We woke up at 4:30.
We packed our fuel (healthy bites FTW!) and water.
We shuffled out the door onto the dark streets of our neighborhood.
We ran. And ran. And ran.
We watched the world wake up around us, the sun slowly rising. Shades of pink and orange. Beautiful.
We hardly spoke, but when we did, it was always words of encouragement, a quick “I love you” or a joke to break the seriousness of it all.
We saw one very beautiful butterfly flit by us (I whispered quietly “Hi Nonna…” and said to Scott “butterflies always remind me of her, she must be watching us…”)
We ran some more.
…until we suddenly were rounding the final turn towards home.
We were both surprised how seemingly quickly we were nearing the end. (Me: “can you believe we’re doing this??” Him: “yup, we’re almost done, too!”)
…and then, we ran (all 18 miles) home.
We did this (18). ❤
<<clearly I am one of few words today…I’m still pretty amazed by what we accomplished out there today, in awe really. And very, very proud…of us.>>
EatDrinkBreatheSweat 
And, hell, you CAN be proud! That’s awesome! And the part about the butterfly made me cry, since I terribly miss my granddad… You are such a cool couple!!
It made me cry to write it, actually. Such a poignant moment that I really couldn’t fully experience IN that moment so revisiting while writing this post brought a flood of emotions and memories. She was one spectacular woman. ❤
SO proud of you and although I am a non runner I LOVE living vicariously through you!
haha aww thank you Tanya!! Please DO live through me, I’m all for it 😉
(maybe we’ll get you out running with us at the lake this weekend LOL!)
You are awesome — both of you! Congratulations on getting through 18 miles and making it seem like no big deal. Your training is going beautifully. Surely a prediction for Race Day. So psyched for you and happy for you! Go eat and celebrate (and nap!).
Haha you are funny Ali. Thank you for swinging on by my dear — as you know one of the reasons I’m out here training for this thing, because YOU inspired the hell outta me!!!
I am getting SO SO psyched for race day too…I cannot even believe how well training is going and how much FUN we’re having. Who the hell knew?!
Awesome job!!
From one badass runner to another? 😉 thank you!!
Great job you two!!! Fantastic workout!!!
YEEHAW!!!! 😉
Nice job! Congrats on finishing a really long run!
Thank you!!!!
I am so proud of you guys. Unbelievably so. More than I ever thought I would. You are doing this. Nonna is watching (that part made me super teary!), and I honestly felt you during our run this morning, you were helping push ME along just as I was trying to push YOU through your last 8 miles. Even if we haven’t yet run these together, I feel as though I am sharing each run with you and that means so much. So so proud. Love you sis! XOXO
Your comment made ME super teary sis. I am so floored by your love and support and pride, it surrounds me on every single run, no matter what. I know you’ve always got my back and that means the world to me sis. I LOVE having you as my virtual running sherpa!!!! xoxoxo
WOW! 18 morning miles together – you have the right to feel proud about that! Unbelievable – what a way to start the day! Amazing work, and i loved reading your thoughts. 🙂
18 miles together is an awesome thing to experience together, we’ve both been walking on clouds all day long!!
You guys rock!!!! XO!
thank you dear!! 🙂
Congratulations! You two really are inspiring me! I have a client that wants me to run the Disney half with her. I still haven’t decided yet, but in so many personal and professional ways, I think I should. Oh and I’m totally letting fear hold me back…
Great job today!
Oh you know how much I love this, right?? LOVE LOVE LOVE that this is pushing you to consider getting out of your comfort zone and going for it. My take? EMBRACE THE FEAR and GO FOR IT!!! You will NOT regret it. I promise!!
18 Miles-woohoo and you did it together! When Josh and I do long miles together it is me running and he riding his bike alongside as my sherpa, carrying food and water. Rest, recover, and rejoice!
I love that he sherpas beside you with his bike, so cool!!
Oh I love this post! I love that you did 18 miles on a Tuesday morning so early! Thanks for sharing 🙂 — Ericka @ the Sweet Life (sweetlifeericka.com)
It was an awesome way to kick off the day, not gonna lie…didn’t even care about the 4:30am wake-up call!! Who the heck am I?? 😉
Hellzzzz, yeah!!!
Girl, you make running marathons look EASY!
Helllllzz yeah is RIGHT!! This is an INCREDIBLE high can I just say that?? No wonder you run marathon after marathon girlie!! Now I know WHY!!
you two are amazing. So happy! what a beautiful run, really!
And YOU are an amazing virtual sherpa. I cannot even begin to express the joy I felt when I took my first healthy bite fuel mid-run. I INSTANTLY thought of you. And it gave me joy and energy!! xoxo
Congratulations! My husband and I just ran 18 miles this weekend, too. It was a great feeling!
Amazing feeling right?? Nice job to you both too!!
so proud of you!!!
thank you my friend!!
Congrats Jess! Living proof that you can make time to go out there and train. 4:30AM holy night time. Good JOB 🙂
Yup, you got that right. And total PROOF that ANYONE can do this if they put their mind to it. I firmly believe it!
Again I say, this is crazy fantastic!!
And yes, I’m still sitting here having some coffee. 😉
Haha thank you pretty lady, I loved it out there, crazy and all!!
congrats! love the team work!! 18 baby!!
18 baby is right, woohooooo!!!
Fantastic! Congratulations to both of you! 18 DONE
Wooooo!! 18 miles checked off the training schedule felt pretty damn AWESOME lemme tell ya!!
“I whispered quietly “Hi Nonna…” and said to Scott “butterflies always remind me of her, she must be watching us…” This brought tears to my eyes. So sweet my friend. You know how proud I am of you both!
Friend, you know how to make me CRY at the drop of a hat, seriously. I am still teary as I read this comment from you — thank you friend, so much, for ALL that you do for me, all the support, all the love, all the joy. You are amazing. xoxo
Love you too my friend!
Nice job! Keep up the running and the inspiration!
Come to think of it… I need one of those – a running partner. 😉
Thank you so much!!
And you are absolutely right — a running partner is a beautiful thing, especially when its your best friend and husband 🙂
18 miles!! thats so awesome. isnt it such a great feeling when like 15 miles and now 18 dont sound so bad since next you’ll be doing 20? kind of amazing how your mentality changes. you’re so close to race time!! im jealous i wish i was doing chicago..you’re gonna have a BLAST!
YES!! And I can’t believe I would EVER say 15 miles doesn’t seem so scary…but after running 18 today? 15 seriously seems pretty manageable, ya know? SO crazy how perspective changes during training!!
Congratulations… you must be over the moon with excitement… very happy for you!
Thank you SO much! I really REALLY am. It’s unreal!
That is so so cool!! Congratulations 🙂
Thank you!!! 🙂
Congrats! I got goose bumps while reading your post. You are going to rock Chicago!!
Aww thank you friend! I’m SO pumped for Chicago now, it’s not even funny!!
I love this so much!!!!! Congratulations, girl!!! I’m so effing proud of you and where you’ve gone with this. It makes me giddy…and full of joy for you. You two make such an incredible team. ❤
I love you, friend!! Thank you for being SO supportive and joyful about this whole thing for me, you’re just as much a virtual sherpa as Lindsay, Heather and my sis have been, I love it so much!! xoxo!
ahhh great job on your pdr!
whee!! thank you!!
Wow incredible 18 miles, well done! So nice that your nonna is looking down on you and cheering you on. You’re going to do wonderful in Chicago.
I totally felt her presence yesterday…she definitely helped me through some of those miles yesterday for sure.
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Awesome, congrats! My hubby and I train together too, I love the time running with him.
Isn’t that just the best?? Training with your hubs, so awesome to share that time together!!
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