Friday Feel Goods: December 18, 2020

Ali on the Run Show LIVE!: Virtual Edition featuring Des Linden, Aisha Praught Leer, and Shalane Flanagan

I spend so little time in my car these days that it doesn’t seem worth it to try to find a Spotify radio station or playlist to listen to for the 5-8 minutes I’ll be driving. Instead, I listen to the Ali on the Run Show because the conversational-ness (yeah, that’s not a word) makes it easy to listen to a few minutes at a time. I’ve been listening to Ali on the Run Show for a long time (okay, probably since the beginning), and I made the husband join me for Ali on the Run Show LIVE! at the Olympic Marathon Trials (which he now admits he really enjoyed, even though he was not very excited on our walk there).

Last night’s LIVE virtual show was so wonderful. I wasn’t sure about the almost $30 a ticket cost, but it truly was worth it. I also wasn’t sure about the 7pm CST start on the last day of the semester. Not going to lie, my body usually shuts down on the last day of the semester as soon as I get home, and I just sleep for a ridiculous amount of time. With Des, Aisha, and Shalane as guests, I just couldn’t miss it, so I made myself stay up. And, I’m so happy that I did. I laughed. A LOT. I smiled the entire time. And, I want Shalane’s PJs.

I’m not sure if the show will be made available to watch later, but you can (and should) go listen to the Ali on the Run Show episodes from this year with each of the amazing guests.

• Episode 205: Love on the Run Week with Ryan and Des Linden

• Episode 197: Aisha Praught Leer

• Episode 242: Shalane Flanagan

Win At All Costs: Inside Nike Running and Its Culture of Deception by Matt Hart

I can’t put this book down. I am so fascinated by the history of Nike, especially the history of the Nike Oregon Project. I read Kings of the Road: How Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, and Alberto Salazar Made Running Go Boom, by Cameron Stracher, a few years ago, and so I'm finding reading about the fall of Alberto Salazar very intriguing.

Also, when I told my husband about the book, he asked if Galen Rupp was part of it because he remembered all the signs and chatter about Galen Rupp being a “cheater” at the Olympic Marathon Trials.

The West Wing

I don’t know how many times I’ve watched The West Wing over the years, especially seasons 1 and 2. I’ve lost count. I started the series from the beginning right before the presidential election because I knew I would need something to be a bright spot during that time. The show is so well-written (especially seasons 1-4) and well-directed and well-acted.

A few weeks ago, Netflix announced that they would be taking The West Wing down on Christmas Day (worst Christmas present ever, Netflix!), so I’ve been really powering through the last couple of seasons so that I have some time to go back and watch my favorite episodes from seasons 1 and 2. I have 5 episodes left in season 7 (the final season) and a week until it’s taken away from me.