Buckle up, this is a long one. Skim away! 🙂 I just want to ensure I document this week as it was a bit monumental to me.
And be forewarned, it ends with a political rant.
Monday. 6.9 miles easy, with 8×20 sec strides at the end
Personal training at Nordic Balance over lunch, upper body focused session.
Tuesday: Rest from running, personal training at Nordic Balance over lunch, lower body focused (with pull-up work as always.)
Wednesday: 9.2 miles before a flight from Heathrow to Minneapolis; with 3×2 miles at marathon effort.
Thursday: 11 miles on the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes! My old running routes.
With a few running friends at first, then solo.
Count only the sunny days!
Then a long full day of packing, ending with a dinner with friends at Rosalia in Linden Hills.
Friday: 4 mile run with Dustin: a loop of Bde Maka Ska, just like in the old times!
Then another full day of selling stuff on Facebook marketplace, giving stuff away to family and friends, packing, cleaning, more packing…
Saturday: 16 mile long run, the first half with a friend, then second half solo.
The humidity broke Friday night, and it was an absolutely perfect running day in Minneapolis. It was as though the city was trying to convince me to stay!
The movers came while I was on my run to take away some big items to storage (some furniture, all our art), but Dustin and my dad were there to manage the process, and we agreed at that point, I would just get in the way!
There was still a lot to do for the rest of the day before we went to stay at our friends’ Julie and Justin’s place in the neighborhood (by that point, our remaining bedroom set had been moved, so we had nowhere to sleep!)
We had a fun dinner at Hola Arepa and then stayed up late, drinking great wine and catching up. They have the sweetest chocolate lab named Prince who hung out with us as well!
Sunday: Dustin did his long run this morning and I ran 5 miles solo.
Then, more work at the house, before ending the day with a delicious dinner at Pizzeria Lola in South Minneapolis, (my favourite), with my sister and her family and my dad.
It was an early birthday celebration for my dad and a HUGE thank you dinner to him for all his help with the house. We could not have done it without him. He’s the handiest, hardest-working, most helpful dad I could ask for. I am so lucky to have him (and I know he reads this blog- THANK YOU DAD, I love you and you are the absolute best!)
If I had to guess my dad’s love language, its definitely acts of service. He showed me how much he loved me by helping us in so many ways, ways we didn’t even realize we would need.
Summary: 52 miles of running, 2 personal training sessions, lots of moving boxes and packing!
Monday: Dustin and I ran 7 miles together with some quicker miles in there, with a route to Cedar Lake. They don’t call it the City of Lakes for nothing- we have lots of lakes to choose from to run!
My dad departed back to Michigan (with a van full of stuff to deliver to my sisters!)
We were just about done at the house, so we decided to squeeze in an afternoon at the Minnesota State Fair. We hadn’t actually been to the Minnesota State Fair since 2019- pre-Covid! It was cancelled in 2020 (or maybe there was some sort of drive-through version) and then we weren’t comfortable going in 2021, and then we had moved to London by 2022.
It was SO magical and fun. If Minnesota wanted to convince us to stay in the US, they just needed to show us the Crop Art exhibit at the fair. It was honestly so heartwarming and amazing. Same with the Creative Activities (all the arts & crafts competitions. The BEST.)
This is just a small sample of all the pictures I took of the crop art. I just love it.
There were a lot of submissions for the crop art honouring Melissa Hortman and her family (and her dog that was also shot.) In fact, there were quite a few political submissions. Made me proud to be a Minnesotan.
And of course, there’s all the good food…
And the Minnesota state fair traditions like the Butter Busts!
Also the animal barns of course. Glad I’m pescatarian.
Can’t skip the giant slide!
Such a fun day and I’m so glad we could fit in a bit of time there.
We also had time to connect with our neighborhood bocce squad over the weekend. I miss those days…
Tuesday: I met up with my friends for one last run together; they went a bit shorter as they both had to work and I ended with a 10 mile run on the morning.
I ran into Dustin as well on the run and was able to capture the beautiful sky around Bde Maka Ska.
Later that morning, we had a charity come to pick up the remaining furniture and homegoods that we weren’t keeping, and then we did a final clean of the house. Time to bid farewell to the house we owned for 17 (!!!) years…
We had an 11 pm flight from Minneapolis to Heathrow, so we were able to squeeze in dinner on at Mothership before making our way to the airport. Yes, we did eat a lot of pizza while back in Minneapolis!
It was a very busy trip; I knew we had a lot of stuff, but we are not hoarders or anything like that! We just did not do a great job of clearing things out when we moved to London, as we always assumed we would just move back to the same house.
One part that really breaks my heart is that my mural in my treadmill room will be painted over by the new owners.
My friend Angela painted it, and it was so perfect; its the Minneapolis skyline, with the chain of lakes we ran every day, with our house, the church where we got married, the club where our run club would meet, and then a small picture of Matilda, Dustin, and me running around Lake Harriet in the bottom right.
That was a tough one to say goodbye to…..in fact, there were so many reminders of Matilda at our house- dog beds, dog crates, dog toys, and more. Fortunately we found a shelter that would take most of it (and some of the dog beds went to friends and family.)
Back to London.
I really struggle coming back this direction vs. going to the US, with regards to jet lag and fatigue.
I felt like I was in a daze on Wednesday as we unpacked the SIX (!!!) suitcases of stuff we brought back. Wednesday was most definitely a rest day…
Thursday: Another rest day from running. I was exhausted. I did fit in personal training over lunch at Nordic Balance (and WOW, I lost a lot of strength in just a week…) and ended up being at the office until nearly 10 pm after being off of work a week.
Rough return to reality- and it wasn’t even a “fun” time away…
Friday: Finally back to running, but London was London’ing and it was pouring rain for my 6.5 mile pre-work run.
The weather did get better later in the day, and we received word from our agent back in Minneapolis that everything went well with the final walk-through and we are officially closed. Time for a celebratory pint!
Saturday: Taper long run, 12 miles on a brilliant London morning with friends.
Then I went to get an anti-aging treatment/facial at my favourite spa, followed by a sports massage (and a bonus 15 min foot massage.) Self-care after a stressful time!
Sunday: Dustin and I plan to run with Ruth as long as the weather is okay, and then I’m booked in for some lap swimming at the Parliament Lido.
Summary: Under 40 miles of running, 1 personal training session.
After an emotional week back in Minneapolis, seeing friends and family, clearing out 17 years of memories from a house we “built” together, I was feeling so nostalgic for Minneapolis…only to land in London to hear about the tragic shooting at Annunciation School and Church in South Minneapolis. I have very strong opinions about gun control, particularly assault rifles. It breaks my heart to hear the stories from the same friends and family that I just visited, from teachers, families with kids at the school, and more, who were impacted by this sad event. There is no need for any civilian to own an assault rifle. Period. This uniquely American tragedy keeps happening and nothing is changing with gun policy. I fear for my loved ones and my heart is so, so heavy.
I could go on, but this measly blog with >100 readers is not going to change anyone’s opinion, is it? Heartbreaking.
So I’ll wrap this up as I always do….
I’m linking up with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner; check out their blogs to connect with other fitness bloggers for workout ideas and inspiration.
How good for you to get back and deal with the house and stuff. Such things can be so stressful. I’m sorry to hear about the shooting in Minneapolis. I hadn’t heard of it, and sadly, honestly I barely react to American shootings anymore because it’s like it happens every week. I’m sad to feel this way because behind every shooting there’s tragedy and grieving families. I couldn’t agree more about gun control – it’s just insane that this keeps going on and seems so normalised. As for losing strength – don’t you think it can be mostly because of… Read more »
It’s so sad that most people barely react since there are SO many shootings…and at SCHOOLS with little kids dying. I don’t understand how we are making massive changes but are letting this continue to happen.
You were probably right about losing strength- fatigue etc. But I do think I have to be really consistent with pull-ups or I seem to regress quickly!
What a great, though emotional, trip back to your stomping grounds. It’s nice you were able to hit the state fair, good timing! That crop art is pretty amazing,
Yes, good timing to be able to fit in the fair!
I am sure it was bittersweet to return back and sell your home. Looks like you made the best of your time there and saw lots of friends, visited some of your fave places and spent time with your dad. That is neat art too! Agree its harder jet lag wise to go east
It was so wonderful to have my dad’s help.
It looks like you had such a nice trip home! I’m sure it was emotional to pack everything up. Glad you got in some nice time to enjoy some of your old favorite spots and see some familiar faces and loved ones.
Thanks Melissa.
It sounds like a bittersweet trip to MN for many reasons. My Dad also showed love with “acts of service” as does my husband — and my kids are appreciating that now. <3
I am so sick of the lack of action on rationale gun regulation, and now the irrational “investigation” into other “causes” for this particular shooting.
100% agree…how did we let this just become “normal” for little kids to be shot at school…
Wow, what an emotional time for you. Hey, you never know- maybe the new owners will keep the mural! I know I would if I were them.
So are you planning to stay in London permanently? My son and his girlfriend are talking about the possibility of living in Europe when they’re done with school. Yes, it would be great to live somewhere where kids aren’t routinely mowed down with assault rifles. Anyway…
Sounds like you had lots of great runs this week. Onward to the Dingle marathon!
Nothing is permanent! But my husband is localized now (I always have been, he was an expat before, or a US employee on a 3 year contract. Now he is a UK employee and we lost the housing benefits we had with the expat contract so doesn’t make sense to keep our house!)
I can see how this would be such an emotional trip for you – packing up and seeing friends again! I bet that was so fun to see everyone and run through your old stomping grounds again. And your Dad – how wonderful. My Dad was also a great handyman and could fix pretty much anything. I do miss him a lot!!
We are heading to the fair this week. I love all of the art exhibitions. People are very creative and skilled with crop art. Wow!
It was emotional; I feel really lucky to have a helpful and handy dad.
What a great trip home. I love the picture of your dad with the ice cream. Crop art? Very fascinating.
Almost marathon time. Well that went fast.
It was a great trip home- but can I call it “home” anymore?
You know I feel strongly about gun control as well. I’m not anti-gun, but it’s way too easy to buy a gun here. And you are right about assault rifles.
Such an emotional trip back to Minneapolis! But in a way, do you feel more settled now, knowing that you are making a life in London?
I do feel more settled and it was very good to go through everything at the house and close that chapter.
How fun (but incredibly exhausting) to be back in Minnesota as you closed that chapter. I know leaving the mural in your treadmill room had to be difficult. I always loved seeing it in your indoor running pictures.
I’ve never been to a big state fair, but think I’d love it! That crop art is really cool.
Fun and exhausting is right!
I 100% agree with you on the gun control. It has been a very heavy week, indeed, in the Twin Cities.
Heartbreaking.
I agree with you 100%. Every day A goes off to school, there is just this little kernel of worry in the back of my brain about the what ifs. The fact that this country cares more about guns than children is nauseating.
There will be so much to miss about your old home, but your new life looks pretty amazing. Best of luck to you as you continue in this journey.
I can’t imagine what its like to be a parent. It must be so hard knowing that this sort of tragedy keeps happening in schools which are meant to be a ‘safe’ space.
An emotional trip, I’m glad you got so many friends and sights in. That crop art is amazing! And it does help to talk about the political stuff sometimes, it reminds us there are good people who think in kind ways still.
Thanks LIz.