Ali on the Run Show

"I just looked over at her and said, ‘We should be something.’" She's a 2:43 marathoner and Olympic Marathon Trials finisher, and he's "not a huge runner" who runs a 2:51 marathon: Meet Starla Garcia and Fredis Benitez from Houston, TX! Starla (a returning favorite on the Ali on the Run Show) is a registered dietitian, and Fredis is a marketer and designer, and they bonded immediately over a shared love for music. On this episode, Starla and Fredis, who have been dating since 2016, talk about creating boundaries in a relationship, about not playing games, and about how Starla knew she liked him when he said he likes vegetables! SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ontherun for 20% off your next UCAN order! What we mention on this episode: Starla Garcia on Episode 200 of the Ali on the Run Show Starla Garcia on Episode 257 of the Ali on the Run Show “Why Are American Women Running Faster Than Ever?” via The New York Times Follow Starla:  Instagram @starla_shines Twitter @starla_shines The Healthy Shine Follow Fredis: Instagram @fredis_b 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!

10 Feb 20211h 4min

"We took each other's dreams seriously, which is always a fun thing in a friendship." It's Day 2 of Love on the Run Week, and today we're celebrating long-distance friendship. On this episode, professional runners Alexi Pappas and Mary Cain talk about their bond, which started because of running (they met at a track meet!), but quickly grew because of something so much deeper. They highlight the importance of strong, supportive adult friendships; talk about why they try not to "squeeze too tight;" and explain how they support each other from across the country. SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ontherun for 20% off your next UCAN order! What we mention on this episode: Alexi Pappas on Episode 296 of the Ali on the Run Show Alexi Pappas on Episode 163 of the Ali on the Run Show Bravey by Alexi Pappas "Mary Cain and Alexi Pappas Both Suffered in Silence. Then They Saved Each Other." by David Alm for Runner's World "I Was the Fastest Girl in America, Until I Joined Nike." via New York Times Op-Docs "I Achieved My Wildest Dreams. Then Depression Hit." via New York Times Op-Docs Follow Alexi: Instagram @alexipappas Twitter @alexipappas Facebook Follow Mary: Instagram @runmarycain Twitter @runmarycain 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 Feb 20211h 4min

"It’s not that we don’t disagree or we don’t challenge each other, because that’s a really important part of it. We definitely challenge each other and we’re always growing, but I feel like we’re constantly growing in a similar direction, and that’s why it works so well." Welcome to Love on the Run Week! This year, we’re celebrating all different types of love leading up to Valentine’s Day — seven days, seven episodes, seven love stories, including couples, best friends, and siblings. First up: a sweet dose of romance with one of running's fastest couples. On this episode, Jenny and Jason Simpson talk about how they met and fell in love amidst backyard BBQs, Olympic debuts, and "Jason's smooth moves." SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ontherun for 20% off your next UCAN order! What we mention on this episode: Jenny Simpson on Episode 268 of the Ali on the Run Show Jenny Simpson on Episode 96 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Jenny: Instagram @trackjenny Twitter @trackjenny Facebook Follow Jason: Instagram @jasonfordesign 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 Feb 20211h 4min

“Maybe we place too much emphasis on the idea of what other people think a runner is.” After having her third baby, Erin Azar wasn't feeling like herself. So one day — having never run before — she decided to go outside and run a mile. From there, she committed to running a mile a day for 30 days straight, documenting her journey along the way. The result: Erin went viral on TikTok, with her first running video amassing more than one million views overnight. And when her mile-a-day month was up, she leveled up, and decided to train for and run her first marathon. Then, when said marathon was canceled due to the pandemic, she ran it anyway: virtually, and mostly alone. Erin is super honest about the realities of running being hard, especially for new runners. This is an inspiring, fun conversation for runners who are new to the sport and ones who have been doing it for decades. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: Where the nickname “Mrs. Space Cadet” came from (3:45) Erin shares her running story  (8:30) What did Erin feel was missing from the running industry? (13:45) How it felt when Erin’s first running video jumped to one million views on TikTok — overnight (16:00) Why Erin decided to go all-in and train for a marathon (28:00) What it was like running a marathon for the first time — virtually (36:00) Why Erin decided to get a coach, and why she thinks other new runners can benefit from having one, too (38:00) Erin’s advice for first-time virtual marathoners (46:45) What does a day in the life of Erin look like? (49:15) Erin’s message to anyone who doesn’t feel seen or represented in the running community (52:00) What we mention on this episode: Erin skiing Follow Erin: Instagram @immrsspacecadet TikTok @mrs.space.cadet 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 Feb 20211h 3min

“Your energy is your most valuable resource. How do you make sure you’re spending it on things that actually make a difference?” As the Chief People Officer at Hubspot, it is Katie Burke's job to take care of people. So when your job is other people — whether at work or at home — how do you take care of you? On this episode, Ali on the Run Show favorite Katie Burke shares 10 practical, tactical, super important ways to make sure your needs are met. And this isn't a fluffy self-care pep talk about reading before bed or taking baths on the weekend. This is about learning to play offense in your own life. (Look at me, using sports references!) Plus, Katie talks about why you should make a "worry list," offers her own take on the over-used phrase "self-care," and explains why this advice is especially important now. (For more, read Katie's just-published post, "Taking Care of You," here.) SPONSOR: Rise Run Retreat. Use code ONTHERUN for 10% off your Rise Run Retreat Virtual Retreat registration. Registration for this month's Virtual Retreat opens February 8. What we mention on this episode: "Take Care of You" by Katie Burke Katie Burke on Episode 252 of the Ali on the Run Show Katie Burke on Episode 84 of the Ali on the Run Show Katie Burke on Episode 70 of the Ali on the Run Show Brené Brown with Emily and Amelia Nagoski on Burnout The Idea of You Anti-Racism Daily newsletter The Energy Project Follow Katie: Instagram @katieburke16 Twitter @katieburke LinkedIn 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!

2 Feb 20211h 16min

“Find what makes it fun for you.” Welcome to this month's edition of Ramblings on the Run with Ali and Matt, where Rambling Runner host Matt Chittim and I catch up on running, industry news, and our current favorite things. On this episode, we answer listener questions ranging from how we met and became friends to our best advice for new runners. What we mention on this episode: Bravey by Alexi Pappas Alexi Pappas on Episode 296 of the Ali on the Run Show Ask Ali! "ZACH" by Billy Yang Dinée Dorame on The Morning Shakeout Grounded Podcast with Dinée Dorame Dinée Dorame on Episode 239 of the Ali on the Run Show Kamilah Journét on Episode 323 of the Ali on the Run Show Running Realized Follow Matt:  Instagram @rambling_runner Rambling Runner podcast Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page 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 Jan 20211h 1min

“He said, ‘If you want to see your son grow up, you need to make these changes.’ Done. That’s all I needed to hear.” The Mirnavator is here! Mirna Valerio is a sponsored athlete, ultra runner, best-selling author (check out her book, A Beautiful Work in Progress), trained opera singer (yes, she sings on this episode!), mother, educator, activist (she leads diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops for brands including Nike and Burton), and speaker. She has appeared on the Kelly Clarkson Show and the Rich Roll podcast (twice!), she trained Will Smith for a half marathon, and she was named 2018 Adventurer of the Year by National Geographic. She's also arguably one of the most influential women in running today. On this episode, Mirna talks about how she became "The Mirnavator," explains what it was like when her blog, Fat Girl Running, went viral in 2015, and what life has been like ever since. Plus, she shares her core values, offers an exercise for how can all discover our own values, and talks about her exciting new projects (a novel! a podcast!). SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: Mirna sings! (Plus, why and how she recently sang for Nigel Barker) (7:00) What’s making Mirna happy today? (15:40) On having an impact (23:00) Did Young Mirna envision this future for herself, as a sponsored athlete? And how did a health scare in 2008 lead to where she is today? (26:00) On going viral (45:00) How Mirna ended up training Will Smith for a half marathon (56:30) What hasn’t Mirna done? (1:10:10) Mirna’s advice for identifying your core values (1:14:00) What we mention on this episode: "REI Presents Mirna Valerio, Ultra Runner" Mirna Valerio on The Kelly Clarkson Show Follow Mirna: Instagram @themirnavator Twitter @themirnavator 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!

28 Jan 20211h 23min

"My goal is to indulge my own curiosity and hopefully pique yours as well." Welcome to the new monthly series on the Ali on the Run Show: Ask Ali! On these episodes, I'll be answering your questions, whether they're funny, silly, or serious. First up: running with Crohn's disease, tackling the comparison trap, sports bras, podcasting, my thoughts on the dance industry and whether I see dance in Annie's future, and, uh, a hypothetical zombie apocalypse. 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 ONTHERUN for $10 off! EMBED What I mention on this episode: lululemon Enlite Bra 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!

22 Jan 202146min