August 200

So we finished the month of August with 210 miles! This makes our best calendar month of running ever. Even though we did not run everyday, that comes out to 6.77 miles per day for the month. Now I have to keep this in perspective because some people knock out over 100 miles per week, but they are probably getting paid to run. I am just extra excited since I know we put in so much of this mileage during this super hot month. Even though I do not want summer to go away I am looking forward to the cooler temps as we close in on Chicago and the opportunities to get in good, quality, fast runs are slowly dwindling.

We still have the full month of September to go, but with school in full swing, cross country, and football officiating, we seems to be seeing less of each other, more time away from home, and difficulties getting runs in (at least when we are fully rested).

A few weeks ago I turned 30 and Aimee and I had the opportunity to go see my beloved Braves in Atlanta for my birthday weekend. I am glad to report that after ending my 3rd full decade and beginning my 4th, my knees kept bending and my legs did not fall off. The best part about being 30 is I now find myself at the young end of the age category for awards in all runs and no longer at the high end. Hopefully my medal count will increase over the next year or so! Bad news, my Boston Qualifying time remains the same until I turn 35. Something to look forward to I guess.

Speed Work

This morning we ran to MSU and back for our 10 mile run with 5 x 1000 meter sprints. It was a very nice temperature. In fact, I would love this weather to last another month! For Missouri, that is asking a lot! We may have a snow storm AND a heat wave before October comes :).
Then the low temp needs to drop in the 50's. In my opinion that is the best running and racing weather.
This morning Dustin and I got tummy aches during our run. I thought maybe we were running too fast for our intestines to keep up, but Dustin thinks it might have been the spicy salsa with chips, enchiladas, and corona dinner we ate last night. But it was oh so good! I would do it again :)
~ Aimee

Ice Bath

Just in case you were wondering, I found the largest natural ice bath in the area on Saturday. LAKE TANEYCOMO!!!

On our walk

Dustin and I took a short walk this evening and we got to talking about, you guessed it, training. We brought up the fact that, besides our two 20 mile runs, Saturday was our longest run. We are almost over the tough hump! Saturday's run really wasn't that bad. It was super hot but we split up the run which made it seem shorter. D and I ran the first 5 miles together and then he ran 8 with Russ and I ran 3 with Danny, both Team World Vision teammates. We finished the final part on our own. Any distraction or splitting of the run is cool with me!
I also did some anti-bonking research on the computer today. It got me excited about the race. My goals include 1. starting out slow, and 2. taking in water and carbs consistently throughout the race, even if I feel like one more sip of Gatorade will make me puke. I would really like to keep my mental strength strong through the finish. Towards the end I know I will be in pain but I have to tell my body to keep going! If it were easy, anyone would do it!
I have a more positive outlook on the race now. I will do my best to keep it!!!!
~Aimee

Sunshine Run

The St. John's Sunshine run is scheduled for October 9th, one week before the Washam 5K. You can run a 1 mile, 5K, or 10K race. We try to run this race every year but this year we will be in Chi town for the Chicago marathon the next day. Maybe you should drink beer after the Sunshine Run to help train for the Washam 5K and post party the next week. PR's are welcome :)
~Aimee

Washam 5K registration

I just finished the 2010 Washam 5K registration form and I am super excited. I will have D take a look at it and send it out first week of September. The race is 2 months away as of tomorrow (which is plenty of time to train if you haven't started already). I can't wait!!!!!
~Aimee

Stickin' with the schedule

After looking at the advanced training schedule we are following, I noticed that we only have two 20 mile runs, 3 midweek 12 mile runs, and a handful of 10-11 mile runs. I didn't realize that we are only 7 weeks out!!! The last two weeks of marathon training are taper, so really that is 5 weeks of hard work. Plus we have some track sessions coming up which always break up the run. (Geez, I never thought I would look forward to sprints, but I do during marathon training) I think I will stick to the advanced training schedule, and just run at a slower pace than Dustin. It won't kill me, right?? :)
~Aimee

It's time

It's time for Dustin and I to start running separately. We had planned this from the beginning, but now that we are here its a little sad. My fast pace is Dustin's slow pace, which makes it difficult for him to feel ready for the pace he needs to run on rest day. I ran by myself for years before I met Dustin, but now it feels different. Part of my is a bit upset that I can't run fast enough. I have come to the realization that different people run at different paces and that I will never run a 3:10 marathon like Dustin can. I do believe that I haven't performed to the best of my ability in a marathon and I don't know if I ever will but I will never be able to truly keep up with D. He makes running fast so effortless!
As I was running an easy 5 this morning (slower than I have ran in 3 years) I thought to myself, "If I am going to be running on my own, and I'm not trying to qualify for Boston, they why the heck am I running an advanced training program???" I looked up Hal Higdon's training program and even his advanced program seems better. The weekend runs are just as long but at least I won't be running, for example, 12 miles on a Thursday (tomorrow's run). Maybe a few more middle distance runs will help me get my enthusiasm back. I need it!
~Aimee

What a difference 10 degrees makes!

This morning (12 miles)was the first time we have stepped out of the house to cooler temps instead of the blanket of heat and humidity. Throughout the run we were talking and joking around - it was just so much more enjoyable. Dustin noted that it seemed like such an easier run. Come Fall, come!
I absolutely love fall! It is one of Missouri's best weather traits. It seems like the last few years it has gone straight from summer to winter in Springfield (and then again from winter to summer) and I have missed out on a long season of t-shirts and jeans, bonfires, the Washam 5K, pumpkin pie concretes,colored leaves, chilly evenings/mornings, hangin on the back porch, and all those other things you do in the fall. I hope this fall lasts a long time!
We saw Justin riding his bike on the trail. Justin - Dustin thinks you're crazy for wearing long sleeves. It's not that cool yet! :P
~Aimee

When the going gets tough...the weak back off :)

Thursday I decided that I wasn't going to worry about qualifying for Boston anymore. I still plan to run the Chicago Marathon, but I am just going to run it for completion, not for time. If the weather starts to get cooler and my times start to drop again then I will think about working towards a PR.

Friday we ran 17 miles and it was really nice. I didn't stress the night before and I didn't feel like a failure/loser for running 1-2 minutes slower per mile than expected. I sent Dustin on because I wanted him to finish with a decent time without me and I just ran along the route without a care in the world. It felt great - just like old times :)

I don't know about other female marathon runners, but it is mentally stressful for me to train for the full marathon. I try to be mentally tough, and I can normally shake it by about a month before the race, but before that I really struggle. I think I will really chill out now that I have taken the pressure off!

Tonight I ran 5 miles in the evening. It was warm but there was an occasional breeze. It was a really nice ending to my day! Looking forward to the week ahead...

End of A Decade

August 12, 2010. The last day of my 20's. Where have the last 10 years gone? Wow! When I turned 20 the longest run I had ever done was the required 2 miles for making the baseball team. I don't remember how long it took, but I know I made it in time. Then, when I was in college I use to think cardio consisted of running from my dorm room to Plaster where the weight room was. I maybe use to do this once to twice a week. Looking back this run across campus was maybe 1/2 a mile. I eventually worked up to running "around the block" at SMS which was about 2 miles. I can also remember doing some track work @ Plaster that would consist of a 100m sprint 300m jog; 200m sprint 200m jog; 300m sprint 100m jog; and finally a 400m sprint. I thought I would die each time. Then I met Aimee......

So lets fast forward to 2003. Along comes Aimee and some weird desire to run in something called a Marathon. I use to look at running as most people probably do: a form of punishment, but not Aimee. She had ran cross country in high school and actually had this weird appreciation for running. Over the next two years we participated in a fitness center boot camp and my longest run increases to five miles (once!). After we get married in 2004 Aimee commits to a marathon in April of 2005 and I decide to join her. The rest is history. Now I have completed 8 marathons, qualified for Boston, and ran up Pikes Peak. And that is how my 20's come to a close with today being the last run of this decade. I only did four miles and most of it was walking with some time for reflection. I took Marlie with me and let him play in the creek. I am very thankful for being blessed with the ability to run the way I do, and being blessed with all the wonderful people in my life (especially my wife). Here's looking forward to the next BEST decade of my life.


Wanted to share a little photo of Marlie and I that shows the bond we share for his love of baths.

When the going gets tough...

For me, training is getting tough. I have never trained for an early October marathon (always November or December) and adding June and July to training has been hot. I am used to one month of hot, but not three months. It is still 80 degrees at 5:00am!!!! Hopefully, it will cool off a bit next week but for now I am dealing with dehydration headaches and slow times. The long runs seem daunting and I stress about them and we're not even doing big miles yet. This morning I had myself convinced that I was going to quit training and drop out of Chicago. I have never quit a training program but I am starting to ask myself, "why not?". Life would definitely be easier. On top of that, Dustin has lost 12 lbs. (great work Dustin!) and I have GAINED 5 lbs since we started training. The marathon "hunger monster" hit me hard last week. Dustin reminded me, "It's not supposed to be easy." *sigh* I will keep you posted with what I decide...
~Aimee

End of the Solo Run

Aimee returns tomorrow from Omaha! This ends our 400 mile running separation. Aimee has been running the same course over and over for two weeks at Creighton while I try to find new runs here in town. We will both be looking forward to each others company on the long runs that will follow in the next three weeks. Also, she will return just in time to help TWV with the Pancake Breakfast at Applebee's on Saturday from 8-10 am. Welcome back Aim!

Pancake Breakfast

Wanna take the family to an All-You-Can-Eat pancake breakfast at Applebee's (North) this Saturday (aug 7)? We are selling $5 tickets as a fund raiser for Team World Vision. Call Dustin if you are interested :)
Check out the Team World Vision blog listed under out "Blog List" to learn more about this fantastic organization that provides clean drinking water to those in Africa without it.

Soulmates!

Hilarious! Dustin and I were both blogging at the same time in different cities and didn't know it. Funny thing we both blogged about seeing turkeys and deer. Cracks me up! I miss him :)
~Aimee
My blog: Wildlife adventure
His blog: 10 weeks to go

3rd Annual Washam 5K

Mark your calendars and save the date for the 3rd annual Washam 5K. We are going to have it Saturday, October 16th in the afternoon (and into the evening! PARTY!). We will get registration forms out mid-September. I hope to see you there!

Wildlife adventure

Because I couldn't figure out a trail (so frustrating!) I ended up running my 15 mile run as two loops of the same trail that I have been running on for shorter runs this past week. I have been forgetting to mention all the wildlife that I have seen. It's like turning into Snow White the minute you cross the Iowa border. Last week I ran through a family of 11 turkeys. One run I can within 20 meters of a deer - it was beautiful! On Tuesday there was a snake on the trail. It was little and "bellied up" so I knew it was dead. This was a good thing because if it was alive I would have woke up Omaha with my blood curdling screams. On Thursday I ran through a gaggle of geese. There are many geese on the trails at home so I didn't think anything of it. But this gaggle must have had a big daddy leader in it. He didn't move out of the way and he actually hissed at me!!! I didn't even know that geese could hiss. I promptly yelled, "Hey, that's not nice!" and ran away. lol
Today, I ran through two separate large families of turkeys. But, the highlight was when I was startled by a deer. He was within 10 feet of me, no joke!!! I have never heard of a deer attack, but I found myself scared as he watched me run by, almost like he was observing me. It made me think of Gary Larson and his Farside cartoons. I can just see it now...Just beyond the fence line into the forest sits two deer in their Lazy Boy recliners drinking a beer and hankering down on a salt like watching the people go by.
It was a safari-hot and adventure filled run :)
Only one more week left at Creighton which means only 3 runs left to run without Dustin! I have to get focused today and get some work done for lab tomorrow!

10 Weeks To Go

Chicago is now 10 weeks away and our weekly mileage was up to 39 miles this week. We finished the month of July with 129 miles; our most for any month this year. July just also happened to be one of the hottest months on record, so that's something to be proud of!

Aimee and I are still in different cities, so the 15 mile long run was solo today. Aimee, however, is running in Creighton with a few new friends. I don't know who would want to join us in this weather, but at least there are others out there suffering too. Over the next month we will be upping our miles into the 40's with long runs of 16, 17, and 18. Perfect timing too, as a heat wave (didn't know it could get hotter) is on the way and school starts in 17 days. I'm kinda brain dead this morning and not much else to say. Writers block I guess. Two observations from this morning. 1) I saw a deer and two turkeys at the one mile marker on Galloway trail 2) On my way out on Galloway I saw a woman running with three small dogs. On the way back I saw the same woman with 2 large dogs.