16 Days

And then there were two.
Julie has now decided to become a fan. Hopefully, with Jules and Jen, we'll have two fans, and two runners. Then, no one will be alone. We're plagued with illness, and business, but Elissa and I will run. Today is the big move for Elissa, and Sunday, exactly two weeks before the mini, we will do our first run together in what will then be our neighborhoods!

17 Days

I get a new running partner this weekend! I'm so excited. Elissa is moving into my "neighborhood", and we'll be able to run together without either one of us having to drive anywhere! Congradulations, Elissa, on getting the keys to your first home! Anyone who wants to help her move, we're going tomorrow.

18 Days

The boys cross country team came in third yesterday. Antonio started us off in second place running a 16:23, and we had our top 5 in under 20 minutes. Steph was able to stop by, and she saw a lot of people she goes to church with parenting our young HC runners!
Don't forget, we only have a couple days to sign up for the mini at the early bird price. Make sure to register by Friday!

19 Days

CKC is having a cross country meet out at Masterson Station Park this afternoon, so rather than running, I'll be watching runners all morning...hence the

20 Days

Alright...so they say that when it hurts (your muscles), that's when you're improving. But I submit to you, improving or not, it is not a great idea to run 8 miles the day after a 10K race. But what choice do we have some times? We're only 20 days from a major race, and we can't afford to lose the miles, especially if we missed a key long run this weekend for the race!

21 Days

Well, we're back from the Great Race, and the results are in!
Shannon Gabe -- 51:48 (8:20 pace)
Kris Sundheimer -- 54:08 (8:43 pace)
Julie Weber -- 54:51 (8:50 pace)
Jen Morris -- 1:05:41 (10:35 pace)

Congrats go out to all runners! And a special thanks to the families that helped to make it possible.

23 Days

Finally Friday, and boy, are my legs ready for a day off, so why not two? We're driving to Pittsburg today, 4 runners, 2 cars, and a dog! That's right, Pablo gets to go on a road trip! Yeah! Keep our travels in your prayers, and wish us a safe journey. I'll continue the countdown at day 21, complete with results of our Great Race!

24 Days

We're headed toward that 3 week mark. Two more long runs to go, one semi-long/tapered long run, and the race. That's it folks! Looking at my running schedule between now and then, I've noticed something kind of cool. I think I've mentioned before that every year, I try to hit 1000 miles, and this year, with two half-marathons, I'm quite a bit ahead of schedule. Well, this odd thing that I noticed? I'm scheduled to hit my 1000 miles mid mini! How cool will that be! Yes, it will be a marker for me to help get me through the race. I discovered on Saturday that really...I prefer just 12 miles, not 13.1. But, with all those people around, and a completely new route, the mini will be much fun!
The Equinox was suppose to be today, but it appears that instead of 12 hours of sunlight, we have 12 hours and 9 minutes of sunlight today!

25 Days

Happy first day of fall! Ok, so it doesn't feel like it at 83 degrees, but it sure looks like it. Anyone else notice that we have some trees that are rapidly turning red? It's dark when you get up for work? You have to start running at some time before 7 to get in before sunset?
I had my first solo day coaching the boys cross country team today. Gosh, it's so much easier than doing the dance team thing. They warm up on their own, then they say..."what are we running today?" I send them out for 8 miles, and there you go.
So, as for me, I'm not quite doing 8 today. Just one of those days where you go out and run as far as you feel.

26 Days

Time for a medium-long run. After all, I'll be missing my long run this weekend due to some kind of great race?
Today will be my first day working with the boys cross country team at practice. We'll be out at Masterson, and I'm pretty excited about it.

27 Days

Another Monday. Another start to a very good week. I'll probably be exhausted this time next week from having spent the weekend in Pittsburg, Julie and Jen will be on their way back from an awesome football game. 6 Days until the great race, and by the time we're done...we'll be in our 20-day count down! Kind of scary, isn't it? Appropriate considering the mini is in October.

28 Days

Hmmm, 28 days, good movie, Cillian Murphy...oh, that was 28 days later. 28 days, good movie, Viggo Mortensen.
Oh, but that's completely not the point. The point is, we have exactly 4 weeks to be in peak mini-marathon condition.

29 Days

Jen...don't be discouraged! We want you to be up and running in 29 days...and running and running and running!
Julie is getting up at 6 this morning to do 10 miles with the team in training! Good luck finding a dog after that. You'll be so tired, any doggie who will lick the salt off your legs will do.
Today is my 13-mile day. I'm taking a break from the long run next weekend, so this'll have to do.
Elissa is away at a wedding this week, but no doubt she did a crazy long run on Thursday before she left.
Keep going guys, we're 9 days from the 20 day countdown, or are we 19 days from the 10 day countdown?

30 Days

Now, it's really a month away! Well, unless you're talking February months, then we have 2 more days of "it's a month away". 4 weeks and 2 days people. We're talking, it's getting close. I've got my race-length run tomorrow. I think with the break next weekened, I've got exactly 3 long runs left...a 13-miler, a 14-miler, and a 10-miler...then the race. It's kind of sad to think about actually. I've been becoming addicted to running forever and ever on a saturday morning! Good thing this saturday, I won't have to wake up so early to do it. There is a high of only 76!
Happy Constitution Day!

31 Days

We're about at the one month point...if it were a 31 day month. Gosh, can you believe it? Just over 4 weeks left! That's what, 3 more long runs, 4 more maybe? Then the race? Pete, how are you coming on those t-shirts? Jen, how are you feeling on your runs these days? Remember, the course for the mini will be flatter than we're use to from our training. We will have cooler weather. You don't have to run every step of it (I sure didn't on my first one), just finish!
Congrats to Elissa! She closes on her new house at 1 o'clock today!

32 Days

Running today, I met a girl named Kristen who was training for the Chicago marathon, which is coming up the second weekend of October. This will be her first marathon. She had done a 20-mile run on Saturday...and I thought 20 miles in two days was a lot! It just goes to show, no matter how many miles you do, there's someone out there doing more!

33 Days

Time for a mid-week, mid-length run today. That probably means 7 for me. We're getting there. Don't forget to sign up for the Race for the Cure this week! And, don't forget that the cost of the mini goes up Octopber first, so we only have a little over 2 weeks to sign up at $25 instead of $45. Jen...feel encouraged today!

34 Days

It seems to me that this weekend was very long, and by long, I don't mean restful, I mean busy! It looks like the perfect opportunity for a day of rest, from running anyway. Yes, if I had left lesson plans for a sub, it would be a lovely day for a random day off of work!
Alright, with less than 5 weeks to go, here's the deal. My parents definately have room for us four girls who are running the race. If you're female, and don't mind taking a spot on the floor, please feel free to come on up early with us, we'll have a big girly weekend preparing for the race.
Guys, sorry, I don't have any place to put you. Don't be discouraged! You can still come watch. We'll be out there for 2 hours (or a little less...) which will give you plenty of time to find the perfect spot to watch all the runners if you drive in on Sunday morning. Or, if you have a friend in Louisville that you can stay with, feel free to join us for dinner the night before. And even if you don't come watch, we can still get the t-shirt to you for being so darn supportive!

35 Days

Wow, only 5 weeks left. Peter has decided to drop out and go to California instead, but I can't imagine why...
I do have to give him props though, he had a great 10 mile run with me and Julie tonight (I only did 8 given my run yesterday), but I think I heard him say he was never going to do that again any time soon. Congrats on your longest run ever, Pete!

36 Days

It doesn't look like a lot, but that's pleanty of time, even for those of us who aren't feeling their best at the moment. I tell you what, it's been a long day. 12 miles starting at 6:15 this morning, a cross country meet in the afternoon...look for Antonio Marchi in the paper, he's having a great year. He's a senior at HC who finished 9th at the mid-summer night's run. The Race for the Cure is one week from today, so we can all look forward to that. I believe the web site is www.lexrftc.org so there you go, all the information you need!

37 Days

It's Friday, and I'm tired. I feel like it's been a long week even though it was a long weekend, and a short week. I may have made a mistake in not sleeping in on Monday, or any day last weekend. So here's my debate...I can get up extra early (pre-CC meet) tomorrow to do my 12-mile run, then sleep in as late as I want on Sunday. Or, I can sleep in a little tomorrow, and a little on Sunday, but still get up on Sunday to do my 12-miler before it reaches an unreasonable temperature. Of course, the run would be in much better weather getting up early, and chances are, I could take a short nap this afternoon...
Desicions Decisions
By the way, Elissa and I have been working on a T-shirt for us to wear to the race, so I need to know eventually who's coming to watch, if you want a shirt too, and what size if you do!
It will say "We 'heart' running" on the front, have the runner's last names on the back, and a picture of a sugar glider saying "Sugar Gliders, Louisville Mini, Fall, 2005" It's pretty cute. I'll have Pete upload it here when he's done with the adjustments.

38 Days

Alright, so I found out today that we have two very "I'm getting up super early, so early it's still late" type runners in our midst. Not only does Elissa does this, but Julie does too! WOW!!! Big props to you guys. You won't find me running before work/dawn!

39 Days

I want to wish good luck to R. Nutt, heading down to Mississippi to help with relief efforts. I think it's so practical. So many times, we throw money at a problem when it is specific needs that need to be met, and people that we need to help. We'll be praying for you and your efforts Rach!
As for the rest of us, we'll be up here running in the beautiful weather thanking God that we have a place to run, the food to fuel us, and the money to buy the shoes to keep our legs healthy.

40 Days

First day back to work, and it's a running day off for me. I took advantage of the fact that we had yesterday off, and that yesterday was so beautiful, so I did today's run yesterday! Good luck to the rest of you running tonight!

41 Days

Happy Labor Day! Everyone was celebrating by getting out in the sun today. There were so many people out walking and running this morning. It is always so nice to see people getting healthy! Oh, and it was a great day for a long run. The temperature went from 60 to 69 over the course of my run, and it felt great!

42 Days

Exactly 6 weeks left, so we are exactly half way through with our training...time wise. We all know the next 4 weeks are the toughest. It's been so nice out this weekend though, and hopefully this lovely weather will continue on. It's days like today that make us remember why we run in the first place.

43 Days

What a beautiful day for a run...however, instead of running today, I was out making sure that a bunch of teenagers only had to think about running. Today was the Henry Clay CC Invitational. There were over 300 high school runners from local areas, and over 100 middle school runners out there. What a beautiful sight. It's amazing how fast those kids are. The fastest girl was just over 20 min for a 5K, and the fastest boy was just over 16!

44 Days

Friday, a day off for most of us. The first day of a three day weekend looms tomorrow. The country is asking for aid after it's biggest party city has been taken out by natural distaster. How precious is it that we have this gift, to be able to run, and to be able to run 13.1 miles? Funny, how things get put into perspective for us. I wonder if any Hurricane victim children will end up at the schools where we teach.

45 Days

Happy September. I finished August with my highest total every. 138 miles for the month. It's of course thanks to all of you for the inspiration, I hope I've helped.
Labor day weekend is just a day away, lots of running to do, but also, a lot of movies to go see. Four Brothers is out, The Great Raid (which has Andy Garcia, James Franco, and Mark Consualos) looks to be excellent, The Constant Gardener just came out yesterday, and tomorrow, A Sound of Thunder comes out. A sound of Thunder looks really interesting, it's about time travel, and changes that happen when we change one little thing that no one really notices.
Oh, and if you haven't seen Red Eye...Cillian Murphy, yes, go see. It was great!