Q&A
I am tired.
Chemo Round 5: CHECK!
Thanks for being so nice re: last week’s post and for all of the love heading into my first set of scans. I had a tough few days last week, but ultimately got the good news from my PET scan that this chemotherapy is working. The cancer is shrinking! It was the best possible news, and for that I’m beyond grateful and relieved. This chemo regimen is tough. Knowing it’s doing its job makes the long days in the infusion center (and the not-great days that tend to follow) quite a bit easier. Your support means the world. I love ya.
It’s also been a heavy few days in this world. I don’t want to talk about any of it. It’s all too much. You know where I stand on most of the Big Issues in our country, and lately it all feels hopeless, especially the ever-present issue of gun control. So this newsletter isn’t about any of that. I just don’t have it in me. It’s all awful.
As promised: It’s Q&A week here in newsletter land, so let’s get right into it!
What is making you happy right now?
Ellie (my dog — she turns 10 this weekend, OMG) has been extra snuggly lately, and right now she’s snuggled up next to me as I write. Puppy love is healing.
And Annie did her first triathlon! Her school hosted TriFest last weekend, and she swam, scooted, and ran like a champ. Best part: She loved it!
How are you doing?
I’m OK. I’m feeling drained from chemo on Tuesday. The past week has taken a lot out of me. After I dropped Annie off at school this morning, I came back home and sat in bed with Ellie and turned on the latest episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Couldn’t tell you a single thing about it. I passed out hard, and ended up taking a several-hours-long nap. Not the best use of my time as I have a mile-long to-do list, but I know my body obviously needs this rest. I went to bed with Annie at 7:30 last night. Consider my booty officially kicked. So physically, tired. Emotionally, in this moment, I’m OK. Getting good scan results was huge, though as with everything, I don’t think I’m actually processing any of this in real time. So I’m OK.
What’s the best way to support you right now?
Listen to the Ali on the Run Show. Support the sponsors of the show using my discount codes and links. It’s so important to me that I keep doing my job and that my amazing partners stick around, and using my links and codes is hugely helpful. You can also choose a paid subscription to this newsletter.
My friends are encouraging me to reopen the GoFundMe so that I can have a financial cushion, and while that would obviously be so helpful — we could all use a financial cushion — I have mixed feelings about it. Lots of people have sent DoorDash gift cards to my PO Box, which is also super helpful and generous, especially during Chemo Weeks when I just do not want to cook. So for now, support my work, come to the live shows this fall, treat yourself to sunglasses and headphones and pillows, and stick around. I love having you here.
Do you feel weird when Best Running Friends you don’t know IRL send you meal gift cards?
Not at all. The only thing I feel weird (awful) about is not responding to each one with a handwritten thank-you note. I just don’t have the bandwidth right now. But please know I read and save every message and card that I get and I love and appreciate them so much.
The first and only drink I’ve had since getting this diagnosis! I’ve never been a big drinker — just a social girl who enjoys the occasional beverage with friends — but I cut out alcohol altogether when I got my stage 4 diagnosis. After getting my scan results, though, I felt like celebrating, so I treated myself to a strawberry margarita [on the rocks, with salt], and it was delicious.
Craziest “cancer cure” recommended to you so far?
God. That if I trust in God, everything will be OK. That I should pray. Generally anything that suggests a higher power will heal me. Please don’t tell me that God gives his toughest battles to his strongest warriors. I don’t want this battle. I don’t want to be a strong warrior. So I would say anything religious doesn’t really resonate with me. I know many people find comfort in prayer and believing in higher powers, and that’s great! We all have our things. Also a lot of suggestions for Ivermectin. Neigh.
My son started M-F preschool and the school routine is new. Any tips for smooth mornings?
So exciting! I would just say to stick with your morning routine at home, and to stay as calm as possible in the morning. If you start feeling frazzled or rushed, your son will probably start feeling frazzled or rushed. It can be tough when you have to get out the door at a certain time, but take lots of deep breaths, and give lots of hugs. We hug a lot when we’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
How is Annie enjoying first grade?
She loves it so so much. She talks about school nonstop and it’s so fun. She loves her teachers, her best friend is in her class, and she’s doing great.
Pancakes or waffles?
Chocolate chip pancakes. Side of bacon.
What is the next race you’ll be at?
Boulderthon, and there are still a few spots open for some of the race distances! Click here and use code ALI for $20 off your marathon or half marathon registration. Race day is September 28, and I’ll be hosting a live show on Saturday, September 27 (exact time TBD, but we’re looking at 3 PM; it’ll be free, outside, and open to the public — no tickets necessary!). More information coming soon!
Will you be in Chicago?
You bet.
Will you be at the NYC Marathon?
Wouldn’t miss it.
Any plans to have back-of-the-pack runners better represented on the pod?
I hear you! I’ve been heavy on the pros lately because those episodes are easiest for me to put together. In full transparency, it is so hard to keep working “as normal” throughout all of this. Chemo every three weeks is hard. I’m out of commission for a few days after, and it’s hard to stay on top of two episodes per week. I love my work and don’t want to stop doing it, but right now it’s still a lot of “what I can, when I can,” and that usually means getting guests I already know and can have an easy chat with, and a lot of those are the pros. But I know people love the Everyday Runner series, and those are some of my favorites, too. I just need to find the people, and my inbox is flooded with pitches and suggestions. So, yes I want to have a better range of runners, and I’m doing my best!
Any tips to start to get back into running shape post-medical break?
Go slow. Don’t compare yourself now to yourself pre-medical break. One step at a time. One day at a time. One run at a time. No pressure. Play the long game.
How is running going?
It’s going OK! I don’t tend to run much the week after getting chemo, but in this past cycle, I did a handful of walk-runs and runs, and I was very happy about that! It’s hard. Running feels so hard for me right now. Not painful, just hard. I feel sluggish and weighed down and I chafe a lot. So it’s not cute and it’s not particularly pleasant, but doing nine miles the day before chemo felt awesome. Nine miles!
How is your Crohn’s holding up throughout all of this?
It’s OK! I’ve been consistently having GI distress on days 7–10 of each chemo cycle, so I don’t love that, but otherwise my Crohn’s has been OK. I’m still doing my Skyrizi injections every eight weeks, and I’m so glad I can stay on it during chemo.
Why isn’t Spelling Bee among the NYT games you talk about?
Ohhhh it is now! Cousin Jackie got me playing Spelling Bee while she was up this week, and so yes, now I have another NYT game in my rotation. I’m not very good at it!
Favorite Disney Channel Original Movie?
Oh I love a DCOM! Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, High School Musical, and Double Teamed (why did they call it that???).
Will you be able to ski race this season? I was inspired by your bravery trying it last winter.
Hell yeah. I’m all signed up. It works out perfectly in the treatment cycle, too. Ski racing is on Monday nights, and chemo is Tuesday. And I have new skis, so I’m ready to rip (slowly and cautiously).
This week on the Ali on the Run Show:
Catching Up with Heather MacLean, New Balance Professional Athlete: I love Heather, and it’s always so fun and giggly chatting with her. She recaps her season, talks about the decision to leave Team New Balance Boston, and talks about training alongside Nikki Hiltz.
Josette Andrews, 5000m Runner for Team USA at the 2025 Outdoor World Championships: Josette is a delight. She’s had a “dream season” outdoors, and I was so happy to see her make her first outdoor championship team at USAs this summer. Next stop: World Champs! (Will be referencing this post obsessively so I don’t miss a thing.)
SPONSOR SHOUT OUTS
I am so grateful for the wonderful brands and partners I get to work with on the Ali on the Run Show. Supporting them = supporting me!
Boulderthon: Click here and use code ALI for $20 off your marathon or half marathon registration. See you in Boulder? Race day is September 28, 2025, and I’ll be hosting a live show on Saturday, September 27!
Shokz: Click here and use code ALI for $10 off your next purchase.
Lagoon: Click here and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order.
New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season.
goodr: Click here and use code ALI for $5 off your next order.
Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase.
Oofos: Click here to make your feet happy!
And so…
Take good care of yourselves. Take good care of each other. Be the good.
(You’ve got this. You’re doing great.)
Love,
Ali
How can I purchase one of the Team Ali shirts you have on in your newsletter? I’d love one! I actually sent a message to NB once asking but surprisingly did not hear back 🤣
You will improve at Spelling Bee! Just wait till you get Genius for the first time. 😆 I saw an interview with Bill Gates where he said he gets to Queen Bee every day. Unreal!