
395. Karissa Schweizer & Elise Cranny, Olympians
"We’re actually going to Tokyo! This is real!" Karissa Schweizer and Elise Cranny were already teammates as part of the Bowerman Track Club. And now they'll share another team: Team USA. At last month's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, Karissa and Elise secured their spots on Team USA by racing both the 5K (where Elise won and Karissa took second) and the 10K (where Karissa made a second team, finishing in second place). On this episode, Karissa and Elise reflect on their training leading up to the Trials, and break down both rounds of the 5K and the 10K final. They talk about how their teammate Shelby Houlihan's recent four-year ban from the sport affected them emotionally leading up to the Trials, and they share their excitement about making their first Olympic teams. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: Who was in the stands on race day? (6:15) How Karissa and Elise were feeling heading into the Trials, and how the news of Shelby Houlihan’s ban affected their emotions during race week (9:30) What it was like arriving at Hayward Field (15:00) Breaking down the first 5K race (17:50) Breaking down the 5K final (24:00) How Elise and Karissa celebrated the 5K (38:00) What was on Elise and Karissa’s minds heading into the 10K, and how the race played out (40:40) What’s next? (54:30) What, exactly, is team processing? (59:25) The events Karissa and Elise loved watching at the Trials (1:03:30) Follow Karissa: Instagram @karissaschweiz4 Twitter @karissaschweiz4 Follow Elise: Instagram @elise.cranny 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!
8 Jul 20211h 8min

394. Emily Sisson, Olympic Track & Field Trials 10K Champion
"I just remember thinking during the race, 'I’m running my race and I’m doing everything I can to give myself a shot at making this team.' And at the end of the day, if it’s enough, it’s enough." The last time Emily Sisson was on the Ali on the Run Show, it was to break down her disappointing race at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Today, Emily returns to the show — and this time, we're celebrating! Last month, Emily raced — and won! — the 10,000m at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, earning herself a spot on Team USA for this summer's Olympic Games. On a hot day at Hayward Field in Eugene, OR, Emily took the lead five laps into the 25-lap race, and she held it the entire time, finishing in 31:03 and breaking a 17-year-old Trials record that was formerly held by Deena Kastor. On this episode, Emily talks about the win and shares every detail from race day. She talks about how hot it really was on the track that day, explains how she recovered physically and emotionally after last year's Marathon Trials, and shares how she feels about making her first Olympic team. SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! What you’ll get on this episode: How Emily celebrated her 10K win (3:55) Reflecting back on the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (5:35) What Emily’s training was like leading up to the Track & Field Trials (11:00) On arriving at Hayward Field (15:45) Emily’s thoughts on the heat and the 40-woman field (22:30) What it’s like being the one to watch (27:00) How Emily felt at the start of the race (33:55) What it was like lapping the field (40:40) On “running scared” (42:30) When Emily knew she had the win (45:30) What happened after the race (48:00) What Emily has learned from training partner Molly Huddle (51:30) What we mention on this episode: Emily Sisson on Episode 234 of the Ali on the Run Show Emily Sisson on Episode 169 of the Ali on the Run Show Molly Huddle on Episode 391 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Emily: Instagram @em_sisson_ Twitter @em_sisson 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 Jul 202157min

393. On the Job with Erica Sara Reese, Jewelry Designer
“Doubting yourself doesn’t get you anywhere. I decided that I was going to make this happen, and I did.” More than a decade ago, Erica Sara Reese was having a hard time. She had been working in the fashion industry, as a buyer for companies like Coach and Barneys New York, while pursuing a nutrition degree on the side. But she was also going through a divorce, and she wasn't happy — so she started creating, making jewelry at her dining room table. When her friends started having babies, she noticed they were often getting jewelry to commemorate the life change. And road races, Erica Sara says, were her babies at the time. So why not commemorate that with jewelry? She started designing necklaces and charms with her races and finish times on them, and soon, friends started asking her to design celebratory necklaces for their own races. Erica Sara Designs was born. Today, what started as a side hobby is now a wildly successful small business, and Erica Sara's designs can be seen at finish lines across the country, and on professional athletes like Molly Huddle, Colleen Quigley, and Alysia Montaño. And Erica Sara is generous! She's offering Ali on the Run Show listeners an exclusive discount off anything on her site. Shop ericasara.com and use code ONTHERUN to get 15% off a custom piece. (These are my favorite necklaces. Treat yourself — or a loved one!) SPONSOR: Tracksmith — Use code ONTHEJOB for free shipping, plus five percent of your purchase will be donated to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation. 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!
6 Jul 20211h 11min

392. Kara Goucher, Olympic Track & Field Trials Commentator
“This was the most fun I’ve had in so long.” If you watched any of this year's Olympic Track & Field Trials coverage, you would have heard a familiar voice calling the distance races: Kara Goucher! Kara served as commentator and member of the NBC broadcast team at Hayward Field, and today, she's here to tell all. On this episode, Kara talks about how she got the job (she will also be part of the NBC broadcast team during the Olympic Games in Tokyo later this month), how she prepared for the races, and what it was like calling all the action. She reflects on the highlights and heartbreaks from the Trials, talks about making mistakes live on air and how she handled them, and about getting the call that her husband, Adam, had gotten into a car accident right before she was about to go live. As always, Kara is open and honest, and promised nothing was off-limits during this conversation — so yes, she talks about having to wear Nike-branded apparel on air, and whether that swoosh-covering braid was intentional. SPONSOR: Millennium Running — Use code ONTHERUN for 15% off your order. What you’ll get on this episode: How Kara feels in the wake of the Trials (4:20) How Kara got the job to join the NBC broadcast team for the Track & Field Trials (10:00) How Kara’s on-camera confidence improved throughout the Trials (21:30) On misgendering Nikki Hiltz during the broadcast, and how Kara handled the mistake (22:55) How Kara prepped and studied for the Trials (26:30) How Kara stayed objective on air — even when some of her best friends were competing (29:15) On the Nike of it all (31:00) What it was like getting the call that Kara’s husband had been in a car accident right before Kara went on air (37:50) Shoe talk, and other “rules” for the broadcast (47:00) What it was like hearing the news break about Shelby Houlihan’s positive test, and how Kara handled covering that during the Trials (51:30) Which performances Kara is still thinking about after the Trials (1:00:40) Kara answers listener questions from the Ali on the Run Show Facebook group (1:14:00) What we mention on this episode: Kara Goucher on Episode 43 of the Ali on the Run Show Kara Goucher on Episode 86 of the Ali on the Run Show Kara and Adam Goucher on Episode 208 of the Ali on the Run Show Leslie Jones commentating the steeplechase Citius Mag Fast Women newsletter Shelby Houlihan & Karissa Schweizer on Episode 357 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Kara: Instagram @karagoucher Twitter @karagoucher Facebook Clean Sport Collective Podcast Blog 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 Jul 20211h 31min

391. Catching Up with Molly Huddle
“It felt like there was an earthquake in the running world, and we’re seeing these fault lines change everything. And some things are good, and some things are weird.” As the current American record holder in the 10,000 meters, Molly Huddle was one to watch heading into this year's Olympic Track & Field Trials. But just a few days before the Trials kicked off in Eugene, OR, Molly (who is also the American record holder in the 10 mile, the 20K, and the half-marathon) announced that she wouldn't be racing the 10K after all. She pulled out of the race, citing an injury that she's been dealing with since last year's Olympic Marathon Trials. On this episode, Molly — who represented Team USA at the last two Olympics, in 2012 in the 5000m and in 2016 in the 10,000m — talks about what it was like scratching from the biggest race of the year, and how she's handling the loss of an Olympic cycle and a chance to be on this year's team. She talks about watching her training partner and friend Emily Sisson win the 10K, shares her Trials highlights as a fan of the sport, and reflects on the current state of the running industry as a whole. Plus, Molly talks about what's next, including her running goals, her upcoming book (How She Did It, out next year), and what's on tap for the Keeping Track podcast, which she co-hosts with Roisin McGettigan-Dumas and Alysia Montaño. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: What it was like watching training partner Emily Sisson win the 10000m at the Olympic Track & Field Trials (6:20) What it’s been like dealing with an injury for the past year (18:00) Reflecting on racing the Mini 10K a few weeks ago (22:30) Making the decision to scratch from the Trials (35:30) What it was like hearing about Shelby Houlihan’s positive drug test (38:20) How Molly felt emotionally after scratching from the Trials (41:50) Molly’s thoughts on returning to the track, what the fall has in store for her, how book writing is going, and what’s coming soon to Keeping Track (45:00) Molly’s “State of the Running Industry” (55:00) What we mention on this episode: Molly Huddle on Episode 51 of the Ali on the Run Show Molly Huddle on Episode 66 of the Ali on the Run Show Molly Huddle on Episode 259 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Molly: Instagram @mollyhuddle Twitter @mollyhuddle 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!
1 Jul 20211h 5min

390. On the Job with Beverly Everett, Symphony Orchestra Conductor
“Classical music may not be what you have playing in your car, but when you come and see all these musicians onstage, you can really connect to it. That’s the hardest challenge — making it accessible and telling people about it.” Beverly Everett has always been musical. As a kid, she found a passion for playing the organ — and her love for live music never waned. Today, Beverly is living her dream as a conductor and music director for two symphony orchestras (the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra in North Dakota, and the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra in Minnesota). She's also a music teacher, an organist, a rescue dog lover, a cancer survivor, and a marathoner. On this episode, Beverly talks about what a music director does ("It's not just standing up there and waving our arms around"), shares her thoughts on the lack of women in the industry, and talks about the confidence it takes to stand in front of both an orchestra and a live audience. SPONSOR: Tracksmith — Use code ONTHEJOB for free shipping, plus five percent of your purchase will be donated to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation. 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 Jun 20211h 6min

389. Brent & Kyle Pease, Ironman Duo Team
“I started crying. It was so intense. I was shaking with fear. And I just look up at Kyle, and I say, ‘I want you to know that being your brother has been one of the greatest joys of my life. And I promise you, no matter what happens today, I’ll give you every ounce of energy that I have. And all I ask is that you do the same.’ And he looks back at me and says, ‘You got it.’ And then the cannon fires.” —Brent Pease In 2010, Brent Pease completed his first Ironman triathlon. That night, his younger brother, Kyle — who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child — asked if someone in a wheelchair could do an Ironman. Brent said yes, and the rest, as they say, is history. Growing up, the Pease family was insistent that Kyle be able to do whatever his brothers were doing. They would play games, make up the rules, and adjust them as they went along, making sure the game was fair for everyone. Inclusion, the brothers say, was always a part of their lives. (One of their mottos is "where there's a wheel, there's a way.") Today, Brent and Kyle are known around the world as one of the most competitive duo teams at triathlons and marathons. They've completed major marathons (they talk about the 2015 New York City Marathon on this episode — have your tissues ready), and they've competed together at the Ironman World Championships in Kona. (They became the first push-assisted team of brothers to do so. Proof indeed that someone in a wheelchair absolutely can do an Ironman.) They are also the founders of the Kyle Pease Foundation, whose mission is to improve the lives of people with disabilities through sports. It's an honor to have them on the show, together, today. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: What it was like growing up in the Pease family (5:00) “Can people in wheelchairs do an Ironman?” (9:00) On starting to run — and race — together as a duo team (17:30) What it’s like racing triathlons as a duo team (29:30) Kyle talks about what racing feels like for him (40:30) Looking back on the 2015 New York City Marathon (48:30) What it was like competing at the 2018 Ironman World Championships in Kona (1:01:15) What Brent and Kyle decided to do after Ironman 2018 (1:12:30) How the Kyle Pease Foundation was affected by the pandemic, and what they need right now (1:15:15) All about Jesse Itzler’s Everesting challenge, “29029” (1:18:30) What we mention on this episode: Beyond the Finish, by Brent and Kyle Pease 29029 Everesting Follow Brent & Kyle: Instagram @walkingwithkp 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!
24 Jun 20211h 28min

388. On the Job with Yuma Haidara, Commercial Truck Driver
“I had never seen a woman trucker. I was going to be an anomaly to myself.” Yuma Haidara had a plan. After high school, she enlisted in the Navy. After serving for seven years, she went on to nursing school, in pursuit of becoming a pediatric nurse. But something caught her eye on her daily commute: a trucking school. One day, Yuma decided to pull in and see what it was all about. And the rest, as they say, is history. Yuma enrolled in the three-week course to get her commercial driver's license (CDL), and today, she is a truck driver for Walmart. Yuma, who is based out of New Hampshire, spends 14 hours a day on the road, bringing general merchandise (anything that's not groceries — so TVs, clothes, sneakers, tools, tires, even Christmas trees) to and from warehouses and stores. On this episode, she talks about why this is the perfect job and why she loves being alone in the truck with her music and audiobooks. She talks about being the only woman in her class getting her CDL, offers tips for sharing the road with truckers, and addresses stereotypes about truckers and truck stop culture. She talks about staying safe on the road, shares her scariest experience while driving, and talks about being an essential worker during the pandemic. Plus, she shares her running story, and explains how running fits into her long days on the road. And when she's not driving or running, Yuma is an entrepreneur: She's the creator of A Yummy Life body butter! 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? Melissa Cummings on Episode 375 of the Ali on the Run Show She Runs This Town 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 Jun 20211h 2min