Ali on the Run Show

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516. Jess Sims, 2022 Boston Marathon Recap May 05, 2022

Show notes

"She said, 'This is how it was supposed to be. This is how it was supposed to feel.' And at that moment, I realized the magnitude of what we gave to each other."

Fan favorite Jess Sims is back — and this time, she returns to the Ali on the Run Show as a marathoner! On April 18, the beloved Peloton instructor surprised the world by showing up at the start (and finish!) line of the Boston Marathon. And she had a good reason for keeping her marathon debut on the down-low. In this very special conversation, Jess talks about receiving a fateful message from Boston Marathon bombing survivor Michele Blackburn last December — a message that ultimately guided Jess every step of the way toward that finish line on Boylston Street. Jess talks about her training, about how she felt on the start line, and about why she still feels marathon imposter syndrome, even after earning that blue and yellow medal. (You'll want tissues on hand 17 minutes into this one. You've been warned.)

SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.

What you'll get on this episode:

How Jess is celebrating — her dog's birthday, that is (4:40)
All about that fateful message from Michele Blackburn (6:25)
What happened after Jess committed to running the Boston Marathon, and what her training was like (23:30)
Why Jess kept her Boston Marathon plans a secret (34:50)
Why Jess gets nervous talking about her marathon experience (42:15)
How Jess was feeling when she arrived in Boston (46:00)
The ride to the start line (50:00)
What it was like running the 2022 Boston Marathon (56:00)
On seeing Michele at the finish line (1:01:45)
The physical and emotional recovery (1:05:30)
Running with Usain Bolt! (1:16:35)

For more, check out:

Jess Sims on Episode 261 of the Ali on the Run Show

Kirsten Ferguson on Episode 505 of the Ali on the Run Show

Becs Gentry on Episode 379 of the Ali on the Run Show

Matt Wilpers on Episode 398 of the Ali on the Run Show

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515. Lottie Bildirici, Author of Running on Veggies May 02, 2022

Show notes

"It was the fear of the unknown — but that was what I loved also. I don't want to do something I know I could finish or know I could do. I want to do this thing that's going to be really hard… and there was no stopping me."

At 14 years old, Lottie Bildirici — a lifelong New Yorker — went from being a happy-go-lucky high schooler to a cancer patient. A lump on her neck turned out to be Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and Lottie immediately began chemotherapy treatments. She was the sick kid. But as she recovered physically (and was given a cancer-free diagnosis!), Lottie realized she had lost her identity. Who was she without cancer? And it was running that helped her redefine herself. Lottie completed a half-marathon at Disney World, and a passion for the sport was immediately ignited. She started learning more about health and nutrition — but soon lost her way. In this conversation, Lottie talks about growing up in the kitchen, and about how a love for food led her down a scary path with orthorexia and recurring stress fractures. She talks about creating her blog and Instagram account, Running on Veggies, and about working with professional athletes including Kara Goucher and Stephanie Bruce. Today, Lottie is a nutrition coach for adidas, she's an Ironman triathlete (she completed her first Ironman on the 10-year anniversary of her cancer diagnosis), and she's a published author. Her first cookbook, Running on Veggies, came out earlier this year.

SPONSOR: The WineShine Half Marathon — Register today for the inaugural event, happening July 16, 2022, and use code ONTHERUN to get $25 off your registration. See you in Napa!

What you'll get on this episode:

What Lottie had for breakfast today, and how she's celebrating life right now (6:10)
Lottie's love for cooking (8:00)
On writing a cookbook (10:30)
What life was like for Lottie in high school, when she received a life-changing diagnosis (12:00)
How Lottie started running, and her experience with orthorexia and recurring stress fractures (23:15)
How Lottie started working with professional athletes including Kara Goucher and Stephanie Bruce (35:25)
What it's like when Lottie works one-on-one with clients (39:50)
Lottie's food philosophy (43:00)
Lottie's job with adidas, and what a day in the life of Lottie Bildirici looks like (45:00)
Lottie's decision to complete an Ironman on the 10-year anniversary of her cancer diagnosis (48:15)
The role running plays in Lottie's life right now (55:00)

For more, check out:

Jonathan Cane on Episode 313 of the Ali on the Run Show

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514. Adrianne Haslet, 2022 Boston Marathon Recap Apr 28, 2022

Show notes

"I can close my eyes still and remember every sign and every person's face and every dog. I can remember all of it. It was a true unicorn of a day."

Adrianne Haslet went through hell to get to the start line of the 2022 Boston Marathon. But she got there. And then, she started in Hopkinton and ran 26.2 miles — with guide Shalane Flanagan by her side every step of the way — to cross the finish line on Boylston Street. Adrianne and Shalane finished the race in 5:18:14, coming in fourth place in the para athletics division. Today, Adrianne returns to the Ali on the Run Show to share every detail of what she calls the best day of her life. ("It sounded like a Rocky movie the whole way," she says.) Plus, Adrianne's favorite moments from the course, all about that finish line feeling, and what "Boston Strong" means to her.

SPONSOR: Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

Adrianne's Boston Marathon expectations — and how reality compared (3:00)
How Adrianne is recovering after Boston, and who's in her village (6:15)
How Adrianne spent her weekend leading up to Marathon Monday (13:50)
All about race morning (27:40)
Adrianne's stories from the church in Hopkinton (34:50)
Adrianne and Shalane's race plan (44:30)
The start line and the early miles (46:30)
All about the support along the way (53:05)
On making it to the Boston Marathon finish line (1:04:10)
What does Boston Strong mean to Adrianne? (1:07:00)

For more, check out:

Adrianne Haslet on Episode 506 of the Ali on the Run Show

Adrianne Haslet on Episode 192 of the Ali on the Run Show

Adrianne Haslet in the Washington Post

Cortney White on Episode 447 of the Ali on the Run Show

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513. Nell Rojas, 2022 Boston Marathon Recap Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

"This is the time in my life where I'm trying to do whatever I can to be the fastest I can and get the furthest in running that I can. So anything that is not working toward that goal just doesn't make any sense."

For the second year in row, professional marathoner Nell Rojas had a big day in Boston. She finished 10th overall at the 126th Boston Marathon, running a personal best (2:25:57), and finishing as the top U.S. woman in the field. In this conversation, Nell talks Boston beyond the numbers. She talks about the pre-race press conference and about breaking some big news before the race: After signing with adidas earlier this year, Nell recently ended that partnership in favor of racing in shoes that she felt better suited her body. She talks about that difficult decision, and about how it weighed on her during her Boston build-up. Plus, she talks about her pre-race routine, about how the race played out, and about what's next.

SPONSOR: The WineShine Half Marathon — Register today for the inaugural event, happening July 16, 2022, and use code ONTHERUN to get $25 off your registration. See you in Napa!

What you'll get on this episode:

All about Nell's Boston buildup (4:30)
The Boston Marathon press conference experience (8:40)
Nell talks about sponsorship stuff (11:00)
How Nell decided what to wear on the run (17:40)
Nell's goals for this year's Boston Marathon (20:15)
How the race played out (26:30)
How this year's race compared to Boston 2021 (29:30)
Nell's pre-race routine (33:30)
What the later miles in the race were like (37:20)
Nell's High / Low / High from Marathon Monday (42:35)
What happens after the finish line (46:10)
What's next on the sponsorship front and beyond (49:40)

For more, check out:

Nell Rojas & Hiruni Wijayaratne on Episode 484 of the Ali on the Run Show

Nell Rojas on Episode 434 of the Ali on the Run Show

Nell Rojas on Episode 431 of the Ali on the Run Show

Nell Rojas on Episode 229 of the Ali on the Run Show

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512. Beyond the Run with Tunde Oyeneyin Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

"When our smartphones are at 10 percent, we panic. We freak out… When our bodies are running on 10 percent, when our headspace is running on 10 percent, why don't we have that same sense of urgency to look for an outlet, to recharge? We keep going. We allow ourselves to fully deplete before we ask to borrow a charger."

Peloton instructor — and newly published author — Tunde Oyeneyin returns to the Ali on the Run Show today. In this conversation, Tunde reflects on how her life has changed since she was last on the show in December 2020. Her Peloton classes are now taken by hundreds of thousands of people. She has amassed more than 520,000 followers on Instagram. She's the face of Revlon, and the host of the Fitness Flipped podcast. And her first book, Speak, comes out next month. Today, Tunde talks about her running journey: why she runs, when she craves a run, and what keeps her running. Plus, she offers advice on boundary setting, saying no ("Every time I say no to someone, I feel myself getting my power back"), getting unstuck, and so much more.

SPONSOR: New Balance — Go to newbalance.com/beyondtherun to learn more about how New Balance is supporting the conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out my current favorite pullover, crop top, half-zip top, quilted pullover, and jacket.)

What you'll get on this episode:

Tunde Oyeneyin, podcast host! (3:55)
What mental wellness means to Tunde, and how she has learned to say no and set boundaries (8:30)
Tunde's running journey (18:50)
The downsides to all the good stuff (27:30)
All about Tunde's new book, Speak (32:00)
Tunde's advice for how to find your voice (40:00)
How to get un-stuck, and how to figure out what's next (43:50)
How Tunde recharges (53:00)

For more, check out:

Tunde Oyeneyin on Episode 311 of the Ali on the Run Show

Kirsten Ferguson on Episode 505 of the Ali on the Run Show

Follow Tunde:

Instagram @tune2tunde

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511. My 2022 Boston Marathon Experience Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

"This weekend I was like, 'I just want to be me, and see where I can go with that. I don't want to conform. I don't want to turn off who I am to fit into the existing landscape.'"

After 1,099 days, the Boston Marathon was back on Patriots Day! And I was there! On this episode, I'm talking (for a very long time) all about my weekend in Boston, where I hosted a live show with Tracksmith (listen to it here), was the post-race on-camera interviewer for the world feed broadcast (!!!), and made my Boston Marathon finish line announcing debut. It was a nonstop weekend filled with great people, exciting events, and a big leap out of my comfort zone and onto live (global!) television. So before we get into the interviews with people who ran the race (Nell Rojas and Adrianne Haslet, coming next week!), here's my recap of the 2022 Boston Marathon from the sidelines, the media trucks, the finish line, and the photo bridge.

SPONSOR: Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

All about Friday fun: press conferences, The TRACK at New Balance, and more (4:40)
The Saturday sessions: B.A.A. 5K spectating, introverting, Tracksmith live show, and more (23:15)
Easter Sunday celebrations: running and family time (37:00)
How I got these jobs (41:15)
Behind the scenes of the broadcast prep work (48:20)
All about Marathon Monday! (57:20)
Listener Q&A (1:20:20)

Mentioned in this episode:

Jacky Broersma on Episode 504 of the Ali on the Run Show

Erin Azar on Episode 446 of the Ali on the Run Show

Jenna Fesemyer on Episode 508 of the Ali on the Run Show

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510. LIVE at the Boston Marathon with Emily Saul & Anoush Arakelian Apr 17, 2022

Show notes

Boston is BACK! It was such a privilege to get to host a live recording of the Ali on the Run Show at the Tracksmith Trackhouse during the 2022 Boston Marathon weekend, with the ever-delightful recent podcast guests Anoush Arakelian and Emily Saul. This conversation was filled with great advice, hilarious stories, and — because why not? — dating talk. Thank you to Tracksmith for hosting us; thank you to Emily and Anoush for the wit, wisdom, and laughter; and thank you to everyone who joined and was part of the fun!

SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 for free shipping, plus 5% of the proceeds from your order will be donated to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation!

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509. Ask Ali with Guest Host Laura Green Apr 15, 2022

Show notes

"The people who read my blog and supported me — whether we met in real life or from afar — they saved my life on my worst days."

Laura Green is a runner, a mom to two boys, and a dear friend — and today, she's a podcast host! On this edition of Ask Ali, returning Ali on the Run Show guest Laura is here to do all the question asking, reading your questions from Instagram (and coming up with a few of her own). We do a chronological Ali deep dive, from the college days, to the pre-podcast blogging days, to life today with a 3.5-year-old.

SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order!

Laura asks:

The warm-up round (3:30)
"Pre-podcast Ali" questions (10:40)
Podcast-related questions (27:00)
Parenting questions (42:00)

For more, check out:

Laura Green on Episode 157 of the Ali on the Run Show

Hotel Lobby Spa Candle

lululemon Wunder Train Bra

lululemon Enlite Bra

Tracksmith Allston Bra

Follow Laura:

Instagram @lauramcgreen

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508. Jenna Fesemyer, Team USA Wheelchair Athlete Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

"Doctors said when I was born that I would be the last one to sit up, the last one to crawl, the last one to stand and walk. Well, I was the first to do all those things."

Jenna Fesemyer was born with a birth defect called proximal femoral focal deficiency, where one leg is shorter than the other. At one year old, she had her foot amputated. And she immediately defied her doctors' expectations. As a teenager, she discovered wheelchair racing, and now, she's a Paralympian who represented Team USA in Tokyo last summer. (The Paralympic marathon was just the beginning of Jenna's fall marathon season: She then raced the London, Chicago, Boston, and New York City Marathons.) This weekend, Jenna heads to Boston where she will race in the professional women's wheelchair division in both the B.A.A. 5K on Saturday and the Boston Marathon on Monday. Jenna is sponsored by Oiselle, and she is currently studying education policy at the University of Illinois (and she'll begin her doctorate program in the fall!).

SPONSOR: Shokz — Use code OTR15 for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

What's making Jenna happy right now (3:50)
All about wheelchair racing and training safety (4:45)
Jenna's plans for Boston Marathon weekend, and why she's able to race so frequently (7:20)
Reflecting on the 2021 Boston Marathon (16:30)
All about Jenna's childhood, and living with proximal femoral focal deficiency (20:10)
How Jenna got into wheelchair racing (24:40)
Jenna explains her positioning in her chair (32:30)
Jenna's Paralympic dreams, and the choices and sacrifices she has had to make to pursue them (34:20)
How Jenna became a Oiselle-sponsored athlete (41:20)
What Jenna wishes people understood about adaptive athletes (43:00)
How to spot Jenna at the Boston Marathon (51:50)

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507. Friendship Fest with Silvana Morgan and Yuma Haidara Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

"She's my person."

Silvana Morgan is a nurse, a runner, and a mom to two daughters. A few years ago, she was running a race when she saw a fellow runner up ahead wearing "a really cute outfit." But when the course split — half marathoners to the left, other race distances to the right — Silvana, who is from Brazil and says she's now living her dream with her family in New Hampshire, didn't get a chance to meet that runner and tell her she liked her outfit. That runner, it turned out, was commercial truck driver, marathoner, and outdoor enthusiast Yuma Haidara. Later that day, Yuma posted about her race in New Hampshire's She Runs This Town Facebook group. Silvana saw the post, recognized the woman in the photo as the woman from the race, and a friendship was born. The two — now best friends — have been inseparable ever since. This is their friendship story.

SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code ALI22 to get free shipping. Plus, Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase proceeds to the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.

What you'll get on this episode:

How Yuma and Silvana met (4:20)
What it was like when Yuma and Silvana met in person for the first time (7:40)
On running and racing together, and Silvana's tips for stroller running (10:25)
How Silvana started running (12:45)
How Yuma knew her friendship with Silvana was special (15:00)
What Silvana's childhood was like growing up in Brazil (16:30)
All about Yuma's 2021 New York City Marathon race — in a pair of Oofos sandals (19:20)
Silvana's road to becoming a nurse (27:30)
What's next on the run for Yuma and Silvana? (31:00)
All about the Mount Washington Road Race — where "there's only one hill" (39:30)
How work is going for Yuma and Silvana (46:00)
All about Yuma's Oofos commercial! (48:50)
All about Silvana and Yuma's matching racing outfits (54:00)
Pride (1:00:30)