Newsletter 29 October 2009

Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Newsletter Sponsored by Sportwax 29 October 2009  STILL WORKING!   It never ends.  Fortunately.    While things aren't quite as intense as they were before the run, it's still pretty busy.  Cleaning up afterward.  Sanitizing the coolers before putting them away for the year.  Figuring out where to put all the extra stuff that we keep accumulating.  It's all fun.    The day after the marathon, we went to Founders for a get-together with our Boot Camp group.  Gary VanDyken (lifetime runner) challenged my memory.   "Do you remember back in 2004 getting an email with the 'Top 10 Reasons Sandy should be allowed to run the half-marathon'? "   We filled up in 2004.  We were at Millennium Park, so we didn't have the capacity for as many people.  If people asked, I was trying to accommodate them--we even figured out shuttle busses from outlying lots.  I'd usually say yes to any good story, with "You owe me a beer,"  thinking someday we'd get together for a beer somewhere.  When I got that email, same deal.    The next day, as I was working at a coffee shop, Gary walked in with an application, cash, and a bottle of beer.  OK, I'm liking this guy already.  Bringing a bottle of beer wasn't what was on my mind, but it seemed like a really nice idea when it happened.    "I walked in and set a beer down on the counter."   DO I REMEMBER?!?!  That moment changed my life!  It was then that the tradition started.  I put a note on the Race Day Instruction page to bring a bottle of decent beer along as a gift for the race director.  It worked.  That's where the tradition got started.  Since then, runners from all over have brought beer.  And since then, after every race we've had great micro brew from New Holland Brewery.  It's a tradition.  It's part of the fun.    And now, I know who started the tradition.  Thanks Gary!!   Oh, by the way, last night I had a bottle of "Award Winning Home Brew" that someone brought me.  No other note on the bottle.  Whoever that was--thanks.  It certainly was worthy of an award.     PICTURES The pictures are in!!  ASI Photo once again has your pictures ready for you.  CLICK HERE   HALLOWEEN RACE Hey--before you  take the kids trick or treating, head out Saturday morning the 31st to Alger Heights neighborhood for a nice little 5K run.  It's the first annual Alger Heights Halloween 5K.  Info at Classic Race    AWARDS Many of you speedy people didn't pick up your awards.  We will be putting them at Gazelle Sports in Grand Rapids for you to pick up.  It will still be a week or so.  I'll post on the website and in a newsletter when they're ready.  (It's taking a bit because we're separating the out-of-town ones to mail.  People within a reasonable driving distance of Gazelle will be able to pick them up at the store.)    SHIRT EXCHANGE There are a few shirts for exchange at the Gazelle Sports store in Grand Rapids.  You can go in there and exchange if you like.  THERE ARE NO XS SHIRTS LEFT.  I'm ordering more, however for those who didn't get a shirt.     SOCKS, HATS, EXTRA SHIRTS We'll have some available on the web shortly at www.cooladventures.net/buystuff.htm.     Feedback Welcomed! Lots of people have sent me comments, most of them praising the event.  A few (VERY FEW) sent suggestions for possible improvement.  We're ALWAYS happy to hear those things--they help us to improve for next year.  (In fact, the staff always comes up with a lot of ideas.  We're our own worst critics.)  Feel free to share any ideas you have.  We'd love to have your feedback. Running this weekend!    Check out the Halloween 5K above.  Nice little race.  You'll like the course throught the neighborhood.   Saturday night at midnight, a few people are running the half-marathon course.  Costumes welcome.  Meet at the Y at midnight Saturday night.  Bring your own water bottle, headlamp, whatever.  Plan to have some fun with a few of the staff and a bunch of friends.   Meanwhile, I'm doing a road trip to Huntington WV for the marathon down there.    and the adventure continues.... Don Kern Race Director, Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon   P.S.  If you want to respond to this newsletter, change the subject line so I don't just end up thinking it's a bounce notice or something.  Thanks!  In This Issue Our Sponsors The Calendar Quick Links Register Now Buy Stuff More About Us Our Sponsors This newsletter sponsored by: Prevents chafing, promotes healing. A must for EVERY athlete!     TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Gazelle Sports Training Programs    Marathon Adventures Boot Camp And now...a word from our SPONSORS!   Metro Health Sports Medicine   Gazelle Sports   Highland Group   Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith   Bagel Beanery   West Michigan Sports Commission   Brooks Sports   R.W. Baird Investments   Wright Sock   Gordon Water   Pepsi Bottling of West Michigan   Wright Chiropractic   My Way Mobile Storage     The Schedule   September 2010 20 Mile Training Run hosted by Gazelle Sports   October 16th 2010  9 - 6 Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pickup at the David D Hunting YMCA   October 16th 2010  Bagel Beanery Kids Marathon Final 1.2 miles at 1:00 pm   October 17th 2010 Seventh Annual Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, Half Marathon, and Relay        LIFETIME RUNNER Enter Once, Run Forever! You can enter the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon for LIFE. For $725, you get to enter the full or the half marathon for as long as we're still in business!    You'll get a permanent number, some extra swag, and the adoration of your fellow runners. If you've already registered for this year but would like to upgrade, we can make that work too--just email me and we'll get it figured out.

Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon 16 October 2009 2 Days!

Subject: Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon 16 October 2009 2 Days! Having trouble viewing this email? Click here Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Newsletter Sponsored by Sportwax 16 October 2009  --- THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW AND NOW, LIVE FROM GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN    (theme from Rocky playing in the background)   The preparation is over. The contenders from all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Germany are ready.    The leaves are turning. The bike paths are repaved.  The numbers are painted on the road.  The course is ready.   And now...live from Grand Rapids Michigan....   LLLLLET'S GET READY TO RUMBLLLLLE!   It's time to step into the ring.  Step up to the line.  The training is over. It's you and a few thousand of your best friends hitting the roads.    It's all about you now!  You are ready.  You're strong, you're amazing. You're about to do something that only a fraction of the population can or will ever do!   You are going to have the time of your life. This is your weekend. This is your race. This is your day!  You're gonna be awesome out there!      A couple years ago, John Gonzales (Gonzo) asked me to give him a "Top 5" list.  Here it is:   Don Kern's Top 5 5. Start out slower than you think you should -- It's easy to get caught up in the rush. Here in Grand Rapids, we have our Celebrity-Pace Pace Teams to help with that. You join a pace group and shoot for the same time as Oprah, P Diddy, George W, and other famous marathon runners. 4. It still counts if you have to walk part of the course -- Most people in the universe will never even think of covering 26.2 miles on foot. Crossing the finish line any way you can do it is still a major accomplishment. 3. Lubricate or tape everything that rubs -- It'll make those late miles (and the hot shower afterward) feel so much better. Try Sportwax, the official sports lubricant of the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, available at our expo. (Gonzo here: Great advice, Don. I wish you would have offered this tip the day before my run with you guys!) 2. Learn to identify poison ivy leaves -- It helps to know, especially when you head off into the woods for a pit stop. 1. Don't worry! -- Your toenails will grow back. Comments from my email:   I do know that I'm fit, I'm in shape and I'm gonna do this thing! --- I'll for sure see you at the finish line In all the races I have run, I have never had such a great pre-race  experience.  You obviously love what you do and it shows.  Thank you a million times over for all your emails, your humor and your  encouragement.  I cant wait to thank you in person at the finish line.  --- Grand Rapids is the perfect home town marathon to qualify for Boston.  You can't beat sleeping at home in your own bed (Holland) and drinking great beer (New Holland) at the finish.   Setup, the Expo, THE EVENT!     No newsletter tomorrow.  A short run, then the expo.  It's race weekend.      Between 4:30 and 6 today (Friday), if you're around I'm going to head out to the Hideout Brewery on Plaza Drive.  Stop out and have a pre-race beverage with me.    RACE DIRECTOR COURSE PREVIEW   Join me Saturday at 2:00 in the big conference room on the first floor of the Y for a course preview.  Or just stop by to shake hands and say hello.  Can't wait to see all of you this weekend.    Can't wait to see you all at the FINISH LINE!  The DAY AFTER TOMORROW!    (gonna fly now....) and the adventure continues.... Don Kern Race Director, Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon   P.S.  If you want to respond to this newsletter, change the subject line so I don't just end up thinking it's a bounce notice or something.  Thanks!  In This Issue Our Sponsors The Calendar Quick Links Register Now Buy Stuff More About Us Our Sponsors This newsletter sponsored by: Prevents chafing, promotes healing. A must for EVERY athlete!     TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Gazelle Sports Training Programs    Marathon Adventures Boot Camp And now...a word from our SPONSORS!   Metro Health Sports Medicine   Gazelle Sports   Highland Group   Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith   Bagel Beanery   West Michigan Sports Commission   Brooks Sports   R.W. Baird Investments   Wright Sock   Gordon Water   Pepsi Bottling of West Michigan   Wright Chiropractic   My Way Mobile Storage     The Schedule   September 26th 20 Mile Training Run hosted by Gazelle Sports   October 17th 9 - 6 Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pickup at the David D Hunting YMCA   October 17th Bagel Beanery Kids Marathon Final 1.2 miles at 1:00 pm   October 18th Sixth Annual Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, Half Marathon, and Relay    October 24th Every Stride 5K/10K, and Metro Health Marathon Post-Race Celebration at Candlestone Golf & Resort   LIFETIME RUNNER Enter Once, Run Forever! You can enter the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon for LIFE. For $725, you get to enter the full or the half marathon for as long as we're still in business!    You'll get a permanent number, some extra swag, and the adoration of your fellow runners. If you've already registered for this year but would like to upgrade, we can make that work too--just email me and we'll get it figured out.     Run a marathon Get Free Stuff Run 13.1 miles, 26.2 miles, or even a relay leg, and get ABSOLUTELY FREE:   A little tube of Aquaphor and a bunch of other samples. A bowl of Wendy's Chili An apple from Klackle Orchards A bagel from the Bagel Beanery Some Yoder's String Cheese A beer from New Holland Brewery Frozen Custard from Culvers A really cool Brooks Podium Shirt The experience of a lifetime!   *Some restrictions apply, as in this is only good at the Finish Line of the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Offer Expires October 18, 2009 Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon | PO Box 1041 | Grand Rapids | MI | 49501

Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon 15 October 2009 3 Days!

Subject: Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon 15 October 2009 3 Days! Having trouble viewing this email? Click here Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Newsletter Sponsored by Sportwax 15 October 2009  --- 3 Days! Two quick things! 1.  Yes, you can pick up a race packet for a friend. 2.  NO.  We don't have electronic tracking of any kind on the course.  Your friend's won't get text messages or anything like that.  (Anyone know who sponsors such stuff?  Maybe we can do that next year.)   And now....  RELAX!    A good friend was going to run her first marathon a few years ago.  I had referred her to the same hotel we were staying in, and when we went to her room, her fiance answered the door.  She was sitting on the bed with a pillow in her lap.  Her head down.  She was crying.    Too much stress.  All the things to remember.  All the advice, the coaching, the books, the "experts" words swirling around in her head.  Combined with the next day's venture into the unknown were overwhelming her.   ------- I jumped off a bridge in New Zealand.  Don't worry.  I was connected to a big rubber band.  As I stepped off the platform into thin air, I discovered something in the next half-second.  There was nothing I could do.  Either I was going to die or I wasn't.  After that, my mind totally changed modes and I was focused on the experience, the fun, the adrenaline, the sensations.  IT WAS GREAT!!  -------   I hugged my friend, told her to relax.  All that advice you've been listening to at this point is just extra noise.  Either you've trained enough, or you haven't.  It's too late to worry about that now.  We went out to eat, relaxed, and enjoyed the moment.  I saw her at the starting line, still a little nervous, but enjoying it.  On the out-and-back course, I saw her, still on her way out, a couple miles behind me as I was heading back.  She was smiling.  Enjoying.  I crossed the road and gave her a big smooch.  She was having a great time.    Later as she crossed the finish line, I grabbed a medal from a race volunteer and put it around her neck.  The tears of the day before replaced with joy.  Her first marathon.    ------------------------------------------ EVERYBODY HERE LOVES YOU   So, I said all that to make this point:   RE-FREAKIN'-LAX You're ready.  You've prepared.  You've trained.  And now, it's time for the fun.  Feel the energy from the people around you.  Find someone from the race staff in a red jacket and give them a hug.  It's your day now.  Enjoy everything about it.    Don't stress about parking.  There's plenty.  Don't stress about aid stations.  They're well stocked, and they're ROCKIN'.  Don't stress about portajohns.  We have plenty.  (Some of them look like big blue plastic boxes and have white toilet paper.  Many others look like big plants with woody stems and have various colored toilet paper them.)   Everybody here loves you.  We're all here to help.  And YOU?  You're gonna be awesome out there.     EVERY STRIDE 5K & 10K AND the Nike Human Race   The 2009 NIKE+ Human Race at the Every Stride 5K/10K takes place next weekend (October 24th), last year the numbers surpassed 750 participants. Already this year, the numbers are well over a 1,1100. This is a great fall event to celebrate running the ½, full or relay marathon this weekend at the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon. Registration is $18 and shirts are running low so it's a good idea to register soon before they are gone. Included in the $18 registration is your choice of 5K run, 5K walk, 10K run or run both the 5K&10K, a NIKE DryFit race shirt, a souvenir golf ball with the race logos on it, and a post race party pass into the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon and Every Stride 5K/10K post race party; it's a partnership between both races to offer an incredible post race party the weekend after the marathon at a nice cool down event. The party includes burgers, brats, chicken and desserts all included in the $18. There is also a Gazelle Sports Kid's Run for $5 with a 1 mile run, fun run, pumpkin decorating and candy scavenger hunt. Wear your marathon shirt at the post race party and you have a chance to receive 1 of 2 free entries into the 2010 marathon. Plus, make it a great time to share your marathon stories. Register online at www.mirunning.com  today.       Comments from my email: While I am only running the half this year, I plan to check it out to run the full next year. I chose to come to GR for a couple of reasons: We figured it would be a colorful drive from Chicago The field was not too large (I ran the half in Chicago in September) Hotels were inexpensive My boss is from GR, so it is a good brown-nose tactic....   I have run Chicago 4 times (not this year) and, while I enjoyed the large race experience, I did not get the sense that the race director was approachable....     Tomorrow...it'll be two days.     It'll also be my last newsletter before the race.  Get's pretty busy around here on Saturday morning.    Between 4:30 and 6 on Friday, if you're around I'm going to head out to the Hideout Brewery on Plaza Drive.  Stop out and have a pre-race beverage with me.    Can't wait to see you all at the FINISH LINE!  Only THREE days! and the adventure continues.... Don Kern Race Director, Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon   P.S.  If you want to respond to this newsletter, change the subject line so I don't just end up thinking it's a bounce notice or something.  Thanks!  In This Issue Our Sponsors The Calendar Quick Links Register Now Buy Stuff More About Us Our Sponsors This newsletter sponsored by: Prevents chafing, promotes healing. A must for EVERY athlete!     TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Gazelle Sports Training Programs    Marathon Adventures Boot Camp And now...a word from our SPONSORS!   Metro Health Sports Medicine   Gazelle Sports   Highland Group   Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith   Bagel Beanery   West Michigan Sports Commission   Brooks Sports   R.W. Baird Investments   Wright Sock   Gordon Water   Pepsi Bottling of West Michigan   Wright Chiropractic   My Way Mobile Storage     The Schedule   September 26th 20 Mile Training Run hosted by Gazelle Sports   October 17th 9 - 6 Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pickup at the David D Hunting YMCA   October 17th Bagel Beanery Kids Marathon Final 1.2 miles at 1:00 pm   October 18th Sixth Annual Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, Half Marathon, and Relay    October 24th Every Stride 5K/10K, and Metro Health Marathon Post-Race Celebration at Candlestone Golf & Resort   LIFETIME RUNNER Enter Once, Run Forever! You can enter the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon for LIFE. For $725, you get to enter the full or the half marathon for as long as we're still in business!    You'll get a permanent number, some extra swag, and the adoration of your fellow runners. If you've already registered for this year but would like to upgrade, we can make that work too--just email me and we'll get it figured out.     Run a marathon Get Free Stuff Run 13.1 miles, 26.2 miles, or even a relay leg, and get ABSOLUTELY FREE:   A little tube of Aquaphor and a bunch of other samples. A bowl of Wendy's Chili An apple from Klackle Orchards A bagel from the Bagel Beanery Some Yoder's String Cheese A beer from New Holland Brewery Frozen Custard from Culvers A really cool Brooks Podium Shirt The experience of a lifetime!   *Some restrictions apply, as in this is only good at the Finish Line of the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Offer Expires October 18, 2009 Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon | PO Box 1041 | Grand Rapids | MI | 49501

14 October 2009 --- 4 Days!

Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Newsletter Sponsored by Sportwax 14 October 2009  --- 4 Days! MEDIA STUFF    Yesterday, we had everything booked perfectly.  9:00 with Joy Wellington on WOOD TV.  9:30 with Tony Gates at WRJR, one of our Citadel (Media sponsor) stations.  10:15 with my good friend Shelly Irwin over at WGVU. Tight, but doable.   At WOOD TV, they're experimenting with some new media stuff, so we were to record via Skype from the Y.  Problem was that the Internet connection didn't quite work right with all the technology they were trying to use.  By 9:15 I knew I had to leave.  "Chris--you'll have to handle this one."  I left him with four new marathon runners (Amy, Rina, Stacey, and Cheryl) to handle things while I headed over to Citadel studios.   Right on time.  "Oh, we have you on at 9:45.  Then we'll record another interview for WLAV after that."  I had a blast with Tony in the studio.  10:00.  Need to be at WGVU in 15.  Gotta record an interview first.  OK.  10:11 I walked into the elevator.  I figured it would be faster to run the 5 blocks to Shelly's studio than to get my car out of the lot.  At 10:17, I tapped on the glass, Shelly motioned me in and I sat down just one minute before she turned the mike on.  My respiration and heartbeat returned to normal speed.  Whew...   All around, it was a great morning.  Chris and the girls handled things well (click here to watch), I managed to be on three different radio stations, and we went on with our day. This morning, WZZM TV at 6:30.  Good stuff.   WZZM Channel 13 this morning.  CLICK   West Michigan Color Tour Here are some fall colors for you: Red - the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon staff, in red Brooks jackets with white stripes down the sleeves Orange - Medical staff from Metro Health and Life EMS Navy - Aid station captains and other race weekend leaders Tangerine - The finest crew of volunteers in the history of running And that brings us back to.... RED - With our "Victory in the Fall" logo in bright yellow.  Your shirt, the race shirt, your badge of honor.    It's shaping up to be a colorful weekend.    EVERY STRIDE 5K & 10K AND the Nike Human Race   The 2009 NIKE+ Human Race at the Every Stride 5K/10K takes place next weekend (October 24th), last year the numbers surpassed 750 participants. Already this year, the numbers are well over a 1,000. This is a great fall event to celebrate running the ½, full or relay marathon this weekend at the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon. Registration is $18 and shirts are running low so it's a good idea to register soon before they are gone. Included in the $18 registration is your choice of 5K run, 5K walk, 10K run or run both the 5K&10K, a NIKE DryFit race shirt, a souvenir golf ball with the race logos on it, and a post race party pass into the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon and Every Stride 5K/10K post race party; it's a partnership between both races to offer an incredible post race party the weekend after the marathon at a nice cool down event. The party includes burgers, brats, chicken and desserts all included in the $18. There is also a Gazelle Sports Kid's Run for $5 with a 1 mile run, fun run, pumpkin decorating and candy scavenger hunt. Wear your marathon shirt at the post race party and you have a chance to receive 1 of 2 free entries into the 2010 marathon. Plus, make it a great time to share your marathon stories. Register online at www.mirunning.com  today.       Comments from my email: Love your newsletters!! Don't make them shorter. Receiving and reading your e-mails is like a parent patting me on the back saying everything will be alright. One of our Official Charities   myTEAM TRIUMPH (mTT) is proud to be an official charity of the 2009 Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon. Our biggest benefactor, the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, has provided complimentary entries, advertising & expo space to the value of $10,000 to make our participation in this event possible. More exciting is the fact that we get to coordinate the participation of individuals with disabilities in the ½ & Full Marathon race who would otherwise not be able to complete this distance on their own.   . For the complete press release, CLICK HERE Let me tell you about Russ.  (Or perhaps, Juice, Juice Everywhere, and Not A Drop to Drink.)   Russ is the guy who owns Advance Auto Service.  He doesn't run much.  But he does run power and phone lines out of his building for the START/FINISH area.  I met him because his business is located where it is.  Now, any time I have car problems, Russ is the guy I use.  I trust him.  He's always done a great job for me.  Takes care of what I need and always seems to be able to squeeze me in.    Advanced Auto Service www.advancedautoservicegr.com 300 Winter Ave NW, Grand Rapids - (616) 456-8522 Juice for Classic Race Management, timing the race.  Juice for TJ the DJ.  Juice for WRJR and their live remote broadcasting.  Juice for my brakes, my windshield wipers, my engine.  It's all coming from Russ.  THANKS MAN!   Did you know, in Grand Rapids, avenues run north and south, streets run east and west.  And you guys are running on streets, avenues, drives, boulevards, paved trails, and roads.  And you're going to love all of them!    Can't wait to see you all at the FINISH LINE!  Only FIVE days! and the adventure continues.... Don Kern Race Director, Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon   P.S.  If you want to respond to this newsletter, change the subject line so I don't just end up thinking it's a bounce notice or something.  Thanks!  In This Issue Our Sponsors The Calendar Quick Links Register Now Buy Stuff More About Us Our Sponsors This newsletter sponsored by: Prevents chafing, promotes healing. A must for EVERY athlete!     TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Gazelle Sports Training Programs    Marathon Adventures Boot Camp And now...a word from our SPONSORS!   Metro Health Sports Medicine   Gazelle Sports   Highland Group   Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith   Bagel Beanery   West Michigan Sports Commission   Brooks Sports   R.W. Baird Investments   Wright Sock   Gordon Water   Pepsi Bottling of West Michigan   Wright Chiropractic   My Way Mobile Storage     The Schedule   September 26th 20 Mile Training Run hosted by Gazelle Sports   October 17th 9 - 6 Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pickup at the David D Hunting YMCA   October 17th Bagel Beanery Kids Marathon Final 1.2 miles at 1:00 pm   October 18th Sixth Annual Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, Half Marathon, and Relay    October 24th Every Stride 5K/10K, and Metro Health Marathon Post-Race Celebration at Candlestone Golf & Resort   LIFETIME RUNNER Enter Once, Run Forever! You can enter the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon for LIFE. For $725, you get to enter the full or the half marathon for as long as we're still in business!    You'll get a permanent number, some extra swag, and the adoration of your fellow runners. If you've already registered for this year but would like to upgrade, we can make that work too--just email me and we'll get it figured out.     Have a Baby Get a free Entry Here's a deal!  Have a baby at one of the Metro Health facilities between now and October 2010, and get a FREE ENTRY for either the full or the half marathon at the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, 17 October, 2010   (Yesterday, I was told by Stephanie over at Metro that they really prefer that you use the OB ward at their amazing hospital.  Also that she and Andy may just be taking me up on this offer.)   Still, the offer is good for any of their locations.  :-)      *Some restrictions apply, but you're on your own to figure that out A LIMITED TIME OFFER