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.