Don't Write Your Race Off! Have Multiple Plans in Place and Keep Enjoying the Sport

Race recap from the United NYC Half Marathon and Wisdom from Ali on the Run's Live Podcast Show with Emily Sisson

Ali on the Run is one of my favorite podcasts. Hosted by Ali Feller, the podcast features interviews and tips with more than 650 episodes and 20 million downloads. I found my fantastic running coach, Sara Hayes, owner of Mindful Miles, joining her Facebook group three years ago. So, it was thrilling when my friend Laura invited me to Ali’s live show yesterday to kick off this weekend’s UnitedNYCHalf marathon. Side note: Laura and I met during our junior year abroad in Jerusalem over thirty years ago and reconnected through the Facebook group.

Ali is warm, funny, and down to earth, and we enjoyed her chat with Emily Sisson. In February 2024, Sisson ran 2:22:42 at the 2024 US Olympic Trials Marathon to place second and earn a spot in the marathon at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Yes, there were many Emily in Paris jokes in the chat!

Below are 4 takeaways from Emily that helped me through the half-marathon this morning, a 13.1 course from Prospect Park, Brooklyn, to Tavern on the Green in Central Park.

1. Have multiple plans in place. Yes! When I lost my Nathan hand-held water bottle early this morning when I hit the porta-potty for the final time, I didn’t panic. Ineated, I shifted my plan. Instead of having my own water or Gatorade, I’d have to stop on the course to grab the race’s fuel. Not a big deal. PS—Bring multiple hair bands, too!

2. This is where I want to be. Somewhere around mile 7 on the FDR, my thoughts turned negative after we ran over the Manhattan Bridge. The FDR was a grind—it seemed sunnier and easier when I did the race back in 2022. I reframed the thought, flipped it, and remembered what Emily said: “This is where I want to be.” I chose to run and decided to do this race. This isn’t gym class in junior high!

3. Don’t Write Your Race Off. I wanted to sub 2 hours, like both my half marathons last year. Rather than obsessively checking my Garmin watch, I checked only once or twice and kept running. Whatever happens, I wouldn’t write the race off until the finish line. And I was thrilled to finish at 1:58:27.

4. Running is so hard but so rewarding. I walked a few times today. I was thirsty and tired, and I needed a few seconds to regroup. I was not too fond of the last mile in Central Park, but as soon as I crossed the finish line, I was beaming and singing. Check out the video below.

   Thanks, Ali and Emily, for the inspiration; I’m going to soak my feet in Epsom salt and celebrate tonight with a glass of wine. I can’t wait for the next race and Ali’s next episodes!

   Jen Rudin is the proud author of Confessions of a Casting Director: Help Actors Land Any Role with Secrets from Inside the Audition Room, also a popular podcast. She works in the entertainment industry, is a certified RRCA running coach, and lives in New York City with her husband.