Rams Win

Tigger makes herself at home

In this great week of sports for the city of St. Louis and the state of Missouri, I escaped the reality of beginning my training for January's Houston Marathon. Even though the Braves collapse led to this week's possibility for the Cardinals, I must admit it has been a great experience to witness and watch unfold living so close to STL now. Yesterday I had a great idea while running; I told Aimee that we should go the Rams game today against the Saints then walk over to the victory parade. We ended up not going, but watched all of it unfold on TV; a Rams win and a World Series Parade.

Aimee has already purchased a Championship T-shirt and I am looking forward to the next season when I hope to experience the same, only with my team. On the running front, I looked up my stats from the 1/2 last weekend in STL and I officially finished 76 out of roughly 14,000 runners. I'll take that!

I started using my new reflective gear this week and wondered how I ever safely ran without the light? I was so confident in the light that I decided to run out of town onto the trail that surround St. Joe park. I made it a few hundred yards in before the constant staring of beady eyes made me paranoid and I decided I could wait until weekend daylight runs to venture out there. However, running the golf course is now easier than ever.

Weekly Recap: Monday, off; Tuesday, 8 hills (with deer eyes staring me down); Wednesday, 5 easy; Thursday 8 tempo; Friday, off; Saturday, 4 easy; Sunday, 15 long. Oh, and check out this Chuck Norris running joke.

STL Rock-N-Roll 1/2

This weekend Aimee and I ran in the inaugural Rock and Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon in St. Louis. Just like Nashville, this race was very well organized, large, and sold out. We did not stay but Sugar Ray performed a free post-race concert and they had bands every mile along the course. Below are our times from the race. Interesting note, Aimee has run the exact same time in here three last halves (1:47:01).

The start was very cool as we were facing and running to the arch, then ran by both Busch Stadium and the Edward Jones Dome. The route included lots of different aspects of the city, oh, and lots of inclines. Aimee and I both feel like we ran harder than 3 weeks ago at Route 66 but both got the same times (me 10 seconds slower) and we were much more sore after the race. It was a tough course and the second half of the course really took a toll on your legs. The finish was slightly downhill and towards the arch after a long steady incline from mile 11 to 12.

We were able to stay with one of Aimee's good friends who just happen to live 1/2 a mile from the start/finish area, so we were able to walk everywhere (very nice)! We ate a nice meal at Spaghetti Factory the night before the race, PF Changs after, and found some places to visit next time we are in town. While picking up our bibs from the Expo Center, we saw there were auditions for America's Got Talent across the hall. It was very interesting to see all the "interesting?" people who were there for that.

Recap for the Week: Monday: off; Tuesday: 5 miles easy on treadmill (rain), Wednesday: 7 miles easy; Thursday 6 miles tempo; Friday: off; Saturday 4 miles easy; Sunday: 13.1 half. Houston 12 weeks out.

Below is a video I took of the finish line area after the race with my phone. It was a great set-up with the arch in the background. I also took a video of Aimee right after the finish.

Farmington = Hillington?

Aimee working on my Atlanta Braves Boxers!

Southwest Springfield ain't got nothing on Farmington, or should I call it Hillington?

Holy Crap! This town is uphill in all direction. Aimee and I did our first long run (14 mils) this Sunday since we have moved here and man our legs were burning. The outer roads around our house are great because they are long, wide, and straight, but nowhere near flat. We both agree this will just make us better come STL Rock-N-Roll 1/2 next weekend and Houston in January. If we even encounter flat land we will be super fast.

Oh, and the wind is not helping. You know this time of year reminds me why I love summer running so much better even though it hotter. Alright enough complaining, I really am enjoying our new runs, I think this time of year just needs a little more embracing. And in that embracing spirit, this week I ordered two reflective vest and one headlamp for Aimee and I during our early morning runs so we will be more visible to oncoming traffic.

A recap of this week: Monday running off, 10 mile bike; Tuesday 5 easy with weights; Wednesday speedwork @ HS track; Thursday 7 easy; Friday off; Saturday 4 easy, 12 bike; Sunday 14 long.

The Thinker

St. Joe park in Farmington is beautiful right now; all the leaves changing color, deer, turkey, and the perfect running temperatures. This 11 mile loop gives your mind time to drift, think, and zone out. Lately I have really began to re-focus on form, strength, and times among other things. Boston 2009 will have been 4 four years ago IF I ever re-qualify and the times will be lower the next time I try to gain entrance. Running has taken Aimee and I lots of places, places we may have never gone if not for running. A new school week begins in 2 days and I am teaching something new that may or may not be fully planned. Who plays football and what time this weekend? Can I get a full round of golf in today? Wonder what Aimee's thinking about? Last time I was here it took me this much longer or shorter. I bet I'll hit the next mile at that tree. Wonder what my family is up to? After I finish how about weights? If a bear popped out of the trees right now what would I do? These are some of the random things when given too much running time, but man it sure is beautiful.

On a side not, Aimee and I were watching everyone run today at Chicago and we really got excited for Houston even though it is 3 full months away. I never thought I would be a runner, let alone watch the live stream of a marathon. How fun could it possible be watching someone run? We loved it.

Back-2-Back Weekend

After the Panther Run

This weekend was a successful one for Aimee and I. We made our first trip back to Springfield since moving to Farmington and had an excellent time with family, friends, and running.

Saturday morning we ran in the Panther Run @ Drury to benefit the Care to Learn Foundation. Aimee ran the 5k and I ran the 12k (7.5 miles). After a long summer of school, traveling, fireworks, and moving, this was our first road race since May's Fargo Marathon. The work we have put in over the past few weeks here in Farmington paid off as Aimee took 2nd in her age group and I took 3rd in my age group and 8th overall. With our age group places, we also racked up $35 worth of Bass Pro Gift Cards! In addition to the awesome age group prizes, this very well organized event also had free massage tables and several door prizes. All door prizes were valued at minimum $50 and most exceeded $100-150. The four grand prizes were 2 Trek bicycles and 2 Bass Pro Kayaks. Aimee and I did not win any of these, but these are the types of prizes you can bring in when your name is Doug Pitt, who is the founder of Care to Learn. This was an excellent event as we got to run parts of Springfield we were normally not around, and we look forward to running it again in the future.

Sunday morning, we ran in the Kickin' Route 66 Half Marathon to benefit Joplin Tornado relief. This event was unique as the whole race was held on Historic Route 66 from Lebanon to Springfield. Runners could participate in the Half Marathon, Full Marathon, 50k (32 miles), 50k relay, or 50 Miler. This was a special race for both of us as Aimee was 3rd female overall, won her age group, and just missed a PR by 2 seconds. I finished 3rd overall and 2nd in my age group with a new Half Marathon PR of 1:27:11. After running these two races and entering our times into the Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners "Runner of the Year" program, Aimee and I have both moved into the top 20 overall and continue to compete for Married Couple Runners of the Year.

Next on the list this fall is the STL Rock-N-Roll 1/2 Marathon on October 23, possibly the Bass Pro Half back in Springfield the first weekend of November, and the Turkey Trot 5k downtown Springfield on Thanksgiving Day. Looking forward to seeing everyone next time we are in town.

Aimee Finishing the Kickin' Route 66 Half Marathon