Ali on the Run Show

Latest Episodes:

226. Caitlyn Tateishi, 2:43 Marathoner Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

"Without races on the schedule, you're figuring out why you run in the first place. I think this is a really good reminder that we do it because we love it — not because we're constantly chasing a goal or trying to prove something."

Caitlyn Tateishi has run — long, and fast — all over the world. On this episode, the 2:43 marathoner talks about growing up in Hawaii and discovering life on the run, and going on to run an unofficial ultramarathon during her time in the Peace Corps in Africa. Caitlyn explains why she took a long break from running, and talks about rediscovering her passion for the sport. Plus, she breaks down how, exactly, she shaved 50 minutes off her marathon time, going from wanting to qualify for the Boston Marathon to running at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials earlier this year. It's a powerful, relatable conversation about identifying as a runner, dealing with failure, and getting to that "I belong" moment.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off wireless headphones. (My favorite is the Aeropex!)

What you'll get on this episode:

How Caitlyn is feeling physically and emotionally since running the Trials (3:00)
Recapping Caitlyn's race in Atlanta (7:00)
How Caitlyn found running (11:00)
Why Caitlyn joined the Peace Corps, and what it was like living and running in tK (23:00)
Why Caitlyn decided to start training for marathons — and her road to an OTQ (29:15)

What we mention on this episode:

"I thought my best running days were over": How Olympic Trials Qualifier Caitlyn Tateishi Found Her Way Back to Running via Women's Running

Born to Run

Miles to the Trials blog

First Ladies of Running

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Instagram @cait.tate

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225. On the Job with Taylor Ritzel, Content Acquisition at Netflix Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

"I was just like, 'Oh my god, I'm in Hollywood! This was meant to be!'"

Taylor Ritzel has quite the resumé: She was a collegiate rower at Yale University who went on to win Olympic gold in rowing at the 2012 games. Today, though, Taylor has traded her oars for the Hollywood life. She works at Netflix, in nonfiction series content acquisition. On this episode, she talks about what, exactly, that means, and what it's like working on shows including Cheer, Queer Eye, and Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.

Thank you to Tracksmith for sponsoring the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to tracksmith.com/ontherun and use code ONTHERUN15 at checkout for 15% off your first Tracksmith purchase!

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Instagram @taritzel

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224. Catching Up with Emma Coburn Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

"There's nothing I can do, so I might as well not wallow about it, and I might as well just find something else to make me happy for the moment."

Emma Coburn is a two-time Olympian, eight-time U.S. steeplechase champion, world champion, and world silver medalist. On this episode, Emma — who runs for New Balance and is Vice President of the Athletics Association — talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected her training and her livelihood. She's honest about the financial hit professional athletes will take during this time, and shares her take on the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle!

What you'll get on this episode:

How Emma is finding happiness right now (3:40)
All about Emma's nightly Instagram Lives (7:15)
What Emma's training has been like, both before and since hearing about the Olympics being postponed (10:45)
How COVID-19 has directly affected Emma's career and life at home (25:25)
How Emma is maintaining a positive attitude during these times (37:00)

What we mention on this episode:

Emma Coburn on Episode 60 of the Ali on the Run Show

Emma Coburn on Episode 96 of the Ali on the Run Show

Aisha Praught & Will Leer on Episode 204 of the Ali on the Run Show

Emma's Resistance Bands

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223. On the Job with Kelly McKnight, Orthopedic Surgery Resident Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

"I run on pure stress and adrenaline."

Kelly McKnight is an orthopedic surgery resident — a real-life Callie Torres from Grey's Anatomy! — in Sioux Falls, SD. On this episode, the second in the On the Job series, Kelly talks about what her job entails, what the schooling is like, how she survives grueling 80-hour weeks on her feet, and how running fits in. She also talks about why only six percent of orthopedic surgeons are women — and why she's passionate about bringing that number way up.

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Instagram @kellynicolemck

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222. Kaitlin Goodman Recaps the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

"I know I wasn't a favorite, but I felt that if a door opened, I was fully ready to sprint through it."

When Kaitlin Goodman, a 2:32 marathoner who runs for adidas and the Boston Athletic Association, arrived at the start line of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, she felt fit, strong, and ready to race. Kaitlin was ranked 29th in the field of more than 500 women, and she was in Atlanta to be at the front of the race. But just half a mile into the 26.2-mile run, Kaitlin fell, and in an instant, her dreams of finishing at the top of the field were shaken. On this episode, Kaitlin vividly recounts what the day was like for her. (Warning: This one is a tear-jerker.) At the end of the episode, Kaitlin — who holds a master's in public health from Brown University and is a consultant in the field — shares what she wishes everyone understood about the current state of the world and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle!

What you'll get on this episode:

How Kaitlin is feeling post-Trials (5:55)
Kaitlin recaps her race at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (12:00)
On recovering from the race (40:35)
Kaitlin talks about COVID-19 from the perspective of a public health professional (46:00)

What we mention on this episode:

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

LIVE at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with Sarah Cummings, Kaitlin Goodman, Amanda Nurse, Ladia Albertson-Junkans, & Jenny Donnelly

What It Was Like Being in Atlanta for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials

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221. On the Job with Rachel Dewan, Archaeologist Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

"It's really a lesson in humans and human activity."

Welcome to the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! Every Tuesday for the next seven weeks, we'll meet cool women with interesting, fascinating, unique, badass jobs. They'll talk about how they got into their respective fields, what their jobs entail, why their work matters, and why they've pursued their passions. Plus, they're all runners, so they'll talk about how running fits into their busy lives. First up: Rachel Dewan. Rachel is an archaeologist who spends her summers in Greece, digging for artifacts and studying ancient cultures from 4,000 years ago. (The Minoan culture, specifically.) It's her job to dig up material culture and try to make sense of it all. On this episode, she talks about what, exactly, it means to be an archaeologist (she's not Ross from Friends!), what it's like on a dig, and what being on a dig actually means.

Inspired? Me, too! This November, Rachel will be leading a trip combining both her passions: running and archaeology. This 8-day running tour of Greece (led by Rachel and a fellow archaeologist and art historian) will end with the Athens Marathon. Between runs, you'll explore historic places and great food. Check it out here!

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Instagram @rundigsleep

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220. Andrea Toppin Recaps Her Race at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Mar 22, 2020

Show notes

"I'm not going to throw a pity party. I'm celebrating this day. I was a part of history."

It's so hard to believe it's been nearly a month since we were all in Atlanta for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials — truly the good old days! And I want to keep remembering and celebrating those days. Andrea Toppin is a chiropractic student and elite marathoner for Oiselle who trains with the Minnesota Distance Elite — and she didn't have the race of her dreams that day in Atlanta. On this episode, Andrea shares her story, opens up about the tough decision to DNF at the Trials, and talks about her outlook moving forward. (Spoiler: One race does not define you as a runner or as a human!)

What you'll get on this episode:

Andrea recaps her race at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (7:10)
What's next for Andrea? (39:30)

What we mention on this episode:

Anita Perez on Episode 218 of the Ali on the Run Show

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

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Instagram @atop1212

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219. Jacqueline Alnes, Creator of Running-Inspired Tiny Art Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

"I viewed myself as a runner my whole life. That was my main identity. And so when I started considering the possibility that that might be taken away from me, I just felt this grief I didn't even know how to handle yet, of who are you if you're not a runner?"

Even if you don't know Dr. Jacqueline Alnes by the name, you definitely know her work. She's the woman behind the "tiny art" paintings you've seen all over Instagram featuring inspiring women from within the running community. (You can buy her prints on Etsy here!) Jacqueline is a creative writing professor in Pennsylvania, and on this episode, she opens up about the neurological disorder that left her passing out on the run as a Division-I athlete in college — and talks about how she came back and rediscovered her love for running.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle!

What you'll get on this episode:

Why Jacqueline is training to run the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon in honor of the Brave Like Gabe Foundation (5:10)
Jacqueline explains the neurological disorder she's been experiencing since college (8:20)
What Jacqueline's health and running are like today (26:35)
The story behind Jacqueline's "tiny art" on Instagram (31:00)
The app that helped Jacqueline get over a bad breakup (41:40)

What we mention on this episode:

Support Jacqueline's Brave Like Gabe fundraising efforts!

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

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218. Anita Perez, 2:39 Marathoner, Single Mom, & Special Education Teacher Mar 13, 2020

Show notes

"It's almost like I was running away from what had happened."

Anita Perez just might be one of the most inspiring, hardworking, dedicated women you'll ever meet. She's a 2:39 marathoner (who also runs a 1:17 half marathon), a single mom to two kids, and a middle school special education teacher. She's kind and caring, and she works her butt off in every facet of her life (including waking up at 3 AM to get her workouts in). On this episode, she talks about what it was like running at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials last month, compares that to her experience running the 2016 Trials, and opens up about the years in between. She talks about her mom passing away after a short and devastating bout with cancer, and opens up about how that affected her running. It's a powerful, poignant episode.

Thank you to the Atlanta Track Club for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! The Atlanta Track Club is proud to host the AJC Peachtree Road Race — the largest 10K in the world! — every year on the Fourth of July. The lottery for this year's race opens on March 15, so head to ajc.com/peachtree to enter!

What you'll get on this episode:

Anita recaps her race at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (3:40)
Reflecting on running through grief (14:45)
On the goal to run an Olympic Trials qualifying time (25:00)
What Anita's typical day looks like (37:30)
Why Anita loves her work as a middle school special education teacher (43:45)

What we mention on this episode:

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

MyCookieDealer on Instagram

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Instagram @anitaruns26.2

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217. What It Was Like Being in Atlanta for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Mar 11, 2020

Show notes

"I wasn't there as a runner. I wasn't there as a sister, a mother...I was there as a fan of the sport, and as a supporter of so many of these women. And in a very different way I found my own 'I belong,' and it was realizing I am bringing something to the running community."

It's a solo episode! On this episode, I reflect on my experience traveling to Atlanta to watch the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. (To read more about the weekend, check out this post.)

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle!

What I mention on this episode:

Westin Peachtree Plaza

Atlanta Track Club

LIVE at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with Sarah Cummings, Kaitlin Goodman, Amanda Nurse, Ladia Albertson-Junkans, & Jenny Donnelly

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

Veronica Jackson & Alex Bernardi, Olympic Trials Qualifiers

Veronica Jackson & Alex Bernardi Recap the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials

Jenny & Judi Donnelly BONUS EPISODE!

Subscribe to the Fast Women newsletter

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

Starla Garcia, Olympic Trials Qualifier & Registered Dietitian

Carly Gill, Olympic Trials Qualifier