Ali on the Run Show

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446. Erin "Mrs. Space Cadet" Azar, New York City Marathoner Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

"My whole life, I didn't think I was funny or anything. So when people say that, or when they say I inspire them, my brain is immediately like, 'No, no you don't, don't listen, they're lying!' The New York City Marathon completely changed that for me. Meeting people in person for the first time…it really made it real for me."

She's baaaaack — and this time, she's a New York City Marathoner! Erin Azar — best known online as Mrs. Space Cadet — became a viral sensation when she started running after having her third child, documenting the process for her TikTok and YouTube fans. Erin was on the Ali on the Run Show in February talking about her rise to internet superstardom. Now, she returns to the show as an official New York City Marathoner. On this episode, Erin shares all the details from her New York City experience, from the pre-race adventures on foot to the journey to the start line, and every meaningful step in between the Verrazzano Bridge and the finish line. Along the way, Erin raised more than $76,000 for Team Fox, which supports Parkinson's disease research — a cause close to Erin's heart, since her dad lives with Parkinson's. (Her goal is to hit $100,000, and they are accepting donations until the end of the month. Click here to help get Erin a few dollars closer to $100K!) Watch Erin's full recap from the day here. Dare you not to cry at the 13-minute mark!

SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

How it feels to be a New York City Marathoner (2:30)
The moment from NYC that Erin keeps going back to in her mind (6:00)
Erin's journey to the New York City Marathon (12:30)
Training reflections (17:15)
How the day before the race played out (25:00)
The journey to the start line (33:45)
What was going through Erin's head at the start, and what she thought about the Verrazzano Bridge (40:00)
Erin's journey through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx (44:00)
That finish line feeling (59:00)
All about appearing on the Today show on Marathon Monday (1:05:00)
What's next for Erin? (1:09:00)

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445. The Everyday Runner, Chloe Rosen Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

"Running doesn't break us. It teaches us to bend."

By very popular demand: Welcome to Season 2 of The Everyday Runner series! For the next five weeks, we'll hear from runners who are just like you and me. They are women who love running and who care about it deeply — but they don't do this professionally, and they have jobs, families, responsibilities, and busy lives off the run. They are the everyday runner.

To kick off Season 2, meet Chloe Rosen! Chloe is the real-life runner behind the popular "Your Best Running Friend" Instagram account. And no wonder it's funny: Chloe is an actor and comedian whose work has been featured on Comedy Central, Funny or Die, and College Humor! (Check out her hit web series "Dating My TV.") On this episode, Chloe talks about her road to improv and sketch comedy greatness, and about how she found running along the way. (It involves a breakup. Relatable!) She talks about how her relationship with her body has ebbed and flowed over the years, about learning not to compare herself to Past Chloe, and about how she was feeling before running the New York City Marathon last weekend.

SPONSOR: COROS — Use code ONTHERUN for a free keychain watch charger with the purchase of any COROS watch!

What you'll get on this episode:

On the post-wedding comedown — and how it compares to the post-race comedown (5:15)
What Chloe's childhood was like (10:15)
On teaching English in India, and how it changed Chloe's life (22:25)
How Chloe broke into comedy (31:20)
How Chloe found running (44:25)
All about "Your Best Running Friend" (50:00)
How Chloe's relationship with running has evolved (58:50)
Pre-NYC Marathon thoughts (1:06:15)

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444. Emma Bates, 2nd Place Finisher at the Chicago Marathon Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

"I really want to represent the country, and I want to make that the focus of my entire year."

Last month, Emma Bates was among the thousands of runners who ran the Chicago Marathon on a very hot, very humid day. But the weather didn't bring her down: Emma finished second that day, earning herself a spot on the podium and a new personal best time in the marathon (2:24:20). On this episode, the professional runner for Asics reflects on that day in Chicago, and shares the lessons she learned when the running got tough. She talks about her emotional 2020, including missing a spot on Team USA at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, and then traveling to Europe afterward and getting a bad case of Covid-19 (which she hates talking about). Then, she talks about returning to the roads for the Marathon Project, and about her decision to join Team Boss and to be coached by Joe Bosshard. Plus, all about her weekend spectating at the TCS New York City Marathon (where she was best friend Laura Thweatt's "person"), and her excitement about earning a spot on next year's world championship team in the marathon.

SPONSOR: Napa Valley Marathon & Half Marathon — Registration is now open for next year's races. Click the link and secure your spot today for these fast, scenic races on March 6, 2022.

What you'll get on this episode:

On being Laura Thweatt's "person" during the New York City Marathon (4:00)
How Emma celebrated after the Chicago Marathon, and how recovery is going (12:00)
Emma's 2022 plans, hopes, and dreams (18:30)
What Emma remembers most from Chicago (21:10)
Emma's pre-race conversation with coach Joe Bosshard, what Emma's like on race day, and all about "methodical patience" (25:30)
When the race got hard (29:00)
On running and grief (33:00)
What the last mile of the Chicago Marathon was like, and what happened after the race (36:00)
Reflecting on the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, and getting Covid after (45:00)
Reflecting on the 2020 Marathon Project (51:00)
All about joining Team Boss (52:00)
On being an emotional runner (1:00:00)
What's next for Emma? (1:02:00)

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443. My 2021 New York City Marathon Experience Nov 11, 2021

Show notes

"I love what I do. I didn't know any of these jobs existed a few years ago. I didn't know I could be a podcaster, I didn't know I could be a race announcer. Now that I'm not only doing them, but I feel really fulfilled…and I know that can be fleeting. So I'm really basking in it."

After more than 700 days, the TCS New York City Marathon was back this weekend! And I had the best week ever — without even running the marathon! On this episode, I'm talking all about my week in New York City, where I did my best to master the balance between work and pleasure. (I'm giving myself a solid A+ on that assignment.) I talk (in excessive detail) about all of the work and all of the play, from live shows and finish line race announcing to earning a new 5K PR, galavanting around the city, and seeing as many friends as possible. And, unsurprisingly, I shed a few tears along the way.

SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

All about my week in New York City (1:45)
Listener Q&A (1:08:45)

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442. LIVE from the New York City Marathon Nov 06, 2021

Show notes

"I wasn't going to let a few bad laps on a circle in Asia redefine how I feel about myself. And I've been that way with the good things, too. The last Olympics, I was on a circle in South America and it went differently, it went great. And it's fun, and it's way more fun to do well, but also, this is a game. I'm choosing to commit my life to this game, and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose."

It's New York City Marathon week! And I had the pleasure of getting to host a live show with New Balance at the 1 Hotel Central Park South with an all-star panel of guests: professional athletes Emma Coburn and Dani Jones, Peloton instructor Selena Samuela, and Stolen Starts ambassador Lizeth Aparicio. This wide-ranging conversation covered everything from the highlight reel to the blooper reel. Emma talked about processing this year's Olympics, Dani talked about transitioning from a college all-star to a professional athlete, Selena talked about the pressure to perform live to thousands of fans, and Lizeth talked about the intersection of running and activism in her life. Big thanks to everyone who joined us in that beautiful room, and good luck to everyone running the greatest marathon in the world. You got this!

SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to learn all about the conversations New Balance is having to promote mental wellness.

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441. Ask Ali! Nov 05, 2021

Show notes

"I don't 'have it all.' I have toilet paper in my pocket for Crohn's disease emergencies."

Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we've got listener questions about "having it all," wedding planning, early morning races, podcast sponsorship, and more. Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy!

If you want to be part of a future "Ask Ali" episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever's on your mind! I can't wait to hear from you!

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

You asked:

On the topic of "having it all" (6:10)
All about wedding planning (16:25)
All about the 2022 Clearwater Running Festival (24:30)
How would I pick the marathon world teams? (30:50)
My must-haves for a one-year-old child (34:40)
How to prepare for an early race start (39:50)
What does it mean when a podcast episode is sponsored? (42:55)

Check out:

Clearwater Running Festival (Use code ONTHERUN for 20% off all distances!)

Sheraton Sand Key Resort

Fast Women newsletter

Stacking cups

Fisher-Price walker

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440. Catching Up with Laura Thweatt Nov 04, 2021

Show notes

"I can do this. I am more capable than I give myself credit for. I can bet on myself. I can show up on race day, on that start line, and be confident in what I've done and know there's no reason why I can't go out there and have the race of my life."

The last time Laura Thweatt was on the Ali on the Run Show, she had just finished fifth at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta. (Listen to that episode here.) She was running professionally for Saucony (still true) and training with coach Joe Bosshard and the Team Boss crew in Boulder, CO (no longer true!). On this episode, Laura offers an update on life after Team Boss. She talks about her decision to step away from her training group, and shares the news about her new coach and training plan. She also talks all about the work she's done leading up to this weekend's New York City Marathon. Laura is a 2:25 marathoner who made her marathon debut in New York City in 2015. Now, she's heading back to the start line in Staten Island with big goals, big dreams, and some big life changes happening behind the scenes. Plus, reality TV talk, Laura's hilarious story of her interaction with Des Linden after the Trials, and so much more.

SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.

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439. Dr. Abby Bales Takeover Edition Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

"You're honestly doing a really good job. I know all you see is all the ways you think you're failing. But I promise, you're doing OK, and no one has it all figured out, despite what you see on Instagram! Stop scrolling. Read a book."

In 2019, I interviewed Dr. Abby Bales — a pelvic floor physical therapist and the owner and founder of Reform Physical Therapy — as part of the Ali on the Run Show's Motherhood Mondays series. Ever since, Abby has asked when I would be willing to flip the script; when I would be willing to hand over the microphone so I could answer her questions. And today is that day. Welcome to the Dr. Abby on the Run Show! On this episode, Abby is in control, asking me questions about Crohn's disease, motherhood, life with a chronic illness, running, career stuff, and how they all intersect. (Listen to Dr. Abby's previous conversations on the Ali on the Run Show here, here, and here.)

SPONSOR: The AGA IBD Parenthood Project — Follow the link for resources and support on your own journey navigating parenthood and life with an inflammatory bowel disease.

What you'll get on this episode:

Why now? (4:40)
My Crohn's disease story (7:45)
On Crohn's and the decision to have children (10:45)
My experience with postpartum anxiety… (16:00)
…and my decision to finally start therapy (20:45)
On having a support system (29:30)
Do I worry about Annie getting Crohn's? (36:15)
Talking to Annie about feelings (48:20)
How having a chronic illness has made me more resilient, and helped me better relate with people (52:00)
How Crohn's disease has affected my career (58:00)
How living in New Hampshire has helped my health (1:01:15)
What goals now seem possible? (1:06:00)

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438. Shalane Flanagan & Elyse Kopecky, Best Friends & Best-Selling Authors Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

"It's been fun to stand on the start line with really good friends and just feel like we're a team, in this together."

Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky are best friends — best friends who run, bake, and co-author best-selling cookbooks together! On this episode, Shalane and Elyse are here to talk about their latest cookbook (available now!), Rise & Run. They talk about the unexpected success and popularity of their Superhero Muffins, and admit that they never thought anyone would publish their first cookbook (Run Fast, Eat Slow), let alone turn it into a three-book series. They share their friendship story (and stories about tequila), talk about how motherhood has changed their relationship, and talk about how they're celebrating their 40th birthdays this year. Shalane talks about Project Eclipse — her quest to run all six World Marathon Majors in 42 days — and about how she's feeling heading in her sixth and final race, the New York City Marathon next weekend. And Elyse talks about training for her marathon debut, also in NYC. Lots to celebrate on this episode, from muffins and marathons to motherhood and more!

SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

How Shalane and Elyse are feeling heading into the New York City Marathon (4:30)
All about Rise & Run (7:15)
Shalane talks "taper" (14:45)
Shalane and Elyse talk NYC Marathon plans (20:20)
Shalane and Elyse share their friendship story (24:40)
What runs with Shalane and Elyse are like (35:00)
How Shalane and Elyse's friendship has changed since becoming mothers (39:35)
On Shalane's "runway looks" for Project Eclipse (48:40)
Shalane reflects on her Project Eclipse training (55:50)
Shalane's New York City Marathon advice (58:15)
Why Rise & Run is dedicated to parents and caregivers (1:04:45)

FOR MORE:

Listen to Shalane on Episode 242 of the Ali on the Run Show.

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437. The CIM OTQ Pacers Take on the Boston Marathon Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

"You have to honor the race by going and trying to do the best you possibly can."

In December 2019, three men — Menso de Jong, Chris Stehula, and Ken Rakestraw — led 72 women to Olympic Trials qualifying times at the California International Marathon. Soon after, they came on the Ali on the Run Show to share their stories. Before CIM, neither Menso, Chris, nor Ken had ever run 2:45 marathons before. But that day, they pulled it off. And, in the process of doing so, they each earned themselves Boston Marathon qualifying times. So now, Menso, Chris, and Ken are back on the Ali on the Run Show for another race recap episode — but this one is different. This time, the only people they were pacing were themselves, and there were plenty of highs, lows, and backward walks along the way. Enjoy hearing about their race day strategies (most of which did not go according to plan), what the rolling start in Boston was really like, and what lessons they learned on the course that day.

SPONSOR: The WineShine Half Marathon — Register today for the inaugural event, happening July 16, 2022. See you in Napa!

What you'll get on this episode:

How everyone's feeling after Boston (6:45)
The desire to run Boston (10:30)
What training for Boston looked like (13:30)
Everyone's plans for Boston (26:45)
What the start was like (37:00)
How the race broke down for everyone (44:15)
Highs and lows from the day (52:25)

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