Earning My Massage

I have a thing for reward systems. They work. Give me a good incentive and I’ll work my booty off to earn it.

So my massage is today at 1:30 pm at Exhale Spa on the Upper East Side. But before I disrobe and lay on the table for an hour of bliss, I wanted to feel like I really, truly deserved to be laying there.

Call me crazy. But that’s how my brain works.

Since I took today off, I was able to sleep in until 8 am. It felt so, so good. ABS was kind enough to throw an extra blanket on me when he got out of bed so I was super warm and cozy.

I took my time getting ready to run. I ate a granola bar, drank some water, did my morning ab routine and made sure my stomach was totally settled before heading toward Central Park.

The run wasn’t easy. It was cold, and my feet were freezing the whole time. The wind almost knocked me onto my butt a few times.

There were also times when I swear I heard those rolling hills in the park saying “You can’t do it! Turn around, go home!”

Guess what, hills? I can do it. And I did.

I ran 12.3 miles today. It was difficult, it was challenging and it wasn’t the best pace I’ve ever done (actually I think I stayed around a 9-minute mile, but that’s an estimate).

But I did it.

And I earned my massage.

Despite it being cold and hilly, the park was really beautiful this morning. I mixed up my route by adding a loop around the Reservoir. I love it up there. It’s nice to go from pavement to dirt—my knees always appreciate it—and the scenery is unbeatable. Need proof? OK.

So yeah, I was pretty pumped to get home, map my run (after thawing out) and see that I covered 12.3 miles. Here’s the winning route:

I just took a loooong, hot shower and now I’m going to eat some lunch and head out for my much-anticipated massage.

Also on today’s agenda: running errands, cleaning and a Hanukkah party tonight.

Have a great day!

Ali

Ali

0 Responses

  1. I found your blog from Meals and Miles. You’ve got a great story. My dad has Crohn’s and I’ve been interested in Team Challenge so it’s great to read from one of their runners. I would definitely add on that loop as well, it’s beautiful!

    1. Team Challenge is a fantastic program. I was a participant for the Napa to Sonoma 1/2 Marathon in 2009, then re-joined as a Mentor for the program the following season. Happy to answer any questions you might have about the program!

  2. I am so happy I found your blog! 🙂 I slowly becoming a runner and I have Crohns as well so I can totally relate. Thank you!

    1. I love meeting fellow runners with Crohn’s Disease. Before I moved to NYC, I didn’t know anyone with Crohn’s. Now, more and more people are talking about it and I meet people all the time who have it. Thanks for stopping by the blog!

      1. I think people are finally becoming more and more comfortable talking about it. It is a rough disease and can be weird to talk about sometimes. Well, not for me! 🙂 Have a great day!

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about ali

I’m the creator of the Ali on the Run blog and the host of the Ali on the Run Show podcast. I’m also a freelance writer and editor, a race announcer, a runner and marathoner, a mom, and a huge fan of Peanut M&Ms, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (way better than the first one!), and reliving my glory days as a competition dancer in the early 2000s. I’m really happy you’re here.
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