"Go poop at least twice before the start. Three times if you can."
...and more trustworthy marathon advice from the Ali on the Run community.
Hi! Thanks for being here! This week’s newsletter is brought to you by Bandit Running. Shop here, and use code ONTHERUN15 at checkout for 15% off your first order.
I’ll know this year’s Boston Marathon weekend was a great success if I wake up Tuesday with sore cheeks and no voice. Stay tuned.
“I’m shipping up to Boston.” —Dropkick Murphys, Ali Feller, everyone’s Instagram captions right now.
I’m writing this an hour before I make my own 90-minute journey down to Boston for all things Boston Marathon. My schedule is packed, and I’m pumped.
I’ll be hosting a live show today (Friday) at 2 PM at the Expo at the Hynes Convention Center with Sara Hall, Aliphine Tuliamuk, and Sara Vaughn. It’s free and open to the public — no registration needed, and you don’t need to be running the race to come to the Expo. We’ll be talking motherhood and marathoning, and I would love to see some of your friendly faces there!
Then, I’ll be one of your start and finish line announcers at the B.A.A. 5K on Saturday morning (with Carrie Tollefson!), before heading to Boylston Street to emcee the elite mile races. (Come watch! They’re fast and fun!)
I just tried on my outfit for Saturday night’s live show with Keira D’Amato and Glossier. If you got a ticket and are no longer able to attend, please let me know ASAP so we can release your spot to someone on the 356-person waitlist!
I’ll be doing a long run Sunday morning, I’m in broadcast meetings Sunday afternoon, and then it’s go time!
Of course, my job on Monday is among the easiest. I’ll be dancing between three roles on race day: on-the-ground emcee doing “woman on the street” interviews (my parents are really hoping I get to interview the grand marshal, David “Big Papi” Ortiz), the finish line reporter for the world feed broadcast, and then I’ll head up to the photo bridge (runners, up and to your right!) to announce finishers from 1 PM until the end of the day. Give me a wave!
Last week, I put out the ask on Instagram Stories: What’s your best piece of marathon advice?
We know the obvious, tried-and-true nuggets: Nothing new on race day, trust your training, make sure all of your stuff is packed and charged.
But what about the stuff we’ve learned along the way? Well, you delivered. (You always do!)
Whether you’re running Boston on Monday, Bayshore in May, or any 26.2-mile race at any point this year, enjoy this advice from the Ali on the Run Show community.
Protect your mental energy in the days prior to the race. Don’t entertain drama or negativity.
Don’t stress if you don’t sleep well the night before the race. No one does. It’ll be fine.
You’ll never regret packing toilet paper to bring to the start. “Trust me.” See also: extra hair ties, Vaseline, Aquafor.
Go poop at least twice before the start. Three times if you can. I’ve had my best marathons after three. (Another person wrote in suggesting a very short warm-up jog to get things moving.)
Body Glide!!!
Don’t forget to clip your toenails.
Wear sunscreen, no matter what the forecast says.
If someone’s energy is off — too anxious, too much — get away from them. Good vibes only! (A separate but similar submission: Observe but do not absorb the emotions of those around you. It’s a sea of nerves, but you do you!)
Before the start, close your eyes, take a deep breath, listen, and take it all in. You’ve got this.
Remind yourself that it’s supposed to be fun! This is just another long run.
Run the first 10 miles with your head, the next 10 miles with your legs, and the last 10K with your heart.
Set your watch to only see the mile you are currently running, and only focus on that mile.
Every time you cross a mile marker, think of something you’re grateful for.
Tell yourself that you’re doing something amazing that not many people do. Repeat as needed.
“It’s good luck if you high-five a kid or pet a dog along the way.” (Note from Ali: This feels scientific to me, and I am here for it.)
You can feel bad at points and bounce back. Positive thinking.
Fuel according to plan. Skipping fuel at mile 20 because you feel OK now isn’t a good idea. Stick to the plan.
When you feel like [poop emoji], thank a volunteer out loud, or tell someone around you that they look great.
Be brave, but smart.
Believe that you can do it, so much so that no one could convince you otherwise. Bet on yourself.
When or if you hit the wall, remember your why. Knowing why you started will get you to the end. (Also: Hit the wall harder than it hits you! Channel your best mantras for that last 10K. And another submission: Hitting the wall isn’t a thing. Tell yourself it does not apply to a strong, badass runner like you.)
It’s going to hurt. That’s normal, it’s a marathon. When it starts to hurt, welcome the feeling.
After you cross the finish line, turn around and look at what you just did.
Walk as much as possible after you finish and the rest of the day to help with soreness.
Force yourself to eat as soon as you can after you finish, or the rest of your day is going to be miserable.
If you dedicated every mile to someone important, dedicate the last one to you.
And a final .2 from me: When you get to the finish line — which you will — look up and smile. You. are. awesome. I’m so proud of you.
This edition of the Ali on the Run newsletter is presented by Bandit.
Bandit is a Brooklyn-based performance and lifestyle running apparel brand that makes head-to-toe women’s and men’s running products, hosts experiences (from pop-ups to unsanctioned street races!), and is putting out some super creative and original content (check out their newsletter, podcast, and Instagram @banditrunning).
Last week, I told you about my favorite Bandit shorts. This week, let’s talk socks. Bandit’s socks are actually my all-time favorite thing from the brand. These are the ones I’m thinking I will wear for my marathon later this month. I love a thin, lightweight sock that isn’t overwhelmingly cushioned, and these ones fit the bill (and fit my feet!). I love testing out performance socks — what a simple, delightful pleasure! — and so far, these are my go-tos.
Super fun fact: Bandit’s entire product team is made up of amazing women, so they just get it. They know what we need and what we want. For women, by women. You love to see it!
And because we’re BFFs, you know I’m going to hook you up. For a limited time, the Ali on the Run community is getting 15% off your first Bandit order. Go check out all their products at banditrunning.com, and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your first order.
If you’ll be in town for the Boston Marathon this weekend, check out Bandit’s pop-up on Newbury Street. Follow along on Instagram for more info.
This week on the Ali on the Run Show:
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Track & Field, with Kyle Merber: Kyle is back, this time to talk about things like the Diamond Leagues, how lane assignments are made on the track, and his take on “PB” vs. “PR.” I learned, I laughed, I loved.
Alexi Pappas, Marathon Guide: It’s always a treat having professional runner Alexi Pappas on the show! She returned for her fourth appearance this week, talking about how she has evolved as a runner, and how she’s finding joy on the run these days. She’ll be racing Boston on Monday as a guide to visually impaired runner Lisa Thompson, and they’re going for a win in Lisa’s para division!
What I’m watching: Same old Ali stuff. I didn’t love this week’s Ted Lasso episode. (I’ve never said that before!) And I worry I’ll stay up way too late tonight watching the Love is Blind Season 4 weddings instead of doing important things like sleeping or prepping for the B.A.A. 5K and miles on Saturday… (YOLO?)
On the run: I did my last 20-miler last Friday! I’ll likely write more about this next week, but I’m at that point in training. I feel like I’m getting slower. I feel puffy. I am craving strength training at the exact wrong time to start strength training. Everyone, including my coach, assures me I’m in “the exact right spot.”
And so…
Take good care of yourselves. Take good care of each other. Never forget that you’ve got this! Thank you so much for being here. And whatever you’re going through, keep going.
Love,
Ali
The Double Douce is absolutely necessary 🙌🏾 in healthy bowel movements we trust!
Perfect tittle to the article, will wake up earlier than I need to, to make sure 😄.
Add to the last one. The last mile is for you, have a great finishing song that moves you. Crossing the finish line listening to A wonderful world by Louis Armstrong, pulls the emotion out of me every time.