Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

Ali on the Run Show


Dec 9, 2021

“It was so cool, and so weird, and it’s still hard to describe.”

For many sports journalists — especially the ones who cover running — New York City Marathon week is arguably the busiest of the year. That was certainly true for New York Times sports editor Talya Minsberg, who not only covered the race and many of the stories leading up to it, but also ran the marathon herself (and earned a Boston Marathon qualifying time in the process!). On this episode, Talya reflects on that week, sharing the stories she was most excited to tell (notably, the one about Tommy Rivers Puzey's comeback), and stories from her own race. She talks about what her days look like writing, editing, and managing the NYT Running newsletter. Plus, tales from the Met Gala, the Tokyo Olympics, and the Times comment section.

SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you’ll get on this episode:

  • What’s making Talya happy right now? (5:00)
  • What Talya’s busiest week of the year was like (6:00)
  • All about that Tommy Rivers Puzey story (14:30)
  • What Talya’s reporting process is like (18:45)
  • The stories that give Talya butterflies (24:50)
  • What it was like running the virtual NYC Marathon in 2020, and how it compared to this year’s in-person race (29:00)
  • What it was like being at the Tokyo Olympics this summer (31:30)
  • Talya shares her career highlight reel (40:00)
  • What Talya was like growing up, and how she got the job at the New York Times (45:00)
  • On being a comment moderator for the New York Times (53:40)
  • How Talya spends her days now (55:50)
  • Talya’s take on the uneven coverage of women’s vs. men’s sports in the media (57:15)
  • The running stories Talya is excited about right now (1:03:30)
  • The New York Times piece Talya thinks everyone should read (1:07:30)

Check out:

Erin Azar in the New York Times

Tommy Rivers Puzey in the New York Times

"Why Are American Women Running Faster Than Ever? We Asked Them — Hundreds of Them"

Follow Talya:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!