It’s no secret: I love running.
I’ve never been much good at it. I’m slow, my breathing is uneasy, my nutrition has a long way to go and I often miss training runs. Yet, when I think of the things I love, the things that ignite a fire in my soul, running is always at the top.
That love for running helped me heal after my crash. Looking forward to running a marathon helped me to stay positive and choose to do whatever I could at the moment (even if it was just flexing by behind and swallowing grassy herbs) instead of living in what I couldn’t.
Now that I am living in Orlando and working at lululemon again I am surrounded by ways to sweat. Yoga. Bar Method. Pole Dancing. Dance Trance. Pilates. Bikram. Paddleboard Yoga. CrossFit. The possibilities are endless.
So I’ve jumped in.
I’ve approached my weeks here as a sort of challenge for how much I can sweat in seven days. I’m on a trip to see just how free, open, strong, clear and limitless I can become through sweating.
But somewhere between namaste and dead lifts running got lost.
And I felt lost.
So I did the best thing I know of for immediate running inspiration– the thing I recommend to any new runner struggling to keep up with running– I signed up for the Crooms 50k in April!
I’m a fool and I love it.
How do you keep up your passion for running?
I’m LOVING you all sharing your running mantras. You guys are so inspiring. Keep ‘em coming!
ps- Today marks five months since the accident!
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats on your recovery – that 50K sounds like a great challenge!
I keep my passion for running by cross-training! That way I look forward to the days that I do run.
Nicole recently posted..What kind of runner are you?
I was never a big runner in high school. Once I got to college, it really became one of my favorite hobbies. I get stressed out really easy, so running was/is an escape from the real world and helps me to collect my thoughts and step away from everything for a half our or so. I keep my passion up by never forgetting that its an outlet to escape, not so much work or a chore!
PS: so happy about your recovery! You really are such an inspiration!
Meghan recently posted..One Year
I don’t have a passion for running, but all my friends do and I caved into peer pressure (my friend’s glowing picture after the Tinkerbell Half Marathon) and started Couch to 5 K last week. I don’t love it, but I follow the program. I run when the bell dings and the man says “run.” I walk when the bell dings and the man says “walk.”
I love to bike and hike and cross country ski and do yoga and swim. When I do those things I feel like my body is doing what it is made to do. But, I figure learning new skills and taking on new challenges is good so that’s why I run.
are you looking to re-injure yourself? slow down, girl! it seems like you’re trying to prove something, but what and to who?
So awesome you registered for the 50k!! I’ll be doing my first 50k this year, too, after having completed 2 12 hour races and 2 24 hour races the past few years.
I run because I have my entire life (started running in elementary school) and if I don’t, I don’t feel like me. I like challenging myself and finding out my body’s limits (hence running ultra marathons).
Can’t wait to hear how the race goes in April!!
Rebecca @ Runner with an Appetite recently posted..Surf City USA Marathon Race Report
girl, you are inspiring the way you just jump it and do it. LOVE to hear when someone else loves running!
I don’t mean to be negative: but, are you planning on training for this race? I believe you did this race in the last few years and you didn’t train. Instead you walked a lot of the race and video-taped yourself doing so. That race closes the registration after so many applicants – which means not everyone that wants to run it will be able to.. I just think it’s unfair for you to go out there and play around on the course when someone else who really wanted to run (and trained) could have.
Jena recently posted..stop it
I’d never call a 31 mile race “playing around.” And I would love to hear your guidelines for runners who are good enough to you to run the race. Is it a speed requirement you have or do you just want them to have negative attitudes?
Healthy ashley recently posted..Why Do You Run?
It’s not a matter of being “good enough” It’s a matter of properly training for a 31 mile trail race. I don’t care if you do the race, good for you for being able to do a 31 mile race 7 months after you had a serious bike accident. That’s great. It’s not even a matter of you re-injuring yourself.
It’s just that it’s a small race. They only allow 250 people to register. My concern is that you may not train. You admitted the last time you did this race that you were not trained. That is where my basis for this comment is coming from.
If you don’t train then you are taking the spot of someone who may have trained for the race. That is all. I would say the same thing to another person who registered for a limited race who wasn’t trained. It’s nothing personal against you.
Jena recently posted..stop it
Perhaps these people should register for the race a little earlier… that way they wouldn’t have to worry about it filling up?
Danielle @ Long May You Run recently posted..Monday, Monday
I agree, if the cap is that small, they should register early. While of course everyone should properly train for any race they want to do, it’s really up to each person if they want to register and do said race.
Shannon recently posted..Training Update and Site Changes
How is your hip feeling lately? I know you said it’s been bothering you-do you think it can withstand running a 50k?
Yes totally insane.
Carolina John recently posted..Old and New
Ashley you are INCREDIBLE!! I’m a newish runner, having ran for a few months now, and no more than 5km. But you’ve inspired me to also sign up for a 50km in April! If you can do it after a serious hip injury and months of rest and no training, then I can too!! Whoop whoop!!!
I kind of hope that this is a sarcastic comment? But also don’t want to crush running dreams because I’m a sorta-runner, too. It has taken me 4 months to work up to my first half marathon, even with many 5ks and 10ks under my belt and I just hope that you listen to your body and don’t push it too hard just to reach that 31st mile. Be smart with training, 2 months is a short time to up your miles by 10x.
Meredith recently posted..tamale bake
Good for you for making the right choice for you.
I miss running club in Asheville – I’m sort of sad that the frozen tundra of New England doesn’t foster running clubs!
Just FYI, the wording on the post seems like you’re saying any new runner should sign up for a 50k…I would die as you know
Errign recently posted..Eleven.
There are many, MANY running clubs in New England!!! Are you looking in the wrong places…?
Hi Kera,
I live in Northern/Central NH, so I think that’s the problem?
Errign recently posted..Eleven.
Woohoo! I just ran the Croom Zoom 50k a few weeks ago- gorgeous! And I think the burning is done so you won’t have to deal with smoke. By the way, “Croom” is singular… Croom Trails =)
Good luck!!
Danielle @ Long May You Run recently posted..Monday, Monday
Meredith- I REALLY don’t see why I can’t do it?! Ashley did it last year with NO TRAINING AT ALL! she is awesome
so even though I’ve only ran 5km once I think I’ll be just fine thank you! If someone who just recovered from a hip injury can run 31 miles in a couple of months can do it then I can too! She is so inspiring!!!!
You seem to have a lot of energy in your posts here. I’m sure you’re out there running 5-6 days a week training for the 50k now. How many miles are you running each week?
Shannon recently posted..Training Update and Site Changes
It doesn’t really matter if you run slow or fast, it the matter on how long you are doing it in your everyday basis. It is a form of exercise so it is much better for you actually to do it in regular basis. It could strengthen your bones and make your muscles more firmer. Not to mention for those who wants to loose weights; it will be a big help.
Maegan87 recently posted..ppi refund
The biggest race I’ve got going is a half! I am hoping to do a full either by the end of the year or next year. I just want to better my pacing and all this year mainly. Good luck, I hope you’re training goes well!
Shannon recently posted..Training Update and Site Changes
you are one amazing person! i really love reading your post, you are truly inspiring.
Ms.Amber recently posted..Is 2012 real
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