Ali on the Run Show

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736. Jess McClain's 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials Recap Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

"Of course making the Olympic team would be amazing, but it's not going to define who I am. It's not an end-all-be-all for me."

When Jess McClain lined up at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials earlier this year, she did so as an under-the-radar, unsponsored, self-coached athlete — and she finished fourth, becoming the official Team USA Alternate in the marathon. Just a few weeks ago, Jess competed in the 10,000m at the U.S. Track & Field Trials, this time as a Brooks Running-sponsored (still self-coached) one to watch — and, again, she finished fourth! In this conversation, Jess talks about being a two-time fourth-place finisher at the Trials, and about how she reflects on each race. She breaks down the 10,000m race, talks about how life has changed since the Marathon Trials in February, and shares what's next.

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735. Elle Purrier St. Pierre's 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials Recap Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

"I went there to do a job, and that was to make the team."

New Balance Boston's Elle Purrier St. Pierre lined up at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials a total of five times — each time as the fastest-seeded athlete in the field. In this episode, Elle talks about racing the impressive 5000m and 1500m double, and making Team USA in both. She talks about the last-minute decision to race the 5000m, and the decision not to compete in the 5000m at the Olympics. Plus, her musings on motherhood, getting her first postpartum period at the Trials, and what it will take to medal in Paris.

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New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season.

What you'll get on this episode:

Who is getting more post-Trials attention: Elle or Ivan? (1:55)
What it's like competing at the Olympic Trials with a one-year-old (6:10)
How Elle is feeling two weeks after the Trials (9:25)
Elle's decision to double at the Trials, and why she won't double in Paris (10:30)
How Elle was feeling heading into the Trials, and her take on pressure (15:00)
Elle talks about racing the 5000m first round and Final — and getting her first postpartum period in the midst of it all (20:10)
What it was like winning the 5000m Final and making her second Olympic team (34:15)
How Elle recovered between the 5K and the 1500m (36:40)
Elle's mindset for the 1500m, and how the rounds played out (40:50)
Elle recaps the 1500m Final (47:20)
Elle's take on the recent 1500m times around the world (58:15)

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734. Emily Mackay's 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials Recap Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

"That's always my goal: to win. And I always think I can. I have the belief."

Emily Mackay is a World Indoor Championships bronze medalist. She's a 3:55.90 1500m runner. And she's going to the Olympics! Emily just raced the 1500m at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials, where she finished second, ran a huge personal best, and earned her spot on Team USA for this summer's Olympic Games in Paris. In this episode, the New Balance Boston athlete returns to the Ali on the Run Show to talk about how the rounds played out, how she finished so strong in that final, and what life has been like since.

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 Emily is feeling on the Trials, what it's like being a 3:55 1500m runner, and how making the Olympic team compares to making the World Indoor team (1:40)
What it was like rewatching the 1500m Final (9:55)
On running 3:55 to make Team USA (15:10)
The race plan, and how Emily stays calm when the plan doesn't go accordingly (21:40)
What happened after the Final (30:40)
How Emily was feeling heading into the rounds (33:45)
All about that Semi-Final (37:10)
Emily breaks down the day of the 1500m Final (42:00)
What's next for Emily (1:04:00)

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733. Juliette Whittaker's 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials Recap Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

"When I crossed the line, I was in so much shock. I kept having to check the board to make sure I was reading it right!"

Juliette Whittaker is a college student who just finished third in the Women's 800m race at the Olympic Track and Field Trials, and will be going to Paris later this summer to represent Team USA at the Olympics. A college student. Going to the Olympics. In this conversation, the Stanford University junior (who has an NIL deal with On) returns to the Ali on the Run Show to talk about what it took to make Team USA in a very dramatic final.

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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.

What you'll get on this episode:

When Juliette started dreaming about becoming an Olympian (2:55)
What it's like becoming an Olympian alongside Juliette's sister, Isabella, and what life has been like since the Trials (6:00)
How Juliette is feeling now (16:00)
What it was like arriving in Eugene before the Trials, and all about the first round of the Women's 800m (19:45)
All about the Semi-Final, where Juliette finished fourth (24:20)
How Juliette prepared for the 800m Final (32:00)
Juliette breaks down the 800m Final (38:50)
The aftermath (52:50)

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732. Weini Kelati's 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials Recap Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

"Oh my god, I'm going to the Olympics!"

Weini Kelati came into the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials as the American Record Holder in the half marathon, and as the only athlete in the women's 10,000m field with the Olympic Standard. She was the one to watch — and for good reason. In a thrilling finish, the Flagstaff-based Under Armour athlete won the race and earned her spot on Team USA for this summer's Olympic Games in Paris. In this episode, Weini talks about her confidence going into the race, about her preference for fast races over slow ones, and about what life has been like since making her first Olympic team.

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:

What's next for Weini Kelati? (2:15)
How Weini is feeling post-Trials (5:00)
What it was like competing at Hayward Field, where so much has happened for Weini (8:30)
On being the one to watch, and being the only athlete in the field with the Olympic Standard (13:50)
What it was like having Weini's high school coach at the race (19:45)
How confident Weini was feeling heading into the 10,000m final (22:00)
What it was like walking onto the track at Hayward Field (31:10)'
On having the confidence to compete on the world stage (38:10)
The team processing experience (40:10)
What training will look like between now and the Olympics (48:00)
How it feels to achieve the ultimate American Dream (51:00)
Weini's advice for how to improve your confidence (54:15)

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731. Kate Grace's 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials Recap Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

"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)

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730. Chris Chavez's 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials Recap Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

"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.

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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)

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729. Nikki Hiltz & Emma Gee's 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials Recaps Jul 07, 2024

Show notes

"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!

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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)

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728. Keira D'Amato's 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials Recap Jul 04, 2024

Show notes

"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.

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727. Dakotah Lindwurm & Annie Frisbie, Minnesota Distance Elite Teammates & Best Friends Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

"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)

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