885. No Stupid Questions: Coaching Edition, with Kim Conley
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In this episode of the Ali on the Run Show, host Allie Feller welcomes two-time Olympian and coach Kim Conley for the third installment of the 'No Stupid Questions' series. The conversation dives deep into personal running, coaching philosophy, training strategies, and life transitions, with Conley answering a wide range of listener-submitted questions. From practical topics like zone training, strength work, and fueling to more personal ones about running during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and aging as a master runner, Conley emphasizes relationship-building, communication, and individualized coaching. She shares her own journey—training for High Rocks mixed doubles in New York, her shift from tough-love to supportive coaching, and her belief in making running enjoyable and sustainable. The episode also explores the mental side of running, tapering, goal setting, and the importance of fun and recovery. Conley’s holistic, athlete-centered approach shines through as she balances science with empathy, encouraging runners to trust the process and find joy in every step.
Prioritize communication over data—your coach needs to hear how you feel, not just your splits.
Easy runs should be talkable—use the 'can you chat the whole time?' rule to gauge effort.
Strength training is beneficial but not essential; focus on single-leg exercises like deadlifts and squats for running-specific gains.
Sleep is more important than nutrition for recovery and performance—make it your top priority.
You don’t need to run faster to get better—finishing happy and strong is a valid and powerful goal.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to No Stupid Questions: Coaching Edition
Allie Feller introduces the third episode of the 'No Stupid Questions' series, setting the stage for a candid, listener-driven conversation with Kim Conley. She previews the range of questions—from quirky to profound—and establishes the episode’s mission: to demystify running for all levels.
Kim Conley’s Journey and Coaching Philosophy
“The most important thing to me is building a relationship with the client. And running has done so much for me in my life... I really love taking adults that are new to running and helping them discover all the ways that running can enhance their lives.”
High Rocks: Kim’s Unexpected Challenge
“I saw that my husband had voted no. And then he went on our dogs account and voted no. And then he went on the next best run account and voted no. And I was like, okay, I'm doing this.”
Finding a Coach and the Myth of 'Faster'
“It doesn't necessarily have to mean faster. So take the marathon, for example, like you could make your goal like better could mean just like finishing, feeling happy, finishing, feeling... like you're smiling and it's not like a complete suffer fest.”
Training Science: Zone 2, Fartleks, and Strides
Kim breaks down key training concepts: zone 2 as the foundation for endurance, fartleks as fun, unstructured speed play, and strides as form primers. She explains the science behind easy runs and how they build mitochondrial efficiency and capillary density.
“The most important thing to me is building a relationship with the client. And running has done so much for me in my life... I really love taking adults that are new to running and helping them discover all the ways that running can enhance their lives.”
“I love that. I'm not going to be like a man hater. I don't hate men, but I do think if the entire world could be boiled down to just like women enjoying Central Park, we have world peace.”
“It doesn't necessarily have to mean faster. So take the marathon, for example, like you could make your goal like better could mean just like finishing, feeling happy, finishing, feeling... like you're smiling and it's not like a complete suffer fest.”
Host
Guest
Kim Conley
person
Allie Feller
person
High Rocks
other
Connor Nichol
person
Next Best Run Coaching
organization
Lagoon
brand
Central Park
place
Megan Featherston
person
Sarah Tanza
person
New York Mini 10K
other
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