Ali on the Run Show

Ali Feller

Every week on the Ali on the Run Show, I talk with inspiring people who lead interesting lives on the run and beyond. And while running is what brings us all together, on these episodes, we're digging a little deeper. These conversations are about the decisions people have made to get where they are today, and how getting sweaty has factored in. Whether you're on the run toward something great or away from something that's holding you back, join me on this never-ending adventure, and let's all pick up the pace together.

  1. 4 hr ago

    Rachel Entrekin, 2026 Cocodona 250 Champion

    "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!

    1hr 23min
  2. 25 Jun

    Emma Coburn & Parker Valby, Training Partners

    "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!

    1hr 11min
  3. 23 Jun

    Laura Thweatt, On Athletics Club Assistant Road Team Coach

    "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!

    1hr 28min
  4. 18 Jun

    Lee Glandorf, Creator of The Sweat Lookbook

    "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!

    1hr 11min
  5. 28 May

    Re-Run: The 2019 CIM OTQ Pacers

    "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!

    1hr 14min

About

Every week on the Ali on the Run Show, I talk with inspiring people who lead interesting lives on the run and beyond. And while running is what brings us all together, on these episodes, we're digging a little deeper. These conversations are about the decisions people have made to get where they are today, and how getting sweaty has factored in. Whether you're on the run toward something great or away from something that's holding you back, join me on this never-ending adventure, and let's all pick up the pace together.

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