Meh.

HBU?

This is my winter uniform.

I’ve seen a million memes about how January has been the longest, cruelest month. About how it’s currently January 71st. And I love a timely, relatable meme, I really do.

But as I sit here writing on Thursday evening, I’m just feeling…not great.

How are you feeling?

Because this year has been off to a hell of a start, hasn’t it?

Fires. Plane crashes. Instability, everywhere. An insurmountable loss of life and safety and comfort, coupled with a very much mounting and never-ending sense of division, of hostility, or incomprehensible political decisions. (You can’t tell me not to make it political, because our world — our country — has never been more political, and as much as I don’t want to spend time or energy thinking and talking about it, how can we not?)

I am exhausted.

And! I had the best day today.

For a woman who hates winter, I sure am spending a lot of time in the snow this season…

Annie went on the chairlift for the first time, and it was awesome! We skied together all afternoon. Annie, her kindergarten and first-grade friends, and their moms — my favorite people, an amazing group, my whole world right now.

And Thursdays are great because I’m offline all day. I’m at the ski mountain, watching Annie do her thing. Watching her build confidence (she’s absolutely adamant that she’ll be on the double blacks next week — which, spoiler, she will not), watching her have so much fun with her little besties, watching her literally fall down and get back up. Thursdays are joy.

After skiing all day, going on a school tour immediately after, and then stopping by my parent’s house, we finally got home around 6:30 PM. I made a quick dinner, and we ate it on TV trays in my bed while watching a movie (Sonic 2). I rubbed Annie’s back and sang to her (“Love Story”) as she fell asleep, and I felt so happy and so sad and so scared all at once.

There’s that duality again.

So happy, after nine blissful days with Annie.

Divorce is hard, and divorce with little kids is really hard, and there’s much to be said about the realities of having to split time with your child, your (my) favorite person in the whole world. It’s the most brutal ache, every time Annie leaves.

So this (not typical) long stretch together was more than good for my heart and soul. It was life-giving. Every single day was fun and silly and sweet. Not always seamless, not always easy. (I got up extra early today to try and get a workout in before we left for the mountain. I was 80 seconds into my Peloton workout when sleepy Annie made her way down to the basement. It was 5:54 AM, and she had dragged a blanket downstairs behind her. My big, favorite Anthropologie blanket. Around that same time, Ellie got up and had an accident in the house. The blanket Annie brought downstairs? It had been unknowingly dragged right through that accident, and then down an entire flight of stairs. Pee, everywhere. Good morning!)

Morning workout thwarted, but look how cute they are!!!

The good times and the long stretches make the goodbyes harder. When we’re in our normal routine and our predictable back-and-forth, the time apart is still hard, but I know what to expect.

This one is feeling extra tough. Maybe it was the extra time together. Maybe it’s because it is, indeed, January 71st. Maybe it’s because the world feels so heavy right now, and the only thing that gets me to truly tune it all out is the presence of a certain six-year-old.

I’ve mentioned it once or twice or one hundred times, but as much as I’m craving adventure and excitement and tropical destinations right now, I’m also craving calm. Normal. Ease.

This newsletter was going to be about “Things I’m Loving Lately!”

My bad!

This week on the Ali on the Run Show:

• Ask Ali! The usual.

• Chris Heuisler, Family Feud Contestant! This was so fun. The Heuisler family episode will air on February 11, which is also the Ali on the Run Show’s birthday. So, lots to celebrate that day!

What I’m wearing:

• These sweatpants. So soft. I’ve worn them every day this week. I’ll wash them today, I swear.

What I’m obsessed with:

• These kitchen drawer organizers. I think they have changed my life. I don’t think that’s even an overstatement. My baggies have never looked neater!

Where I’m headed:

• Boston, this weekend, for New Balance Indoor Grand Prix! Will I see you there? (It’s clear that I’m attending and not competing, right?)

Where I’m headed after that:

• Richmond, baby! The girls are going back to RVA — fittingly, it’ll be International Women’s Day! we get a day! — and Keira and I will be hosting a live show after the River City 5K and Half Marathon, and we’d love for you to suit up in sparkles and join us. Last year’s event was awesome. This year? Even better. Obviously. (I bought my outfit months ago.) Click here to get tickets!

SPONSOR SHOUT OUTS

I am so eternally grateful for the wonderful brands and partners I get to work with on the Ali on the Run Show. You can always find the offers and discount codes in the show notes for each podcast episode (rate, review, and share while you’re there!). And now they’re here as well:

• UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN Edge sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), including the new Mocha + Caffeine gel and the Chocolate gel. (My dream!) Then, use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.

• New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance's latest releases for the season.

• goodr: Click here and use code ALI for $5 off your next order.

• Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. Use code ALI at checkout for $25 off your next Lagoon order.

• Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase.

• The Eugene Marathon: Register for the Eugene Marathon (April 27, 2025) and save $10 with code ONTHERUN.

• St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville: Sign up today for the races happening April 26–27, 2025, and use code ONTHERUN for $10 off.

And so…

Take good care of yourselves. Take good care of each other. Tell someone you love them today. And whatever you’re going through, keep going.

(You’ve got this. You’re doing great.)

Love,

Ali