14. My 10 Favorite Races

"We hit that first split bang on the money, and I told her, 'We're good. It's happening. It's on.'" It was a record-breaking, history-making weekend at the Houston Marathon! Keira D'Amato won the race and ran a new American record in the marathon, finishing in 2:19:12 and breaking Deena Kastor's former record by 24 seconds. And Keira had some company along the way: two pacers, one of whom was Texas-based ultra-runner and four-time Guinness World Record Holder Calum Neff. (You may also remember Calum as the "green shorts guy" who paced Sara Hall at the Marathon Project in 2020.) And while Calum is an incredibly accomplished runner, he — like Keira — had never broken 2:20 in the marathon. So this task would require running a personal best of his own en route to that American record goal. (Spoiler: He did it, finishing in 2:19:33.) On this episode, Calum talks about how he got the role as Keira's pacer, what it was like previewing the course together the day before the race, and what that 5:18 pace actually felt like. Plus, all the details and dad jokes from the day, hashing out the realities of pandemic marriage and parenting (Calum and his wife have three daughters), and what's next for Calum. SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit shokz.com/ontherun for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: How Calum's feeling post-race (4:00) How Calum got the job as Keira D'Amato's Houston Marathon pacer (5:55) What Calum's training was like leading up to Houston (16:20) All about Calum's experience at the 2021 Chicago Marathon (21:00) How Calum balances pacing duties with his own running goals, and what it was like previewing the course with Keira (27:15) The plan for race day (36:00) All about the race (46:15) That finish line moment (1:04:05) Calum's top moment from the day (1:13:00) What's next for Calum? (1:16:00) Check out: Calum Neff on Episode 318 of the Ali on the Run Show Keira D'Amato on Episode 414 of the Ali on the Run Show Keira D'Amato on Episode 305 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Calum: Instagram @calneff Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 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 Jan 20221h 21min

"I will be a nervous wreck until that gun goes off, but I will never race like I'm nervous… As soon as I'm racing, it all goes out the window, and I'm always going to race my heart out, no matter what." At last summer's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials, Allie Wilson officially solidified her spot as "one to watch" in the 800m. The professional runner for Atlanta Track Club Elite made it to the final round of the 800, ultimately finishing sixth. And despite not making the Olympic team, she walked away from Hayward Field proudly — and with a new personal best (1:59.02). On this episode, Allie reflects on her first Olympic Trials experience. She talks about her pre-race meltdown before the first round of competition, and talks about how she deals with race-day nerves. Allie talks about why she likes "racing under the radar," and about how she's learned not to count herself out when it matters the most. ("I may not be the fastest person going into the Trials, but I'm one of the fastest," Allie says. "And anything can happen if you put your mind to it.") Plus, all about heat training in Florida and what's on tap for 2022. SPONSOR: The Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K, all taking place on February 6, 2022. Click here to register today! What you'll get on this episode: All about what Allie is up to in Florida right now (5:40) On Allie's evolution as a runner (12:10) Reflecting on last summer's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials (15:20) How Allie learned not to count herself out (19:15) All about that first round at the Trials (24:40) How Allie was feeling heading into the semi-finals (34:40) Breaking down the 800m final at the Olympic Trials (39:00) On racing happy and loving this sport (47:30) How Allie ended up in Atlanta (53:50) What's on tap for 2022? (58:45) Follow Allie: Instagram @allie_oop9 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 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!

18 Jan 20221h 7min

"It was just so magical. Like holy smokes, I did it." Last weekend, Brittany Charboneau made Disney history by becoming the first person to ever win all four races in the Dopey Challenge. The North Face-sponsored professional runner ran four races in four days — a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon — and broke the tape at each one. And she did so in carefully curated costumes that she hand-made herself, including Elsa from Frozen 2, Bing Bong and Joy from Inside Out, and Cruella de Vil from Cruella. On this episode, Brittany talks about why she wanted to complete the Dopey Challenge after a disappointing experience at last year's Boston Marathon. She talks about getting Covid just a few weeks before the races, and about her inspiration for each race and each costume. Plus, the Colorado-based comedian talks about attending "Broadway Camp" in New York City, where she spent nine hours a day training in dance, acting, and singing — in addition to training for the Dopey Challenge. SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! What you'll get on this episode: How Brittany's feeling after completing the Dopey Challenge (5:30) Why Brittany wanted to run the Dopey Challenge (7:30) All about Brittany's Dopey Challenge goals, and how she trained to run four races in four days (12:45) On getting Covid on Christmas Eve (20:15) On winning the Dopey Challenge 5K in 17:36, dressed as Elsa from Frozen 2 (22:00) On winning the Dopey Challenge 10K in 36:36, dressed as Bing Bong from Inside Out (30:15) On winning the Dopey Challenge half marathon in 1:19:18, dressed as Joy from Inside Out (36:00) On winning the Dopey Challenge marathon in 2:45:15, dressed as Cruella de Vil from 101 Cruella (48:30) All about those finish line cookies (1:05:45) What it was like getting a private tour of Walt Disney World (1:08:30) All about Broadway Camp in New York City (1:10:20) What's next for Brittany (1:15:20) Check out: Sugar Tats Cookie Company Broadway Weekends Follow Brittany: Instagram @funnyrunner26.2 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 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!

14 Jan 20221h 25min

"That is how I always race — I've always got a smile on my face." Dakotah Lindwurm runs happy. If you saw her leading the 2021 Boston Marathon — where she ultimately finished as the third American woman — you saw that smile on full display, from start to finish. And that smile just got a lot bigger, as Dakotah kicks off the new year with her first professional contract. Last week, Dakotah announced that she has officially signed with Puma, and that she will continue training with Minnesota Distance Elite. On this episode, the 2:29 marathoner (and former hockey goalie!) talks about her stellar past year on the run, which included two half-marathon personal bests and a win at Grandma's Marathon, where she also ran a personal best. She talks about being pegged as an underdog, and why she loves it, and about her goals for this weekend's Houston Half Marathon. SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit shokz.com/ontherun for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: How Dakotah's Puma contract came together (3:15) How Dakotah's feeling heading into her first race as a sponsored athlete (7:45) On being a happy runner (10:40) Reflecting on the 2021 Boston Marathon, and the highs and lows in Dakotah's career so far (14:10) How Dakotah plans her racing calendar, and all about signing with an agent (23:00) The underdog mentality (26:50) All about Dakotah's training (33:00) What Dakotah's childhood was like, and how she got into running (38:45) All the stuff Dakotah does off the run (46:00) Dakotah's advice for pursuing big running goals in 2022 (55:00) Check out: Minnesota Distance Elite Run the Mile You're In by Ryan Hall Atomic Habits by James Clear Follow Dakotah: Instagram @dakotahlindwurm Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 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 Jan 20221h 1min

"I feel like I'm in love again with the process of waking up early, putting my shoes on, bundling up, and going for a run. It doesn't feel quite easy or fun all the time yet, but I'm definitely in love with the process again." For most professional athletes, a day in the life includes running, eating, recovering, napping, resting, running again, eating again, and sleeping. But for Hiruni Wijayaratne — the 11-time Sri Lankan record holder in distances from the 5,000 meters to the marathon, and the fastest female marathoner in South Asia — running has to happen before or after her other jobs. Hiruni lives in Colorado, where she works full-time in the tech industry, coaches with Runcoach, and trains at an elite level under the coaching of Ric Rojas. On this episode, Hiruni talks about her years-long quest to qualify for Sri Lanka's Olympic marathon team, and what it's been like to fall short of that goal and break her mind, body, and spirit in the process. She talks about her struggles over the past few years, and about clawing her way back to loving running again. Most recently, Hiruni ran the California International Marathon (with training partner Nell Rojas!), where she earned her second-fastest marathon time, finishing in 2:34:22. But the road to the CIM start line wasn't easy, and today Hiruni is here to talk about what it means to bet on yourself — and how she's learned to do it. SPONSOR: The WineShine Half Marathon — Register today for the inaugural event, happening July 16, 2022. See you in Napa! What you'll get on this episode: What it was like being in the Boulder area during the massive fires in December (4:10) All about Hiruni's recent wedding! (11:15) What Hiruni's job is like, what it entails, and when she runs (13:00) All about those 12 seconds at CIM (16:45) The road to CIM (18:20) What Hiruni's relationship with running is like now (23:40) Hiruni's high point in CIM training (28:00) Hiruni's CIM goals (32:30) How CIM played out for Hiruni (41:35) How Hiruni learned to bet on herself (51:50) On goal setting in the new year (58:15) Check out: Nell Rojas on Episode 434 of the Ali on the Run Show Nell Rojas on Episode 431 of the Ali on the Run Show Nell Rojas on Episode 229 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Hiruni: Instagram @hiruni_w Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 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!

11 Jan 20221h 11min

"I don't know what the year will bring, but I know I'm going to keep showing up for myself and for all of you." In 2021, I released 165 episodes of the Ali on the Run Show with 134 different guests. I welcomed 10 new sponsors to the show, and maintained a strong partnership with eight longtime sponsors. In addition to the "hallmark" Thursday conversations, there was a steady stream of fun series options to choose from, including Love on the Run, On the Job, Ask Ali, What's New With You, Just Missed, Ramblings on the Run, and The Everyday Runner. After a long, pandemic-induced break, I was thrilled to return to in-person live shows in both Boston and New York City, and I hosted two virtual live shows earlier in the year. In October, the show surpassed 10 million downloads. November saw the show's single highest week of downloads, and became the show's highest-ever month of downloads. I hired a new member of the Ali on the Run Show team, and finally (finally!) created and sold merchandise. It wasn't an easy year. We were — and still are — in this pandemic. I'm still recording all of my episodes remotely, without having face-to-face conversations with the guests. I'm still trying to do a better job of navigating my role in the running industry's problems with racism and representation, and on this episode, you'll hear me acknowledge where I feel I fell short this year. Today, I offer my annual State of the Ali on the Run Show, reflecting on the past, present, and future of this podcast. I'm here (solo today, and returning with guests next week) to look back on 2021, sharing both the by-the-numbers and beyond-the-numbers looks at the past year. I touch on my personal highlight reel from 2021, and revisit my 2021 goals. I share some key takeaways from the year-end listener survey (thank you to the thousand of you who participated!), and share what you can expect from this show in 2022. SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: The Ali on the Run Show in 2021, by the numbers (2:20) Revisiting my 2021 goals (42:50) Key takeaways from the 2021 Ali on the Run Show year-end listener survey (51:30) What you can expect from the Ali on the Run Show in 2022 (1:05:15) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 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!

6 Jan 20221h 16min

"If I'm stuck on a joke, I'll go for a run and think about it during my run. And almost all the time, I can figure it out on the run." Michelle Wolf is a comedian who is best known for her stand-up specials (Michelle Wolf: Joke Show on Netflix, and Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady on HBO), and her roles as a writer and on-air contributor at both The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and Late Night with Seth Meyers. And though she's been successful on the comedy scene for a long time, it was her set as the headliner at the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner that really made headlines. Where was she when she got the call about being invited to the dinner? On a run. And what did she do in the aftermath, when life was, as she recalls, "tumultuous?" Go for a run. Michelle is a college high jumper turned avid distance runner, ultramarathoner, and self-proclaimed "track and field super fan." On this episode, she talks about her road to comedy fame, what her joke-writing process is like, and how she deals when rejection and feedback are essential parts of her job. Plus, all about that White House Correspondents' Dinner, including how she came up with the material, what it was like in the moment, and what happened next. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: How Michelle became a fan of the sport (6:40) On writing and telling running jokes (15:15) Is the goal as a comedian to make everyone laugh the entire time? (17:00) What Michelle was like as a kid (19:20) How Michelle went from Wall Street to comedy (25:45) What Michelle's comedic process is like (39:40) All about the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner (47:30) Why that time in Michelle's life was so "tumultuous" (1:03:20) What hasn't Michelle done? (1:09:55) Michelle's advice for being more confident (1:17:55) Follow Michelle: Instagram @michelleisawolf Twitter @michelleisawolf Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 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!

30 Dec 20211h 28min

A disclaimer, before we get into it: This conversation talks at great length about one man's experience with disordered eating and anorexia. We discuss his eating habits and behaviors, his weight fluctuations, and what worked for him during recovery. As always, I want you to take care of yourselves and your hearts, and if for any reason these topics are hard for you to hear about right now, please consider listening cautiously or skipping this episode. "They looked me straight in the eye and said, 'You're dying.' And I didn't believe them." Jesse Harmon is a 12-time marathoner with a 2:58 personal best in the distance. He's a dad of four, living with his wife and kids in South Carolina, where he's the founder of Run Hard — an after-school program for kids, where the goal is to create self-confidence through running. And though Jesse is a talented runner and an eager role model, the road there hasn't been easy. In 2013, Jesse was diagnosed with anorexia. His doctors told him he was going to die if he kept living the way he was living. On this episode, Jesse shares his story — the highs, the lows, the scary parts, and the light bulb moment that got him to finally commit to recovery. Plus, where he's at now in what he calls this "lifelong race." SPONSOR: The Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K, all taking place on February 6, 2022. Click here to register today! Follow Jesse: Instagram @mrrunhard Run Hard Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 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!

28 Dec 202159min