Spring is here!

 
Well, even though Mother Nature has been pretty stingy about bringing the warm weather to NJ, once April hits there is no denying the season is here and it is time to get going. I think we have got a nice season plan going that starts with two meets this month- an opener at Princeton in the 1500 and then a steeple at Drake Relays! Pretty excited to go see the track USA’s will be at this year a little earlier and get a feel for it. Admittedly, Des Moines isn’t known for its bustling nightlife and things to do – but me and my teammates will make it work.

I am pretty excited about having a couple weeks in a row to just train and up the mileage,  so March was sometimes tiring, but really fun. Handing in a big ole paper for law school also felt pretty good. I have two finals in May, but I’ll avoid that realization until then. Classes end this month though – so it is safe to say I might just make it through this first year [fairly] unscathed and still not too cynical.

So here is to hopefully checking in more about races results and thoughts. Last year, every workout felt like a new thing to overcome. I must have pr-ed in different shorter distances a dozen times at practice last year. It is nice to be completing some of those same workouts now and keeping calm, rather than holding on for dear life. I’m hoping that helps me to gain some confidence and build some energy and momentum into these coming meets. Learning to own your training and execute a workout rather than race a workout is a critical step in improving as an athlete – so fingers crossed! Tonight, I start to get antsy by heading over to Princeton’s season opener at my college track. I also get to sneak in a hurdle workout prior to watching some college teammates race! Go tigers.

Boston Bound

The season is starting to feel more real – with a trip up to Boston for the NB Indoor Grand Prix! Travelling solo for the weekend and its been a great time to get (some) school work done, some thinking done, and mostly just doodling and Face-booking done. (got to love free wifi!) While the NB Invite was my opener, the Armory is seemingly home to me, given it is where I have raced since freshman year of high school – so kind of a security blanket. This weekend marks the start of travels and ideally some fast races and fun experiences!

I find myself reminiscing and comparing a lot to last year. Thus far, I have been running at the same meets and find it hard not to consider where I was at mentally and emotionally in 2012. For the most part, it is all too similar. In fact, my roommate (and new steeple training partner!) and I were even joking around last weekend as to why exactly we put ourselves through the pain and misery of pre-race nerves and bland breakfasts. In reality, last year every race was a great experience and a fun time and I want that same feeling of freshness to remain. It should always be fun!- and I think it will continue to be for a long time. That being said, rather than look to last year’s performances, it might be time to start looking forward. I am so thankful for the strong and continuous training I have been able to gain since this time last year. I have learned a lot about this whole “pro running” thing and I want to use this year to gain confidence and put my feet under me a bit more. That means mixing it up, taking risks, and learning new lessons.

This winter people have been running FAST! And I am fortunate not only to train with some of those speedy people, but I get to race a bunch of them over the next two weeks in the 2 mile here in Boston and then the mile in Millrose. While I am still fairly giddy about racing at the meet I have been watching since I was a little kid, I am looking forward to learning how to stick my nose in it and compete! I think it became both easy and acceptable to hop on a train and run to a new PR- who is unhappy with that right?! I want to believe that experiences last year taught me to have the desire to learn and grow more. For now, looking forward to getting out there for these winter meets and seeing where I’m at and where to go from here! As Gag always says… it’s exhibition season!

New Year, New… Balance! (invite..)

Welp, vacation is over! Back to school and back to racing. This weekend is the start of the season and with it comes both excitement and sweaty palms, nerves, and a little bit of a queasy feeling – but if I wasn’t nervous it would mean I didn’t care! First up: the NB Invitational Mile Steeple, certainly a new idea. Nevertheless, I think is it a great way to start off the year with something fun while being able to market the event I hold so near and dear to my heart. And let’s be honest, so long as I finish – it is always good to start off the year with a PR!

Over break, I did a lot of relaxing and put in some more strength work. Without school as a distraction, it was kind of nice to just be a runner full time for a bit. Now that I am back in classes, I realize that the schedule may actually be better for me.  Running should always be fun – not suddenly seem like a job – and compared to constitutional law… well it is pretty fun. So here is to a new year, new goals, and new confidence!  Last year was an exciting year for me, but it is time for a clean slate and a new outlook. Hopefully, I can accomplish some of the new goals I have set!

Breathe it all in – Love it all out

What a crazy couple of weeks ahead – 1L first semester finals, holiday shopping, the track season looming… aahhhh

But now I am home and settling into study mode – 4 finals, 4 hours each, over 2 weeks – worth 100% of my grades… BLEG. So, obviously thinking about this makes me want to do anything but study – redecorate my room, bake, organize, buy shoes, sleep a lot, and go shopping for presents for people.  Unlike college – where I would spend way too much time in a library, I have managed to find a little more balance this exam session time around. Running has, as always been a saving grace too. Gearing into the indoor track season, I have no class for 6 weeks! So its read, run, read, eat, run, read, sleep lately – and that is a okay with me. Minus that I should probably stop eating dozens of desserts out of nervousness… but whatever.

so – I am going to try to keep it cool and just breath and take in this hectic time, trying to find joy and smiles along the way. Even if it means steering clear of my school unless absolutely necessary to take a test. I think one of the biggest thing  have learned over the last couple years is how very important balance is to me having any success. So, dinners with my parents, a holiday party with friends (our club is having an awesomeeee fundraiser – you should come!), and probably another batch of cookies are all in my future – and hopefully some ok test grades and fast times.

breathe. let go. and remind yourself always that this very moment is all you have for sure.

If you never go in over your head – how will you learn how tall you are?

“November always seemed to me the Norway of the year.” -   Emily Dickinson

Kentucky Barbequed Hamburgers.

Back from a great and motivating weekend in Kentucky watching the NCAA championships! I was really in need of a trip and this one involved running, bourbon, friends, and tailgating.. so really it could not have been much better. Headed into my first (and only!) race of the fall, it was great to get back in the groove of travelling. Additionally, to watch the action of NCAAs without any of the stress leading into the race, was sweet. AND the Princeton guys came in 11th, the best finish in school history.. so pretty awesome.

I also had the chance to have some fun with the Flotrack guys and Saucony. Ben True (a Dartmouth alum and ridiculous 10k runner) and I came down to help out with the liveshow and a tailgate the day of the race. Really, I just got to have fun, but I will pretend it was really tough work.

Kentucky itself was nice as well, while I am unconvinced it is Southern as compared to the Midwest… there was a waffle house – so a fair bargaining chip. Overall, it just got me super excited to race at Manchester this Thanksgiving! It is funny to be racing the same races as last year again, really just hoping to go into them with a bit more maturity and understanding. Nothing to lose this year, so looking forward to having fun with some teammates coming as well and enjoying Thanksgiving with college friends and family - Watching a race like NCAAs does nothing but get you amped and ready to go. Trying to contain that and keep calm until Thursday. Thanksgiving break also means the semester is FLYING by – my first final is in a couple of weeks! It is crazy to think half the school year is almost over, and track has not even started. Happy to keep them as seperate as possible

Happy turkey day – and hoping it is a fun successful trip !

A very good place to start.

well, it has been a busy couple of months! and i have avoided checking in, mostly because the fall is my time to refocus and figure things out. i planned on starting up again with the start of my season at the NYRR Dash to the Finish 5-k, but that along with the marathon got cancelled (in case you’re living under a rock). Nevertheless, that change of plans is seemingly a more fitting way to begin a new year and a new season … given a bunch of my own changes!

so… here’s a secret. I don’t live in Colorado. Oh wait, everyone knew that… Upon having the time of my life and gaining a bunch of new experiences, friends, and memories I realized somewhere along I-80 that I just couldn’t leave the support system and people who build me up and make me better here. It just didn’t make sense, I felt like I was running away from the pressure and all the possibilities. Besides, I would have to pump my own gas if I moved. So life has settled in here as I am 2/3′s done with my first semester of law school (eek!) and a good two months into base training. I’m living near a bunch of teammates again and can’t wait to see what it all brings.

So – here is to a new busy year. I put together a map of the quotes that have got me here in the past couple months and I feel like some long-winded explanation of it all would be annoying and only serve as a means to NOT keep writing. The season and the year is back in action – so time to hold myself accountable again, to running, to health, to friends, and to writing my nerdy thoughts and making quote collages here

… lessgo 2012-2013

“those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything“

Trippin’

Well, while it would be fitting to write about the crazy week I just had at the Trials, I am going to forgo that entry for a later time! Instead, I am looking forward to the next trip and though it would be funny to just check in with everyone and show my tentative summer schedule:

First stop: Europe in July

I’ll be racing/exploring for three weeks in europe with a few nj-ny tc teammates and a whole bunch of other american runners. cant wait!

next: America! July-August

IF I make it home is some US roadtripping from NJ, to perhaps a race in Michigan, to Chicago/Culver Indiana , to Boulder, and then ideally to train a bit in Park City.

The funny part is that I actually have no idea what is going to happen. Hooray for no real plans it is going to be great.

I will make sure to be a bit better about posting along the way bon voyage!

It’s not goodbye – It’s hello

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icPKUOWPa5Q

Well, it’s been a while since I checked in! And a lot has happened in the last few weeks, from reunions, to two new 1500 prs, to planning trips and moves and all sorts of “future ashley” stuff. I can’t help but get nostalgic as I start at least considering packing my room and also packing suitcase for Eugene!. Its made me really love and appreciate Hunterdon County a lot this week. I also got the chance to see so many old friends at reunions, which meant so much to me headed into the most emotionally trying time of the year. So here is a few pics of the places i’ve been enjoying running, training, and dreaming lately