231. Jay Holder, Director of Marketing & Communications at Atlanta Track Club
"Find a way to get people hooked on running. That's what we need." Jay Holder just might love running — the sport itself, plus every single member of the running community — more than any guy I know. Jay is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Atlanta Track Club, which means this week, we're getting a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to host the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials! Jay talks about the bidding process leading up to the Trials, and shares what, exactly, Atlanta did to show USA Track & Field that they were worthy of hosting one of the greatest weekends in American distance racing. (It involved a 90-page proposal and plan!) Jay, a dad of two, shares stories from the course — which he ran several dozen times before race weekend — and explains what he says is "the best part of the job." We look back reminiscing about the Trials weekend, and look forward, with some trepidation: The Atlanta Track Club also hosts the Peachtree Road Race, which is the largest 10K in the world that takes place every year on the Fourth of July. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off wireless headphones. (My favorite is the Aeropex!) What you'll get on this episode: A bit of background on Jay's professional career, and what brought him to Atlanta Track Club (6:55) The bidding process behind the Olympic Trials, and how Atlanta won the hosting gig (10:00) What Jay says is the best part of his job (21:50) What race weekend looked like for Jay (28:50) What does the current state of the world mean for the 2020 Peachtree Road Race? Follow Jay: Instagram @jayholderruns Twitter @jauntingjourno 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 Apr 202051min
230. On the Job with Christine Mousa, Family Specialist in the Division of Child Protection and Permanency
"I can sincerely say that when I leave work and go home, my heart feels really full — but sometimes it feels defeated... There's a lot of emotion at stake. It's hard." Christine Mousa is a family specialist in New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Her job is to find safe and loving homes for children. It's important, emotional work, and on this episode, Christine talks about what the job entails, whether she ever feels afraid on the job, and what being "out in the field" means. Thank you to Tracksmith for sponsoring the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to tracksmith.com/ontherun and use code ONTHERUN15 at checkout for 15% off your first Tracksmith purchase! Follow Christine: Instagram @christineemilyy 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!
20 Apr 202049min
229. Nell Rojas, 2:28 Marathoner & 9th-Place Olympic Trials Finisher
"You have to believe in yourself. And you can say it a million times, but before this, I didn't actually believe I could run with these girls. And now I absolutely know that I can run with these girls, and I know that I can be competitive." Nell Rojas finished ninth at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February. And that in its own is impressive — but it's especially impressive when you consider that it was only Nell's third ever marathon. Nell is a triathlete and obstacle course racer turned marathoner, and on this episode, she talks about running the Olympic A standard at her first marathon, winning her second marathon (a 2:28 at Grandma's Marathon in 2019), and running the Trials as her third marathon. She talks about her recovery from the Trials and what's next, and talks about the time she beat Des Linden at the Falmouth Road Race — and then immediately asked for her autograph. Plus: What Nell is like as a coach, why she decided to rescue a dog right before the Trials, and the advice she has for anyone who's ever been told they "don't look like a runner." What you'll get on this episode: Nell breaks down her post-Trials recovery, and explains what her training looks like right now (3:50) Nell recaps her race at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (6:20) Nell's road to becoming a marathoner (24:50) On winning Boulder Bolder 40 years after her dad won the race, and winning Grandma's Marathon in 2019 (32:00) What is Nell like as a coach? (36:00) What will Nell's training look like between now and the fall? (37:00) Follow Nell: Instagram @nell_rojas_running Twitter @nellrojas 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!
16 Apr 202051min
228. Laura Thweatt, 2:25 Marathoner & 5th-Place Olympic Trials Finisher
"I had to keep believing that my Olympic dream was still alive until the race was over." Laura Thweatt ran a fast, fierce, gutsy race at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta — a hard effort that earned her a fifth-place finish. But fifth place at the Trials is a tough spot: When the first three finishers make the team and the fourth-place finisher is the alternate, fifth place is so close, but so far from being on the Olympic team. On this episode, Laura — a 2:25 marathoner who runs for Saucony and is coached by Joe Bosshard — recaps her race at the Trials, offers advice for runners dealing with injuries or setbacks, and talks about how the Covid-19 crisis has affected her training so far and her year ahead. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off wireless headphones. (My favorite is the Aeropex!) What you'll get on this episode: How Laura's doing during these "weird times" (3:45) The story behind that Saucony #dontrushchallenge video (7:20) What Laura's days look like right now (14:40) How Laura got so strong leading up to the Trials (17:40) Recapping the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (24:05) What Laura's post-Trials meeting with her sports psychologist was like (43:00) Laura's advice for dealing with injuries or setbacks (51:00) Did Laura always plan to be a professional runner? (53:30) What we mention on this episode: Saucony's #dontrushchallenge video The "original" runner #dontrushchallenge video Follow Laura: Instagram @lthweatt Twitter @thweatt11 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!
15 Apr 20201h 11min
227. On the Job with Julia Harrington, Corporate Pilot
"Fear is not something you experience in an airplane. That's your comfort zone." For many people, flying in an airplane is an anxiety-inducing adventure. But not for Julia Harrington. Julia is a corporate pilot and captain on two business jets, and on this On the Job episode, she talks about her adventures in the skies. Julia reminisces about her childhood dreams of becoming a pilot, and talks about the education required to get a pilot's license. She talks about her first flight, whether she's ever scared in the air, and what it's like being a badass woman in a very male-dominated industry. (Plus, she offers reassuring advice for all the anxious fliers out there!) Thank you to Tracksmith for sponsoring the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to tracksmith.com/ontherun and use code ONTHERUN15 at checkout for 15% off your first Tracksmith purchase! Follow Julia: Instagram @pilotjulia 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!
13 Apr 202058min
226. Caitlyn Tateishi, 2:43 Marathoner
"Without races on the schedule, you're figuring out why you run in the first place. I think this is a really good reminder that we do it because we love it — not because we're constantly chasing a goal or trying to prove something." Caitlyn Tateishi has run — long, and fast — all over the world. On this episode, the 2:43 marathoner talks about growing up in Hawaii and discovering life on the run, and going on to run an unofficial ultramarathon during her time in the Peace Corps in Africa. Caitlyn explains why she took a long break from running, and talks about rediscovering her passion for the sport. Plus, she breaks down how, exactly, she shaved 50 minutes off her marathon time, going from wanting to qualify for the Boston Marathon to running at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials earlier this year. It's a powerful, relatable conversation about identifying as a runner, dealing with failure, and getting to that "I belong" moment. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off wireless headphones. (My favorite is the Aeropex!) What you'll get on this episode: How Caitlyn is feeling physically and emotionally since running the Trials (3:00) Recapping Caitlyn's race in Atlanta (7:00) How Caitlyn found running (11:00) Why Caitlyn joined the Peace Corps, and what it was like living and running in tK (23:00) Why Caitlyn decided to start training for marathons — and her road to an OTQ (29:15) What we mention on this episode: "I thought my best running days were over": How Olympic Trials Qualifier Caitlyn Tateishi Found Her Way Back to Running via Women's Running Born to Run Miles to the Trials blog First Ladies of Running Follow Caitlyn: Instagram @cait.tate 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!
8 Apr 20201h 6min
225. On the Job with Taylor Ritzel, Content Acquisition at Netflix
"I was just like, 'Oh my god, I'm in Hollywood! This was meant to be!'" Taylor Ritzel has quite the resumé: She was a collegiate rower at Yale University who went on to win Olympic gold in rowing at the 2012 games. Today, though, Taylor has traded her oars for the Hollywood life. She works at Netflix, in nonfiction series content acquisition. On this episode, she talks about what, exactly, that means, and what it's like working on shows including Cheer, Queer Eye, and Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Thank you to Tracksmith for sponsoring the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to tracksmith.com/ontherun and use code ONTHERUN15 at checkout for 15% off your first Tracksmith purchase! Follow Taylor: Instagram @taritzel 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!
6 Apr 20201h 5min
224. Catching Up with Emma Coburn
"There's nothing I can do, so I might as well not wallow about it, and I might as well just find something else to make me happy for the moment." Emma Coburn is a two-time Olympian, eight-time U.S. steeplechase champion, world champion, and world silver medalist. On this episode, Emma — who runs for New Balance and is Vice President of the Athletics Association — talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected her training and her livelihood. She's honest about the financial hit professional athletes will take during this time, and shares her take on the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games. 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 Emma is finding happiness right now (3:40) All about Emma's nightly Instagram Lives (7:15) What Emma's training has been like, both before and since hearing about the Olympics being postponed (10:45) How COVID-19 has directly affected Emma's career and life at home (25:25) How Emma is maintaining a positive attitude during these times (37:00) What we mention on this episode: Emma Coburn on Episode 60 of the Ali on the Run Show Emma Coburn on Episode 96 of the Ali on the Run Show Aisha Praught & Will Leer on Episode 204 of the Ali on the Run Show Emma's Resistance Bands Follow Emma: Instagram @emmacoburn Twitter @emmajcoburn Facebook 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!
1 Apr 202049min
