795. Jinger Gottschall, New Balance Director of Sports Research

"I have this memory of someone saying to me, 'Oh you’re a runner.' And I was like, 'Oh, I’m not a runner!' 'But you run a lot!' 'Oh! Yeah! I guess I am a runner. I guess that has happened! That’s a part of who I am!'" She's a two-time marathoner. A mom of three. A humanitarian and global health advocate. An author. A New Yorker. And she's a former First Daughter of the United States of America. Chelsea Clinton is here! Today on the Ali on the Run Show, Chelsea shares the story of how — and why — she started running. She talks about what she thought of her dad's running habit during their time in the White House, when he would famously go for runs accompanied by the Secret Service. She talks about becoming a runner while attending Stanford University, and about her relationship with the word "runner." And she talks about becoming a marathoner at the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon, including what her training was like (she used a training plan she found online!), how she felt about those weekend long runs, and what happened when she fell off a treadmill six weeks before race day. Plus, why she wanted to do it all over again (her second and most recent marathon was the 2022 New York City Marathon), her most memorable race-day moments, and what's next on the run. SPONSOR: UCAN: Click here to get a FREE Edge sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI23 for 20% off your next UCAN order. Follow Chelsea: Twitter @ChelseaClinton Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava 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 202337min

"It was like the bell went off at that moment. And while I wasn’t the fastest or the most physical, I started. I put my foot down, and I started." Adina Crawford is a civilian supervisor for the Montgomery County Police Department. (A very intense, emotional job.) She's a yoga instructor. And she's a two-time marathoner who lives and breathes running. But that wasn't always the case! Growing up, Adina was more of a "sit on the sidelines in gym class" kind of girl. It wasn't until she was in her forties that she had a wakeup call, in the form of a tough-love conversation with her husband. She started running and, well, you know how the story goes. Now, at 58 years old, Adina has found her voice, her passion, and her purpose. This is her story. SPONSOR: goodr: Use code ONTHERUN for free shipping on your entire order What you’ll get on this episode: What’s making Adina happy right now (4:10) What Adina’s childhood was like (7:00) What life looked like before Adina started running (10:45) How — and why — Adina started running (13:00) On adopting the “Runner” title, and moving up to the half-marathon (18:40) On being a mentor for new runners (23:00) Why Adina wanted to run a marathon, and what that experience was like (24:15) How running has changed Adina’s life (33:50) All about Adina’s job (35:35) Why Adina started practicing yoga, and what her classes are like (39:20) All about Adina Crawford Day! (46:20) What’s next for Adina? (51:00) Follow Adina: Instagram @adinavcrawford Website Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava 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 Feb 202359min

"Never forget where you started. Nobody is born running a mile. We all have to work for it. So never forget those first few steps. Keep up the faith. And then one day, you’ll go out and you’ll feel like you’re flying." In her mid-thirties, Susie Chan was a cigarette-smoking single mom working as an exhibitions coordinator for art galleries and museums. The word "running" was definitely not a part of her vocabulary. But then, when her brother convinced her to run a half marathon with him, everything changed. Susie ran her first half marathon at 35, and she was hooked. Now, at 47, Susie is one of the best-known runners (and ultra runners!) in the UK. She has run some of the most grueling races in the world, including the 230K Jungle Ultra through the Amazon Rainforest, and the six-day Marathon Des Sables in the Sahara Desert. She's an Abbott World Marathon Majors six-star finisher, and in 2016, she broke the world record for most miles run on a treadmill in a 12-hour period (68.54 miles!). Today, Susie is most widely known for being a Peloton Tread instructor. In this conversation, we talk about all those highs — and the lows, including Susie's cancer diagnosis in 2017, and her ongoing experience with perimenopause. Next up for Susie: Badwater Salton Sea in April. SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here to get a FREE Edge sample pack (you'll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI23 for 20% off your next UCAN order. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. What you’ll get on this episode: What’s making Susie happy today, and what she’s training for right now (4:05) Susie’s take on the running community (8:35) How Susie became a runner (10:15) How Susie deals with the dark times during races (21:50) What Susie’s training is like, and how she balances her own training and her Peloton classes (27:00) All about that treadmill world record (29:00) What Susie is proudest of (37:00) Susie’s thyroid cancer diagnosis (39:00) How Susie got the Peloton job (48:00) How Susie prepared to interview Dina Asher-Smith, Eilish McColgan, Sally McRae, and more at the National Running Show (52:00) Susie’s experience with perimenopause (57:00) On motivation (1:00:25) Susie’s best mid-ultra hallucination stories, and her advice for the “ultra-curious” (1:03:50) Follow Susie: Instagram @susie_chan_ Twitter @susie__chan Website Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava 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 20231h 13min

"I never think that in a race. I never think, 'I’ve got this.' For better or for worse, I don’t ever feel like something’s done until it’s done." She's done it again! Earlier this month, Emily Sisson broke her own American record in the half marathon, running 1:06:52 at the Houston Half Marathon. She became the first U.S. woman to run under 67 minutes in the half marathon on a record-eligible course, and Emily now owns four out of six of the fastest half marathon times run by an American woman. (She is also the American record holder in the marathon!) In this conversation, Emily talks about the mental side of staying so strong during training and on race day. She shares how she avoids the comparison trap, and how she stays focused on what she can do vs. what her competition is capable of. Plus, what it was like racing alongside longtime training partner Molly Huddle, the secret to that finishing kick, and what the finish line media frenzy is really like. SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to shop New Balance’s latest releases for the season. (The SuperComp Trainer is my favorite shoe!) What you’ll get on this episode: How Emily has been feeling since Houston, and what it’s like being one of the greats in U.S. distance running (3:15) What the Houston Half finish line was like (9:00) When Emily decided she’d try to break her record in Houston (12:00) Why Emily is already thinking about running faster (17:50) How Emily was feeling the morning of the Houston Half (20:15) All about the newest addition to Emily’s family! (24:45) Emily explains the use of pacers during races — and why she didn’t want them for Houston (30:50) Emily’s choice of racing shoe: the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer (33:30) Emily walks us through her race at the Houston Half Marathon (36:20) How Emily finishes her races so strong (43:15) How Emily spent the rest of her day in Houston, and how she’s feeling heading into her spring marathon (45:30) On being clued into the competition vs. focusing inward (50:20) What it means to run the Emily Sisson way (53:15) For more from Emily, check out: Emily Sisson on Episode 588 of the Ali on the Run Show Emily Sisson, Sara Hall, & Emma Bates on Episode 490 of the Ali on the Run Show Emily Sisson & Shane Quinn on Episode 479 of the Ali on the Run Show Emily Sisson on Episode 394 of the Ali on the Run Show Emily Sisson on Episode 234 of the Ali on the Run Show Emily Sisson on Episode 169 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 Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava 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!

27 Jan 202357min

"I get rowdy with vodka." Des Linden is busy! She just launched a new podcast with Kara Goucher. Her memoir, Choosing to Run, comes out April 4. And she's gearing up for this year's Boston Marathon. But she's never too busy to indulge in a little plaisir coupable. (That's "guilty pleasure," in French.) In this conversation, Des offers updates on all of the above: what we can expect from the podcast, why she prefers being called Des over Desi, how she's feeling about her book release, and how Boston training is going. And then, in the second half of the episode, something a little different, a little silly, a little fun: gushing about the Netflix show Emily in Paris. (Spoilers aplenty!) Is Des an Emily, a Mindy, a Camille, or a Sylvie? Only one way to find out! (Which one are you?) SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here to get a free UCAN Edge Starter Pack, and use code ALI23 for 20% off your next UCAN order. What you’ll get on this episode: Catching up with Des about her book, her podcast, her 2023 Boston Marathon training, and why she hates being called “Desi” (2:30) All things Emily in Paris! (26:30) Follow Des: Instagram @des_linden Facebook Twitter @des_linden Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava 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 Jan 202358min

"I got to the top and I was like, 'Wow.' Like so proud of myself. I have no idea how much I weigh relative to then. I do not care to see the difference in a photo between what I look like then and what I look like now. All I know is that I’m so happy with myself, I’m so proud of myself, and I feel so strong." Camila Ramón started running in elementary school. Not because she loved it. Not because it made her feel good. Not because she was on the track or cross-country teams. Camila started running at a young age because she thought she needed to lose weight. In this conversation, Camila talks about the pressure she felt and the comments she received about her body while growing up in Argentina, and later in Miami. She talks about how, as an adult and professional dancer, she rediscovered running, and this time it stuck. She found a community of like-minded runners, she started trail running in L.A., and she completed her first marathon (and earned a Boston Marathon qualifying time, which meant she then ran the 2019 Boston Marathon as her second marathon). Today, Camila is best known as a Peloton instructor, where she teaches cycling and tread classes in both English and Spanish. (Her playlists will have you dancing, guaranteed.) She's open, honest, and always vulnerable when talking about her complicated history with running and with her body (her "Biscayne Bridge story" is likely to resonate), and above all, she wants runners to know that, just by showing up, "You are enough." SPONSOR: Tracksmith: New customers, use code ALINEW for $15 off your first Tracksmith order over $75. Returning customers, use code ALIGIVE for free shipping, plus a portion of the proceeds from your order will be donated to Moms Demand Action. What you’ll get on this episode: What’s making Camila happy today? (2:15) On teaching in both English and Spanish (3:10) Did Camila ever envision this future for herself? (7:30) All about Camila’s childhood growing up in Argentina, and then Miami (10:30) How to prepare for fame (14:30) How Camila found running (16:20) Camila reflects on her first marathon — and her second! (22:00) What Camila’s relationship with running is like now (28:25) Camila’s “Biscayne Bridge” story, and how her relationship with running and with her body has evolved over the years (35:15) The messages Camila wants everyone to take away from her classes (43:45) Camila shares her most memorable running experience (48:55) Follow Camila: Instagram @milamariana Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava 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 Jan 20231h 1min

"What I would want to tell that person, but I think would have destroyed that person is, 'You’re going to get everything you ever wanted, and it’s going to destroy you.'" In 2020, Molly Seidel finished second at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, earning herself a spot on Team USA for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She had no idea what was to come. When the Olympics finally happened, in August 2021, Molly had the race of her life. She finished third, taking a bronze medal back to the U.S. — the first American woman to medal in the Olympic marathon since Deena Kastor in 2004. Then, it was a whirlwind of media, requests, appearances, and fanfare. Molly finished fourth at the 2021 New York City Marathon, breaking Kara Goucher's American course record in the process. All the while, though, behind the smiles at events and during interviews, Molly was struggling with an eating disorder and with her mental health. She went on to drop out of the 2022 Boston Marathon, and to give up her spot on the 2022 World Championships marathon team. In this unflinchingly uncensored conversation, Molly offers an update on how she's doing today. She talks about the past year and a half (more on that here, in conversation with Sarah Lorge Butler), and shares what's next. (Spoiler: The Nagoya Women's Marathon on March 11.) SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. What you’ll get on this episode: Where is Molly’s Olympic medal? (3:10) Molly’s decision to race a spring marathon! (5:05) On recovery, and where Molly is at now emotionally (8:20) All about Molly’s Olympic rings tattoo (11:40) What running and training looks like for Molly right now (17:10) Molly shares her marathon goals (31:35) All about the past two years, and what it took to get to rock bottom (36:00) How Molly met her now-boyfriend, photographer Matt Shapiro (45:30) What it’s like having a camera on you while you’re running a marathon, and Molly’s message to the masses (47:40) A little love for Des Linden (58:00) On hitting rock bottom (1:01:30) What Molly’s relationship with social media is like right now (1:09:00) A rousing game of Mollygories! (1:14:00) Molly on the Ali on the Run Show: Everything You Need to Know About the New York City Marathon, October 2022 Girl Talk with Molly Seidel & Anoush Arakelian, February 2022 LIVE with Molly Seidel, Olympic Bronze Medalist, August 2021 Molly & Izzy Seidel, March 2021 Follow Molly: Instagram @bygolly.molly Twitter @ByGollyMolly12 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava 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 Jan 20231h 20min

"My why is bigger than myself. My why is for all the people I’m racing for and raising funds for. My why is for all the angels on my angel list. And my why is for everyone that’s been told they can’t do something. Because who says you can’t?" Last month, professional runner Keira D'Amato hosted a week's worth of giveaways on Instagram. The fifth and final prize: an appearance on the Ali on the Run Show! The giveaway received 550 entries, and after reading every single one of them (twice!), Keira and I selected 24-time marathoner and 20-time Ironman triathlete Kristin McQueen as the winner. Meet Kristin. She's a 43-year-old from Illinois, and she is living with trigeminal neuralgia — a chronic illness she calls "Stabby Joe." ("They say it's the worst pain known to man," says Kristin, who is in near-constant pain.) In 2003, Kristin was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and since then, she's had more than 30 surgeries, including dozens of brain surgeries. She has had to re-learn how to walk and ride a bike, she has a paralyzed vocal cord, she lost hearing on her right side, and she can only see out of her left eye. Her medical history is long and complicated — but she's never stopped fighting. In addition to her many athletic accomplishments, Kristin has also raised nearly $210,000 for the American Cancer Society. (You can donate here.) All that, plus a 15-minute catch-up with Keira (she's officially in training mode!) to kick things off. SPONSORS: goodr: Use code ONTHERUN for free shipping on your entire order Tracksmith: New customers, use code ALINEW for $15 off your first Tracksmith order over $75. Returning customers, use code ALIGIVE for free shipping, plus a portion of the proceeds from your order will be donated to Moms Demand Action. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava 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 Jan 20231h 39min