“If you want to give yourself a fair shot, you have to be willing to take a leap and take a risk.” —Erin Strout Erin Strout was at the Boston Marathon finish line when Meb Keflezighi won the race in 2014. She was there when Shalane Flanagan won the New York City Marathon in 2017, and she was one of the first people to chat with Desiree Linden after her historic 2018 Boston Marathon victory. As a freelance writer and contributor to Runner’s World and Outside Magazine, Erin has made a career out of covering elite athletes at major marathons, small-town races, and the Rio Olympic Games. On this episode, she talks about how she got her start in journalism (she used to be on the front lines at crime scenes!), what it’s really like being a member of the media at high-profile sporting events, and whether she reads the comments on her stories. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $30 off your wireless headphone purchase!   What you’ll get on this episode: An inside look at the making of Erin’s “Behind the Scenes of Desiree Linden’s Incredible Boston Marathon Win” story for Runner’s World (2:00) Erin’s take on the 2018 Boston Marathon, and what it’s like being a member of the media during major race weekends (6:35) What it was like being at the finish when Meb Keflezighi won the 2014 Boston Marathon — and what it was like the year before, covering the Boston Marathon bombings (15:45) How Erin got her start in journalism in rural Pennsylvania, and how she ended up as a freelancer in Flagstaff, AZ (24:00) Why Erin loves covering the running industry (34:00) What Erin says is the biggest challenge in her career right now (41:30) Whether Erin reads the comments on her stories for Runner’s World (44:20) Erin’s best advice for aspiring writers, reporters, editors, and freelancers (53:10) What we mention on this episode: “Behind the Scenes of Desiree Linden’s Incredible Boston Marathon Win” via Runner’s World Desiree Linden on Episode 64 of the Ali on the Run Show Boston Marathon Sarah Lorge Butler Runner’s World Boston Athletic Association Josh Cox Molly Huddle on Episode 66 of the Ali on the Run Show Shalane Flanagan Sarah Sellers on Episode 69 of the Ali on the Run Show Fairmont Copley Plaza Scott Douglas Galen Rupp Penn State University Sales & Marketing Management New York Road Runners Chronicle of Higher Education Charles Butler Running Times “This is a Huge Moment for American Women Marathoners” via Outside Magazine "Running Home: Inside Shalane Flanagan's Journey to Win Boston" via Runner's World Race Everything Bart Yasso Bowerman Track Club Follow Erin: Instagram @erinstrout Twitter @erinstrout Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!