Ali On The Run Show

"Running has served many purposes over my whole life. But in this particular set of moments now — where so much of what I’m doing is not exactly about metrics, but about data and trying to achieve or accomplish something — I realized that trying to meet some particular bar or some standard with running was not the relationship I wanted to have with that activity. I want running to be something I do for me... It’s supposed to be fun." If you're a parent, you're probably familiar with Emily Oster. She's an economist and professor of economics at Brown University, but among the child-rearing set, she's best known as the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. And while the media loves to call Emily a "parenting expert," Emily's actual goal is to use a data-driven approach to help parents feel more relaxed about their decisions. And while Emily swears by research and numbers in most aspects of her life, there's one area where she opts to ditch the data: on the run. Emily is a lifelong runne

“I think this time was a long time coming. I just had to believe in myself more than anything.” The last time freelance journalist Emilia Benton was on the Ali on the Run Show, she talked about her longtime dream to qualify for the Boston Marathon. And she just kicked off 2022 by doing exactly that: running a nearly 16-minute personal best and earning a Boston qualifying time at the Houston Marathon. (Emilia's official finish time: 3:30:14!) On this episode, Emilia talks all about how she made that 12-year dream come true in Houston. She talks about the game-changing decision to hire professional runner Nell Rojas as her coach, and about what working with Nell was like throughout her marathon build-up. (Read more about their experience working together in Women's Running here.) Emilia talks about dealing with setbacks on the run, including a hip injury that sidelined her early in this training cycle, and about how she never stopped believing in herself along the way. SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit shokz.com/onth

“Celebrating victories big or small — that’s definitely how I choose to live life now.” The "great time to be a 30-something mom on the run" celebrations continue today on the Ali on the Run Show. Sara Vaughn is a full-time realtor and mom of four who just made — and won — her marathon debut at CIM and, within hours of crossing the finish line, was on the phone about to sign her first professional running contract with Puma. Sara has been competitive on the track for a long time, having great success particularly in the 1500m and the steeplechase. But last year, she got the itch to go long, and decided to give the marathon a try. Now, at 35, she's a fully-sponsored professional runner for the first time. On this episode, Sara talks about what life is like now with her new Puma deal, and explains how that deal came together. She talks about motherhood, identity, and whether always being pegged as a mom-on-the-run has helped or hurt her career. Plus, her spring 2022 racing plans, her decision to prioritize h

"We hit that first split bang on the money, and I told her, 'We’re good. It’s happening. It’s on.'" It was a record-breaking, history-making weekend at the Houston Marathon! Keira D'Amato won the race and ran a new American record in the marathon, finishing in 2:19:12 and breaking Deena Kastor's former record by 24 seconds. And Keira had some company along the way: two pacers, one of whom was Texas-based ultra-runner and four-time Guinness World Record Holder Calum Neff. (You may also remember Calum as the "green shorts guy" who paced Sara Hall at the Marathon Project in 2020.) And while Calum is an incredibly accomplished runner, he — like Keira — had never broken 2:20 in the marathon. So this task would require running a personal best of his own en route to that American record goal. (Spoiler: He did it, finishing in 2:19:33.) On this episode, Calum talks about how he got the role as Keira's pacer, what it was like previewing the course together the day before the race, and what that 5:18 pace actually f

“I will be a nervous wreck until that gun goes off, but I will never race like I’m nervous… As soon as I’m racing, it all goes out the window, and I’m always going to race my heart out, no matter what.” At last summer's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials, Allie Wilson officially solidified her spot as "one to watch" in the 800m. The professional runner for Atlanta Track Club Elite made it to the final round of the 800, ultimately finishing sixth. And despite not making the Olympic team, she walked away from Hayward Field proudly — and with a new personal best (1:59.02). On this episode, Allie reflects on her first Olympic Trials experience. She talks about her pre-race meltdown before the first round of competition, and talks about how she deals with race-day nerves. Allie talks about why she likes "racing under the radar," and about how she's learned not to count herself out when it matters the most. ("I may not be the fastest person going into the Trials, but I’m one of the fastest," Allie says.

“It was just so magical. Like holy smokes, I did it.” Last weekend, Brittany Charboneau made Disney history by becoming the first person to ever win all four races in the Dopey Challenge. The North Face-sponsored professional runner ran four races in four days — a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon — and broke the tape at each one. And she did so in carefully curated costumes that she hand-made herself, including Elsa from Frozen 2, Bing Bong and Joy from Inside Out, and Cruella de Vil from Cruella. On this episode, Brittany talks about why she wanted to complete the Dopey Challenge after a disappointing experience at last year's Boston Marathon. She talks about getting Covid just a few weeks before the races, and about her inspiration for each race and each costume. Plus, the Colorado-based comedian talks about attending "Broadway Camp" in New York City, where she spent nine hours a day training in dance, acting, and singing — in addition to training for the Dopey Challenge. SPONSOR: goodr. Click here

“That is how I always race — I’ve always got a smile on my face.” Dakotah Lindwurm runs happy. If you saw her leading the 2021 Boston Marathon — where she ultimately finished as the third American woman — you saw that smile on full display, from start to finish. And that smile just got a lot bigger, as Dakotah kicks off the new year with her first professional contract. Last week, Dakotah announced that she has officially signed with Puma, and that she will continue training with Minnesota Distance Elite. On this episode, the 2:29 marathoner (and former hockey goalie!) talks about her stellar past year on the run, which included two half-marathon personal bests and a win at Grandma's Marathon, where she also ran a personal best. She talks about being pegged as an underdog, and why she loves it, and about her goals for this weekend's Houston Half Marathon. SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit shokz.com/ontherun for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: How Dakotah’s Puma contract came toget

“I feel like I’m in love again with the process of waking up early, putting my shoes on, bundling up, and going for a run. It doesn’t feel quite easy or fun all the time yet, but I’m definitely in love with the process again.” For most professional athletes, a day in the life includes running, eating, recovering, napping, resting, running again, eating again, and sleeping. But for Hiruni Wijayaratne — the 11-time Sri Lankan record holder in distances from the 5,000 meters to the marathon, and the fastest female marathoner in South Asia — running has to happen before or after her other jobs. Hiruni lives in Colorado, where she works full-time in the tech industry, coaches with Runcoach, and trains at an elite level under the coaching of Ric Rojas. On this episode, Hiruni talks about her years-long quest to qualify for Sri Lanka's Olympic marathon team, and what it's been like to fall short of that goal and break her mind, body, and spirit in the process. She talks about her struggles over the past few years

“I don’t know what the year will bring, but I know I’m going to keep showing up for myself and for all of you.” In 2021, I released 165 episodes of the Ali on the Run Show with 134 different guests. I welcomed 10 new sponsors to the show, and maintained a strong partnership with eight longtime sponsors. In addition to the "hallmark" Thursday conversations, there was a steady stream of fun series options to choose from, including Love on the Run, On the Job, Ask Ali, What's New With You, Just Missed, Ramblings on the Run, and The Everyday Runner. After a long, pandemic-induced break, I was thrilled to return to in-person live shows in both Boston and New York City, and I hosted two virtual live shows earlier in the year. In October, the show surpassed 10 million downloads. November saw the show's single highest week of downloads, and became the show's highest-ever month of downloads. I hired a new member of the Ali on the Run Show team, and finally (finally!) created and sold merchandise. It wasn't an eas

“If I’m stuck on a joke, I’ll go for a run and think about it during my run. And almost all the time, I can figure it out on the run.” Michelle Wolf is a comedian who is best known for her stand-up specials (Michelle Wolf: Joke Show on Netflix, and Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady on HBO), and her roles as a writer and on-air contributor at both The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and Late Night with Seth Meyers. And though she's been successful on the comedy scene for a long time, it was her set as the headliner at the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner that really made headlines. Where was she when she got the call about being invited to the dinner? On a run. And what did she do in the aftermath, when life was, as she recalls, "tumultuous?" Go for a run. Michelle is a college high jumper turned avid distance runner, ultramarathoner, and self-proclaimed "track and field super fan." On this episode, she talks about her road to comedy fame, what her joke-writing process is like, and how she deals when rejection an

A disclaimer, before we get into it: This conversation talks at great length about one man's experience with disordered eating and anorexia. We discuss his eating habits and behaviors, his weight fluctuations, and what worked for him during recovery. As always, I want you to take care of yourselves and your hearts, and if for any reason these topics are hard for you to hear about right now, please consider listening cautiously or skipping this episode. “They looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘You’re dying.’ And I didn’t believe them.” Jesse Harmon is a 12-time marathoner with a 2:58 personal best in the distance. He's a dad of four, living with his wife and kids in South Carolina, where he's the founder of Run Hard — an after-school program for kids, where the goal is to create self-confidence through running. And though Jesse is a talented runner and an eager role model, the road there hasn't been easy. In 2013, Jesse was diagnosed with anorexia. His doctors told him he was going to die if he kept

“Holiday songs are my passion.” —Aisha Praught Leer One year ago, we closed out 2020 on the Ali on the Run Show with a holiday party of sorts. It was virtual, with a 500-person Zoom audience, a Schitt's Creek-inspired soundtrack, and an all-star guest lineup: Shalane Flanagan, Des Linden, and Aisha Praught Leer. We sat in front of our Christmas trees (Shalane wore holiday pajamas!), and indulged in 90 minutes of warm, fuzzy feelings. It felt like what we all needed at the time. And now, more than 365 days later, it seems like we might need those good feelings again. So, I'm releasing the episode to the public for the very first time. Whether you were there with us when the show first happened, or you're tuning in for the first time now, I hope this conversation brings you some holiday cheer. Shalane, Des, and Aisha talk about their holiday traditions, their earliest memories of happiness and joy, and what kept them motivated during peak pandemic times. (We also surprised Shalane, Des, and Aisha with a vide

“That seems to have diminished quite a bit since having a baby. The outcomes really don’t matter. It’s just so much more about who I’m becoming as I’m trying to reach these goals. It’s so cliché, right — the journey. But it really is true. The journey and who you’re becoming are just so much more important.” Last year, Makenna Myler went viral when she ran a mile in five minutes and 25 seconds — at nine months pregnant. On this episode, Makenna talks about that day, and about the bet she had with her husband that motivated the run. She also talks about the aftermath of going viral, and the criticism she received just days before going into labor. Today, Makenna is mom to one-year-old Kenny Lou, and she's had a strong comeback on the run. She qualified for the Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 10K, competed at the Trials and finished 14th (her goal was to finish in the top 15!), won the Deseret News Half Marathon (and set a course record in the process), and signed a professional contract with Asics.

“I hit a severe low. I went through a bout of depression, actually. I felt lost, in some ways. I had this dream and this goal, and I was so focused, and then I achieved it…and then it was like I didn’t have anything.” Earlier this year, Sika Henry made history, becoming the first African American woman to become a professional triathlete. She's an Ironman, an ultramarathoner (she just completed the JFK 50 Mile last month), and a Hoka-sponsored athlete. But the road to trailblazing status hasn't been without its challenges. In 2019, Sika was competing at an Ironman 70.3 event in Texas when she crashed her bike and had to be rushed to the hospital. On this episode, she recalls that day, and talks about the road to getting back on the bike, and back to herself. She talks about earning her triathlon pro card this year, and about dealing with a bout of depression afterward. Plus, all about the breakup that inspired her to get her start in triathlon (relatable!), what it was like completing the JFK 50 Mile, and

“We all want love and belonging at the end of the day. And so when you feel like your love and belonging is threatened if you fail…at a young age I started to really become afraid of that.” We kicked off 2021 on the Ali on the Run Show with professional runner Sara Hall, and today, Sara is back to recap the highs and lows of her year, both on the run (wins and podiums!) and off (getting Covid early in the year and dealing with a long recovery). Sara talks about her win at the NYRR Mini 10K, her fifth-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials 10K, and her third-place finish at the Chicago Marathon in October. She also talks about supporting her daughters in their endeavors, whether on the sidelines at their races or in mother-daughter hip-hop classes. Plus, a look ahead at 2022 and Sara's hopes and dreams as a member of the World Championship Marathon team. SPONSOR: UCAN. Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order! What you’ll get on this episode: On the pursuit of

“Women really only get tougher. I’ve figured that out myself, and I’ve figured that out watching others. I don’t really put a limit at this point of what being a mom and being a runner means anymore.” Welcome to the fifth and final episode in Season 2 of the Everyday Runner series. And today, we're getting a two-for-one deal, with Denver-based running best friends Robyn Mayer and Julia Berteletti! This warm-fuzzy-filled episode is all about the power of female friendships, both on the run and beyond. Julia and Robyn met through Twitter (remember those days?!) a decade ago, and eventually met in real life when they both moved to Colorado and started working out with November Project. On this episode, they share their real-life meet-cute moment, and talk about why they hit it off right away. They talk about their expectations about running after having children, and about the reality. Julia is mom to three-year-old Max, and talks about her hopes to have a second child, and the three miscarriages she has suff

"I know that for me to run well, I need to be happy, I need to not be stressed, I need to be relaxed, and I need to know that the time on the clock does not define me as a human." Welcome to Ask Ali, a twice-a-month series where I answer all of your questions. This time around — the last Ask Ali of the year! — we’ve got listener questions about early morning running, my favorite winter running gear, what to do when training feels discouraging, how I decide who to feature on the podcast, 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: Tips for morning running (3:00) What I wear when I run in the dark (10:00) My favorite pieces of running gear (14:45) My favorite running songs and playlists (17:50) What to do when you’re fee

“It was so cool, and so weird, and it’s still hard to describe.” For many sports journalists — especially the ones who cover running — New York City Marathon week is arguably the busiest of the year. That was certainly true for New York Times sports editor Talya Minsberg, who not only covered the race and many of the stories leading up to it, but also ran the marathon herself (and earned a Boston Marathon qualifying time in the process!). On this episode, Talya reflects on that week, sharing the stories she was most excited to tell (notably, the one about Tommy Rivers Puzey's comeback), and stories from her own race. She talks about what her days look like writing, editing, and managing the NYT Running newsletter. Plus, tales from the Met Gala, the Tokyo Olympics, and the Times comment section. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: What’s making Talya happy right now? (5:00) What Talya’s busiest week of the year was like

“We all just decided, we need to keep moving. We can’t just stay here and wallow in this. Obviously we’ll still be grieving, but we all made the decision that we had to just do the best we could.” Today's episode in the Everyday Runner series is extra special: Molly Burke is here, and she is the newest member of the Ali on the Run Show team! (Merch! Events! A retreat! A live show tour! All in the works, thanks to Molly!) Molly's story — both on the run and off — is a powerful one. On this episode, Molly talks about her family, about her dad (Brian Burke, president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins) being big time in the NHL, and about the close bond she shares with her siblings. She talks about the impact her dad's very public career had on her and her siblings growing up, and shares the story of her brother, Brendan, privately and publicly coming out as gay, and being the first NHL-affiliated person to do so. Tragically, Brendan was killed in a car accident just three months later. Molly ta

“I ran that fresh off a breakup, fueled by vodka and cute bartenders. I was not in a good headspace, and I rage ran — and I loved it. But now, I run better when I'm very happy.” We're back! After an eight-month hiatus, Ramblings on the Run returns! On these episodes, Matt Chittim — host of the Rambling Runner podcast and the Road to the Trials podcast — and I catch up on how our running is going, share what we’re loving right now, and talk about what we’re excited about. And then, in our fourth segment, we play a game of "High, Low, High," sharing our high and low points from 2021 both personally and in the running industry. SPONSOR: The Run Show USA — Use code ONTHERUN to get free admission to The Run Show in Boston, happening January 29–30, 2022. What we mention on this episode: In It for the Long Run by Damian Hall Be There in Five podcast Grayson Murphy on Episode 450 of the Ali on the Run Show My 2021 New York City Marathon Experience Follow Matt:  Instagram @rambling_runner Rambling