You've Got Four Days!

WOW! Last night we had our final pre-race staff meeting. I've said it a lot of times, but THESE GUYS ARE GOOD! Everybody seems to be all over their jobs. We're going to have a great weekend. Look for the people in the royal blue Brooks jackets. They're amazing.

John Gonzales (aka Gonzo) is running his first half-marathon with us. He also writes a Top 5 list for the upcoming weekend. Here's the email he sent me:

Here are my Top 5 things to do this weekend, which you will find in The Weekend section of every Thursday's Grand Rapids Press and on TV8.

5. Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. What's the Glow-in-the-Dark room and why is Don in there (Ok, he's really not in there, but I bet he would like it!) Check out the Children’s Museum , which offers a lot of cool things for kids. It is located in downtown GR at 22 Sheldon Ave. NE. Admission is $5 for those ages 2 and older. Call 235-4726 for more information or go to grcm.org. 4. Halloween Parades. If you're adventurous and you don't need a lot of sleep, go to Saugatuck for the family costume parade at 4 p.m. Saturday or go to nearby Douglas for the adult costume parade at 10 p.m. Saturday.3. Thriller Chiller Film Festival. The annual festival at Wealthy Theatre begins with a free screening of “Night of the Living Dead” at 3 p.m. Thursday and continues with films all day Friday and Saturday. Visit the web site http://www.thrillerchiller.com/ for more info.
2. “House of Terror,” Halloween Party. This is the ultimate Halloween costume party. Attendees spend lots of money and months working on some of these extreme costumes. The party is Saturday night as The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, in downtown GR. Will anyone dress as Don Kern? Admission is $9.97. Doors open at 7 p.m. You don't have to stay too late. We'll post photos and the winner of the $1,000 prize on our website, www.mlive.com/grpress. 1. Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon. The starting/finish line is the David D. Hunting YMCA, 475 Lake Michigan Dr. Who's up for it? Pick up your packet from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday or as early as 6 a.m. Sunday. The actual marathon and half marathon start is at 8 a.m. Sunday. For more information, including a map of the course or the best place for spectators, go to grandrapidsmarathon.com. Have a great run, everyone! For more details about the events in the Top 5, check out John's column online, http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grpress/john_gonzalez/

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OK, I'm back live now.

Gonz wanted me to email him back a list of the Top 5 Marathon tips for beginners. I'm working on the list, but I know that somewhere in there has to be this one:

Don't worry. Your toenails will grow back.

I'm still working on the other four, John.

The guys tell me that there's a great parking map on the Race Day Info page. You might want to check that out. The Y lot will be closed Sunday morning. If you're staying in a downtown hotel, it's just as easy to walk to the Y from wherever you're staying. Otherwise, check the map.

Some people say these countdown emails get them nervous. Nah! They would have been nervous anyway. Nervous is good. Keeps you focused.

See you Sunday.

and the adventure continues....
Don Kern