"Are you running yet?"

A question I get daily. Others assume that I already am, and when I tell them, "Not yet; I am close," they respond with a celebratory response for me. Kindness from people who know how much it means to me.

And yet, even though it has been four months, I am still handling it really well. I have learned so much about myself and what motivates me, but also have been given further time to detach my identity from running.

I will admit, social media has been a challenge at times, as I struggle to know what to say. While my family and friends celebrated with me as I eagerly told them, "I get to jump today!", it is hardly social media-worthy to share that.

In many ways though, that is the point. Certain markers and milestones are not meant for the world, they are meant for me and those I hold closest. I did not go through this entire process, this intense rehab period, for social media or the kudos of others; I did it for me, for my future, and a respect for my body.

It doesn't make it easy. Rehab and exercises take up a lot of my time, and at the end of juggling a full day of kids in summer and work, I sometimes feel like I would rather collapse on the couch and tell myself I am "giving it extra rest."

Here is the thing though:

That's what the recovery journey is. Building a house brick by brick, taking it step by step, one day at a time.

Adding running back in and building my fitness will be a long and slow recovery process too; that first run I talk about will be 6 x 1 minute of running in the middle of an hour walk. Seeing Olympians who have come back from surgery has been inspiring, but I also know they are putting much more time and work in than I am able to with my life the way it is. My journey will be slower and longer, but that's exactly it, it is my journey, unfolding the way it was always meant to.

This week I go back to Vail for the final time. To see my PT on Thursday and Friday, then to crew Ryan in the Leadville 100 Mile and to cheer on many other friends running the race, including my co-author of Becoming a Sustainable Runner, Zoë Rom, and podcast guests, Dan Churchill, Matt Choi, and Brian Reynolds (whom I supported across the Hopes Pass section of the race last year).

Would it be amazing to do my first run this weekend? Sure would.

Do I know I will be doing that? Absolutely not, a lot can happen in the next five days with how my foot progresses.

We will see...

This week on the Running For Real podcast...

Here's the official description:

As Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility Director at New York Road Runners, Aly Criscuolo is able to channel her passion for environmentalism into positive action. She’s clearly making an impact; NYRR’s latest sustainability initiative, Team for Climate, sold out within two minutes of its launch.

Here's the real deal:

I call Aly my sustainability sister. When I am struggling to see the good in the world and feeling like the work I do has no impact, Aly is the first person I call. You will immediately see why in this episode; she has a way of just bringing people into the conversation, even if you have never made a sustainable choice in your life. NUA is on a necklace she wears around her neck; find out why in this episode - you might just adopt it too.

Curious about the trip to Costa Rica this fall, but not sure it is for you? Watch this Instagram live from last week with Aire Libre. After this, November can't come soon enough!

Want a career in the running industry, but still in the early stages? Consider applying for the Emerging Leaders Program at the Running USA conference next year.

Where will I be this fall? Other than Costa Rica of course:

-New York City-Climate Week- September 23-27 (three events being planned for that week; stay tuned!)

-Chicago- Chicago Marathon- October 11-14

-Toronto- Toronto Waterfront Marathon - October 18-20

-New York City- NYC Marathon- Nov 1-4

if you are gonna be in any of those places, would love to see you. I will be sharing more once dates and events are finalized.

I will also be joining a lot of the Runna events this fall; if you are attending their events at any of the above weekends, will see you there too!

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don’t give up.” — Anne Lamott

*Side note* I just finished Anne Lamott's book, Notes on Hope; I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to our partner, Runna

While I am not yet there, I am excited once I am running to begin anew with Runna. They have been growing MASSIVELY and for good reason; what they are offering the community is unlike anything else. I love that you can find a community of runners at your pace, in your city, while also having a plan personalized to you. You can get strength training and Pilates too, all from the same app - all you need to be ready to race.

As the coaches are elite athletes and Olympians, you are getting some of the best coaching, but again, it is tailored to you and your needs, so regardless of whether you are training for your first 5k or to break 3:00 in the marathon, they are ready for you.

I often get asked about coaching, what is best. Well, here is a place you can get it all, and I am excited to be able to have a place to send people now.

As a friend of mine, get two weeks free below. Check it out, see how much you love it, and join team Runna!

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Be kind to one another, yourself, and this beautiful planet of ours.

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