Ali on the Run Show3 Okt 2019

178. Ladia Albertson-Junkans, Ultra Runner & Best Friend to Gabe Grunewald

"Gabe was all about trying her best, whereas I was more about striving for perfection. And thankfully, I had Gabe in my life to show me what that really meant — trying your best — and why that was so much better than striving for perfection."

Ladia Albertson-Junkans is a collegiate cross-country runner turned ultramarathoner. Most recently, Ladia ran the Western States 100, and followed that up by running the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Timberline Trail around Mount Hood. Ladia is also well known in the running community as Gabe Grunewald's best friend. On this poignant episode, Ladia beautifully shares stories about Gabe, who passed away this summer. She talks about their friendship, including the sweet story of how they met, and opens up about being by Gabe's side during her final days. She talks about what it means to be brave, the role running played in her grieving process, and about learning how to say goodbye. Ladia also talks about how important it was to Gabe to make sure the Brave Like Gabe Foundation kept running and inspiring fellow cancer patients.

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:

On running the Fastest Known Time on the Timberline Trail around Mount Hood, including how Ladia felt Gabe's presence before and during the run (6:00)
On running Western States in June (19:40)
When does Ladia fit running into her busy life? (26:20)
How Ladia and Gabe met, and why Gabe wouldn't let Ladia quit running after college (27:30)
Ladia opens up about what Gabe's last few weeks were like, and shares a few stories about Gabe that speak to her remarkable character (33:45)
Ladia talks about that visit from Chip and Joanna Gaines (41:30)
Did Gabe know the impact she had on the world? (46:00)
What does it mean to live #BraveLikeGabe? (55:30)

What we mention on this episode:

Gabe Grunewald on Episode 62 of the Ali on the Run Show

Brave Like Gabe Foundation

Follow Ladia:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

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!

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(905)

902. Tara Rincón, News 12 Long Island Senior Content Producer

"It's such a rewarding job because you're working on things that affect your actual community. Some of the big stories are down the road from my house." When Tara Rincón was in college, she needed an ...

27 Aug 1h 19min

901. No Stupid Questions: The TMI Episode, with Ashley Desanno

"Don't let bodily things make you not show up." Welcome to the fourth episode in a new series on the Ali on the Run Show called "No Stupid Questions." This is where experts come in to answer everythin...

20 Aug 1h 5min

900. My 2026 SeaWheeze Recap

"The days leading up to this race were rough, and the days after have been bright and full of sunshine." For the first time since 2019, lululemon's SeaWheeze half marathon and festival were so back! I...

18 Aug 1h 27min

899. LIVE at lululemon SeaWheeze 2026 with Phily Bowden

"Chaos can be a part of the journey." For the first time since 2019, lululemon's wildly popular SeaWheeze half marathon and festival returned to Vancouver, British Columbia — and I was there! I hosted...

12 Aug 48min

898. Kara Goucher's 2026 City Tri Half Marathon Recap

"That's part of the loss. It isn't how it was. But that doesn't mean it's not worth doing." This past weekend, Kara Goucher ran her first half marathon in seven years, and her first since being diagno...

6 Aug 1h 34min

897. Jay Holder, USATF Chief Content & Communications Officer

"I'm starstruck every time I'm at a track meet and I get to be side by side with some of these incredible athletes. That has not worn off and I don't think it ever will. And I hope it never does." It...

30 Juli 1h 43min

896. Ask Ali!

"I am pro people and I am pro human rights." It's surgery week! I had a prophylactic laparoscopic bilateral salpingo oophorectomy on Monday (I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed), and I'm tryi...

23 Juli 1h 43min

895. Molly Seidel's 2026 Western States Recap (With Special Guest Molly Reidy)

"Being able to go into a race where you are a rookie, it opened me up to take chances I wouldn't necessarily take. In the marathon, I felt like I got so scared of failing that I was really hesitant to...

16 Juli 1h 41min