"It was dark, and I remember looking over the ledge thinking, 'What’s down there?' I probably don’t want to know…" Deirdre Keane has never encountered an adventure she didn't want to pursue. The pediatric ICU nurse turned McKinsey consultant is always on the run, whether it's at a world marathon major or it's completing — and winning! — the World Marathon Challenge, running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. Deirdre's latest endorphin chase: the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon! In this conversation, she talks about the three-week excursion traversing glaciers and mountain passes and, ultimately, an unplanned trek back to base camp. Warning: This episode may inspire you to go do something big, scary, and life-changing. SPONSOR: New Balance: Click here to shop the just-released New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5! In this episode: Deirdre’s introduction to the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon, and how she was able to make it happen (4:00) Deirdre’s lasting relationships with her World Marathon Challenge crew (7:30) How Deirdre planned to complete the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon, and what her training was like (9:00) The logistical components of the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon (17:20) Deirdre’s adventures before the ultra, summitting Island Peak (21:45) What it was like seeing Mount Everest for the first time (36:20) All about the Everest accommodations (41:00) Deirdre talks about completing the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon (45:30) On finishing the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon — and the road away from the mountain (58:40) Deirdre's top takeaways from this experience (1:08:40) What's next on the run for Deirdre (1:10:40) 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!
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1:13:29
815. The Support Squad Episode, with Cousin Jackie
"In my mind, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon." It's been a whirlwind week. THANK YOU for all of the love, support, and kindness after last week's "we're due for a catch-up" episode. It's been an overwhelming time for me — but what about for my support squad? I get so many questions from people asking how best to show up for someone going through a hard time, and my team and I have learned a lot about what this can all look like. So for this one, Cousin Jackie returns, and we're talking about what the past few weeks have been like for each of us: the patient and the support person. SPONSORS: Oofos: The best in recovery footwear! Check out Oofos's 2025 Project Pink collection, where 10% of every purchase is donated to cancer research. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. 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!
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1:27:49
814. Des Linden, Western States Endurance Run Pacer
"I’m laser focused. This is serious." She's the 2018 Boston Marathon champion. She's the co-host of Nobody Asked Us with Des and Kara. She's one of the most admired, most accomplished, and most respected distance runners of our time, and now, Des is taking it to the trails. After running her final professional marathon in Boston in April, Des's next big adventure will be pacing friend Joe McConaughy at the Western States Endurance Run in just a few weeks. In this conversation, Des talks about what her pacing duties will entail, what training camp was like, and what's exciting her right now. SPONSOR: Shokz: Use code ALI for $10 off your next purchase. Code valid in the U.S. and Canada. Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I'm an Otter!) Use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order. In this episode: What life has been like since the 2025 Boston Marathon — Des’s final professional marathon (2:25) Will we see Des at the big fall marathons? (5:30) Des’s parting thoughts on the 2025 Boston Marathon (7:25) Des’s introduction to all things Western States (16:25) The WSER pacing plan (21:15) Which races are on Des’s radar now (25:45) How Des sees her role in the trail running community (27:00) Des’s pacing resumé (29:20) How much do you know about what that day pacing will look like? (35:35) What Des is looking forward to most about Western States (41:15) The athletes Des admires in the trail world (43:40) The road racing athletes Des thinks we should all be watching (47:25) Some of the key takeaways from Des and Kara Goucher’s Save the 10,000 event — including 1,800 people participating in the virtual event (51:10) 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!
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1:06:22
813. A Life Update From Ali, Again
“This sucks, and it’s going to be hard, and this is very real. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop having fun along the way. So let’s have fun when it feels right.” We're due for a catch-up. SPONSOR: UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order. Follow: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT: If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!
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1:08:21
812. Everything You Need to Know About the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Standards
"They just want a chance to compete." Yesterday, after much anticipation and speculation, USA Track & Field announced the changes to the qualifying times for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. So, what's it going to take to OTQ leading up to LA 2028, and to get to run at the Trials? For women, the qualifying mark stays the same: 2:37:00. On the men's side, things are getting faster: Men will now need to run 2:16:00 to qualify — a full two minutes faster than the qualifying time for the 2024 Trials. In this episode, USATF's Chairs of the Long Distance Running Committee — Kim Conley and Conor Nickel — join the show to explain what what into making these decisions, and what they mean for athletes and fans alike. (Read the full USATF release here.) SPONSOR: New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season. 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!
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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