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