Ali On The Run Show

“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.” Rerun alert! In honor of the 129th Boston Marathon in just a few days, we're throwing it back to 2022, when fan favorite and beloved Peloton instructor Jess Sims 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 — 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.) SPONSORS:  Vuori: Click here for 20% off yo

"There’s a stigma about retiring from pro running, that it’s this huge thing and it’s so hard. And there are parts of it that are challenging. But I’m seriously so great. I’m loving life." Aisha Praught Leer is no stranger to the Ali on the Run Show. She returns today for her fifth appearance — but it's her first in this new phase of life. Last year, Aisha officially retired from professional running. The longtime Puma athlete, two-time Olympian, Commonwealth Games champion, and six-time Jamaican record holder is now embracing a career in corporate America, while also continuing to be an advocate for professional athletes, and working in front of the camera and on the mic with Citius Mag. In this episode, we're catching up on all of it, including how Aisha feels about that 9–5 life, what her relationship with running is like now that she's no longer competing professionally, and what it's actually like retiring from your dream job in your thirties — and figuring out what comes next. FOLLOW AISHA @aishapraug

"If we get to the end of my life, and I look back and say the regrets that I have, I know one of them would be, 'You never ran the New York City Marathon.' Not a marathon. I don’t want to run a marathon. I want to run the New York City Marathon." Caroline Moss has a dream: to run the New York City Marathon. As a New Yorker, it's her favorite day of the year. The catch: Caroline isn't a runner. Yet. In this new series, we're following author, creator, and professional shopper Caroline Moss as she embarks on a quest to start running, and, sometime in the next few years, run the race of her dreams.  In this episode, we're getting to know Caroline — a lifelong theater kid turned digital media genius turned aspiring marathoner. FOLLOW CAROLINE @geethanksjustboughtitpod CAROLINE'S FACEBOOK GROUP SPONSOR:  Shokz: Use code ALI for $10 off your next purchase. Code valid in the U.S. and Canada. (Check out the limited edition Boston Marathon OpenRun Pro2!) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group

"I want to go out there and just absolutely smash it out of the park." Next week, the pros and everyday runners alike will descend on Boston, MA, to run the 129th Boston Marathon. For most of these runners, getting to run Boston is a longtime goal or dream. One they worked hard at for years. And that's true even for professional runner Gabi Rooker. In this conversation, the former gymnast turned Nike-sponsored athlete and internal medicine physician assistant (what can't she do?!) talks about the road to her Boston Marathon debut. Gabi will race her first Boston this year, and it's been a journey to get to the start line. Gabi talks about how she recovered — physically and emotionally — from the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials, and reflects on that five-second personal best (2:24:29) at the 2024 Chicago Marathon. Plus, what she'll be wearing on race day, what it's like being coached by her husband, Alex, and how she's feeling after logging 122-mile weeks throughout the Minnesota winter. FOLLOW GABI @gabirooker

"I set this goal. I made a promise to myself that I wanted this, so I’m going to do it. And no, that’s not always fun. Maybe that means a late treadmill run or whatever it may be. But those little wins against your brain — and the battle to not do something — help you on race day. Because when it gets hard, you’ve already practiced doing it when you don’t want to, or when it hurts, or when the conditions aren’t ideal, or when you’re not comfortable." In 2018, Laura Galeazzo — then Anderson — came on the Ali on the Run Show to talk about getting back on the run after having her first daughter. That year, Laura returned to running with a big literal win, breaking the tape in 2:57 at the Buffalo Marathon. Now, seven years and another daughter later, Laura returns to the show to talk about smashing a goal nine years in the making.  At last weekend's McKirdy Micro Marathon, Laura took down a longstanding dream of running sub-2:50, finishing the 26.2 miles in a five-minute personal best of 2:49:32. In this episode

"It's gonna be epic!" We are less than three weeks away from the 129th running of the world’s oldest marathon. This year’s Boston Marathon takes place, as always, on the third Monday of April — this year, that’s April 21. In this mega-episode, I (along with a team of experts and insiders) am attempting to answer all of your questions about all things Boston. Katie Hawkes and Lauren Proshan from the Boston Athletic Association are here to talk logistics (take some deep breaths — the journey to the start line is doable, and you won’t be waiting around for too long once you get there!), elite athlete coordinator Mary Kate Shea talks about assembling this year's professional fields and about which storylines to follow, and 2018 champion and Boston favorite Des Linden joins to talk course strategy. Get excited: Whether you’re running, volunteering, cheering, or watching from home, it’s always a Boston to remember. SPONSORS:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN Edge sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shippin

"I am nowhere near close to being an expert, and that’s part of why I wanted this job — a challenge." Imagine you're a real-life woman in STEM. Someone who loves numbers, data, hypotheses, constants, and thoroughly researched experiments with scientifically-backed outcomes. Imagine you're also an athlete. A triathlete, specifically. So, what's the dream job? Triathlete in STEM Jinger Gottschall found it: Director of Sports Research at New Balance. In her role, Jinger oversees a team whose job it is to create, research, test, and design shoes and apparel that maximize performance and minimize injury. In this conversation — recorded in the Sports Research Lab at The TRACK at New Balance — Jinger talks about what her job entails, why she wanted this job, where work still needs to be done when testing products for men vs. women, and just how many pairs of shoes are in her closet. SPONSOR:  Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I'm an Otte

"Be open to the possibility of what can happen when you relinquish control and just listen." Welcome to Ask Ali, a monthly series where I answer all of your questions submitted on Instagram (I'm @aliontherun1). This time around, we're tackling health stuff, running stuff, work stuff, and a total grab bag of miscellaneous questions.  SPONSORS:  goodr: Click here and use code ALI for $5 off your next order. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

  "That’s been a big part of the change and growth. The lesson is trusting yourself and not being afraid to figure out what works for you, even if that’s different than someone else." She'll race the 800, the 1500, the mile, the 5K, the 10K...and in this conversation, Elise Cranny even hints at a possible marathon someday. Elise returns to the Ali on the Run Show to catch up on life since becoming a two-time Olympian (2020 and 2024). She talks about a lot of change: from Portland-based Bowerman Track Club and coach Jerry Schumacher, to Boulder-based Team Boss and coach Joe Bosshard, to now, training in Flagstaff, being coached by NAU's Jarred Cornfield, and taking a break from the team atmosphere. She explains why she made certain changes in an Olympic year, and talks about how she's feeling now, both physically and mentally. (Spoiler: She's fit, and she's headed to Sound Running's The TEN next weekend!) FOLLOW ELISE @elise.cranny SPONSOR:  Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sle

"There are so many ways to get to the start line. There is not one way to do it. You just have to find what works best for you." Parker Valby was a collegiate phenom. At the University of Florida, Parker set multiple collegiate records in the 5000m and the 10,000m. She earned six NCAA and SEC titles, including five NCAA titles in one year alone. She wrapped up her career as a Gator by competing at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials, earning a spot on Team USA, and competing at the Paris Olympics, where she finished 11th in the 10,000m final and was the youngest runner in the top 15. Now, 22-year-old Parker has officially gone pro. She signed with New Balance and joined Team New Balance Boston, where she trains alongside teammates — and fellow Olympians — including Elle Purrier St. Pierre, Heather MacLean, and Emily Mackay.  This conversation was recorded at The TRACK at New Balance during the New Balance Nationals Indoor meet. Enjoy as NB Olympian Vernon Norwood drops in mid-chat and takes over

"The thing that they just really want is to race the best people, and for people to watch them. They legitimately want to race really good people, and they want it to matter." You've probably seen the hype for track's newest league. But what, exactly, is Grand Slam Track, and why should we care about it? In this conversation, Grand Slam's Senior Director of Racing, Kyle Merber, returns to the Ali on the Run Show to tell us everything we need to know about the "Slams." He talks about his role, and about the athlete recruiting process. Plus, what he's most excited for, why he thinks everyone should watch, and a bit of celebration for his 2:26 marathon PR from the Houston Marathon earlier this year. SPONSOR:  Shokz: Use code ALI for $10 off your next purchase. Code valid in the U.S. and Canada. (Check out the limited edition Boston Marathon OpenRun Pro2!) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoy

"Win or learn, and then pick up and move on." The girls were back in town! Keira D'Amato and I spent the weekend in Richmond, VA, for the second River City Half Marathon and 5K (she ran — and won — the half, and I ran the 5K). Thank you so much to the best bejeweled and bedazzled audience for such a fun afternoon. We laughed, we debated hot takes, and we love you so much. SPONSOR:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN Edge sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"It’s not sustainable if you’re not having fun with it." Tristin Colley ran her first marathon in 2019 in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Just four years later, Tristin she 15 minutes off that time, running 2:25 at the Chicago Marathon. Now, Tristin (formerly Van Ord) is throwing down 110-mile weeks with her team, ZAP Endurance, as she gears up for this year's Boston Marathon. Tristin lives in Blowing Rock, NC, with her husband, teammate, and fellow pro marathoner Andrew Colley. This past weekend, they each competed at the USATF Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta. In this conversation, Tristin reflects on that race, and looks to her next one in Boston. She talks about going pro, being raised by a single mom, and doing triple workouts as part of her Boston prep. FOLLOW TRISTIN @tristinvanord IN THIS EPISODE: On running to the Shrek soundtrack on repeat, the ZAP Endurance team vibe, and “ketchup with seemingly ranch” (2:50) Tristin’s take on off days (8:15) Tristin recaps her race at the USATF Half Marathon Champ

"It’s never too late. It’s never too late to switch careers, ask for a raise, do something you want to be doing. If you’re feeling stuck, just know that it’s never too late. If you want to make a change, life is short. Do it." Talia McKinney is on her feet all day, every day — and every day starts with a run. The New York City-based marathoning real estate agent is one of the top agents at SERHANT, where she works with Million Dollar Listing and Owning Manhattan star Ryan Serhant. Talia is a speaker, host, and world traveler (she's been to 45 countries!), who runs as a guide with Achilles International. In this conversation, she talks about what it's like selling a $31.5 million home (!!!) and about the most impressive amenities she's ever seen, and she shares her running and real estate origin stories. FOLLOW TALIA @taliamckinney IN THIS EPISODE: How Talia celebrated her birthday in Idaho (1:50) All about Talia’s run today — and how she found her running buddies (4:45) How Talia became a guide for Achilles

"It’s good to get to a place where you can accept that there are terrible things happening and good things happening, and they all happen at once, and we don’t get to plan when they happen. So if you’re going through something really hard and joy shows up for you, see it and notice it." Welcome to Ask Ali, a monthly series where I answer all of your questions submitted on Instagram (I'm @aliontherun1). This time around, we're covering everything from how to trust your training to how to stay positive in the face of adversity to "What's saving your life right now?" SPONSOR:  New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"I needed to have the year I had to really give me the push to make the changes I made." In 2022, Sinclaire Johnson cemented her spot as a middle-distance rising star when she broke the women's 1500m tape at the U.S. National Championships. Since then, the Nike-sponsored athlete has made a lot of changes on the run. She transitioned from Jerry Schumacher's Bowerman Track Club to Union Athletics Club, where she was coached by Pete Julian. Last year — a year when she finished fourth in the 1500m at the Olympic Track & Field Trials — Sinclaire knew it was time to change it up again, this time opting to forgo a team environment and be coached by her fiancé, Craig Nowak. Now, with a fresh 3:56 1500m PR from the 2024 Trials, Sinclaire is in the middle of her indoor season. She ran a personal best in the mile (4:23.58) at New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, where she finished third, and then finished sixth in the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games in New York City. This weekend, Sinclaire will race at U.S. Indoor

"It’s OK that not everybody gets it. The right people will." Three years ago, in an antidote to Love on the Run Week, Molly Seidel and Anoush Arakelian joined the Ali on the Run Show for a chat about dating, confidence, mental health, and more. Now, the girls are back in town, and Molly and Anoush return for life updates, running updates, and more dating, confidence, and mental health talk. SPONSOR:  New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season. In this episode: How Molly and Anoush feel about Valentine’s Day (3:15) Who would play you in the romantic comedy of your life? (5:10) What Molly and Anoush would say to their younger selves (9:00) Anoush offers a life update (11:15) Molly’s life update (14:50) How Anoush became a 2:57 marathoner (22:05) On getting the ick (31:50) Listener stories about love, dating, disasters, and more (41:00) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Sho

"I didn't know that this was how good a relationship could be. I didn't know how healthy relationships could be. Being with Montana is like seeing daylight." Happy Valentine's Day! In this edition of Love on the Run, we are getting to know Dakotah and Montana Popehn. They share the story of how they met, who made the first move for the first kiss, who said "I love you" first, and everything that happened next, including Montana's proposal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (where Dakotah finished 12th in the marathon) and their intimate wedding just one week before the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. SPONSORS:  Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN Edge sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rati

“We’re unstoppable on the same team.” It's Love on the Run Week! I am not ashamed to admit that Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. People will say it's a Hallmark holiday, or they'll say "but we should tell people we love them every day!" And OK! We totally should, I agree. But a day that's all about celebrating love? I'm so into it. The way I see it and celebrate it, it's about love is love is love is love is love is love is love. It's a heart-filled time to honor and acknowledge and appreciate all of the love in your life, whether it's a long-term romantic relationship, a one-night fling, a special friendship, your trusty barista, a favorite colleague, or a family member. In this edition of Love on the Run, I'm putting a family member of my own in the spotlight. Meet Jacqueline Adair: "Cousin Jackie!" Jackie is — you guessed it — my cousin, and she's one of my very best friends. She lives in Arlington, VA (by way of Pennsylvania), with her husband and two daughters, she works in national securit

"I would just look at the clock and accept, like, 'OK, we’re running really really fast. And this is gonna be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. But if you can hold on, you’re in for a treat.'" In her first few years as a professional athlete, Gabbi Jennings has quickly earned and solidified her spot as one to watch in the 3000m Steeplechase. Last summer, she finished fourth in the steeple at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials — a tough spot to finish, but one that came with plenty of worthwhile and hard-earned lessons. In this conversation, the adidas-sponsored member of Team Boss talks about what she gained from that day in Eugene, and about how it inspired her goals for 2025. Last weekend, Gabbi raced the mile at the BU Terrier Classic in Boston. She finished second (behind winner Elise Cranny) in a personal best 4:25.32. Now, she's headed to New York City, where Gabbi will race the 3K at the Millrose Games. FOLLOW GABBI @the__gabs SPONSOR:  St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville: Register for the mara