726. Nikki Hiltz & Emma Gee, Olympic Trials Power Couple

"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

"Let's talk about our deepest and darkest fears around money." This week on Ali & the Experts, we're talking money with Mandi! Mandi Woodruff is the senior content director at Lending Tree, and is co-host of the Brown Ambition podcast. She worked as an editor and reporter on the personal finance beat at Business Insider and Yahoo Finance, and hosted both The Money Minute and The Payoff weekly web series. Plus, she's been featured as an expert guest on Good Morning America, ABC News Tonight, CBS This Morning, NY1, and more. On this episode, Mandi answers listener questions about investing, buying a home, saving, student loans, and emotions around money. 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!

1 Sep 20201h 43min

"You know when you're not done yet. There were goals I wanted to accomplish, and I knew they were still in me. I just needed to keep going and see what I could do." In 2015, Rolanda Bell was living the dream. She had graduated from the University of Tennessee, where she was a member of the historic 2009 Women's 4x1500m relay team alongside Chanelle Price, Phoebe Wright, and Sarah Bowman. Together, they broke the existing Penn Relays, National Collegiate, American, and world records — several of which still stand, 11 years later. She went on to run professionally representing Panama — a lifelong dream. But at the 2015 World Athletics Championship in Beijing, Rolanda was competing in the 3000m steeplechase when she went over the water barrier, and landed face-first on the way down. On this episode, Rolanda, who works in marketing for Hoka One One, talks about falling in love with running, going pro, and getting back up and finishing that race in Beijing. She talks about bouncing back, training with the NorCal Distance Project, and why, even after a career as a professional middle-distance athlete, she felt pressure to run a marathon. (Rolanda runs a 4:38 indoor mile, a 1:16 half marathon, and ran a 2:49 in her marathon debut.) She also talks about her experiences with racism living in New York City. 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: Why Rolanda felt "pressure" to run a marathon (5:45) How Rolanda got started on the run (9:15) Why Rolanda decided to keep running after college (22:15) Rolanda reflects on that "traumatizing" race at the 2015 World Athletics Championships in Beijing (26:00) What life as a pro athlete with NorCal Distance looked like, and why Rolanda decided to move back to New York (41:00) On finding "balance" when you work in the running industry (49:00) On attending the "All Crews One Run" in NYC earlier this summer, and Roland shares her own experiences with racism (56:00) 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!

27 Aug 20201h 18min

"Running isn't canceled! You can still be improving during this time." Kaitlin Goodman is a 2:32 marathoner and four-time Olympic Trials qualifier who runs professionally for the Boston Athletic Association and adidas. Kaitlin — a frequent Ali on the Run Show guest and fan favorite — is incredibly versatile on the run. She has qualified for the Olympic Trials four times — in three different distances! (The 5K, 10K, and marathon.) And she's a running coach with a master's in public health. Kaitlin is the founder of Running Joyfully, where she coaches runners of all abilities. She's also the founder of Safe on the Road, a nonprofit education and advocacy organization that promotes pedestrian and cyclist safety. 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!

24 Aug 20201h 3min

"We as humans have the capacity to surprise ourselves with how much stronger we are than we think we are. You don't get to make those discoveries unless you do something that challenges you to probe that question: Can I do this? Am I capable of this?" The last time Emily Halnon was here, she talked about her big, brave, bold goal: to run the fastest known time (FKT) on the Oregon Pacific Crest Trail. And spoiler: She did it! And now, Emily is back to talk about how she ran 453 miles in 7 days, 19 hours, and 23 minutes. Along the way, Emily also raised more than $30,000 for the Brave Like Gabe Foundation, in honor of her mother, Andrea — "AndyJHa" — who passed away in January after being diagnosed with a rare uterine cancer. And a warning: This conversation may inspire you to go out and set your own big, brave, bold goals! Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: How Emily feels now, after running for eight days straight (3:00) How Emily trained and prepared for this run (4:45) On raising money for Brave Like Gabe (21:00) Emily breaks down every day of the run (34:00) Follow Emily: Instagram @emilysweats DONATE 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!

19 Aug 20201h 15min

"Have those conversations with yourself. Figure out, 'What is it that I want? What is my goal, essentially?' Kind of like running. What is your goal?" Dr. Meggie is back! This week on the Ali & the Experts series, Dr. Meggie Smith, Assistant Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Southern California specializing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, is here to answer listener questions about pregnancy, fertility, periods, birth control, and women's health during the Covid-19 era. 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!

17 Aug 20201h 2min