Welcome to the ally on the run show.
I'm your host, ally feller, and this is where i talk with people who are doing exciting things on the run and beyond, from professional athletes and celebrity runners to the everyday amateur and back of the pack runner.
We are here to celebrate everyone and anyone who enjoys a life on the run.
So, whether you're running towards something big or away from something that has been holding you back, i am here to hold your hand and help you pick up the pace.
I just finished recording this conversation And my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
So get excited.
My guest today is Megan Howard.
Megan is an 11-time marathoner who lives outside Toronto.
She's an educator, and I loved hearing about the work she does with 7th through 12th graders.
Megan ran her first race, a half marathon in 2019.
Her goal then was to run sub two and she finished in one hour and 57 minutes.
So she did it.
Then Megan moved right to the marathon, where she had pretty immediate success running some seriously fast times.
Last year, Megan achieved her goal of running sub three at the Chicago marathon.
Now, Megan is fresh off running the Berlin Marathon.
She went into the day with big goals, hoping to run around 255.
But the day was hot and was not without drama, including two nasty falls that almost took Megan out of the race.
She may not have hit her time goal, but all was not lost, because guess what else happened that day in Berlin?
Megan ran with Harry Styles.
All about that and so much more in this conversation.
Like, she really ran with Harry Styles.
She talks all about it, sparing no detail.
So please join me in welcoming Megan Howard to the Allie on the Run show.
All right.
I am so excited.
Megan Howard, welcome to the alley on the run show, fresh off the Berlin marathon, which we are going to talk all about.
You have some great stories from the day.
Welcome to the show.
How are you doing?
Awesome.
Thank you so much.
I'm doing great.
How are you doing?
Oh, I'm doing well.
Thank you.
Are you feeling recovered?
How are you feeling?
Like body felt pretty good after the race.
I'll go a little more in detail when we get talking about the race.
But, like other than my knee, I had a little tender knee situation happen, which we'll dig into a little bit more.
Other than that, like my body felt really good.
I felt like, I recovered pretty quickly, which was nice.
And I was honestly like the next day I was like, I could get going again.
Like I was ready to go.
And like, once you're in that mindset of like the race, you're like, wait, it's over now.
So I wasn't fully ready to let go of my my marathon, but obviously too, it's.
It's important to take that time off, even if your body doesn't feel like it.
So we took off a week and honestly, like I'm ready to get back.
Do you know what's and I hate asking this question of being like, what's next?
Like you just ran this.
Let's bask in it for a while.
But I know that you run a lot of races, including a lot of marathons.
Do you already know what your next marathon will be?
I do.
So actually, on the Friday when I was in Germany for Berlin, the lottery draw for Tokyo went out.
First year actually applying for it.
And like, as everyone knows, next to London, it's like impossible to freaking get in.
And the lottery, like more and more people because running has become so popular.
It's more and more applications, more people applying.
And so then on Friday in Germany, I ended up getting the email that I actually got selected.
So yeah, so that will be my next marathon.
So that will be March 1st.
So, yeah, I'll be heading to Tokyo, which is really crazy.
I've never I've never been.
And this will finally be like this will be my fifth world major.
So we're almost at those six stars after that.
So it was it was very exciting to get to get that email for sure.
Yay.
And that's nice.
You've got some time before that.
Like that's a good little break, break over the holidays, you know, and then, and then get right back into it, which we know you will.
What is something that's making you happy today?
Something that's making me happy today?
That's a great question, actually.
I would honestly say, as much as it's not connected to running, I would say my job today actually made me very happy.
One of my students, which we can talk more about too.
I work in the school board and one of my students came in today and We deal a lot with mental health and the social emotional work with our kids in my program.
And he was just not feeling quite at a 10 today.
But he came in and he was willing to kind of chat about it, debrief about it.
And we kind of just worked together today and kind of discussed some of his challenges that he was facing.
And at the end of the day, he left with like a smile on his face.
And we were able to kind of come together as a team. to figure out what works best for him.
So any win where, like my, school day ends on a high note is a good day, especially given kind of the whole, like how our whole program is run and who it serves in the school board.
So that was, that's probably what's making me happy today.
That's a great day.
And I love that answer.
Let's get right into the job stuff.
Can you explain what it is that you do for a living?
Sure.
So a lot of people don't know kind of what our program is about.
And sometimes it has a negative connection to it because it is a suspension and expulsion program.
So I work with kids from grade seven to grade 12 who have been suspended or expelled from their school for a variety of reasons.
And it can be from a one-day suspension all the way up to 20 days, and it can be actually as extreme as being expelled from the entire school board as a whole.
So those kids don't stay kind of fall off track, I should say, with their academics.
They actually come to my program and myself and a teacher we work with them to keep them up on their academics.
We'll also kind of backpedal in any work that they haven't gotten in.
We will actually work on that, get it submitted.
And then, while we're all doing this, we'll also have that social, emotional work where we'll be working on their mental health and assisting them, teaching them skills to help them, where they won't end up in this situation again.
So, whatever the events were that led them to our program again variety of reasons we like to unpack that and kind of get to the deeper root as to what got them to that point where they ended up getting suspended or expelled.
So it's definitely a different day every day, a variety of challenges, but I've I've been doing it now for a couple of years.
So it's definitely rewarding.
And a lot of us kind of I know.
When I was in high school you just thought any of the kids that got suspended or expelled.
They just kind of stayed home and all of a sudden then they were back.
So it's nice to know that our programs out there to kind of help these kids that were not just shoving them in a corner and labeling them the bad kids, if you will.
So yeah, so that's like my job in a bit of a nutshell.
That's amazing work.
And that's so important.
And I appreciate you sharing all that.
It's so nice to know that programs like that exist and that there's good people doing good work.
How did you end up in this field doing what you do?
Oh, wow.
So it started honestly, it started in high school, which is hilarious because that feels like years ago now.
So when I was in high school, I always wanted to work at a custody facility.
So there was one near where I live.
And that was like my dream job at the time.
I was so obsessed with getting in at this place.
So I started volunteering at a youth custody facility when I was in grade 12.
So I did that for a couple of years, got some kind of stuff on my resume.
And then from there, I went to university.
I studied a lot of programs like young offenders, crime and criminal policy and things like that.
And but I knew I kind of would have had to do more to kind of become a little bit more specialized.
So from there, after four years in Guelph I went and did a accelerated child and youth worker program.
So I did that in Toronto.
And then in that I actually my dream job.
The custody facility was one of the programs that we were able to do internships with.
So I ended up doing an internship with them and I got hired on.
So then from there, it was like, oh, my dream job, like so excited.
And I was like, I wonder, though, like if there's more than this.
So I spent it was about five years.
I worked in the custody facility and I did love it, but I knew it wasn't long term.
I knew that I would have to find something a little bit more stable.
And the school board, as most people know, is a great, stable job.
And so there was a program, which was a program that I worked for.
And my goal was just to get into the school board and kind of work my way up to that program.
And after two years in my position with the board at another school that was just a behavior resource classroom for elementary students.
The position ended up opening up.
So as soon as I saw the positioning that I'm in now open up, I was like this this is kind of the moment I need to move on this.
So I ended up moving on it.
And I ended up getting it.
And now here we are.
So it was definitely a few years to get to but I it's all I ever wanted.
So I'm very happy to be where I am now.
It sounds like you have always been someone who's a helper and who wants to be there for people who need some sort of support.
Is that accurate?
What was it that made, you know, that first job you talked about, what made that your dream job?
Why were you so drawn to that?
I think I was drawn to it.
Long story short, as I grew up, we had some struggles in my family.
Like our family dealt a lot with substance abuse, physical abuse, things like that, domestic violence and things like that.
So when I think, as I grew up, having witnessed and experienced that myself, I think part of me wanted to help people in similar situations, either avoid them entirely or help work with them through this situation.
Or if we can kind of get to that point where we can all kind of work together with family as well.
Which is a great part of my position is we kind of do that wraparound care, where it's not just the student we're working with, we're working with the families as well.
So I think my childhood and my experiences and how I grew up impacted for sure what I wanted to do when I, when I got bigger, when I grew up.
So I think that played a role.
I don't.
I'm not super outward about my childhood and my past, but I do find, with the students I work with, when I'm able to relate to them on some of the things they deal with as well.
I think that that opens up a bigger line of communication and trust and relationship building, without kind of crossing that that boundary.
And it's definitely helped, helped me help support them as much as I could.
So I think for sure that has influenced what, what I wanted to do.
So, yeah, that's, Amazing.
And it's so.
It's so inspiring to hear, when you've been through something hard, channeling that into being the good and and finding a way to give back.
I think that's, that's really incredible.
And it.
It would have probably been easy to do the opposite of that and um, and then you know, leave all of that in the past or compartmentalize um, But everything that you just said is so beautiful and really powerful.
Thank you.
What kind of kid were you?
And I ask that because I want to know how running and sport came into your life.
I see your success in running.
And of course, in my head, I'm like, oh, she was born with it.
I'm sure you grew up and you're active and you were fast.
But you tell me what kind of kid were you and when and how did running become part of your life?
Oh, my gosh.
It's so funny because you think about that.
I'm like, I was a kid so on go now.
So how it started?
Honestly, like I grew up playing soccer, I grew up doing a little bit of gymnastics here and there.
In high school, I did field hockey and rugby.
So for sure, definitely a lot of running involved.
But I never did any long distance running.
It was honestly, anytime our coach was like, go run three laps.
You're like, oh, punishment.
Yeah.
I'm like, why would I do that?
What have I done to deserve this?
Yeah.
I was like, this is torture.
This is the worst sport ever.
Like, what are we doing?
So then I don't honestly...
As a kid, I loved sports.
I loved being active.
My parents definitely tried to keep us as active as possible.
Brother played a lot of hockey.
So I was kind of like the rink Rattus, if you will, where I followed him there.
But it was always encouraged to do sports and just just be active.
Just just get your bed outside.
We didn't have iPads when I was little.
So like now it's such a weird concept to me how things work now.
But nothing too serious, I would say.
And then I went all through high school, just kind of playing that.
And then college and university, I honestly, I wasn't playing any actual organized sports anymore.
I was just kind of getting into the fitness world, trying to get active that way and kind of more working on strength and conditioning versus an actual sport.
So as I was doing that, I learned a lot about fitness, and that's part of like I do personal training on the side as well.
And then I don't know what happened, but I think because I just kind of had I got everything I needed out of the fitness world.
And then I was like, but I want more.
There's something missing.
There's, there's something that's just, I need, I need, and I couldn't quite figure out what it was.
And for some crazy reason, I was like, Running a half marathon has got to be the answer.
Went right to the half.
Yeah.
I was like, no, no 5k, no 10k.
Like let's just go to the half.
Did I know anything about running?
Absolutely not.
I knew nothing.
Like, if you look back on those photos and you look at what I'm wearing like did I have any fuel on me.
No, because why would you need fuel running a half marathon?
Like it, just it was.
I look back on it now and I'm like I cringe because I'm like what, like what were you thinking?
But this girl did it.
She signed up.
I signed up in, I think it was 20.
Yeah, it was 2019 was my first race ever.
And it was the half marathon in Toronto.
So not that long ago, not that long ago.
And my one goal was just run it under two hours.
I was like, just, you can run it under two hours.
Like, And did I know what that meant?
No, I had no idea.
I just picked a number.
And so I went and I ran a 157 and I was like, okay, like that's not bad.
But like, I felt like I needed more even from that.
I was like, still not enough.
So again, genius idea goes, let's turn it into a full marathon.
Why, why not?
So I ended up signing up for the Mississauga marathon.
It was in, it was set to be 2020.
And then COVID hit, of course, our good old COVID.
So that put a stop to it real fast.
And unfortunately, they tried to do like a virtual version.
And like I ran it, but it was like I just kind of just was moseying along the street like never really considered it much of anything.
And then they ended up in 2022.
Luckily for us, they ended up opening it up again.
So in 2022, I was finally able to run like my first official marathon.
And I really didn't have a goal because I had no idea.
Like I didn't know what was that fast, like what was fast, what was slow.
And I was like, I'm also not like, I don't know what my abilities are.
I again brought no gels with me.
I brought no nutrition on the course.
I had absolutely nothing.
I was just like I don't know, here we go so, and at the time I just was like okay, like let's wing it, let's see what happens.
And I ended up running that one in 20 2022, and I ended up running a 329 whoa.
I qualified for Boston and I was like okay, so like we're doing this yeah, so that's kind of how, like how I built my way up to it.
And now it's all I do.
Yeah.
That's, I mean, that's a wild trajectory.
And that does tell me that you just have a lot of like, obviously you're a hard worker and we see that now and how you train for these, which is a little bit different than how you got started.
For sure.
Yeah.
But I mean, the natural talent to be there is pretty impressive for that first half that you ran.
Yes.
Did you train for it?
Like, did you do long runs leading up to it?
I did.
I would be so curious to see, like what, my stats, like what, how much mileage I was doing a week is probably not great.
But I remember training for it.
But again, I just kind of trained like I trained myself and I didn't know what I was doing.
I just knew like, OK, I guess you're gonna have to run a lot.
So try and run a lot.
I would probably say at the time I would be close to like 30 to 40 kilometers a week, like which is not a lot, but at that point I had no idea.
So I just kind of was hoping for the best.
And at one point I remember I had ran 18 K during that training block.
And I was like, okay, if I can run 18 K I can run 21.
And then I remember when I ran that race I was amazed at that race.
Adrenaline, like how you're easy pace.
You're like, oh, my race is there's no way I can hit that.
There's no way.
And then you're running.
You're like, oh, this is actually like kind of easy.
Like I didn't even run at this pace when I was training.
So it's kind of amazing what the body can do and kind of that race mindset and just how everyone the crowds are around and everything like that can just kind of push you through.
So I trained for it, but I would say it definitely wasn't anything extraordinary.
Um, at the time, if I had to guess it was all just luck, just luck.
So, yeah.
What about the running community at the time, both training for that first half and then, you know, post COVID or getting to the post COVID area when you ran the marathon um, did you know about like run clubs or running groups, or had you dabbled in any of the community side of running?
No, I will admit I never did.
Um, I and some people frown upon it and some people don't get it, but I've always been a lover of training alone.
Oh, I love that.
I love it.
And this is a judgment free zone.
Yeah.
This is, we do what works for us here.
Yeah.
It's I, Like my friend John and I, he's very much so the same.
And we bond over our little secluded running schedules.
I don't know.
I just it's.
I definitely, I'm sure, if I ran with people faster than me, I would probably obviously, I'm sure, work my butt off a lot harder.
But I'm always can kind of say like I give myself credit for how much I can push myself when I'm by myself.
I'm always surprised at how much I'm like, okay, no, keep going.
Like keep going.
Or like, okay, you got to pick up the pace, pick up the pace, things like that.
Like I've, I've always been very open.
Like a lot of the time during a race, like I actually talked to myself out loud to be like okay, you've got like 5k left.
Like you cannot lose this pace.
Like if people saw me on the course, they'd be like, this girl is certifiably insane.
But so it's.
It's definitely like my favorite to train alone um, but then again i can can't really say which way i would prefer, because i've never really trained with a group either.
So i'm sure there's benefits of both, but my preference, at least right now as i sit here, is to train solo, to be honest.
When are you doing all of this running?
And what are your hours like for work?
So my hours for work are 830 to 430 every day.
And the personal training has definitely taken kind of like a sideline.
Which is totally fine by me, just again too much going on.
And Traveling for races and things like that, it just doesn't work as much.
So 830 to 430 is like my average workday.
And most of the time I just go from 430.
I throw on my running shoes and I'll do my run.
If I have like some sort of strength workout, I'll literally do my run change, go to the gym, do that workout.
And if I do it right after work, it will get done.
I'm definitely someone that... if it's in the program for that day, it's happening.
Like I'm, it's very cliche and we've all heard it.
It's like, if it matters to you, you'll make time for it.
And I'm definitely that person and running to me, it's, it's meant the world to me.
It's changed like how I definitely see myself and my own confidence, even just outside of running.
So I think that that's been a huge thing for me.
So yeah, no, it's just, uh, I squeeze it in wherever I can.
It's, And I've got a great, great group of friends and family that they support it so much.
Like so if I'm away, on like a bachelorette, if I'm like sorry guys, like I got 16 K to run, they're like okay, we'll see you when you're back.
So I am very lucky that way.
But I also try to still maintain that balance of if I'm going away, I'll be like okay, can we shift my runs around so that I may be running faster an 11k on that day versus like my long 30k run.
So I definitely try to balance it out.
But it does get hard.
It does get hard.
I'm lucky I don't have any.
Well, I say lucky with quotes, because I don't have any kids.
So that also takes away any of those kind of struggles of trying to balance kids and work and everything like that.
So I've got it easy, easy in that way.
But yeah, it's it's it's hard.
But I definitely, I love it enough to make it work for sure.
I want to hear more about the confidence piece that you just alluded to, a bit about running doing wonders for your confidence.
When did that happen?
Is that?
When did you notice that?
Maybe you were I don't want to say a different person, but when did you notice that change in yourself, with running and with the confidence that it gave you?
I think, because when I was in high school, I definitely was someone that I was always afraid to stick to things, because I was always afraid of failing them.
So if someone was like oh, we have a like university rugby tryouts for you to go to, because it's that next level up.
I go, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
So I self-sabotaged really quickly because I was like, well, if I fail, that's embarrassing.
But then I'm like, but now you're not trying.
So then you just give it up completely.
And that was, that was what I did with everything.
Absolutely everything except for running.
When I started running, when I did my first marathon, when I crossed that finish line and I realized I had qualified for Boston, I was like that was kind of the like moment where it clicked, where I was like okay, maybe I can be good at this.
Like maybe I'm actually good at something.
And I was like, I need to see this through.
And I think because it came somewhat naturally, like I worked my butt off for the three 29 but I was like but it came so naturally where some people their first it's like four or five hours to complete a marathon.
I was like for me to be able to do this, running like 50 or 60 kilometers a week.
There's gotta be something to it.
So I think by feeling that confidence of like Hey, you tried, you didn't fail and it was worth it in the end.
Mind you, I've definitely had many failures since then in running.
And the old me would have been like, hey, forget it, I'm done running then.
Whereas, like the me now, because I love the sport so much and it means so much to me and has changed that perspective for me.
Now I'm like, okay, that sucked.
But like, let's get rolling again.
Like, what do we need to change?
And so I think that that's been a huge shift for me.
And I think without that, I probably would have given up running a long time ago.
So I think that that's massive for me.
And I think now when I go into the sport or when I lace up for another marathon block, I'm confident, I'm ready, I'm good to go.
And I'm like, I will work my butt off.
And I think that's why.
Again, like I said, I just find the time to do it because it's worth it to me.
So now with your relationship with running, is there such a thing as failure in running for you?
And I know that we can say, and there's, you know, this to me, there's nothing bad about failure.
If we say we want to run sub three and we run three 20, well, we didn't hit our goal.
That is by definition can be a failure.
It doesn't mean it's a terrible thing in the world is over, but for you, now are there, you know quote failures in running and how do you approach them and deal with them.
I think now, like my perspective is less like I definitely trip on the word fail, sometimes still like I'll say it and I'm like no, you didn't fail.
It's like, It was kind of like a bump in the road or something to learn from versus a failure.
So even I again, many times.
I've had many time goals and I haven't hit them since my current PB from 2024.
I haven't hurt.
I haven't hit them.
Any of the races I ran this year, I did not hit any of the time goals I wanted.
And I don't see it as failure.
I see it as like I take a second to reflect back on the race and go what went wrong?
What, or like what mistake did I make?
Or maybe I need to change this in my programming or maybe I need to add more fuel here, there.
So I think I've kind of been able to shift my mindset to it wasn't a failure.
It was just kind of like a whoopsie, a whoopsie.
A whoopsie put that on a t-shirt.
It was just a whoopsie.
So Because I think if you go into thinking everything's just a failure, then it's like well then why would you want to do it again?
There's nothing positive about the word failure.
So I've definitely tried to shift my mindset to just kind of like a learning curve, a whoopsie just what can you do to reflect on it, to do better?
And again, and I've done that for many races this past year.
And even doing that, I still didn't hit my goal on the next run.
And and that's okay where, like the Meg from a few years ago, would have been bawling her eyes out at the finish line, being like, oh my god, this is the worst experience ever, like I hate everything about running, running sucks.
Like I never want to put on my running shoes ever again, but it's like it's just.
That's not where my mind is anymore.
I've definitely matured as a runner and just I think again that reflects back on like my confidence, because I'm like I know I, I know I can do it.
It's just maybe just not now.
So were you ever worried that you weren't going to get to that point, that you were always going to be someone who might cry at the finish line or never want to put her running shoes on again?
A hundred percent.
A hundred percent.
I after Chicago 2023 I I went into that race.
Long story short, I went into that race fully trained and prepped to run my first sub three.
That was the goal.
I had just run a three hour and 11 second marathon a couple months before that.
So I was like, okay, like you, you're fine.
Like it's happening.
And I was, I had so many injuries.
Like I, there was no reason for me to run that race.
Like I should have pulled the plug.
I should have never ran it.
And it was when I look back on it now, I was like, that was a failure.
You were dumb enough to run that race and you failed yourself by putting yourself in that position.
And I regret it to this day because I was in so much pain finishing that race physically.
And that race was actually the race that almost took me out of running.
Cause I was like, I didn't, I couldn't quite chalk it up to the injury.
It was like, no, you suck.
You're too slow.
You're not good enough and all these things.
But it's like.
Even my physio was like no like, let me literally show you everything that's wrong with your body right now.
Post race.
That led to what happened.
And there were like plantar fasciitis.
My Achilles was literally about to pop.
Like there was so many things, but I'm too, I was too stubborn.
And at that end of that race, my parents didn't call me because they knew I was going to be just a wreck.
And I texted them late that night before I went to bed.
And I was like, I know you guys didn't text me because you know that I'm very unhappy.
I'm fine.
It is what it is.
But I was like this, like literally a hair away from being like, I never want to do a race again.
And a couple of weeks went by and I signed up for Chicago 2024, uh, as you do as a, as a racer.
And I was like, that's going to be my redemption run.
And then 2024 season came around and I had fantastic marathons in the springtime that weren't like I had no sub three goals for them, but they were.
They were great races.
They were like, again, three hours and change.
And I but Chicago 2024 was my redemption run.
I was like, this is it, this is happening.
And it was the healthiest I had ever been physically.
And I went into that race.
I was like, I know I have this.
Like I could feel it in every build, every run, every mile I put on my body, every strength workout I did.
I was like, I got this, we're good.
And so then 2024, Chicago hit and I got my first sub three and I was like see See, you just needed to like figure out your injuries.
You needed to change your strength training.
You needed to be smart.
So then that was the best race of my life as of right now.
So yeah, so it was, you live and you learn for sure.
But the old me would have definitely, I questioned whether I'd ever get to that point.
And Chicago 2024 made me realize like, I'm not that girl anymore.
I'm not that runner anymore.
So I definitely look at things very differently now.
So yeah.
That was a little bit of a babble.
Oh, but did you see, I was like hanging on every word.
I'm like, keep going.
My tangent went way too long there.
This episode of the Allie on the Run show is brought to you by Lagoon.
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And I swear, every single one of them gets excited to test out the Lagoon pillows that I rave about.
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Sweet dreams.
Well, now we get to talk about all things Berlin.
Like we said earlier, you are a couple weeks out now from Berlin.
If you were to sum up the training for Berlin before we even get to the race.
We're going to slow build this one.
Let's talk about your training.
What was different about this training block?
You were working with a new coach for this one.
Is that right?
Yeah.
So I had actually never had a coach until Berlin.
So all my other stuff was just my crazy brain coming up with whatever it could come up with to uh, to race.
And after Chicago 2024 and I ran my sub three I was like okay, I need, I need a little extra something.
I need a little extra boost.
So I started working with Jeff Cunningham.
Um, he's, he's, he's a bit of a big name.
And so I was nervous.
I was like, Oh boy.
Like, is he like, I was like, this is going to be a whole other, other ball game.
And so we started working together and, for Berlin and he had me doing paces.
Like I could not even imagine doing on any, any given day.
I was like getting these workouts.
I was like, this is nuts.
Like, I don't know who you think I am, but like, it ain't this.
And so we started working together slowly building up mileage.
We had a lot of big workouts and the training itself, like it went really, really well.
The, the whole block went really well.
I managed to kind of stay injury free for the most part, like sure there were a couple like physio appointments just for some tweaks, but like stayed healthy throughout the build.
It was a really awesome build.
I learned so much from him.
He's incredibly like he's incredible.
He has so much knowledge.
It's insane.
His resume is stacked with so many incredible runners that, like I, was following and looked up to before I even worked with him.
And so he knows what he's doing.
And so I was super excited to work with him.
And I could feel myself getting more fit as we would go week by week.
So the prep for sure, it was there.
It was definitely there.
And we were on the ballpark to hit a 255 marathon.
And that was the goal.
That was the initial A goal.
And then...
As Berlin heated up over those two days, we pivoted.
And even that one, unfortunately, I ended up missing that goal.
We ended up pivoting to like a 257.
Him and I would both agree that my level of fitness was definitely able to hit a 257, even a 255.
It was just not the day to do it.
And we were staying very cautious of the heat there in Berlin.
But the build itself, It was fun.
It was fun, scary, but successful.
I would say you and you've posted about this a little bit but that during this training block you dealt with a pretty significant loss uh, the loss of your dad.
What role did running play as you navigated the, you know, the very nonlinear line that is grief?
How did running fit in?
Initially it didn't.
So, uh, Jeff was one of the first people I had actually reached out to.
And, as as you do, like I knew reaching out to him he wasn't going to be like what do you mean?
You're not hitting your runs this week?
Like I knew obviously that, but the person I am is the person that like if it's on a schedule, it's happening.
And so he was like, no, no, no, no, no.
Take time, take the time to do what you need to do.
And yeah, be there for your family.
So, and for yourself.
So we ended up taking some time only, only a couple of days.
Cause I was like, I don't know what's worse for me.
I don't know if sitting at home thinking about it is the right move for me, because I've used running, as most of us call it, or my therapy right.
I've used it on those days where you're sad, you're mad, I've used it on days where I'm happy.
I've used it for so many different reasons and just fitness as a whole.
And so I was actually quite eager to get back to it because I knew that's what my dad would want.
And I knew that he would not want me sitting there, being like Sitting there, crying and putting my dreams on hold.
I knew that because...
He's the type of guy, and most parents I'm sure feel the same, is, like, my dreams are his dreams.
So... While I worked through that, Jeff was great.
And he just kept encouraging me to do what I felt was right.
And so I gave myself a couple days, and I got right back to it, because...
I knew that that was what was right for me and like my mental health.
It never gets easier to talk about.
So once we kind of pivoted from that, we kind of just jumped right back into it.
But he definitely, Jeff was definitely keeping me in check.
He was making sure that I was eating properly still, and I was sleeping properly, because I?
What's the point of doing all this if I'm not taking care of myself entirely?
So running was huge for me.
It means so much to me and it definitely is my outlet for the good and the bad and everything in between.
So getting back to it was hard and I felt a little bit guilty almost, but I knew the longer I waited, the worse it probably was going to be.
So pushing myself to get up, get my shoes on, go out the door was tough.
But once I did it and was out there, I was, I was okay.
And we were good.
So yeah, so it definitely was not easy, but I knew it was best for me in that moment.
So yeah.
I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss.
And I appreciate what you just said about feeling, that guilt of like, feeling like you should just be staying home and being sad.
Like, what am I doing being out running?
But anyone who's been through any type of, of grief or something hard.
And I think maybe runners, we just get each other and you know you need that.
You need the outlet and that release and to feel that connection to yourself or whatever, whatever it gives you.
And so, yeah.
Thank you for, for sharing all that.
I I think all the runners listening.
You know we all have different lives and experiences, but I think we can all relate to that almost complicated relationship with running of like.
This is what makes me who I am.
I need to get back to this and feeling pulled in different directions.
So I'm glad you had that.
I apologize for all my hesitation and my ums on that one.
You're trying to keep myself together.
You're perfect.
And that, that stuff is never easy to talk about.
So thank you for, thank you for sharing.
Let's go to Berlin.
Let's talk about Berlin.
There were, there were highs, there were lows, there were in-betweens.
If you were to sum up 2025 Berlin marathon, is there like a sentence or a couple of words you could put on it?
Okay.
Let's think about this one.
I'm sure there's some words that I probably can't use.
We have a bleep button.
It's fine.
Whatever you want.
I would say, oh boy, a shit show.
Perfect.
Perfect.
Let's go there.
Okay.
And I say that respectfully, kind of.
Yeah.
I don't even know where to begin, to be honest.
Great trip there and but the race I'm sure lots of people have seen.
There's a few videos circulating online and everything was great until it wasn't so.
Obviously temperatures were hot, which is extremely unusual for Germany at this time of year, but they also had an unusually hot summer as well, from a couple people I've spoken to who live in Germany, and The first two days I was there it was cool temperatures.
It was overcast.
It was fall.
It was fall.
Perfect race day weather.
I know.
I know.
So it was fantastic.
And I was like, okay, this is great.
But the temperature on Sunday kept changing to hotter and hotter.
And I was like, I looked at this a week ago and it said it was 18 and overcast.
And now we're at like 25 and climbing.
So the first on the Saturday it was already I think Saturday was 28 it was so hot, so hot, and so that's when Jeff called me and was like I know we worked for a 255, but it's not gonna happen in these can and I was more than happy, I was, I was okay with that.
I was like that's fine, I know, I know my body can run a 255, but I'm not willing to risk dehydration or fainting or getting sick or anything like this.
So I was OK with pivoting, to be honest.
Again, the old me would have been like devastated over this and protesting against Jeff.
Like, no way.
What are you talking about?
But it it was the right thing to do.
And so we ended up pivoting and.
I started the race and honestly, I think like 4k and I was already dripping from like my forehead.
And I knew how I was like if I'm already this hot, and I took cups from the water station, throwing it over my head, throwing it down my shirt, everything I could possibly do.
I've never ran with hydration before.
And I had had a water bottle with me in my hands.
So I was doing everything I possibly could.
And it just it never.
It never happened relaxed, it never got like to a comfy temperature.
So that was, like I said, a shit show in itself.
And then those infamous water stations.
I've never seen anything like that in my life.
I knew that Berlin.
So Berlin does the plastic cups, not the paper ones that most of us are used to, where you can pinch them and all that stuff.
And when you throw them on the ground, when you step on them, you don't even notice them because they're paper, they just basically flatten.
These plastic cups were everywhere, everywhere.
When you hit a water station, all you heard was the plastic cups clinking and rolling by.
They were slippery.
They were piling up all along the side of the roads.
People were taking like three or four cups at a time and they had tables but, like most people, were stopping at the first table.
So then it would create this like crowd of people and just congest.
So it's like you're either not getting your water, which everybody needs right now, or you're trying to get one at another table, but you basically almost have to come to a full stop to get it from the table.
So it was just, it was chaos.
It was honestly chaos.
And I've never had to slow at a water station like that ever.
I like, I shouldn't have to come to a complete almost walk.
It was insane but people were like it's sounds crazy, but it's like people were fighting for their lives to get water.
And which leads me into the next kind of disaster that I think frustrated me most, to be honest.
So at the water stations, obviously everyone's freaking out trying to get water.
And all of a sudden I feel two hands shaking on the back of my shoulders and I just get shoved, shoved.
And I'm, I'm five, three.
I'm a little lady.
Like it's, I'm a little lady and there's men out there.
There's women out there.
I'm like, why?
And it was this man who was like six foot tall.
Like, and he launched me.
Like I don't think he meant to push me as hard as he did, but he in all, like his momentum of him trying to run out of the water with his hands and then pushing me, I flew.
So I ended up falling on all fours.
And when I fell down, I was trying to stop myself as much as I could.
And I just kind of felt like a little bit of like a weird kind of twist in my in my left knee.
And I knew it wasn't like I knew I wasn't done, but it didn't feel great.
I can tell you that much.
And so I kind of, I got up and I may have exchanged a couple words.
I don't know if there's enough bleeps in the book to cover that one.
And then I went on my way, but at that point I was like, am I going to finish this race alive?
Like, am I going to get out of this and actually complete this race?
Because it was just.
It was like barbaric almost the way that some people were were fighting for their lives.
I'm like we all want water.
We all want to finish this race.
I'm sure all of us, or at least a lot of us, want to PR on this race, like Berlin's meant to be fast.
But let's not get physical with people, like let's not shove people out of the way so that you can get back onto your run.
So that was.
I know I'm saying a lot of negative things about the race.
We'll get to the good things.
Yeah, we'll get to the good things.
The good's coming.
I think that's probably the worst part is those hydration stations.
They were extremely poorly managed.
I've ran 11 marathons.
I've seen races in Europe.
I've seen them in America.
I've seen them in Canada.
I've never seen anything like that in my life.
And so that was kind of like a weird awakening that I was like this is how this race is gonna go, and so that was around like the 17, 18k mark, and then I was I think it was like 24 25, I can't remember and all this is also while it's blisteringly hot out.
And I get to the next station and, lo and behold, I get absolutely tripped onto my face again.
This time I was able to kind of catch myself a little bit, But I was like I'm done.
I'm done.
I was like, this has knocked me off any sort of pace plan.
I was running, I think after the first fall, like my next split was like a 440 because it just I was trying to focus on like mentally getting back into it.
But I also was worried that my knee wasn't going to be good.
And I running, I don't have an off season.
Let's put it that way.
So it's like when one race ends, I have another race planned.
So I didn't want to be and I didn't want to risk an injury for my next one when I already had a feeling this one was not going to work out for me.
And so after the second fall, it was honestly survival.
I was like try and dump as much water as you can on your head if you can get to a water station.
Drink as much as you can if there is the option.
Keep fueling and just kind of get to the finish, which was not how I saw this race going at all.
And Jeff and I were very disappointed in that more than anything.
And so that was super unfortunate.
And you'd be very surprised at the amount of people that have messaged me since I posted that, saying they experienced the same thing.
Like, why?
There's no...
Sorry, but none of us are winning the Berlin Marathon.
So there's no reason you need to treat other people that way.
The elites were already done and like having pizza at the finish line while we were at this water station.
So it's like it's just not worth it.
And so unfortunately, the day didn't go as we had hoped.
But when I finished at the finish line, I was like, this is beautiful view.
Like I'm running through the Brandenburg Gate. getting my fifth star and sorry, four star.
And I know that my family is waiting for a text, a video and all that stuff.
They've been tracking me, friends, family.
So I honestly, I wasn't worried.
I wasn't upset.
I was more frustrated at the people and the water stations and that kind of how things like that were managed.
But by no means was I at that point of like, I'm done running.
And that was the slowest I ran in probably two years.
So I think that speaks a lot to the race.
But yeah, it's unfortunate that that's my first experience, because I've heard a lot of fantastic things about Berlin.
But I think I think it's a one and done for me for Berlin, to be honest.
Yeah, a lot of a lot of trauma there.
Yeah.
I mean, I'm just picturing like the stampede from the Lion King.
Like you don't want to go down because the race is not stopping behind you.
To wait for you to get up.
And that can be really disorienting.
I mean, falling is disorienting.
Falling is scary.
Yeah.
So I hate that that happened to you more than once.
Yeah, it was crazy.
Can we talk about the cool part of Berlin?
Oh, yeah.
I wonder what that consists of.
Insert One Direction music here.
Okay.
How did you end up running a good majority of this race with Mr. Harry Styles?
Honestly, I still wonder how.
It was like the wildest thing ever.
I'm just doing my thing in the start corral, as everyone does, where you're just lounging around and I'm standing there and I'll keep the story as short as possible.
No, no, no.
I want every detail.
Do not hold out on me.
I'm standing there and I'm looking over and I'm like, that's not Harry Styles.
I was like, there's no way.
Because I didn't know the whole hot gossip that he was in Berlin, potentially running it.
I guess I missed that.
And so I was like, I don't think that's him, but I kind of think it is him.
And so I looked away and then I went back.
I was like, no, that's Harry Styles.
I was like, this girl's love for One Direction when she was younger was massive.
She knows Harry Styles when she sees him.
So I was like, play it cool, though.
Play it cool, because you're going to be the person that like, freaks out and then security comes out of nowhere and like attacks you.
So.
I'm like okay like what do you do?
What do you do?
And, mind you, like I am an adult now but like I still love like his solo stuff and everything like that, and I mean it's Harry Styles.
I love him.
So I'm standing there and somehow our washroom lines end up kind of merging.
I don't know how but you know the bathroom.
Wait he was in line for the porta potty?
Yeah he was in line.
He's just like us.
He's like a normal person.
Yeah he was just in line standing there and like So we're, I'm saying, and somehow I still don't know how I told, I for sure butted him, but like our lines ended up merging and somehow I was like kind of in front of him, but like beside him.
And so I just, I was like, just do it.
What's, what are you going to lose?
Like kiss something.
Yeah, just, just kiss.
Is that not what you did?
Just propose to him now already.
So I look over and like very quietly because I was like, I get it.
You're just trying to do your thing.
I was like, oh, like, hey, I really like your work.
Do you mind if we take a photo?
And he's like in his glorious accent was like, oh, like, do you mind if we actually don't?
And I was like, no problem, because he didn't want like crowd.
And I get it.
Totally get it.
So I was like, oh yeah, like no problem.
And I just kind of played it cool.
I, even though I was secretly heartbroken, I was like, no problem.
Like have a great race, like good luck, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
And then I go to turn away and he puts his hand out and he is like, what's your name?
And I was like, oh my God, I don't even remember what my name is.
I was like, I just blocked out.
So he, I shake his hand and I'm like, oh, like I'm Megan.
And it's a go nice to meet you.
And Lee is like, Oh, like, is this your first race?
I was like, no, this is like my 11th.
But, uh, so we were just talking and I asked him cause I knew he had done Tokyo.
So it's a go, like, how did you like Tokyo?
And we were chatting about that.
And we just kind of like wrapped up the conversation.
So I went and like, I turned around and again, I was like, Oh, like have a great race, whatever.
So I turn around and I'm standing there again, waiting for the bathroom.
And I feel like a tap on my shoulder and And I was like I'm thinking of someone being like get out of the line or like something like that.
So I turn around and it's him.
He's obsessed with you.
I know.
It's basically soulmate status.
So I turn around and he's, like, I really like your shoes.
And I was just wearing, like, my Nike Vaporfly 3s.
And what he was pointing at is on the heels I wrote, for dad, Berlin 2025.
Wow.
And he's like, I like what you wrote.
And which was like, really, honestly, like, it melted my heart, not just because it's Harry Styles.
But I was like, the fact that he acknowledged that was like, super sweet.
So I said to him, I was like, Oh, like, thank you so much.
I was like, my dad passed away just in May.
So this is kind of a race dedicated to him.
And he was like, he's like, Oh, like, I'm really sorry to hear about your loss.
Like, that's beautiful.
And I just go like, thank you.
And that was kind of like the conversation and we left it, we left it there.
And, but he had kind of an entourage, but not really.
Like, I think, I don't know who they were.
One was for sure a security guard.
He looks like one.
He looked like he would beat anybody up, but he was like, they were all very casual.
And then there was two other people with him and his friend, Nikolai, who was pacing him.
And so we're all there.
And I go to like, go to the bathroom and one of his friends, like I don't know who I guess is like manager or entourage I don't know was like oh like do you want me to hold your things while you go to the bathroom I was like I'm sorry are we best friends are we best I think you're engaged and we're I was gonna say the wedding is next week just just you got the hot scoop now so I was like okay like we're we're we're doing this so I give it to him whatever and I come back out and Harry goes into the washroom and as I go like have a great race guys.
Like I'm going to go hop into the corral.
So I jumped into the corral and I hopped the feds because it was easier than going around.
And I'm standing there.
And then all of a sudden him and Nikolai are right beside me.
And Nikolai is like, we're going to follow you.
Do you mind?
And I was like, cause we had very similar time goals.
And I was like, in my head, I was like, it's Harry Styles.
Why are you even asking me if this is okay?
Like, you know, the answer.
So I was like, of course, like as I'm playing it so cool.
And in my head, I was like, what is happening?
Like, this is Harry Styles right beside me.
And he's asking to run with me.
Like, I don't, I, my brain cannot compute.
So we're all sitting there in the crowd.
Long story short, we're chatting and the start line goes off and we start running.
And like, you know how star lines are.
It's crazy.
It's chaos.
And so we're all kind of scooting around, going around.
And all of a sudden I like, I feel hairy, like on my side.
And I took my, my hair, like my air pod out.
Cause at first I didn't know it was him.
And then I was like, Oh, like, hello.
So I took it out and he's like, um, Nikolai had to drop out.
And this was after like I don't know.
I think like maybe two K he's like, he had to drop out.
He's like, do you mind if I run with you?
And I was like, again, in my head, I was like, why are you asking such a silly question, Harry?
Like you can do anything to me.
Take that how you will, runners.
Oh, I meant it how I meant it.
I literally asked you for a photo.
Do you think I like why would I ever say no to this?
So I was like, oh, yeah, like, absolutely.
You could run with me.
And so it's it's insane.
And I think it speaks to him though, how fast he made it feel like I was just running with another runner.
Um, which is really crazy when I think back to saying that now, cause I'm like, it was Harry Styles.
That's not normal.
And we were just running and like, he was so, he was awesome.
Like he was such a great partner to run with.
Like if he got two water cups, like he would hand me one for me.
And we were, it honestly felt like I was just running with like my friend.
It was, it was really great.
It was awesome.
Um, and then I did tell him, Because he was worried.
He was like, oh, but if I can't run, I don't want to mess up your race, though.
And I was like, no, no, no.
It's fine.
This is our race now.
Yeah, I was like, you are the race.
And you are everything right now.
And so I said to him, though I was like, if anything happens though, where you feel like I'm lagging or whatever, I was like go.
Just go.
I know you have a time goal.
Don't worry about me or anything like that.
So we were scooting along and when I fell the first time he was a little bit ahead of me because he went to go get water from like an additional table.
And I don't even like I mean I'm pretty positive he didn't see me fall, because anytime we would kind of like separate a little.
You, he would always like if I was in front of him I'd look back and kind of like find a way to get him up with me and like vice versa.
So I I think he just didn't see me fall.
And, and I mean, even if he had come, I've been like, no, like go, go, go, go, go.
So obviously he kept going.
He definitely didn't see me fall.
And so our love story ended at about 17, 18 K. But then he went on to get a sub three.
So like, that's pretty fricking cool.
So yeah.
Was there any discussion about him wearing a long sleeve shirt on such a hot day?
Well, I did mention the heat and he was like, yeah, people have me very worried.
And I remember looking at him.
I'm like, you're in a long sleeve.
Like, what do you mean?
A black long sleeve.
So, but yeah, no, he ran the whole race in that long sleeve.
I could have taken it off.
Well, here I was like sweating like a pig at like 3k.
And this man's just like, oh, here I am in my long sleeve.
I was like, you're Harry Styles.
I guess it fits.
Were people either in the race or spectators?
And obviously he didn't have his name on his bib.
He ran under an alias.
Yes, he did.
Were people recognizing him?
When I was with him, not one person came up to him.
So when we were in the washroom line, not one person came up while I was talking to him.
And when we were in the crowd and we were in the crowd for probably a good cause, like we were in the crowd together when the wheelchairs went off which is significantly different uh, earlier than we did, and not one person came and was like, oh hey, like are you harry?
Like no one.
And i couldn't believe it because i was like as soon as i pulled up to that porta potty line, i was like that's harry styles.
Yeah that's, that's him.
And then i was like, talking myself out of it, that it wasn't, because it's like it's really early, maybe you've just like have not got onto the time zone and your brain is mush.
But then as soon as like, i was like no, that's harry styles.
So I don't know if people just like we're not observant or not.
Yeah.
Everyone's so focused on themselves.
Yeah.
You gotta be looking for members of one direction guys.
Right.
I was like, screw myself.
I forget my Mrs. Harry styles.
Like, but, uh, yeah, no, it was, it was very surreal.
And even to this day, like when I look at the photos from the race and the videos on like Twitter that other people took, I'm like that is me.
I'm like, that's like, that was a real thing.
And like on TikTok, I posted some stuff and people were like I think it's at like almost like just short of a million views.
Like people went crazy for this.
And that's why I was like I find it so funny when I'm like I don't even realize like it was, like he felt like such a normal person while we were running and And then in those moments when I'm like I've literally had like three TikTok followers in my life.
And now I have, like, almost a million views on one.
And, like, I don't even know how many comments and blah, blah, blah.
And I'm, like, those are the moments where I'm, like, no, no.
Like, that was Harry Styles.
Like, that's crazy.
So it was a really cool experience.
And outside of everything like that, plus running through just beautiful Berlin and completing my four star and getting to see a bunch of people that I haven't seen, that are all over the country.
It's there was some awesome things about the race and about the day itself.
Of course, I do have those initial complaints.
Okay.
Yep.
But it is what it is.
And we finished the race.
And now we're, we're moving on from here.
So on to the next.
I love that.
Yeah.
I mean, I love that whole story so much.
Obviously, I'm like beaming over here because it's just so fun to hear about.
But like, isn't that the beautiful thing about running is that on the day?
Yes, he's Harry Styles.
But he was a guy who trained for this, who had a goal, who was out running a marathon.
Yeah, exactly.
He was doing what tens of thousands of other runners that day were doing and, like he's one of us, which is so cool.
And I think that's, too, why, like, when he was, like, do you mind if we don't?
Yeah.
I was like, absolutely like, and that was kind of why, like I, it was a very I did it very like low-key, because I I knew if we caught like, if I caused the scene like, if I was one of those people that was like, oh my god, oh my god, it's Harry Styles, then it would have been just craziness at the start line and, like you said, I would be, whether I'm a celebrity or not.
It's like you changed your butt off and now you just want to be a quote-unquote normal person and do something for you.
And so I was like it's not my place to kind of corrupt that and ruin your experience because I'm a fan and I want a photo.
So it was, it was cool to have that normalcy and now it's cool to look back on.
That's not normal.
And it was a.
It was definitely like a once in a lifetime, like I got very lucky being in that situation, but yeah, it was super cool.
Well, there was obviously something about you too, about your you know, whether it was your energy or your shoes or just that you were respectful and it wasn't.
You know, you didn't freak out in fangirl.
Like there was obviously something about you that him and his, his crew, felt safe around, which is really cool.
Yeah.
So yeah, I I love this story and I know that there was so much about Berlin that didn't go your way and a lot of ways that it wasn't the best day, but this will forever be the time that you ran a marathon with Harry Styles and you may not have gotten a selfie in the line for the bathroom, but you now have all these race photos and videos, which I think that's way cooler.
A hundred percent.
And it's so funny.
Cause that was when the pictures all came out.
I was like, Oh, I got my photo anyways.
So yeah.
I add to cart.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I'm going to order a frame.
I'm going to get this put into like a snow globe.
Yeah, everything.
Key chains, whatever you need.
Yeah, everything.
Okay, but do you know what I love?
Is that like he got that email too saying your race photos are ready.
And because he's just like us, he looked at them.
And I'm just waiting for someone on his team to look and see your bib number and reach out and be like Harry.
Just wanted to thank you.
And here's tickets to his next show.
Yeah, I wish.
I would die inside if that ever happened because-
I'm like, I'm just I'm just me.
And I'm glad I got to run with him.
And I'm glad we had a bit of like a partner in that heat for those first 17 kilometers.
So but you know what, it will be a story I forever have no matter what.
And I did very like, low key, I sent not like he'll ever see it.
But I sent a message me like, hey, you got your like sub three congratulations.
And I just kind of left it at that.
But I was like, maybe he'll see it one day.
Maybe he won't.
But I was like when you hit a sub three.
You deserve all the congrats, whether you're Harry Styles or not.
So yeah, yeah, we'll see.
We'll see if he ever gets that message, but otherwise I will forever tell this story, until the day I die.
And you know, now that he's done two of the majors, he's probably going to start doing all of them and we're going to see him in, you know Boston Chicago, New York, London like your paths may cross again.
So you always got to be looking before I let you go.
I always end every episode of the alley on the run show with our sprint to the finish round.
Okay.
I put you through our rapid fire questions.
I promise no one is going to push you, shove you or knock you down.
Perfect.
Less trauma, the better.
Okay.
All right.
What would your last meal on earth be?
Pizza.
Favorite movie.
Stepbrothers.
Oh, nice.
Favorite TV show.
Gilmore girls.
Oh good answer best.
What food reminds you of your childhood?
Oh, you know what?
My dad's salmon burgers.
Oh, nice answer yeah, who would you want to play you in a movie?
Oh gosh, will ferrell.
Just because i love him.
Okay wait, you'll appreciate this.
I went to see hamilton on broadway And this was like in the first weeks it had opened.
Okay.
And so it was like all the celebrities were going to Hamilton.
Oh, cool.
Will Ferrell at the time was my favorite actor.
And I see Will Ferrell.
Okay.
So I see Will Ferrell in the lobby and I go up to him and I'm like, hey, I'm a huge fan.
I was like, all of your movies are my favorite movie.
Oh my God.
And I just wanted to say hi.
And he was like, hi.
And I go, would it be okay if we took a picture together?
And he goes, I'd rather not.
And I was like, no worries.
All good.
Are you kidding?
Yeah.
Okay.
But Harry Styles also said no, which is why I was like, you'll appreciate this story.
So he's like, no, thank you.
I think he just didn't want to draw attention to himself.
Like again, knew that then people would see him, notice him and he was just doing his thing.
So I'm like, sure.
No problem.
I was there for work at the time I worked in that industry.
So I used to get really good seats to these shows.
So of course I go into the theater and who do you think I am seated directly behind?
No, I had to sit there for two and a half hours as the girl who asked and got rejected for a selfie.
And you're like, now here, I'll stare at the back of your head.
I was like, now I look like a stalker, but like, I swear these are my seats.
Like I'm, that is so funny.
This is, this is your hairstyle story, but you know what?
I've always said I do appreciate this, because I've said The day I meet Will Ferrell is a day that I can die a happy woman.
Oh my gosh.
Well, don't ask for a photo.
Make sure you're taking it away from everyone.
Yeah.
I'm so jealous.
Oh my God.
Well, I'm jealous of you.
So, you know, in an, in another life we can swap stories.
There you go.
There you go.
That's my, my Will Ferrell story for you.
I love that.
He'll play you in a movie.
What is your favorite pasta shape?
Hmm.
I love, you know what?
Let's go.
Penny classic.
What was your very first job?
Oh gosh.
Works as a cashier at Canadian tire.
Oh, nice.
That was my very first.
Did you smell like tires when you would get home at night?
Honestly, I hope not.
That's a strong smell.
That's a rough go of like tire rubber.
Oh, Okay, when you were very little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A marine biologist.
Same, classic.
Oh, we all did because we thought it meant like playing with dolphins all day.
And then I realized I was too dumb.
Yeah, you have to like go to science school for that.
Yeah, I was like, I'm on the school board now.
That tells you my math skills are not great.
I host a podcast about running.
So cool.
Yeah, even further away from Mav.
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Peanut butter chocolate.
Biggest pet peeve?
When people chew with their mouths open.
Classic.
If you could take a class in anything, what would it be?
Oh, boy.
A class in anything?
I would say... A class in anything, let's say...
Painting.
If you could go for a run with anyone, who would it be?
Safan Hassan.
Oh, that would be fun.
That would be hilarious.
I love her.
Love her.
And the whole time she'd be like, I don't know why we're doing this.
I won.
Terrible idea.
I love it.
In one word, how does running make you feel?
Powerful.
Ooh, I love that.
Last thing I need, give everyone listening a reason to go for a run.
It'll bring you confidence that you've probably never experienced before.
I love that answer.
I have loved this conversation.
I feel like my cheeks hurt because I just smiled the whole time.
Thank you so much for doing this.
I'm so glad we were able to make it happen.
Congratulations on all of your success in running and we'll be following along and cheering you on as you continue on your exciting marathoning journey.
Thank you so much for doing this.
Awesome.
Thank you so much.
It was so fun.
Thank you so much for being here for this episode of the Alley on the Run show with my guest, Megan Howard.
So many amazing takeaways from this conversation.
I feel like Megan hit on so many different things, so many different emotions.
And it was nice to end it with a big old smile hearing about all things Harry Styles in Berlin.
So Megan, thank you for coming on the show.
I loved getting to know you.
Thank you all for choosing to listen to this show.
You know where to get the codes, the links.
All of that is in the show notes for this episode.
Check them out.
Support Lagoon.
I sleep on the otter pillow and I sleep great.
So check them out.
Until next time, you've got this.
You're doing great.
And thank you for joining me on the run.
