Ali on the Run Show

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436. CJ Albertson, "The Guy Who Led the Boston Marathon for 21 Miles" Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

"It was a win-win either way. If they go with me, they're running my race, and that's great. And if they don't go with me, I have a huge lead at Boston, and that's pretty awesome, too!"

If you watched the 2021 Boston Marathon, you got to know CJ Albertson — or at least his face — pretty well. That's because CJ, who runs professionally for Brooks Running, took the lead in the men's elite race right from the start, and held it for 21 miles. He ran solo that entire time, gapping the rest of the field by two minutes at one point. After 21 miles, the pack caught up to CJ — who was also celebrating his birthday that day — but he was able to hang in and ultimately finished 10th. Those 21 miles at the front may have put CJ on the Boston map, but he's hardly new to the running scene. The California native is a 2:11 marathoner and cross-country and track coach at Clovis Community College. In 2019, he completed the indoor marathon world record challenge in 2 hours 17 minutes and 59 seconds. (That's 26.2 miles, indoors, on a 200-meter track!) Then, in 2020, CJ set an all-surface 50K world best time of 2:42:30, which he also ran on a track. CJ loves pursuing the fun side of running, and is always up for a challenge, whether it's leading the Boston Marathon or topping the leaderboard of every Peloton class he takes. All that and more, on this episode of the Ali on the Run Show.

SPONSOR: UCAN. Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order!

What you'll get on this episode:

What CJ's Boston recovery has been like (2:30)
On feeling like a star (6:30)
What the day before the race was like (8:30)
On praying before the race (17:00)
What it was like walking to the start line (23:50)
CJ's race plan, and how it played out (26:20)
On gapping the field — by two minutes — and eventually getting caught by the pack (35:15)
That finish line feeling (48:15)
CJ's love for Peloton (50:55)
What's next? (57:40)

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Instagram @cjalbertson

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435. Ask Ali! Oct 22, 2021

Show notes

"I think being sensitive can be a strength in many ways. It's OK to be sensitive. It's OK to be emotional. It's OK to have feelings. It's OK to care."

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 Center Stage (best movie ever), my ideal desserts, recent impulse purchases, finding a running coach, dealing with difficult people, 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:

Will I ever come run CIM? (4:30)
Which character from Center Stage would I love to hang out with? (7:35)
My ideal dessert bracket (10:55)
My best recent impulse buy (15:05)
How to find a running coach (19:45)
How to deal with unkind people (23:20)
What to know about running the Manchester City Marathon (31:30)

Check out:

High-rise flare jeans!

Chunky boots!

Mary Johnson on Episode 195 of the Ali on the Run Show

Kaitlin Goodman on Episode 160 of the Ali on the Run Show

Manchester City Marathon

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434. Nell Rojas, 2021 Boston Marathon Recap Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

"I hope that brands see the value in me and my future in running and what I have to offer to the running community."

On October 11, Nell Rojas ran her fourth marathon. In her Boston Marathon debut, Nell finished sixth overall, ran a personal best time of 2:27, and was the first American woman across the finish line. We heard from Nell before the race, and now she's back to recap every detail of race day. On this episode, Nell shares how she was feeling heading into the race, what race morning was like, and what it was like doing breathing exercises in a church nursery. She reflects on why her goal was to be first American that day, what that goal means to her now, and whether or not it matters. Plus, she shares fun stories from her post-race interviews and talks about what's next.

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

What you'll get on this episode:

Was Boston the best day of Nell's life? (2:45)
How Nell spent the day before the race (7:15)
On lining up behind Des Linden at the start, and what the pre-race technical meetings are like (10:45)
Choosing a race day outfit (15:00)
How Nell was feeling on race morning (18:20)
Nell's goals and her plan for race day (23:45)
Why Nell's goal was to be top American at Boston (32:20)
How Nell's race played out (38:25)
The finish line experience (48:00)
On being unsponsored, and what happens next (50:50)
Nell answers a listener question about protein (54:20)
What's next? (57:00)

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433. Jason Suarez, Professional Sports Photographer @notafraid2fail Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

"I just turned around and it was like, oh man, I'm an Olympic photographer. With that one click."

Jason Suarez — also known as @notafraid2fail — is one of the best, most sought-after photographers in running today. He has shot nearly every track and field event, every major marathon, and every athlete you know, love, and follow in this sport. And we recorded this conversation just a few days after Jason returned from a true dream-come-true experience: being an official photographer at the Olympic Games. He shot the track and field events inside Olympic Stadium, and dabbled in shooting new events, including gymnastics and swimming. But the Queens-born-and-raised former collegiate sprinter turned marathoner never planned for or expected this life. On this episode, Jason talks about his career trajectory — in addition to being a professional photographer, he also works for Apple — and about the importance of networking, relationships, and being a good person along the way. He talks about breaking into the industry, and shares his career highlights, including spending a week in Kenya with Eliud Kipchoge. Plus, he talks about feeling burned out and about questioning his next moves as a photographer.

SPONSOR: UCAN. Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order!

What you'll get on this episode:

What it means to be "notafraid2fail" (3:45)
The significance of Jason's laptop background (6:30)
How and why Jason got to go to the Tokyo Olympics (7:45)
On learning the ropes in Tokyo (12:25)
The business side of being a freelance sports photographer (22:00)
When Jason realized his dream was coming true (28:00)
Jason's running story (30:45)
How Jason got his start in photography (37:30)
Jason's highlight reel (45:30)
All about the Pansa Boyz! (51:00)
What's next for Jason, on the run and behind the lens (59:35)
Why Jason loves shooting marathons (1:08:15)
Jason's advice for taking better photos (1:15:00)

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432. Shayla Martin, Breast Cancer Survivor Oct 14, 2021

Show notes

"In my gut, I knew my life was about to change."

Shayla Martin has a lot to celebrate right now. First, her 43rd birthday. Then, a spontaneous experience dancing onstage at a concert with Diplo. And, perhaps most importantly, her three-year anniversary of being cancer-free. On this episode, meet two-time marathoner Shayla Martin, a woman who is always joyful, smiling, and seeking a good time. But in 2017, at just 39 years old, Shayla's world was rocked when she found a lump in her breast that turned out to be breast cancer. Here, Shayla shares her cancer story, which included a mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and three breast reconstruction surgeries. She talks about how cancer changed her relationship with her body, and why, in her forties, she decided to pursue therapy for the very first time. She talks about living her best life at Burning Man, about a low point in her life last summer, when she was arrested on her way home after a run, and about why she thinks "life should be lived in a tutu." Shayla lives in New York City where she works in hospitality sales for GrubHub.

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

What you'll get on this episode:

On dancing onstage with Diplo and Jess King, and going to Burning Man (3:00)
What Shayla's life was like before her cancer diagnosis (15:30)
What it was like being diagnosed with breast cancer (19:50)
How Shayla responded to chemo and radiation (35:00)
How Shayla's relationship with her body has changed since getting cancer, and what it was like being told she was cancer-free (44:55)
Therapy talk (54:00)
Shayla's experience getting arrested last summer while walking home after a run (1:04:00)

Check out:

The Pink Agenda

Black Burner Project on Instagram @blackburnerproject

Follow Shayla:

Instagram @sdotmartin05

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431. LIVE at the Boston Marathon with Nell Rojas Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

"My goal is to be the top American. That's my goal. And I think I can do it... To be the top American would probably be the best day of my life."

Racing is back! Major marathons are back! And, after 19 long and lonely months, live shows are 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 Boston Marathon weekend, with very special guest Nell Rojas. During the show (recorded on Saturday, October 9), Nell said that finishing as the top American during the Boston Marathon would make Marathon Monday the best day of her life — and she went on to do just that. In her fourth marathon and her Boston Marathon debut, Nell — who is currently, somehow, unsponsored — finished sixth, was the first woman from the U.S. to cross the line, and earned a personal best time of 2:27. This show was so much fun. I promise you will laugh at least once, and, special treat, you'll get to hear from Nell's dad, running legend Ric Rojas. Thank you to Tracksmith for hosting us, thank you to Nell for being a legend, and thank you to everyone who was part of the fun!

SPONSOR: Tracksmith. Click here and use code AliBoston for 15% off your next Tracksmith order!

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430. Ask Ali! Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

"That goal wasn't for anyone else. It wasn't to prove anything to anyone else. It was just something new that I was going to accomplish on my own."

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 my time as a single 20-something in New York City, redefining the word "smart," dealing with expectations and disappointment when a race isn't a personal best, muffins 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:

Looking back on being single in NYC (4:10)
On re-defining the word "smart," and ways I think I'm smart (11:55)
My favorite marathons (22:45)
"What's the point if I'm not going to PR?" (29:40)
How do you deal with feeling like you're not the "perfect" runner? (36:50)
Which Superhero Muffins do you make for breakfast every day? (44:50)
Dealing with identity struggles (46:20)

Check out:

New England Half Marathon

Millennium Running

Hamptons Marathon

Manchester City Marathon

Mount Desert Island Marathon

"36 Hours in Bar Harbor"

Steamtown Marathon

Megan Harrington on Episode 176 of the Ali on the Run Show

Rise & Run

Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow

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429. Henna Rustami, Fifth Avenue Mile NYRR Women's Road Mile Champion Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

"I ended up on a dude ranch in Arizona. I just wanted to go far away from New York and from home and just do something completely different. I felt like I'd kind of lost a sense of myself in that pursuit of running really fast and high achievement, so I wanted to recalibrate and go somewhere where no one knew me and running didn't matter."

Henna Rustami is a rising star in the running world. Though she describes herself as "the worst runner" on her high school and college teams, she has gone on to thrive on the run, becoming an Ivy League champion (running for Columbia University) and thriving on the New York City competitive running scene. Most recently, Henna won the NYRR Women's Road Mile division at the Fifth Avenue Mile, breaking the tape in four minutes and 45 seconds. And she's thriving off the run, too: Henna graduated from law school earlier this year! On this episode, Henna reflects on her running journey and her childhood, growing up in Long Island as the daughter of refugees from Afghanistan. She talks about her parents' journeys fleeing Afghanistan in the 1980s, and about what it was like growing up in a Muslim family in the wake of 9/11. She talks about finding confidence on the run, about escaping to a dude ranch for six months, and about what her training looks like today as a member of Brooklyn Track Club.

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

What you'll get on this episode:

Henna recaps her NYRR Women's Road Mile win at the Fifth Avenue Mile (4:55)
On confidence in running (8:45)
What Henna's training looks like (10:45)
All about Henna's childhood (14:50)
How Henna's parents responded to her love for running, and what it was like growing up in an Afghan family on Long Island after 9/11 (22:15)
On graduating from law school and starting a career in the pursuit of fighting injustices (35:45)
What it was like going from being "the worst runner on the team" to an Ivy League champion (41:35)
On navigating what role running would play after college (44:50)
What's next for Henna? (53:35)

Check out:

Ali on the Run Show LIVE on International Women's Day

Caitlyn Tateishi on Episode 226 of the Ali on the Run Show

Follow Henna:

Instagram @hennarustami

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428. Erika Kemp, Professional Runner for the B.A.A. & adidas Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

"That was the moment where I remember being like, 'Oh, I'm not done yet.' Like I know there's more. It finally hit me, 'If you just continue on, you have no idea where your ceiling is.' So at that point, I just wanted to see how far I could go."

This summer, Erika Kemp — like so many professional runners — had one really, really, really big goal race. Since going pro in 2018 and signing with the Boston Athletic Association and adidas, Erika knew she would want to compete at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in hopes of making her Team USA debut. When it came time to race the 5K at Hayward Field, Erika made it through the first round and advanced to the finals. But ultimately, she finished last that day, and didn't make the 2020 Olympic team. But! Erika has gone on to have an incredible season since then. On this episode, Erika talks about her physical and emotional recovery from the Trials, and explains her motivation for continuing to race throughout the year. Since the Trials, Erika won the USATF New England 5-mile championships, won the U.S. 20K championships at the New Haven Road Race (it was her debut at that distance, and it earned her a second national title), won the Cow Harbor 10K (and ran a personal best), and finished fourth at the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K the following weekend. This girl is on fire, and on this episode, she talks about how she fell in love with running — and how she stays in love with it.

SPONSOR: UCAN. Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order!

What you'll get on this episode:

How Erika plans her season (4:00)
All about this year's Olympic Track & Field Trials (10:30)
On returning to running after taking a break (14:55)
Why the Trials felt so "big" (16:45)
Erika's outlook on racing this season (20:30)
Try it: Erika's favorite workout (24:30)
All about Erika's childhood and how she got into running (27:45)
On falling in love with running (34:50)
On going pro (39:00)
Where to find Erika during Boston Marathon weekend (46:30)
Erika's biggest hopes, dreams, and goals (49:50)

Follow Erika:

Instagram @imtinyrik

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427. Jess King, Peloton Instructor Sep 30, 2021

Show notes

"I had remembered this promise I had made to myself, which was a 'year of yes.' That if there was an opportunity to meet someone, to make a dollar, or whatever it was, if there was an opportunity in front of me, no matter how scary it felt or how much resistance I felt, I was at least going to give myself the chance to explore it. So I said yes."

Every day, Jess King is in the homes of millions of people around the world. As one of Peloton's first instructors (she joined the team in 2014), she teaches cycling, Tread, Pilates, and dance cardio classes, and is known and loved for her bubbly, glittery, high-energy personality. Jess is a born performer. She grew up dancing competitively in Myrtle Beach, SC, and competed on Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance. On this episode, she reflects on that experience — on making it to the Top 10 before having to withdraw from the competition on account of a few broken ribs. She talks about the disappointment, about reading the comments on social media, and about stepping away from dance for a while afterward. Then, she talks about what it's been like for her to watch fellow Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby make his dance reality competition debut on Dancing with the Stars, and talks about the text she sent him before he first stepped onstage "from someone who's been there." Jess talks about her desire to use her platform for good, and about the power of representation as a Latina woman and member of the LGBTQ+ community. She shares her love story with fiancée Sophia Urista (power couple alert!), opens up about her own mental health and self-help journeys, and talks about how she got the job at Peloton — and how the pursuit of fame quickly transitioned into a passion for building community.

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

What you'll get on this episode:

On bad days, setting intentions, and Halloween (6:00)
What it was like watching colleague Cody Rigsby on Dancing with the Stars (11:30)
Jess reflects on her time on So You Think You Can Dance Season 4 (14:20)
On dancing again after SYTYCD (24:45)
How fitness — and Peloton — entered the picture (31:00)
On the pursuit of fame, and the a-ha moment when everything felt validating (43:30)
The pressure of having a platform (51:15)
How Jess has evolved as an instructor since her earliest days at Peloton (55:35)
On developing thicker skin and being human (58:40)
Jess shares her love story with fiancée Sophia Urista (1:02:00)
Jess's message to anyone going through some stuff right now (1:08:00)