What day is it?

There's really no way of knowing.

It’s been a weird week!

One of those weeks where, if you asked me at any given moment to tell you what day it is, I would guess something like… Blursday?

I’m feeling a little out of sorts, perhaps because there’s rampant sickness going around, Annie has had a few rough nights (raise your hand if you’re tired all the time!), and I’m terrified we’re going to come down with something just in time for the trip to Florida that I finally booked. (We’re going down for a few days next week for my grandmother’s 99th birthday!)

And! All is generally well.

I’m deep in 2023 planning mode, and a lot of my time this past week was spent connecting with my 2022 podcast sponsors and discussing what we’d like to do together in the new year. I love this stuff!

I already have a handful of races on my calendar. (First announcing assignment of 2023: the Clearwater Running Festival in Florida, January 28–29! Code ONTHERUN gets you 20% off your race registration.)

I’m maybe, kind of, sort of thinking of possibly running a marathon this spring? I need to really think about this, but if I do it, it’ll be a spring marathon on the west coast. (Any guesses?)

And I’m psyched for a few new-to-me opportunities like maybe, possibly getting to announce at the finish line of the one World Marathon Major in the U.S. that I haven’t yet done. (I’ve done Boston and New York, so…)

Mostly, though, I’m a scrappy mess of half-highlighted to-do lists, unopened emails, and text messages that I swear I’ll respond to soon, I just need a minute.

The truth is, I always — in spite of my best intentions — live my life this way. I’ve become a bit flaky in recent years, with the unanswered texts and emails. I used to say that was “really out of character for me,” but lately it’s become somewhat of a defining trait. (One that I’m not proud of!)

It’s not for lack of time. I can make or find the time. I mean, if I have time to watch five episodes of The White Lotus in the span of 36 hours, I can respond to an email. (I just want to talk about White Lotus!!!)

Maybe I need a break?

Maybe I need a week dedicated just to my correspondence. (Oh, using that word made me feel fancy!)

Maybe I need an assistant, a manager, a clone?

For now, I’ll keep adding to the to-do list, I’ll keep powering through, and I’ll do my best to stay healthy. (Last night, I ate a salad for dinner. A SALAD. Who am I? Tom Brady?!) (Sports reference!) (I used to work for Well+Good, and we spent a lot of time writing about how Tom and Gisele “don’t eat nightshade vegetables.”) (I’m still not totally clear on, like, any of that. Bell peppers, I want to say?) (Go team!)

How are you doing? You good? You hanging in? The holiday season is a lot.

This week’s highlight reel

• A call with the team at a certain U.S.-based World Marathon Major. They heard me announcing at the New York City Marathon finish line and want me to come announce their race in 2023. Stay tuned. Stand by. (!!!)

• That’s it.

On the Ali on the Run Show

I will admit, I wasn’t familiar with Claire Holt prior to this year’s New York City Marathon. Then, Emily Oster reached out connecting us. Claire is on the Ali on the Run Show this week, and she is so much fun! You never know with celebrities, right? Well, I was beyond delighted to discover that Claire is an absolute gem. Even if you’re not a big Vampire Diaries fan, I think you’ll love this episode.

And tomorrow, you’ll get part two of “Ask Ali, Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week Edition.” (Listen to the first part here.) This episode covers running with Crohn’s disease, dealing with the mental and emotional side of living with a chronic illness, and my advice for how best to support the loved ones in your life who may be affected by IBD.

What I’m watching

• The White Lotus, obviously. Who dies??? My theory: Portia swoops in at the last minute to save Tanya, and uses that guy’s gun to kill Jack and Quentin. I am very open to being totally wrong, which I probably am. This is all I want to talk about.

• “The Last Noelle” with Amy Schumer and Ellie Kemper. The ultimate spoof on cheesy holiday films. “Have fun with your cell phone!” (Spoiler: I’m recording with Ellie for the Ali on the Run Show on Monday!)

What I’m reading

• Good For a Girl, by Lauren Fleshman. We were scheduled to record a podcast episode together this week, but I had to reschedule in order to get Annie early from school. (Mom life, baby! Always keeping us on our toes!) But, coming soon — just later — to the Ali on the Run Show!

And…

• I announced my final race of 2022! I had the honor of being a start and finish line announcer at 17 different events this year, closing things out with Millennium Running’s Santa Claus Shuffle. I traveled to seven different states, made my announcing debut at the Boston Marathon, and announced races dressed as a rainbow unicorn and a tiger. It was a very good year on the mic.

• For Brian’s birthday (the big 4-0!), we went out to dinner at a hibachi restaurant. If you have a four-year-old, this is basically dinner and a show. Annie had a blast. We all did! I grew up thinking hibachi was the epitome of luxury, the fanciest thing in the world. (Well, second to Olive Garden, I suppose.) It was very fun watching Annie experience an onion volcano for the first time.

• We still don’t have a Christmas tree.

• I’m currently experiencing the worst breakout I’ve had in recent memory. Like, I am horrified going out in public. It’s the most wonderful, sexy time of the year, it really is!

I have no plans this weekend, and I cannot wait.

Love,

Ali