153. David Willey, Former Editor in Chief of Runner's World
Ali on the Run Show
Ali Feller
4.9 • 4.2K Ratings
🗓️ 26 June 2019
⏱️ 78 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
"If you are struggling, it does not mean that you are failing. It does not mean that you're doing something wrong. It just means that you are coming up against some hurdles, whether they're physical or mental or emotional, and it's important to listen to those and try and understand what's underneath them. But by no means do they imply that you're not going to achieve your goal. You just need to see them as part of the process. Struggle is just as important as the elation and the sense of fulfillment that we all get after a great workout or a PR."
David Willey spent 14 years at the helm of Runner's World magazine. But after announcing his departure from the brand in 2017, David went off the grid. On this episode, David's back on the grid, opening up about what made life for the past two years "outlandishly fun, intentionally challenging, unexpectedly hard and depressing, and newly regenerating." David talks about his time at Runner's World — the highs, the lows, and the part of the job that had him ambushing runners on live television during the New York City Marathon — and talks about his take on the brand now. He talks about his old dog and his new dog (we both shed a few tears there), his battle with Lyme Disease, and how he fulfilled his decade-long dream of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone endurance bundle!
What you'll get on this episode:
- How David got the job at Runner's World, and why it was a dream job (3:45)
- David looks back at his favorite Runner's World covers, stories, and adventures (10:00)
- Why David left Runner's World after 14 years (18:40)
- All about David's "Moonshot Marathon" (24:30)
- Why David says Runner's World readers get so heated online (32:20)
- What it's like interviewing runners live on the course during the New York City Marathon broadcast (35:20)
- Does David still read Runner's World? (43:15)
- David looks back on his time with his dog, Trucha, and his book proposal in the works (45:30)
- On an unexpected battle with Lyme Disease (56:30)
- David's message to runners who are struggling right now (1:05:10)
What we mention on this episode:
Runner's World covers through the years
Mary Wittenberg on Episode 98 of the Ali on the Run Show
"A Very Good Dog" — David's editor's letter about his dog, Trucha
The Runner's World Show podcast
Neely Spence Gracey on Episode 42 of the Ali on the Run Show
Follow David:
- Twitter @davidmwilley
- Send dog photos to davidmwilley67@gmail.com
Follow Ali:
Listen & Subscribe:
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This episode of The Alley on the Run Show is brought to you by Aftershocks. |
| 0:08.7 | Welcome to The Alley on the Run Show. |
| 0:10.7 | I'm your host Allie Feller and every week on this show, |
| 0:13.7 | I talk with inspiring people who lead interesting lives on the run and beyond. |
| 0:19.1 | And while running is what brings us all together on these episodes, |
| 0:22.8 | I'm looking for just a little more. |
| 0:25.1 | So join me right here every Thursday to learn about the decisions people have made |
| 0:29.7 | to get where they are today, the good ones and the bad ones, |
| 0:33.2 | and how getting sweaty has factored in. |
| 0:36.2 | My guest today is David Willey. |
| 0:38.3 | That name sounds familiar, right? |
| 0:40.2 | David is the former longtime editor-in-chief of Runners World, |
| 0:44.2 | and okay, fun fact. |
| 0:46.0 | The first time I reached out to David about coming on this show was the day before he ended |
| 0:50.9 | up announcing that he was leaving Runners World. |
| 0:54.1 | Then he took a sabbatical, he went off the grid for a while, |
| 0:57.5 | but I persisted. |
| 0:58.8 | I really wanted to talk to David about what it was like being at the helm of the |
| 1:02.8 | leading running magazine for 14 years. |
| 1:05.6 | I wanted to hear cool stories. |
| 1:07.4 | I wanted to know how he got the job. |
| 1:09.6 | I wanted to talk about his now famous editors' letter about his beloved dog. |
... |
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