What a team! What a day! Stay tuned for more pictures and stories to come!!! If you have a great memory or thought from the day, please leave a comment to share...
Comgrats, Iowans for Africa!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
whisper a prayer
The gun has gone off and you have started your final run in this 6 month training program. You are probably still in your first mile and we know this day will be one that God's light is filling each mile as you pass though it. Today you will all be marathoner's. Let your light shine!
Dear Lord,
We pray for this dear team and ask that you lay your blanket of safety over them as they run each mile. We pray that each runner is filled with your strength and joy as they experience a 26.2 mile course. We pray for strong bodies, strong minds, and strong hearts. Let the hearts of others be opened as they see and hear our team members run in Your name. Let today be an amazingly positive and empowering experience for all involved. Thank you for the guidance as this team trained. Bless this team and their goals. Today is done for you, Lord.
Amen
Dear Lord,
We pray for this dear team and ask that you lay your blanket of safety over them as they run each mile. We pray that each runner is filled with your strength and joy as they experience a 26.2 mile course. We pray for strong bodies, strong minds, and strong hearts. Let the hearts of others be opened as they see and hear our team members run in Your name. Let today be an amazingly positive and empowering experience for all involved. Thank you for the guidance as this team trained. Bless this team and their goals. Today is done for you, Lord.
Amen
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Last Details!
Read close...here are a handful of last minute details you won't want to forget!
Expo is Friday from 3-8pm and Saturday from 10-6pm. Athlete Packet pick-up is Friday 3-8 and Saturday 10-8pm. Expo is located at Polk County Convention Complex 501 Grand Blvd, DSM. Plan to stop by our Iowans for Africa booth!
Pasta Meal is 6-8pm also at the Convention Complex on Saturday. If you'd like to meet as a team to try and get seat together please gather at 5:40pm.
Sunday morning:
-baggage claim opens at 7am at Capital Square
-TEAM picture at 7:20 at Nollen plaza meeting place
- Team message and prayer at 7:30 sharp at Nollen plaza (look for the green!)
- Race starts at 8am. You will want to stretch and get in your pace position.
- As the team finishes there will be a light lunch and cheering crowd back at our Nollen plaza spot. Please plan to stick around and congratulate your teammates. This would be a good spot to reconnect with your support team members after you finish your race.
- Nollen plaza is located at 400 Locust St
Runner notes:
-pack any and all running clothes and items that you could possibly use. weather can change directions over night in Iowa, so be prepared! Garbage sacks make for nice rain covers that can easily be tossed aside once you get going and if it were to clear up. Dri-fit gear under your team jersey will give you plenty of breathable space if it's a chilly morning. throw away gloves are handy for the first few miles and can be tossed aside once you get going. Same as a cheap hat. Some will wear old sweats over their shorts to the start line and pitch them once the race starts. Remember, all clothing left on the side of the roads will be picked up for homeless shelters!
- don't forget to eat Sunday morning! Pack a breakfast, preferably something you usually eat before your long runs. I actually took my toaster last year to toast my whole wheat bread in Chicago! :)
- get a good night's sleep TONIGHT and FRIDAY night! That's when it's going to matter for your body anyways. Don't stress if you don't sleep much Saturday night. That's normal!
- Don't forget your shoes!!!
- pack a sweatshirt and pants and maybe some dry socks to slip on post-race. You may cool down fast and something warm and dry to put om will feel really good.
- take a small post-race bag with you for your post race clothes, ibuprofen, camera, hotel key, car keys, etc. You can check this bag or leave it in our team area.
-Have a meeting plan with those who will be trying find you after you finish. I suggest the Nollen plaza area.
- Biofreeze before and ibuprofen after!
- Vaseline or Body glide...cover your feet, toes, under arms, gals-under bra line, guys-nipple area, between legs if you want
- pin your number on your race shirt and your chip on your shoes the night before!
- do not wear your race shoes around all day Saturday either.
And last, but not least, bring a smile and a positive attitude! This will be awesome! I promise!!! So many are praying for you, have donated to your cause, have seen you train, and know that this race will be something you do and do well. We believe in you! Believe in yourself, get excited, and lets let our light shine!
The Lord will give strength to His people, He will bless His people with peace. Psalms 29:11
A a little quote for you today... Run your race in thirds. Run the first part with your head, the second part with your personality, and the last part with your heart.
Go get'em Team! You got this!!!
Expo is Friday from 3-8pm and Saturday from 10-6pm. Athlete Packet pick-up is Friday 3-8 and Saturday 10-8pm. Expo is located at Polk County Convention Complex 501 Grand Blvd, DSM. Plan to stop by our Iowans for Africa booth!
Pasta Meal is 6-8pm also at the Convention Complex on Saturday. If you'd like to meet as a team to try and get seat together please gather at 5:40pm.
Sunday morning:
-baggage claim opens at 7am at Capital Square
-TEAM picture at 7:20 at Nollen plaza meeting place
- Team message and prayer at 7:30 sharp at Nollen plaza (look for the green!)
- Race starts at 8am. You will want to stretch and get in your pace position.
- As the team finishes there will be a light lunch and cheering crowd back at our Nollen plaza spot. Please plan to stick around and congratulate your teammates. This would be a good spot to reconnect with your support team members after you finish your race.
- Nollen plaza is located at 400 Locust St
Runner notes:
-pack any and all running clothes and items that you could possibly use. weather can change directions over night in Iowa, so be prepared! Garbage sacks make for nice rain covers that can easily be tossed aside once you get going and if it were to clear up. Dri-fit gear under your team jersey will give you plenty of breathable space if it's a chilly morning. throw away gloves are handy for the first few miles and can be tossed aside once you get going. Same as a cheap hat. Some will wear old sweats over their shorts to the start line and pitch them once the race starts. Remember, all clothing left on the side of the roads will be picked up for homeless shelters!
- don't forget to eat Sunday morning! Pack a breakfast, preferably something you usually eat before your long runs. I actually took my toaster last year to toast my whole wheat bread in Chicago! :)
- get a good night's sleep TONIGHT and FRIDAY night! That's when it's going to matter for your body anyways. Don't stress if you don't sleep much Saturday night. That's normal!
- Don't forget your shoes!!!
- pack a sweatshirt and pants and maybe some dry socks to slip on post-race. You may cool down fast and something warm and dry to put om will feel really good.
- take a small post-race bag with you for your post race clothes, ibuprofen, camera, hotel key, car keys, etc. You can check this bag or leave it in our team area.
-Have a meeting plan with those who will be trying find you after you finish. I suggest the Nollen plaza area.
- Biofreeze before and ibuprofen after!
- Vaseline or Body glide...cover your feet, toes, under arms, gals-under bra line, guys-nipple area, between legs if you want
- pin your number on your race shirt and your chip on your shoes the night before!
- do not wear your race shoes around all day Saturday either.
And last, but not least, bring a smile and a positive attitude! This will be awesome! I promise!!! So many are praying for you, have donated to your cause, have seen you train, and know that this race will be something you do and do well. We believe in you! Believe in yourself, get excited, and lets let our light shine!
The Lord will give strength to His people, He will bless His people with peace. Psalms 29:11
A a little quote for you today... Run your race in thirds. Run the first part with your head, the second part with your personality, and the last part with your heart.
Go get'em Team! You got this!!!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Wear your green!!!
A sea of green is heading to DesMoines! Plan to wear your green marathon support team shirts this weekend if you are heading to the expo and of course on race day!!! Don't have a shirt? They will be selling them at the Iowans for Africa booth at the expo on Friday and Saturday... or just find a green shirt in your closet and join the crowd! :)
Monday, October 11, 2010
A Big Ask
We need 4 to 6 people (or more) willing to come to OHC on Saturday morning at 9:30 AM to make and bag cold sandwiches. These can be family or friends that are not making the trip to Des Moines. We have someone to transport them to Des Moines but need your help in finding people to make them. Please ask a friend to do this for us then E-mail Emily Schut at schut99@hotmail.com and let her know who will be there. She is organizing light lunches for all of the hundreds of Iowans for Africa supporters coming to Des Moines on Sunday. Also we need support team members that can take a short shift at handing out the lunches on Sunday morning at our tables. Set up is 10:30 and will probably be done around 1:30 or so. The more that can help with this, the shorter the time shifts will be. We will be very close to the finish line and they will be able to pick a time that will allow them to see their runners finish! So please ask some of your support crew if they would be willing to help us out!!!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
full circle
Just a reminder that our team will meet at 7am the next two Saturday mornings at Orchard Hill Church for our final 2 team runs before October 17th! What a great place to finish up our final runs together. This is where we found out that yes, we CAN run 3 miles! Yes, we CAN run at all! Yes, we can run 3 then 4 then 5 then 6 and so on miles at a time!! You have done this team! You will head down the street feeling so much success as you've almost completed the training for a marathon. You are coming full circle... come hit the pavement with us and celebrate! We are almost there and together we are accomplishing great things! Gos is faithful and His strength beams out of so many of you!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
what a day!
I arrived at Pfiefer park just a little early today because I wanted to feel the anticipation of all those coming to run their 20 mile run today. It was dark out yet and some had come early to get a few miles in before the rain started. Some were just rolling out of bed and tying their shoes. Some were just jumping around ready to get going. It was so great to be amongst the excitement, nerves, and thrill of a group of people ready to conquer a goal. Good job team!
Many of you have finished your longest run now that you will do before the 26.2. It seems each time the miles bumped up, people were ready to do it...whether they knew it or not. So many have faithfully been led through this training journey and no doubt the leading from God and Coach Don will continue right through the 26.2. Some of you will feel nervous for that unknown territory the day of the race. The last 6.2 miles that you haven't experienced yet. Remember that God doesn't ever send you where He hasn't already been. Where He isn't already at. When you've reached the 20 mile mark on race day, just know that it can be completed just like today's big run. You will do this.
Last year as I entered mile 23 or 24 I started to see Jesus in a whole new way. Up to that point I had not experienced physical exhaustion or pain quite like I had at that point. (I am not writing that to scare you!) I knew I could do it, but I knew God was going to run with me to get me there. Those last few miles I visualized Jesus, God's only son, nailed to a cross. As my lungs heaved for air and my legs moved simply by habit, I was overwhelmed with what Jesus went through physically to let me live. If Jesus could suffer pain far worse then mine, I could suffer a little pain for children and moms and dads to have clean water in Africa. I did not know that 6.2 mile place very well, but what I found there was a strength I didn't know I had, a purpose much greater then myself, and a Savior I didn't deserve. Jesus was there in those last few miles... I just had to run the first 20 to get there and see Him in that way. I hope you run to meet Jesus in those last hard 6.2 miles. I hope you run with the strength that has been building in you for the last 7 months. I hope you run knowing Jesus died for you, so you can live. Even living to choose to run 26.2 miles!!
It brings me to tears to see all the people on those trails running, becoming friends, growing in many ways, and choosing to do this. You are an amazing group of people! Congrats on your 20 mile run today, gang! This has been an amazing journey and the finish line is not far away. You will do great things on race day!
Many of you have finished your longest run now that you will do before the 26.2. It seems each time the miles bumped up, people were ready to do it...whether they knew it or not. So many have faithfully been led through this training journey and no doubt the leading from God and Coach Don will continue right through the 26.2. Some of you will feel nervous for that unknown territory the day of the race. The last 6.2 miles that you haven't experienced yet. Remember that God doesn't ever send you where He hasn't already been. Where He isn't already at. When you've reached the 20 mile mark on race day, just know that it can be completed just like today's big run. You will do this.
Last year as I entered mile 23 or 24 I started to see Jesus in a whole new way. Up to that point I had not experienced physical exhaustion or pain quite like I had at that point. (I am not writing that to scare you!) I knew I could do it, but I knew God was going to run with me to get me there. Those last few miles I visualized Jesus, God's only son, nailed to a cross. As my lungs heaved for air and my legs moved simply by habit, I was overwhelmed with what Jesus went through physically to let me live. If Jesus could suffer pain far worse then mine, I could suffer a little pain for children and moms and dads to have clean water in Africa. I did not know that 6.2 mile place very well, but what I found there was a strength I didn't know I had, a purpose much greater then myself, and a Savior I didn't deserve. Jesus was there in those last few miles... I just had to run the first 20 to get there and see Him in that way. I hope you run to meet Jesus in those last hard 6.2 miles. I hope you run with the strength that has been building in you for the last 7 months. I hope you run knowing Jesus died for you, so you can live. Even living to choose to run 26.2 miles!!
It brings me to tears to see all the people on those trails running, becoming friends, growing in many ways, and choosing to do this. You are an amazing group of people! Congrats on your 20 mile run today, gang! This has been an amazing journey and the finish line is not far away. You will do great things on race day!
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