Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon: November 2009

Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Newsletter

23 November 2009

THANKS and GIVING

It's a great time of year. Lately a lot of people have been posting daily "Thankful" notes on Facebook. I like it. Personally, I have LOTS to be thankful for. You probably know that already.

Life is fun--the lovely Francine and I spent last weekend in and around Richmond, VA, where we ran the Suntrust Marathon. We also spent lots of time with my uncle, aunt, and cousins. Nice catching up. My 186th marathon.

Most of us as runners can be thankful. We have goals. We have great health. We have great friends. We have great attitudes. Thanksgiving is a pretty meaningful time.

But how many of us focus on the second half of the word? The GIVING part. It's one of the best parts of the marathon, and some of the MOST SATISFYING parts of life!

This year, runners of the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon raised nearly $100,000 for charities in conjunction with their running efforts. WOW! And the marathon also has been able to contribute nearly $15,000 to charities as well, including the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, many of our aid station groups, Alternatives in Motion, and several others.

We're runners. We're thankful for our blessings. We give to help others. The true meaning of THANKSGIVING!

BOOTCAMP!

We're starting a new Boot Camp session on Dec 1. Check the story below!

BAREFOOT RUNNING?

Hey, you notice lately that more people are running barefoot, or wearing those Vibram five-finger footwear things that they sell at Gazelle Sports? Well, Jason Robillard, a guy I met recently is holding a clinic starting Dec 2 on barefoot and minimalist shoe running. That's about what I know about it, but if you want to check it out, go here.

VIDEO CLIPS of this year's marathon, at http://michiganrunner.tv/2009grandrapids/

PICTURES

The pictures are in!! ASI Photo once again has your pictures ready for you. CLICK HERE

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. They're backordered. I'm lobbying Brooks as much as I can to get them.

SOCKS, HATS, EXTRA SHIRTS

Extra Red Shirts are available at the BUYSTUFF link. (Give me until tomorrow morning to get these on there!!) $20 Socks, $5.00. Hats are $10.00. We'll have some available on the web shortly at www.cooladventures.net/buystuff.htm. Still have a bunch of the 2008 shirts too, if you like.

XS SHIRTS

The XS shirts - the red shirts are backordered until February. I can get black ones though, same style, same screen printing. So, that's what's happening. I should have them within a couple weeks.

Meet Brandi Cole

I'm on the board of directors of Alternatives in Motion, a Grand Rapids based charity which provides wheel chairs for people who aren't covered by insurance. Last week we had a great opportunity I want to share with all of you. This story is written by Matt Chapman.

Meet Brandi

12-year-old Brandi Cole is a sixth-grader at Dowagiac Middle School who was born with cerebral palsy and uses a power wheelchair to get around. Two days before school started her wheelchair broke down leaving her stranded. An unexpected delay in repairing her chair left friends, family, and staff pushing Brandi around in a manual wheelchair for 10 weeks, robbing her of the independence every 12-year-old desires.

That all changed on Friday November 13, 2009. Surrounded by her family and some wonderful people from the school, Brandi was placed in a nearly new power wheelchair from Alternatives in Motion. For Brandi it was a dream come true, no longer would she have to rely on someone to push her around. For the family and friends who care so much about her, the new chair brought a sigh of relief and an end to their 10-week mobility struggle.

Two days prior we received a call from Kimberly Linton, Brandi's physical therapist. Kimberly was devastated by the delay in repairing Brandi's chair and didn't know what else to do. After talking to several organizations Kimberly was finally referred to Alternatives in Motion and we committed to solving the problem.

First thing Thursday morning we identified a chair we thought would work for Brandi. We did an immediate clean up of the chair, batteries were replaced, old seating was taken out, and everything was adjusted to the smallest setting. By 4:30p.m. Thursday afternoon we were confident the chair would work. George made the phone call to Kimberly and we left for Dowiagiac at 5:50a.m. the next morning.

We greeted Brandi and her entourage in the main office of the school and watched her eyes light up as we brought in the new chair. Kimberly placed Brandi in the chair and Matt went to work making the final adjustments. 30 minutes later Brandi took her new chair for a test drive and was cruising down the hallways. She couldn't stop smiling.

This special day would not have been possible if it wasn't for Kimberly and the staff at Dowagiac Middle School who went the extra mile to make sure Brandi had the mobility and independence she deserved.

For more of the story, check out the rest of our newsletter and watch the video. CLICK HERE

HEY MATT!

I'd also say it wouldn't have been possible without the efforts of great people like you, Johnnie, George, and Liz. And also without the support of those who sponsor Alternatives in Motion. It's all about people making a difference for other people. You can join Alternatives in Motion and help make that difference too. Check it out!

SPECIAL FREE PREVIEW SESSION - THIS FRIDAY

5:30 a.m. See if you like it. Meet at the corner of Market Street and Fulton. We'll have a special introductory session, discuss the schedule, figure out if we want to start at 5, 5:15, or 5:30. Join Jim, Craig, and me and work off a little of that extra food you consumed on Thursday.

The next session--a super-secret "Underground Bootcamp" to take us through the winter. We'll be training in out of the weather in the pre-traffic early mornings. Hill work in the parking ramps. Fun times in the Grand Rapids underground with personal trainer Jim Patch, along with his trusty sidekick, (me) on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting on December 1. 26 scheduled sessions, plus bonus sessions. It's only $250 for a winter of adventure and fitness! More info at www.cooladventures.net/bootcamp.htm

THANKFUL!

Once again, a nice marathon. 38 states on my second time around. Collected a beer glass (that's 33 states). Enjoyed family. Adventures abound in a runner's life. And friends. I'm totally thankful going into this Thanksgiving week.

Cleaning house, getting ready for my family to invade on Thursday. Good times with my girls (three granddaughters), my kids, and my family (real or adopted). Lots of opportunities for thanks. And lots for giving!

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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