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
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.
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