An update.

So first, I’m am no longer 26 since I’ve celebrated my 21st birthday for the 7th time in the very-not-so-distant past. I’m solidly in my LATE TWENTIES. **GASP**

I’m not where I expected I’d be in life — that 7th 21st was spent in kind of a mood — but there are so many things I AM grateful for and good things that have happened in the last year despite, you know, 2020 being the biggest dumpster fire in the last hundred years or so.

Okay, so now that I’ve given you all plenty of opportunity to make the old lady jokes, the “no you’re still young!” comments, eye rolls, etc., etc., let’s talk about this supposed “update” since I’ve basically disappeared off of IG/social media for the last few months.

 So, obviously, it’s been a minute — I had deleted my running IG from my phone for a bit. To all those who messaged to check in on me, thank you so much! I didn’t mean to make you all worry and I really appreciate the kind messages. Truly. When I finally got back to IG, I saw the outpouring of support from the community and I was floored. You guys are amazing and again, no words — no matter how much I usually ramble here — can encapsulate the feeling of solidarity that swelled in my chest from seeing you all reach out. 

️So I hope everyone has been doing well, nay, has been Thriving!!

As for me, I spent this time figuring out how to untangle my “self” from my passion for fitness and running especially. Running has been my go-to coping mechanism so this injury was really hard. On top of some other personal challenges, understanding and living this nuance — being a human who runs, not a runner who’s human — was one of the hardest things I’ve had to face during this depressive episode and injury.

I needed to take this time completely off from my running account and from running itself to explore what that really meant. I scaled back physical activity. I lost some of my MOO-cles. I explored and tried new things, thought deeply about what life would be like if I’d never be able to run again. I had to live this statement: “Running and fitness are pieces of my life but they aren’t all of who I am.”

I’m better now. I’ve found joys outside fitness these past few weeks/months. I did and am continuing to do therapy. And I’m finally ready to be back here on social media.

So hi again 🙂 I’m Ashley, a dorky human who likes to draw, play video games, read manga, binge podcasts (I love you, Rachel Maddow), can’t sit still, loves data organization but is messy irl, plays D&D, sometimes streams on #twitch, likes sundresses and cargo pants alike, sweats like crazy from her hands (ugh genetics!), thinks too deeply sometimes and then other times not at all, wore headgear for a few years during her youth, can obsess passionately (both beneficially and to her detriment), is kinda shy but loud and spazzy, is fiercely loyal to her friends and loved ones, and so much more… oh and I run when I can. 

Speaking of “when I can,” I’ve been testing the waters in physical therapy at the wonderful HSS… (seriously, I can’t thank my two PTs enough for being positive when I came in with a dreary cloud above my head) I’ve started running in the Alter G 51 days in! I’m not at full bodyweight and we are going intervals but I feel great. I’m ready to make my comeback! 

Looking forward to catching up with everyone! 🥰