33. Natalie Morales, TODAY Show Anchor & Host of Access Hollywood

"I don’t need to know I’m going to do it, but I need to be open to the idea that I can do it."  Let the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials recaps continue! Today: Kate Grace, who just competed at her fourth Olympic Trials in the 800m. In this episode, Kate breaks down all the details from all three rounds of the 800, including her stressful-for-the-fans strategy for the first round, flying into the scoreboard at the line during the semi-finals, and what it was like being a part of that emotional final. Plus, Kate shares some big news about what's next. SPONSOR:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN training essentials pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. What you’ll get on this episode: How Kate’s feeling post-Trials (3:00) Kate’s self-belief evolution (8:40) Kate’s message to the athletes who didn’t make Team USA (13:40) The races from the Trials that Kate is still thinking about, and what it was like watching her own races (16:45) All about the days leading up to the Trials (22:30) Kate recaps round one (27:30) Kate recaps the semi-final, her “round of death,” and that tumble at the line (38:50) All about the 800m final (56:00) What’s next for Kate Grace? (1:14:30) On celebrating “the moments” (1:22:00) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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!

10 Juli 20241h 25min

"I like to go hard at these events, work myself to the bone, and bring people as much track and field content as they can take." Few people love track and field more than Chris Chavez. In this episode, Chris talks about his experience at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials with Citius Mag. Chris and his team produced three live shows every day of the Trials, conducted countless mixed zone interviews, and acted as a nonstop hype machine for the duration of the event.  SPONSOR:  New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season. What you’ll get on this episode: What’s next for the Citius Mag crew? (2:20) Citius’s greatest hits from the Trials (14:15) How Citius books guests for the shows at the Trials (19:15) The races Chris is still thinking about after the Trials (25:40) On watching the races in person and from the mixed zone (29:20) The highest high from the Trials (37:45) …and the lowest low (48:30) Life at Citius Mag in the post-Kyle Merber era (51:20) Wedding planning, gifts from Kipchoge, and big dreams (54:10) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Juli 20241h 2min

"When I crossed the finish line, it was definitely joy, but I think more than anything, it was relief." Right before the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials, we heard from fan favorite guests Nikki Hiltz and Emma Gee. Nikki and Emma were headed into their events at the Trials with big dreams and goals. Emma wanted to make it to the 3000m Steeplechase final. And Nikki wanted to make Team USA in the 1500m. Today, Nikki and Emma return to the show to talk about how it all played out in Eugene. Nikki did, in fact, make Team USA in the 1500. And they didn't just make the team: Nikki won the whole thing. They cruised through the first round, won their heat in the semi-final, and then unleashed that signature Nikki kick to win the final in a personal best time of 3:55.33. Emma didn't end up making the Steeplechase final, but she certainly achieved her goal of being brave in the first round, even leading the race at one point. Next stop: Paris! SPONSOR:  Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. What you’ll get on this episode: On Olympic rings tattoos and Instagram bios (2:40) What the past few days have been like for Nikki since winning the 1500m final at the Olympic Track and Field Trials (5:00) Nikki breaks down the final 100m of the 1500m final, and whether or not they think this was a flawlessly executed race (15:00) Emma talks about racing the 3000m Steeplechase (19:10) Emma’s takeaways from competing at the Olympic Trials for the first time (32:15) Nikki recaps the first round of the 1500m (43:00) Nikki recaps the 1500m semi-final, which they won (47:05) Nikki recaps the 1500m final, which they also won! (51:50) The moment Nikki broke the tape (1:11:45) On getting to sign the Eiffel Tower (1:13:55) On allyship (1:19:10) All about the fun stuff Nikki gets to do now (1:22:30) What happens between now and Paris (1:26:05) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Juli 20241h 36min

"It was a lot of firsts. I'll be 40 in a couple months, and it's not too often that you get firsts to that degree. It was a really cool experience to feel that." Let the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials recaps begin! First up: Keira D'Amato, who just competed at her first Track Trials and finished 10th in the 10,000m. In this episode, Keira tells all, including where her mind and body were at heading into the race, how it all played out, and the fun people she saw along the way. She talks about her pre-race conversation with Parker Valby, shares some exciting updates about what's next, and talks about what it was like racing at Hayward Field for the first time. SPONSOR:  Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (Emma Bates and I are both Otters!) Use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your order. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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!

4 Juli 20241h 6min

"You get your medal outfit fitted for you, so when you are ideally on the stage, it looks perfect. And when I had it on and they were taking it in a little bit, I was like, 'I could do this. I could need this outfit.' And I really hope that I do." Dakotah Lindwurm and Annie Frisbie are training partners, teammates, and best friends. And so far, 2024 has been good to Dakotah and Annie on the run. The Puma-sponsored Minnesota Distance Elite athletes are fresh off personal bests in both the 10K (at the New York Mini 10K) and the half marathon. In this conversation, we hear about their respective races (including Annie's win) at the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Annie shares what her racing calendar looks like for the rest of 2024, and Dakotah talks about how her training is going in preparation for the Paris Olympics later this summer, where she will represent Team USA in the marathon. Plus, how life has changed for Dakotah since finishing third at the Olympic Marathon Trials earlier this year, and what she's doing to set herself up for maximum success in Paris. SPONSOR:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN training essentials pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. What you’ll get on this episode: How Dakotah is getting her workouts in — at the airport (3:00) What’s next for Annie on the run, and which races Annie and Dakotah are still thinking about after the first few days of the Track and Field Trials (8:00) All about Dakotah’s experience in Eugene for team processing (11:00) Dakotah and Annie recap their races at the New York Mini 10K (16:30) How Dakotah’s life has changed since making Team USA in February (24:55) Annie and Dakotah talk about their respective races and personal bests  and Annie’s win! — at the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (27:30) All about Annie’s real marathon debut (34:55) Dakotah’s approach to racing during her Paris build, and how she’s setting herself up for maximum success at the Olympics (41:10) On Annie and Dakotah’s “other” jobs (55:00) What Dakotah and Annie are excited about right now (58:50) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Juni 20241h 14min

"It was like, 'What if the worst thing happens and I don’t make the team?' And then it happened, and my life was fine. And then on the other end of it, last year I won the whole thing, which was really unexpected and cool…and my life also didn’t change. So I know that no matter what happens, I have a great life outside of this thing." Nikki Hiltz and Emma Gee return to the Ali on the Run Show as they both prepare to compete at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials in Eugene, OR. Nikki is hoping to make their first Olympic team in the 1500m, while Emma achieved her longtime goal to make it to the starting line of the 3000m steeplechase, and now has a new goal for the event. They talk about their coach/athlete/partner relationship, about how they're each feeling heading into the Trials, and about what they do to set themselves up for success on race day. SPONSORS:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN training essentials pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. goodr: Click here and use code ALI for free shipping on your entire order. What you’ll get on this episode: How Nikki and Emma are each feeling heading into the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials (2:45) What Nikki and Emma are packing for Eugene (7:30) Nikki’s approach to the Trials and the pressure that comes with competing when you’re at the top of your game (10:25) All about Emma’s goal to qualify for the 2024 Trials (15:10) Nikki and Emma talk about their coach/athlete/partner dynamic (24:35) How Nikki and Emma set themselves up for success on race day (27:40) What it’s been like being followed by a documentary crew (36:20) How Emma has approached her training (51:35) How Nikki approaches each round of competition (54:00) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Juni 20241h 21min

"I’m used to having to claw my way to prove myself to the people I need to prove myself to. But now, it’s more of a mentality I have: Keep your head down. There’s nothing glamorous about this sport. For me, it’s all hard work, show up, showcase your fitness, and then go celebrate with the people who really care about you." Amanda Vestri was the talk of the running scene last weekend, after her breakout road race at the New York Mini 10K. She finished fourth overall (Senbere Teferi won the race for the third year in a row), was the top American finisher, and ran 31:17 in a deep, star-studded field. In this conversation, the Syracuse University graduate and ZAP Endurance athlete talks about getting a huge confidence boost heading into the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials later this month where she'll race the 10,000m. Plus, why the 24-year-old likes racing with a chip on her shoulder, and her long-term plans and goals in this sport. FOLLOW AMANDA @a_vestri SPONSORS:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN training essentials pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season. What you’ll get on this episode: How Amanda is feeling after racing the Mini 10K in New York City (2:20) All about race morning (7:30) Amanda breaks down her race at the Mini 10K (10:20) On racing with a chip on her shoulder, and who Amanda looks up to in this sport (21:40) What it will take to make Team USA this year (28:45) On growing up with Olympic dreams (30:30) What Amanda was like as a kid, and how she became a runner (50:50) What training will look like between now and the Trials (53:50) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Juni 20241h 13min

"I’m trying to appreciate the peaks and the valleys — but there’s a lot of beauty in the hillside, too." Last year, Krissy Gear stormed on the steeplechase scene by taking the win at the 2023 USATF National Championships, earning her first national title and a spot on Team USA for the World Championships in Budapest. Now, Krissy is gearing up for this summer's U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials, and is officially one to watch in the 3000m steeplechase. In this conversation, Krissy talks about how she's feeling a few weeks out, about the pressure to perform when you're "one to watch," and about her passions off the track. Krissy lives in Flagstaff, AZ, and is a member of HOKA NAZ Elite.  SPONSOR:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN energy bar sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. What you’ll get on this episode: Krissy’s “work hard, play hard” mentality (5:00) Why Krissy became a runner (10:35) How Krissy ended up with HOKA NAZ Elite (17:40) Krissy reflects on her 2023 national title in the 3000m steeplechase (26:00) How Krissy is feeling with the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials looming (32:00) Eugene behind-the-scenes (42:50) On being one to watch at the Trials (48:40) What Krissy’s relationship is like with the NAZ Elite women’s marathoners (53:45) All about Krissy’s many tattoos (58:05) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter 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 Juni 20241h 12min