14. My 10 Favorite Races

"You can do it, buddy!" It's an Ali on the Run Show Thanksgiving tradition! Six years ago, my now-husband, Brian, and I lined up at the start of two very different Turkey Trots. Though both races were five miles, the outcomes were vastly dissimilar. I ran the Prospect Park Track Club Turkey Trot in Brooklyn, NY, in a respectable 38:41 — a 7:44 minute-per-mile pace. Meanwhile, in Rhode Island, Brian was racing the Newport Pie Run. He had big dreams and big goals. Here's a dramatic retelling of how his race went. Happy Thanksgiving! SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN for $10 off! 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!

25 Nov 202042min

"All the pain and all the isolation I have felt — it was all worth it for a moment like this." Last year, runner and steeplechaser Emma Gee made history when she became the first openly out LGBTQ+ athlete at Utah's Brigham Young University — the university owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. On this episode, Emma powerfully and honestly shares her story. She talks about growing up in a religious family — she's one of five children — in Colorado, and explains why she decided to attend BYU. She explains the school's honor code and how it affected her as a bisexual student on campus. And she shares her coming out story, including what it was like to be the first D1 athlete in BYU's 143-year history to be publicly out, and what it was like coming out to her friends, her teammates, her coach, and her family. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: Emma talks about growing up in Colorado as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (7:20) All about the Brigham Young University Honor Code (9:30) Emma talks about exploring her sexuality and the realization that she was bisexual (11:50) Emma shares her coming out story (17:30) The impact coming out had on Emma's running (23:00) Emma talks about coming out to her family and to her coach and teammates (24:30) On sharing her story for Out Sports (31:55) How Emma's bishop reacted to her coming out (41:00) All about that kissing photo (50:00) Emma talks about her book! (57:15) What we mention on this episode: Nikki Hiltz on Episode 294 of the Ali on the Run Show Nikki Hiltz on Episode 188 of the Ali on the Run Show Nikki Hiltz on Episode 170 of the Ali on the Run Show "I am the only out LGBTQ athlete at BYU," by Emma Gee for OutSports Myers-Briggs personality test Common Ground Follow Emma: Instagram @emma_gee1777 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

24 Nov 20201h 7min

"I need to laugh. I need to smile. I need to feel silly." Welcome to Feel-Good Fridays, Season 3! This time around, honestly, I'm just feeling like keeping it light. Because we all know that 2020 has been a year. So for the next four weeks, my goal — my mission, should you choose to accept it — is to bring you something every Friday that will make you laugh, smile, or somehow feel lighter. I think we could all use a little levity right now. Today, we kick things off with a compilation episode: revisiting four of the Ali on the Run Show's happiest, funniest, laugh-out-loud-iest moments and conversations. Whether you're hearing these stories for the first time or revisiting them after a few years, I hope they bring you a giggle. SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN for $10 off! Want to listen to the full episodes from the clips on this episode? Check 'em out: Episode 12: Thoughts We Had During our First Half Marathons Episode 77: Ali on the Run Show LIVE! featuring Meb Keflezighi, Andrea Barber, Chris Heuisler, and Des Linden Episode 44: Chris Heuisler's Most Embarrassing Running Moment Episode 116: Jen Lada, ESPN Reporter 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

20 Nov 202041min

"It's gonna take a lot of work. It's gonna take a lot of discipline and a lot of patience and a lot of throwing spaghetti at the wall and it not sticking at all." Natalie Mitchell just might be the most joyful runner on the planet. The always-smiling running coach, mom of three, and 12-time marathoner is perhaps best known by her Instagram moniker: "Nat Runs Far." On this episode, she talks about how she has shaved an hour off her marathon time (from a 4:06 debut to a 3:05), and shares her dreams to qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials. She talks about setting goals, managing expectations, and taking necessary time off. And Natalie talks about her experiences as a Black woman runner, shares her secrets to a happy marriage, and talks about her latest endeavor with her husband Jerold, the launch of the Suite Run podcast. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: Is Natalie happy and smiley all the time? (4:15) Natalie talks about her recent knee surgery and how recovery is going (5:45) How Natalie became a runner (11:45) On the transition from collegiate runner to real-life runner (18:30) How Natalie has chipped away at her marathon time, going from a 4:06 to a 3:05 (22:30) Natalie's next running goal (28:45) All about Coach Natalie (34:20) Natalie is a busy mom of three — when does she run? (37:40) Natalie's tips for a long, happy, joyful marriage (44:45) Natalie talks about her experience as a Black woman runner (49:45) All about the Suite Run podcast (59:30) Follow Natalie: Instagram @natrunsfar Suite Run Suite Run podcast 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

19 Nov 20201h 9min

"Your teacher says you can't have a job where you're looking out the window all day — well that's exactly what I do!" We're closing out Season 3 of the On the Job series today with Jenny Benjamin — a woman with her eyes on the skies! Jenny is an air traffic controller at Denver Centennial Airport in Colorado, and on this episode, she talks about why she loves her job so much. She explains how she and her team safely and efficiently move air traffic, and talks about why it's so important to be seamless behind the scenes. (Their goal, she says, is to stay out of the news!) She talks about the sacrifices she has to make as a mother who works long and oftentimes demanding hours, and explains how Ironman training fits into her schedule. 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 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!

17 Nov 202046min

"You don't let it define you. A bad day is a bad day. You just suck it up, learn what you've gotta learn, and move on." Keira D'Amato is perhaps best known as "The Running Realtor." She is a mom of two who works full-time as a real estate agent in Virginia — and she's a 2:34 marathoner. Though racing as we knew it was canceled in 2020, Keira's running this year has never been better or faster. In February, she ran a personal best at the Olympic Marathon Trials, and this summer, she ran a 5K time trial on the track in 15:04, beating her lifetime best by a full minute. Most recently, Keira won the Michigan Pro Half Marathon in 1:08.57, a 64-second personal best. And now: Keira wants to break the American 10-mile record in a women's-only race, which she'll attempt to do on November 23. On this episode, Keira reflects on her stellar year on the run, talks about being an unsponsored elite runner, and shares some spelling bee stories and Mamma Mia hot takes. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you'll get on this episode: On running for fun (6:30) What it's like being a realtor right now (8:10) On mental toughness (12:00) Keira reflects on her 2:34 finish at the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials (15:15) How Keira found her way back to running after college (19:00) Keira talks about her win at the Michigan Pro Half and about that 15:04 5K on the track this summer (28:00) Why Keira wants to break the American 10-mile record (44:00) How much is 2021 on Keira's mind right now? (54:15) On competing at such a high level — but being unsponsored (55:00) What we mention on this episode: Ali's "Birthday: Chill" playlist on Spotify Ali's "Birthday: Fun & Upbeat" playlist on Spotify Follow Keira: Instagram @keiradamato Twitter @KeiraDAmato 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

12 Nov 20201h 15min

"What makes this my dream job is realizing that I can make a difference just by showing up, just by being a woman and a woman of color, and showing up in this space and holding this space and being proud of the work that I'm doing — knowing that we stand for something more than just running, and that we're showing that as an athlete and as a running brand, you can stand for more than just the sport you do." Theresa Bradford just might have every runner's dream job: She's a sports marketing associate manager for Hoka One One, where she works with Hoka's 150 sponsored elite athletes. (Aliphine Tuliamuk! Steph Bruce! Kellyn Taylor!) On this episode, Theresa talks about getting her start working in Hoka's customer service department, and working her way up to her current position. (Pro tip: Ask for what you want!) She gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it's really like working in the running industry, and talks about the important work she's doing as part of Hoka's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team. 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 Theresa: Instagram @theresabford 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!

9 Nov 202052min

"Failing is your jumping off point. It's not the end of the story — it's the beginning. It's one chapter in your story, and you have the whole rest of the book to change the outcome." Bree Koegel is an absolute delight. She's a former professional dancer turned fitness instructor, and is currently a trainer on the FitOn app. (She first appeared on the Ali on the Run Show on Episode 120. Check it out!) On this episode, Bree — a new mom to four-month-old Tuck! — closes out the Feel-Good Fridays series by talking about the importance of finding joy within, and explaining how, exactly, to do that. Plus, she talks about accepting failure and creating a HIIT routine for self-love. (Burpees optional. Modifications highly encouraged!) SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN for $10 off! Follow Bree: Instagram @breekoegel 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

6 Nov 202035min