Feature Friday: 10 Most Inspiring Podcast Episodes & I'm Getting EXCITED!

Happy Friday! I’m still sick, but optimistic that I will be able to get my speedwork in this afternoon either outside or on the treadmill. Alex is away for a boys weekend, so it’s just me and the furry ones Saturday into Sunday. I’m hoping to get my packing for Vegas done, a long run in on the trails, gettng a mani/pedi on Saturday, and finishing another book! It’s supposed to be a rainy/ cloudy/snow showery weekend so lots of indoor activities will be had (and hot cocoa consumed). I also cannot WAIT for the NYC Marathon on Sunday morning! Is anyone else excited?! Who is racing! Someday (even if I’m 100 years old) I hope to get into the NYC lottery!

PS Think this is why Alex just happens to schedule “work trips” around my half and full marathon tapers????

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Since my race-day is coming up soon, I wanted to share with you some of the most inspiring Podcast episodes I’ve listened to (and will be re-listening to this next week)!

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I’ll Have Another With Lindsey Hein Episode 145: Sally Mcrae. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this episode. Sally is so relatable and such a hardworker. She is so inspiring and I honestly could listen to this episode over and over again on repeat.

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Ali On The Run Show Episode #92: Laura Anderson, 2018 Buffalo Marathon Winner. Laura is so inspiring and works full-time, while also being a running coach (I would LOVE to have her be my coach!). She is really relatable on so many levels and if she can win a marathon while doing so much outside of the running world, I believe anything is possible!

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Rich Roll Podcast January 7th Episode How Charlie Jabaley Lost 120Ibs & Overcame a Brain Tumor To Become An Athlete. We listened to this episode on our drive to Lake Powell and Charlie’s story is absolutely amazing. He is so open with his weight loss journey, his future goals, and so down-to-earth. So much respect and admiration for him.

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Finding Mastery: Conversations with Michael Gervais June 27th Episode with Des Linden, 2018 Boston Marathon Winner. I’m sure that I have listed this episode here before, but it was just SO GOOD. I think this is my favorite interview with Des. I listened to it on my drive to my 50k and remember thinking how quickly the time went by because I was just so inspired and in awe of this interview. Really really good.

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Oprah SuperSoul Conversations with Tom Brady Part 1 & Part 2 (June 17th & 19th). I have never been a huge fan of football just because of the way that most of the professional players act and their overall persona, HOWEVER these two conversations with Tom Brady showed me how incredible he really is and he gained a lot more respect from me. He has worked really hard (and continues to work really hard) to get where he is today and is one of the few professional football players that is certainly not like the others.

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Rambling Runner Podcast Episode # 106 Janae Baron “Hungry Runner Girl”. I’m a huge fan of Janae’s and have loved so many episodes that Matt has done, but this one was so inspiring. I’ve been following Janae’s journey to get her sub-3 hour marathon for some time now and hearing her race recap when she did finally get that goal was incredible (and gave me CHILLS!).

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I’ll have another with Lindsey Hein Episode #122 Teal Burrell. Teal’s story is incredible (she was also on episode # 58 of this podcast) and so inspiring. She is so down to earth and relatable. This episode focuses on her second OTQ marathon time that she secured (this tie post-baby) and her blog is really well done.

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Ali On The Run Show Episode # 45 Andrea Barber AKA Full House’s Kimmy Gibbler. This one is inspiring in the sense that it gave me (a classic 90’s child) all. the. feels. I was never interested to watching the reboot, Fuller House, on Netflix until after listening to this episode. She is also really open and honest about her experiences with anxiety and depression and what it was really like growing up in Hollywood. Super funny and makes her seem so much more relatable.

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Rambling Runner Podcast Episode #74 Sarah Canney. I’m a huge fan of Sarah’s journey and her openness and honesty on her blog. She does a great job of showing you the ‘unfiltered’ parts of her life and has accomplished so many great things in the running world.

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Another Mother Runner Episode #326: 2017 NYC Marathon Winner & Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. Co-author Shalane Flanagan. So normally this podcast isn’t one of my favorites. They usually lose me in the first 5 minutes of their conversation recapping their weeks (maybe it’s because I don’t listen to every episode, but it just has me feeling lost), but I did fast forward through that and listen to their conversation with Shalane (whom I have a major girl crush on). She’s so inspiring and such a hardworker. I love following her journey and know that big things are still ahead for her!

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What’s the most inspiring Podcast episode you’ve listened to lately?!?

Who is going to watch the NYC Marathon? Anyone else going to enter into the lottery this year besides me (and hope that you’ll be one of the few selected to run)?!

Favorite pre-race tradition? ——> Manicure/Pedicure. Hands down. I look forward to it every single time. Hey, it could be some other more expensive tradition right?!?

Friday Feature: I LOVE these articles, Can You Relate To This, A Few More Engagement Photos, & I Need Your Recommendations!

Happy Friday! This week kinda flew by for me - anyone else feel this way? We’ve got nothing on the schedule this weekend and I’m pretty excited. I’m getting in my LAST 14 miler before Vegas this morning (I have 10 miles on the schedule next weekend) so the weekend will be filled with some easy runs and hopefully lots of time spent in my pjs enjoying all the caffeine I can get before I cut out caffeine until race day (to get the extra boost from caffeinated gels) starting on Monday morning (less than 2 weeks out from race day).

I’ll miss you, coffee.

This is also the last weekend that Alex and I will spend together until after Vegas - he’s got a boys weekend next Sat/Sun and then has a work trip (arriving the day that I leave for Vegas…coincidence? I think not… ; ) ….), so I’m sure we’ll do something fun like watching the Red Sox in the world series in our pj’s!

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I came across two really great articles in Women’s Health this week and wanted to share them with you:

This article gave me chills about this women’s MS diagnosis. I cannot even imagine being 25 and experiencing everything that she went through to finally find out that she has MS. Reading things like this continue to remind me how truly grateful I am to be able to walk, run, and explore the outdoors. You never know what tomorrow can bring.

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This article explaining how using a genetic test like 23andme can give you insight into your possibility of having such autoimmune diseases, like MS. I haven’t done one of these tests yet, but thinking it will be going on my Christmas Wish-list!

This Runner’s World article with Des Linden is everything. I’m really hoping that we see an American Women’s podium sweep, but have no preference on who comes out on top. I love them all.

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Also this is 100% accurate. Pretty sure my outfit will consist of some type of leggings and either a sweatshirt or sweater. I actually pre-ordered a Turkey this year, so no chicken on Thanksgiving for us!

We got a few more photos from our engagement shoot:

SO I need your recommendations for my next race in a new state! Here are the states that I’ve currently been to and I’m hoping for something relatively close to CO in early Spring. Most likely a half marathon distance - GIVE ME YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS!

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Next race state- what should it be and any race recommendations?

What would you do today if you KNEW you would lose your ability to walk tomorrow? ——> Go for a really, really long trail run and explore something completely new-to-me.

Pick your top three podium finishers for NYC Marathon womens and mens? —-> I’m going with Shalene, Des, and Allie Kieffer! But also really love Molly Huddle

Feature Friday: On The Road & Songs On My Running Playlist!

Happy Friday! I’m so excited to check off a new state off my half marathon race bucket list tomorrow morning. I’m also really excited to visit the Expo later today (Vacation Races are seriously one of my favorite race series- they have some of the best swag and absolutely incredible views). I’m also pretty pumped for how many cupcakes I can consume post-race.

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My goal for the half tomorrow morning is to do the first 6 miles easy (which will be challenging to hold back on my pace!), next 6 cutting back to half marathon race pace, final 2 miles all-out. I’m also planning to do a mile warm-up before the race to shake-out my legs.

I’m still in the process of putting together my playlist for the morning, but here are some songs that I’ve been really LOVING right now.

Also I literally CANNOT stop watching this dance video. Obsessed.

Also a little Friday Funny video from The Ellen Show because we all need a reason to laugh today. I love Ellen so much. Go watch it right meow.

What are some songs that are on your race-day playlist?

Favorite race series?

Cupcakes or cake?

Feature Friday: Book Review & Pick ONE questions!

Happy Friday! This week felt like it went by so slowly. I mean like Turtle-speed slow. I blame it on the rainy/ cold/ cloudy/snowy weather that we’ve had this week. Also this weekend looks like basically another wash (tomorrow looks OK, but cold again) so looks like more house chores and epsom salt baths will be on tap! What do you love to do when it’s rainy/ cold outside? We’ll also have to stock up on more hot cocoa & whipped cream (what makes the cocoa extra delicious) since we consumed them almost every night this past week. I’m getting my long run (13-14 miles) done this morning rather than waiting until tomorrow since the weather will continue to get worse and I’ve got a crazy week of running on-tap next week before the Lake Powell Half. Hence the meme about being overly excited to get up extra early (I was literally wondering how I could possibly fit in swimming/long run/barre class tomorrow while also working —> I didn’t come to a conclusion yet, but I’ll let you know if I somehow miraculously fit it all in!)

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I also blazed through another book (less than 2 weeks time!), so I’ve got a book review for you! I recently read The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. I had purchased this book several years ago (got through maybe 30 pages?) and then it got lost among the shuffle of moving.

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I normally shy away from these types of books because 1. Reading sad stores —> meh. not really my thing 2. The writing was a bit “young” for my taste, but I wanted a fast read so I picked this up on our bookshelf, dusted it off, and used it as a “lighter” story. I wouldn’t say I really enjoyed it- I thought the storyline was cute and the characters were very well-written-, but it just wasn’t my “cup of tea”. I know some who are absolute fans of John Green and his books, so maybe his writing style isn’t “my style”.

The story encompasses two teenagers who both have cancer, fall in love, and one of them eventually passes away (spoiler alert!). It was pretty predictable, but had a fun storyline in regards to the “cute teeny love” that they showcase and the viewpoint of the young girl who has struggled most of her life in-and-out of hospitals. Anyone a fan of John Green? What were your thoughts on this book? I’ve picked up How Bad Do You Want It by Matt Fitzgerald at the library (since sadly my copy that I purchased was left at the hotel in Vegas last year and I’m too stubborn to purchase another one for $12 on Amazon).

I thought it would be fun to see your thoughts on some of the questions below to kick off the weekend! Let me know your preferences and have a great weekend!

If you could only travel to one new destination in your lifetime WHERE would it be?? —> I think mine would probably be the Pacific NW. I’m dying to see Seattle, Bend, the cascades….

What would be the LAST meal you had on Earth?? —> Mac ‘n cheese probably? or garlic bread? or peanut butter cups? all three maybe?!?

Chinese, Italian, or Thai food? —> Italian!

Run in one weather season for the rest of your life? —> definitely Fall. Hands down.

Iced or hot coffee?? —> Probably iced because most places don’t always have the best hot coffee (but iced it always tastes infinitely better)

What is your DREAM everyday schedule?? —> Wake up at 5am, drink coffee & read or catch up on emails/ the news, go out for a run at 6:30am, breakfast and showered by 8:30am, do some more work (ideally from home), run some errands around noon, pilates or yoga or read for a bit, lunch, get some chores done and a bit more work, dinner eaten by 6pm, in bed by 8pm

Hot Cocoa WITH or WITHOUT whipped cream?? —> with. 100% better



Feature Friday: The Paris Wife Book Review

Happy Friday! We made it through another week! Yay! Is anyone racing the Chicago Marathon this weekend?? My goal is to qualify for that someday! I’m so excited to watch it and cheer for Gwen Jorgensen (but sad that both Amy Cragg & Jordan Hasay won’t be competing). I’ve got an easy 8 miles on the schedule this morning plus some time in the pool swimming. I also have a manicure scheduled for this afternoon (yay!)- a perfect way to kick off this rainy and dreary weekend. It also might SNOW tonight?!? WHAT. Guess I’ll be switching out my Summer clothes for Winter ones this weekend as well….

Not so sure I’m ready for THIS quite yet….

I wanted to share with you my book review of the latest book I finished: The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.

This was my last book by McLain that I read and heard that it was the best one. My expectations were really high before diving into this book because I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last few books that I’ve read by her. Unfortunately, it wasn’t AS captivating as the other ones that I read by her (Love & Ruin was my favorite).

This book focuses on Ernest Hemingway’s first wife, how they met, and their move to Paris (along with their demise). I didn’t think that the main character, Hadley, (his first wife) had as much of a connection with me as those in McLain’s other books. It was so neat to hear about their first encounters with those famous literary writers (before they become famous) like Fitzgerald. It was also really exhilarating to follow along as they faced struggles moving to Paris, getting married rather quickly, and how Hadley struggled to find herself in Ernest’s light.

I think anyone who really enjoys historical fiction or those books particularly on Hemingway should absolutely pick up this one. It’s captivating, relatable in some regards (especially to those women who either are in their 20s, young moms, or women who married at a young age), and overall interesting to be transformed back to the early 20th century.

Have you ever read any of McLain’s books?

I need a NEW book! Any recommendations?!?

Next race you’re doing? —> I’ve got the Lake Powell Half Marathon in a few weeks!

When do you switch out your summer clothes OR do you rotate through all the same clothes year-round?!? —> normally when it dips down into the upper 20s that’s when I’m reaching for the leggings for my runs and sweaters for work, so I swap out the shorts/ tees for longer stuff :)