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