26.2 pride

btw...I finally let Dustin put a 26.2 sticker on my car last week. I have been wanting one so badly but I didn't really feel like I deserved it. I have run many long distance races, but I am no Kara Goucher. I think I was waiting to do something great with running. I realized that it is the love of and interest in running that make a 26.2 sticker appropriate for my car. I always knew that, but I hadn't felt it.
I LOVE my new sticker :)
And...Dustin has a matching one. How cute is that :)
~Aimee

Running to Iowa

Ran to Iowa today. Actually the border is only about 1.5 miles from my dorm room but it sounds way cool to say that I ran to another state and back before class this morning. :) I did 11 miles and ran one of my best pace's since we started training for Chicago. I think that was partly due to the cold front. It was only 66 degrees this morning which doesn't seem very cool but compared to what I have been running in (77-80) it makes a big difference in the ease of the run.
I think I am going to get to run with some classmates over the weekend. Saturday I am going to run an easy 5, but Sunday I am going to the trail with Emese to run 15. It will be good to have someone else on the trail with me! Other classmates have talked about coming too - yay! I have been missing morning runs with them because of the mileage I have to do. Maybe next year I won't be training and I will be able to join them. So far Creighton has been great. The work is a bit overwhelming right now, but the people in my distance program seem stellar. I think we are going to have a really cohesive group. We are going to need the support over the next 4 years for sure!
~Aimee

I'm back, I think

Hello all! I have recently emerged from my "studying cave" as I have finally completed my prerequisite work for pharmacy school! Actually, I am already here getting started. Dustin has blogged about losing his running buddy, but I promise it is more difficult on me! I miss having him on a run with me! In addition, if like me you didn't know, Omaha is actually a decent-sized city and of course Creighton is right next to the dangerous part downtown. Awesome. I have been told not to run unless there is sunlight and to run in groups always. Well, not too many people need to run 30+ miles like I do, and I don't have much time between sunrise and an 8:00 class start. :( I actually got out today and ran about 7 miles or so (of the 8 tempo run I was supposed to do). It wasn't anything amazing, but I was glad to get an hour of running in! I have a feeling my mileage is going to suffer over the next two weeks. I will try my best to get in the miles, but my safety comes first so I won't be running anytime it is dark!
~Aimee

Aimee @ Creighton

With Aimee gone to Creighton for the next two weeks, we will be completing weeks 2 and 3 of our Chicago Marathon training separately. This is the first time we have been running completely separate in a while. The good news for Aimee is the number of trails in the Omaha, NE are will give her plenty of new runs and she has also found some other girls to run with. I, however, will be running completely solo. It is even too hot for Marlie to come along (just not enough water stops on longer runs).

With one week down in training, we ran 35 miles last week and a had a long run of 13 miles. The heat continues to be an issue as we are struggling finding any time of the day that is somewhat cool. We even ran our 13 miler at 4:30 am and had no relief. I have done some reading about the drop in your running time once the temperature climbs over 65 and since its 70-75 when we run in the morning without heat index I have noticed. Our times seem discouraging but we keep in mind the conditions we are running under and look forward to cooler temperatures and decreased paces. With school, football, and cross country only 3 weeks away and Aimee starting a Pharmacy school we know challenges are ahead but look forward to everyday.

The Anniversary Run

Today, well actually Saturday the 17th, was our 6th wedding anniversary. Unlike last year where we were running on the treadmills in beautiful Jamaica, we were running in the awesome MO summer! So, not quite the most romantic change of scenery, but we were together. This was our first long run over 10 miles in training for the Chicago Marathon and we were able to join TWV for this one.

For the past several weeks we have been doing one hill run per week out on Plainview and wouldn't you know it, the planned long run for TWV was out on Plainview! We were very excited. Not to mention the ever increasing heat and humidity that has plagued the area this past week. We are glad to report that we did better than expected though on our 12 mile run and our confidence is steadily increasing. Over the next two weeks we will be challenged not only by the heat (high 70's for overnight low), but also by Aimee attending her first two weeks of Pharmacy school in Creighton. Not being able to run together will be tough, but the separation will be even more difficult. I miss her already.

Below is a picture of the Awesome Running Weather.

~Dustin

Running Update

So for the past two weeks I was living in a TNT Fireworks tent. This made running difficult when there was no one around to watch the tent while I was out running. So, I only went on two runs during this time (9 and 6 miles) on about a one mile stretch in front of the tent so I could pass by every few minutes.

Since returning home on Monday, I have gotten back into the routine. Aimee and I are only 14 weeks out from Chicago! This week we have completed our normal Tuesday morning Team World Vision 5 mile run, a 5 mile hill run on Wednesday, and today we did an 8 mile (1-6-1) tempo. Not sure what the temp and humidity was this morning, but the humidity had to be 100% +. Never before have I had my shorts drip sweat when I finished a run. Kinda gross but it also lets me know how hard we are working to reach our goal. At least I don't have to deal with the 2 pound ponytail hanging from the back of my head like Aimee.

~Dustin