827. Nikki Hiltz’s 2025 USA Track & Field Outdoor National Championships 1500m Recap
"This was a really important step in my journey to feeling more like myself, and I’m really happy I did it." We heard from Nikki Hiltz right before they competed at the 2025 U.S. Track and Field Outdoor National Championships — and now they're back as a nine-time national champion. Fresh off winning their sixth straight U.S. 1500m title, Nikki returns to the show with their full race recap. Nikki talks about racing in the first round of the 1500m, and about watching their partner, Emma Gee, achieve her goal of making it to the 3000m Steeplechase Final. Then, Nikki breaks down all the details from the 1500m Final, including the race plan, the drama, the final kick, and the hour-long victory lap. Plus, Nikki shares some big personal news and talks about what's next on the run and off. FOLLOW NIKKI @nikkihiltz SPONSORS: New Balance: Click here to get your hands on the just-released Rebel v5! Shokz: Use code ALI for $10 off your next purchase. Code valid in the U.S. and Canada. In this episode: How Nikki is feeling after winning their sixth straight U.S. 1500m title, and their ninth national title (1:45) What Nikki will remember most about this race (2:50) Was Nikki really hoping to run the 5000m at USAs? (7:10) What it was like watching partner Emma Gee make the 3000m Steeplechase Final (9:40) On cruising through the first round of the 1500m (12:40) How Nikki and Emma spent their day off between rounds (15:45) How Nikki was feeling on the day of the 1500m Final (18:15) Nikki breaks down the 1500m Final (27:45) All about that hour-long victory lap (37:20) Nikki’s take on the new World Athletics-enforced mandatory sex testing (41:30) What it was like being at Hayward Field — as a fan — on the final day of competition (48:40) Nikki shares some personal news (53:10) What's next for Nikki on the run (1:12:50) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group 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!
6 Aug 1h 16min
826. Keira D’Amato’s 2025 U.S. Track & Field Outdoor National Championships 10,000m Recap
"It felt like I was playing with house money." Let the 2025 U.S. Track & Field Outdoor National Championships recaps begin! First up: Keira D'Amato, fresh off her first track race of the year. In this conversation, recorded just 48 hours after crossing the finish, Keira talks about racing the 10,000m, running 32:19, finishing seventh, and breaking the American Master's Record. She explains why she decided to race, shares what her goals and race plan were, and talks about how she feels about the outcome. In this episode: How Keira feels about her race at Nationals (2:30) Why racing in spikes is harder on the body than racing in super shoes on the roads (4:00) The last time Keira finished a race and felt satisfied (6:00) How Keira’s body is feeling post-10,000m (9:00) On arriving in Eugene, and what the atmosphere was like (14:10) Why Keira wore a GPS watch during the 10,000m Final (18:30) How Keira spent race day (22:00) Keira’s race plan, and the advice she got from coach Ed “Easy E” Eyestone (31:00) All about that American Master’s Record (34:15) Keira breaks down the race, and talks about when moves were made (39:20) Was it fun? (43:00) What happened after the race (49:55) Keira’s experience recording the audiobook for Don’t Call it a Comeback (58:00) SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order. Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I'm an Otter!) Use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group 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!
5 Aug 1h 6min
825. Jess Movold, Running & Strength Coach, on Life in the Third Trimester
"I'm excited, and also a little freaked out!" Jess Movold is a running and strength coach who lives in Austin, TX, with her husband and their son, Battle. Battle is appropriately named: He was born at just 26 weeks and 2 days, and spent 167 days in the NICU. Today, he's a happy, healthy three-year-old, and he's getting promoted to Big Brother this fall. In this episode, Jess talks about making it to the third trimester, and celebrates being "the most pregnant she's ever been!" She reflects on a pregnancy loss, and talks about how she's feeling on the run, at Hyrox, and in this new-to-her phase of life. Plus: The Hunting Wives, celebrity crushes, and so much more. SPONSOR: New Balance: Click here to get your hands on the just-released Rebel v5! Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group 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!
3 Aug 1h 23min
824. Nikki Hiltz on Competing at USA Track & Field Outdoor National Championships
"It feels really good — and it's a lot of pressure at the same time... I do have a target on my back, but that's fine." Happy USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships! Today, eight-time National Champion (and fan favorite!) Nikki Hiltz will compete in the first round of the 1500m, hoping to advance to the Final and, ultimately, earn a spot on Team USA for World Championships in Tokyo. In this conversation, recorded the night before the meet, Nikki talks about how they're feeling heading into the first round and what the energy is like in Eugene, OR, right now. FOLLOW NIKKI @nikkihiltz FOLLOW KICK @kickdocumentary SPONSORS: Boulderthon: Join me in Boulder, CO, on September 28, 2025! Click here to register for the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and kids run, and use code ALI for $20 off your marathon or half registration. goodr: Click here and use code ALI for $5 off your next order. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group 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!
31 Juli 48min
823. The Support Squad Series, Episode 3, with Michael Anne Bailey
"We really are having the best of times during the worst of times." I'm fresh off my third round of chemotherapy (round two was rough!), and am back on the couch recording with friends. This time for chemo, I was joined by my best friend (and former Dance Spirit colleague!) Michael Anne Bailey, and this is our recap from the day at the infusion center and the few days we spent together. We share our friendship origin story, gush about the things we love most about each other, and talk a lot about eyebrows. SPONSOR: New Balance: Click here to get your hands on the just-released Rebel v5! Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group 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!
25 Juli 1h 54min
822. A Look at Life Since Chemo Round 2
“A great thing about having cancer is people are so nice to you!” This is my attempt to catch you up on what life has looked like since Chemo Round 2. Buckle up! SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group 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!
23 Juli 1h 37min
821. Grant Fisher, Two-Time Olympic Bronze Medalist
Last summer, Grant Fisher made history by becoming the first American man to win Olympic bronze in both the 5000m and 10000m at the Paris Olympic Games. Last month, he dropped down in distance and ran an 11-second personal best at the Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic. Now, he's gearing up for the USATF Outdoor Championships, where he's hoping to land a spot on Team USA for this year's World Championships in Tokyo. In this episode, he talks about how his training is going, how he reflects on being an Olympian (never an under-dog again!), and what it was like being Faith Kipyegon's right-hand man during her Breaking 4 attempt. (Spoiler: If you don't already love Grant Fisher, you're about to love Grant Fisher.) FOLLOW GRANT @grantfisher_ SPONSORS: Boulderthon: Join me in Boulder, CO, on September 28, 2025! Click here to register for the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and kids run, and use code ALI for $20 off your marathon or half registration. New Balance: Click here to get your hands on the just-released Rebel v5! Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group 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!
17 Juli 1h 3min
820. Sofia Camacho, Nonbinary Runner, Drag Artist, & 2:29 Marathoner
"Ask questions. I always encourage people to ask me questions. If your question comes with good intentions, I’m not going to be mad at you for it! I’m not going to fault you for that. You just simply don’t know." Sofia Camacho is officially one to watch on the NYC running scene. The transgender nonbinary elite runner holds a 2:29:14 marathon personal best, won the nonbinary division at the 2024 New York City Marathon, and, this past weekend, broke the tape at the Bandit Grand Prix. By day, Sofia is a tattoo artist and coach at Mile High Run Club. And by night: Meet Xana Whoria. FOLLOW SOFIA @sof_camacho SPONSORS: Shokz: Use code ALI for $10 off your next purchase. Code valid in the U.S. and Canada. Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I'm an Otter!) Use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order. Oofos: The best in recovery footwear! Check out Oofos's 2025 Project Pink collection, where 10% of every purchase is donated to cancer research. In this episode: All about Sofia’s win at the Bandit Grand Prix (4:35) What Sofia’s racing for these days (9:35) All about Young Sofia and their childhood (12:45) Why Sofia started running during their junior year of high school in France (17:30) TW: Sofia’s experience as a sexual abuse victim (22:15) What it was like running cross country at Columbia University (34:45) Sofia’s plan for life after college and collegiate running (40:00) Sofia’s take on “grown-up” races (45:55) What Sofia needs or wants to see within the running community (59:00) All about Xana Whoria, Sofia’s drag persona (1:03:10) What’s next on the run for Sofia? (1:15:30) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group 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 1h 23min