The Week in Review

A massage, a trip to Boston, and a lot of Lady Gaga.

This is my post-massage “glow.” Do you see it?!

Last Friday, I dropped Annie off at school, snuck in a quick five-mile run, and then packed, showered, and drove from Concord, NH, to Concord, MA, for a “spa day.”

I initially wanted to treat myself to a real, swanky spa day over the weekend. The kind with saunas and steam rooms and robes and all of the pre- and post-massage amenities.

When horoscopically-minded people find out my birthday is May 6, they talk about being a Taurus, and I’m always quick to say, “But I don’t really identify as a Taurus.” I’m not particularly grounded or earthy, and I’d say I’m the average amount of loyal vs. Taurus Loyal, which is to say very loyal.

I’m definitely not patient. I don’t have an ounce of that. And I wouldn’t put “calm and collected” in my personal vocabulary.

But apparently, we bulls love luxury. A constant struggle, because we are also very practical!

So while the indulgent, luxurious side of me wanted to spend some time getting scrubbed and drinking fruity water in a no-phones-allowed, eucalyptus-scented spa, Practical Ali wouldn’t go for it.

Turns out, my change of plans got me exactly what I really needed.

I spent 90 glorious minutes at Wellness in Motion Boston, where Dr. Ian worked out all of my achiest pains (nothing of concern, just the usual “I’m getting back into running and just attempted to rip a fast-for-me 5K over the weekend and now my body feels crooked” groans), and Amy gave me the best 60-minute massage that was equal parts relaxing and work. You know the kind. It’s the best kind.

So the stereotypical spa day will wait until I decide I’m worthy of treating myself to something nice. (OK it’s that and it’s just not the most fiscally responsible move at the moment. Practical Ali wins out every. single. time.)

In the meantime, though, I spent this week appreciating what I have, what I can do, and where I’m at right now. How nice! I didn’t even force it! I just felt it and basked in it.

And maybe the lesson is that sometimes the backup plan or the next-best-plan is actually the thing you need the most? (The lesson is also that I need to find a Which Zodiac Sign Are You Really? quiz to take ASAP.)

I spent the rest of the weekend in Boston at the New Balance Nationals Indoor meet. It’s a middle- and high school meet at The TRACK, and it was awesome. The stands were packed, the crowds were hyped, and the runners were on fire. Everyone just seemed happy.

While I was in town, I recorded podcast episodes with Parker Valby (and special guest Vernon Norwood), and with Jinger Gottschall, New Balance’s director of sports research, who gave me a grand tour of the sports research lab (with a side of chocolate cake).

I got to see friends. I got to run along the Charles. I got to snuggle a friend’s baby.

It’s Fake Spring in New England. Technically spring, but not really spring. We will undoubtedly get at least one more snow or ice storm before it’s truly time to pull the plowing stakes out of the ground and put away the shovels and snow scrapers. It’s muddy and messy and I love it. The thaw always feels so good in so many ways.

I had a hair appointment, and got my hair extensions moved up (a tedious but relaxing process that I don’t hate; I sit in a chair and work for two hours while Mackenzie plays with my hair) and my eyebrows tinted. I feel like a new woman!

I danced with Annie. A lot.

I went to the art show and the humanities fair at Annie’s school. It was adorable and, honestly, very impressive. A fourth grader re-taught me about westward expansion and manifest destiny!

And one day this week, it was in the high 60s and sunny.

Stress level: medium to high.

Happiness level: medium to high.

Bring on the thaw.

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This week on the Ali on the Run Show:

• Parker Valby, Professional New Balance Athlete & Olympian (With Special Guest Vernon Norwood): Come for Parker. Stay for Vernon.

• Catching Up with Elise Cranny, Two-Time Olympian: It had been a while since Elise had been on the show, and I appreciated hearing about how she has navigated all the change in her world over the past few years. Also, how to rock a speedsuit and pro runners’ opinions on below-the-belt grooming. I had to ask. I’m a journalist?

Listening to:

• MAYHEM, Lady Gaga’s new album. I’ve got “How Bad Do U Want Me” on repeat. Mark my words, this will be in my year-end Spotify Wrapped. Taylor who? (JK OMG.)

Watching:

• This segment on WMUR, our local ABC affiliate. Reporter Marissa Tansino came to the house a few weeks ago to shoot a segment with me as part of their coverage leading up to the Boston Marathon. I was at the humanities fair when my phone started going wild with people texting me after seeing it. Pretty cool.

Wearing:

• A weighted vest LOL. (It’s an Amazon link, and I totally get that we are collectively not loving Amazon. But people asked for the link, and this is the one I used. Get yours wherever!) What can I say? I was influenced. Suddenly everyone is walking in weighted vests, all in the name of bone density. I have worn mine twice so far, and my bone density is probably perfect and right where it should be now! Nature is healing. (How do I know? How do I measure my bone density? Not a clue. But I saw them all over Instagram and now here I am, walking down my street looking like a member of a SWAT team, avoiding eye contact with anyone coming my way. It’s kinda fun, though.)

Psyched:

• To welcome Shokz back to the Ali on the Run Show! One of the first-ever sponsors of the show, and a huge longtime supporter of my work. I’m thrilled to welcome Shokz back to the Best Running Friends fam. (Code ALI gets you $10 off your next headphone purchase.)

Loving:

• My mom squad. I had so many sweet moments with various mom friends this week. I said it in Richmond and I’ll say it again: Moms can and should run the world. They love your kids, they have your back, and they get shit done. This message from a mom at Annie’s school made me so proud and also, obviously, unsurprisingly, a bit weepy.

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). Use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.

• Shokz: Click here and use code ALI for $10 off your next purchase. Code valid in the U.S. and Canada. (Check out the limited edition Boston Marathon OpenRun Pro2!)

• 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 15% off your next Lagoon order.

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

And so…

Take good care of yourselves. Take good care of each other. Take three deep breaths. Stand up and stretch real quick. And whatever you’re going through, keep going.

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

Love,

Ali