we will not do for this team." Mary Kate Shea — or "MK," as she's known to the fastest marathoners in the world — is the senior director of endurance marketing for John Hancock, the title sponsor of the Boston Marathon. Every year, it's Mary Kate's job to woo, recruit, and get the best distance runners to come run the historic Boston Marathon. On this episode — which we recorded at the beginning of May, before the 2020 race had been officially canceled — Mary Kate talks about how, exactly, she puts together the 50-person pro field every year. She talks about the first thing she said to Desiree Linden after Des won the 2018 race, explains what she says is the most stressful part of her job and her entire year, and shares lots of stories about everyone's favorite elites. But don't think Mary Kate is just watching this race from the media center: She says the fastest way from Hopkinton back to Boston is by foot, which is why, after she checks the elites in and gets them on their way, she joins the second wave of runners and runs the marathon herself. MK is a 23-time Boston Marathon finisher, she's run ultramarathons including 100-milers, and she's a mom of four. Superwoman, indeed. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: What Marathon Monday is like every year for Mary Kate (8:00) MK's "Day in the Life" on Marathon Monday (15:40) What makes Marathon Monday a success? (31:10) How the recruiting process works (37:00) Which runners are on MK's "Boston wish list?" (44:40) What it means to be a "technical expert" at major marathons (49:55) How MK got her job (51:40) Follow Mary Kate: Twitter @jhboston26 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

10 Jun 20201h 10min

"I grew up riding around in a cargo van filled with bologna sandwiches and handing them out under bridges and in parks." Ross Altenbaugh is the executive director at Flagstaff Shelter Services, the largest emergency shelter in Northern Arizona. Since 2014, Flagstaff Shelter Services has permanently housed more than 500 individuals and families, which Ross says is the goal — to find permanent housing for those who need it most. Ross is a remarkable human, an in addition to the important work she does at the shelter, she's also a mom to two boys and, of course, is a runner. On this episode, she talks about how her own childhood — and her mom's — led her to this line of work, and talks about the emotional component of working in shelter services. Thank you to Tracksmith for sponsoring the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to tracksmith.com/ontherun and use code ONTHERUN15 at checkout for 15% off your first Tracksmith purchase! Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

9 Jun 202045min

"It's not so much what you're doing — it's why are you doing it?" Welcome to the first episode in a four-part series called Feel-Good Fridays. These short episodes are intended to leave you feeling lighter, better, more optimistic — whether temporarily or for the rest of your life. These conversations with experts are meant to be uplifting without being fluffy or delusional. We're kicking things off with Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo, licensed therapists and co-founders of Viva Wellness, a private therapy practice in New York City. In just 20 minutes, Rachel and Jor-El will help us all breathe a little easier. They bust some common self-care myths, and offer tangible advice on how we can all take better care of ourselves right now. (And, if nothing else, "eat some pie.") A great, and I think very relevant quote to take away from this episode: "This isn't the Feelings Olympics. Your feelings are valid. They're real. They mean something to you. Perspective is important, but don't let that stop you from also experiencing whatever you're feeling." Feel-Good Fridays on the Ali on the Run Show are brought to you by UCAN. Click here and use code ONTHERUN25 for 25% off your first UCAN order. Returning UCAN fans can use code ONTHERUN for 15% off. Follow Rachel: Instagram @rachelgersten Viva Wellness The Viva Wellness Podcast Follow Jor-El: Instagram @jorelcaraballo Twitter @jorelcaraballo Viva Wellness The Viva Wellness Podcast Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

5 Jun 202029min

"I had all these supporters that were from the Black running community that were there to cheer me on because I was their representation in the race. That's really big and pretty heavy, I think. And not heavy in a bad way. But it weighs on my mind a lot, especially now." At just 24 years old — and with only two marathons under her belt so far — Peyton Thomas is already making a name for herself on the long-distance running scene. After running track and cross-country in high school and college, Peyton graduated from Baylor University and decided to run a marathon (with a 40-mile ultramarathon thrown in the mix). She made her 26.2-mile debut at the 2019 California International Marathon (CIM) and ran a 2:42.57, qualifying for the Olympic Trials on her first try. She went on to run the Trials in February in Atlanta, where she ran a three-second personal best time on a day that included big hills, wild wind, and a handful of calf cramp-induced walk breaks. (Imagine: 2:42.54 on a tough day!) Peyton was the only American-born Black female athlete who ran at the Trials, in a sea of more than 450 women. On this episode, she talks about what that was like, and talks about how her running journey has evolved from the days when she would black out while racing in high school and college. Peyton is a PhD candidate and teaching assistant at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, studying biology and marine biology. Quick note! Around 40 minutes into the conversation, you may notice some beeping. We couldn't help the fact that a truck parked outside Peyton's home for a while — and we hope you aren't too bothered by it! Thanks for understanding! Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: How Peyton got her start on the run (4:45) Peyton talks about blacking out while racing in high school and college (15:45) Why Peyton decided to train for a marathon and try to run an Olympic Trials qualifying time (20:20) Peyton reflects on running the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (35:40) On diversity and inclusion at the Trials (47:30) Follow Peyton: Instagram @ptcruisin22 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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!

4 Jun 20201h 2min