Running Didn’t Save Me, Showing Up Did - Ali To

In this episode of The Cowbell, we sit down with Ali – a 36-year-old ultramarathon runner, self-confessed carb enthusiast, and proud “slow runner” who proves that belonging has nothing to do with pace or podiums.

Ali’s running journey didn’t begin with talent or triumph. It started with a DNF in an 8k race at high school, a moment that convinced her sport wasn’t for her. For more than a decade, running disappeared from her life – until a casual invitation to a 15k fun run changed everything.

What followed was not just a return to running, but a lifeline. Ali opens up about how running helped free her from more than 14 years of mental imprisonment shaped by childhood trauma and suicidal ideation. Since then, she’s kept leaping – completing multiple 100k races, covering more than 220 miles in a six-day event, running across Scotland, and learning to see DNFs not as failures, but as part of the process.

This conversation goes beyond miles and medals. We talk about redefining success, showing up on the hardest days, why representation matters – especially for women and Asian women in ultra running – and how doing hard things slowly can still change your life.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong on a start line, this episode is for you.

Just keep showing up.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ali_runs_an_ultra/

For coaching queries: https://www.alisonto.com/