Ali on the Run Show

“To me, it’s not heroic to have a miserable experience. It’s not heroic to further injure myself. It’s not heroic to set myself back, for what? A medal, an Instagram post, a couple hundred likes? Not worth it. I’d rather be the people’s champion by saying, ‘Hey, I made the tough call.’” 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 Schitt's Creek friendships, adjusting to hilly running routes, DNFs, 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: Is there a list of the best of the Ali on the Run Show? (5:05) Have you ever not finished a race that you trained for and started? (6:50) What is your honest opinion on LetsRun.com? (15:30) Do you have any funny injury stories? (22:05) If you lived in Schitt’s Creek, who would you be friends with? (28:30) How have you adapted to running on hillier terrain? (32:10) What tips do you have for preparing for a busy time? (37:00) I mentioned: "Start Here" Aisha Praught Leer on Episode 415 of the Ali on the Run Show Dr. Nicole Detling on Episode 278 of the Ali on the Run Show Dr. Nicole Detling on Episode 128 of the Ali on the Run Show 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!

3 Sep 202143min

Photo by Jason Suarez, @notafraid2fail “It’s not who I am. It’s something that happened to me.” Abbey Cooper was the talk of this year's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials. She may not have ultimately made Team USA, but Abbey, who is sponsored by New Balance, threw down not one but two of the most inspiring, gutsy performances at Hayward Field. First, in the 5K prelims, when she broke away from the field and ran the majority of the race solo in pursuit of the Olympic Standard (and she hit it, with a few seconds to spare!). Then, in the 5K final, when she was with the lead pack until the final moments, when she ultimately finished fourth, just one and a half seconds off the podium. Abbey is perhaps best known for her performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, when she fell during the 5K prelims. But people don't talk about the fall — they talk about how Abbey got right back up and helped her fellow competitor to the finish. On this episode, Abbey talks about how Rio has — and hasn't — defined her, and she reflects on the highs (like her recent 5K personal best at the Prefontaine Classic!) and those just-missed moments on the track. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: Abbey reflects on her 5K PR at the Pre Classic, and why she feels like she’s been “running on house money” this year (4:50) On working with a sports psychologist: Abbey’s husband  (9:40) What it means to be “relationally healthy” (11:00) What it was like watching friend Molly Seidel win bronze at the Olympic marathon (18:30) On entering the off season (22:00) Reflecting on this year’s Olympic Track & Field Trials (25:45) On all those just-missed moments along the way (40:35) On being defined — or not — by Rio 2016 (44:20) More thoughts on just-missed moments and the lessons that come with them (55:00) On “trusting the process with both commitment and surrender” (1:00:45) What does “Running with Heart” mean right now? (1:05:15) Follow Abbey: Instagram @abbey_dags Running With Heart 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!

2 Sep 20211h 20min

“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