| Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Newsletter Sponsored by Sportwax 5 October 2009 |
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Yesterday was our annual staff run of the marathon course. It's the time we get to earn our medals for running the marathon, so that we can be out there for all of you on race day. It's a valuable experience too--we get to check out the whole course. Last year, our 21 mile mark and the turnaround just past it were gone! The City of Grand Rapids had repaved their piece of Indian Mounds Road, and as others on the staff came back toward me on that piece, they kept asking "Where was the turnaround?" Fortunately, I had GPS coordinates and good descriptions of where everything was, and I could just go out and put them back in where they belonged. Anyway, the course is ready. And it's beautiful. You'll like the changes since last year. Much nicer. Gail, the lovely Francine, Terence, Dr. Ed, Andy, and I ran the full marathon course. George and Ken ran the half. (Did I miss anybody?) Rudy rode along and took some pictures. Rick ran, practicing running with his pace team sign for about 20 miles. A nice day. Hot showers at the Y, and longer than I should have spent in the whirlpool afterwards UNDER TWO WEEKS! Soon we'll start the 10-day countdown! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Here's a couple of thoughts, now that it's getting to crunch time-- - If you want to email me to ask questions, that's cool. Please check out the website first though--we have FAQ, course map, race day instructions, etc. Lots of good stuff.
- Put something pertinent in the subject line.
- Sign your name. I'm pretty likely to delete stuff otherwise.
RUN THRU THE RAPIDS
The David D Hunting YMCA is the venue for our expo as well as the start & finish of the marathon. We're excited to be there another year. Something else you might like to know: 38 years ago, the YMCA service club started a marathon. Over the years, it changed venues, changed distances, the old guys got older and died (which old guys will do sometimes) and the younger guys have taken over. And this year is the 39th year they've put on a race. It's a 5K and 10K now, and it's coming up on Saturday the 10th. Now, you should be in your taper by that time, so a nice 10K tempo run up and down the banks of the Grand River is probably just about what you need that day. Plus, the race supports Camp Manitou-Lin, the YMCA camp just south of Grand Rapids. So, come out and run, get familiar with the YMCA, and have a great time. EVERY STRIDE 5K & 10K AND the Nike Human Race It's not only the Nike Human Race, and the Every Stride 5K & 10K! It's our post-race party! After a 5-day cooldown period following the marathon, join us out at Candlestone Golf & Resort for a great time. Wear your marathon gear, share your "war stories" and celebrate! Check it out at www.mirunning.com for more info. Plus, wear your marathon stuff--shirt, hat, socks, whatever, and get into a free drawing for one of two free entries to our 2010 marathon! |
| Believing Your Own Baloney Yeah, I wasn't originally going to use the word baloney there, but you know... What's the first thing you need to do to be able to run a marathon? Believe in yourself! "Of course I can do that. I'm Marathon Don." I like to say things like that. I don't necessarily alway believe it before I say it, but just saying it makes me expect more out of myself. I also manage to do some pretty cool stuff along the way. It's not because of some great talent or physical ability (both of which I have in fairly limited quantities), rather it's because I choose to believe that I can do ANYTHING. Maybe I'm wrong. Who knows? There's another side to the same coin. Try thinking the world is out to get you, that people don't love you, that you can't do something. DANGER, WILL ROBINSON, DANGER! Start believing your own baloney here, and it's going to get you into trouble. The things we say to ourselves shape who we are and what we accomplish. The people who win are the ones who continually feed themselves good thoughts. Examine what you're thinking--especially now, as marathon time approaches. Sometimes negative thoughts will creep in. Replace them with positive ones. You're strong, you're fit, and you're capable! Remember that. |
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500 is now a low number Pat Carey ran Akron last weekend. At least 7 people on the staff ran marathons this weekend. Several are running next weekend. Your marathon staff already had well over 500 marathons to their credit. I'm really proud of all of these people. And for all of YOU! I'm proud of you too--the miles you put in, the belief in yourself, the sacrifice you put in--you're awesome.
Running with the Staff this weekend I don't know who's running what this weekend, but we'll try to coordinate something. The lovely Francine and I are off to Niagara Falls where her oldest daughter Rachel is getting married this weekend. Rick & Lynne are off to pace in Chicago. When the plans solidify, I'll let you know who's running what. Whatever it is, it'll probably be short--it's taper week, right? Can't wait to see you all at the FINISH LINE!
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! |
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| This newsletter sponsored by: |
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| TRAINING |
| And now...a word from our SPONSORS! Pepsi Bottling of West Michigan |
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| 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 |
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| LIFETIME RUNNER |
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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. |
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