Heading Home.

I still feel like a visitor in ECC. Even though I bought a house (which is finally, 18 months later, in nearly livable condition), and have been working here for two and a half years and establishing a career. I’ve explored my new city and started a new relationship and all of the things that one does to be settled in a place. And I still don’t feel at home here. I feel like a visitor. I wonder if anywhere but Seattle and St. Louis will ever feel like home.

But I’m going back to the last place I called home today. I’m returning to St. Louis for a few days, to check on the house I’m renting out and set up a couple of fixes. See friends I haven’t seen in a year. See my old therapist. Enjoy a few days off and rest.

Physically, I’m very tired right now. This weekend I ran 15.4 miles Saturday, and walked another 5. Then Sunday I rode 21 miles on my bike and then ran another 3.3 miles in the afternoon. All told, it was about four and a half hours of exercise in two days. Then, Monday, I ran 5.1 miles in a new pair of shoes. Unfortunately, they bugged my Morton’s neuroma. Hopefully new insoles will help. Putting everything together, I ran 23. miles and biked 25.0 miles in three days. It’s a lot.

BB is in Iceland, doing trail runs with a women’s group. The next few days will be the first days we haven’t spoken since we first met, more than 27 months ago. I’m sad, but I’m happy for her. I’m jealous as hell. But I’m also looking forward to the down-week in my training. The goal this week is another 5 miler Wednesday and a 13 miler on Saturday, which I will probably do Sunday due to my flying schedule.

The other big thing I’m looking forward to is my Men’s Meeting. God I miss those assholes. It’s going to be a good week.