749. Lauren Peterson, Political Speechwriter & Author

"Remember the entire journey, because it’s very special." It’s almost time for the 46th running of the Chicago Marathon! The 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 13, and this episode is packed with all the information you need before you head to the start line. (And yes, you really should plan to get there two hours early. We’ll explain why!) The elite fields are stacked (Bates! D'Amato! Saina! Chepngetich! Hall! Rojas! Rooker! Frisbie!), and they’ll be followed by tens of thousands of runners en route to 26.2-mile glory. Get ready. Get psyched. And get that Goose Island at the finish! Planning to tune in from home? Here’s how to watch. SPONSORS: Sidekick: Click here to get 15% off any recovery tool. UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN training essentials pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. In this episode: Chicago Marathon executive race director Carey Pinkowski talks about what to expect at this year’s race (5:00)) How to get in, how to watch, and how Chicago is committed to sustainability (31:00) What to know about getting to the start and navigating the athlete village (37:00) Chris "Coach Worm" Wehrman and Robyn LaLonde talk Chicago Marathon course strategy (48:00) All about the finish line experience and tips for spectating (1:17:40) 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 your friends!

"It felt like the riskiest choice I could make, but it changed the whole trajectory of my life and I feel so grateful." Lauren Peterson's list of professional contacts is wildly impressive. As a political speechwriter and strategist, she has worked for and with President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and President Biden. She's the New York Times best-selling co-author of Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead, with former Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, and is currently working on her next book, This Will All Be Worth It, about LGBTQ+ family building. In this conversation, Lauren shares her most memorable stories from the campaign trails and Air Force One, to her encounters and interviews with Barack, Michelle, and more. And, of course, Lauren is a runner and marathoner. She talks about running through the best of times, the worst of times, and the most stressful times. Lauren lives in New York City with her wife and their son, Remy.  FOLLOW LAUREN @lcollinsp SPONSOR:  New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season. In this episode: How Lauren describes her job (5:30) On “ego” in speechwriting (7:50) How Lauren got into politics (10:30) What it was like meeting — and working with — the Obamas (22:40) What it was like flying on Air Force One (28:40) How Lauren became a speechwriter (31:15) The first time Lauren heard one of her speeches being delivered (38:00) The speeches Lauren most loves to write (48:00) Why Lauren started running (55:10) How running changed Lauren’s relationship with food and her body (1:02:00) Running around the time of the 2016 election (1:04:50) Lauren’s decision to have a baby, and what that meant for running and her career (1:09:00) What Lauren’s days look like right now (1:21:45) 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 your friends!

"Sometimes you need to just shut your brain off and run." At this time last year, Karissa Schweizer was undergoing foot surgery. Then, as she mounted her comeback heading into an Olympic year, she faced another setback: a femoral stress fracture. But as we know, the comeback is always greater than the setback, and Karissa proved that by racing both the 5000m and the 10,000m at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials on her home turf at Hayward Field in Eugene, OR, making the team in both distances. She went on to finish in the top 10 in both events at the Paris Olympic Games. Karissa's season didn't end there: She went on to race the 5000m at the Zurich Diamond League, she raced (and won!) the Fifth Avenue Mile, and she ran a season's best in the 5000m at the Diamond League Final in Brussels. Now, the two-time Olympian, Nike-sponsored athlete, and longtime Bowerman Track Club member is back in Oregon for some much-deserved downtime, and back on the Ali on the Run Show to catch us up on all of it. SPONSOR:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN training essentials 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: Where in the world is Karissa Schweizer? (2:40) How Karissa approaches her training breaks (4:30) High school nerves vs. Olympics nerves (7:30) How Karissa’s body is feeling after a big season of racing, and how she approached her comeback after multiple injuries (9:50) On having the confidence to line up at the Trials (20:25) What Karissa’s training was like this year (22:00) How Karissa has handled the changing landscape of the Bowerman Track Club over the past few years (26:40) Karissa’s experience at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (30:45) “Is Karissa Schweizer a miler?” (37:25) How Karissa is processing her season (44:00) Karissa’s advice for improving your running confidence (49:40) What’s intriguing right now? (54:10) 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 rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"I was so afraid of being vulnerable, and afraid of having to look at other people and say what was going on. But when I did…it was the most incredible experience of my entire life." In December 2019, life was good for Kate Greene. She had a good job in Boston, she had just completed her first half marathon, and her New York-based family was planning a trip to visit for the holidays. Her younger brother, Ryan, who had struggled with drug addiction since they were young, was finally doing well. Kate and Ryan celebrated his birthday together over FaceTime. Everything was falling into place. Then, Ryan died of a heroin overdose. In this conversation, Kate talks about processing such a tremendous loss, and about leaning into running during that time. She explains how Ryan's death became the catalyst in getting her to run her first marathon, and about how getting involved with The Herren Project is what saved her when she needed it most. (Kate first heard about The Herren Project on the Ali on the Run Show. She went on to run the 2022 Boston Marathon for The Herren Project, and raised $14,000 for the organization in the process.) Plus: Kate talks about psychic mediums, rebirthdays, "Sad Week," and more. FOLLOW KATE @k8greene SPONSOR:  goodr: Click here and use code ALI for free shipping on your entire order. In this episode: Kate’s history as a runner, and what her childhood was like (3:20) What Kate’s work is like as a marketing director for a law firm in Boston (17:00) When, how, and why Kate got back into running in adulthood (18:25) All about Kate’s little brother, Ryan (23:00) How Kate learned about addiction, and how to support someone dealing with addiction issues or mental health struggles (27:25) What it was for Kate to process her brother’s death during the holiday season, heading into the pandemic (29:20) Why Kate decided to join a grief group — and run a marathon (36:30) Kate’s decision to see a psychic medium in the wake of Ryan’s death (43:25) What Kate’s Boston Marathon training was like, and how her thoughts about grief evolved throughout the process (48:15) What it means to celebrate a “rebirthday” (58:15) Kate’s experience running the 2022 Boston Marathon (1:01:30) Why Kate runs now (1:10:50) 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 your friends!

"I am a champion for love. I root for love. I am a delusionally optimistic lover of love stories and romantic comedies and love songs." Welcome to Ask Ali, where I answer all of your questions submitted on Instagram (I'm @aliontherun1). This time around, we're covering everything from business and life lately to Summer House, Sex and the City, and Emily in Paris Season 4. (OK, and some running talk mixed in.) SPONSORS:  New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season. UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN training essentials 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 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 your friends!

"I’m an Olympian, and will forever be an Olympian, no matter what I do in years to come. It’s a very fulfilling thing. To be able to achieve it this early — it takes a lot of pressure off for years to come." Two years ago, Juliette Whittaker became one of the fastest high school girls in American history, and only the second girl to break two minutes in the 800 meters. Now, in the summer between her sophomore and junior years at Stanford University, Juliette is an Olympian. (An Olympic finalist, to be exact. Juliette finished 7th in the 800m Final.) Juliette was on the Ali on the Run Show a few weeks ago, after she earned her spot on Team USA by finishing third in the women's 800m at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials. Now, she's back, talking all things Paris Olympics, including what it was like staying in the athlete village, what the highest and lowest points were from the races and beyond, and where she decided to get her Olympic rings tattoo.  What you’ll get on this episode: How Juliette is feeling after the Olympics, and how she processes her races (1:55) Juliette’s favorite memory from the Paris Olympics (5:30) The ever-present dissatisfaction of being a professional athlete (11:45) Juliette’s Olympic rings tattoo (13:35) On being back at Stanford for the school year — as an Olympian (17:00) Juliette’s low point from Paris (24:30) What it was like getting to experience the Olympics with Juliette’s sister, Bella (26:50) Juliette’s Olympics expectations (31:20) Juliette recaps each round of the 800m at the Olympics (33:15) On being the only member of Team USA to advance to the 800m Final (50:30) All about the 800m Final and the Closing Ceremonies (56:30) FOLLOW JULIETTE @jwhittaker22 SPONSORS:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN training essentials pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN 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 your friends!

"I have zero expectations. I'm ranked 60-plus. But I think I have a good shot at being top 10 in the world, and maybe even having a shot at a medal. Those were my own expectations and my own pressure. Good expectations, and good pressure. It started as, 'We made it, we checked the box, we got to the Olympics!' But it quickly transitioned to, 'Oh, let's see what we can do. Let's swing for the fences.' When Clayton Young lined up at the start of the Paris Olympic Marathon, he had thousands of fans cheering him on. Sure, he had his friends and family — including his wife, Ashley — in Paris. But because Clayton and Ashley so meticulously documented the build from the Trials to Paris in a docu-series, they gained legions of new fans and followers along the way.  Clayton earned his spot on Team USA by finishing second at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February, just seconds behind teammate Conner Mantz. In Paris, they did it again, finishing seconds apart at the Olympic Marathon on that grueling, hilly, scenic tour of the city. Conner finished eighth, and Clayton ran 2:08:44, landing him in ninth place. And somewhere around those hills, we saw the mid-race low five between teammates, garnering a collective "awwww" from the viewers at home.  An even cuter duo than the training partners: Clayton and his wife Ashley, who is known on Instagram as "Feed Your Runner," and is tasked with fueling Clayton's 120-mile training weeks. In this episode, we get to hear about how Ashley and Clayton support each other, and about what it looks like to be in a partnership where you're chasing big dreams and making choices and sacrifices in pursuit of greatness.  Clayton and Ashley have two daughters, they live in Utah, and their next big [family] trip will be to New York this fall, when Clayton will race his third marathon of the year at the TCS New York City Marathon. FOLLOW CLAYTON @_clayton_young_ FOLLOW ASHLEY @feedyourrunner SPONSOR:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN training essentials 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 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 your friends!

"I wanted to change the world just like she had." Kate Gunderson — best known online as "The Plane Kate" — is living a real-life Top Gun...kind of. (She'll explain!) Kate is a flight test engineer (a literal woman in STEM!), a former NASA engineer, and a nine-time marathoner with a 3:18 personal best. In this conversation, Kate explains what her role entails, what it's like being in flight test school, and how she handles being a woman in a very male-dominated industry (she's the only woman in her program!). She offers advice on improving your confidence, on speaking up when you're "the only," and on chasing your biggest dreams. Plus, all about her first flight, what it took to run a massive personal best, and whether or not she still dreams of heading into space someday. FOLLOW KATE @theplanekate SPONSOR:  Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (Emma Bates and I are both Otters!) Use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your order. What you’ll get on this episode: Top Gun vs. real life, and what Kate’s first flight was like (2:30) On being a woman in a male-dominated industry (7:25) When Kate knew she wanted to pursue a career in space (10:10) How Kate made her dreams come true (14:50) On life in test pilot school (30:15) How Kate met her soon-to-be husband (46:15) What’s the dream now? (52:30) How — and why — Kate became a runner (58:05) What it took to run a 3:18 marathon (1:01:20) On doing the right thing, even when it’s hard (1:05:55) Kate’s advice for beating imposter syndrome (1:10:30) 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 your friends!

"It’s like everything you’ve been working for coming true in one moment." Today in 2024 Paris Olympic Games recap episodes: marathoner Dakotah Lindwurm! Dakotah earned her spot on Team USA by finishing third at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon in February, and now, she finally got to run those 26.2 miles (or 42.1 kilometers, as she learned) through Paris, and can officially call herself an Olympian. Dakotah finished 12th at the Olympic Marathon, and was the top American woman in the race, running 2:26:44. In this episode, we get to hear all about the race, including what it was like leading the Olympic Marathon, and what it was like getting engaged at the finish. Plus, what's next: Dakotah announced this week that she will be running the TCS New York City Marathon in just 11 weeks. SPONSORS:  goodr: Click here and use code ALI for free shipping on your entire order. UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN training essentials 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: How Dakotah is feeling post-Paris, and all about her decision to run the New York City Marathon in just 11 weeks (2:00) If Dakotah hasn’t had her breakthrough yet, what would that look like? (8:20) Dakotah’s Paris expectations vs. reality (10:00) All about the boy on the sidelines (16:50) Why this race was “bittersweet” for Dakotah (19:40) How watching the men’s marathon impacted Dakotah’s race plan (23:45) The pre-race camaraderie between Dakotah, Emily, and Fiona (28:30) What it was like racing the Olympic Marathon — and why the first 10K was so “chaotic” (33:20) On leading the Olympic Marathon (36:10) How Dakotah felt on the hills (39:00) Dakotah’s advice for getting through the low points of a race (42:40) What the final miles of the race were like for Dakotah (47:30) The finish line proposal! (50:30) The immediate perks of being an Olympian (55:40) How Dakotah chose what to wear for the marathon (1:02:30) 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 your friends!

"I knew it was going to be incredible. I knew it was going to be such a fun and crazy experience. But it was an experience of a lifetime. There’s no other way to describe it. I just had so much fun. One of my goals was to soak it all in and have fun, and I really did that." Nikki Hiltz returns to the Ali on the Run Show for the tenth time — and this time, officially, as an Olympian. Nikki finished seventh in the 1500m Final at the Paris Olympic Games, and in this episode, they give us the full scoop about what it was like being at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, living in the athlete village, and competing at the Stade de France. Let the 2024 Paris Olympic Games recap episodes begin! FOLLOW NIKKI @nikkizhiltz SPONSOR:  New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season. What you’ll get on this episode: How Nikki is feeling post-Olympics (2:40) Nikki’s Olympic expectations vs. reality (4:25) All about that moment between Nikki and Tara Davis-Woodhall, and Nikki’s take on the Team USA camaraderie at the Games (9:10) What it was like in the athlete village (17:50) Nikki’s thoughts on how the final played out (28:45) On feeling loved and supported at the Olympics and beyond (39:00) Nikki answers listener questions (40:45) 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 your friends!