Searching For Allison

July has been a good month to me for several reasons. 1.  I got to go on vacation to St.  Augustine with my family, catch up with some friends, and this is where I started running for the first time in quite a while. 2.  I got to go to Niagra Falls (with most excellent company) and experience how beautiful and awesome mother nature is and be reminded of how small I am in this whole game of life. 3.  My running went from non-existent to capping at just above 80 miles  (82.9 miles to be exact) for the month (a few were even with my mini-me and on the trails). So all in all I have no room to complain; however, because I am always honest and open (perhaps so much so that it can be deemed a fault) I will share some of my frustrations and what I am learning. To begin, it has been roughly three months that I have not had full mobility in my left leg.  This is frustrating. The easiest way for me to test my mobility is by trying to get in...

I was not going to run today. I had a not so good night with little sleep, and I just felt all sorts of emotional. People often say that if you put in the effort and work (no matter what it is for) you will see gains. I am starting to question this in a lot of life's aspects. However, today's run greeted me with welcome progress. I have been running in the heat of the day lately. Sure, it doesn't make for any kind of an easy run, but I feel a bit more accomplished after each one (no matter the outcome) since my mileage is low and pace is slow.  Adding the heat/humidity combo seems to offer some kind of reward. Today I left with the intention of running between 2-2.5 miles.  It was gross out so I kept slowing my pace, reminding myself that pace is not important right now...it is that I CAN in fact run, and that I am re-learning how to fall in love with this sport.  As I looped back into my neighborhood, and clicked from the time to see what my distance was, I was p...

It is a crazy concept how much more care-free I can feel (with respect to running and where I currently am) while on vacation in contrast to how I feel this week back on my home turf. Injury has not been fun, and being knocked back to square one, while humbling and a new journey, has been a bit frustrating this week.   I miss being able to run for hours. I miss the trails. I miss feeling like death in 50 milers (but then feeling the thrill of the finish) and two 100 miler attempts. I miss leg turn over (which I guess means I miss speed). I miss endurance. I miss just missing a BQ in my marathon and knowing I was soooooo close. It is ok to miss that short list and things that aren't listed, because (I think) that is normal. Flashback to vacation week in Florida: On a positive note, I finished a 5k on the 4th of July in Florida...pain free.  Yes, it may have been my slowest 5k ever:  29:32 (I will say I am no longer ashamed of times....a finish is...

There is something humbling about starting over, starting from scratch. June 19, 2017 was the beginning of a new journey for me with respect to two major avenues in my life:  nutrition and fitness. Before I explain these new beginnings, I have to address me. To start over one has to be ready not just physically, but also mentally.  Prior to Monday, I was not ready in either capacity.  I was on a mental (and physical) break from nutrition and working out.  When I was forced to take a break from running, I took a break from pretty much everything that was associated with staying active/fit/healthy, and that is ok as sometimes breaks are needed to re-fall in love with things and re-learn to appreciate them. First, let's talk nutrition. While on vacation in California I happened to come across a post from a friend, Stephanie, who was taking on clients to help in whatever way needed.  That post could not have come at a better time, because as I read i...

Sometimes we fight too hard for something from which no good can come. Sometimes we don't fight hard enough for what could be one of the best aspects of our life.  I find this is especially true in friendships, love, and athletics. In 36 years, I know there is no formula, there is no flashing neon lights to help guide the way.  We simply have our mind, our heart, and our intuition.  And those three things can be a deadly combination, often at odds with one another.  However, through trial and error, clarity often does start to creep into one's decision making. Nothing in life that is good or true is easy, and it is in that fight, where the end result will be the best thing to happen to you, that you often find yourself, and perhaps even what was missing for oh so many years. ...like smiling bigger and broader than normal ...like going out of your way to do something out of want, not necessity ...like finding so much joy and happiness in the smallest of...

Communication is so important and should be more highly valued.  Words (or lack thereof) are so powerful. They have the power to make you feel beautiful or ugly. They have the power to lift you up or tear you down. They have the power to help you persevere in the face of adversity or quit. Ultimately, however, we choose how words (or lack of) impact us, even if the words uttered are not true, and that is the part with which I struggle.  I like words. I use them often and freely. I do my best to let people know what I think of them, whether good, bad, or indifferent. I like to think of myself as a straight shooter. If I stop talking or writing, that may be a red flag.  In describing myself in the aforementioned manner, I also realize that my words may have had a negative impact on some, but I think that is ok, and here is why.  At the end of the day, even when the most hurtful words are used it allows insight into someone's truth.  Even thou...

That is a strange entry for a blog post, isn't it? Well, today, I was reminded, after a whirlwind of a day, that there are some people who impact you in big ways, perhaps without meaning to do so, or believing they have the impact they do.  These people are the most amazing because they are selfless, reassuring, and listen and answer questions that may be silly or dumb.  They don't look down on you, and they like you for you and see the good in you, even if you can't always see it. I am thankful for this soft walker, and I would like to think the person knows how positively I have been impacted.  It is in these crazy, turbulent days where you aren't sure you want to smile, or find three good things to write in your gratitude journal, that soft walkers make the smile not only come out but broaden with each passing minute and help you write a page in your gratitude journal. I am lucky. I am thankful. I am happy And yes, my smile is a sincere one. I can only hope...