Unrelated what to watch information. I just finished The Investigation on HBO. It is amazing! I mean sad, but so good.
Monday 3/8
Winter storm warnings abound! But for now, the weather is beautiful. I headed out early in hopes of getting 12 to 15 miles done. Normally I wouldn’t be pushing the mileage the after a long run. But knowing that I have nothing but bad weather in my future for the rest of the week, I wanted to get as many miles done as possible. Everything was fine but my knee was bugging me. It only got worse and at about mile 6 I stopped to pee and also rubbed my knee. That only made things worse. The pain is on the inside of my knee. I had this happen before and it was my bursa and there doesn’t seem to be much you can do except not run. So, despite wanting to run more miles, I headed home and ended with a disappointing 8 miles. I iced my knee and took some Advil knowing that I might not run much the rest of the week.
I am on weather watch Spring Break 2021. Please don’t send me hate mail, I know lots of people are not traveling. But I have been traveling since the summer because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t see my husband and kids. I wear a mask, I wash my hands, and so far, so good. So, I am going to Denver to meet my mom, youngest sister, and Enzo. Enzo and I head to Phoenix after 24 hours in Denver. Unfortunately, Denver is going to get hit with a massive winter storm on Friday and through the weekend. Casper is getting a major winter storm Tuesday night into Wednesday. How was it 60 degrees today and we have a winter weather watch for 2 days from now?
In an effort to be able to drive without crying and having a nervous breakdown. I changed Enzo’s flight and we will be arriving on Thursday ahead of the snowstorm (fingers crossed).
Tuesday 3/9
Up early and out the door. It was a beautiful morning. A little windy, but not terrible. I would take this every day. I was actually hoping to get my long run done today. And then at a little over 8 miles my watch went crazy – again. Listen Suunto, this watch cost me $500, I am pretty annoyed with this situation. This might actually be the push I have been looking for to buy an Apple watch because I hear they are fairly accurate with distance and I would have a backup for the shitty, expensive Suunto.
So best guess, I got a little over 16 miles done. I would have run more (even thought my knee was bothering me a bit the last few miles) but it’s annoying to be guessing mileage. Iced my knee and took my Advil before going to work.
In the afternoon I talked to my mom. She is concerned about coming to Denver since 15 inches of snow is predicted over the weekend. I am a little concerned about being able to leave Denver for Phoenix on Saturday night. I call the reservation line for the hotel in Denver to say I want to check in a day early and the lady makes this big deal about how I can’t change the reservation because it had to be done a week before check in, but maybe she can do something to help me, she needs to check. I just say, this is ridiculous and hang up. I have prepaid for an expensive hotel room and I am telling you want to pay a stupid amount of money to stay another night and you are acting like I am putting you out? I call the hotel directly and in like 5 seconds they add the extra night and everyone moves on with their life. Marriot Bonvoy – get your shit together. Note to self – never call the reservation line again. I usually make all my reservations through the app so lesson learned, only use the app. I can’t for the life of me understand why Norm like dealing with an actual person. I don’t even check in with a person at the hotel, I just use the app and get the key on my phone.
Monday 3/8
Winter storm warnings abound! But for now, the weather is beautiful. I headed out early in hopes of getting 12 to 15 miles done. Normally I wouldn’t be pushing the mileage the after a long run. But knowing that I have nothing but bad weather in my future for the rest of the week, I wanted to get as many miles done as possible. Everything was fine but my knee was bugging me. It only got worse and at about mile 6 I stopped to pee and also rubbed my knee. That only made things worse. The pain is on the inside of my knee. I had this happen before and it was my bursa and there doesn’t seem to be much you can do except not run. So, despite wanting to run more miles, I headed home and ended with a disappointing 8 miles. I iced my knee and took some Advil knowing that I might not run much the rest of the week.
I am on weather watch Spring Break 2021. Please don’t send me hate mail, I know lots of people are not traveling. But I have been traveling since the summer because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t see my husband and kids. I wear a mask, I wash my hands, and so far, so good. So, I am going to Denver to meet my mom, youngest sister, and Enzo. Enzo and I head to Phoenix after 24 hours in Denver. Unfortunately, Denver is going to get hit with a massive winter storm on Friday and through the weekend. Casper is getting a major winter storm Tuesday night into Wednesday. How was it 60 degrees today and we have a winter weather watch for 2 days from now?
In an effort to be able to drive without crying and having a nervous breakdown. I changed Enzo’s flight and we will be arriving on Thursday ahead of the snowstorm (fingers crossed).
Tuesday 3/9
Up early and out the door. It was a beautiful morning. A little windy, but not terrible. I would take this every day. I was actually hoping to get my long run done today. And then at a little over 8 miles my watch went crazy – again. Listen Suunto, this watch cost me $500, I am pretty annoyed with this situation. This might actually be the push I have been looking for to buy an Apple watch because I hear they are fairly accurate with distance and I would have a backup for the shitty, expensive Suunto.
So best guess, I got a little over 16 miles done. I would have run more (even thought my knee was bothering me a bit the last few miles) but it’s annoying to be guessing mileage. Iced my knee and took my Advil before going to work.
In the afternoon I talked to my mom. She is concerned about coming to Denver since 15 inches of snow is predicted over the weekend. I am a little concerned about being able to leave Denver for Phoenix on Saturday night. I call the reservation line for the hotel in Denver to say I want to check in a day early and the lady makes this big deal about how I can’t change the reservation because it had to be done a week before check in, but maybe she can do something to help me, she needs to check. I just say, this is ridiculous and hang up. I have prepaid for an expensive hotel room and I am telling you want to pay a stupid amount of money to stay another night and you are acting like I am putting you out? I call the hotel directly and in like 5 seconds they add the extra night and everyone moves on with their life. Marriot Bonvoy – get your shit together. Note to self – never call the reservation line again. I usually make all my reservations through the app so lesson learned, only use the app. I can’t for the life of me understand why Norm like dealing with an actual person. I don’t even check in with a person at the hotel, I just use the app and get the key on my phone.
I don't buy plastic bags so I was really happy to find this random bag in my supplies meant for packing for races.
Wednesday 3/10
It hard started snowing around 8pm and was still going strong when I woke up. We probably had 5 to 6 inches on the ground. I decided to do a weight work out and wait until things had been plowed before heading out later in the day. The snow was so deep that running through it would be difficult. A little before 7am I got a message that highways and K-12 schools were closed. Shortly after that I got the text, phone call, and email that the college was closed for the day. I have been told that never happens so you know this is a bad storm. So, after weights I did some graded, attended some of a conference I am signed up for and I between did laundry and cleaned a bit.
At about 10am it felt like it should be almost evening. This day was going to drag on forever. I decided to take a break and go out for a run. I went down the block, made a left and came right back up the ally to my apartment. Then I just stood outside my door trying to decide what to do. It was slushy! Like my feet are already wet and I ran for maybe a minute. I decided to head out a different direction. Okay, so not great. Where the sidewalks had been cleared it was so slushy, but not icy. I quickly realized that I wasn’t going to slip, but I was definitely going to be wet. Where sidewalks had not been cleared the snow was up to my mid calf. If I could run where someone else had previously walked it was fine, but if I came to a spot where no one had walked yet it was high snow, and I had no idea where to step and not to step.
Running in the road was the best option where I could. Despite pretty much everything in town being closed, there were a ton of people driving around. Where are they going? There are major puddles everywhere. I had wet feet from pretty much the beginning. I kept thinking I would have to stop running because my feet were wet, but they never really got cold. It seemed like every puddle I stepped in was bigger than the last. By the time I got home I was wet from toes to knees. If I hadn’t been stressed by the traffic and needed to pee, I would have kept running but I was happy to get 6 miles done since when I left, I wasn’t even sure I would run any miles at all.
It finally stopped snowing around 2pm and the sun came out a bit. I am trying to pack to leave for Denver tomorrow. I am literally packing two bags because it is going to be cold and snowing in Denver and beautiful and warm in Phoenix. Honestly, I need one of everything. The good news is that I can leave my cold weather clothes in my car at the Denver airport.
It hard started snowing around 8pm and was still going strong when I woke up. We probably had 5 to 6 inches on the ground. I decided to do a weight work out and wait until things had been plowed before heading out later in the day. The snow was so deep that running through it would be difficult. A little before 7am I got a message that highways and K-12 schools were closed. Shortly after that I got the text, phone call, and email that the college was closed for the day. I have been told that never happens so you know this is a bad storm. So, after weights I did some graded, attended some of a conference I am signed up for and I between did laundry and cleaned a bit.
At about 10am it felt like it should be almost evening. This day was going to drag on forever. I decided to take a break and go out for a run. I went down the block, made a left and came right back up the ally to my apartment. Then I just stood outside my door trying to decide what to do. It was slushy! Like my feet are already wet and I ran for maybe a minute. I decided to head out a different direction. Okay, so not great. Where the sidewalks had been cleared it was so slushy, but not icy. I quickly realized that I wasn’t going to slip, but I was definitely going to be wet. Where sidewalks had not been cleared the snow was up to my mid calf. If I could run where someone else had previously walked it was fine, but if I came to a spot where no one had walked yet it was high snow, and I had no idea where to step and not to step.
Running in the road was the best option where I could. Despite pretty much everything in town being closed, there were a ton of people driving around. Where are they going? There are major puddles everywhere. I had wet feet from pretty much the beginning. I kept thinking I would have to stop running because my feet were wet, but they never really got cold. It seemed like every puddle I stepped in was bigger than the last. By the time I got home I was wet from toes to knees. If I hadn’t been stressed by the traffic and needed to pee, I would have kept running but I was happy to get 6 miles done since when I left, I wasn’t even sure I would run any miles at all.
It finally stopped snowing around 2pm and the sun came out a bit. I am trying to pack to leave for Denver tomorrow. I am literally packing two bags because it is going to be cold and snowing in Denver and beautiful and warm in Phoenix. Honestly, I need one of everything. The good news is that I can leave my cold weather clothes in my car at the Denver airport.
This is what I woke up to - beautiful but problematic.
Again, beautiful but not great for training for running races.
Post run icy shoes
Thursday 3/11
I got up early, like always, had my coffee and went to check out the odds of actually running. Just as thought, the town is a sheet of ice. I knew all that wet yesterday was going to become a city wide skating rink when the temps dropped over night. I got ready, answered some emails and got ready to load my car up. The first pass of carrying bags to my car was scary! My ally was totally iced over. I barely made it to the street. Coming back, I decided to go through the building to make life easier. If I go through the building, I come out on the sidewalk that was less icy and scary. What I learned going to my car was that the streets were not as clear as I would like. It was icy just leaving my parking garage. I head out thinking I just need to make it the half mile to the highway and I will be fine. But I was terrified the whole half mile. My legs were shaking, and I kept repeating, “you can do this, you can do this.” I get to the highway only to discover things are not better! The speed limit is set at 45mph and only one lane is open because the other is covered in snow. And the fog is terrible. It normally takes me 4 hours to get to the airport in Denver, but that is driving the 80 mph speed limit. At 45 mph it is going to take me 8 hours! This is not good. Luckily, I was about 30 minutes outside of town when the fog lifted a bit and the roads were totally clear. Soon I was back to my normal speed and mostly the fog wasn’t too bad. The timing worked out perfect for getting Enzo from the airport. I hate the Denver airport! Is there anyone that thinks it’s a good airport?
We go to the hotel and check in and then head out to do some shopping and get a bite to eat. We went downtown to some thrift places Enzo wanted to check out. We found an amazing stretch of thrift stores and had the best sushi and sashimi that I have ever had. It was delicious! And happy hour pricing meant it was super reasonable. And they were super nice about me needing everything to be gluten free. Since Enzo and I were sharing, the waiter said to write down what we wanted and he would make sure that everything was gluten free and any sauces that couldn't be gluten free he would bring on the side. I tried really hard to use my chopsticks but was only marginally successful and eventually lost my patience and asked for a fork. I am an embarrassment to my half Asian children.
We went to the grocery store to get some food, water, and alcohol for the room. That was a nightmare! First off, I had realized that was a Whole Foods right behind the hotel, I would never have gone to King Supers. And I will never go there again. With the impending blizzard the place was a madhouse. It is less than desirable to try to shop in a grocery store that you are unfamiliar with when it is over run with people.
Our plan was to go to the gym to work out when we got back to the room, but Enzo was really tired and not feeling great so he went to sleep. I could have gone to the gym to run by myself but I did not. I had wine and popcorn and watched tv.
I got up early, like always, had my coffee and went to check out the odds of actually running. Just as thought, the town is a sheet of ice. I knew all that wet yesterday was going to become a city wide skating rink when the temps dropped over night. I got ready, answered some emails and got ready to load my car up. The first pass of carrying bags to my car was scary! My ally was totally iced over. I barely made it to the street. Coming back, I decided to go through the building to make life easier. If I go through the building, I come out on the sidewalk that was less icy and scary. What I learned going to my car was that the streets were not as clear as I would like. It was icy just leaving my parking garage. I head out thinking I just need to make it the half mile to the highway and I will be fine. But I was terrified the whole half mile. My legs were shaking, and I kept repeating, “you can do this, you can do this.” I get to the highway only to discover things are not better! The speed limit is set at 45mph and only one lane is open because the other is covered in snow. And the fog is terrible. It normally takes me 4 hours to get to the airport in Denver, but that is driving the 80 mph speed limit. At 45 mph it is going to take me 8 hours! This is not good. Luckily, I was about 30 minutes outside of town when the fog lifted a bit and the roads were totally clear. Soon I was back to my normal speed and mostly the fog wasn’t too bad. The timing worked out perfect for getting Enzo from the airport. I hate the Denver airport! Is there anyone that thinks it’s a good airport?
We go to the hotel and check in and then head out to do some shopping and get a bite to eat. We went downtown to some thrift places Enzo wanted to check out. We found an amazing stretch of thrift stores and had the best sushi and sashimi that I have ever had. It was delicious! And happy hour pricing meant it was super reasonable. And they were super nice about me needing everything to be gluten free. Since Enzo and I were sharing, the waiter said to write down what we wanted and he would make sure that everything was gluten free and any sauces that couldn't be gluten free he would bring on the side. I tried really hard to use my chopsticks but was only marginally successful and eventually lost my patience and asked for a fork. I am an embarrassment to my half Asian children.
We went to the grocery store to get some food, water, and alcohol for the room. That was a nightmare! First off, I had realized that was a Whole Foods right behind the hotel, I would never have gone to King Supers. And I will never go there again. With the impending blizzard the place was a madhouse. It is less than desirable to try to shop in a grocery store that you are unfamiliar with when it is over run with people.
Our plan was to go to the gym to work out when we got back to the room, but Enzo was really tired and not feeling great so he went to sleep. I could have gone to the gym to run by myself but I did not. I had wine and popcorn and watched tv.
Sushi at Hapa Sushi in Denver. Yummy!
The thrift shops are amazing! Is the pink dress too much for teaching?
Friday 3/12
Up early (of course) I went to Starbucks to get coffee and when I finished that I left Enzo a note about when I would be back and headed out for a run. I had to pick my mom up at the airport so I had a limit on my running time. It was the most beautiful morning and our hotel was steps away from the Cherry Creek trail. I was also super happy to get a pretty speedy run done. I am pretty pleased with what I can run when it isn’t icy, windy, or both.
I get back to the hotel and slowly peruse the breakfast selection. Not great but I grab some “just in case” food. I get up to the room and talk to Enzo a bit before looking at my phone. Oh no! My mom forgot about the time change and she is at the airport! I thought we had an hour and was going to shower before heading out to get her. We jump in the car and race to the airport.
After we get her back to the hotel and I clean up we part ways. She goes with my sister Jamie (she lives in Denver) and Enzo and I go do some more thrift store shopping and eat more sushi. While we were shopping I get a notice that out flights for the next evening are canceled. Because we have separate reservations we are on our apps doing a coordinated dance of rescheduling to make sure that we are on the same flight. We tried to get out that day, but no options were available. I am very stressed about when the blizzard is going to arrive.
After lunch, We went to the Museum of Contemporary Art. It was eh. The roof top deck was my favorite part. It was beautiful and peaceful and they had a cool bell system that was really nice to listen to. Enzo bought a cool book about a guy who paints monsters. We got coffee and tried to pick out a baby gift for a 1 year old birthday party we are going to that evening, but settled for a gift card and headed back to the hotel. Enzo swam with my littlest sister while my mom and I sat by the fire pit and got caught up.
After the birthday party my mom came back to our room. We spent the night telling Enzo stories about our family. It was a lot of fun! Enzo and I watched Grease and I went to bed. When Enzo and Ava were 5 and 3 there two favorite movies were Grease and Twister. They watched Grease because Enzo was in youth production and I was all, oh shit! This is not for kids. But it was too late, they loved it. I don't remember how they fell in love with Twister, but it happened.
Up early (of course) I went to Starbucks to get coffee and when I finished that I left Enzo a note about when I would be back and headed out for a run. I had to pick my mom up at the airport so I had a limit on my running time. It was the most beautiful morning and our hotel was steps away from the Cherry Creek trail. I was also super happy to get a pretty speedy run done. I am pretty pleased with what I can run when it isn’t icy, windy, or both.
I get back to the hotel and slowly peruse the breakfast selection. Not great but I grab some “just in case” food. I get up to the room and talk to Enzo a bit before looking at my phone. Oh no! My mom forgot about the time change and she is at the airport! I thought we had an hour and was going to shower before heading out to get her. We jump in the car and race to the airport.
After we get her back to the hotel and I clean up we part ways. She goes with my sister Jamie (she lives in Denver) and Enzo and I go do some more thrift store shopping and eat more sushi. While we were shopping I get a notice that out flights for the next evening are canceled. Because we have separate reservations we are on our apps doing a coordinated dance of rescheduling to make sure that we are on the same flight. We tried to get out that day, but no options were available. I am very stressed about when the blizzard is going to arrive.
After lunch, We went to the Museum of Contemporary Art. It was eh. The roof top deck was my favorite part. It was beautiful and peaceful and they had a cool bell system that was really nice to listen to. Enzo bought a cool book about a guy who paints monsters. We got coffee and tried to pick out a baby gift for a 1 year old birthday party we are going to that evening, but settled for a gift card and headed back to the hotel. Enzo swam with my littlest sister while my mom and I sat by the fire pit and got caught up.
After the birthday party my mom came back to our room. We spent the night telling Enzo stories about our family. It was a lot of fun! Enzo and I watched Grease and I went to bed. When Enzo and Ava were 5 and 3 there two favorite movies were Grease and Twister. They watched Grease because Enzo was in youth production and I was all, oh shit! This is not for kids. But it was too late, they loved it. I don't remember how they fell in love with Twister, but it happened.
More yummy sushi from Go Fish in Denver.
One of my favorite views from the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver.
My favorite exhibit was the teen collage.
The roof tp desk was my favorite place in the whole museum.
Weather watch from my hotel room.
Saturday 3/13
The weather keeps changing and we have a lot of stress about getting to the airport. We decide I will set an alarm for 2am and check the weather. I wake up at 2am and there is no snow outside and my weather app says that the snow isn’t going to start until 6am. I set an alarm for 5am and when I wake up there is no snow and the forecast is saying that the snow is coming later. I went ahead and get up. I thought about going for a run but I felt exhausted. Too much wine the night before and not enough sleep. I showered and take the bags to the car. Enzo gets up and we head to the airport. We get through baggage check, and security. There were so many people that I didn’t even get screened, they just waived me through.
Any benefit of that is all lost when I have to stand in line for 30 minutes to get coffee at Starbucks. And it was shitty coffee, so watered down I was basically drinking hot water. Enzo and I ate our breakfast and watch a plane come into land. Travel complete we land in Phoenix! I thought I would get a run in but I felt bad to tell me family that I had to leave for a run when they wanted to hang out with me.
The weather keeps changing and we have a lot of stress about getting to the airport. We decide I will set an alarm for 2am and check the weather. I wake up at 2am and there is no snow outside and my weather app says that the snow isn’t going to start until 6am. I set an alarm for 5am and when I wake up there is no snow and the forecast is saying that the snow is coming later. I went ahead and get up. I thought about going for a run but I felt exhausted. Too much wine the night before and not enough sleep. I showered and take the bags to the car. Enzo gets up and we head to the airport. We get through baggage check, and security. There were so many people that I didn’t even get screened, they just waived me through.
Any benefit of that is all lost when I have to stand in line for 30 minutes to get coffee at Starbucks. And it was shitty coffee, so watered down I was basically drinking hot water. Enzo and I ate our breakfast and watch a plane come into land. Travel complete we land in Phoenix! I thought I would get a run in but I felt bad to tell me family that I had to leave for a run when they wanted to hang out with me.
We are here Phoenix!
Hey Phoenix! What is up with this weather? I came here for a tan!
Sunday 3/14
There is no saving my mileage for the week so I just head out and figure I will run what I run. Almost immediately I have a major side cramp. Like so bad, that I tell myself to het to 5 miles and if it isn’t better, I will quit and just go to yoga. Around mile 4 the cramp goes away. I run some of my favorite weekend route. When I get to the canal on 3rd Avenue (this makes sense to Phoenix peeps). I start running west and realize they city has artists doing a mural project, so I ran past 15th street, which is further than I have gone before, because I am enjoying the murals.
I turn and go back on the canal. I am thinking maybe I will go for 30 miles, but somewhere right after 10 miles I start having a pounding a headache. The headache will feel unbearable and then feel better and then feel unbearable again. I have a feeling it is because I am dehydrated from traveling the day before. I run everything as a depletion run so I don’t have any water or food with me. I talk myself into 20 miles, but as I get closer to that number, I start trying to talk myself into a little more. I was hoping to get to 25 but decided to settle for 23 miles. When Enzo asked how far I had run, and I said 23 he said, “isn’t it funny that some people have to train all year for that, and you just go out a decided to run that amount.” I mean that is only sort of true, but I see what he means.
I went out for drinks and appetizers with a friend in the evening and we sat on the patio. It was a lovely evening. Then we had Blaze Pizza for dinner. My tour of Phoenix food is beginning.
There is no saving my mileage for the week so I just head out and figure I will run what I run. Almost immediately I have a major side cramp. Like so bad, that I tell myself to het to 5 miles and if it isn’t better, I will quit and just go to yoga. Around mile 4 the cramp goes away. I run some of my favorite weekend route. When I get to the canal on 3rd Avenue (this makes sense to Phoenix peeps). I start running west and realize they city has artists doing a mural project, so I ran past 15th street, which is further than I have gone before, because I am enjoying the murals.
I turn and go back on the canal. I am thinking maybe I will go for 30 miles, but somewhere right after 10 miles I start having a pounding a headache. The headache will feel unbearable and then feel better and then feel unbearable again. I have a feeling it is because I am dehydrated from traveling the day before. I run everything as a depletion run so I don’t have any water or food with me. I talk myself into 20 miles, but as I get closer to that number, I start trying to talk myself into a little more. I was hoping to get to 25 but decided to settle for 23 miles. When Enzo asked how far I had run, and I said 23 he said, “isn’t it funny that some people have to train all year for that, and you just go out a decided to run that amount.” I mean that is only sort of true, but I see what he means.
I went out for drinks and appetizers with a friend in the evening and we sat on the patio. It was a lovely evening. Then we had Blaze Pizza for dinner. My tour of Phoenix food is beginning.
This is SOOOOO Phoenix! And Enzo aspires to be this man. And yes, the dog got a pupicinio!
