Ali on the Run Show

“I had remembered this promise I had made to myself, which was a ‘year of yes.’ That if there was an opportunity to meet someone, to make a dollar, or whatever it was, if there was an opportunity in front of me, no matter how scary it felt or how much resistance I felt, I was at least going to give myself the chance to explore it. So I said yes.” Every day, Jess King is in the homes of millions of people around the world. As one of Peloton's first instructors (she joined the team in 2014), she teaches cycling, Tread, Pilates, and dance cardio classes, and is known and loved for her bubbly, glittery, high-energy personality. Jess is a born performer. She grew up dancing competitively in Myrtle Beach, SC, and competed on Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance. On this episode, she reflects on that experience — on making it to the Top 10 before having to withdraw from the competition on account of a few broken ribs. She talks about the disappointment, about reading the comments on social media, and about stepping away from dance for a while afterward. Then, she talks about what it's been like for her to watch fellow Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby make his dance reality competition debut on Dancing with the Stars, and talks about the text she sent him before he first stepped onstage "from someone who's been there." Jess talks about her desire to use her platform for good, and about the power of representation as a Latina woman and member of the LGBTQ+ community. She shares her love story with fiancée Sophia Urista (power couple alert!), opens up about her own mental health and self-help journeys, and talks about how she got the job at Peloton — and how the pursuit of fame quickly transitioned into a passion for building community. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: On bad days, setting intentions, and Halloween (6:00) What it was like watching colleague Cody Rigsby on Dancing with the Stars (11:30) Jess reflects on her time on So You Think You Can Dance Season 4 (14:20) On dancing again after SYTYCD (24:45) How fitness — and Peloton — entered the picture (31:00) On the pursuit of fame, and the a-ha moment when everything felt validating (43:30) The pressure of having a platform (51:15) How Jess has evolved as an instructor since her earliest days at Peloton (55:35) On developing thicker skin and being human (58:40) Jess shares her love story with fiancée Sophia Urista (1:02:00) Jess’s message to anyone going through some stuff right now (1:08:00) If you love Peloton, check out: Matt Wilpers on Episode 398 of the Ali on the Run Show Becs Gentry on Episode 379 of the Ali on the Run Show Jess Sims on Episode 261 of the Ali on the Run Show Tunde Oyeneyin on Episode 311 of the Ali on the Run Show Olivia Amato on Episode 344 of the Ali on the Run Show Matty Maggiacomo on Episode 350 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Jess: Instagram @jesskingnyc Twitter @jesskingnyc Facebook 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 Sep 20211h 21min

“Everybody who has ever run a marathon in the history of ever has run a first marathon. And I guarantee you that some of the concerns and doubts and fears that you or I had in our first marathon have crept into the minds of someone like Shalane Flanagan or Meb Keflezighi in the weeks and days and hours before they ran their first marathon.” Every year at races like the New York City Marathon and the Fifth Avenue Mile, dozens of professional runners assemble for their shot at glory. And in New York City, Sam Grotewold is the guy who brings them all together. As the director of professional athletes for New York Road Runners, it’s Sam’s job to recruit the professional fields at major events like the TCS New York City Marathon, the New York City Half, the Mini 10K, and the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile. And on this episode, the self-proclaimed “running and track nerd” explains how he makes that happen. With more than 20 years of experience, Sam knows the wooing process well. Here, he shares his goals for the recruitment process, how he measures success in his role, and how this year’s New York City Marathon field (which features professional runners from 25 countries and territories) came together. Plus, he shares some of his best stories from his time with the pros, and tells which athlete he reached out to first as he was assembling this year’s NYCM field. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: All about Sam’s role in the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile (5:30) On getting the athletes to the start line (19:00) How Sam got his job (21:30) How Sam assembles the fields of professional athletes (29:40) The narrative for this year’s TCS New York City Marathon (33:45) Sam’s process for recruiting athletes (39:00) Sam’s favorite thing about New York City Marathon week (46:15) What goes into the contracts for professional athletes (48:50) On schmoozing, socializing, and spreadsheets (51:20) What New York City Marathon day is like for Sam — plus some of his best race day stories! (56:00) Reflecting on the past year and a half at New York Road Runners (1:08:00) Follow Sam: Twitter @nyrr_pro Instagram @s.grotewold 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 Sep 20211h 23min

"So many of us, we put so much pressure and expectation on our running goals because we work so hard, we make so many sacrifices and choices, and we just want race day to be everything that we dreamed of and everything we worked toward. And sometimes life happens, and it’s just… We have to adjust our goals accordingly." 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 what to expect at the New York City Marathon start line, hitting a wall during marathon training, race announcing vs. running, The Baby-Sitters Club, and 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: Insider tips for running the New York City Marathon (4:15) What is the ultimate food crime? (13:15) Advice for when you hit a wall during marathon training (16:00) Why I changed the warm-up questions on the Ali on the Run Show (27:40) On race announcing vs. running (33:00) How to get notified about live events on the Ali on the Run Show (38:45) My favorite character from The Baby-Sitters Club (45:00) Check out: Custom Performance 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!

17 Sep 202149min

“We all have something in common. You know what it is? We woke up this morning. Not everyone else did. There’s the best reason to go for a run.” Dave McGillivray is many things — philanthropist, motivational speaker, 166-time marathoner with a 2:29 PR, Ironman triathlete with a 10:36 PR, father, World Marathon Challenge finisher — but he is best known for his role as race director of the Boston Marathon. On this episode, Dave talks about what runners can expect at this year's race. As the "boots on the ground guy," Dave oversees everything that happens on race day, from the start line to the finish and every mile in between. But Dave's day doesn't end when the final finisher crosses the line: Every year after the official race concludes, Dave returns to the start line in Hopkinton and runs his Boston Marathon. Another famous Dave tradition: Every year on his birthday, Dave runs his age in miles. He's been doing this since he was 12 and hasn't missed a year yet. (This year, Dave is 67.) Dave cares deeply about this sport and the running community, and nearly everything he does, both personally and as the owner and founder of DMSE Sports, is for a greater purpose. This year, Dave served as a logistician for Covid-19 mass vaccination sites including Gillette Stadium and Fenway Park, and helped vaccinate 1.3 million people. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: Dave’s advice for World Marathon Challenge hopefuls (11:30) Dave’s morning routine (14:30) What’s top of mind for Dave, one month out from Marathon Monday? (19:20) What goes into choosing a race event date? (37:20) What race day is like for Dave — and all about his post-race tradition (47:45) Dave’s favorite part of race day, and his favorite Boston Marathon memories (55:15) What unites runners? (1:03:40) The role running plays in Dave’s life right now (1:09:50) Check it out: "The Future of Running" Live Show Deirdre Keane on Episode 422 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Dave: Twitter @dmse Instagram @dmsedave Website 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 Sep 20211h 23min

“I was doing everything I could, every section that I was coming upon. So in my head it was like, if I’m doing as best I can and I get caught and passed, then that’s just how it played out, and I’m gonna cheer that person on who’s passing me because that’s cool, and that’s how we get better together.” Last month, Courtney Dauwalter defended — and reclaimed — her title at the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc 106.5-mile race, and smashed records along the way. She broke the all-time women's course record by seven minutes, finishing in 22 hours 30 minutes and 54 seconds. She beat her 2019 winning time by two hours and two minutes, finished sixth overall (the highest finish ever by a woman), and won the women's division by more than an hour and a half. On this episode, Courtney talks about this year's UTMB experience, describing the sights (and hallucinations), sounds, highs (more than 32,800 feet of climbing!), lows, and views (of France, Italy, and Switzerland) along the way. Plus, in true Courtney fashion, we laugh a lot and talk about candy. If you're looking for a conversation that's equal parts fun, silly, inspiring, and encouraging, this is it. SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! What you’ll get on this episode: A day in the life of Courtney Dauwalter (2:00) What do the numbers and stats mean to Courtney? (5:00) Courtney reflects on having to drop out of the Hardrock 100 earlier this summer (6:45) Courtney’s goals for UTMB, and how she would grade her performance (12:30) How Courtney was feeling on race day (16:30) Courtney breaks down the race (19:45) Hallucination stories! And when things started to hurt (32:20) What Courtney listens to on the run (34:40) Marriage talk (41:00) How Courtney celebrated her UTMB win (44:00) What’s next? (50:25) Candy talk! (53:00) Check out: Courtney Dauwalter on Episode 302 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Courtney: Instagram @courtneydauwalter Twitter @courtdauwalter Facebook 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!

13 Sep 20211h

“I took down all facades. I just could not hold up this fake exterior of everything was OK when I felt like I could barely get out of bed every day. I would just get up, go to work, and the only thing else that was consistent was running. I would run every day, despite how bad I felt. And it was such a sense of refuge at points. I would feel like I would be OK. And that’s when I would start planning for the future. I was like, ‘Deirdre, this is transient. This is going to get better. You are going to get better. Dad’s looking out for you. Don’t give up. Just keep going. Get through today. Tomorrow will hopefully be a better day. And if it’s not, that’s OK, too. We will get there.’ Running reinforced that resiliency that I truly thought I’d lost.” Deirdre Keane normally flies pretty under the radar. But last month, the 33-time marathoner (whose personal best time is 3:14) became a face seen by millions when she was featured on Humans of New York. Suddenly, 11.3 million people on Instagram and 17 million more on Facebook knew Deirdre's story. In the post, Deirdre shared the story of her dad, who was an avid (and fast!) marathoner. She talked about how he ran his final New York City Marathon the day before what turned out to be his final surgery to help treat his melanoma. Deirdre talked about how her dad so badly wanted his kids to be runners when they were growing up, but they weren't interested — until after his passing, when Deidre decided to run her first marathon on what would've been her dad's birthday. Then, Deirdre talked about going through a tough time last year, and how running became her constant — it was what she did to remember who she was, and who she is. On this episode, Deirdre talks about the rest of her story. She talks about waking up at 4 AM to run 10 miles to work from her home in the Bronx to the Upper East Side, where she's a nurse practitioner in the pediatric ICU at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She talks about working through the pandemic in New York City, about leaning into running after her brother was in a near-fatal car accident, and about her big plans for her next year on the run (starting with three fall marathons: Boston, New York City, and Dallas). When she's not working or on the run, Deirdre is pursuing her MBA at New York University, where she is also the editor-in-chief of the school's graduate newspaper. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: On running through wet cement! (6:10) All about being featured on Humans of New York (11:00) Deirdre talks about her dad and his love for running (24:00) How Deirdre got into marathoning (28:35) How Deirdre has added more meaning to her running over the past year and a half (39:25) On being a “helper” (48:00) The role running has served for Deirdre over the past year (50:10) How training (for the Boston, New York City, and Dallas Marathons) is going, and what’s next for Deirdre (1:00:00) Check out: Achilles International Manchester City Marathon 2020 Manchester City Half Marathon Recap From 4:13 To 3:51: My Manchester City Marathon Recap Follow Deirdre: Instagram @deirdremkeane 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!

9 Sep 20211h 15min

“You hear the thing, ‘Are you glass half full or glass half empty?’ I’m so damn glad I have a glass!” Jesse Itzler is all about "building your life resume." He's a wildly successful entrepreneur, rapper, owner of the Atlanta Hawks, 60-time marathoner, ultramarathoner, best-selling author, creator of events including the 29029 Everesting challenge and Hell on the Hill, dad of four, and husband to Spanx founder Sara Blakely (talk about a power couple). I've been a fan of Jesse's since I read his book Living with a SEAL (and, later, Living with the Monks), and was psyched when I met him at the finish line of this year's Clearwater Marathon — which he has since called his most memorable marathon. (Not because he met me at the finish, but because his four kids ran the last six miles with him, and they all crossed the finish line together.) In this rapid-fire conversation, Jesse and I cover a range of topics, including how he lives in constant pursuit of fun, and the importance of making time for ourselves. Plus, fruit, muffins, and so much more. SPONSOR: Millennium Running's Clearwater Running Festival — Join us in Florida in January 2022, and use code ONTHERUN for 20% off your race registration. Check it out: Fit for Life by Harvey Diamond Brent and Kyle Pease on Episode 389 of the Ali on the Run Show Ashley Paulson on Episode 409 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Jesse: Instagram @jesseitzler Twitter @JesseItzler YouTube 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!

7 Sep 202148min

"Once I got on the start line, that was the most at peace I'd felt in a long time." "Drink a beer for me," Molly Seidel told her family over FaceTime from Sapporo, just moments after becoming an Olympic Bronze Medalist in the marathon. Even better: drinking a beer with Molly, which is exactly what a few hundred of us did on Tuesday, August 31, during this virtual live show with the newly minted Olympic medalist. During this fun celebratory conversation, Molly talks about throwing out the first pitch at the Red Sox game a few weeks ago (let's just call it a strike, OK?), that viral airplane Tweet ("It was 100 percent mansplaining," she says), where she plans to keep her bronze medal ("somewhere weird"), and the fellow Olympic marathoner she's "shooting her shot" with. Plus, every detail on the Olympic marathon, including Molly's fun travel details, tales from the Athlete Village, and some jaw-dropping stories of mid-race trash talking and why Molly was veering away from the pack (it wasn't in search of shade). SPONSOR: Picky Bars — Visit pickybars.com/ontherun, where code ONTHERUN gets you 20% off. (Join the Picky Club and get an extra 20% off.) Check it out: Molly Seidel on Episode 341 of the Ali on the Run Show Brave Like Gabe Foundation Follow Molly: Instagram @bygolly.molly Twitter @ByGollyMolly12 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!

4 Sep 20211h 31min