Monday 3/15
My mom was meant to fly out of Denver, but due to the blizzard it’s not looking likely. We texted and chatted as I tried to help her figure out what to do. Her flight wasn’t canceled but there was no way she was flying out. Eventually her flight would be canceled and she would be able to fly out the next day.
Why have I never run through Moon Valley? I have thought about so many times, but for some reason it never happened. I headed out on one of my favorite runs and as I headed back to home I decided to turn and take a tour of Moon Valley. It was finishing with 16 miles and I felt really good about the pace. I slowed down a bit when I got to the trail and had to tell myself to just stop being a baby and just run fast on the trail. And I did. It was pretty perfect running weather.
I am back on weather watch. I am meant to fly into Denver on Sunday and then drive to Casper. It’s going to be raining in Denver and snowing in Casper. Light snow, but I will be driving in the late afternoon and evening and as the temperature drops, I don’t want to be stressed about icy roads. I might have to change my flight to Saturday to avoid the nasty weather. Ava asked me to what and see before I change my flight, and I said I would.
The tour of Phoenix food continues with dinner from Via Delosantos. It is so yummy!
Tuesday 3/16
Listen Phoenix, I didn’t come here for cold and wind. I have worn the same sweater every day since I got here because it’s the only sweater that I brought with me. I brought sundresses, light cardigans and flip flops! I headed out for a nice easy day. I was very happy to discover that that bathrooms at the park were open and even better, the water fountain is on! In Casper it is too cold for the water fountain to be on right now. I was close to home at 13 miles, but 14 miles would give me a nice even number for the last 2 days, so I ran in circles a bit to finish at 14 miles.
In the afternoon, Enzo and I went to do some shopping but were quickly annoyed by all the spring breakers. After one store we went home. Later I was feeling like I needed to visit a decent Target, so Enzo and I went but again, I wasn’t in the mood, so we were there about as long as it took to drive there.
Weather watch continues and it still isn’t looking good. Saturday the weather looks great. I hate to leave a day early, it’s so nice to see the kids, but the weather is stressing me out.
I needed a break from eating out, so we are having eggplant Parmesan tonight. There are so many meals that I miss because I live alone. When I give in to a craving and try to make a small amount of something I still end up eating for 4 meals, which gets annoying. Eggplant parmesian was one of the things I had been craving.
My mom was meant to fly out of Denver, but due to the blizzard it’s not looking likely. We texted and chatted as I tried to help her figure out what to do. Her flight wasn’t canceled but there was no way she was flying out. Eventually her flight would be canceled and she would be able to fly out the next day.
Why have I never run through Moon Valley? I have thought about so many times, but for some reason it never happened. I headed out on one of my favorite runs and as I headed back to home I decided to turn and take a tour of Moon Valley. It was finishing with 16 miles and I felt really good about the pace. I slowed down a bit when I got to the trail and had to tell myself to just stop being a baby and just run fast on the trail. And I did. It was pretty perfect running weather.
I am back on weather watch. I am meant to fly into Denver on Sunday and then drive to Casper. It’s going to be raining in Denver and snowing in Casper. Light snow, but I will be driving in the late afternoon and evening and as the temperature drops, I don’t want to be stressed about icy roads. I might have to change my flight to Saturday to avoid the nasty weather. Ava asked me to what and see before I change my flight, and I said I would.
The tour of Phoenix food continues with dinner from Via Delosantos. It is so yummy!
Tuesday 3/16
Listen Phoenix, I didn’t come here for cold and wind. I have worn the same sweater every day since I got here because it’s the only sweater that I brought with me. I brought sundresses, light cardigans and flip flops! I headed out for a nice easy day. I was very happy to discover that that bathrooms at the park were open and even better, the water fountain is on! In Casper it is too cold for the water fountain to be on right now. I was close to home at 13 miles, but 14 miles would give me a nice even number for the last 2 days, so I ran in circles a bit to finish at 14 miles.
In the afternoon, Enzo and I went to do some shopping but were quickly annoyed by all the spring breakers. After one store we went home. Later I was feeling like I needed to visit a decent Target, so Enzo and I went but again, I wasn’t in the mood, so we were there about as long as it took to drive there.
Weather watch continues and it still isn’t looking good. Saturday the weather looks great. I hate to leave a day early, it’s so nice to see the kids, but the weather is stressing me out.
I needed a break from eating out, so we are having eggplant Parmesan tonight. There are so many meals that I miss because I live alone. When I give in to a craving and try to make a small amount of something I still end up eating for 4 meals, which gets annoying. Eggplant parmesian was one of the things I had been craving.
I did not come to Phoenix for clouds, wind and cold!
Wednesday 3/17
When I leave the house without going poop, I always makes me a little nervous for how things are going to go during the run. And of course, the need to poop struck during the run. I thought I could make it the bathroom, but I was wrong. Good thing I know all the “private” spots on the canal. It was a doozie! I had to sacrifice a buff, but it was unavoidable. Worried about how things might turn out if I kept running, I headed towards home. I ended with 11 miles, which wasn’t the goal, but I at least I managed to avoid pooping my pants.
Enzo took a new job in Phoenix since we arrived and the other young man who lives with us had his car totaled on his way home from work yesterday. I am now sharing a car with two other people. That’s making it harder to go do the shopping I wanted to do while I am in Phoenix.
It was finally warm enough to get some sun and I spent some time in the morning laying in the sun. We (meaning Ana) made black bean tacos for dinner and they were amazing!
When I had done my long run I had seen the mural project on the canal. I had told Ava that she would love seeing this. On Wednesday she decided she was ready to leave the house and go out in public since it was an open space. She was a bit nervous when we first got there, it's been a while since she has been out in public. We walked along the canal and when we paused to watch some ducks in the canal, the ducks came to make friends with us. I guessed that they were looking for food, but even when we clearly had none, the ducks hung out right next to us for the longest time.
If you haven't seen the murals on the canal, you need to go check it out. It's amazing!
When I leave the house without going poop, I always makes me a little nervous for how things are going to go during the run. And of course, the need to poop struck during the run. I thought I could make it the bathroom, but I was wrong. Good thing I know all the “private” spots on the canal. It was a doozie! I had to sacrifice a buff, but it was unavoidable. Worried about how things might turn out if I kept running, I headed towards home. I ended with 11 miles, which wasn’t the goal, but I at least I managed to avoid pooping my pants.
Enzo took a new job in Phoenix since we arrived and the other young man who lives with us had his car totaled on his way home from work yesterday. I am now sharing a car with two other people. That’s making it harder to go do the shopping I wanted to do while I am in Phoenix.
It was finally warm enough to get some sun and I spent some time in the morning laying in the sun. We (meaning Ana) made black bean tacos for dinner and they were amazing!
When I had done my long run I had seen the mural project on the canal. I had told Ava that she would love seeing this. On Wednesday she decided she was ready to leave the house and go out in public since it was an open space. She was a bit nervous when we first got there, it's been a while since she has been out in public. We walked along the canal and when we paused to watch some ducks in the canal, the ducks came to make friends with us. I guessed that they were looking for food, but even when we clearly had none, the ducks hung out right next to us for the longest time.
If you haven't seen the murals on the canal, you need to go check it out. It's amazing!
These ducks stood right next to us for the longest time. It delighted us so much!
Thursday 3/18
I left the house thinking I would get my long run for the week done today. Wrong! I had zero energy and felt like terrible. I was just in no mood. When I got the bathroom, I realized why – I had started my period. Ugh! I made peace with the fact that I was going to feel like shit and I kept going the best I could. The good news is that I can feel crappy and still run a decent pace. I was able to talk myself into 14 miles before heading home to have coffee in the sunshine. With the snow in the forecast for the whole week afire I get back to Casper I am soaking up all the sun that I can!
Enzo and I did a little thrift store shopping in the afternoon. We had Flower Child for dinner. Flower Child is one of the places I miss so much! It was as delicious as always.
Friday 3/19
The plan was for today to by my long run. I left the house, and the weather was really nice. Piece of cake I was thinking. Since this will be my last day running in Phoenix, I wanted to run one of my favorite spots that I hadn’t been yet. I am about 6 miles in when my left foot starts hurting. It starts on the bottom but eventually is the whole of the front of my foot. This weird because yesterday it was my right foot that was hurting. I was worried the day before that my foot was going to break again. Today the pain is very reminiscent of when my foot broke. Not as intense, but it’s this indescribable bone pain. I reroute to head toward home, but it isn’t going to be a quick trip home. I am three to four miles from my house. But after about two miles of running, I went from being worried about running on my foot to no pain. Okay, so I guess I will keep running. Whatever.
The morning warmed up and I pulled my top off to run in my sports bra. I ended up with 15 miles because Brandi and I were meant to be meeting and I wasn’t exactly sure what the plan was for the day. I ended up having plenty of time and could have run more, but it was probably better for my foot for me to be off of it. I ended up spending the morning soaking in the sun. A friend from work texted to jokingly ask if I was coming back? I said no way and sent her a picture of me enjoying my coffee in the backyard with sun shining bright.
I went out with Brandi and we went for Nekter smoothies. We used to go get these pink flamingo smoothies all the time when she I went to yoga regularly. We did some shopping for her new apartment and got caught up on her life.
When I got home, Enzo was gone with the car, Norm texted he was going to be late, and I had no way to get the food we wanted for dinner from Whole Foods. We ended up ordering Via again. Too bad there isn’t a juice bar in Casper because I might need a cleanse after this trip! I was meant to have dinner with Hayley, but I canceled since this was going to be my last night in Phoenix. I had thought I might meet her for a drink but since I didn’t have a car that wasn’t really an option. It’s my last night in town and I didn’t get to see my friend, my husband was coming home late, and I am feeling very frustrated.
I left the house thinking I would get my long run for the week done today. Wrong! I had zero energy and felt like terrible. I was just in no mood. When I got the bathroom, I realized why – I had started my period. Ugh! I made peace with the fact that I was going to feel like shit and I kept going the best I could. The good news is that I can feel crappy and still run a decent pace. I was able to talk myself into 14 miles before heading home to have coffee in the sunshine. With the snow in the forecast for the whole week afire I get back to Casper I am soaking up all the sun that I can!
Enzo and I did a little thrift store shopping in the afternoon. We had Flower Child for dinner. Flower Child is one of the places I miss so much! It was as delicious as always.
Friday 3/19
The plan was for today to by my long run. I left the house, and the weather was really nice. Piece of cake I was thinking. Since this will be my last day running in Phoenix, I wanted to run one of my favorite spots that I hadn’t been yet. I am about 6 miles in when my left foot starts hurting. It starts on the bottom but eventually is the whole of the front of my foot. This weird because yesterday it was my right foot that was hurting. I was worried the day before that my foot was going to break again. Today the pain is very reminiscent of when my foot broke. Not as intense, but it’s this indescribable bone pain. I reroute to head toward home, but it isn’t going to be a quick trip home. I am three to four miles from my house. But after about two miles of running, I went from being worried about running on my foot to no pain. Okay, so I guess I will keep running. Whatever.
The morning warmed up and I pulled my top off to run in my sports bra. I ended up with 15 miles because Brandi and I were meant to be meeting and I wasn’t exactly sure what the plan was for the day. I ended up having plenty of time and could have run more, but it was probably better for my foot for me to be off of it. I ended up spending the morning soaking in the sun. A friend from work texted to jokingly ask if I was coming back? I said no way and sent her a picture of me enjoying my coffee in the backyard with sun shining bright.
I went out with Brandi and we went for Nekter smoothies. We used to go get these pink flamingo smoothies all the time when she I went to yoga regularly. We did some shopping for her new apartment and got caught up on her life.
When I got home, Enzo was gone with the car, Norm texted he was going to be late, and I had no way to get the food we wanted for dinner from Whole Foods. We ended up ordering Via again. Too bad there isn’t a juice bar in Casper because I might need a cleanse after this trip! I was meant to have dinner with Hayley, but I canceled since this was going to be my last night in Phoenix. I had thought I might meet her for a drink but since I didn’t have a car that wasn’t really an option. It’s my last night in town and I didn’t get to see my friend, my husband was coming home late, and I am feeling very frustrated.
See that bruise? Grrr!
Soaking in as much sun as possible before I head back to eternal winter in Casper.
Saturday 3/20
Up early, well actually my normal wake up time at home, to get ready for the airport. I finish packing my bags. Norm is driving so slow to the airport. I am really trying to not criticize his driving in our last minutes together, but he is stressing me out about getting to the airport with enough time. I have to check bags and you never know what is going to happen in security.
I hear it a lot, “oh it must be so nice to live alone.” Sure, my house is never dirty or even messy. No one ever eats my leftovers (not that I ever have any because I mostly eat frozen dinners and a few veggies and some bread). But I would go back to my messy house if I could hang out my kids every day again. It’s actually pretty boring and lonely to live alone. Sure, I have met people here, but everyone else has a life, it’s not like when you are twenty. When you are young, most people don’t have husbands and kids, so they are always game to do something. I tried flying home every month but that was costing me a ton of money. But it also makes me a little bitter. Maybe I don’t always want to go home. Maybe sometimes I want to do something else. Plus, it’s always a bit of a bummer to then come back to Casper and be by myself again. My marriage is definitely not benefitting from spending less time together. But I live my job and it’s a good job and Phoenix isn’t offering that. I am not willing to go back to being poor and struggling to live in Phoenix. A tenure track job was the dream, the dream just didn’t also involve me being alone.
I arrive in Denver. If you haven’t been traveling and you are thinking about it, be advised that no one is staying socially distant. It almost felt safer to be traveling when the pandemic was worse. Flights weren’t as full and people were more careful about distance in the airport. I get to my car and it’s still early so I think about stopping for groceries in Denver so I won’t have to do it in Casper. Plan foiled by an accident that has closed I-25 (the highway that goes from Denver to Casper) right outside of Denver at about Loveland. I am being detoured and since I don’t know the area and I am just following the people in front of me. After adding about an hour to my trip home I am on the road to Casper. The roads are clear, but wet from the melting snow.
When I get to Casper, it is mounds of snow that have been plowed and pushed to the sides and middle of roads. Some taller than me. The one in the grocery store parking lot was at least 8 feet tall. My Starbucks barista asks if I am enjoying the weather (it is pretty nice in Casper today) and I say, “No, I just got in from Phoenix.” The barista feels sad for both of to be here and not there. I start dragging my bags to the apartment. The alley is what I call “a river runs through it.” I throw the bags in my room and head to the grocery store. Snow is coming this evening (and all week) and no groceries in this house. I had heard the stores were pretty empty, but except for banana’s (odd?) the shelves seem good to me. I honestly didn’t even know what I bought. I was just throwing things in the cart. I usually have a bit of a plan and buy a week at a time, but I think I bought 2 weeks
worth of food.
Walking back to the apartment I consider going for a run. It’s mid 50’s and no wind. And I know it’s going to start snowing in a few hours. But by the time I get to the apartment and put groceries away I am feeling hungry. I am also unsure when the sun will set since daylight savings happened while I was gone.
And maybe I should rest my foot after the weird foot pain and bruise from the day before.
I eat dinner, drink wine, don’t unpack, and as I go to bed, it starts snowing.
Up early, well actually my normal wake up time at home, to get ready for the airport. I finish packing my bags. Norm is driving so slow to the airport. I am really trying to not criticize his driving in our last minutes together, but he is stressing me out about getting to the airport with enough time. I have to check bags and you never know what is going to happen in security.
I hear it a lot, “oh it must be so nice to live alone.” Sure, my house is never dirty or even messy. No one ever eats my leftovers (not that I ever have any because I mostly eat frozen dinners and a few veggies and some bread). But I would go back to my messy house if I could hang out my kids every day again. It’s actually pretty boring and lonely to live alone. Sure, I have met people here, but everyone else has a life, it’s not like when you are twenty. When you are young, most people don’t have husbands and kids, so they are always game to do something. I tried flying home every month but that was costing me a ton of money. But it also makes me a little bitter. Maybe I don’t always want to go home. Maybe sometimes I want to do something else. Plus, it’s always a bit of a bummer to then come back to Casper and be by myself again. My marriage is definitely not benefitting from spending less time together. But I live my job and it’s a good job and Phoenix isn’t offering that. I am not willing to go back to being poor and struggling to live in Phoenix. A tenure track job was the dream, the dream just didn’t also involve me being alone.
I arrive in Denver. If you haven’t been traveling and you are thinking about it, be advised that no one is staying socially distant. It almost felt safer to be traveling when the pandemic was worse. Flights weren’t as full and people were more careful about distance in the airport. I get to my car and it’s still early so I think about stopping for groceries in Denver so I won’t have to do it in Casper. Plan foiled by an accident that has closed I-25 (the highway that goes from Denver to Casper) right outside of Denver at about Loveland. I am being detoured and since I don’t know the area and I am just following the people in front of me. After adding about an hour to my trip home I am on the road to Casper. The roads are clear, but wet from the melting snow.
When I get to Casper, it is mounds of snow that have been plowed and pushed to the sides and middle of roads. Some taller than me. The one in the grocery store parking lot was at least 8 feet tall. My Starbucks barista asks if I am enjoying the weather (it is pretty nice in Casper today) and I say, “No, I just got in from Phoenix.” The barista feels sad for both of to be here and not there. I start dragging my bags to the apartment. The alley is what I call “a river runs through it.” I throw the bags in my room and head to the grocery store. Snow is coming this evening (and all week) and no groceries in this house. I had heard the stores were pretty empty, but except for banana’s (odd?) the shelves seem good to me. I honestly didn’t even know what I bought. I was just throwing things in the cart. I usually have a bit of a plan and buy a week at a time, but I think I bought 2 weeks
worth of food.
Walking back to the apartment I consider going for a run. It’s mid 50’s and no wind. And I know it’s going to start snowing in a few hours. But by the time I get to the apartment and put groceries away I am feeling hungry. I am also unsure when the sun will set since daylight savings happened while I was gone.
And maybe I should rest my foot after the weird foot pain and bruise from the day before.
I eat dinner, drink wine, don’t unpack, and as I go to bed, it starts snowing.
The delay in getting back to Casper. Yikes!
When they clear the streets, these mountains develop in the middle of the street.
Sunday 3/21
I woke up in the middle of the night and in my half asleep confusion was trying to find Norm’s hand next to me. See, this is why I hate the going back and forth.
I slept in pretty late for me, but also Casper is now an hour ahead of what I am used to… I really hate time change. Another thing to love about Phoenix, no time change to deal with. It’s still snowing when I get up. I want to go for a run later in the day, but I am not sure what my options are. When I drove into town yesterday I could see that the path I use all the time is covered in snow. If I go out, I will wait until late in the day because the traffic will be greatly reduced and also hopefully some of the snow will be cleared or melted. But the odds of me getting out the door are not good. It feels like it doesn’t matter since I have decided to skip the 50 mile race I have planned at the end of April because I don’t want to spend a $1000 for travel, hotel and rental car. If the weather forecast is to be believed, I just have to get through this week and then the snow should end, the temps should go up, and the sun will come out! But that could all be false and my training could go to shit again.
I did unpack and start laundry. I have a ton of things I could be doing, but I have zero motivation. I feel tired, like I could nap even though I slept about 10 hours. I tried napping, but I never fell asleep. In the afternoon I watched the movie I’m Thinking of Ending Things. Possibly the worst movie I have ever seen.
I am pleased to announce that I got out the door for a run. I had told myself that if I just got 5 miles done I would be happy. But it was so beautiful out that I ended up with 13 miles. I kinda wanted to keep running, but I wasn’t sure how much daylight I had left as it was almost 6:30pm when I got back to my apartment. I was really happy to see that most of the pedestrian path had been cleared. It was strange that it would randomly not be cleared. A few times I had to walk through some deep snow, but mostly it was amazing. I was running in shorts and a long sleeve top and I was perfectly warm. I am so glad that I didn’t try to deal with the snow this morning,
My foot did hurt a bit at mile three and I thought I was going to have to head back home. I turned and started back towards home but then there was no foot pain. I decided to keep running and my foot felt fine. When I got home and took off my shoe, my foot looked a little swollen. The bruise is still there. Is it worse? I am not sure. I ice my foot and Google stress fracture on top of foot. The picture of bruises looks just like mine. But I don’t have any pain when I touch it or when I walk. And only a small amount of temporary pain when running. I feel like I probably should just stay off of it. Unfortunately, like most runners my thought process is pretend it isn’t happening until you can’t pretend any more.
I woke up in the middle of the night and in my half asleep confusion was trying to find Norm’s hand next to me. See, this is why I hate the going back and forth.
I slept in pretty late for me, but also Casper is now an hour ahead of what I am used to… I really hate time change. Another thing to love about Phoenix, no time change to deal with. It’s still snowing when I get up. I want to go for a run later in the day, but I am not sure what my options are. When I drove into town yesterday I could see that the path I use all the time is covered in snow. If I go out, I will wait until late in the day because the traffic will be greatly reduced and also hopefully some of the snow will be cleared or melted. But the odds of me getting out the door are not good. It feels like it doesn’t matter since I have decided to skip the 50 mile race I have planned at the end of April because I don’t want to spend a $1000 for travel, hotel and rental car. If the weather forecast is to be believed, I just have to get through this week and then the snow should end, the temps should go up, and the sun will come out! But that could all be false and my training could go to shit again.
I did unpack and start laundry. I have a ton of things I could be doing, but I have zero motivation. I feel tired, like I could nap even though I slept about 10 hours. I tried napping, but I never fell asleep. In the afternoon I watched the movie I’m Thinking of Ending Things. Possibly the worst movie I have ever seen.
I am pleased to announce that I got out the door for a run. I had told myself that if I just got 5 miles done I would be happy. But it was so beautiful out that I ended up with 13 miles. I kinda wanted to keep running, but I wasn’t sure how much daylight I had left as it was almost 6:30pm when I got back to my apartment. I was really happy to see that most of the pedestrian path had been cleared. It was strange that it would randomly not be cleared. A few times I had to walk through some deep snow, but mostly it was amazing. I was running in shorts and a long sleeve top and I was perfectly warm. I am so glad that I didn’t try to deal with the snow this morning,
My foot did hurt a bit at mile three and I thought I was going to have to head back home. I turned and started back towards home but then there was no foot pain. I decided to keep running and my foot felt fine. When I got home and took off my shoe, my foot looked a little swollen. The bruise is still there. Is it worse? I am not sure. I ice my foot and Google stress fracture on top of foot. The picture of bruises looks just like mine. But I don’t have any pain when I touch it or when I walk. And only a small amount of temporary pain when running. I feel like I probably should just stay off of it. Unfortunately, like most runners my thought process is pretend it isn’t happening until you can’t pretend any more.
It's snowing again. It's not as enchanting as it was 5 months ago.
