896. Ask Ali!

"I am pro people and I am pro human rights." It's surgery week! I had a prophylactic laparoscopic bilateral salpingo oophorectomy on Monday (I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed), and I'm trying very hard this week to rest and recover. Before going into surgery, though, I answered some listener questions here. This might be the longest, least cohesive Ask Ali ever. Sorry! A lot going on at the moment. Love ya! SPONSORS:  Superhero Muffins: Click here and use code SUPERALI15 to get 15% off the Superhero Muffin mix of your choice! New Balance. Click here to get your hands on the beautiful, just-released, hot pink Ellipse Breathe sneakers. What a dream! IN THIS EPISODE: Work & career questions (2:10) Motherhood & parenting questions (22:55) Cancer questions (41:25) Running questions (1:00:35) Personal questions (1:18:50) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Subscribe to the newsletter Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon 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!

"Being able to go into a race where you are a rookie, it opened me up to take chances I wouldn't necessarily take. In the marathon, I felt like I got so scared of failing that I was really hesitant to make any moves, try anything big, or go for it. It was like a protective thing. 'I just want to play it safe so I can race as well as possible but not risk anything.' I think with this one, I went into this with nothing to lose. I'm gonna go out and try to race as well as I can and race hard and I know I'll probably make mistakes, but so what?" Earlier this year, Molly Seidel — the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon — went all-in on ultra running, earning a Golden Ticket to the prestigious 2026 Western States Endurance Run 100-miler. In this episode, Molly recaps her 100-mile debut, reflecting on the highs, lows, river crossings, and more. She finished the race in 24 hours, 29 minutes, and 27 seconds. She was the 28th woman to cross the line, and came in 141st out of 323 finishers. And we're joined by a special guest: Molly's girlfriend, Molly Reidy! SPONSORS:  Lagoon. My favorite pillows and pillowcases! Click here to take Lagoon's 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you, and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order. Shokz! My favorite headphones! Use code ALI for $10 off your next Shokz purchase. (I love the Open Run Pro 2.) IN THIS EPISODE: How the Mollys are recovering from Western States in Wisconsin (2:00) What's making the Mollys happy today (3:20) How the Mollys met, and how Molly Reidy has learned about what it's like to date a professional runner (9:50) What Molly Reidy is like when Molly Seidel is racing (21:55) What Molly's Western States training was like, and how she prepared mentally for her 100-mile debut (31:20) How Molly assembled her WSER crew (35:30) Why Molly shaved her head before the race! (40:00) All about the Western States race plan (43:20) What the Western States start line was like, and how the early miles unfolded (45:00) The halfway point: when things started to go south for Molly (58:30) All about that final mile, and making it to the finish line (1:15:00) Lessons learned from WSER 2026 (1:30:25) What's next for Molly (1:36:40) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Subscribe to the newsletter Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon 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!

"A lot of these things that seem like world-enders at the time can lead to bigger, better, happier things." Alyssa McElheny had a dream: to qualify for the Olympic Trials Marathon. When the qualifying standard dropped from 2:45 to 2:37, she thought it would never happen. But after a quick cry, she decided not to give up on the dream. In November 2025 — after multiple failed attempts — Alyssa got her OTQ, running 2:34:28 at the Indy Monumental Marathon. Two weeks later, she made her Hyrox debut. She thought she would simply dip her toes into the now-trending "hybrid fitness" competition world. But a dip of the toe led to so much more. Last month — just seven months after her first mixed doubles event — Alyssa became the 2026 Hyrox Elite 15 World Champion. In this conversation, she talks about how she very quickly became the best in the Hyrox world. She talks about the pursuit of fun, she shares some common Hyrox misconceptions, and she talks about what's next.  FOLLOW ALYSSA @alyssamcelheny SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to get your hands on the beautiful, just-released, hot pink Ellipse Breathe sneakers. What a dream! IN THIS EPISODE: What the Hyrox aftermath has been like (2:50) What's making Alyssa happy today, and what the Hyrox homecoming has been like (3:30) Did Alyssa know — or at least believe — she could win it? (7:20) What Alyssa's relationship with running is like right now (16:10) How life has changed since becoming a World Champion (19:30) What Alyssa was like growing up, on being diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at a young age, and how Alyssa eventually found marathoning (22:15) "What in the side quest is happening right now?" (33:00) Alyssa's Hyrox strengths and weaknesses (37:00) Alyssa busts some common Hyrox misconceptions (43:20) Will we see Alyssa on the Olympic Trials Marathon start line in St. Louis in 2028? (46:00) On the pressure to stay at the top, and how the elite vibes compare at marathons vs. Hyrox (48:35) What it was like to win Hyrox World Championships (1:01:10) On Alyssa's career as a wedding photographer (1:04:20) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Subscribe to the newsletter Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon 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!

"If the winner thinks that everyone's important, then goddamnit I must be right." Rachel Entrekin arrived at the start line of the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon in May having already won the women's race twice. But as Rachel says, "You don't start and finish Cocodona as the same person." And this year, Rachel finished the race as a history-maker and record breaker. The women's defending champion became the first woman to win Cocodona outright. She finished the 253.3-mile race from Phoenix to Flagstaff — through the desert and the mountains, climbing more than 39,000 feet along the way — in 56 hours 9 minutes and 48 seconds. She finished seven hours faster than she did last year. She beat the entire men's elite field, and beat the existing course record by more than two hours. In this conversation, Rachel breaks down everything from her approach to training ("vibes-based") and her goals for Cocodona 2026 to her mid-race encounter with a very special woman and what the finish line was really like. FOLLOW RACHEL @rachel__entrekin SPONSOR: Lagoon. Click here to take Lagoon's 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you, and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order. IN THIS EPISODE: What's making Rachel happy today? (2:40) What Rachel's Cocodona recovery has looked like (4:10) How Rachel celebrated her birthday last week (10:00) What it means to Rachel to be a "vibes-based runner" (11:00) Why did Rachel's win have such a massive impact? (14:15) What did it take to do what Rachel did at Cocodona this year? (20:45) Rachel explains what she does, and what Cocodona is (22:40) On "liking the person I am when it gets challenging" (28:20) Running alone vs. with pacers — and a camera crew (36:10) All about the Native American woman Rachel met on the Cocodona course (38:00) How Rachel found running, and how eating disorder recovery changed her relationship with it (46:00) All about the sleep situation at Cocodona (55:45) Did Rachel wake up feeling like it was going to be a special day? (1:02:55) "Someone's gonna win it. Why not me?" (1:05:25) The sights and sounds of the Cocodona finish line (1:10:20) All about the post-race shower! (1:16:00) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Subscribe to the newsletter Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon 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!

"We're basically the same person, just 12 years apart." Emma Coburn and Parker Valby are professional runners, Olympians, New Balance athletes — and now, they're training partners. In this conversation, Emma and Parker talk about how they became friends, and how Parker ended up being coached by Emma's husband (and coach) Joe Bosshard in Boulder, CO. (Joe makes another brief appearance in this episode!) Parker talks about her 14:39 5000m personal best at the USATF Distance Classic this summer, and Emma reflects on this season's return to racing after injury. SPONSOR:  Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. IN THIS EPISODE: What's making Emma and Parker happy today (4:00) Where in the world is Parker Valby? (6:00) Why Parker has always looked up to Emma, and all about their first memories of meeting each other (6:50) How Parker and Emma became friends and training partners (13:40) Parker reflects on the first year of her professional career, dealing with injury, coaching changes, and multiple moves (23:50) What Parker was looking for in a coach, and why Joe Bosshard was a fit (30:15) How Parker and Emma both worked their ways back from their respective injuries (33:35) Parker and Emma reflect on their returns to racing (41:00) What's next on the racing calendar for Parker and Emma (52:55) How Emma and Parker are most alike, and how they're different (55:30) On the pressure of being Emma Coburn (1:01:00) What does it mean to be The Next Emma Coburn? (1:05:45) 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!

"When she said those words to me on that run, I was like, 'It's the same thing, Laura. You're gonna do the same thing that you've done. You were OK after every decision, after every scary thing you did in your career. It opened up new doors, it opened up new opportunities, I met new people. Some of those people who changed my life completely and it impacted me in ways I would never have imagined. But none of that would have happened if I didn't have the courage to trust myself to make the scary decisions and not stay in something that was no longer working because it was safe.' I just needed someone to remind me of that." Last year, Laura Thweatt chose to retire from professional running. Now, she's the Assistant Road Team Coach for On Athletics Club in Boulder, CO, and she's thriving. But the road to post-pro fulfillment wasn't easy. In this conversation, Laura talks about that heavy retirement decision, and shares the advice she got from fellow retired pro Jenny Simpson that made the decision a little easier. She talks about how she approached the next chapter in her life, about learning the art of the corporate interview, and about the emotional side of life after going pro. Plus, how she got the OAC job, why she feared her first day on the job would also be her last, and what it's like traveling the world with Hellen Obiri.  SPONSOR:  Oofos: The best in the recovery footwear game. Click here to check out Oofos's new CLUB+ line! Your feet are going to be so happy! IN THIS EPISODE: Laura's "Summer of 10Ks" traveling the east coast (2:00) What race-day nerves are like as a coach (5:45) What's making Laura happy today (7:55) What Laura's into right now (14:40) Laura plays favorites with her OAC athletes (25:00) Laura talks about her decision to retire from professional running, and the life-changing advice she got from Jenny Simpson in the process (30:00) On figuring out "what's next?" (37:35) Laura recounts her first day as an On Athletics Club coach (52:30) On getting comfortable in a coaching role (1:02:00) Has Laura ever questioned whether retiring was the right decision? (1:05:30) What race weekends are like as a coach (1:10:05) 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 don't think that the run girlies are respected within the sport the way they should be!" As a longtime marketer and creator of The Sweat Lookbook, Lee Glandorf truly has her pulse on industry trends, running fashion, and up-and-coming brands. In this conversation, she talks about what she's seeing at the halfway point in 2026, from the Eras Tour effect on road racing and what everyone's wearing at local half marathons, to where she sees holes, gaps, and opportunities in the industry. She offers thoughtful, critical analysis of running headlines, buzzy brands, and her take on the tastemakers on the run. (Listen to Lee's previous appearances on the show here and here.) FOLLOW LEE @leeglandorf SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to get your hands on the beautiful, just-released, hot pink Ellipse Breathe sneakers. What a dream! IN THIS EPISODE: How Lee is celebrating "Lee Week!" (2:00) Lee reflects on her relationship with running throughout pregnancy, the postpartum period, and motherhood (3:15) Lee's trend report from her local half marathon (10:00) The Eras Tour effect on the running industry (14:55) Why is Bandit so popular? (23:00) Who are the biggest tastemakers in running right now? (27:00) How Lee finds small, cool brands that are doing exciting things (33:40) Where Lee sees holes, gaps, and opportunities in the industry (38:15) What it takes for a boutique brand to make it in running (43:20) All about The Rec Room, the pop-up Lee and her team hosted on Newbury Street during Boston Marathon weekend (54:45) Reflecting on two years of The Sweat Lookbook — and what's next (1:06:15) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Subscribe to the newsletter Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon 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 terrified in a whole new way now." We got PET scan results — along with a whole lot of unexpected emotions.  SPONSORS:  Lagoon. My favorite pillows and pillowcases! Click here to take Lagoon's 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you, and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order. Shokz! My favorite headphones! Use code ALI for $10 off your next Shokz purchase. (I love the Open Run Pro 2.) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Subscribe to the newsletter Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon 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!

"If you're writing my obituary, whoever's in charge, please include this! Because I feel very proud of it!" For this Throwback Thursday episode, we're headed to January 2023 with actress and marathoner Ellie Kemper. It's my all-time favorite episode! In this conversation, Ellie (best known for her role as Erin on The Office) recaps her 26.2-mile debut at the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon.  SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to get your hands on the beautiful, just-released, hot pink Ellipse Breathe sneakers. What a dream! Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Subscribe to the newsletter Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon 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!

"We put ourselves on the line to help other people accomplish their dreams, and that was pretty freaking awesome." It's another Throwback Thursday, and this time we're going back to December 2019 for one of my all-time favorite episodes. At the 2019 California International Marathon (CIM), 72 women ran faster than 2 hours 45 minutes, officially qualifying to run the 2020 Olympic Trials in the marathon. Leading several dozen of those women were Menso de Jong, Chris Stehula, and Ken Rakestraw — the official sub-2:45 pace group leaders. None of them had ever run a 2:45 marathon before. This is their story. (This is such a lovely, wholesome conversation with three men who took their roles at CIM that year incredibly seriously, and who had the utmost respect for the women in the field chasing their biggest goals. The women who ran with Menso, Chris, and Ken spoke so highly of them after the race, and I was delighted to get to interview all three of them together.) SPONSORS:  Lagoon. Click here to take Lagoon's 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you, and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order. New Balance: For a limited time only, click here and use code TEAMALI for up to 25% off your next New Balance order! (Offer valid through May 31, 2026.) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Subscribe to the newsletter Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon 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!