851. Jordan Litz's 2025 New York City Marathon Recap
"Running the marathon and doing two Broadway shows in the same day — I've never felt more New York than that day." Did you hear about the man who ran the 2025 New York City Marathon and then went on to star in two performances of Wicked on Broadway that same day? That man is Jordan Litz, who is currently starring as Fiyero in Wicked on Broadway. He's the longest-running Fiyero in Wicked history, having performed the role more than 1,500 times. And two of those times were immediately after he crossed the finish line at his first marathon, the New York City Marathon. In this conversation, Jordan talks about how he pulled off this tremendous physical and mental feat — and how it felt to run 26.2 miles and then get through "Dancing Through Life," twice! FOLLOW JORDAN @litzjordan SPONSOR: New Balance: Click here to get your hands on the just-released Rebel v5! In this episode: How Jordan is feeling post-NYC Marathon, and why he wanted to run a marathon and perform in two Wicked shows in one day (2:35) What it was like being spoofed on Saturday Night Live the night before the marathon (5:30) Jordan's snapshot moment from Sunday, November 2 (7:30) What it's like starring in Wicked right now (14:00) How, when, and why Jordan — a former competitive swimmer — became a runner (19:30) Jordan's impressions of the running community (25:05) How Jordan met his now-wife, Julie (26:45) All about Jordan's NYC Marathon training (32:55) How Jordan spent the days before the race (38:20) Jordan recaps his race (44:00) What it was like going from the finish line to the Gershwin (53:00) 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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850. Carl Radke's 2025 New York City Marathon Recap
"Running single-handedly saved me during this last year." Carl Radke is best known as a longtime cast member on Bravo's Summer House. Through nine seasons of the reality show, he's been open and honest about his mental health struggles and his history with drug and alcohol addiction. Carl got sober in 2021, and this year, he opened Soft Bar, a non-alcoholic bar and café in Brooklyn, NY, where he lives. His memoir, Cake Eater, comes out next month. And this month, Carl added another title to his resumé: marathoner! In this conversation, Carl talks about how he found running and the role running plays in his sobriety journey, and he shares every detail from his first 26.2-mile race at the 2025 New York City Marathon. FOLLOW CARL @carlradke SPONSOR: Oofos: The best in recovery footwear! Check out Oofos's 2025 Project Pink collection, where 10% of every purchase is donated to cancer research. In this episode: How it feels to be a New York City Marathoner (1:50) On the fear of not finishing (11:30) Carl's history with the New York City Marathon (13:05) Carl's journey to becoming a runner (15:30) All about Carl's training (21:45) How Carl fit training into his busy life (26:55) Is a Soft Bar run club in the works? (32:35) How Carl spent the days leading up to the marathon (41:00) The stress of race morning (44:35) Carl's sights and sounds from the start line (52:45) Carl's high points from race day (1:00:45) What Carl wishes people understood about him (1:13:15) Carl's advice to first-time marathoners (1:16:45) 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!
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1:20:56
849. Katie Couric, Journalist
"I just feel like when I see injustice, at this point in my life, I have to call it out." Katie Couric has been my idol since I was in high school, and it's truly an honor to welcome her to the Ali on the Run Show! We recorded this episode in person together on the Monday after the 2025 New York City Marathon, at Katie's home on the Upper East Side. Katie is a journalist who is best known for her 15-year career on the Today Show. Today, she is the founder of Katie Couric Media, where she publishes a daily newsletter (Wake Up Call), and hosts the podcast Next Question with Katie Couric. She is the author of Going There, she's a mom of two, and she's an avid pickleball player who, despite my best efforts, will not be signing up for a marathon anytime soon! SPONSORS: Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon's 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you, and take advantage of Lagoon's massive Black Friday sale, in effect now! In this episode: Katie's day spectating the 2025 New York City Marathon (3:20) Katie's history with running, and how she stays active now (6:00) What it's like being Katie Couric in New York City (12:00) On Halloween, NYC trick-or-treating, and Taylor Swift (14:00) Everyone has a Katie Couric story (22:15) Katie reflects on her breast cancer diagnosis, and what her care looks like now (33:00) On "feeling very strongly about certain things" (55:00) Katie's take on The Morning Show (1:04:00) Katie looks back on some of the highest and lowest points of her career (1:08:15) 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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1:26:19
848. Amanda Vestri's 2025 TCS New York City Marathon Recap
"Oh I'm hooked." Last weekend, Amanda Vestri made her much anticipated 26.2-mile debut at the TCS New York City Marathon. She ran 2:25:40, good enough for ninth place in the women's pro race and a strong showing for the marathon debutante. In this conversation, Amanda breaks it all down, including how training went, why she wanted to move to the marathon this year, what she wants to do next, and what it was like running through the five boroughs. Plus, Amanda shares her training, living, and coaching plans now that her longtime training group, ZAP Endurance, is disbanding. FOLLOW AMANDA @a_vestri SPONSOR: Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. In this episode: How Amanda is feeling post-NYC Marathon — and what's next (2:10) All about Amanda's new coach, and what's motivating to her in the marathon (10:00) Why the marathon, why now, and why New York? (12:45) Amanda's snapshot moment from the New York City Marathon (18:15) Amanda reflects on her first marathon training block and her goals for her marathon debut (19:15) How Amanda spent race weekend (24:10) How it felt standing on the New York City Marathon start line (31:15) Amanda's race plan (35:40) Amanda breaks down her race at the 2025 New York City Marathon (39:45) 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!
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1:03:53
847. My 2025 TCS New York City Marathon Recap
"They play 'New York, New York,' and everyone goes crazy." It was another New York City Marathon to remember. It was one of the most rewarding weekends of my life and of my career. I hosted a live show with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone at Jazz at Lincoln Center, I was on the ESPN and ABC broadcasts on race day, I interviewed Katie Couric for the Ali on the Run Show, and I was on top of the world the entire time. This is my exhaustive recap of every step. SPONSOR: Shokz: Use code ALI for $10 off your next headphone purchase. In this episode: Friday: Annie's Halloween parade, the drive to NYC, a run in Central Park, a fancy sushi dinner, and a New Balance party (3:20) Saturday: a run in the park, cheering for the Dash to the Finish 5K, the Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone live show, and broadcast rehearsals (12:50) Sunday: the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon! (38:45) Monday: a sleepless night, a run in the park with friends, and an interview with Katie Couric (1:00:00) Listener Q&A (1:18:10) 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!
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.
Ireland