903. Caroline Moss Wants to Run a Marathon (?), Episode 4

"Sometimes you've gotta just get a little messy." Caroline Moss has long had a dream: to run the New York City Marathon. As a New Yorker, it's her favorite day of the year. The catch: Caroline has never been a runner — until recently. In this series, we've been following author, creator, theater producer, Saved by the Bell super-fan, proud millennial, and professional shopper Caroline Moss as she embarks on a quest to start running and run the race of her dreams. Caroline Moss Wants to Run a Marathon, Episode 1 Caroline Moss Wants to Run a Marathon, Episode 2 Caroline Moss Wants to Run a Marathon, Episode 3 In Episode 4, Caroline updates us on whether or not she still does, in fact, want to run a marathon. Plus, the usual pop culture chatter, talk of root canals and colonoscopies, and Caroline's read on the running community after attending a live show during NYC Marathon weekend last year.   FOLLOW CAROLINE @geethanksjustboughtitpod SPONSORS:  Lagoon. My favorite pillows and pillowcases! Click here to get the limited edition Ali on the Run x Lagoon Cool Flex Performance Pillowcase (!!!), and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. IN THIS EPISODE: What's making Caroline happy today (4:30) What Caroline's into right now (12:50) How Caroline's life has — and hasn't — changed in a year, and what life has been like with a puppy (20:30) An update on Caroline on the Run (30:00) Caroline's experience at the New York City Marathon Final Finishers celebration (34:15) Caroline shares her perspective on the running community (54:35) 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!

"It's such a rewarding job because you're working on things that affect your actual community. Some of the big stories are down the road from my house." When Tara Rincón was in college, she needed an internship to graduate. She was a communications major, so she decided to apply for an internship at her local news station, News 12 Long Island. Now, more than two decades later, Tara is still very happily at News 12, where she is a senior content producer. In this conversation, Tara — one of my best buds from Quinnipiac University, and a fellow journalism major / Spanish minor — talks about what her job entails, about what has kept her at News 12 for her entire adult life thus far, and about what a day in the life looks life. Tara wakes up every day at 1 AM, is at the station by 2 AM, and works until 11 AM. Then, she heads home, gets a run in, and is ready to transition to mom mode by the time her 6- and 9-year-old kids get home from school.  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: What's making Tara happy today, and what she's into right now (2:55) What Tara was like in college (8:15) Tara's road to working in broadcast news (11:30) A day in the life of Tara (18:25) What it's like being on the receiving end of viewers' phone calls (24:55) The importance of local news in 2026 (28:10) The biggest stories Tara remembers working on (33:40) What Tara does after the show wraps for the day (40:00) How Tara became a runner! (44:40) How Tara met her now-husband, thanks to being a New York sports fan (56:45) What's next for Tara on the run? (1:00:20) 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!

"Don't let bodily things make you not show up." Welcome to the fourth episode in a new series on the Ali on the Run Show called "No Stupid Questions." This is where experts come in to answer everything you've always wanted to ask about running. Eric Jenkins and Aisha Praught Leer kicked off the series answering questions about professional running (and so much more); Jinger Gottschall, New Balance Director of Sports Research, answered questions about shoes and sports bras; and professional runner and coach Kim Conley offered loads of advice about how to be a better, stronger, faster, happier runner.  Today, we're talking TMI, with the always honest, always unfiltered Ashley Desanno, content creator and cofounder of the Creepy Book Club. Ashley is a mom to two teenage boys. She lives in Oregon, and she's been running for more than two decades. In this episode, we're here to assure you that with runners, there's no such thing as too much information. But if you have questions about bathroom emergencies on the run, chafing, underwear, and more — and we know you do — this episode aims to talk about it.  SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to get your hands on the just-released SC Rebel. You're going to love it! IN THIS EPISODE: How to deal with GI stuff on the run (10:00) Underwear, going commando, and more (32:25) Skin, sweat, and chafing (41:00) …and more (54:00) 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!

"The days leading up to this race were rough, and the days after have been bright and full of sunshine." For the first time since 2019, lululemon's SeaWheeze half marathon and festival were so back! I had the honor and privilege of hosting a live show during the PreWheeze pre-race festivities with lululemon pro runner Phily Bowden, and was one of the start and finish line emcees on race day alongside Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby. The best part: I got to bring my daughter, Annie, along for all the fun. This is my recap from a few days in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Also: Welcome to EPISODE 900!) SPONSOR:  Shokz! My favorite headphones! Use code ALI for $10 off your next Shokz purchase. (I love the Open Run Pro 2.) IN THIS EPISODE: My history with lululemon, how I got the job at SeaWheeze, and my great post-surgery crashout (1:45) Thursday: the 2:15 AM alarm, traveling to Vancouver, and an afternoon exploring (16:00) Friday: a run along the Seawall, a live show with Phily Bowden, and a silly dinner at Sequel (27:30) Saturday: SeaWheeze Half Marathon day! (42:00) Sunday: the long way home (1:01:30) Answering listener questions about SeaWheeze (1:03:25) 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!

"Chaos can be a part of the journey." For the first time since 2019, lululemon's wildly popular SeaWheeze half marathon and festival returned to Vancouver, British Columbia — and I was there! I hosted a live show the day before the race with lululemon professional athlete and fan favorite Phily Bowden, who went on to win the race the next day. We talked about big dreams and goals, dealing with disappointment, and managing the very real post-race blues.  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!

"That's part of the loss. It isn't how it was. But that doesn't mean it's not worth doing." This past weekend, Kara Goucher ran her first half marathon in seven years, and her first since being diagnosed with runner's dystonia in 2022. The former pro, author of The Longest Race, cohost of Nobody Asked Us with Des & Kara, broadcaster, analyst, wife, and mom has had a long road to getting back on the run. From being told she'd never run again to breaking the tape at the City Tri Half Marathon alongside longtime friend Carrie Birth-Davis ("CB"), this is Kara's poignant race recap. She shares what it took to get to the start line, how she handled herself when things got tough with five miles to go (and really tough with three to go), and why this race was about so much more than 13.1 miles. SPONSOR:  Lagoon. My favorite pillows and pillowcases! Click here to get the limited edition Ali on the Run x Lagoon Cool Flex Performance Pillowcase (!!!), and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off. IN THIS EPISODE: How Kara is feeling after 13.1 miles (5:00) All about Kara's friend, affectionately known as CB! (8:30) Why Kara ended up running this race, and how it all came together — and the mid-race encounter with a car (19:25) What Kara's training was like leading up to this race, and what the emotional side of dystonia is like (29:30) Why Kara kept this race mostly under the radar (40:30) What Kara's relationship with the half marathon is like now (43:35) What was the goal for the day? (47:15) What it's like racing with the whole family (49:40) On being anonymous at the start line (52:45) The familiar pre-race nerves Kara felt on race day (59:00) Was it fun? (1:03:20) What helped when it got hard? (1:09:45) That finish line moment, and why this course was so meaningful for Kara and her family (1:11:10) How much was Sunday about running, and how much was it about so much more? (1:16:15) All about Stride & Story, Kara's writing and running retreat with co-author Mary Pilon (1:31:40) 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!

"I'm starstruck every time I'm at a track meet and I get to be side by side with some of these incredible athletes. That has not worn off and I don't think it ever will. And I hope it never does." It's been a few years since Jay Holder has been on the Ali on the Run Show, and today he returns as USA Track & Field's Chief Content & Communications Officer. Jay talks about how he got the job a year ago, what the first year in the role has been like, and what impact he hopes to have on the organization, the sport, the athletes, and beyond. He reflects on his time going from New York City newsrooms to the Atlanta Track Club to being Executive Director of Running USA, and shares his advice for people looking to break into the running industry. Plus, his recap from this year's U.S. National Championships at Icahn Stadium in New York City, including what it took to get New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the meet, and what it was like once he was on site. Jay lives in Severna Park, MD, with his wife, Lauren, and their two children. SPONSORS:  Lagoon. My favorite pillows and pillowcases! Click here to get the limited edition Ali on the Run x Lagoon Cool Flex Performance Pillowcase (!!!), and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. 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: What's making Jay happy today, and how he found his local running group (3:20) Jay shares his take on running streaks — including one of his own — and what's next on his race calendar (8:20) The books, music, movies, and TV shows Jay is into right now (12:40) Jay's lows from 2026 USAs (19:40) What was the main feedback  or critique from this year's USAs? (23:30) Jay's highlights from USAs, and how they got NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the meet (28:00) On racing the New York Road Runners Team Championships 5-miler in Central Park during the meet weekend (41:00) Who are the biggest stars in our sport right now? (45:35) How Jay got the job as USATF CCCO (50:30) What impact does Jay want to have on the sport? (56:30) What does a Chief Content & Communications Officer do? (1:04:30) On being starstruck at work (1:07:00) What will LA 2028 look like for Jay? (1:13:00) Jay's advice for people who want to work in the running industry (1:19:50) On Jay's recent health diagnoses, and how he has processed them (1:23:45) 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 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!