Ali on the Run Show

“I’m just training and racing and I’m living my best life… I’m living my American Dream.” At 15, Diane Nukuri became an Olympian. At 16, she fled her home country of Burundi, seeking asylum in Canada. By 20, she was a student at the University of Iowa, fluent in English (her third language) and thriving on the run. Soon after, she competed at the 2012 Olympics, then again at the 2016 Games. Today, Diane is a dual citizen of the United States and Burundi, she's a professional runner sponsored by Asics, and she holds the Burundian records in the 1500, the 5,000, the 10,000, the half-marathon, and the marathon. She has represented Burundi in the Olympics three times at three different distances: the 5K in Sydney in 2000, the marathon in London in 2012, and the 10K in Rio in 2016. On this episode, Diane talks about growing up in Burundi as one of eight siblings, and about her decision to leave the country amidst its violent Civil War. She talks about living with family in Ontario, enrolling in a French-speaking high school, and then attending community college so she could learn English and continue running before attending the University of Iowa. Plus, periods, meditation, Diane's fall racing plans, and more! SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: What it means to Diane to be living her best life right now (3:15) How Diane’s running and racing have been going this year (8:15) What Diane has learned from training alongside other fast women (17:30) What it was like growing up in Burundi as one of eight siblings (23:20) On becoming an Olympian at 15 years old (26:30) What it was like seeking asylum from Burundi and moving to Canada (34:15) On building confidence on the run and off at the University of Iowa (41:30) On competing at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics (45:00) The process of becoming a United States citizen (51:00) How Diane gets in the right headspace when she doesn’t feel like running  (55:00) Follow Diane: Instagram @dianenukuri Twitter @ddnukuri 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!

29 Jul 20211h 7min

“I was just so excited. I knew at that moment that it was going to change my life.”   Last year, Dinée Dorame, a citizen of the Navajo Nation, made her podcast debut as a guest on the Ali on the Run Show. Today: She's a podcast host of her own! At the beginning of 2021, Dinée launched her show, the Grounded podcast, which explores the intersection of running, community, land, and culture. On this episode, Dinée reflects on how the show has changed her life, and how she has found her voice and interview style along the way. She talks about being a recipient of the first-ever Tracksmith Fellowship program, and about being seen in the running community for all that she is, and not as simply "the Native runner." Plus, Dinée offers an update about how her own running is going, and the latest developments in her Accessory Navicular Syndrome. And she shares stories about interviewing some of her first guests on the Grounded podcast, including the legendary Billy Mills, Jordan Marie Daniel, and Meb Keflezighi (who surprisingly FaceTimed Dinée — who was in her pajamas — before their interview).   THE LAST TIME DINEE WAS ON THE SHOW: Dinée Dorame on Episode 239 of the Ali on the Run Show   SPONSOR: UCAN. Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order!   What you’ll get on this episode: What made Dinée want to start a podcast (5:40) How podcasting has changed Dinée’s life (12:55) Dinée’s dream guests (17:15) All about the time Meb FaceTimed Dinée — by surprise! (20:30) How Dinée has found her interview style, and what her preparation process is like (26:00) On working with mentor Mario Fraioli (31:45) How Dinée hopes people feel when they listen to her podcast (49:20) On being injured (51:00) What has surprised Dinée most about launching a podcast (58:45) On getting engaged and wedding planning (1:00:30)   What we mention on this episode: Mario Fraioli on Episode 266 of the Ali on the Run Show Apply for the Tracksmith Fellowship program Dinée on Episode 145 of The Morning Shakeout podcast IVL Collective @gaithappens on Instagram   Follow Dinée: Instagram @dinee_pink22   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 Jul 20211h 13min

“High hopes, low expectations.”   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 I'm watching right now, finding your identity when you can't run, leaving New York City, working in the running industry, and so much more. Plus: another surprise appearance by Brian Cristiano! 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: The top five things I’m watching right now (3:10) All about my trip to Ocean City, NJ (10:00) How to find your identity when you don’t have running anymore (18:55) About the mental shift regarding leaving New York City and being happy — not sad — to come back and visit (27:25) All about running with a jogging stroller (36:45) Advice for working in the running industry (44:45) Brian joins the show to share our love story! (53:15)   What I mention on this episode: The Little Mermen Thule Urban Glide II Calum Neff on Episode 318 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!

23 Jul 20211h 2min

“I’m a bit bummed with how it went, but that’s why I want to get back into more racing. I know I’m fitter than that showcased, and I want to just have fun with racing, because the Olympics are obviously the pinnacle of our sport, but I think there’s so much more aside from that. So I want to have fun with all that, and do what I love, and not feel like because I didn’t make this team it was a failure of a year or I’m a failure of an athlete.”   Emily Infeld arrived at the start line for this year's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials 10K last month with an impressive running resumé. She's a professional runner with the Bowerman Track Club, specializing in the 5K and 10K. She's a 2016 Olympian and a 2015 World Championships bronze medalist. But along the way, Emily has also been plagued with injuries — one major injury, she says, for every year of her professional career. In spite of injuries, surgeries, and setbacks, Emily has persevered and built immeasurable mental toughness along the way. So when she got to Hayward Field, she had one goal: Make another Olympic team. Unfortunately, like all but three of the athletes that day, Emily didn't finish in the top three, and missed out on this year's Team USA. On this episode, she recaps the long road to the Trials, breaks down that hot race in heartbreaking detail, and talks about what's next.   SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.   What you’ll get on this episode: On racing the 1500m for the first time in eight years (4:30) Has running always been fun for Emily? (7:50) On racing in all this heat lately (9:10) Working on execution vs. focusing on time (13:00) The intimidation factor, and relationships in running (15:55) All about wedding planning! (22:00) On working with Shalane Flanagan as both a teammate and coach (26:00) Emily’s road to the 2021 Olympic Track & Field Trials (31:30) The 10K race plan, and how the race played out (50:45) How Emily recovered emotionally from the Trials, and what’s next (59:20) What Emily’s been whipping up in the kitchen (1:03:15)   What we mention on this episode: Shalane Flanagan on Episode 242 of the Ali on the Run Show Emily Sisson on Episode 394 of the Ali on the Run Show Karissa Schweizer & Elise Cranny on Episode 395 of the Ali on the Run Show   Follow Emily: Instagram @emilyinfeld Twitter @emily_infeld   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!

22 Jul 20211h 15min

“Nothing is guaranteed. And because of that, it enabled me to be so present and so thankful and aware of how special the whole thing was.”   Welcome to Season 3 of the What's New With You series, where we catch up with past guests on the Ali on the Run Show. And we're kicking off this season with professional middle-distance runner Kate Grace! The last time Kate was on the show, in December 2017, she had just left her sponsor, Oiselle, to sign with Nike and join the Bowerman Track Club. Now, three and a half years later, Kate has left BTC and is now a member of Team Boss, training under coach Joe Bosshard. (And she's moving! Kate is in the process of relocating from Portland, OR, to Boulder, CO, to train full-time with the team.) On this episode, Kate talks about her decision to change teams, and talks about how training is different with Coach Joe. Plus, she recaps her races at this year's Olympic Track & Field Trials, where she hoped to make her second Olympic team in the 800m, but ultimately fell short of that goal. But Kate isn't sitting around sulking: She is, in her words, "living her best life" right now, and is fresh off a European revenge tour, where she raced four times (in four different countries) in 10 days, earning two wins and three personal bests in the process. (Her new 800m PR is 1:57.2, which she ran in Monaco.)   THE LAST TIME KATE WAS ON THE SHOW: Kate Grace on Episode 53 of the Ali on the Run Show   SPONSOR: UCAN. Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order!   What you’ll get on this episode: Kate’s moving! (3:30) How Kate’s feeling after a whirlwind 10 days of racing (4:25) Kate’s decision to leave Bowerman Track Club (8:00) On the move to Team Boss (10:30) How Kate’s training is different now that she’s coached by Joe Bosshard (25:30) How Kate was feeling in the weeks leading up to the Olympic Trials (38:00) Reflecting on this year’s 800m races at the Olympic Trials (41:20) All about the Kate Grace Revenge Tour (47:00) Kate’s “white shorts” story (1:04:05)   Follow Kate: Instagram @fastkate Twitter @fastk8   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 Jul 20211h 7min

“I want you to understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. I want you to believe in the mission, and I want you to have fun. I want you to enjoy the process, and I want you to know that what you’re doing is a worthwhile endeavor.”   Like many of us, Matt Wilpers grew up wanting to be a marine biologist. ("I was really into whales," he recalls.) Ultimately, he pursued a career in finance, working as an analyst and auditor with KPMG and, later, Goldman Sachs. When he realized the NYC finance lifestyle wasn't for him, Matt decided to go to medical school, and, as a lifelong athlete and former collegiate runner, started teaching fitness classes on the side. Then, just as he was getting ready to pursue his medical career full-time, he got the call from Peloton. Plot twist! Today, Matt is one of Peloton's most popular cycling and treadmill instructors, and has his own coaching business. On this episode, Matt talks about why he's so passionate about coaching, and why getting to help people on their own fitness journeys is "the dream." He talks about coaching actress Lena Dunham, sharing stories about how while he was hired to help her, it was Lena who changed his life. Plus, he shares loads of qualified running advice about overtraining, race day anxiety, and how to "run arrogant" and more confident. Matt is a 2:54 marathoner, 1:17 half marathoner, and 10:38 Ironman who lives in New York City.   SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.   What you’ll get on this episode: On being a great coach (6:10) What’s making Matt happy right now? (8:15) Matt’s thoughts on returning to full studios (10:00) On being nicknamed “The Baby-Faced Assassin,” and how Matt connects with the people taking his class virtually (11:30) What Matt was like as a kid, and how he got into the finance industry (14:00) What it was like coaching Lena Dunham (20:40) How Matt got the Peloton job (23:30) All about Matt’s coaching philosophy (29:00) How Matt would describe his Peloton classes (36:00) What a day in the life looks like for Matt (37:20) Power Zone Endurance 101 (40:45) The most common mistake Matt sees runners making, plus how to avoid overtraining (43:30) How to “run arrogant,” and what that means (50:00) Matt’s pre-race pep talk (53:50) What’s next for Matt? (56:45)   What we mention on this episode: 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 Precision Nutrition Jenny Donnelly on Episode 193 of the Ali on the Run Show   Follow Matt: Instagram @mattwilpers Website Team Wilpers   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!

15 Jul 20211h 12min

“Engineering is really about problem solving. Can you come up with a creative solution, and how do you work through it? My problems, on a day-to-day basis, are working with things like beans and corns and food processing equipment. But really, problem solving can be applied to anything. So I’m here to say that engineering is more than just planes and trains!”   Welcome to the seventh and final episode in Season 5 of the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! We're closing out this season with a soup-er conversation celebrating women in STEM! Today, meet Jill Cardamone, a senior process engineer at Campbell's Soup Company. As a member of the Soup and Broth team in research and development, Jill acts as the middle man that takes what a food scientist creates in the kitchen and translates it to a massive scale. (She'll explain this process in excellent detail using my favorite Superhero Muffins as an example.) In her five years on the job at Campbell's, Jill has dealt with soup emergencies (really!), food supply shortages, clogged equipment during the testing processes, and more, all in search of finding the best solutions possible for when her soup makes its way to your home. Jill is a marathoner and Ironman triathlete who lives in Philadelphia, PA.   SPONSOR: Tracksmith — Use code ONTHEJOB for free shipping, plus five percent of your purchase will be donated to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.   What we mention on this episode: Victoria Asikis on Episode 349 of the Ali on the Run Show Yuma Haidara on Episode 388 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!

13 Jul 202150min

“The word should can put us into tricky places. Because who’s to say what we should or should not do? A lot of things in life are a lot more nuanced than should or should not, yes or no, black or white.”   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 racing, nutrition, New York City must-dos, running plateaus, Orangetheory memories, and so much more. Plus: a surprise appearance by Brian Cristiano! 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: If I could only race one distance for the rest of my life, which would it be? (3:00) Do you have any tips for nutrition during high mileage weeks? (5:18) What are your top must-dos and must-sees for a first trip to New York City? (10:15) Advice for hitting a running plateau after coming back from injury (15:45) What are my favorite protein bars? (23:15) What is my favorite thing about being a wife? (27:05) Ali sprints to the finish! (33:15) How to ease back into racing when you want to sign up for all the races! (41:20) Which Orangetheory benchmark days were my favorite? (46:30)   What I mention on this episode: Ali on the Run Show Episode 123: Ali & the Experts Week with Kelly Hogan, Registered Dietitian Ali on the Run Show Episode 39: Registered Dietitian Kelly Hogan Ali on the Run Show Episode 216: LIVE on International Women’s Day Ali on the Run Show Episode 257: Nutrition Q&A with Starla Garcia, Registered Dietitian Ali on the Run Show Episode 200: Starla Garcia, Olympic Trials Qualifier Ali on the Run Show Episode 327: Katie Burke on “Taking Care of You” Lilia Levain Bakery Picky Bars UCAN Chocolate Almond Butter bars   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 Jul 202151min