Who new...

...that when Lynn and I became friends freshman year of high school in 1995, that we would grow closer throughout high school, even closer during college, and ever CLOSER after college?

Who new a couple of years after college we would live together for 3 years, first in an apartment with her sister Julie, and then just the two of us (plus Ike) in a house in Butler-Tarkington?

Who new that after running together for those 3 years, we would be training "together" today for a full marathon in two different states, and growing even close throughout this experience?

Jenny, Lynn and Ike on moving day into our Butler home: August 2007

I miss you as a roomie, LT, but love having you as a training buddy!

Stay tuned for more Lynn & Jenny history moments to come throughout the rest of our training... :)

Pack Mule

I've always kind of chuckled at the people with ALL of the running garb hanging off of them, thinking "How can they possibly run that distance with all of those THINGS attached to them?" But now that I am in the 30+ miles per week running club...I not only get it, but I'm one of them.

Ever since I started running about 3 years ago, my iPod has always been attached to my arm. As a matter of fact, I still have the first few "workout mixes" on there that I made the first night I got that bad boy. Then a few weeks ago, Matt convinced me to get a fuel belt waistpack at the Nike Outlet in Hilton Head. Three days later when I went out to do my 12 mile run, I couldn't have been happier to have it. Then, last Friday before my 14 mile Saturday run, I hit up The Running Company for some Gu Chomps and energy Sport Beans, and the grocery to get Gatorade for my fuel belt. I never thought I'd say this about a 14 mile run...but it went great! I had a yummy pasta dinner Friday night, got a good night's sleep, and the weather on Saturday morning was perfect (overcast and cool). I ran the distance by myself on the monon, and used it as good thinking and "Jenny" time. I finished in 2:05, putting me at about a 9:30 pace which is about normal for me these days.

So now I'm that pack mule runner I used to laugh at who packs all sorts of THINGS on and around her in order to survive long runs...

In Other Recent News

I got a bib number for the race!! Thanks to my dear sister, Katie, I can now officially run in the Chicago Marathon! Up until just recently, I was planning on jumping in around the starting line and dodging the race officials the whole way. But not any more!! Though she won't be able to run due to an ACL injury, Katie will be there with a martini for us when it's all over! Thanks for the support, Kato!!

Also, we have more fellow marathon trainers! My sister, Julie, on the left here, and brother-in-law, Paul, are training for a full marathon in Indy in November! I am excited to run with them when we get together this fall! Again, more photos on those experiences to come. Good luck Julie and Paul! Let's keep each other motivated!

Who else is training?! When and where is your marathon? What are you doing to stay motivated? What will be the first thing you will eat and/or drink when you cross the finish line (after the free bananas of course)?

Tyndall Running Club

I will admit, running on my own on base has gotten very boring. Motivation is at an all time low. So, to get an extra kick in the backside, I joined the Tyndall Running Club. They run a 5K every Tuesday and after 4 weeks of running, you get a free T-shirt! I have only been 2 weeks, but when I get my shirt, I'll be sure to post a photo!! It has been a great way to meet new people, get some training tips, and discuss ideas for new routes around town. The other motivating factor is the competitive atmosphere. Each week I not only try to beat the guy in front of me, but I also try to beat my best time. Last week I ran it in 26 min 34 sec; this week, a swift 26.07! Next Tuesday I am aiming for below 26 min. I'll let you know how I do!

Blog Slacker

Thank goodness Lynn is on top of the blog posting, because I have been a slacker! :)

2 weeks ago, my family took our annual trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where we enjoyed the beach, good food, good drinks, and relaxation.

Group Picture before our private boat cruise to spot dolphins

See what I mean by good food and good drinks? This fresh crab and shrimp was AMAZING!

Me and Matt on the beautiful beach

The Olecks/Bolings with Grammy O.

I ran my 11 miles the Friday before we left with someone I met through my Indy Runners Club. Who knew running 11 miles with a complete stranger could be so fun? This left me with a 3-miler, 6-miler, another 3-miler and a 12-miler while in Hilton Head. My hopes were high and after day 1 when the whole family went to the gym together, I thought "This won't be hard." I did my first 3-miler, my 6-miler, and by Tuesday I was finished with workouts for the week. Oops. Determined to get my 12-miles in before the work week started, Sunday morning back in Indy I got up and ran down to the circle and back. Let me tell you...it sucked! The combo of not running since the Tuesday before, being in the sun every day, eating everything in front of me, and enjoying frosty libations every night...my body said "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?". I "only" made it 10 miles that morning.

I made up for it by adding couple of miles to the scheduled run last weekend while in Chicago visiting friends. My friend Eric Cale and I ran 10 miles along the beautiful Lake Shore Drive. A change of scenery is JUST what I needed. It was wonderful and refreshing.

I also had the pleasure of running with my friend Cease on Monday who was in town, and have at least one running date a week with Christie (and our doggies). Between the shorter week-day runs with friends, and the long Saturday runs with Indy Runners Club, the training hasn't been too bad...

...and then comes 14 miles this Saturday. This will the longest distance I have even run. Eek! Any problems of the world we should think about solving? Wish us luck!

My Favorite Place to Run

Yesterday I ran 12 miles. It was a long 2 hour run, and it gave me lots of time to think. I realized, that my new favorite place to run is Tyndall Air Force Base. It has been the only place I have run during our training so far, so it is getting slightly redundant. But, where else can you run for 2 hours and during that time run on the beach, through neighborhoods, forest, and around a lake, all while watching F15's and F22's flying overhead? Some times I tease myself by thinking I am chasing the jets that soar overhead! They certainly give me something special and fascinating to watch while I run! Admittedly, I will be looking for a new variety of places to run in the near future because the same roads and paths are getting boring, but I will always look forward to running here at TAFB and chasing the jets!!

The F22 is on the left, the F15C on the right.

That is an F15 being flown by my hubby on his first solo flight.

This is the beach on base. The sand doesn't pack down so it makes for a very difficult run. But it's beautiful!

Cross Training

I have a confession to make. I did not run my 11 miles this Saturday! OOPS!!

But I have a good reason. My husband, Mike, myself, and friends, Ryan and Heidi, took a weekend trip to Disney World (one of the perks of living in the panhandle). So, instead of running 11 miles one day, I walked about 272 miles for 3 days! Let's just chalk it up to cross training. We had a great time and can't wait to go back! Next time I'll go running with Mickey!

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Animal Kingdom

My inspiration...

... is my sister, Laura. She and my sister, Katie ran the Chicago Marathon in 2007 (seen here in the photo). Laura has had several surgeries on her feet and despite what her doctors told her, she finished the marathon in 99 degree weather. But that's not why she inspires me.

It's the attitude Laura takes toward reaching her goals that makes me want to do better too. We were supposed to run the Louisville half marathon in April but I was really lazy about training for it. She came down to visit me in Florida 4 weeks before the race and asked to run 8-10 miles. I had to tell her the I had only run 5 - at most. I had every excuse for her - It's hot. I'm new and don't know where to run. I'm tired. I don't feel like running today. But she didn't want to hear it. She said, "Lynn, it's not about feeling, it's about doing. You just look at the miles on your schedule and do it." So, when I start feeling scared about our 11 miles this weekend I tell myself, "Don't feel, just do!!" Thanks Laura Koke!!

Dear Lynn,

I ran my 6 miles this morning. Did you?