557. Emily Durgin, Professional Runner for adidas

"I wasn't ready to run a marathon to my standards, and I did it anyway, and I was able to meet that goal, I was able to check off a goal, and I haven't been able to do that in a long time." Neely Spence Gracey just ran her first postpartum race since having her son, Athens, in 2018. She ran the Houston Marathon — and qualified for the Olympic Trials by running a 2:44. Not a bad return to the races! But Neely's journey to the OTQ hasn't been easy. On this episode, she talks about her pregnancy and postpartum running expectations vs. her reality, which included a series of injuries and other issues that kept her sidelined despite her best efforts to remain strong and healthy. She also talks about new motherhood, rest day-related anxiety, and why she stopped weighing herself. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle! What you'll get on this episode: How Neely is feeling post-Houston Marathon, and why this marathon — her slowest — was also her proudest (2:30) Neely talks about running during pregnancy, and her postpartum running experience (6:30) Neely opens up about her nonlinear return to running (23:45) Neely shares how her perspective about taking rest days has changed over the years (34:45) Neely recaps her 2020 Houston Marathon experience (40:45) Neely's message to new moms trying to get back on the run (58:00) What we mention on this episode: Starla Garcia on Episode 200 of the Ali on the Run Show Neely Spence Gracey on Episode 42 of the Ali on the Run Show FITsplint ReCoreFitness.com "Neely Spence Gracey Is Ready to Chase the Olympic Trials Standard at Houston" by Taylor Dutch for Runner's World Follow Neely: Instagram @neelysgracey Facebook Twitter @neelysgracey Blog Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 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!

30 Jan 20201h 8min

"I dropped so many F-bombs the last 10K! I just kept saying, 'It's gonna happen, it's gonna happen!' I was just so hyped up." This past weekend, Starla Garcia ran the Chevron Houston Marathon in 2 hours and 43 minutes — officially qualifying to run the 2020 Olympic Trials. On this episode — the 200th episode of the Ali on the Run Show! — Starla talks about her road to the OTQ, including missing the cutoff by just two minutes at last year's Grandma's Marathon, and a DNF at CIM. She talks about developing an eating disorder in high school, and finding recovery as a division-1 athlete in college. Today, Starla is a registered dietitian living in Houston, TX. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle! What you'll get on this episode: Where Starla's OTQ dream came from (3:10) On bouncing back from disappointment (8:45) What Starla's pre-Houston training was like (14:45) What it felt like to cross the finish line with an Olympic Trials qualifying time (27:00) Starla reflects on her relationship with running when she was growing up, and the pressure she felt as a D-1 collegiate runner (31:00) Starla talks about her past with an eating disorder (36:20) On becoming a registered dietitian (49:40) What we mention on this episode: Carly Gill on Episode 182 of the Ali on the Run Show Neely Spence Gracey on Episode 42 of the Ali on the Run Show "Elated Runners Are Headed to Trials After Grabbing an #OTQinHOU," by Emilia Benton for Runner's World Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison Follow Starla: Instagram @starla_shines Twitter @starla_shines Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 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 Jan 20201h 5min

"I can't sit around waiting for things to happen." New year, excited me! On this short-ish solo episode, I'm sharing my 2020 vision — an Ali on the Run Show State of the Union of sorts. I talk about my personal and professional goals for this year, and reflect on my lululemon goal setting process. (Speaking of new: Come join the Ali on the Run Facebook group! We're having fun in there!) Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle! What you'll get on this episode: Looking back on 2019 (2:15) On becoming a lululemon ambassador (4:45) My goals, plans, hopes, and dreams for 2020 (15:30) What I mention on this episode: Today Show Modern Motherhood Series "I'm a New York City Marathon Race Announcer" 2019 United Airlines NYC Half Recap 2019 Popular Brooklyn Half Recap Garden State Plaza lululemon Align Pants Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 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!

16 Jan 202038min

"The goal isn't to stop feeling anxious or to judge yourself for it. That's like saying, 'Oh, it shouldn't be raining.' But it is. So now what?" Rachel Gersten is a New York City-based licensed therapist, and is the co-founder of Viva Wellness. On this episode — perfect for the new year! — she dishes out advice about dealing with burnout, anxiety, and what to do when you realize you have no idea what you want to do with the rest of your life. She also talks about her lifelong battle with chronic pain, and how running more than 150 races, including marathons, has actually helped her cope with the pain. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle! What you'll get on this episode: What does it actually mean to be a wellness coach? (2:30) Why are most people going to therapy these days? (10:30) What to do when you realize you're not sure what you want to be when you grow up (18:00) What do appointments with Rachel look like? (24:25) On chronic pain, and becoming a runner (34:00) What we mention on this episode: Hannah Montana: The Bone Dance Find a Way by Diana Nyad Follow Rachel: Instagram @rachelgersten Viva Wellness The Viva Wellness Podcast Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 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 Jan 202056min

"Most people would describe me as kind and warm. But I have this other part of my personality: I am insatiably competitive." Aisha Praught Leer is a professional middle-distance runner for Under Armour, a national record holder in the 5000 meters, a 2016 Olympian (she competed in the 3000-meter steeplechase), and a gold medal winner at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. On this episode, Aisha talks about her progression as a professional athlete, her decision to race for and represent Jamaica (she's a Jamaican-American dual citizen), and her dedication for giving back and helping inspire the next generation of runners. She talks about what it's like being married to fellow professional runner Will Leer, and opens up about her decision to leave Eugene, OR, where she trained with the Oregon Track Club Elite, and move to Colorado to train alongside Emma Coburn, under the direction of coach Joe Bosshard. She also shares her thoughts on imposter syndrome, working with a sports psychologist, and building mental strength. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle! What you'll get on this episode: Why do you do what you do? (4:30) On building mental and physical strength as a professional athlete (14:00) On competitiveness (23:30) What it's actually like working with a sports psychologist (25:30) Why Aisha left Oregon Track Club to train with Joe Bosshard and Emma Coburn in Colorado (30:00) Aisha's decision to switch from the steeplechase to the 1500m (42:00) Aisha's decision to race for Jamaica (49:00) All about drug testing (54:50) How Aisha met now-husband Will Leer (1:03:00) What we mention on this episode: The Biggest Little Farm Oregon Track Club Elite Melissa Todd, Sports Psychologist The Overstory Follow Aisha: Instagram @aishapraughtleer Twitter @aishapraught Facebook Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 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 Jan 20201h 15min

"We put ourselves on the line to help other people accomplish their dreams, and that was pretty freaking awesome." At the California International Marathon (CIM) earlier this month, 72 women ran faster than 2 hours 45 minutes, officially qualifying to run the Olympic Trials in the marathon. Leading several dozen of those women were Menso de Jong, Chris Stehula, and Ken Rakestraw — the official sub-2:45 pace group leaders. None of them had ever run a 2:45 marathon before. This is their story. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle! What you'll get on this episode: How Menso, Chris, and Ken got the job as pacers (3:40) How Menso, Chris, and Ken trained for the race (16:30) The plan for race day! (26:25) What the energy at the CIM start line was like (32:20) On the rules of pacing (49:00) What the finish was like (53:20) Menso, Chris, and Ken share their messages for all the women who went for OTQ times at CIM this year (1:03.50) What we mention on this episode: Jenny & Judi Donnelly on Episode 193 of the Ali on the Run Show "The Marathon Protagonists" by Menso de Jong Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 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!

25 Dec 20191h 11min

"I'm just winging it." Mary Johnson (perhaps best known as @itsamarython on Instagram) is the owner of Lift, Run, Perform. She's a running coach and a strength coach who also works at Ranfone Training Systems. And she just had a baby! Mary's first child, Eli, is five months old, and on this episode, Mary very honestly talks about what the past five months have looked like for her. She talks about the highs and lows of new motherhood, explains her strategy for getting work done as a work-from-home mom, and opens up about her expectations vs. the reality of returning to running postpartum. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle! What you'll get on this episode: Mary talks about how she's feeling at 20 weeks postpartum, and shares her take on expectation vs. reality (3:00) On seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist (12:10) On finding, develoing, and harnessing new-mom confidence (15:00) Mary talks about having to get a D&C after giving birth (17:45) On being a work-from-home entrepreneur mom, and getting back to work after baby (26:00) Mary talks about coaching a group of women to run sub-3:00 marathons this fall (42:50) What we mention on this episode: Mary Johnson on Episode 122 of the Ali on the Run Show Postpartum return-to-exercise recommendations Abby Bales on Episode 49 of the Ali on the Run Show Abby Bales on Episode 139 of the Ali on the Run Show Reform Physical Therapy Superhero Muffins Follow Mary: Instagram @itsamarython Twitter @itsamarython Blog Lift, Run, Perform Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 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 Dec 20191h

"In dance, you're kind of always told what to do, how to do it, how perfect it has to be. Running has been a way for me to let all of that go." Sarah Grooms spent 13 years doing hundreds of eye-high kicks a day as a Radio City Rockette. On this episode, she talks about everything you've ever wanted to know about performing at one of the world's most famous venues (including how Radio City's famous camels get their exercise between shows!), and explains why she decided to hang up her heels last year in favor of running shoes. Today, Sarah is a certified personal trainer, and is a fitness instructor at Precision Run in New York City and obé Fitness online — and she's a marathoner! Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle! What you'll get on this episode: Sarah reflects on her 13-year tenure as a Radio City Rockette (5:50) On getting — and then losing — the dream job (12:50) What it's like performing at Radio City Music Hall (16:40) What don't audiences see from the Radio City Rockettes? (20:00) The physical demands of being a Rockette (33:15) Why Sarah decided to retire from the Rockettes — and how she became a runner (38:00) What's next for Sarah? (46:40) Follow Sarah: Instagram @sarahgrooms Twitter @sarahgrooms Podcast Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 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!

12 Dec 20191h 3min