14. My 10 Favorite Races

"I've just been struggling to survive. To figure out how to survive. I want people to see me and say, 'OK, let's not look at what we think people are.' Because everybody has their own struggles. Life is tough!" Earlier this month, I found myself glued to my phone, rabidly refreshing the Humans of New York Instagram account, waiting for updates in the 13-part story about a woman in Augusta, GA. The woman was Venus Morris Griffin. Today, she's a hugely successful realtor and mom of seven. But the road to becoming one of Meybohm Real Estate's leading agents (Venus has closed more than $500 million in sales she she started with the agency) has been anything but easy. In fact, it still isn't easy, Venus says. In this conversation, Venus talks about her difficult childhood, about falling in love with a man at USC, and about having six children together. She talks about being home with the kids — the youngest was just one year old, and the oldest was 15 — while her husband was away on a work trip, and getting a call in the middle of the night from a sex worker. A call that changed everything. Not only was Venus's husband, Tripp, sleeping with sex workers, Venus also learned that there was sexual abuse within the home. Today, Tripp is serving a 45-year sentence for child molestation. Here, Venus talks about how she kept moving forward, how she showed up for her children and for herself, and why she started running to get through it all. Plus, she talks about what it was like having her story shared widely through Humans of New York, and both the amazing (a book! a movie!) and less-amazing (losing clients and sales) responses. SPONSORS: Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones. St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville — Use code ONTHERUN10 for $10 off your registration for this year's races, taking place April 23–24. What you'll get on this episode: How Venus is celebrating her 50th birthday (5:20) All about being featured on Humans of New York (8:00) On vulnerability, and how Venus started running (15:15) What Venus's childhood was like (21:20) Meeting Tripp (23:30) The role of faith in Venus's life (31:40) The scary moments in Venus and Tripp's marriage, and why Venus decided to get her real estate license in 2008 (33:50) The middle-of-the-night phone call that changed everything (43:00) What life looked like after Tripp went to prison (52:30) How Venus navigated motherhood (1:02:40) Follow Venus: Instagram @venusmorrisgriffin Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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!

31 Mars 20221h 12min

"I could tell he wasn't mentoring me because he wanted it to be this public thing that made him look good. I wasn't his charity case." Dinée Dorame had a dream: to launch a podcast that would explore the intersection between running, land, community and culture. So she applied for the first-ever Tracksmith Fellowship program — and she won. Dinée was one of the first recipients of a Tracksmith Fellowship grant, which gave her the support she needed to bring the Grounded podcast into existence. She was also paired with a mentor: Mario Fraioli, host of The Morning Shakeout podcast and creator of The Morning Shakeout newsletter. Dinée and Mario started as total strangers, formed a fast mentor-mentee relationship, and now, one year later, are close friends with a "big brother, little sister" bond. In this conversation, they talk about their first phone call, the first time they met in real life, and how their differences have made their relationship stronger. SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation. What you'll get on this episode: How Dinée and Mario became paired together as mentor-mentee through the Tracksmith Fellowship (5:20) All about Dinée and Mario's first phone call (15:15) How a phone call became a friendship (26:10) On podcast rejection! (37:00) Dinée and Mario share the moments when they felt especially proud of each other (44:00) On finally getting to meet in real life (48:00) All about Common Ground (55:00) For more, check out: Dinée Dorame on Episode 402 of the Ali on the Run Show Dinée Dorame on Episode 239 of the Ali on the Run Show Mario Fraioli on Episode 266 of the Ali on the Run Show Lauren Fleshman on The Morning Shakeout Dinée Dorame on The Morning Shakeout Billy Mills on the Grounded podcast Ali Feller on The Morning Shakeout Follow Dinée: Instagram @dinee_pink22 Grounded podcast Follow Mario: Instagram @mariofraioli Twitter @mariofraioli Website Subscribe to The Morning Shakeout newsletter Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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!

29 Mars 20221h 14min

"It was pretty tough, I'm not gonna lie. I walked off the track pretty mad. I didn't want to talk to any cameras, so I walked past the camera people because I knew they were just going to drill me with a bunch of questions that I didn't want to talk about. And I hadn't even had time to digest it myself. So I was about to say something I probably shouldn't have on camera. So I said, 'I'm making this boundary for myself,' and I kept walking." Elle Purrier St. Pierre is one of the fastest women in the country. The professional New Balance athlete just capped off her indoor season by earning a silver medal in the 3K at World Indoor Championships in Serbia. In 2020, she broke the American record in the indoor mile. Then, last summer, she won the 1500m event at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials (and set a Trials record for that event), solidifying her spot on Team USA and achieving a lifelong dream of becoming an Olympian. Elle — widely known as a small-town farm girl from Vermont — is living the professional runner dream, right? On this episode, Elle talks about the tough times. She talks about getting shoved off the track just seconds into that 1500 final at the Trials, and about how she rallied to win the race. She talks about handling disappointment on the track, like when she finished third in the 1500 at USAs a few weeks ago, a race she was heavily favored to win. And she talks about that — about being "heavily favored," and what that pressure feels like. Plus, reflections on competing in Tokyo, dealing with the post-Olympics blues, and pre-race bad moods. Welcome to Episode 500 of the Ali on the Run Show! SPONSOR: New Balance — Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun to learn more about how New Balance is supporting the conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite pullover, crop top, half-zip top, quilted pullover, and jacket.) What you'll get on this episode: All about Elle's run today, and what it's like being a local celebrity in Vermont (3:50) Where Elle's keeping her silver medal, and what her goals were for the 3K at World Indoor Championships (8:45) How Elle stays tough when the racing gets hard, and what she's like before the race starts (11:20) On getting shoved off the track at last summer's Olympic Track & Field Trials 1500m final (16:00) Dealing with high stakes (22:00) How Elle navigated an injury heading into the Olympics (29:30) What Elle remembers most from the Tokyo Olympics (35:00) On dealing with the post-Olympics blues (40:30) What farm life is like for Elle (42:45) How Elle prepares and re-sets for a new racing season, and what it's like going into each race as "the favorite" (45:15) On dealing with disappointment after finishing third at USA Indoors and missing out on Team USA for that distance — and coming back to win the 3K (49:00) On being asked "What's next?" all the time (59:30) The most fun Elle has ever had on the run (1:02:15) For more, check out: Elle Purrier on Episode 210 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Elle: Instagram @elleruns_4_her_life Twitter @ellepurrier Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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!

25 Mars 20221h 8min

"I got off the plane, looked out at the mountains, and just felt this sense of relaxation. Like this is where I'm supposed to be, this is where life is good. And it made no sense!" Laura Skladzinski was a dancer and theater kid growing up. She, like many of us, hated having to run the mile in gym class. Then, at 24 years old, Laura became the youngest person at the time to complete a marathon in all 50 states, and she has gone on to run more than 100 marathons and a few ultramarathons. So, what changed? In this wide-ranging conversation, Laura talks about how she became a runner, and what her approach to running is like. She talks her decision to move from New York City to Colorado, and about becoming a town trustee in her new hometown of Superior, CO. She also talks about how difficult that role has been over the past few months, after fires tore through the town at the end of 2021. She shares what that day was like as both a homeowner in Superior and as an elected official, and about why she has decided to prioritize mental health needs both for herself and for her community in the wake of those fires. Laura works as a management consultant, and when she's not working or on the run, she's a ski instructor at Beaver Creek, a Meals on Wheels volunteer and driver, and a camp counselor at Experience Camps for Grieving Children. SPONSORS: Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race — In-person registration for the July 4th event is now open! Click the link to register for this historic (Betty-endorsed!) 10K today. Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: On being a town trustee in Superior, CO — and receiving more votes than any candidate in history! (6:00) What brought Laura to Colorado (8:30) What Young Laura was like (13:40) How Laura found and fell in love with running (17:15) Why Laura decided to try and run a marathon in every state (25:30) How Laura felt when she completed the 50 states challenge (31:00) Laura talks about being featured in a national JetBlue campaign (34:15) How Laura got so fast, and what her approach to running is like (36:45) How Laura became a ski instructor at Beaver Creek (44:30) On taking a break, taking a leave of absence from work, and prioritizing mental health (48:00) What it was like being in Superior, CO, during the fires a few months ago (52:00) Why Laura chose to prioritize community-wide mental health needs after the fires (57:45) On being a volunteer counselor at Experience Camps for Grieving Children (1:05:30) For more, check out: This Is Me table read Follow Laura: Instagram @50by25 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Mars 20221h 14min

"It's just those people when you instantly connect, and they're one of your people. She was one of those people. And it's so hard to find those people as adults, as we all know. She was that easy connection, easy talking to. Everything just felt like it was meant to be and meant to happen." Cara Enright Welsh and Cameron Erhardt are two of the nicest people on the planet — so it's no surprise this episode is warm fuzzy central. Cara and Cam met when they were both part of Nike's Project Moonshot marathon training program, and they say they became best friends the very first day they met. They immediately bonded over their mutual love for Taylor Swift and NYC "Emo Nights" ("Stay sad!"), their respective roles as the oldest of four siblings, and a shared birthday (November 5, 1990). In this conversation, Cara (a former competitive jump roper) and Cam (a former NCAA Division-1 runner) recall the day they met, and talk about the challenge of making friends and finding running buddies as an adult. Plus, Cam's stories of overcoming tough times mid-marathon and how he learned to keep moving forward, and updates from Cara on her Boston Marathon training and her relocation plans. SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation. What you'll get on this episode: How Cam and Cara met (4:45) The role running played early in Cara and Cam's friendship (13:20) On being "twins" — and some astrology talk (24:20) Cam and Cara's biggest differences, and how they're navigating a long-distance friendship (30:15) What running looks like for Cam and Cara right now (38:55) How to make running friends as an adult (46:00) The moments when Cara and Cam have felt especially proud of each other (53:50) Check out: Cara Enright on Episode 376 of the Ali on the Run Show George Waldron Salon Follow Cara: Instagram @therealcaraenright Twitter @careenright Follow Cameron: Instagram @camzor13 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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!

22 Mars 20221h 13min

"I've made it here. I'm good with that. I'm going to start this race as me. However I finish, I'm still me." I love a live show! The day before the United Airlines NYC Half (thanks to New Balance, New York Road Runners, and the 1 Hotel Central Park South), I had the pleasure of hosting a live recording of the Ali on the Run Show with returning podcast guests Becs Gentry and Nev Schulman. (Shout-out to the live audience: You were a great crowd, and you were so much fun! Thank you for being there.) This banter-filled conversation covered everything from Becs and Nev's approaches to running and dealing with dark moments on the run, to peeing in the ocean and mastering the art of "The McDash." You'll laugh, you'll gasp (the collective sound in the room when Nev asserted that treadmill running "isn't real running," oh my...), and I hope you'll enjoy. (Oh, and by the way: The fastest marathon ever on a treadmill was run by former Ali on the Run Show guest CJ Albertson! He covered 26.2 miles on a treadmill in 2:09:58.) SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to learn all about the conversations New Balance is having to promote mental wellness. Follow Becs: Instagram @becsgentry Follow Nev: Instagram @nevschulman Twitter @nevschulman Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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!

21 Mars 20221h 13min

"Even though I've been doing this for a while, and I've been working for myself for a long time, I still have a hard time making my own rules." Julia Berteletti is a runner, a mom, and a dear friend — and today, she's a podcast host! On this edition of Ask Ali, returning Ali on the Run Show guest Julia is here to do all the question asking, reading your questions from Instagram. We cover everything from favorite foods and "stranded on a desert island" scenarios, to podcasting, motherhood, running, and more. SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! Check out: Julia Berteletti on Episode 458 of the Ali on the Run Show Julia Berteletti on Episode 157 of the Ali on the Run Show Kyle Merber & Chris Chavez on Episode 489 of the Ali on the Run Show Tracksmith Allston Long Shorts Lululemon Wunder Train Bra New Balance FuelCell RC Elite Fair Play Life Cards Follow Julia: Instagram @griffeletti Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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!

18 Mars 20221h 2min

"That Saturday when I set the record and I was in the tent waiting for them to start the awards ceremony, dozens of people came up to talk to me, and they were from all over the United States! I couldn't imagine why. I'm just doing what I like to do!" Betty Lindberg is a local legend in her hometown of Atlanta, GA. She started running at 63 years old, and now, at 97, she's breaking world records. Last month, Betty ran the USATF Master's 5K Championships in Atlanta, and set a new world record for the 95–99 age group. (She finished in 55:48, smashing the previous record by more than 30 minutes.) Breaking that record was no accident: Betty is fiercely competitive (mostly with herself), and she takes her training seriously. (She works out six days a week. On the seventh day, she rests and enjoys her weekly hair appointment.) In this conversation, Betty shares her running story, talks about where her competitive drive comes from, and talks about her mid-race mimosa stops at the Peachtree Road Race every year. She's a legend for a reason! SPONSORS: Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones. Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race — In-person registration for the July 4th event is now open! Click the link to register for this historic (Betty-endorsed!) 10K today. What you'll get on this episode: On being a local legend (5:20) Betty's competitive nature, and what it was like when she broke her first world record at age 91 (7:45) What Betty's training and workouts are like (9:30) All about the day Betty broke the 5K record (12:30) How Betty celebrated her record (17:30) How Betty started running — at age 63! (19:15) On growing up in the 1930s: "You didn't take part in any sports!" (23:15) Why Betty wanted to run a half marathon (26:00) Why Betty loves virtual racing (29:00) The hip replacement that got Betty running again (37:00) All about Betty's workouts and favorite classes at the gym (40:00) Betty's advice for how to keep running into our late nineties (44:00) What Betty is proudest of, and her advice for loving running (49:00) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Mars 20221h 5min