During this morning’s semi-rough run (8 miles, two bathroom stops), I kept thinking about the fact that is not only the first day of September, it’s also Thankful Things Thursday.
I cursed myself for creating this little “holiday” and was all, “I have nothing to be thankful for today, life is so hard, my stomach is killing me, Crohn’s disease blows, I’m not going to be able to run the marathon, this is like the Brooklyn Half all over again, wah wah wah.”
Good lord, Ali. Stop that. You’re pathetic.
I’m still pretty frustrated, honestly. For the past two or three days, my stomach has shot into overdrive.
Everything I eat makes me miserable, and it takes me way too long to get moving in the morning. I can’t fall asleep at night because I’m in pain, and then I’m tossing and turning most of the night. Sorry, boyfriend.
I’m really hoping this is nothing. Of course I’m fearing the worst: that it could be the early signs of a flare-up. But I’m trying not to completely freak out yet, and with that I bring you a roundup of all the wonderful things I truly am thankful for today…
I’m thankful I stocked up on new Gu-y and non-Gu products for Saturday.
This weekend I’ll run my second 20-miler before beginning my taper leading up to the Hamptons Marathon. Crazy, right? The Mint Chocolate Gu was OK enough when I tried it last weekend, and per many of your suggestions I’m also going to try out the Sports Beans and Hammer Gel this weekend. I’m kind of excited to try something new, and am being optimistic that my stomach will be chilled out by then.
I’m thankful you all remembered the drill!
It’s the first day of the month! That means you say “Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit” and you get good luck all month. I definitely creepily whispered it when I woke up this morning. And since my marathon is this month, I can use all the good luck I can get.
I’m thankful I have a boyfriend who understands my needs.
Chocolate-covered things and cupcakes. He really gets me, you know? I appreciate that.
I’m thankful for those Central Park bathrooms. Ah, yes. I’ve written about this oh-so-many times, but it’s sadly always relevant. I banged out 8 miles today, which may have been the longest run I’ve ever done before a full day of work. That felt pretty awesome.
Coach Cane’s plan:
- 1 mile warm-up
- 3 miles at 9:00 pace
- 3 miles at sub-8:30 pace
- 1 mile cool-down
On any other day, this would have been easy and breezy and these are a few of my favorite things. Whatever that means.
But today, with that pesky stomach of mine, this run was semi-brutal. When I felt fine, my pace was great. Mile 4 happened at an 8:09 pace, which I was pumped about.
When that stomach pain kicked in, though, I was bolting for the bathroom like a real classy, delicate lady. Frustrating? Oh yes.
I’m thankful I’m getting out of town this weekend. After my run on Saturday, I’m heading out to the Hamptons. I’m going to run part of the race course on Sunday and drive the rest of it. I’m so excited and can’t wait to meet any hills on the course and tell them to be prepared, because I’m going to stomp and sweat all over them.
I’m thankful more shirts are on the way! Apparently the “I Heart Sweat” shirts are trendy or something, because I get more emails, Tweets and Facebook messages about them than I ever thought possible.
Good news: More shirts (lots more — don’t worry, you’ll get one!) will be at the Upper East Side and Union Square JackRabbit stores by the end of next week, and online ordering will be available even sooner than that. I will, of course, post all that information as soon as I have it. But for now I can tell you that the shirts will still be available in gray, and there’s an aqua option as well!
I’m thankful for Megan. Today is her birthday. So head over to her blog and show her some love. Megan was the first person I ever ran with that I met through blogging, and she made me so much more comfortable with the buddy running system. I will forever be grateful for that. So thank you, Megan, and happy birthday!
I’m thankful that Thankful Things Thursday is already cheering me up. I’ve got a cute little guy sitting on my lap…
…and my day is already improving. I like it.
I’m thankful people are excited about the Erica Sara Designs giveaway! I am, too! And I’m pissed that one of you is going to win this gorgeous necklace and I don’t even have a shot. Unfair. Who made these rules?
In case you need a refresher on the giveaway details, here’s what you need to do:
Click here to make a donation to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
- A $5 donation gets you one entry to win the necklace
- A $10 donation gets you two entries
- A $20 donation gets you five entries
- A $50 donation gets you 20 entries!
- A $100 donation = 100 entries!
I will choose a winner at random next Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 12 pm. Good luck!
I’m thankful that people are so nice. Seriously. The world is filled with plenty of weirdos and scary people who make me question humanity. (I mean come on, I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant? Who thought that show was a good idea?) But there are also some genuinely good humans out there, and I adore and cherish them.
I’m thankful for my new yellow highlighter. So silky and smooth. Stop looking at me, swan!
I’m thankful for a long weekend.
I’m thankful I’m going to run a marathon. Whether my stomach holds up or not, I promise you that I will cross the start and the finish line on September 24. Just wait and see.
Look! I’m all cheered up now!
NOW YOU GO: Tell me what you’re thankful for today.
0 Responses
Love Molly cupcakes. Had them at my wedding they are awesome!!
I’m thankful I made it back into American — man those Canadian guards are tough!
I’m thankful for my new running plan that will give me less change of injury!
I’m thankful it’s Labor day weekend! Although I’m sad summer is over, I LOVE fall and LOVE a day off from work 🙂
I’m so thankful you do this every Thursday. I’ve had a rough day, but reading this made me feel much better.
I am very thankful for spin and my regular spin friends and instructor, every Thursday we all show up and sweat I like it!
Today I was very thankful for big headbands to hide my gross, rough-looking hair. Also, cinnamon coffee.
PS- I want a shirt! 🙂
so sorry to hear about your stomach 🙁
but i hope the cupcakes helped!
your outlook on life and training is refreshing and obv inspiring!
also i can not WAIT to read your marathon race recap. 3 more weeks?!
enjoy the long weekend! xo
Feel better 🙁 my advice is as always -rest up, take out all crap and sugar from your diet (sorry, boyfriend) and a new one – try finding Aloe Vera juice. It works wonders when I feel the pouch getting antsy. Let me know if you want my suggestion!
Ali! I just read your Brooklyn recap and – ah! I think you overcame a lot in that race….and FINISHED. I know, i know…it wasnt a PR, but I think you are going to blow your upcoming Marathon out of the park.
Reading your blog is the first time I’ve heard that saying “Rabbit rabbit rabbit” on the first day of the month = good luck…but I will most likely say it from now on!
As for my Thankful Thursday, I’m thankful for my runny buddy who is going to meet me in an hour n a half for an easy 10km.
Have a great long weekend! (<– another thing I'm thankful for!)
I’m thankful to have a good job when so many people are out of work. I’m thankful for a sweet husband who lets me crash some of his workouts and does chores when I’m not looking.
I’m SO thankful this weekend is a three-day/
I’m thankful for my new office digs. It makes life so much sweeter when you know the walls aren’t going to collapse about you. I hope your stomach issues clears up before the marathon.
I’m thankful for my brand-new lululemon sports bra! Wheee, retail therapy!
I am thankful for the amazing vacation I am on. The best. I am thankful I can run and for all the other wonderful things in my life including the pizza I just had in Finland which is my favorite pizza. Weird I know that my favorite pizza would be in Finland.
Don’t freak out about the marathon! You are going to be awesome! Really! You have done the training…the rest is mental.
🙁 🙁 Feel better soon!
I’m thankful that my marathon training is going better than expected. I still have a ways to go if I want to make my goal pace, but I’m feeling much stronger and faster than I did during last year’s training cycle!
Cupcakes AND chocolate covered strawberries? This boy is a genius! I’m thankful that today (unless something crazy goes down in the next 4.5 hours) is my Friday!
Billy Madison reference! Love it 🙂
I’m thankful that our post-race pic as “I Heart Sweat” models made it into today’s post! And for the mango fro-yo at lunch. Not gonna lie, feeling special right about now! 🙂
I’m so sorry you’re in so much pain. You always make the best of it as much as possible, and your Thankful Things Thursday posts always show that. Most people in your situation would probably be really cranky and stay in bed all day, but you don’t let it stop you from doing your thing and being happy, and at the end of the day you have to give yourself credit for that. So much great stuff in this post — I can’t wait to hear how the 2nd 20 miler goes! Running part of the course is a GREAT idea and will give you a ton of confidence plus familiarity with the course. Good luck and have fun!!
I am thankful that my family is coming up here this weekend (well, New Haven, technically) so I hand with them all weekend (well at a tennis tournament my bro is in, but thats our idea of a family weekend getaway), that I’m going to race in New Haven, too (20K, should be a good marathon check in point), for the REI fellows who are awesome, for 16 Handles, for my planner (always), for Levain Bakery donating to my bake sale, and for Oiselle, because they are very nice people.
LOVE Thankful Thursdays. Especially this week.
I’m thankful that my brother survived a serious accident on Sunday.
Which makes me endlessly thankful for EMTs, doctors, nurses, surgeons, and people who give blood.
And makes me incredibly thankful for my functioning body that will carry me 9 miles in the morning. Angry stomach and all!
Also. Aqua!? Party on.
Can I hug this post? It made me happy. Especially the boyfriend parts. And I really want to win that necklace! So awesome! And buy a shirt!! Yes!! I am thankful for a long weekend coming. And for bubble gum. Old fashioned pink bubblegum. Yup.
I’m thankful that my legs are not even sore anymore from my first marathon last Saturday!!! Wowee!
I’m also thankful that you always post your training runs so that I can go back through and use all your plans! 🙂 Is that cheating?
I’m hopefully for you that your stomach is just getting all it’s pains out of the way now so that on your marathon day it will go perfectly!!!
I have never heard “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” before but I definitely said it as soon as I read your post. I want to have a great September!
I am thankful for a vacation/sick time at work because I was able to take a day off {summer cold 🙁 }
I am thankful for good books to read on my couch
I am thankful that I have a watermelon in the kitchen that I am about to eat!
Have a great Thursday!!
I am thankful I will be able to order an I Love Sweat Shirt!
The beans are my absolute favorite! They taste like jelly bellys.
I hope you feel better soon and that it isn’t a flare up, Ali!!
Happy birthday to Megan! There was a crazy Megan lookalike at my run club last night, which, of course, I blogged about.
There’s going to be an aqua option? I’m so excited.
I grew up saying “Rabbit, Rabbit” only 2x vs. 3x, so that’s what I stuck with this morning 😉
HAPPY SEPTEMBER! It’s the best month of the year, in my opinion.
Can’t wait to order an I Love Sweat shirt! Yeeeaahhhh!
Even though your stomach is being an idiot – I love how positive you are staying .. ieven if it is not what you want to be doing. You are putting life into perspective ad that is awesome. I hoping and wishing that by marathon day – your flare up will be a thing of the past!
Grrrrr Crohn’s! You looked good when I saw you this morning, for what it’s worth. All of my positive vibes are being sent to you for the next month.
I am thankful for peanut butter, because it is always delicious. And for the long weekend, because I need one!
I’m so glad you have such a wonderful boyfriend in your life! 🙂 You are doing an awesome job with running and such an inspiration. I just started the Couch to 5K and am on Week 5 which is very challenging for me. Slowly, but surely.
I can’t wait to be able to order a shirt online!
I’m thankful for my family and friends health. There are so many out there battling cancer and other things; it makes you very blessed for what you have.
I just tried the sports beans for the first time this week. It’s a pretty good flavor and feels like you’re eating candy (YAY)! I hope your stomach is able to calm down quickly.
Feel better! I like the Billy Madison reference.
I’m thankful that our wireless is now working in our house! I’m also thankful that temps are going down before Saturday so I don’t have to do my long run at 90 degrees!
I dislike runs with stomach issues, but they’re better than no runs! Hopefully your stomach figures itself out soon. I’ve been having similar issues lately and it’s no fun.
I’m planning a trip to NYC next fall with some girlfriends, so maybe I’ll try and catch you for a run through Central Park. I didn’t get to run through it last time I was in NY, but I can imagine it’s great training and a lot of fun!
I’m super stoked to get my hands on an I <3 Sweat shirt 🙂
I am thankful for friends who like to sweat with me.
I am thankful for Mellow Mushroom Pizza.
I am thankful for the really good talk-about-our-future-and-goals conversation that my hubby and I had last night.
I am thankful that even though I snoozed and didn’t run today, I can do it tomorrow and it won’t mess up my training schedule!
1) why are you apologizing to your boyfriend about your tossing and turning? because it makes you cranky the next day?
2) this nice, handsome boy should probably send some of these treats (homemade delicacies, cupcakes, lukes lobsta, etc.) to your older brother to gain his approval….
HAHA my big brother always says things like (1) about my bf, as well! 😉 Happy I finally got to meet the mystery handsome man, Ali! And it was great seeing you last night AND this AM!
I am thankful for cooler weather! And for a long weekend coming up and lots of friends to share it with. And I’m thankful for your awesome blog and hope your stomach stops acting up. I am definitely loving the “i heart sweat” trend and will buy a shirt asap! (an hopefully win a necklace!)
Hi Ali! Love your blog. I tried to post a couple of entries ago when you asked about options for fueling during races. I’m still trying to figure this out because my stomach is pretty weak and it doesn’t generally like GU, sportbeans, GU chomps, or any of that stuff, but one thing I have recently found that has seemed to work (and tastes good! not artificial) is the Honey Stingers brand of products. I get them at REI or running stores and buy the honey gel packets (which have the consistency of gel but tastes like real honey) and the gummies (fruit smoothie flavor is my favorite). They are organic and don’t taste quite as artificial as some of the other things I’ve tried, so my stomach tends to be happier with them. Good luck on your marathon! You will rock it.
I’m thankful that Fall is just around the corner.
I’m thankful that my knees are holding up while training for my first half marathon, after dealing with knee pain for over a year.
I’m thankful for random nice people who smile when you walk past them.
I’m thankful for Mexican food. Why is it so delicious?!
I’m thankful that I get to go back to school and pursue my dreams.
I’m thankful that I found your blog a few months ago!! You’re so inspirational Ali, and the main reason I signed up for my first half marathon (cheesy, yet so true. Seriously, you rock.)
Good luck this wknd on the 20 miler! I tried the sport beans (lemon lime flavor) this past weekend and really liked them…the consistency of gu makes me cringe slash gag.
I totes need to follow this Thankful Thursday thing. I am not thankful enough for the awesomeness that I have.
I am thankful for my husband, who didn’t make fun of me for crying after I fell today while running. Because I am a giant baby, true story.
I need to adopt your positive attitude toward trying new energy gels. I bought Gu for the first time and I am a wee bit scared. Also, I so want an I <3 Sweat shirt!
Ugh sorry your tummy’s giving you troubles again – but good for you for busting through an 8-miler in spite of it!
I’m thankful for you for reminding me to say Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit!!!!
And I’m thankful you inspired me to buy some cupcakes on the way home.
This was the sweetest post. I love reading about how much other people love running. It inspires me to get out the door in the morning and makes me want to be more like them. I’m thankful for running also — sometimes it seems like the only thing in my life that I know I can accomplish, when school and work and other things get out of hand. You’re going to do great in your marathon! Running is completely mental and you clearly have a great attitude!
Good luck!
ugh, stupid stomach!!!! do you have a running route that has lots of porta potties? that’s the problem with boston – no porta potties along the charles which makes things difficult so a lot of times i have to run near my apartment in case something were to happen. yay for sweet boyfriends who take care of you! really looking forward to ordering a shirt!
I’m thankful for weaning off steroids! Peace out, ulcerative colitis.
Hope your stomach issues go away asap!
I am thankful for nights that are so fun that time flies and all of the sudden you realize its way too late, for caffeine, for being able to make people smile with fresh baked cookies each week, and for the upcoming long weekend (sleep+fun+ 2 runs in daylight!!)
Also, I think you should go back and compile all of your thankful thursday items and everyone elses. Just for your own record and enjoyment and inspiration as needed. I do something similar and its nice to have lists like that for a pick me up on a rainy day. (And then I sing “seasons of love” as I “measure a year” ya, I went there…)
I’ve got 8 miles before work starting week after next, once a week, for 3 weeks in a row. And because it is so dark so early, I will have to do it on a treadmill . . . and I am freaking out. Sigh. I did have a nice outdoor 5-miler today, although my own stomach pain kept my very slow and hurting. I have no idea how to make my pain stop and like you, everything I eat right now aggravates. There are no “safe foods.”
I am glad you found so many things to be thankful for. Here’s my list:
I am thankful for pretzel croissants from City Bakery.
I am thankful for Andy offering to run a little bit of my long run with me this weekend even though he does not run.
I am thankful for having a commute that is not nearly as annoying as I thought it would be, and has gotten me back into my reading groove.
I am thankful for my new, very expensive, super comfy Hilton pillow.
I am thankful for drugs that help me get to sleep on nights I really need it.
I’m thankful for my new co-workers! Moving to a new city (and country) is not really easy, especially now in the beginning when I find myself not knowing anybody at all besides my boyfriend, who I moved here for. This is my 3rd week at my new job and without such amazing co-workers I couldn’t have made it through!
Rabbit rabbit rabbit!!!
DISLIKE that your stomach is bugging you again. I hope the weekend in the Hamptoms will fix things…at least seeing the race course should calm some nerves I hope? Cannot believe you start tapering soon, ahh I’m so excited for you (and legit, you are making me want to consider a full marathon, for reals)!
I’m thankful for the sun that is finally coming out and for last night’s super speedy super runtastic run last night. It’s STILL making me smile today. 🙂