Another Road Trip

Last week, my wife and I put 1768 miles on her vehicle, as we drove back to Manhattan so she could walk in graduation ceremonies at K-State. I was excited for her, although not for all the windshield time. Ann, on the other hand, was more relieved than anything, as a five-year weight was lifted off her shoulders.

She picked me up at work Wednesday at 5 and we were on our way directly. Stopped in Olive Branch, Missippi (yes, I know that's not how it's spelled, but it *is* how it's pronounced in the South) for gas and to Jonesboro, Arkansas to stop for the night. We listen to a lot of podcasts on our trips, so the time goes by, and it was nice to listen to Cardinals/Astros when we drove through Memphis. Tuscaloosa is a dead zone for bseball on the radio, so I was excited even to listen to the Cardinal game, even though I had no vested interest.

We were on our way to KC by 8:30 next morning and got there by 3 or so, listening to more Cardinals baseball, though I didn't know there was also Royals game on. Wild thing is, the Royals fire their manager the same day we get to town. I thought it was spooky, anyway... Next morning, A got an early start, since she had logistics to tend to, and her mother, nephew and I headed for Manhappiness by 9:15. We went to our favorite restaurant, where the chili is as good as it has always has been, then to Bramlage for commencement. We had a great time seeing our friends and seeing the sights and consuming large quantities of chocolate milk, as we toasted the good doctor.

But as with most things, time travels too fast. Back to KC the next day for our niece's open house graduation thing. She's headed to KSU in the fall. We still think she's not a real teenager, since she's so (unusually) poised and thoughtful for a kid her age. We made it as far as West Plains, MO for the night. Pretty wild that we're starting to know this route from KS to Tuscaloosa so well. Got to listen to some of the Royals game on the way, though there was a rain delay and we were an hour further down the road (and further out of range) by the tme it came on. There's just something melodic and soothing about listening to Denny Mathews talk about a baseball game. We stuck it out as long as we could on the radio signal.

Her uncle Emory (whose wife Jean passed away in April) has a building named in his honor at Missouri State-West Plains, so we stopped for a photo op and then got back up the highway. It was cloudy most of the day, but the rain didn't unload on us until we were five minutes outside of Tuscaloosa. Made it tough getting the rest of the way, but I completely trust Ann driving.

So it was good to catch up with great friends, celebrate old times and get Ann graduated, and to listen to all our episodes of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me (our fave!). But it was also good to get home.

I use a Runner's World training plan for my running, and the 16-week plan I was on ran out a few weeks ago. Last week and this week I've been sort of winging it (21 miles two weeks ago, 12 last week and prob 21 this week on five runs) since then. But next week we ramp it back up, as we start a plan that gets me into the mid-30's for weekly mileage. Still looking hard at a winter marathon in Huntsville, Alabama. I feel great about my running these days, and my body reflects it.

And we're also trying to ramp up the job search. A spontaneous (announced 11 hours in advance) midnight training session, plus trying to explain to family what I'm up to kind of lends a little urgency to things. I'm not sitting on the couch eating ice cream and watching the Price is Right, but I expect more of myself, and it stings a little to tell folks what I'm doing.