Some memories popped up from a year ago, and wow- it was a very very stressful time in my life 🙈!

I was living apart from Conor, who had accepted a coaching job up in Nebraska. I was having to relearn how to take care of myself- cooking meals, getting groceries, and sleeping alone.

I also had a lot of personal things going on and deadlines I had to meet 🫠. It caused me so much anxiety, lack of sleep, and tested my emotions. It feels like a small miracle that I got the help and support I needed!

A year later, I can say I’m in a much, much better place with my personal health and wellbeing and so is Conor. He returned home at Christmas and decided to stay here so we could take care of each other and figure out our way forward together 💕.

Our relationship and love for each other is as strong as it’s ever been 😘. We reached 25 years together this summer!

I think we can “tolerate” living apart temporarily, but we are soooo much better together. I don’t like being upset with each other and not being able to work things out in person or show each other love and affection. It dysregulates me too much. I’m an affectionate and caring person 💕.

We enjoy each other’s daily company, and I think that’s so important when finding a life partner 👩🏼‍🤝‍👨🏻. Like Conor says, “Happy wife, happy life!”

I struggle with being alone. I’ve done training stints and traveled alone, but I do so much better when Conor is with me. We’ve even talked about the future and how if I ever found myself on my own, I hope I’d eventually find another significant other to share life with.

As for my running career, Conor is semi-retired as my crew chief. It’s a journey for him too, and I never want him to feel like he has to support my running if he’s not happy doing it. I have to figure out how to do things alone/self-supported or find local support when I need it.

I’m finding my way to keep going 🏃‍♀️💕!

📷: 2020 Black Canyon 100km