This and That (AKA Reevaluating and Smiling)

Hi there!  It has been a while since we last met!

No worries, though; I am the same goofy gal you last met, just with a bit more confidence!  Let me bring you up to speed on some exciting happenings and life in general.  Since the incident in Mill Creek at the beginning of last summer, I really have returned to my first love:  ROAD RUNNING.  In doing this, it has allowed me the opportunity to spend some extra time with my mom (and daughter when she isn't too busy).  Running roads is much easier with your mom than the trails, and it keeps us accountable.  One of the best parts of our jaunts in Mill Creek is getting our favorite coffee when we are done:  Stone Fruit!

Once winter started to rear its beautiful (but ugly) head, my mileage quickly decreased since I am a mostly outdoor runner.  I refuse to spend time on the treadmill other than to climb or walk, because I firmly believe that piece of machinery is responsible for many of my past injuries.  When the weather gets (too) ugly I have turned to my trainer...which I have also re-fell in love with.  It is nice having a piece of equipment in the comfort of my own home that pushes me a bit outside of my comfort zone.

At the end of 2018 I set my sights on running the Canton Hall of Fame Marathon, a distance I have not covered in numerous years; however, I often forget about the OH weather and that my daughter is still just as busy with club volleyball (weekend tournaments) which often involve traveling, so as I sat here today, not being any kind of upset about not going running (which is monumental for me), I re-evaluated my previous decision and came up with a new plan.  The first half of 2019 is going to be half-marathon focused.  I can train for a half without feeling stressed out...so HOF half...I will see you April 28th...and Cleveland Half...I will see you May 19!

I still have a lot of other events on my radar, but I am not ready to announce those yet.

What I will announce though IS SUPER EXCITING!!!!

I WAS CHOSEN TO BE AN AMBASSADOR FOR THE YOUNGSTOWN (Half) MARATHON!  This is so exciting for me as I love the YO and Mill Creek Park.  The change in date was a huge plus (it is now running October 27), and there is even a 3 race series!!!!  If you would like to check out the marathon visit youngstownmarathon.org  

Use code ALISON19 to save money on the 5k, half or full option!!!!! JUST DO IT!!!!!!



In conjunction with supporting my favorite place, I get to rep my favorite hydration company (Nuun) and my favorite Mind/Matter company (use code MMALLISON to save money).  mindovermatterathlete.com



The bottom line is...you should love what you are doing and not feel stressed or like you have to do something.  This is probably the biggest change in me as a person from when I first started running/racing.  I often liked what I did, but I felt like I HAD to do it and if I did not perform in a certain manner I was letting others (and myself) down; however, now, in 2019...there is a whole new me that is back in a sport she loves for just that reason:  I love it and I want to be doing it.  I don't care about times or placing; I care about smiling and having fun with each step I take, and my biggest hope is that you can have fun and enjoy every step of every day.


Journey on, peeps!
I will try to stay in touch more!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

9/15/2023: Another Life Changing Day

Image
All had been going swimmingly after my life-saving surgery in 2021.  I have been running strong, hired a coach, met new and amazing people in the world of running that are now my dear friends, and really have the strongest and best tribe I have ever had in my life. I ran a strong(ish) half marathon at River Run on 9/10 (Crazy how life can change  in a week) with hopes of crushing a goal at Towpath on 10/7 and running with the Ladies of the Land in a kick ass relay at Akron the week before. Of course, best laid plans don't always come to fruition. On 9/15, Friday, I went to school, like always. I felt ok. Around 7ish, when hanging out with my friends prior to starting the school day, I felt a bit off while sipping my coffee and chatting, but nothing that was alarming.   During first period (730-819am); however, is when allllll the pain came rushing back.  I knew something was wrong.  I text Mark.  He asked if I could come home.  At this point, I was honestly going to try to stick it
Read more

The Day Life Changed

Image
 As many of you know, on Tuesday, December 7 I experienced a day that changed my life.   I went to work like normal, feeling a smidge off, but by 930am I knew there was no way I would be able to make it through the work day as an immense pain creeped into my stomach.  This happened the previous Friday, also causing me to leave work.  Here is the difference though: on Friday I came home and was able to sleep off the pain, but on Tuesday the pain was somehow different.  I left work, got in my car and sped to my mom's house which is half-way between work and home (I have an hour commute).  I am honestly not quite sure how I got to mom's as the pain was increasing and I was driving faster than I have ever driven in my life.  I got to my mom's ran in the door and went right into the bedroom to lie down.  I could not do anything to get comfortable; I kept writhing in pain.  I called Mark to bring me pjs as I knew I would not be making it home anytime soon.  He showed up, and betw
Read more

Cleveland (Half) Marathon 2022: All the Feels

Image
If you would have told me six months ago I would be able to run a half marathon, I would have laughed...or cried...or both.   After life saving surgery on December 7, 2021, I knew the recovery process was going to be a long, slow journey.  I knew it was going to be a journey where I appreciated literally every step I took.   The first month of recovery allowed me NO physical activity other than small walks around the block a few times a day at a snail's pace (or slower). January... I was only allowed to walk, and the doctor made it clear I could walk as long as I wanted and as far as I wanted, but walking was it. So, walk I did:  304.2 miles to be exact. February... After two months of no running, I finally got the ok to run by the doc. Of course, this did not mean FULL ON running, it meant in small increments with still mostly walking with the guidance and help of my trusty PT/bestie Cait. I also got to add biking and lifting (light weights) to the mix and start doing exercises to
Read more