555. Ask Ali!

"There's an excitement to each of the races for sure, and it's great to see your times and know you've run your fastest 800 or mile, and that's huge. That always feels good… But I definitely don't feel the same pride. It's different." Cory McGee is a professional runner for New Balance. She specializes in the 1500m distance, and lives in Boulder, CO, where she trains with "Team Boss," under the coaching of Joe Bosshard and alongside powerhouse women including Emma Coburn, Aisha Praught Leer, and Laura Thweatt. Despite 2020 playing out in a way no one intended or planned for, Cory is still having a fast year on the run. In a series of intra-squad competitions and small meets, she has run personal bests and broken records. But on this episode, she gets honest about whether those races carry the same weight and the same amount of pride as "regular" races. She also talks about her earliest days as a runner (including fun stories from her time living in Athens during the 2004 Olympics, when her dad was working security with the FBI), and talks about last year's disqualification at the USATF Outdoor Championships. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! Go to ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones! What you'll get on this episode: Cory talks about being at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and how that impacted her life and career (3:40) Running for fun vs. the desire to win (12:15) Focusing on the present vs. the future (20:50) On getting sponsored by New Balance (23:30) Why Cory decided to move to Boulder and to join Team Boss (31:00) Cory talks about getting disqualified at last year's USATF Outdoor Championships (44:20) All about racing in 2020 (51:30) "Cory Ann, the woman with the plan," talks about what's next (1:03.00) Follow Cory: Instagram @corymcgeeruns Twitter @corymcgeeruns 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

30 Sep 20201h 9min

"When I ran that 2:32 in January, it really made me realize that 'dream big' is not just dream big, it's dream huge, because you have no idea of what you're capable of." Speedy Beatie is back on the Ali on the Run Show this week! Beatie Deutsch is a 2:32 marathoner and mother of five who made her Ali on the Run Show debut on Episode 158. This time around, we're catching up with Israel's National Marathon Champion to find out how she shaved 10 minutes off her marathon time, and to learn more about her calls to the International Olympic Committee to change the date of the 2021 Olympic Marathon so it doesn't fall on the Sabbath. She offers an update on her goal to represent Israel in the Olympics, and talks about what the pandemic has been like in Israel. Thank you to UCAN for sponsoring the What's New With You series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to ucan.co/ontherun and use code ONTHERUN for 20% off your order! Follow Beatie: Instagram @marathonmother Twitter @marathonmother1 Facebook 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

27 Sep 202036min

"I was in a world I could never have imagined — and I completely broke." Andrea Wagner had a meteoric rise to running success. She first leaned into running to cope with the stress of working at the Pentagon in the wake of the September 11 attacks in 2001. She ran her first marathon with a one-and-done mindset, finishing in 4:35 and insisting she would never do it again. (Famous last words!) More than a decade later, Andrea was a mom of two in a bad marriage, again turning to running to cope. She ran more marathons — but this time around, she was winning them. In 2014, she won the Rock N Roll New Orleans Marathon, and then went on to finish the Chicago Marathon in 2:41, earning herself an Olympic Trials qualifying time. She signed with Oiselle. She garnered the strength to leave her marriage after 10 years. And then, she lined up at the start of the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials. But after 14 miles, she stopped running. She was done. Done with that race, and done running competitively. On this episode, Andrea, who lives in San Antonio, TX, talks about life after elite running, about finding strength from within, and about discovering your self worth. What you'll get on this episode: How Andrea got started on the run, and how the September 11, 2011, terrorist attacks played a role in her running story (5:00) What has kept Andrea running? (14:00) Andrea talks about the challenges she faced after becoming a mom (18:30) What did it take to go from a 4:35 marathon to a 2:41? (24:30) On the addiction of constant progress, and a breakdown during the 2015 Boston Marathon (33:50) On external pressure, and what happened during the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials (50:30) Stuff we mention on this episode: Running Unbroken Race Against Time Follow Andrea: Instagram @awag227 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

23 Sep 20201h 14min

"I've never been so tired in my life. No amount of having babies or opening businesses or anything set me up for this. Those first three months, I've never experienced anything so difficult in my entire life. But I just kept going." Welcome to the What's New With You series on the Ali on the Run Show! For the next six weeks, I'll be catching up with past guests to see what they've been up to since the last time we talked. And we're kicking things off with the indomitable Rachel Wyman! Rachel first appeared on Episode 166 of the show, where she talked about her life as a bread baker, single mom of three, owner of Montclair Bread Company, and race director for two of New Jersey's most popular races. On this episode, Rachel offers an update about what life for a small business owner has been like during the pandemic, and reflects on the bike accident that shattered her pelvis, and how far she's come in the two years since the accident. (Spoiler: She ran a marathon last fall and earned a Boston Qualifying time!) Thank you to UCAN for sponsoring the What's New With You series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to ucan.co/ontherun and use code ONTHERUN for 20% off your order! What we mention on this episode: Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald Meb Keflezighi on Episode 175 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Rachel: Instagram @rachelrwyman Blog Montclair Bread Company Fueled by Doughnuts Run Club 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.

20 Sep 202055min

"I keep showing up so that people know that a Pakistani Muslim woman can be a marathoner. But just because I am there doesn't mean the work is done." Aisha Qamar cares deeply about her community and the people around her. She earned her master's in public health at Columbia University, and has used that degree to learn more about and to give back to people in need. She volunteers with South Brooklyn Mutual Aid, delivering food to her neighbors in New York City, and on this episode, Aisha explains how delivering supplies on the run has brought meaning back to her running during the pandemic. She talks about finding her people and making friends when she didn't think she belonged in the running community, and she talks about being a Muslim woman, and explains what running looks like when she is fasting during Ramadan. Aisha is on the Global Womxn Run Collective steering committee, she runs a 3:02 marathon, and she is on a mission to make sure every runner knows that you do, in fact, belong. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! Go to ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones! What you'll get on this episode: Aisha's take on the global pandemic, from someone with a master's in public health (4:00) Aisha talks about what her family was like growing up (8:40) All about Aisha's job, and her career path in healthcare (15:00) Aisha shares her running story (23:30) How Aisha found running friends, and how she went from a 3:53 marathon to a 3:02 (32:10) On running the L.A. Marathon earlier this year (41:30) Running with purpose (47:00) How Aisha got involved with South Brooklyn Mutual Aid (51:25) How Aisha sees her role in helping work toward more diversity and representation in running (1:02.00) The role religion plays in Aisha's life right now (1:05.00) What we mention on this episode: South Brooklyn Mutual Aid Global Womxn Run Collective Banker to the Poor Mountains Beyond Mountains "Food, Clothing, Shelter: These NYC Runners Are Helping Their Neighbors Survive," by Cindy Kuzma for Runner's World Whitney Hu on Twitter @whitney_hu Follow Aisha: Instagram @aishaq Twitter @aishaqamar 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.

16 Sep 20201h 19min

"I think the biggest thing with grief is knowing that some days you're gonna be drowning and unable to breathe, and I think I've had 12- to 24-hour cry-fests where you literally feel like you're going to suffocate or die of dehydration. But it does end eventually. And then you take that deep breath and drink a glass of water and look outside and the world is still there. And you can keep going. Just having the hope to keep going is the most important." Justin Grunewald is a doctor, ultra runner, and avid chaser of FKTs. He's happiest running up mountains in pursuit of running the fastest known time on any given trail. (So far in 2020, Justin has run more than 15 FKTs — two of which he did since we recorded this episode!) In addition to his many accomplishments, both professionally and on the run, Justin is perhaps best known as husband to the late Gabe Grunewald, who passed away last year after a long and arduous battle with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare cancer. On this episode, Justin shares what he's learned about grief, and how he finds hope even when life feels particularly hard. He talks about feeling joy amidst pain, crying happy tears alongside sad ones, and about finding love after loss. Justin opens up about meeting Amanda Basham, and reveals some big news on their behalf. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! Go to ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones! What you'll get on this episode: What's making Justin happy right now? And where is he living? Plus what it's been like working in a hospital during the past seven months (3:35) How Justin met Gabe (16:25) How Justin held onto hope as Gabe's health worsened (18:50) What the final days of Gabe's life were like for Justin, and why he chose to share so much on social media during that time (26:40) What Justin has learned about grief, and how he's learned "not to sweat the small stuff" (33:30) On "going public" about his relationship with Amanda Basham (40:55) Taylor Swift talk! (58:25) Justin pops in with some "wild and crazy news" (1:00.48) Stuff we mention on this episode: Gabe Grunewald on Episode 62 of the Ali on the Run Show Brave Like Gabe Foundation Ladia Albertson-Junkans on Episode 178 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Justin: Instagram @justingrunewald1 Twitter @justingrunewald 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!

9 Sep 20201h 9min

"Motivation is great when it's there, but at the end of the day, it's all about commitment." Dr. Detling is back! I'm thrilled to wrap up the Ali & the Experts series with returning favorite Dr. Nicole Detling, mental performance coach and founder of Headstrong Consulting. Dr. Detling has a PhD in exercise and sports science with an emphasis in sports psychology, is the author of Don't Leave Your Mind Behind, and hosts the Becoming HeadStrong podcast. On this episode, Dr. Detling — who works with top athletes, Olympians, artists, and sports teams — answers listener questions about injuries, comebacks, emotions on the run, and how to prepare for race day. Thank you to Athletic Greens for sponsoring this series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to athleticgreens.com/ontherun to get a year's supply of Vitamin D with your first Athletic Greens purchase! 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!

7 Sep 20201h 17min

"If I want things to change, I have to keep on fighting. But I can't be the only one." If you've ever run a race in New York City, you know Ben Chan. He's the "leopard print short-shorts and cowboy hat guy," and he's a staple on the NYC running scene. On this episode, in addition to talking about his on-the-run fashion choices, Ben shares the story of how he found running at age 30, by way of donating a kidney to a friend in need. And Ben talks about his firsthand experiences with racism, many of which he's experienced recently, and on the run. Ben talks about being the son of immigrants and grandson of refugees, and offers his perspective on what it means to create "safe spaces" and "escapes" by way of running. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! Go to ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones! What you'll get on this episode: All about those amazing running outfits (6:30) How Ben got started running — and how donating a kidney factored in (19:00) Ben talks about his firsthand experiences with racism, both within the running community and beyond (27:30) Why does Ben keep showing up? (51:30) Stuff we mention on this episode: The Years of Lyndon Johnson, by Robert Caro April Cargill on Episode 148 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Ben: Instagram @malerunner 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!

3 Sep 20201h 15min