I woke up this morning ridiculously happy for many reasons:
- I had a great night last night that was equal parts fun and productive. I painted my toenails, baked a dessert for this weekend, cleaned and put together my new (used) coffee table, and then I had dinner and drinks with a friend.
- I wasn’t sweating.
- It was 72 degrees outside but there was no humidity.
- I didn’t feel tired — I felt excited and ready to run.
- I had a new outfit to wear to work.
- Today is my Friday!
Among other reasons.
But then my day got started and things went downhill pretty rapidly.
Coach Cane wanted me to run 6.5 miles today (two laps of the extended Bridle Path in Central Park). He instructed me to just get the miles in and not worry about my pace.
I was loving this plan.
And for the first four miles I was smiling like a maniac as I trotted through a packed Central Park at 5:45 am.
Seriously, the number of morning risers in this city is awesome. I love being one of them…even if it means I cannot for the life of me stay up past 12 am.
But around mile four, my stomach said, “You’re done. Nice try.”
I was pissed.
I had to stop and walk a few times before eventually sprinting awkwardly back to my apartment. I ended up running 6 miles, not quite the 6.5 Coach wanted, but they weren’t great.
You know what would be great? If my stomach would learn to chill the F out in the mornings.
Anyway.
After that I took a lovely shower, packed a lovely lunch, and then waited and waited and waited for a not-so-lovely downtown train.
Then it arrived and it was packed.
Then I had to wait to transfer to another one.
Then a lady coughed on me — seriously, she got spew on my arm — and did not apologize. Nor did she appreciate my nasty glare in return.
Anyway, it’s Thursday and despite this mornings less-than-ideal conditions, I still have plenty of things to be thankful for, right? So here we go!
I’m thankful that it’s after Memorial Day, which means I can wear white without feeling that tiny twinge of guilt. I know, those rules are so outdated. But I still feel like my grandmother would want me to hold off on the white pants — which I wore yesterday — until after it’s deemed “appropriate.”
I’m thankful I have a coffee table! Since I moved into my apartment two months ago (exactly!), I have eaten my meals at my desk, off my lap and on the living room floor. Now I have a slightly more appropriate place to eat, thanks to my dear friend Lauren.
This is Lauren’s table from her old apartment, which she no longer needed when she moved in with her boyfriend. Lucky me: She held onto it and stored it at her mom’s house. Even luckier me: She let me have it, and her brother drove it into the city this week for me.
Free furniture? Yes, please! Thanks, Lauren!
I’m thankful the humidity is gone. Running this morning — despite, you know, the issues — was glorious thanks to the dry air. I even blow-dried my hair today for the first time in, well, a while.
I’m thankful for new clothes. Today’s outfit is courtesy of the J.Crew outlet in sweet old New Hampshire. I’m not sure if I’m sold on the way I’ve put it together, but I’m excited to own a denim button-down shirt and love the flashy color of the skirt.
I’m thankful my office decided to liven up the bathroom a little. This week a plant appeared on the counter. It’s nothing major, but the presence of that plant makes an impressive difference in my mood.
I’m thankful I’m getting out of town. Tomorrow morning I’ll join Lauren and her family for a stress-free weekend in Fire Island. I can’t wait to sit on the beach, relax and take outdoor showers. Mentally and physically this trip is long overdue.
I’m thankful for hot pink highlighters. I just like them. They’re flashier than yellow.
I’m thankful for sarcasm. I would die without it.
I’m thankful for graph paper. It’s where I prefer to make all my lists.
I’m thankful I’m in second place! Fundraising for Run For The Rabbit is going well so far and I’m thrilled that I’ve raised nearly $1,500 for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. You know what would be even better than second place? First place. If you want to help me get there, click here to donate. And let me know if you make a donation so that I can email you professing my love, adoration and appreciation.
I’m thankful I’m able to run. I know I’ve complained a lot lately about my frustrations with my stomach preventing me from reaching my full running potential, but don’t get me wrong: I know I’m incredibly lucky to have two legs, working lungs and the ability to run at all. Some days are tough and my run doesn’t go as planned, but it usually still happens, and I’m so grateful for that.
YOU GO: What are you thankful for today? New shoes? A new man in your life? The removal of an old man from your life? I’d love to know what’s putting you in a good mood today. Thanks.
0 Responses
sorry for your tummy troubles! Maybe your stomach will get used to early a.m. runs soon? I’m thankful I was able to go on vacation last week and experience Cali for the first time (and drink delicious wine!). Hope you have a nice, relaxing long weekend!
Pink highlighters. A girly teacher’s dream! And sarcasm. I can’t imagine life without it…especially nowadays. Cue bitterness.
But it’s Thankful Things Thursday and I have lots to be thankful! My dad and little brothers who defend my honor, good girlfriends, and Bondi Bands. I’d be a sweaty mess without my Bondi Bands.
Love the bright skirt! It’s all about flash.
SOMEONE SPIT ON YOUR ARM!?!?!?!?!?! bjagdalflkf
I grew up in NY and take the subway every day in Boston and that skeeves me out. I would not have been able to deal. 🙂 Kudos to you for staying positive!
It’s easy to be thankful on a day when everything’s going right, but it’s much harder to actually find things to be grateful for on days when we feel crappy or things just aren’t going our way. Last Friday was like that for me – it started off great, but then I got a parking ticket, had an unpleasant interaction with someone, and totally screwed up while I was babysitting (locked myself out with the very small children inside? yeah…) but at the end of the day I remembered it was important to be thankful that the kids were fine, that I had the chance to go to yoga, and that I am healthy and happy. Those tough moments are the ones where it’s most important to be able to step back and get some perspective. It’s great to hear that you were able to do that today – and being thankful can totally turn a bad day around!
Great post!! This made me think about all the things I have to be thankful for. I can sympathize with you on wanting to run but your body saying no. As a Type 1 diabetic, sometimes I have plans for a great run and then my blood sugar level goes low or high or a number of other things. I’m thankful for those days when I do get in a great workout and how much I appreciate my body when it works well for me.
12 am? you’re a party animal compared to me. I’m lucky if I make it past 10 (for NYC, I’ll be rested and make an exception obviously.)
i’m thankful i have a new roommate. hopefully my old one is not reading this…
i’m also thankful i have a groupon to use at my favorite vodka bar tonight. drinking 50 dollars worth of dirty martinis is going to be glorious.
I eat all my meals in my bed. So, you win, even pre-coffee table. I don’t actually have a desk to sit at or floor space!
I am thankful for having an incredible overnight trip with a cute boy on Tuesday, and two pain-free long-ish runs in the past week. Good things!
Great thankful list. I’m sorry that your stomach has created so many difficulties lately, and I hope it clears up soon. Today, I am most thankful for: sun, free laundry, greek yogurt, and safe travels the last week!
you rocked that run ali, tummy issues or not! i’m proud of you for not letting it discourage you. you are an awesome role model!
what i’m thankful for: buying new nail polishes yesterday, going to a spinning class with my best friend tonight & sleep overs at the boyfriend’s house. oh, and i’m thankful that my mom works at a coffee/chocolate store. might have to hit her up for some pre-spinning energy… 🙂
I enjoy your outfits from both yesterday and today. Banana Republic > everything else.
Today I’m thankful for:
– Successfully waking up at 5:30am to go run before it got unbearably hot out. (Still tons of humidity, but that’s SC for you.) Ran a tolerable five miles and still had time to paint my toenails, make breakfast, goof off on the internet and not rush to get ready for the day.
– The opportunity to wear a snazzy new dress I bought last week. It fits great and manages to look both professional and sexy.
– Starbucks iced coffee with sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup and a splash of nonfat milk. Twice, thanks to free refills.
– Finding the Garnier eye cream combo I’ve been looking for. I had to go to Wal-Mart to finally track it down (Target and Walgreens were both a big fail), but in doing so I had fun browsing a bigger selection of makeup and I found a couple of other things I couldn’t resist.
– The cruise I’m leaving for on Saturday. So ready for a vacation!
I need to start getting my ass up and run in the morning. I almost did this am, but I have to be in at the hopsitla at 7 am so I was like ummm, no. And here you are running at 5:45!!! I’m impressed.
I like Thankful Things Thursday. Maybe I’ll do something similar…
Firstly LOVE the tangerine skirt with denim shirt, VERY complementary and the belt just finishes it off!
Today Im thankful for the hot weather that has arrived here in England, its enables me to play tennis ALLDAY with my little boy and not a lot beats that…unless someone drops some calorie free chocolate through the letter box 🙂
Awww – your “Not Happy Ali” picture is hysterical and totally relate-able!
That sucks about your stomach – been there. At least you got in some good mileage regardless?
But I agree, so much nicer to run when its not ridiculously humid (I live in Philly and it was a pleasure to run this morning!)
Love the bright skirt! Have a nice time on Fire Island!
I’m thankful that cherries are back in season!!!
I’m loving the “I’m thankful that I’m able to run” bullet point. This weekend, during a 10 mile race, a girl ran by me at mile 8… just at the time when I was feeling sorry for myself and hating the run. The back of her shirt said, “I run for those who can’t”. I kept repeating that to myself for the last 2 miles 🙂
I really love this holiday of yours on Thursdays! You’re so upbeat and it really does make a difference to have such a healthy outlook on life 🙂
I’m thankful for the cooler weather! It’s been pretty humid in upstate NY as well, and today it’s down to 65 degrees, so I’m ok with that.
I’m thankful that I have friends and family who are supporting me in my big move to NYC in just a few short weeks!
Soooo gross about the woman who coughed on you. *Shudder.*
Today I’m thankful that my one long skirt was clean. I tripped and fell during this morning’s run and my shins are covered in scrapes and bruises. Not cute.
I’m also thankful that I’m going on vacation next week! An NYC friend and I have had tickets to the Country Music Association Festival in Nashville since last fall. I’ve been watching the televised concert every year and I’m beyond excited to actually go this year.
I am super jealous you’re going to the country music festival! Have fun!!
Sorry to hear about the tummy problems, I can’t even imagine how frustrating that must be. I think you did a great job looking on the positive side and I’m loving your new coffee table! And your outfits are so cute.
i agree with you on the weather, i woke up this morning SO happy.
i am thankful that even those i will sit for the dreaded bar exam this summer – that i also have a share in a beach house at the jersey shore with some of my best friends. i’m looking forward to lazy days on the beach and fun nights out with my girls!
I love the skirt Ali!! THe color is soo fun!
I am thankful for being able to do crowe pose last night in yoga.
The coffee table looks so good!! Yay! Today I’m thankful that my favorite shirt is back from the dry cleaners so I can wear it!!
Woohoo! Congrats to being in 2nd place!
Sorry to hear about your awful run this morning… but you are SO awesome for being able to turn a bad morning around.. and talk about all of the things you are thankful of.
I am ALSO thankful I can wear my white pants, capris, and sandals with NO SHAME.. youbetter believe I had those babies on on Tuesday! WAHOO!
I was right there with ya on that platform waiting for the downtown train! I was so proud of myself for leaving for work early, but then with all of the delays, I was barely early. I was also pushed relentlessly for the entire ride. But I did snap a picture of all of this so I could include in today’s post hehe.
I’m thankful for coffee today, specifically coffee with sugar-free flavored syrup that makes it taste like a treat 🙂
Ugh same here! I was pumped to be out the door at a reasonable hour, then it took forever to make it to the office. Public transportation fail!
Awesome stuff! You will have a better run tomorrow!!
Nice coffee table! Alot of use of !
Cheers
Your friend Lauren (AND her brother) are so kind! That coffee table is lovely and I am happy you can put it to good use.
Before I get into what I’m grateful for … Ali! Guess who I “met” yesterday?!
…
Coach Cane!
I was happy to get off of work “early” enough to make it to lululemon’s team fun run in CP last night. They had all of the lulu run clubs meet up to do one big celebratory run in honor of National Running Day. Anyway, during one of our loops, I thought a man looked a bit familiar, but I couldn’t figure out why. After passing him, I realized he might be Coach Cane. On a SECOND loop, I saw him again, and couldn’t hold back. From afar, I blurted out, “Are you Coach Cane?” as I was running and he responds, “Yes?”
I was so excited. I yelled back, “I READ ABOUT YOU!!”
I’m not sure he uh, knew what that meant, but I meant that I read about him in your blog and in my friend Margaret’s blog! Anyway. Thought you would find that fun. You should ask him if he remembers a sweaty girl screaming that at him around 7:30pm last night, ha!
Annnd, today I’m thankful for:
– making the lululemon run last night
– getting my new garmin in the mail last night!
– getting my new foam roller in the mail last night!
– my best friend Mike staying with me for his last few nights in NYC before he moves to SF for good.
Happy almost-Friday!
That is hilarious! I emailed Coach Cane to let him know, and here’s what he had to say:
“yes, I remember her. It was kinda funny. Tell her i said i’m much nicer in real life ;-)”
I’m thankful for iced coffee, (also) the lack of humidity/gorgeous weather, the fact that my office is casual enough for me to wear chino shorts and flip flops to work, and that I felt skinny (and more importantly, confident) enough this AM to wear a button-down shirt tucked into said chino shorts! 🙂
Ohhhhh! Now I seriously want an iced coffee!!
I am thankful that I can go get one on my lunch break! 🙂
As usual, love this post. You stun me with your positive outlook despite some bummer stomach issues today that nearly ruined an awesome running outing. Seriously, very cool. Annnnd for the record – I’m digging today’s outfit so much that I SERIOUSLY need to get myself a denim top like that, so cute!! Let’s see – I’m thankful for a non-humid run this AM with my sister, we haven’t run together in ages, so it was awesome to do that. I’m also thankful for no 3 hr commute today thanks to today being my work from home today. I’m also thankful for iced coffee. It makes me happy. 🙂