Ali On The Run Show

"The best way to relax at the starting line is to take a deep breath, and say, 'This is fun as hell.' Doesn’t mean it’s not scary! Doesn’t mean it’s gonna be easy! It’s just fun as hell. And then go have some fun!" Everyone's favorite "Ted Lasso of Running" returns to the Ali on the Run Show today for a pre-race pep talk! Coach Chris Bennett is Nike Running's Global Head Coach, and he's here to give it to you straight. He has advice on dealing with a bad race, tips for staying sane during the final days of taper, and a message for all of the soon-to-be marathoners. Whether you're making your 26.2-mile debut this spring, or you're chasing a big personal best, Coach wants you to celebrate, he wants you to race well, and, most importantly, he wants you to have an awesome time out there. A haiku: Coach Bennett is wise. Listen and you'll run your best. You are doing GREAT! SPONSORS:  New Balance. Click here to shop New Balance’s latest releases for the season. (The SuperComp Trainer is my favorite shoe!) UC

"We’re leading alongside our community. The three of us made this happen, but there is so much wisdom, so much leadership, so much brilliance within our community. And so we always want to make it known that we want to continue to uplift that and really just show up and show out." Abeo Powder has a magnetic energy. She's one of those people you'll meet and just want to be around every day. Abeo is the co-founder of the TrailblazHers Run Co., an all-female run crew in Boston, with a mission to empower and uplift women — especially BIPOC women — in the community. Emphasis on community: That's what Abeo is all about. In this conversation, Abeo talks about her lifelong relationship with running, and how it's evolved over the years. Today, in addition to her work with the TrailblazHers, she's the founder of Holistic with Hotfoot, where she takes a personalized approach to coaching. You're not just getting training plans with Abeo: You're getting guided meditations, playlists, and so much more. FOLLOW ABEO @hotf

"Use all of your resources. If people are willing to help, let them help." What's it like when you're one of the best coaches in the NCAA, and your daughter joins the team? And what's it like to be a high school senior vetting potential college running programs — and to have to decide whether or not to be a part of the program your mom is leading? In this Motherhood Mondays conversation, we're hearing all about the mom-daughter-coach-athlete dynamic, courtesy of NC State Head Women's Cross-Country Coach Laurie Henes and daughter and NC State alum Elly Henes. Laurie talks about how she approached coaching Elly, and Elly talks about the perks and challenges of being coached by her mom. Today, Elly is a professional adidas-sponsored runner who lives in Flagstaff, AZ, is coached by Mike Smith, and trains with Rachel Schneider Smith and Nikki Hiltz. SPONSOR: adidas: Click here to check out the adiClub membership benefits, including 15% off and free shipping. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Faceboo

"I really, truly, in the bottom of my heart want to keep doing this. But I need to figure out what my 'why' is in a more sustainable way rather than just ‘I want to win another medal because everyone tells me I need to win another medal.’" In 2020, Molly Seidel ran her debut marathon at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon, finished second, and earned a spot on Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics. In 2021, she became an Olympic Bronze Medalist. The next few years included some highs — like running an American course record at the New York City Marathon — and a lot of lows, including injuries and mental health struggles. Last fall, Molly was on the upswing. She ran a personal best at the Chicago Marathon, which felt promising and encouraging heading into the 2024 Olympic Trials Marathon. Then: a shattered kneecap. Molly had to withdraw from the Trials, which was a devastating blow for her and for fans alike. In this unfiltered episode, Molly talks about how she's doing now, and how she's been doing over the pa

"Right on Hereford, left on Boylston. It is the place to be. It’s special every time." We are less than two weeks away from the 128th 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 15. 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!), past champions Des Linden and Meb Keflezighi join to talk course strategy and to break down what it takes to succeed (and run a PR!) in Boston, and sports dietitian Meghann Featherstun is here to give you some last-minute fueling advice. Get excited: Whether you’re running, volunteering, cheering, or watching from home, it’ll be a Boston to remember. SPONSORS:  UCAN:

"It’s OK to prioritize time for happiness. Hard times will come. It’s really important to know what happiness feels like to you so that when you’re in those dark times, you know that happiness is real, you have hope for the future, and you can hold onto that — that you’ll be happy again." Her story captivated the nation: Elizabeth Smart was 14 years old when she was abducted from her home in Salt Lake City and held captive for nine months. During that time, she was repeatedly raped and abused by her captors. Remarkably, Elizabeth has gone on to live a happy, healthy life. She's a mom of three, and she's a child safety activist and commentator for ABC News. She's also a four-time marathoner. In this conversation, Elizabeth talks about how she found running, the role it plays in her life today, and what the marathon means to her. FOLLOW ELIZABETH @elizabeth_smart_official SPONSORS:  Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I’m an Otter!) Use code ALI at

"I will always show up and do my best, and try to maintain my integrity in the process. I don’t always get it right. But I always try." I ran the New York City Half. I had the best time. And today, I'm here to talk all about running my first 13.1-mile race since my breast cancer diagnosis in May 2023. Plus, answering listener questions about running, podcasting, and more. SPONSORS:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN energy bar sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. goodr: Click here and use code ALI for free shipping. What you’ll get on this episode: My 2024 NYC Half recap (1:00) Running-related questions (43:30) Podcast-related questions (56:20) Cancer-related questions (1:02:00) Life questions (1:04:10) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 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

"Des is the coolest one out of all of us, and she organized it. So of course if Des organizes a dog party, we're going to go to it... And I think if you went to the dog party, you had a good race." She's the American Record Holder in the marathon, she just made her second Olympic team, and this weekend, she was in New York City for a live show all about doggy play dates, missing dogs, the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon, potential Olympic tattoo spots, being Emily in Paris, and so much more. Welcome Emily Sisson back to the Ali on the Run Show! FOLLOW EMILY @em_sisson_ SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to shop New Balance’s latest releases for the season. (The SuperComp Trainer is my favorite daily shoe, and I ran the NYC Half in the SC Elite v4!) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 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

"I have yet to meet a marg that is too spicy for me." Emma Coburn is an Olympic bronze medalist, a World Champion, a world silver medalist, a 10-time U.S. champion, and a three-time Olympian. The New Balance-sponsored professional athlete returns to the Ali on the Run Show for the seventh time today to catch us up on how life has been since tearing her hamstring at World Championships last summer. (Spoiler: She's fit!) FOLLOW EMMA @emmacoburn SPONSORS:  Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I’m an Otter!) Use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your order. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 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 yo

"I hope I can normalize not hitting goals and being OK." We took our finest feathers and poppiest pink outfits to Richmond, VA. Welcome to Ali on the Run Show LIVE with Keira D'Amato! We played games — Never Have I Ever, Truth or Dare Jenga, and the classic Skeirragories — we laughed, we squatted, we chugged water, and we had an honest conversation about Keira's experience at the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials. Come for the community. Stay for the Meat Thing clip. (OK, maybe don't stay for the Meat Thing clip...) SPONSORS:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN energy bar sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. Tracksmith: New customers, use code ALINEW for $15 off your first Tracksmith order over $75. Returning customers, use code ALIGIVE for free shipping, plus a portion of the proceeds from your order will be donated to Moms Demand Action. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support o

"Records are always going to be broken, but medals are forever." Nikki Hiltz returns to the Ali on the Run Show for the seventh time — and for the first time as a world championship medalist! Last weekend, Nikki took home the silver medal in the 1500m at World Indoor Championships, and today, we get to hear all about it. Plus a very special (and oh so wholesome) guest to kick off the episode. FOLLOW NIKKI @nikkihiltz SPONSORS:  New Balance. Click here to shop New Balance’s latest releases for the season. (The SuperComp Trainer is my favorite shoe!) UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN energy bar sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. LISTEN HERE: EMBED What you’ll get on this episode: Welcome Liz Hiltz to the Ali on the Run Show! (1:45) How it feels to be a World Indoor Silver Medalist (11:35) “This is my whole personality now” (14:10) The 1500m community, and what makes it so special right now (18:35) Nikki’s reaction to

"I think about when I was a kid and I would just go out and run hard and not worry about the result or what was the worst thing that could happen. I run my best when I run with the same mindset I had when I was 12." Jackie Gaughan qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials in her very first marathon. At 24 years old, she was the 18th-fastest qualifier in the field. (Her PR is a 2:27 from the 2023 Berlin Marathon.) In this conversation, Jackie talks about going from being an anxiety-riddled runner at Notre Dame to a four-time marathoner who finished 25th at the Trials. She talks about how running fits into her life as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs, about her oldest daughter tendencies (she's the oldest of four), and about racing with a Jackie Mindset. FOLLOW JACKIE @jackie_gaughan SPONSOR:  New Balance. Click here to shop New Balance’s latest releases for the season. (The SuperComp Trainer is my favorite shoe!) What you’ll get on this episode: All about Jackie’s run today (1:45) Jackie’s

"Hands down, the most courageous thing I’ve ever done is walk into trying to get pregnant and walking through pregnancy after loss." Rachel Schneider Smith just might be the most-loved woman in the professional running world. Everyone adores her — and in this episode, it's easy to see why. Rachel is a HOKA-sponsored professional runner who competes in everything from the 1500m on the track to the half marathon on the roads. (Girl's got range!) She lives in Flagstaff, AZ, where she is coached by her husband, Mike Smith. In this conversation, Rachel talks about pregnancy after loss, and about the role running played during her grieving process in the wake of a miscarriage. She talks about returning to running and racing, and about how she's feeling heading into the USATF 15K Championships this weekend in Florida. FOLLOW RACHEL @rachschneid18 SPONSORS:  Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I’m an Otter!) Use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your

"I had the time of my life out there. I soaked it all in." So often, the fourth-place finisher at any given Olympic Trials is the most devastated of the day. The person who came closest to the podium, and was the first not to make the team. But at this year's U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon, Jess McClain changed the narrative. The self-coached, unsponsored, agent-less runner shocked fans with her fourth-place finish and four-minute personal best, finishing in 2:25:46. In this conversation, Jess — who is the executive director of the Love Up Foundation and is a freelance marketing consultant — talks about how she made it happen. FOLLOW JESS @jesstonn SPONSORS:  goodr: Click here and use code ALI for free shipping. Sidekick: Click here to get 15% off any recovery tool. What you’ll get on this episode: Jess’s emotions a few days post-Trials (2:55) On Jess’s approach to the Trials (4:45) Does Jess want a coach, an agent, a sponsor? (7:20) Jess’s snapshot moment from the day (11:30) How the

"This was the happy ending to it all, to all the struggle. But that’s life, right? It wasn’t how the story ended. But believing it was kept me in it." Sara Hall just competed at her eighth Olympic Trials event. She went all-in for this one, hoping to make her first Olympic team. At the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon in Orlando, FL, Sara ultimately finished fifth — two spots short of earning a spot on Team USA. Her 2:26:06 finish broke the American Masters Marathon Record, and as she processes what it all means for her and her journey, Sara shares in this episode that there's so much to be proud of and grateful for. (And, after her eighth Trials, it's fitting that this is Sara's eighth appearance on the Ali on the Run Show!) FOLLOW SARA @sarahall3 SPONSORS:  Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon's 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I'm an Otter!) Use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your order. UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN energy bar sample pack (you’ll just pay th

"Going into this race, I was like, 'Top 10, that sounds like a really good goal. I can do that. Top 10.' And then when that race started, I was like, 'Holy crap, Top 10 is going to be so hard. This is the most talented group of women I have ever been surrounded by.' Everywhere I looked, I was like, 'You’re amazing, you’re amazing, you’re incredible…' I felt honored to be among those women. I just look up to all these women around me." "Have kids and dreams." It's Makenna Myler's mantra (surely you've seen her post-race video that quickly went viral), and it's exactly what she's doing. The mom of two (10 months and 3 years old) just finished seventh at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon, where she ran a personal best time of 2:26:14. Makenna went into the Trials hoping for a Top 10 finish, and wanting "to be a factor." In this episode, she talks about how she made it happen, about being coached by Ryan Hall, about doing workouts alongside Sara Hall, and about what it was like pumping with fellow Trials-

"For all the speculators out there, there was no splitting the prize money, no talk about that beforehand, no 'You go first, I go second.' No 'Conner let me win in New Haven, so I have to let him win at the Trials.' It really just happened. I want to make that 100 percent clear. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was pure, raw emotion of enjoying the moment." It was the marathon finish we all couldn't stop talking about. At the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon, former Brigham Young University teammates and current training partners Conner Mantz and Clayton Young ran stride-for-stride every step of the way, until Conner broke the tape just ahead of Clayton. Together, they went 1-2 on the podium, securing their spots on Team USA for the Paris Olympic Games this summer. In this conversation, Conner and Clayton talk about the race, about training with coach Ed Eyestone, and about whether Clayton really "let" Conner win. It's Love on the Run meets Friendship Fest! FOLLOW CONNER @connermantz FOLLOW C

"Seeing how many people flew down to Florida on a random weekend in February to cheer for total strangers… How cool is that?!" I had the best weekend in Orlando at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon — running around Lake Eola with friends, attending the elite athlete press conference, hosting a Best Running Friends meetup, going on shakeout runs, and, of course, cheering for all of the runners during Saturday's race. This is my recap from the weekend. SPONSOR: UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN energy bar sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. What you’ll get on this episode: Why I went to the Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando (1:00) Friday: a morning run, wise words from Deena Kastor, the elite athlete press conference, an impromptu Best Running Friends meetup, a shakeout run, and a weird sushi dinner (9:00) Saturday: race day! (34:10) Final takeaways (51:50) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook gro

"I knew months ago that was going to be my caption for that post!" Let the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon recaps begin! First up: Dakotah Lindwurm! The 28-year-old Puma-sponsored athlete who trains with Minnesota Distance Elite finished third at the Trials, running 2:25:31 and fulfilling a lifelong dream of earning a spot on Team USA. In this conversation, recorded just two days after the race (while on vacation in the Dominican Republic!), Dakotah talks about her 130-mile training weeks leading up to the Trials while working full-time as a paralegal. She talks about developing an unwavering confidence and belief in herself, shares her original race plan, and breaks down the race itself. Plus, what it was like racing with teammate and best friend Annie Frisbie, what the spectators in Orlando were like, and the mid-race move that makes her feel "icky." FOLLOW DAKOTAH @dakotahlindwurm SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to shop New Balance’s latest releases for the season. (The SuperComp Trainer is my fa

"As runners, we all deserve to be at the start line — and at the finish line, winning races." Last month, Weini Kelati broke the American record in the half marathon, running 1:06:25 in Houston in her debut at the distance. Just a few days later, she ran — and won — the USATF cross-country championships. Weini's plan was never to be a record-breaking runner, though. Growing up in Eritrea, Weini was accustomed to walking — sometimes running — two hours to get to school each day, six days a week. Running on top of that? No thank you, she told her P.E. teacher. But somehow, she ended up on the school's track team, and at 17 years old, she was chosen to represent Eritrea at the Junior World Championships in Eugene, OR. The rest, as they say, is history. Weini intentionally missed her flight back home in favor of seeking asylum to stay in the U.S. and pursue a running career. She attended the University of New Mexico, where she became the most-decorated track and field athlete in the program's history, and she'