FAQ

So you found your way to Ali On The Run, but perhaps you have some questions. Allow me to answer them for you! And if there’s anything else you want to know, email me at aliontherunblog@gmail.com.

ALI ON RUNNING

How did you get started running?

I moved to New York City in December 2007, a few months after graduating from college. I grew up dancing so I always assumed I would hate running — nothing about it looked fun to me. But when I got to the city I was poor and I didn’t want to dance anymore. So one day I put on a pair of sneakers and hit the path along the East River near my Spanish Harlem apartment. I started running at 102nd Street and barely made it down to 96th Street — that’s about a quarter of a mile — before I was completely winded and out of breath. I didn’t hate it though, so the next day I tried again, and went another block. I slowly started to build up, knowing that if I ran a full mile I would reach the nearby dog park. Whatever motivates you, right?

How often do you run?

I usually run five days a week. My schedule typically includes two 6-7 mile runs during the week, a 3-4 mile mid-week recovery run, a long run on Saturday (anything more than 10 miles) and another recovery run on Sunday.

Do you run with your camera?

No, but I do run with my iPhone, which I use to listen to music and to take pictures.

What do you wear running?

In the summer, I like Lululemon Groove Shorts and Cool Racerback tops. The shorts don’t ride up and the shirts aren’t too tight and are nice and long. I also love these Saucony shorts. In the winter, I swear by this GapBodyFit jacket.

What kind of sports bra do you wear?

Wearing the right sports bra is crucial! After years of under-boob chafe suffering, I finally discovered the Moving Comfort Juno bra. Now it’s the only one I’ll wear — I own it in a whole bunch of colors.

Do you wear a running watch?

I sure do. I am in love with the Garmin Forerunner 110. It picks up a signal quickly, the battery lasts fairly long and I’ve never had a problem with it.

I want to become a morning runner but I can’t get out of bed. Any advice?

I’m a natural morning person — not everyone has to be a morning exerciser, though! For a while I used to leave my alarm away from the bed so that I had to get up when it went off. I find that once you make morning running a habit, it just becomes part of your daily routine.

Do you have any tips for new runners?

Start slowly. Don’t set crazy expectations, like time or mileage goals. Run for the fun of it. Buy cute running clothes that you’ll want to wear to work out. Download good music to listen to while you run.

ALI ON OTHER EXERCISE

What exercise do you do other than running?

I love cross training! I also know how much cross training helps improve my running performance. I strength train about three times a week, which includes a Chisel class at my gym and weight lifting on my own. My favorite strength training moves are tricep dips on a bench (you can do this outside at a park!) and bicep curls on an incline bench (I started using 10 lb. weights and have since built up to 15 lb. dumbbells!).

I also do spinning up to four times a week and have recently started doing yoga. I love the occasional TRX class, too, and am always up for any kind of group fitness class such as the Refine Method, kick boxing and rebounding.

Why do you work out twice a day?

I don’t always work out twice daily, but I like to break up my workouts. My morning runs are obviously a crucial part of my marathon training, but they’re also therapeutic for me. Running in the morning helps me clear my head for the day ahead and relaxes me before the craziness at the office sets in. I go to the gym at night because that’s when the best group classes are.

What is your “morning ab routine?”

I start every single day by doing 200 crunches: 50 regular, 50 right side oblique crunches, 50 left side oblique crunches then 50 alternating side crunches. Doing this in the morning wakes me up immediately.

What gym do you go to?

Crunch, and I love it!

Why did you stop dancing?

Although I danced competitively my entire life, I never wanted to be a professional dancer. Instead I chose a career in the dance industry that didn’t require me to stuff my sausage-like feet into pointe shoes. Dance classes are expensive in New York City, and though I’m always up for the occasional (easy) hip hop class, I’m well past my days at the ballet barre.

How do you stay motivated?

I read lots of blogs! Click here for a few of my favorites. I’ve developed awesome relationships through blogging with lots of like-minded people. The encouragement and support in this community is incredible. I’m also lucky because I genuinely like running and working out. You can’t look at exercise as a punishment or as something you have to do. Find a workout you like — whether it’s boxing or Bikram — and think of it as a treat for yourself.

ALI ON RECOVERING

Do you take rest days?

Yes, though often reluctantly. Before I started training for the marathon I viewed rest days as lazy days. Now I’m rethinking that mindset and I’m beginning to appreciate days off. Your body needs to recover in order to grow stronger. I didn’t get that for a long time — now I do.

What is your foam rolling routine?

I use my foam roller to roll out my quad muscles and my IT bands. I started foam rolling when I was running a lot and having knee problems. Foam rolling has done wonders for my knees!

How many hours do you sleep at night?

Not enough, I’ll admit that. On average I go to sleep around 10:30 pm and wake up at 5:30 am.

ALI WITH CROHN’S DISEASE

What the heck is Crohn’s Disease?

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when I was 7 years old. It’s a chronic digestive disorder that basically causes miserable stomachaches. Click here to read more about my life with Crohn’s.

Does having Crohn’s Disease affect your running?

It sure does. Some days I can get through a dozen miles feeling fine, but other days my stomach kicks in after one and I find myself bolting for the nearest bathroom. I have learned to plan my runs according to where a bathroom might be, which isn’t necessarily convenient, but keeps me much more at ease while I’m cruising around.

How do you treat Crohn’s Disease?

There’s no cure, which is why I’m currently raising money for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Every eight weeks I go to the hospital to receive an IV infusion of a drug called Remicade, which is supposed to keep the disease at bay. (Click here to read more about Remicade Day.) It hasn’t always worked, but I’ll keep getting it until some smart scientists find a cure.

ALI’S OUTFITS

Do you ever get caught taking photos of yourself?

Yup. There have been a few times that I’ve been in the office bathroom taking my little self-portraits when someone has walked in. I tend to get super awkward, fumble around with my phone then pretend I’m fixing my hair or something.

Where do you shop?

My favorite brands are J.Crew, Anthropologie, French Connection and Madewell. I’m a big big big fan of outlet shopping and I’m a sucker for anything that’s on sale. I very rarely pay full price for anything.

ALI LOVES EATING

A lot of healthy living bloggers post about food, but you don’t. Why not?

Do you really care that I eat the same granola bar for breakfast every day, followed by the same trail mix, the same apple and the same lunch? My food choices are boring and I don’t mix it up as often as I’d like. When I cook something good, I’ll share it with you. Until then, I’ll spare you the redundancy of my everyday eating habits.

What’s in your “homemade trail mix?”

Whole grain cereal, raisins, dry roasted almonds, unsalted peanuts and dark chocolate M&Ms. No salt = Happy Ali.

ALI AT WORK

What do you do for work?

I am the Deputy Editor in Chief for Dance Spirit magazine.

Do the people you work with know about your blog?

I tried to hide it for a while, until I really found my voice on the blog and figured out what I wanted it to be. Now some of them know about it, but I don’t broadcast it at the office. If they discover it on their own, that’s fine — maybe they can start taking pictures in the bathroom for me so I don’t have to awkwardly take them myself.

ALI ON THE BLOG

Why did you start blogging?

I had been reading various blogs for a while and in October 2010 I finally decided to start my own. I write constantly at work, but I wanted an outlet where I could write freely about whatever I want. I also wanted a way to document my running. Another huge reason I started blogging was to meet like-minded people, and I couldn’t be happier about how that’s worked out for me. I’ve met incredible people!

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

Why don’t you have a dog if you like puppies so much?

I can’t afford it. I would feel bad leaving it alone all day at my apartment. I’m not allowed to have pets in my building. Someday, though. Someday I’ll have an adorable little pup with smushed-up face.