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