Ali on the Run Show

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336. India Cook, Co-Host of The Run Duo Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

"People don't know what you go through or the feelings you have if you don't express and you don't talk about them. People can have all of these assumptions about you, but unless you verbalize what's really going on in your mind, they will never know."

When it comes to running, India Cook is passionate about sharing her story — but it's not about her, she'll tell you. It's about making sure other runners in the community feel seen, heard, and welcome on the run. India is a two-time marathoner and 15-time half-marathoner from Atlanta, GA, and she's a content creator and storyteller (and former semi-professional cheerleader, which, yes, we talk about on this episode!). India is the co-host of The Run Duo podcast and hosts the Miles From India YouTube channel. She's also an RRCA-certified run coach. On this episode, India talks about racing in the Covid-19 era, shares her thoughts on what it means to be a brand ambassador in 2021, and talks about what it has been like being a BIPOC public figure in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.

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

What you'll get on this episode:

What it's been like participating in "low-risk races" during the pandemic (6:15)
Looking back at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta (12:00)
India talks about her childhood and how running entered the picture (16:45)
All about The Run Duo podcast and the evolution of the show (27:00)
All about "Miles with India" on YouTube (40:00)
India's thoughts on being a running brand ambassador in 2021 (46:00)
All about Coach India (55:00)

What we mention on this episode:

"Racing During the Covid-19 Pandemic" via Miles From India

BLACK LIVES MATTER via The Run Duo

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335. Love on the Run with Meb & Hawi Keflezighi Feb 14, 2021

Show notes

"I got to be a little brother and a big fan."

Happy Valentine's Day, and welcome to the final day of Love on the Run Week on the Ali on the Run Show! Today, we're wrapping things up with the best-loved brothers in running: Meb and Hawi Keflezighi. On this episode, Meb and Hawi talk about their childhoods, share stories of emigrating to the U.S. from Eritrea, and talk about their brother-turned-professional relationship (Hawi is Meb's agent). At the end of this week, I hope this series has made you laugh, smile, and feel the love!

SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ontherun for 20% off your next UCAN order!

What we mention on this episode:

Hawi Keflezighi on Episode 263 of the Ali on the Run Show

Ali on the Run Show LIVE! Featuring Meb Keflezighi, Andrea Barber, Chris Heuisler, and Des Linden

LIVE at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with Carrie Tollefson, Meb Keflezighi, & UCAN

You Can Run a Marathon with Meb Keflezighi

Run to Overcome by Meb Keflezighi

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334. Love on the Run with Sarah & Marisa Cummings Feb 13, 2021

Show notes

"Best buds for life."

On the surface, sisters Sarah and Marisa Cummings seem like they could be twins. Both were competitive ice skaters and valedictorians of their respective graduating high school classes. They each went on to attend Princeton University, where they each ran on the cross-country team. Then, though three years apart, they each moved to New York City to pursue jobs in the finance industry and to run for the New York Athletic Club. But to know Sarah and Marisa is to know that they aren't identical, they swear. On this episode, Sarah and Marisa talk about their sisterly bond, and about how they've supported each other over the years.

SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ontherun for 20% off your next UCAN order!

What we mention on this episode:

Sarah Cummings on Episode 215 of the Ali on the Run Show

Sarah Cummings on Episode 112 of the Ali on the Run Show

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Instagram @sarahccummings

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Instagram @marcummings

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333. Love on the Run with Matt Llano & Brannon Harbur Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

"That was the kicker: Matt said, 'If the dog doesn't like you, you have to go.'"

One day, in Flagstaff, AZ, professional runner Matt Llano walked into a local coffee shop where Brannon Harbur was working. That first day they met, they talked for hours — long after Brannon's shift had ended. They agreed to meet up for a first date of sorts, at a group run. Fitting, for a professional runner. But Brannon wasn't a runner. Still, he showed up, because he was interested — in Matt, not in running. Brannon went on to run 10 miles (alongside Stephanie Bruce), getting to know Matt in the process. They've been together every day since then. Today, Matt is a professional runner for Under Armour and Dark Sky Distance, and Brannon is the Chief Experience Officer of Mental Performance at HYPO2. On this episode, they talk about how running factors into their relationship today, and about the time Brannon tried to teach Matt about accounting while on a long run. (It…didn't go well.) Plus, they talk about meeting each other's families, share their coming out stories, and talk about being LGBTQ+ role models in the running community and beyond. They live together in Flagstaff with their two dogs.

SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ontherun for 20% off your next UCAN order!

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Instagram @mattllano

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Instagram @brannonharbur

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332. Love on the Run with Kori Carter & Ajeé Wilson Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

"I knew this was going to be an epic friendship."

Welcome to the fastest friendship on the track: Kori Carter and Ajeé Wilson join Love on the Run Week today! Kori is a world champion 400m hurdler, and Ajeé is a U.S. record holder in the 800m (both indoor and outdoor). On this episode, they talk about how they met and immediately bonded both on the track and off.

SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ontherun for 20% off your next UCAN order!

What we mention on this episode:

USATF Instagram Live

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Instagram @thekorimonster

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Instagram @ajeelenee

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331. Love on the Run with Starla Garcia & Fredis Benitez Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

"I just looked over at her and said, 'We should be something.'"

She's a 2:43 marathoner and Olympic Marathon Trials finisher, and he's "not a huge runner" who runs a 2:51 marathon: Meet Starla Garcia and Fredis Benitez from Houston, TX! Starla (a returning favorite on the Ali on the Run Show) is a registered dietitian, and Fredis is a marketer and designer, and they bonded immediately over a shared love for music. On this episode, Starla and Fredis, who have been dating since 2016, talk about creating boundaries in a relationship, about not playing games, and about how Starla knew she liked him when he said he likes vegetables!

SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ontherun for 20% off your next UCAN order!

What we mention on this episode:

Starla Garcia on Episode 200 of the Ali on the Run Show

Starla Garcia on Episode 257 of the Ali on the Run Show

"Why Are American Women Running Faster Than Ever?" via The New York Times

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Instagram @fredis_b

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330. Love on the Run with Alexi Pappas & Mary Cain Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

"We took each other's dreams seriously, which is always a fun thing in a friendship."

It's Day 2 of Love on the Run Week, and today we're celebrating long-distance friendship. On this episode, professional runners Alexi Pappas and Mary Cain talk about their bond, which started because of running (they met at a track meet!), but quickly grew because of something so much deeper. They highlight the importance of strong, supportive adult friendships; talk about why they try not to "squeeze too tight;" and explain how they support each other from across the country.

SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ontherun for 20% off your next UCAN order!

What we mention on this episode:

Alexi Pappas on Episode 296 of the Ali on the Run Show

Alexi Pappas on Episode 163 of the Ali on the Run Show

Bravey by Alexi Pappas

"Mary Cain and Alexi Pappas Both Suffered in Silence. Then They Saved Each Other." by David Alm for Runner's World

"I Was the Fastest Girl in America, Until I Joined Nike ." via New York Times Op-Docs

"I Achieved My Wildest Dreams. Then Depression Hit." via New York Times Op-Docs

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329. Love on the Run with Jenny & Jason Simpson Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

"It's not that we don't disagree or we don't challenge each other, because that's a really important part of it. We definitely challenge each other and we're always growing, but I feel like we're constantly growing in a similar direction, and that's why it works so well."

Welcome to Love on the Run Week! This year, we're celebrating all different types of love leading up to Valentine's Day — seven days, seven episodes, seven love stories, including couples, best friends, and siblings. First up: a sweet dose of romance with one of running's fastest couples. On this episode, Jenny and Jason Simpson talk about how they met and fell in love amidst backyard BBQs, Olympic debuts, and "Jason's smooth moves."

SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ontherun for 20% off your next UCAN order!

What we mention on this episode:

Jenny Simpson on Episode 268 of the Ali on the Run Show

Jenny Simpson on Episode 96 of the Ali on the Run Show

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Instagram @jasonfordesign

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328. Erin Azar, "Mrs. Space Cadet" Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

"Maybe we place too much emphasis on the idea of what other people think a runner is."

After having her third baby, Erin Azar wasn't feeling like herself. So one day — having never run before — she decided to go outside and run a mile. From there, she committed to running a mile a day for 30 days straight, documenting her journey along the way. The result: Erin went viral on TikTok, with her first running video amassing more than one million views overnight. And when her mile-a-day month was up, she leveled up, and decided to train for and run her first marathon. Then, when said marathon was canceled due to the pandemic, she ran it anyway: virtually, and mostly alone. Erin is super honest about the realities of running being hard, especially for new runners. This is an inspiring, fun conversation for runners who are new to the sport and ones who have been doing it for decades.

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

What you'll get on this episode:

Where the nickname "Mrs. Space Cadet" came from (3:45)
Erin shares her running story (8:30)
What did Erin feel was missing from the running industry? (13:45)
How it felt when Erin's first running video jumped to one million views on TikTok — overnight (16:00)
Why Erin decided to go all-in and train for a marathon (28:00)
What it was like running a marathon for the first time — virtually (36:00)
Why Erin decided to get a coach, and why she thinks other new runners can benefit from having one, too (38:00)
Erin's advice for first-time virtual marathoners (46:45)
What does a day in the life of Erin look like? (49:15)
Erin's message to anyone who doesn't feel seen or represented in the running community (52:00)

What we mention on this episode:

Erin skiing

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327. Katie Burke on "Taking Care of You" Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

"Your energy is your most valuable resource. How do you make sure you're spending it on things that actually make a difference?"

As the Chief People Officer at Hubspot, it is Katie Burke's job to take care of people. So when your job is other people — whether at work or at home — how do you take care of you? On this episode, Ali on the Run Show favorite Katie Burke shares 10 practical, tactical, super important ways to make sure your needs are met. And this isn't a fluffy self-care pep talk about reading before bed or taking baths on the weekend. This is about learning to play offense in your own life. (Look at me, using sports references!) Plus, Katie talks about why you should make a "worry list," offers her own take on the over-used phrase "self-care," and explains why this advice is especially important now. (For more, read Katie's just-published post, "Taking Care of You," here.)

SPONSOR: Rise Run Retreat. Use code ONTHERUN for 10% off your Rise Run Retreat Virtual Retreat registration. Registration for this month's Virtual Retreat opens February 8.

What we mention on this episode:

"Take Care of You" by Katie Burke

Katie Burke on Episode 252 of the Ali on the Run Show

Katie Burke on Episode 84 of the Ali on the Run Show

Katie Burke on Episode 70 of the Ali on the Run Show

Brené Brown with Emily and Amelia Nagoski on Burnout

The Idea of You

Anti-Racism Daily newsletter

The Energy Project

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