The good: There’s a lot of good. Namely that I didn’t night sweat to death last night. I still engaged in a bit of overnight perspiration, but not nearly as drastically as the past few nights. These little changes are making a huge improvement in my hourly moods.
The bad: I still slept like total crap. I think I got 5 hours of sleep, which isn’t sufficient, I realize. Luckily the steroids give me a bit of energy when I need it. Sometimes I wonder if I’m on Prednisone or crack, but either way I’m not complaining. So yeah, right around 3:30 am I woke up because I thought I had slept through my alarm. In reality, I still had an hour and a half of sleep time ahead, but my stomach was awake and pissed. I don’t know if I ate something I shouldn’t have yesterday or what, but this pain was semi-unbearable. I’m glad it eventually passed.
The thankful: Well let’s just get on with it, shall we?
I’m thankful for ART and Graston Technique. I had my third appointment with Dr. Levine yesterday, and as usual, he gave my left side a good ass kicking. I have the bruises to prove it, and they are magnificent. Some people say ART and Graston are painful, but I think the hurt is a fantastic one. He digs into my muscles and gives me that electric stimulation that makes my thighs jiggle like, well, jiggly thighs. And in the midst of all this, I think to myself, “One day I will run totally pain free and I love rainbows!”
Dr. Levine is on a mission to convince me that “ice is my friend.” But I know what ice really is: cold. And I don’t really think being cold is fun or pleasurable. Dr. Levine tells me I should “ice what hurts after every run,” but what he doesn’t realize is that, after every run, I have to eat breakfast while catching up on Twitter, Facebook and the “news” from Matt Lauer. Don’t make ridiculous requests, Levine. You’re crazy.
So instead, I’ve been icing various body parts in bed at night, under the warmth of my covers. Last night I iced my left shin, because it hurt. Note to self: Don’t chase cabs in four-inch heels. Idiot. Here is a Blair Witch Project-esque photo of an ice pack, under an ACE bandage, on my leg, above my stumpy, pale foot:
I’m thankful for this song:
K’NAAN – Is Anybody Out There? ft. Nelly Furtado
I can’t stop singing it. I know four whole lines now. Pretty impressive, I know!
I’m thankful for Newsies on Broadway, and for having a job that allows me to see Broadway shows free of charge. I have paid for one show — The Book of Mormon for Brian’s birthday — in my entire life. I would say I’m spoiled by this, but I don’t think it’s considered a spoil if I’m actually working pretty hard for it.
Anyway, Newsies was fantastic and I recommend it if you’re into the whole “feel good and never stop smiling” thing. I kept secretly hoping there was going to be a “bring your tap dancing friend onstage” portion, but there wasn’t. So instead I bopped around in my seat, hoping the people sitting around me wouldn’t mind my slight humming during “Seize the Day” and my all-out belting during “The King of New York.”
I’m thankful my disease doesn’t control my life. Yeah, it affects it, that’s for sure. Remember when I used to eat foods I loved, like corn?
A few years ago, when I started working and getting flare-ups more regularly, I realized I had a decision to make. I could either give into getting sick or I could power through it. Maybe I’ll always be “that runner girl with Crohn’s,” and that’s OK. But I will never be “that girl who stopped running because she had Crohn’s.” My disease affects me, but it doesn’t define me. I like to think that my charm, wit, sarcasm and penchant for both good grammar and quoting Will Ferrell films are what define me. I guess that’s up for debate, so go to town. Also, I feel like I’m taking crazy pills! Zoolander is my fave.
I’m thankful for a family that welcomes me home every now and then, dirty laundry in tow. I have many traditions when I travel up to New Hampshire, all of which revolve around the most important tradition of all: outlet shopping. Mom and me, we simply do not like to pay full price for Banana Republic dresses and J.Crew button-downs. And so, we outlet shop. And we hide our purchases from my dad so as not to be scolded and asked, “Did you really need a pair of flip flops with little embroidered bugs on them?”
Unfortunately, this weekend many other traditions will have to take a backseat to another important thing happening on Sunday: throwing a baby shower for Michaela, my sister-in-law and mother-to-be. She’s due on May 22 and on Sunday we’re going to celebrate the heck out of her unborn, sex-TBD child with cupcakes and things. We’ll be busy. No time for bike riding.
This weekend, my mom wants to make time for pedicures, which is laughable since I’m currently sporting all of four toenails. Also, I hate running in NH because it’s boring (at least where my parents live), so I have scheduled a Saturday morning gym date with my dad.
You think I take the gym seriously? No, my dad takes the gym seriously.
He agreed to take me with him on his 6 am Planet Fitness excursion on Saturday, which is super generous since a guest pass is like, $6. But when I texted him to ask if we could wear matching outfits, he never responded. I guess I’ll just pack everything I own and assume my dad, too, has hot pink legwarmers and Saucony short shorts. Save me the elliptical next to you, Dad! We’re going to be adorable.
In reality, this gym trip will involve me being annoyed about having to run long on a treadmill, my dad powering through his “2 hour 40 minute” gym routine (no, I don’t know where my Type-A personality comes from, sorry) involving every machine ever invented, and then I will wait for my mom to pick me up while my dad is probably still on the elliptical. Then he goes to Panera and drinks coffee and reads the paper. I head off to go discount shopping and think about how my dad and I are so alike, and yet so different.
I’m also hoping that during this trip my mom will take me to Target. I have zero necessities at this time, so I should probably go spend $200 on things I obviously can’t live without, like A Walk to Remember on DVD, which has probably been marked down to $5.99. At a bargain like that, who can resist? Mandy Moore, you talented little devil.
I’m thankful my rent bill arrived the same day I’m supposed to pick up two year’s worth of dry cleaning. Just kidding. That sucks. I guess my winter coat can live over at King Yung Cleaners for another week.
I’m thankful for the Notes app in my phone.
I do my best writing when I am sleepy, and that’s why I keep my phone in bed with me…or as close by as possible. Why cuddle with a warm man when I can cozy up next to a sweet piece of technology?
And in case you’re wondering, Young Ali liked to make lists as well, and she wanted to share them with the world.
I’m thankful this is not my car:
I saw it this morning while I was “waiting for satellites,” and I laughed. Never park your car under a tree, man!
I’m thankful I had another stop-free run this morning! Eight miles, with no concern for pace (though they ended up being mostly sub-9:00 miles, which is yay-worthy). When I started to run, I was genuinely worried yesterday was a fluke and my stomach was going to be horrific. But after two miles in Central Park, which was perfect yet again, I didn’t even think about my stomach and just ran for the love of running. I sort of scooted all over the east side and added in a Bridle Path lap and a windy Reservoir lap.
The fact that I spent six miles without even thinking about my stomach is another huge improvement. It warranted another morning dance party, alone in my apartment, singing what I’m pretty sure was a Blink 182 song. I’m hip and trendy. I know what all the cool kids are listening to.
Also, the water fountains are all on in Central Park, and I’m really really really thankful for that. I took a photo while I did a post-run stretch. Yeah, that’s right. I stretched. I’m getting mature and wise.
I’m thankful for my new toothbrush. I love a good, new, bristly-in-a-good-but-kind-of-painful-way brush.
I’m thankful I decided not to run the Eugene Marathon. It’s been a much-needed relief.
I’m thankful for this past year. At times it has been challenging and exhausting, and it’s been excitingly busy the whole time. But I’m pretty sure I learned more about myself (and, you know, important life lessons about blogging and negative splitting and how to make the perfect, two-flavor 16 Handles concoction) over the course of these past 12 months than I did in all four years of college.
So do I get a tuition reimbursement now or something? How does that work? No child left behind? Is that…is that what this is? No? OK.
This is getting a touch longer than I intended, so I think I’ve made my point: I am wicked thankful for everything in the world today. Got it? Great.
NOW DO YOUR PART: Tell me what you’re thankful for today! Cupcakes? Broadway showtunes? A great morning workout? A great night’s sleep?
73 Responses
I’m thankful for my yoga instructor who has been consistently playing Ray LaMontagne towards the end of our classes! Implied, I am also thankful for Ray LaMontagne. I’m so far ahead on my middle-aged woman-esque favorite things.
LOL…these posts are great!!
Obviously who can live without A walk to Remember on DVD ( I have it on VHS hehe)
I saw Billy Elliott on Broadway last year- great show…and have seen Phantom of the Opera a million times.
The one time I was in NYC (that makes me sad because I LOVE NYC and haven’t had the funds to return) I say Wicked! It was amazing. And I really like the Wicked radio station on Pandora. Nerd alert. AND the drinking fountains are on around Green Lake in Seattle too!!!! I was so happy!
We can be prednisone buddies. I’m tapering right now, don’t worry about the chipmunk cheeks they can be cute when you have all that energy!!
I’m thankful I had my gait checked out again this weekend! I was on my 12th pair of adrenalines, having gnarly hip/back/itpain and decided it was time to talk to someone about my shoes. The shoe seller guy checked out my gait and watched me run. He told me that I’m actually a midfoot strider instead of an over pronator, he fit me for a pair of brooks defyance and I’m in love! Hip pain- gone, knee pain-gone, it bands-not as tight! ANNNNND I ran really fast this week. It’s only been a week.. 20ish miles..but, I’m confident my new shoes have turned me into supergirl!
That being said… I know you run in the Adren… and you’re hip/knee/itband pain sounds familiar… have you checked to see if you’re still in the right shoes? You probably have, but in case you didn’t think of that.. I’m suggesting it 🙂
I am thankful you posted that picture of you in the pink dress and then the caption that followed. Oh, my goodness. Too good!
I am extra thankful that my spring break starts tomorrow at 11:30 am. And that my boyfriend and I are spending it on our first vacation in nearly three years. I am on excitement overload!
Man, I am so jealous of your Broadway shows hook-up. My turned-out-to-be-gay ex-boyfriend and his whole family were obsessed with musicals, so for two years I got to reap the benefits. It’s been sooo long since I’ve seen anything. I think you just helped me figure out what to get my little sister for her birthday that’s coming up: NEWSIES tix!
I’m thankful for beautiful weather with cherry trees in bloom, health insurance, getting out of the city for the weekend, and, most importantly, GAME OF THRONES ON SUNDAY.
broadway shows for free, running in new york, 16 handles… i am officially jealous of your life!
i am thankful for a great 8 miles this morning, a job interview today & my last marketing class tonight! it means a group presentation, but at least there’s no exam!
I’m so jealous you get to see broadway shows for free, they are pretty much my favorite thing in the world. I’m currently begging my husband to take me to see Wicked (again) but its soo expensive. What baby shower games do you have planned? I need some good ideas for one I’m throwing.
No games planned! The mother-to-be is very low key and not super into the gamey things. I did, however, plan for no fewer than five varieties of desserts. So that should be good. And presents. Plenty of presents.
I didn’t know the reservoir was the JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS reservoir. How fancy!
I am thankful for the ability to attach ice packs to my body as in your first photo above, for my new itty bitty widdle nephew whom I’ll meet in June, and for the possibility of sneaking in a bike ride tonight before it starts raining again.
Yes, she’s very regal.
While reading this post, I honestly just kept thinking, I am thankful that I found Ali on the Run. I look forward to reading it every single day. Sometimes I wish there were more than one post to read. You know, All Ali, All Day. I can totally relate to so many of the things you post. Thank you, Ali!
Haha! I’m so flattered. But trust me, more than one post a day and you’d be sick of me so fast. I don’t have enough 3rd grade journals to entertain for very much longer… But thank YOU for reading, and for being so nice.
Thankful that my racing season starts this weekend with my first 5K of the year. I mean I’ve done 5Ks this year but this is the first official race, albeit virtual, for the year and that really excites me! I even got a bib!!
😀 I was just thinking earlier how thankful I am for the Notes App on my iPhone, too. So handy! Glad you are feeling better!
I am thankful for my oatmeal this morning. It was yummy, filling, and comforting.
I am SUPER thankful for audiobooks. Sherlock Holmes got me through work the last 6 months…and now I am on to Hercule Poirot!
I’m thankful for Thursday! To me it’s the best day of the week, so close to Friday but not the I need to get this done before the weekend can start feeling.
I’m thankful that today is perfect running weather in South Florida. I’m thankful for the mini muffins my boyfriend brought me yesertday becuase I am getting over a cold. I’m thankful that you wrote about going up to NH, becuase I grew up in Gilford and love to outlet shop!
Enjoy your trip!
Congrats on another stop-free run! And as for your list making (which I love too). Try Wunderlist. It’s a free app that will seriously change your life.
Oh, and I’m now listening to that damn song.
Fountains are on along the lake path in Chicago too! YAY!
SO great seeing you this morning! I actually always look out for you when I’m at the reservoir but I didn’t expect to see you on the loop, so it was such a nice surprise! I spotted you from far away with your legwarmers and shirt! You looked awesome. Such a gorgeous morning for a run.
So are ALL the fountains on? On Saturday two I tried were off and I was dying. Hopefully I won’t run into that problem again. I drank an entire coconut water before my run today to make sure I’d be covered.
I’m really glad you’re starting to feel better.
I am thankful for:
MOVING. I went to my bathroom last night and two cockroaches were scurrying around. I freaked out, locked myself in my room and started screaming and crying. Eventually, Andy got home and answered his phone and I went there. I cannot wait to move.
RUNNING. Even though I’ve had a hard time easing back into running this spring, I do feel like my natural pace is faster than it used to be. Yay!
I am thankful you reminded me that Newsies just came to Broadway. My cousins and I are planning a NYC trip soon and weren’t sure what show we wanted to see. Now I know.
I am thankful for my first run in 5 days (!). One mile on the treadmill. Yes, I was supposed to take a week but 5 days is like a work week, so that counts!
I am thankful, as always, for free lunch Thursday. Pasta + garlic bread!
I am thankful that I finally got semi-selfish and moved a meeting that overlaps with half of the above mentioned lunch. It’s an important time for our office as we take the time to talk about what’s going on, so I miss it when I can’t be there.
I am thankful for a quiet weekend before the excitement next weekend of Easter!
I too am thankful for a good run today 🙂 And oatmeal.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Newsies, if you get the chance, definitely go see Avenue Q, it has puppets and it’s super funny!
It’s on my list! I can’t believe I haven’t seen it yet. No dancing = not on the list of shows I can see free!
Great Thankful Thursday post! I love that song…thanks for sharing it 🙂 I am thankful it is almost the weekend! I am also thankful for spring time weather and pink compression socks.
I am thankful that I am in New York. After having been overseas, you realise how great a city it really is. I love running in Central Park, eating frozen yogurt, and finally being reunited with my beloved foam roller 🙂
Cheers to all that, my friend.
You must be shocked to know that I AM thankful for Broadway showtunes! Always. I have been dying to see Newsies since I heard it was coming to Broadway. (I was cast in my high school’s production of it my freshman year and then the rights to the show fell through and I had to be “Interplanet Janet” in “School House Rocks” instead. womp. end tangent)
I’m also thankful for my parents and friends. And sisters. So, pretty much everyone. Thanks, everyone!
Holy crap I just laughed out loud. Major downgrade from Newsies to “Interplanet Janet,” but I’m sure you still rocked it.
I think EVERYONE laughed out loud. Like during the show….At least I got to rock out in a hands free microphone like what Britney used to use in concerts in the 90s….but then there was the cardboard rocketship…..
Ohhh I love outlet shopping! I swear after jcrew/banana outlet shopping, I can never buy non-outlet/non-sale items from those stores anymore.
I am thankful for…
1. The fact that it’s Thursday which means it’s almost Friday and almost the weekend 🙂
2. Vampire Diaries! Yes I admit, I love this teeny bopper show and therefore on Thursday mornings I think to myself, ooohh vampire time tonight!
3. The Bar Method! I’m taking another bar method class tonight and it’s the most painful, muscle-burning hour, and yet I love it and I feel amazing afterwards.
4. Restaurant week in Boston! After burning off 6,000 calories in Bar Method class tonight I’m meeting a friend to try a new restaurant to eat 6,000 worth of food and dessert for only $30 🙂
Just catching up that you are getting the Graston technique. SAVED my IT band when I trained for my first (and only so far) marathon. It’s “hurts so good” kind of thing. <3
Get a heating blanket and turn that bad boy on while you ice…trust me you’ll ice all the time under these condiditons!
Annnnd now I’m hooked on listening to that song. Thank you!
Also, a few weeks ago my car looked not unlike that one above. Shit bombing birds are not cool…
I’m thankful it’s almost the weekend and I get to escape reality and hang out with my bestie and be goofy.
Hahahahaha “shit bombing birds.” Amazing. Sorry that you were made a victim not long ago. Eloquently put though, I love it.
Are you sure all the water fountains are on? Cause only the ones around the reservoir were working this weekend. I really hope they are because I’m so thirsty when running lately.
I’m not positive about all of them. I know that the ones around the Reservoir are on, and the ones at both Engineers’ Gate and 84th Street (east side, near the Met). I haven’t ventured to the west side in weeks though! Sorry!
I’m thankful I’m going home in 2 weeks. It’s been over a year since I was in Ireland, and I miss it’s greenery. I’m also thankful that there’s a new 16 Handles on the UWS that’s 10 blocks from my house. Post run fueling made easy? I think so.
That photo of your leg does have a spooky feel. Maybe your leg is haunted and ART is an exorcism. 🙂
Have fun at home. I hope your sister-in-law’s shower is great.
Brian is going to wonder what happened to his Netflix queue when he gets A Walk to Remember and Center Stage in the mail.
Today I’m thankful that it’s finally Thursday. I feel a cold coming on and over slept, so I’m thankful I still have time to nip this cold in the bus and thankful that I got some extra sleep. I am thankful that I am still going to leave work on a timely basis to go pick up my race bib for this weekend and meet a friend for dinner. We’ll be in your hood! What’s that Italian restaurant that you love on the UES? I’m pretty much leaving the restaurant choice to my friend since she’s the pickiest eater in the world, but I’d like to have a back-up suggestion.
Yay! GOOD LUCK this weekend! Take good care of yourself, Linda. Rest is good, hydration is key. Clearly I’m an expert.
As for UES Italian: Sadly the new Tony’s isn’t open yet, but I love Uva (78th & 2nd). Vespa is good, but the service sucks every single time (84th-ish and 2nd). There’s also Bocca East, which is tasty (78th & 2nd) and Erminia, which is teeny tiny and romantic but SO good (83rd between 2nd & 3rd). Brian’s favorite is Antonucci. Also delicious. Happy eating!
…that it’s totally cool to wear leggings to work at a start up. some days, there’s just no way i’m putting on jeans or anything restrictive after enjoying the freedom of running.
i used to take prednisone when i was little to control my asthma and my mom hated it because i bounced off the walls and never slept!
Poor birds with Crohns.
I wore my I heart sweat shirt yesterday for my run after work and all my coworkers told me I was gross. Losers.
I’m thankful for a free catered work lunch today. I’m thankful that my dogs love to cuddle because sometimes I just want to cuddle. I’m thankful that tonight is trivia night with my friends at the bar. I’m thankful for spin shorts. I’m really thankful that I have a house I love and can afford to make the payments.
Your coworkers are gross. (That’s my mature response, obviously.)
i love thankful thursdays! i needed a good dose of cheer, especially today when i am running on 4 hours of sleep and have returned to work from my west coast vacation. i pretty much wanted to die when my alarm when off this morning, but now i feel a little less homicidal (KIDDING). maybe.
i like your lists. can you please explain the “either” list? k, thx.
Welcome back!!! So happy to have you back on this coast. I miss you too much.
“Either” is actually not a list. IT IS A DOCUMENT CONTAINING BRIAN’S NETFLIX LOG IN AND PASSWORD INFORMATION. I know, it’s huge. He was leaving the country to get away from me, and we hadn’t finished watching a movie (he had, I fell asleep), so he gave me that crucial information so I could finish it on my own. When/if he returns, he will be coming home to a slightly different queue than the one he left with. Not my fault. People shouldn’t give me passwords… NOW YOU KNOW.
Whenever I’m back in the States visiting my parents, I totally take over my dad’s Netflix account. Somehow he doesn’t seem to appreciate the suggestion of “Beauty and the Briefcase” after I’ve been blitz-watching “Say Yes to the Dress.” Strange.
Def thankful for zoolander. And also disappearing hip pain. Maybe I can run tomorrow!
My ex-but-kind-of-sort-of-not-ex-anymore boyfriend (that is how I refer to him in real life as well), just learned Graston technique. He is insistent that I must get it done with the problems I’ve been having with my calf and shin, I think it looks terrifying, but perhaps I should try. This might be one of my favorite Thankful Thursday posts, I laughed through the whole thing, and I’m glad someone has the same dry, witty, sarcastic sense of humor as I.
Don’t be afraid of Graston. I promise it’s a good hurt! Let your not-at-all-complicated-sounding-boyfriend-or-whatever give it a try!
Well, if I die of pain, I’m leaving you my puppy..because that is only fair.
I am thankful that you also have a penchant for good grammar and quoting Will Ferrell films, and this is why we are friends.
I am also thankful that Mr. Ferrell will be producing another film!!
I second Theodora’s thanks!!
I am thankful I have a car that runs so I will not be disappointed when the car salesmen today LAUGHS at my offer for a brand new car.
Your blog never ceases to amuse and entertain me. I love it!
I’m thankful for my baby cousin’s baptism this weekend, and spending next weekend on the beach for my 25th birthday/Easter with lots of family! I don’t get to see them much so I like to soak it up while I can.
Great post and I love lists, too. Duh, who doesn’t! 🙂
That photo! With the eyes, the dress, the facial expression. dude, you crack me up EVERY DAY! THANK YOU.
I am also loving your run positivity at the moment; it’s infectious!
I am thankful for my supposed-to-be-slow-but-ended-up-really-fast (for me) 4 miler this lunchtime. and for my new shoes that facilitated said run. They are turquoise and really really ridiculously good looking and I love them.
I am also learning that icing is one of those necessary evils, but man, is it inconvenient. My legs always feel better after a good icing sesh though, so I guess I shouldn’t whinge so much about it.
I hope you have a wonderful time at home!
The sad thing is that I’m not even catching something intense, like a football or baseball. IT’S A TENNIS BALL. And yet I am terrified.
Thankful for two pain free runs in a row! And puffins. And sunshine. And coffee, as always.
My mom was on steroids once during Christmas season – jacked up and our house was decorated like buddy the elf came over.
BUDDY THE ELF! Man, just the thought of him makes me smile.
Two things: What is the rest of this sentence on your “Notes” app that reads, “Blog Post Ideas that Don’t …” I’m dying to know now. Also, that last picture of you … too good to be true.
“Blog Ideas that Don’t Completely Suck.” Except that they probably do. Stay tuned.
I wanna go outlet shopping!!!
I love the NH outlets, especially because of the no tax! I’m thankful that my body is responding well to long runs, and that I’m running my first marathon in just less than 2 months. I’m also thankful for this entertaining post while foam rolling before a dreadful biochem class.
THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT WORTH IT. No tax on anything = you can buy 42 more items.
I am thankful even though the weather was horrible I was still able to pull off a 5 minute PR in the marathon this past weekend and BQ.
Glad to see you back out running. Your optimism always makes me smile in the morning 🙂
So badass. Congratulations, you little rockstar.
Would those be the Tilton Outlets that you are shopping at? I love that place!! It’s improved sooooo much since I was in school at PSC.
You know it. I drive 45 minutes to go to all of three stores. Hehe. Worth it? Absolutely.
“those birds had crohn’s” LOLOL!!! You are the best!
Agreed! I literally laughed out loud (in the quiet car on Amtrak…woops)
I love these posts.
Let’s see.. I’m thankful for going home in just 5 weeks! Home is halfway across the country now, though, so I don’t bring laundry anymore. I’m also thankful that it’s been sunny and warm and absolutely amazing here in CO. Except there are already fires. But I’m thankful that they aren’t anywhere near me. Mostly, I’m thankful that there wasn’t a line at Starbucks. I needed this latte STAT.