This week, three years ago...

(It was the week the world shut down, remember?)

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Mid-March, 2017. That view never, ever, ever got old.

Mid-March.

Sometimes — like today, 45 and sunny — it’s spring.

Sometimes — like this past Monday, when we got 24” of snow — it’s winter.

March always feels like a long month. My mom always used to say March is the longest month of the school year: no holidays, no days off, no vacations. March, for me, always feels like a “just keep trucking” kind of month, especially because it leads into one of my two busiest weekends of the year (Boston in the spring, New York City in the fall).

Over the years, mid-March has, of course, had some highs.

It was during this mid-March week five years ago that Brian and I saw Annie on an ultrasound for the very first time. (And in a moment straight out of Friends, I shared Rachel Green’s “I don’t see it!” sentiment.)

Four years ago, during this mid-March week, I ran my first postpartum half marathon at the NYC Half. Brian and Annie were there, cheering for me at the finish line. It was awesome.

This week, one year ago, I was back in New York City, hosting a live show at the 1 Hotel and working as the start line announcer for the NYC Half.

Mostly, though, for the past three years, mid-March reminds me of 2020.

It was in mid-March 2020 that the world shut down.

That we were all really scared, really unsure, really confused.

You know. You remember. You were there, wherever you were. That’s the thing: It didn’t matter where you were. We were all affected, and if I’m being honest here (which you know I always am), I don’t think we, collectively, have fully processed ~all of that.~

In mid-March 2020, Brian, Annie, Ellie, and I left our home in New Jersey “for two weeks.” Annie and Ellie never went back. Brian and I returned only once: to break our lease on our dream apartment, pack up, and move out.

It was heartbreaking for me for many reasons. I knew leaving was what was best and right for our family. But it was unplanned and unexpected.

We made the best of it. What started as a two-week stay with my parents in New Hampshire turned into “Wouldn’t it be crazy if we were still here in April?” which turned into “Oh my gosh, imagine if we’re still here on Memorial Day?!”

It turned into 14 months living with my parents, 13 months living in a dreamy rental home 4.2 miles down the road, three months back with my parents, and, ultimately, becoming homeowners in a beautiful home in the town where I grew up.

It still feels surreal.

I’m still shocked we ended up here, and yet I can’t imagine what life would be like anywhere else.

I have no regrets, I’m very happy here, and I miss New York City and New Jersey. It’s all the things at once, often.

This is what “work from home” life looked like three years ago. Also, Annie’s first ponytail!

I miss walking everywhere. I miss having the world at my fingertips. I miss the food, the culture, the endless possibilities. I miss my friends. I miss Central Park the most.

Here, though, we have space. We have a yard. We have wonderful schools, old and new friends, and room to breathe. The quality of life in New Hampshire is, for us, greater than what we had before.

And we have family.

My parents, just a few miles away. My brother and his family, 1 hour and 20 minutes south. And Brian’s family, an easy drive (and ferry ride!) from there.

I was, at one point, supposed to be in New York City this weekend, as I often am during this mid-March week.

I had loose plans for a live show, and was hoping to run the NYC Half on Sunday.

Then: life.

Things came up, plans changed.

I’ll be home this weekend, and while New York City will always feel like home in some capacity, I feel very content knowing I’ll be home home this weekend. Home, with my family, in our house, before my schedule gets really nutty for a bit.

There’s just something about mid-March. It brings up a lot of emotions for me. (Is that different than any other time of year? Fine, hard to say.)

Three years ago this week, everything changed.

And I feel really lucky to feel like so many places are “home” in my heart.

(Oh my god, I am so, so cheesy.)

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BIG THANKS to All Day Running Co. for sponsoring this edition of the Ali on the Run newsletter. That’s me in my favorite blue hoodie in Florida, at the All Day Running Co. Clearwater Marathon Festival, with some of the All Day crew. (Ken won the half marathon, Todd ran his first half marathon, and I don’t know what Devon’s finish time was, but I know he was the happiest, friendliest person I met that whole day!)

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This week on the Ali on the Run Show:

• Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Business of Running, with Kyle Merber: This was so fun! Kyle Merber, former professional runner and founder of The Lap Count newsletter, joined the show to answer all of your (and some of my) questions about professional sponsorships, contracts, coaches, and more. This episode was fascinating and the feedback has been tremendous — so it’ll be back, as a series. (The best part of this one, IMO: when Kyle praised this community and your on-point questions! You go, Glen Coco!)

• Scott Wormser, Theater Kid Turned Marathoner: My friend from college! At Quinnipiac University, Scott and I were silly, lava cake-eating buddies who had no idea we would both become marathoners one day. It was such a treat getting to share Scott’s story, which I think many people will find relatable.

What I’m watching: Ted Lasso Season 3! Ted Lasso Season 3! It’s back, and I’m so happy! I’m very sad this is the final season, but I get it, and I support it, and I am fully confident it will have a very happy ending. (I have predictions, but I guess I’ll…not share them? Head to the comments, tell me your thoughts!) I cried three times in the first episode. I just love it so much. My dream in life would be to launch a women-in-business summit with Keeley Jones and Alexis Rose. Can you imagine?! (Breakout Session #1: What is a CFO?)

On the run: 20 miles today! This is the first big one! My first 20-miler in more than seven years!

On the job: I’m hiring!

On the mic at the races:

• Start and finish line announcer at the Shamrock Shuffle in Manchester, NH, on March 26.

• Boston Marathon live show announcements and details coming soon! I’ll be hosting one show at the expo on Friday, April 14, at 2 PM (no tickets needed, open to the public, just show up!), and I can’t yet tell you about the other live show Boston weekend, except that I am so pumped about it (it’s with a really fun brand!), and it’ll be on Saturday, April 15, at 5:30 PM. That one will be ticketed (and free!), and I’ll be sharing details at the end of next week.

• Eugene Marathon live show! Saturday, April 29, at 12 PM. Guest announcement also coming soon. This one will be free, no tickets required, and the guest is someone you love.

• Bayshore Marathon live show! Thursday, May 25, at 3:30 PM with Emma Bates! We have a huge venue for this one! Get your tickets here.

And so…

Take good care of yourselves. Take good care of each other. Get some sleep. Thank you so much for being here. And whatever you’re going through, keep going.

Love,

Ali