Iowans for Africa

Team Picture

2010-10-23T11:20:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder to wear your team shirts tomorrow to church! Gather in the atrium at 10:45 for a final team picture as official marathon finishers!!! Wear your medal, too!

Marathon Day Pics

2010-10-19T17:37:00.000-05:00

Job well done!

2010-10-17T21:43:00.000-05:00

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!!!!!!!!!!

whisper a prayer

2010-10-17T08:14:00.000-05:00

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

Last Details!

2010-10-14T14:26:00.000-05:00

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!!!

Wear your green!!!

2010-10-12T18:00:00.000-05:00

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! :)

A Big Ask

2010-10-11T21:27:00.000-05:00

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!!!

full circle

2010-09-29T15:13:00.000-05:00

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!

what a day!

2010-09-25T14:43:00.000-05:00

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!

2010-09-21T11:12:00.002-05:00

A team mate has contacted me that she will be unable to participate in the marathon because of pregnancy (YEA GOD) and is wishing to give her registration to someone who may have been thinking about running but could not justify the cost right now. If you are interested please email me at dwilliams@orchardhillchurch.org and I will connect you.

Someone on our team is looking for a pace partner for the Des Moines 1/2 marathon for a 1:45 finish time. If you are interested please email her at megilee@hotmail.com.

Please try your best to attend our team meal September 24th! Hope to see you then.
Coach Don

Let's Eat!

2010-09-20T13:37:00.000-05:00

This Friday is our final Pasta Potluck meal with all runners, runner's families, and support team members! Meet at Nazareth Church on the corner of Main St & University Ave at 6pm. We will be gathering in Bethal Hall. I really hope you can make this fun occasion. We will share some packing tips, race day tips, and where to meet before the race starts! You won't want to miss this information...or the good food for that matter :)

Bring your own table service, drinks will be provided, and bring food according to the first letter in your FIRST name.

A-L: Bring a pasta dish of some sort

(please avoid anything spicy...makes for uncomfortable run the next day)

M-R: Bring a salad of some sort

S-Z: Bring garlic bread and a dessert of some sort

If you have your Marathon Support Team shirt wear it! Look forward to seeing you Friday night!

Important Notice!

2010-09-15T13:25:00.000-05:00

This coming Sunday we are having a special video about Iowans for Africa prepared by Jeff Mickey, one of our team mates. This will be shown at all of our services, as well as an interview about what our team is doing. It would be awesome if many of you can be there wearing your training shirt. Also, last year we took a team picture between services on this day so we are asking you to participate in that again. The time for taking the picture will be 10:40 so please try to be there early. It will be taken in the atrium of Orchard Hill Church, entrance E on the south side. Whether you are attending services here, at Naz or anywhere, we would love it if you could come for the team picture. And you don't have to wear our training shirt as I know some do not have them. The more team mates we can get in this picture the more impact it will bring to our mission.

Also a reminder that Sunday is the last day to order race shirts so please bring those forms and a check for $15 for ordering your shirt if you have not done so. Order forms will be available at Naz this Sunday as well. I will be submitting the order early Monday morning. Both race team and support team shirt order forms will also be available on this Saturday. The support team shirt final day to order will be Sunday September 26.

We are hoping to get our team picture and some information about our mission and what God is doing through us in the media during the next week or two, if anyone has any contacts please pass the word along.

Here is a picture that keeps coming back to my mind. Can you imagine 500 or more people standing in the grass by Nolan Plaza in down town Des Moines at 7:30 AM praying together? What an awesome picture of how God is leading us through this journey. It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.

Have a great day and keep smiling!

Blessings,
Coach Don

Fundraising & Food!!

2010-09-08T13:47:00.000-05:00

A reminder from Coach Don about off-line giving changes...

*If you had entered any offline donations onto your Iowans for Africa website before August 25th, they are no longer showing on your total and will have to be re-entered. Firstgiving made some changes which will actually help make giving easier and smoother! Sorry for the inconvience though. If you had already given Don Williams the money that was collected and aren't sure about the amount/names, please give him a call and he will assist you.

Here is how to add offline donations now: (This is important info for everyone!)

If a donor gives you a check, you can add that check amount to your fundraising page's total and display your donor in the list with all your online donors. Here's how.
Sign into your firstgiving account.
On the Your Account at a Glance page, click the name of the page you'd like to work with.
Click Add Offline Donation.
A screen will come up asking for information about your donor. This information will be confirmed by the nonprofit when they receive the check. Once this information has been confirmed, it cannot be changed, so be sure to double-check what you've entered before clicking Continue!
*If you want to re-add your bulk amount of your offline donations, you can do so here, just list the first name as Offline and the last name as Donor and then enter the amount. It will then display again on your page.*
Upon clicking Continue, the donation will appear on your fundraising page in the table of donors at the bottom - your offline donors will look just like your online donors. An email will also be sent to you and to your donor (if you've entered their email address) at this time, confirming that they made a donation to your page.
Then, make sure to turn in the check with the check donation form we have given out. A full receipt email will follow once we (OHC) have received and confirmed the check.

Thank you so much for getting behind this fund raising effort, some exciting things are happening that will be announced soon!

Blessings,

Coach Don

And don't forget our Carb-Loading TEAM (plus support members) Meal THIS Friday at 6PM!!!

Runners, runner's kids, runner's spouses, runner's parent's even... Mark your calendar for SEPTEMBER 10th! We will gather at Orchard Hill Church at 6:00pm for a pasta potluck. This will be a great opportunity to sit with your teammates and families and share a meal, hear encouragement and insight from some previous marathon runners, and load up on carbs before your big run Saturday morning! Details below...

If your last name starts with...

A-D: Bring Garlic or Cheese Bread

E-I: Bring a salad of some sort

J-T: Bring a Pasta Dish of some sort

U-Z: Bring a Dessert of some sort

Also, bring your own dinner-ware. Drinks will be provided!

It's an old fashioned potluck picnic! Hope to see you there!

Pasta Potluck!!!

2010-08-28T09:08:00.000-05:00

If your last name starts with...

A-D: Bring Garlic or Cheese Bread

E-I: Bring a salad of some sort

J-T: Bring a Pasta Dish of some sort

U-Z: Bring a Dessert of some sort

Also, bring your own dinner-ware. Drinks will be provided!

It's an old fashioned potluck picnic! Hope to see you there!

thought about hotels?

2010-08-17T08:15:00.000-05:00

This isn't a long blog post, but rather a quick reminder that if you haven't booked a hotel room for the night before the marathon you may want to look into that in the next couple weeks. It is fun to stay with some teammates and I am sure we will gather early Sunday morning to walk to the start together. Coach Don may have some suggestions of a good area to look for your hotel room! If you have EXTRA rooms, leave a comment here... last year we connected people with extra rooms pretty easily with the blog.

How about this running weather this week!?!? Whoo-hoo!!

TEAM

2010-08-08T19:16:00.001-05:00

There is a lot of meaning in the word "team". I looked it up today and found this...

A team comprises a group of people linked in a common purpose. Teams are especially appropriate for conducting tasks that are high in complexity and have many interdependent subtasks.

A group in itself does not necessarily constitute a team. Teams normally have members with complementary skills and generate synergy through a coordinated effort which allows each member to maximize his or her strengths and minimize his or her weaknesses.

Team members need to learn how to help one another, help other team members realize their true potential, and create an environment that allows everyone to go beyond their limitations.

If I were ever a part of a team that helped each other go beyond their limitations, it's this one! I am pretty sure I would not have completed 7 months of training last year to complete a 26.2 mile race on my own. I am also pretty certain that this year I would not have committed to running the way I do without the encouragement, accountability, and bigger purpose that this team outlines and demonstrates. It feels good to be a part of a team. It brings out the best in us I believe and I think we accomplish more when together. Whether we are running, raising money, or learning to love God, each other, and ourselves better... it is stronger as a team.

If you haven't made it to a Team Run on a Saturday morning I strongly encourage you to join us! We have 9 group runs left. Some of our longest runs in the next few weeks will happen. I promise this will be an awesome experience with your teammates! 6:30am at Pfieffer Park. We also will be having some team carb loading meals soon. I really hope you mark your calendars for these to join us! Keep watching for more details!

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20

encouragement

2010-07-31T21:44:00.002-05:00

Way to go, Iowans for Africa! Laura Hoy here. I was the blog author last year during marathon training, and Jess and Don have done an excellent job authoring it this year! I've opted this year to step into running with my 11 year old daughter, Sara. She's interested, so instead of training for a 1/2 or my 2nd marathon, the timing was right for me to spend this summer jogging with her and setting our first race goal together....the Park to Park 10K on Sept. 11.

We drove to Pfeiffer this morning at 8 a.m.to jog four miles. What a great sight to see the parking lot stuffed full of cars and to see so many of you on the trail this morning! The "hello's", "good jobs", "way to go's" put a little extra spring in our steps this morning! I can't tell you how proud I am of all of you, and how jazzed up I was to see many familiar faces and many new faces out there this morning! You're doing spectacular in your training!

Encouragement was SOOO key for me last year. It made the greatest difference for me! The cheers each week from coach and teammates and the parade of encouragement throughout the Chicago marathon were keys to my finishing, for sure. In fact, the encouragement made such an impact that the other day when RAGBRAI rode through, I stood cheering in my friend's yard who lives on the route just 3 miles south of the Waterloo destination Thursday. She lives on the top of a hill, and bikers had already ridden 80 miles that day. I clapped and woot-woot'ed for folks for over two hours straight. It gives such a boost to tired minds and bodies, as I'm sure you are discovering!

So, keep up the great work, everyone! I absolutely KNOW that you can achieve the finish line of that marathon in October! What is encouragement but to "give courage" to someone? May God give you all the courage you need to keep going...right foot, left foot...on the race marked before you-both for the marathon and for your whole life!

Why Food for the Hungry?

2010-07-26T14:05:00.000-05:00

Our marathon team is partnering with Food for the Hungry, an organization that Orchard Hill has worked with for the last 4-5 years (roughly). I'm not sure a lot of you know a ton about FH. If you get a chance to sit and talk with any of the members from our church that have visited Mozambique I highly recommend it! You will get a bigger picture for why OHC and FH are so fired up about working together and honoring God's call to reach the hard places! If you have a minute, browse through their website... www.fh.org

Here are a few more details about this group of people we are walking (well, actually running) with...

HISTORY

The Food for the Hungry vision – “God called and we responded until physical and spiritual hungers ended worldwide” – represents action and advocacy for those about whom Jesus spoke when he quoted the prophet Isaiah in Luke 4:18, “He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.” In a prayerful manner before God, we continue to ask God for great and bold impact in a world of incredible need.
Since the humble beginnings of Food for the Hungry in Glendale, California in 1971, God continues to call regular, ordinary people like our founder Dr. Larry Ward to help disclose to the world God’s passion and heart for the poor. Desiring His mercy and grace to go forward, God calls His followers to face outward to the world, connecting and drawing into service a sometimes inwardly-focused church and society. Food for the Hungry’s commitment to reveal God’s heart cry for the poor – remains unchanged. It is why He calls us, and it is why, by His grace, we respond to end physical and spiritual hungers worldwide.

MISSION STATEMENT

To walk with churches, leaders and families
in overcoming all forms of human poverty
by living in healthy relationship with God and His creation.

WHAT FH DOES

Agriculture & Environment: Increasing crop production, training farmer marketing groups, producing high-quality seed.
Child Development & Education: Education support program, training teachers, distribution of school materials, rehabilitation of school structures.
Church Development: Training of pastors and church leaders, truth-based messaging, leadership development.
Emergency Relief: Emergency flood and drought relief.
Economic Development & Livelihoods: Business development, savings groups.
Health & Nutrition: Nutrition education, zinc project to reduce effects of diarrhea.
HIV/AIDS: Abstinence and faithfulness in marriage, home-based care, HIV/AIDS awareness, food provisions, school materials.

MORE BLOGS :)

http://www.fh.org/learn/blogs

Check the blog link out to read more personal writings about all kinds of FH's programs happening around the world...from sponsorship programs to disaster relief to a blog kept by the president of Food for the Hungry.

So if you or any of your fund-raising sponsors have asked "why Food for the Hungry"? I say "Why Not"!!!

why we keep going...

2010-07-18T14:28:00.003-05:00

If you were at yesterday's team run you know it was no easy run day. The sun beating down, the humidity, and high temps made for not so fun running conditions. I am pretty sure I uttered under my breath numerous times "why am I doing this"!?!?

Last year I trained for the full marathon and this year I am training for the half marathon. I remember last year at certain times asking myself that same question. Especially when running conditions are not what you would hope they'd be. The combo of bad running conditions mixed in with busy schedules, family's to juggle, jobs to do, relationships to nurture, houses to clean, to-do lists to complete, and of course sleeping at some time during your 24 hour day make for a lot of great excuses to NOT train for this marathon. Good thing we're not doing this for ourselves.

Why we keep going is so much more about other's and very little about us. Isn't that partly why we signed up for this team experience? Despite the brutal temps & humidity and hectic schedules to fit running into, at the end of the day we go to bed knowing we ran that day for a much bigger purpose. Being on this team gives us a focus that keeps us pushing forward as we run into many obstacles along the way.

When you get a little off focus remember our 4 main goals...

We are on this team and want to use this DSM marathon event to first of all advance His Kingdom and Praise God! I saw this so much last year and it is happening again. People are finding this team who have never walked through Orchard Hill Church's doors. Isn't that what we want to be about? Bringing people into a place where they can find love, friendship, encouragement, and grace to see Jesus in their own lives better.

Second, we want to get everyone to the finish line HAPPY and HEALTHY! Doing a marathon isn't everyone's giftedness, so to say, but with some hard work, great coaching, and encouraging teammates this can happen. It did last year and it was AMAZING to get to the finish and see your teammates their too. I can honestly say, it was one of my greatest life moments in my life!

Third, we want to develop a team mentality through building relationships and community. Last year I started on this team knowing a handful of people as acquaintances. When I crossed the finish line in Chicago I was linked with 5 other girls whom I call dear friends today. This year I started my training with these same gals and it is such a blessing to see the friendships that have grown from hitting the pavement together for months on end. Not only them, but the many faces I've come to love, respect, and know better simply from joining them as a team member on this marathon team. As for community... life has shown me through the past 6 years or so how much God intends for us to live life TOGETHER. Community is what God's desire for His people, I believe. What an awesome way to honor God through building community on this team.

Fourth and last, but no less important... we want to raise money to build a school in Mozambique, Africa. Mozambique is one of OHC's "mission beyond our walls" community's. Partnered with Food for the Hungry, we have a strong desire to serve those in Mozambique. This means we give our time, bodies, minds, and hearts to this mission. We give with our financial resources too. As we do this, we bring awareness to others, inspire others and ourselves, and serve a big God. Some days when I struggle through a hard run, I envision life for the kids in the Mozambique community. This keeps me going. Once again, less about me and more about them.

So, if you battled through the heat lately or found yourself juggling a crazy schedule, reread through our goals, our mission, and our focus for why we run. We keep going because we serve a big God who has big plans for this team of runners. We keep going because we have teammates depending on us. We keep going because we have children clear across the globe hoping in us. We keep going because we can. "We can do ALL things through Christ who STRENGTHENS us!" Philippians 4:13

Keep on going!!!

and a few more!!!

2010-07-10T10:11:00.000-05:00

I am really sorry if I missed you running by me! My kids came down and I got a bit distracted, but really tried to snap a photo of most of you! If you would like a copy of one of these, just email me! (jessmcintosh21@hotmail.com)

I have to tell you all what an awesome job you did at Sturgis!!! I know it was hard, it was hot & muggy, and it was a first race for many of you. Like many hard things in life, we always seem to gain the most from these situations. I hope getting the half under your belt showed you how strong you really are! You can do this! You ARE doing this!!! Keep it up, Team! We are making big steps in faith, strength, endurance, and growth of our hearts.

more peeks!

2010-07-05T17:05:00.000-05:00

And even more coming...!!!

take a peek

2010-07-02T13:53:00.002-05:00

More pictures coming!!! Check back soon!!!

Hey 1st timers...

2010-06-28T19:17:00.000-05:00

Tell us how your FIRST half marathon was!!!! I have lots of pictures to come, but wanted to hear some stories first!!! or if this was like your 10th half marathon, please share with us too!!

Sturgis 1/2 Marathon

2010-06-18T13:23:00.000-05:00

If you haven't registered yet for the Sturgis half marathon you have 3 days to do it and get the cheaper price!! Be sure to label your checks with a $5 discount for being on Iowans for Africa team. We will be meeting at 6:45am in the Rec Center parking lot, lower corner. Look for the team and come for our first attempt at a team picture! (even if you are not running, come for the picture and to cheer if you can!!!).
This was my first 1/2 marathon ever running last year and I loved it! I was VERY nervous, but was amazed at how ready Coach Don had me. I cried the last 1/2 mile because it felt so awesome to complete it. Doing it with a team made it even better. I really hope you join the team for this experience!

Come early, pray with us, take pictures, and run for fun! Hope to see you there!!!

Last year's team before 1/2 marathon at Sturgis Falls! We are excited to be back with old faces and wonderful new ones too!!!!!

fund-raising

2010-06-17T12:44:00.001-05:00

Fundraising ideas are being put into action! How exciting!! We have a great group of people working to finish the final details of making our team fundraising easy to access on-line and promote to friends & family! If this is your first year doing this, take a look at last year's firstgiving web pages... here is a link to mine and from here you can click on the team name in top right corner and browse around some of last year's team members pages. This will give you a little idea of what we are trying to accomplish...on our own :) Look for details to come soon!!!

(you will have to copy and paste this link into your browser to bring it up)

http://www.firstgiving.com/jessicahansen

school by a tree

2010-06-11T13:48:00.000-05:00

Here is the picture of the children in Mozambique attending school on a nice sunny day. Unfortunately, school is canceled during the rainy season. This shaded area under the tree is where the students attend school on a day like shown here. Our goal is to raise money to help build them an actual classroom building and by doing that a teacher will be provided too. How life changing for a community to have a school set up!! More info will be coming in the next couple weeks about our fund-raising goals and opportunities. If you haven't yet, be praying for this big project to be completed with our efforts! We serve a BIG God and He can do BIG things!

gu, blocks, and more!

2010-06-08T14:24:00.002-05:00

Now that we are entering into running for over an hour I wanted to give you a quick lesson in a few things to try to keep filled with energy! You maybe have heard the terms "gu", "beans", and "blocks" used for this. Here is a quick description of all of these in case you needed a little help here...

Gu, energy gel. This stuff actually works. I promise! This is my personal favorite that really seemed to make a big difference in my body. I had to play around with a few flavors though. I could not eat any of the chocolate flavored ones myself. My fave... vanilla bean and orange. there are tons of flavors to pick from. You can find these at Scheels or on-line. I recommend buying by the box. You will save yourself a few dollars and you will use them! I liked to use a big safety pin and just pin them along my shorts waist line. Remember to take this 20 minutes before you will actually need it. I usually used them for anything over 6 miles, just to be safe.

Sports beans, energy supplement. These come in a variety of brands. The ones made by Jelly Belly taste the yummiest :) I didn't use these often. Usually on super duper long runs (16 and over). I would use them in between my gu's when I got bored or needed a little something. Some use them as their main energy source. Try it out. Also found at Scheels.

Shot blocks. My second fave, personally. These are like big chewy pieces of candy. However, if you store them in the inside of your shorts they get really warm and sticky and hard to chew. I recommend eating them with water, something to wash it down and out of your teeth. These store nicely in a skinny running belt. I also would stick these in a snack size ziplock baggie and pin them to your waist line on shorts. My fave flavor: orange :) Also found at Scheels.

With all these energy supplements remember to take them with water, not Gatorade. Too much sugar at once. I've heard bananas and oranges are good too, but I never tried those options. Was afraid my digestive system would get going...if you know what I mean?!?!

Running belts... I personally used the skinny one up top. I liked it because it was very light weight, skinny and laid along my waist, didn't rub, I could fit a lot in it, and could pin my gu's to it. I used this for the marathon and a couple long runs. $19.99 on amazon. I'd be happy to let anyone try it on, use it for a trial run, or just see it.

I don't know that a belt is necessary for everybody. I liked feeling like I could take a few essentials with me... wet wipe, ibprofin, gu's, chapstick, woman stuff (sorry guys), my hotel room key, my chat list for my running group (your brain starts to freeze after awhile and some topics are nice to pass the time!), some verses written on a small sheet of paper. If I had really wanted to I could have taken my cell phone, but opted not to. Hey...I like to be overly prepared :)

So, here are a few running things to think about. Please share if you have other tips or things that work for you! Please ask if you have questions and good luck choosing your energy treats!!!

websites anyone?

2010-05-29T08:42:00.002-05:00

There are some great websites out there for anyone wanting to do a little more reading...

www.runnersworld.com

This is a GREAT site for all kind of running related topics...from what kind of shoes to wear, food to eat, pace to try, gu to use, and anything in between! Check it out!

www.fh.org

This is the website for Food for the Hungry, the ministry we are partnering with to build our school in Mozambique. Many of our OHC families sponsor a child through them already. To learn more about FH's goals and how they work take a bit to search around on their page!

http://www.desmoinesmarathon.com/

This is the website for the DesMoines Marathon. Lots of your race day questions can be answered here!

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

This link takes you to google pedometer site. You can pull up anywhere in the world and log in your site, track your running route, and it will give you the distance in miles. It is great for pre-routing a run and knowing where and how far to go. I use it for my neighborhood streets all the time!

Anyone else have some great websites to share???

2010-05-27T13:03:00.003-05:00

A tip from chapter 7 of the Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer, Part 1 talks about learning to focus or concentrating on what you are doing. This is the opposite of "spacing off" the book says. Later in the book they talk about associative and dissociative mental techniques, that is something different that we will get to know more about later. But staying focused does not mean that you are so intent on what you are doing that you can not talk or enjoy the scenery along the way. What it does mean is that when you start to get fatigued the first thing that happens is you lose your form. What happens then? When your form falls apart, you begin expending more energy to go slower. You start leaning forward from the hips shortening your normal stride, you begin carrying your arms too high, fatiguing the shoulder muscles even more, you begin over rotating the upper body, spending energy going from side to side and less straight forward. Concentrating is not easy when we are tired, it takes practice. I have a T-shirt we gave out to Hilltoppers years ago that said simply, "body check - attitude check". To our team that meant that as soon as you realize you have lost your focus, check your body to make sure your form is good, then check your mind to make sure you are using positive self talk. Like physical training, mental training does not come easy, put practice it and you will have a valuable tool to help you on those long runs! Let us know if you have success with this.

good words

2010-05-20T14:13:00.002-05:00

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."

-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

Any good runs yet?

2010-05-17T22:06:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh, the last few mornings have been perfect for running! Sun shining and cool enough to feel comfortable once you get going along in your run! Have any of you had that "good run" experience yet??? The one where you feel like you could keep going, you are in the zone, and feeling...good!?!? What an awesome feeling! The first mile is always the hardest of every run I do...whether it is a 3 miler or 10 miler or 20 miler. That darn 1st mile always gets me! I have to say last week I was feeling sluggish, tired, and to be honest I had to really work to finish 2 miles a couple days! Saturday's 6 miler felt great! It was my first really good and natural feeling run for quiet some time. Man, what a difference that makes for me mentally! I suppose all that hard stuff the week before was worth it :) What do they say "no pain, no gain". Okay, okay... it is worth the pain because the gain feels amazing! How about you? Had a good run yet the last couple weeks?

Meet some teammates!

2010-05-14T14:35:00.002-05:00

Starting with COACH DON! Whoo-hoo! (sorry, I am a big Coach Don fan... I mean, he got my non-running hiney across the Chicago Marathon finish line!! :) Coach Don leads our team of marathoner's and soon to be marathoners!! Not only does he coach us, but he also coaches Cedar Falls girls cross country and girls track. Don is an instrumental piece of this amazing journey and we are blessed to share the running experience with him! Don has been running for about 25 years. He is married to Teri (a humble woman who always has a smile for us!) and they have 3 children, and 5 grand babies! A 6th one is on the way! Don works at Orchard Hill Church. If you haven't yet....make sure you get to know Coach Don!

Danielle Garvin is a nurse here in town and from Cedar Falls. Her family is hubby Matt and almost 4 year old Ella. This is Danielle's second marathon, her first being last year's with this same team. Why is she back? She says she had such a great experience running last year with this group, how could she say no? :) Not only that but running became something she never knew she enjoyed and it is a new hobby.

Hannah Shirey is a Waterloo native gal who is attending college at Colgate in New York! She is a senior there and just returned from a semester in Morocco. She is actually training for the New York Marathon on November 7th for a great cause through Camfed. To read more about her cause check this link out: http://us.camfed.org/

She will be joining us through the summer while she is home and will finish her training in New York when fall semester starts up. We are happy to have you join us, Hannah!

Kris Plagge on the left and Susie Sorenson on the right... meet 2 of our first time runners/marathon trainers!!! Kris mentioned she wanted to be part of the group experience and Susie wanted to check this off the old' Bucket list!! Neither gals are runners and both finished their first FIVE mile run last Saturday! Nice work ladies!! You are on your way!

These are just a few of our teammates. Take a second to meet someone new this week on the team and holler a hello to these smiling faces! (and this was even AFTER we ran in the cold, wind, and spitting rain!!!)
See ya'll tomorrow!

Saturday Runs!

2010-05-10T14:07:00.000-05:00

What a great first 2 team runs we've had!! If you haven't been to one yet...check out the pic's below and see what you're missing! I can't tell you through pictures though the emotions going with this group. People are becoming runners and our team is starting relationships that will be such an important tool to finishing this marathon strong. It's been awesome seeing so many new and old faces the last couple weeks!

We have heard from Michelle Greene and Dana Foster on the importance of stretching and core strengthening. Both of these things are important to pay attention to as you go through the marathon training process. If you haven't been shown some proper stretches please grab someone at the next group run and have them show you what to do and what not to do! Most importantly stretch after you run for at least 5 minutes to work those already warmed up muscles. To help support your back and spine, which in the long run is associated with all the muscles you use running, be sure you are paying attention to your 'core". Dana left some great hand outs that will be available to show you some good stretches to try out as you focus on this area.

Wow! I know there is A LOT of info coming at you right now. I hope you are getting the info you need for your personal goals, growth, and experiences. Please don't be afraid to ask questions and seek someone out on Saturday mornings to help you along. Happy running this week!

Don't forget about these group runs happening during the week if you need a little accountability or motivation or just like a good run with someone sometimes:

Tuesday, 5:30pm at Naz church

Wednesday, 7am, at Orchard Hill Church

Thursday, 6am at Cedar Falls Rec

Grundy Center Running groups:

M,W,F at 5am meet at Community Center

T,Th (Mike Brost, 5am) meet at Community Center

Running Groups anyone?

2010-05-05T15:19:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder of THREE weekly running groups happening...

TUESDAY's at 5:30pm. Meet at Nazareth Church. Ron Martin is the man to contact if you have any questions!

WEDNESDAY's at 7:00am. Meet at Orchard Hill Church, E door. Laurie Williams and a group leaves from these doors each week. (if you are interested in child care during this run please contact Kerri Karsjens at kitkat7777@hotmail.com)

THURSDAY's at 6am. Meet at doors of Cedar Falls Rec Center. Contact Jess Hansen or Angie Schreiber if you have any questions!

All paces and runners welcome! Leave a comment if you have any questions regarding any of these groups!!

2010-05-04T09:17:00.001-05:00

As I was picking up additional copies of the Marathon Team running log, the clerk at the print shop asked me if my “program” looked as I expected. My initial reaction was to explain that my booklet was not a program, but rather a log/journal to track training for an upcoming marathon. However, upon further reflection, perhaps this log could be seen as a “program to a play” – a play not yet written. How will our individual and collective stories unfold? How will we remember and be remembered in our roles? My hope and prayer is that each of you can look back on your log and see Christ in and between the lines.

Ron Martin

thoughts on 1st team run???

2010-05-01T14:40:00.000-05:00

Approximately 125 runners this morning!! Amazing! God is good! I have some pictures and some notes to share with you about a few details Coach Don shared.... but we want to hear from YOU!

What were your reactions to your 1st group run with the 2010 marathon team? How did you feel? What were you expecting and what happened? Did you make new connections? Was this the farthest you've gone ever in your life? Are you a seasoned marathoner and did you meet anyone new? Are you dreading or looking forward to next's week group run? Did you surprise yourself? Do you LOVE that last mile stretch on Greenhill Rd Trail? :-) (note a little sarcasm there)
Share your thoughts... would love to hear from you!

If you want to comment you can comment anonymously or if you have an account you can comment using that!

1st Team Run THIS Saturday!

2010-04-29T17:32:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder we will meet for the first time this season to run as a team!! Meet at Orchard Hill Church by 7am so we can start with some stretching, pray, and run the first of many, many miles this season!! If you have any questions, bring them... Coach Don and a handful of other's will be available to assist you. We will run if it is raining, in case you are wondering. If there is severe weather, lightening, or heavy down pour we will not. However, if it is raining come ready to run :) If you have any dri-fit material clothes I highly suggest wearing those as your bottom layer of clothing. I also became a BIG fan of dri-fit running socks last year :) At least my feet did! Look forward to seeing you all Saturday!!

2010-04-28T11:06:00.002-05:00

Nicole would like to anyone who lives near Reinbeck or Hudson to contact her at creswell@g-r.k12.ia.us if you would be interested in getting together for a mid-week training run in that area.

Sunday Meeting Recap

2010-04-25T14:53:00.001-05:00

For those of you who could not make it today (or for those of you who didn't remember everything discussed :) here is a quick recap from today's meeting. Thanks for all of you who could make it! I think the over-all feelings from people were those of excitement and nervousness!! Trust me, the nerves start to dwindle away and the exiting part just keeps getting better!!

To start with...

*We have about 175 people currently interested in running with this team! Amazing! This is a FUN team to be a part of and it's a great way to train for a marathon!! If you are not on Don's email list yet please email him at DWilliams@orchardhillchurch.org He sends out weekly emails with info you will want.

*There are 4 main goals this team has and we will continue to reflect on these as we train:

1.) Use this event to praise God and advance His kingdom.
2.) Get everyone to the finish line healthy and happy!
3.) Develop a team mentality through building community and relationships.
4.) Raise money to build a school in Mozambique, Africa

*If you haven't already please get fitted for a good pair of running shoes. The Runners Flat or Scheels will work with you each to be sure you have the proper shoes for how you step and run. This will be crucial in avoiding some injuries down the road. Mention our team and you will get a discount. Most running shoes go anywhere from $70-$125. Well, well worth the money for prevention of injuries.

*Running logs! Coach Don highly recommended starting a running log. Record all your runs, how far you went, how long you run (time), and how you felt. Last year I even recorded what I ate each day to help me figure out my stomach as I started getting into more miles. If a problem rises as you train this will be the first thing Coach Don asks to see to help him know if your pain is related to injury or fatigue. Microsoft Exel worked great for me!

* Our first team run will be THIS SATURDAY (May 1st) at 7am. Meet a few minutes early (maybe 3-5) to start stretching if you'd like. We will gather in the atrium right outside the children's ministry wing at Orchard Hill Church. I believe 3 miles is our task for the day! Whoo-hoo!! Last year at this time I had not run 3 miles yet... so whether you are running 1 mile or 10 these days... you can do this!

* Kris Hoskinson shared briefly about our mission to partner with Food for the Hungry and our friends in Mozambique. I will post more later about this specific piece of our team and ministry. If you would like to you can learn more about Food for the Hungry at www.fh.org More info on fund-raising will come down the road too. Right now lets get you running :)

* Helpers!! Anyone wanting to get plugged in with a little more "leading" type places feel free to contact Don or comment on this blog if you would like to help in any of these areas... team t-shirt/jersey design and distribution, hospitality, water/Gatorade stops, fund-raising, physical therapists willing to be available some Saturday mornings. I'd be happy to answer any questions related to these areas or get you connected with the right people who are leading these areas. You can email me at jess_dti@yahoo.com

* Training schedules were handed out and can be picked up from Coach Don's office if you still need one! They will also be available Saturday mornings.

* The book "A Non-Runners Marathon Trainer" was recommended if you'd like a resource to walk you through each week. I read through this book last season and it was very helpful to me! You can purchase this at University Book and Supply or here is a link from amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Non-Runners-Marathon-Trainer-David-Whitsett/dp/1570281823/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272224398&sr=1-1

* Two mid-week groups are running if you'd like to meet with them for some encouragement and accountability getting your mid-week miles in. Tuesday's at 5:30pm meet at door 6 at Nazareth Church on the corner of University and Main St or Thursday mornings at 6am meet at the front doors of the Cedar Falls Rec Center.

* Most of all... you CAN do this! This is a marathon training team and ministry. If this is your first time doing a race or even running 1 block... you can do this. The only race goal we have for this team is to get everyone across that finish line with a smile on their face. (or at least a smile shortly after :) Do not get overwhelmed with the distance, the schedule, the fund-raising, the challenge ahead. You can do this, you can do this, you can do this. I really believe that. This is an experience and whatever you put into it, you will reap the amazing results for days and days to come. This is a team and while we are individually working towards goals of our own when we sign up, at the end of the finish line we are a team working towards 1 goal and doing it together. I believe God intends for life to be done in community and with one another. This experience will be a testimony to His will for our lives as we hit the trails together week after week and cross that finish line one by one on October 17th.

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday! Have a great week!

It's that time again!

2010-04-21T13:46:00.000-05:00

The snow has melted, the trails are clear, and the mornings are warming up! It is officially marathon training season again in Cedar Falls, Iowa! Welcome back all you official marathon runners and welcome to our soon-to-be marathon runners. Not sure that is you, yet? Well, you should get used to calling yourself a marathoner. You will be surprised how little time it will take to call yourself not only a runner, but also a marathon finisher! A year ago at this time I was not even a runner.... in 1 year I have become both! You will too if you want to and believe you can!!! We are excited for this new team and ministry and especially excited to have so many great people working towards similar goals!!! Yeah, Iowans for Africa Team!!!

To get things kicked off we will be meeting THIS SUNDAY at 12:30 in the Orchard Hill Church Community Center. (that is April 25th for any of you reading this late :) This meeting will be important to gather with your team for the first time, meet Coach Don if you haven't yet, have many questions answered, and.... drum roll please.... get your training schedule! Yeah! We really hope you can make it! It should not last more then 30-45 minutes. Plenty of time for your Sunday nap still :)

Just a reminder our first group run will be Saturday, May 1st. 7am I believe, but I'm not 100% so I will clarify that later. If you haven't already I would strongly recommend getting fit for good running shoes at either The Runners's Flat or Scheels. Tell them you are on this team and you will even get a little discount.

Hope you are having a great day and look forward to seeing you on the 25th!

marathoners all are we

2009-10-18T21:08:00.001-05:00

74 Iowans for Africa went across the start line last Sunday, and 74 came across the finish for the medal. Woo-hoo! (not all are pictured here)

Monday's Courier

2009-10-18T05:37:00.002-05:00

Look for the Courier article in Monday's paper instead of today's. I'll put a link to it here when it comes out.

Any last words?

2009-10-17T09:58:00.004-05:00

Well, we just had our last official Iowans for Africa gathering. Several showed up for a 5K run together and some good bagel time afterwards in order to be together and to share our Chicago Marathon experiences.

Don's up front tomorrow talking at church. The team has been asked to wear your blue Chicago Marathon shirt that you picked up at the Expo and your medal. Meet in the Atrium at 10:15 a.m. for one last team "after" picture.

There will be a story in the Courier tomorrow...watch for that.

We'll likely hit $40,000 fundraising before we're done. Wow. That is so crazy good.

Jess Hansen is organizing group runs at 6 a.m. from the NE coffeeshop doors at OHC each Thursday. Runs likely to average 3 miles or so.

Jodi Olsen is going to get an Iowans for Africa facebook group going so that we can share runs that are coming up or just have a "running" conversation together about running.

I'm going to lay this blog to rest now. It's been a real good run, y'all. I've never experienced anything quite like this....it's all been a God-given gift....you all have been a God-given gift. Couldn't have done it without you...and even if I could have, it wouldn't have been nearly as wonderful or fun. As Don so perfectly said this morning, "Thanks for enriching my life." My life is indeed richer.

Any last words? You can comment here. Otherwise, keep running with joy the race set out for you in Christ! And let's keep at it together!

Peace,
Laura Hoy

pics from KT

2009-10-17T09:52:00.002-05:00

Kathrine Krukow and Emily Schut

KT on the run

Kathrine and Paul- post race

Wheelchairs in the marathon

marathon memories

2009-10-16T08:23:00.005-05:00

Bonita & Jenna Davis, mother and daughter, trained and ran the marathon together. Bonita shares her experience:

This whole experience has truly been life-changing! From the beginning of training six long months ago until now, God has been felt!! These are some of my memories of training:

running around the section on our country roads for our first 4 miler & thinking how difficult it was, Jenna & I running around Dike Lake & dodging all of the goose poop there (Jenna was going nuts:), Jenna & I running from the Mill to Dike for our first 14 miler while we were getting pelted with rain, hail & lightning, running the Pfeiffer/George Wyth loop many, many times, running on vacation at Table Rock with STEEP, STEEP hills, surviving & adjusting to the humidity for a couple of weeks this summer, keeping our training logs/journal, getting my first heart rate monitor watch & tracking miles & calories burned, getting our running shoes, running our first 10 miler & experiencing God in a way I had never before, feeling what it was like to be in the "zone" while running, taking many, many, ice baths after our long runs, making new friends on our team, having the experience that Coach Don brought to our team, the encouragement from the team, reading motivational books, feeling a bond with Jenna that will last forever, straining my right quadricep muscle 6 weeks before the marathon & being devastated that I may not be able to run the marathon, clinging to certain scripture verses & worship songs during recovery from the quad strain, physical therapy for 3 weeks &
3 days!, the incredible support from family & friends especially my dear husband, Shan, the smells, sounds & views as we ran through 3 seasons-spring, summer & fall, the prayers of so many, my first run back after my quad strain-how emotional that was, the many, many bottles of Gatorade/gel we drank/ate, how complete I feel while running, how I feel God's presence when I run, listening to worship music on my Ipod while running, running with my faithful companion (dog) Sophie Grace & being so nervous & anxious the week prior to the marathon & asking a few people to pray for peace & God granted that to my soul.

The day of the marathon was unbelievable!!! All 26.2 miles there were people lining the streets clapping, cheering, smiling & encouraging us!!!!!! It truly was awe-inspiring!! It made me feel a oneness with the world & how much good there is in the world! I remember closing my eyes & saying a prayer for our team as the national anthem was sang before the race, I remember all of the clothes being flung to the side as the runners stripped down to another layer, I remember the EXCITEMENT in my heart when the gun went off, I remember feeling a oneness with all the runners as we all had a story to tell to get us to that point, I remember reading all of the shirts & charity causes people were running for as we ran, I remember looking at the stream of 34,000 runners in front of & behind us & simply being in awe of that, I remember Jenna & I saying to one another at mile 13 that now we could feel that we had been running, I remember feeling so strong & NEVER doubting that we could do it, I remember feeling God's INCREDIBLY STRONG PRESENCE with us both during & after the race, I remember just beaming anytime we would see faces we recognized & loved in the crowd as we ran, I remember holding Jenna's hand as we turned the corner & saw the finish line, I remember lifting our arms together at the end & hugging one another with tears streaming down on our faces. WE HAD DONE IT THROUGH HIM WHO HAD STRENGTHENED US!!!!!!! YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

These are the memories that I will never forget!! I haven't been sore in these days after the marathon, I have been able to go up & down stairs easily & even felt so good that I went for a short run on Monday. This I know is all beacuse of our great God! I told Shan it was dangerous that I feel so good because I'm ready to do another one:) But I know it will never top this one because it is so clear that God called this to be & He was & is at the center of EVERYTHING!!! So.... thank you for being a part of this journey! May God bless each & everyone of you! Go & spread His light today!

Blessings & Love, Bonita

More World Vision pics

2009-10-16T08:16:00.003-05:00

#1 Chicago skyline is beautiful

#2 and #3 Tim Hoekstra, from Illinois, is 50 years old, is raising $50,000 for Team World Vision, and ran 23.8 miles into the marathon and then ran the 26.2 miles for a 50 mile day. You can donate to Tim at firstgiving if you feel moved. He's at $47,844. His page is at www.firstgiving.com/timhoekstra50miler

#4 Jay Bullerman

#5 Brian Cross

Some facebook pics from World Vision

2009-10-16T08:09:00.001-05:00

World Vision posted several pictures they shot at the race of Team World Vision participants. I found some of our teammates and am posting the pics here.

#1 Ashley Hermansen and Emily Schut were both injured in training and thought they were out for the marathon. Emily got word from her doctor only days before the marathon that she could walk, so Don connected Ashley and Emily, and they walked the marathon together!

#2 Enrique Ochoa

#3 Char and Eric Williams

#4 Steve Timm

#5 Scott Doyle

Saturday morning gathering

2009-10-15T07:12:00.002-05:00

Reminder that the marathoners are invited to meet this Saturday: The Orchard Hill Atrium at 7:15 a.m. for a 5K easy run or 8:00 a.m. in the coffeehouse for bagels, fruit, coffee/juice and a chance to share our Chicago experiences.

I just checked first giving: $38,870. Iowans for Africa, you really are FOR Africa! Thanks for giving life and hope to so many in the name and love of Jesus.

Congrats Michael and Rachel!

2009-10-14T11:29:00.002-05:00

Michael Lawson writes:

Rachel Cole and I ran the marathon together. During the early stages of our relationship, we decided to register for Chicago(prior to the group being organized.) While she helped bring faith back in to my life, we heard about Don Williams and starting a marathon training group. This is where my journey with God merged with my journey to Chicago.
Throughout the course of training for the marathon we grew closer and closer. I knew I wanted to spend my life with Rachel. I loved her with all my heart. I also knew that if I was going to ask her to marry me, I wanted to make it special. Then it hit me...The finish line. How awesome would that be to start(and finish!) the marathon together and then ask this incredible woman to share our lives together.
I picked out the ring, told my plans to the lady at the jewelry store and struggled to figure out the logistics behind this. I ended up using a jewelry bag(the box was definitely NOT fitting in my running shorts!) and placing it in my zip up pocket. Yes, I was going to carry the ring the entire marathon! Mind you, I double and triple checked the pocket for hole's and to ensure it was zipped numerous times before the marathon and continued to check on the ring about every half mile or mile. The great thing about running 26.2 miles is that you have plenty of time to figure out exactly what you are going to say. I poured over my words and had it all planned out. Then it happened; we finished. My heart began to race as we maneuvered through the finish line area to our rendezvous point with her parents and brother and sister in law. As we shared hugs with one another and took a couple post race photos, I realized it was the time. I removed the ring from my back pocket, cautiously dropped down to one knee, only to have Rachel remind me that I need to stand up, I was going to get sore because we just ran a marathon!
It was at this point that my entire speech I had planned out disappeared from my head. I knew there was thousands of people around us because I could hear some cheering and applause, but I was only focused on Rachel and I. After finally saying those magic words, "Will you marry me?" she said Yes. Well, not at first, she was in such shock that I had to ask her a second time because she couldn't even speak, but she did say Yes!
We embraced, and even more cheers came from the onlookers and her family.
To cap it all off, there two women that were sitting on a curb that had congratulated us. Rachel ran in to them at the hotel as we were waiting for our car from the valet. They recounted the story and how they were teary eyed and talked about it the whole way back to the hotel. What a great weekend! I had to chase her for 26.2 miles, but I caught her :)
I think the most inspirational part of the race was around mile 16.5 when I was really struggling with my foot. Her dad ran along side of me for a few hundred feet and kept telling me, "Remember what you are running for!" As I had told him the details of how I was going to propose. Definitely kept me going!

Signs and Tshirts

2009-10-14T05:54:00.004-05:00

Any memorable signs or t-shirts from the weekend? I liked the back of this t-shirt on sale at the Expo:

Dear God,

Please let there be someone behind me to read this t-shirt.

God bless that last person who crossed the finish line on Sunday!

stick-together-ness

2009-10-13T20:40:00.004-05:00

This group of six ran and finished the marathon together:

Danielle Garvin, Kallie Thompson, Angie Schreiber, Tricia Haak, Jess Hansen, and Kris Hoskinson 4:59 Way to go!

you're six times more likely to get sick this week

2009-10-13T20:18:00.003-05:00

I've just been reading very good articles and watching short videos at www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chicagomarathon/ Good stuff. Marathoners tell stories. A cool video of the marathon in 2 minutes. An article that tells us our immune systems are shot, and that we're six times more likely to get sick this week because of it. Recommendations? Sleep well. Eat fruits and veggies. Wash your hands a lot. And one recommendation says to rest one day for every mile we ran. Think any of our bosses will buy it if we tell them we need the next month off? :)

How to brag about running the Chicago Marathon

2009-10-13T20:04:00.003-05:00

This article is on the Chicago Tribune link to the Chicago Marathon articles. Written by Julie Deardorff, I believe. It's very funny.

Follow the Runner's Rules
Sorry: Nonrunners don't care that much about your running (Rule 1.48)
If you ran Sunday's Bank of America Chicago Marathon, you'll no doubt want to mention this major, perhaps once-in-a lifetime accomplishment to your non-running friends and coworkers. But for everyone's sake, Runner's World.com executive editor Mark Remy writes in "The Runner's Rule Book," don't get carried away.
It's fine, for example, to casually drop the marathon into a conversation to explain why you're walking down the stairs backward. It's not okay, however, to recite the splits along with your heart rate, "the relative humidity, what you wore (and why) and exactly what happened just shy of the porta potty at mile 17," Remy writes.
Yes, we runners are an often oblivious breed. And whether you're one of them, you want to become one, or you know one, you'll find something you can relate to in the rule book, a treasure trove of running tips, wisdom and cultural observations.
The book includes rules that require further explanation, such as "Do whatever it takes to finish in front of a costumed runner. (Rule 2.32.) Why? "Because being outkicked by Elmo is too much to bear." It also lists dozens of right-on rules of thumb, which are self-explanatory. ("The more expensive the car, the less likely it is to move over for you.")
The "rules" aren't just funny; they're wise, useful ("Cotton socks are the devil,") and they'll help both newbies and seasoned veterans put the sport into perspective. Running, after all, is fun (Rule 1.1). And if you doubt the fundamental joy of movement, Remy wrote, spend a few minutes watching a child in any open space.
"Their glee is instinctual and undeniable," Remy wrote. " I believe it was Aristotle who one said, "Tramps like us, baby, we were born to run." In any case, remember this primary rule and you're halfway there."
A few more Runner's Rules:
For Pete's Sake, Stand Still At Red Lights (Rule 1.46). "Sharks die when they stop moving. Runners do not...There's no need to shuffle or bounce or jog in place or dance from foot to foot like you have to pee. Instead, just chill. Wait a few moments. Then resume running.
A PR is Forever, But...(Rule 1.51). "You may advertise a personal record (PR) time...for two years after setting it. After 2 years, however, it becomes uncool to tell people "My marathon PR is 3:12" without providing a disclaimer--e.g., "My marathon PR is 3:12 but I ran that 63 years ago."
Learn and Love the Farmer's Blow (Rule 1.18). A good Farmer's Blow is wonder to behold, satisfying, efficient and brilliant in its simplicity. A bad Farmer's blow will leave you with a real mess on your hands. Literally.
Remy and the editors of Runner's World also compiled 70 "rules of thumb." Here are ten of my favorites.
1. Women who race in full face makeup are never fast.
2. Women who race in full makeup don't care that they're not fast.
3. One glazed doughnut equals 2 miles.
4. For an estimated marathon finish time, double your half marathon time and add 10 minutes.
5. You almost never regret the runs you do; you almost always regret the runs you skip.
6. Sick? If symptoms are above the neck, you can still run.
7. Buying a piece of running gear just because it's on sale is always a bad idea.
8. If you "need" music in order to run, you're kind of missing the point.
9.To help keep your upper body relaxed during a run, imagine you're carrying a potato chip in each hand.
10. A sock makes better TP than a leaf does.

What were your highlights?

2009-10-13T14:07:00.002-05:00

Give us a few highlights from your weekend! Click on comments below and share!

Thursday run!

2009-10-13T14:06:00.000-05:00

From Jess Hansen:

I know some of you may be thinking... or not thinking about running! From what I hear the best thing to do for those stiff and sore muscles is to get back out on the pavement and get right back at it! We are going to gather at 6am THIS Thursday at Orchard Hill Church. (back side/Elmridge St side) and run a short 2 -3 miles. We will share a few minutes before we start, pray, and get running! I hope to see some of you marathoners bright and early! :) Bring a friend or a spouse or your dog!
I hope you are getting your rest and eating well this week. It was amazing to do the marathon with you all... I can honestly say probably one of my top 10 life experiences. The whole thing... the training, relationships developed, God's lessons during it, and even the final mile. It was good, God is good. Hope to see you in your running shoes soon!

send photos

2009-10-13T13:42:00.003-05:00

#1 Jodi Olsen sports a pose as she runs with Danielle Schmitt

#2 Jodi and Danielle sport World Vision tattoos

#3 A man runs in a banana costume. There was also the pope and a nun running, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and the Loch Ness Monster!

#4 The medal

#5 Luke Patterson hams it up for the camera

#6 Laurie Williams, Jon and Chris Anderson, Laura Hoy

Send me photos to lhoy@orchardhillchurch.org and I'll post a few!

marathon video online

2009-10-13T08:18:00.001-05:00

You can watch the coverage of the marathon at:

http://www.universalsports.com/mediaPlayer/media.dbml?id=653300&db_oem_id=23000

Thanks for the link, Laurie Williams!

1st place, 2nd place....29,958th place

2009-10-13T08:07:00.004-05:00

After the marathon, my friend's 7 year old daughter, Nora, asked me, "What place did you get in the race?" I didn't know at the time, but now I can tell her I got 29,958th place. :)

Want to know what place you got? You can go to http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chicagomarathon/ and see all participants' times and rank in alphabetical lists by last name.

pics

2009-10-13T06:38:00.006-05:00

Dave, Jess, Jaxon Hansen

The "1 mile to go" sign

Owen Siebring

Mark and Kris Hoskinson

more pics

2009-10-12T22:19:00.001-05:00

1- Jodi Olsen and Danielle Schmitt

2- Brian Cross on the run

3- Danielle Schmitt finds her name on a huge Chicago 2009 wall of marathoners.

4- Victor and Enrique Ochoa

official marathon photos

2009-10-12T21:41:00.003-05:00

Be sure to get on www.chicagomarathon.com to see their post-race stuff. You can view the photos taken of you at www.marathonfoto.com and even order a dvd of marathon highlights that will include all the pics taken of you throughout the race.

pics from Toni Rundall

2009-10-12T21:33:00.002-05:00

Toni Rundall and Melissa Landsgard both qualified for the Boston Marathon!

Toni and her dad, Mark Allen.

footprints of the Kingdom

2009-10-12T19:27:00.007-05:00

Some things have the Kingdom of Heaven written all over it and just need to be named as such. The Chicago Marathon was just such a thing. It was definitely like the kind of party Jesus would have thrown.

Who was at the party? Every color, age, ability, size and shape. Some running. Some cheering. It was the same party whether you were a runner or a spectator. There was this enormous sense of oneness at this event. On the course, there were the some of the fastest people on two legs on the face of the planet and there were people in wheelchairs. There were many who were running for a cause or in memory of someone. There were the injured who often had friends walking with them toward the finish line. The street was oozing with perseverance, determination, comradery.

On the sidewalks, there were a million plus people cheering. Smiles, signs, costumes, excitement, encouragement that never ended. People didn't pack up after the fastest runners were through. They stayed and cheered on and on. Fans called out people's names. They yelled. They clapped. "This is YOUR day!" "You're amazing!" "Be strong to the finish!" Many fans cheered in one section and then moved to other mile markers throughout the course, so we'd see some encouraging faces again and again. Thousands of volunteers handed out Gatorade and water with smiles and cheers. Some people offered pretzels, candy, cookies to runners. There was joy and encouragement abounding.

Throughout this world there's a desire in people to believe that there's still good. That people still care for one another and are kind. A place to go where you feel safe to be known because you believe people will encourage and love you despite your struggles. That was the environment of this marathon. The marathon's affirming messages were "You are loved. You are capable. You have worth. We are all together doing this."

After rounding a corner early on in the first few miles and getting jazzed by seeing Maribeth and Darwin Boelts, my first familiar faces, I determined two things right then. 1. I would smile throughout the entire race and 2. I was going to make eye contact with as much of the crowd and volunteers as I could.

Those two things were like an infusion of energy for me the entire way. Even in the last 6.2 miles when the legs really began to feel the run, the crowd kept my mind and spirit strong and fresh and energized.

I love how God's Kingdom footprints were all over this marathon. Encouragement, a deep sense of acceptance and community, victory and overcoming limits, sharing and caring, joy even in the pain...these are all marks of the Kingdom that Jesus ushered in and invites us to live in everyday.

I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good! Psalm 34:8

"The Bean" sits in Millenium Park, not far from the hotel I stayed at.

Besides being my last name, "HOY" means today in Spanish. This sign was at the Expo in front of a Spanish newspaper publication. :)

World Vision

2009-10-12T18:09:00.002-05:00

Iowans for Africa stands at $37,614.54 as of this afternoon. GREAT job! I know that WV marathon teams have raised over $600,000 so far to meet needs in Africa. That money will be a blessing for our world; both for the givers and receivers.

a few photos from Chris Wheeler-McManus

2009-10-12T15:34:00.002-05:00

#1 Bonita and Jenna Davis

#2 Amy Lynch, Matt McManus, Angie Schreiber

#3 Joe Smith

#4 Dave Canfield and Joe Smith

pics to the Courier

2009-10-12T15:20:00.003-05:00

Michelle Gebhardt from the Courier is looking for 10-15 photos from the marathon. Please email some to her at michelle.gebhardt@wcfcourier.com today or tomorrow. Thanks!

a few pre-event pics

2009-10-12T14:46:00.003-05:00

#1 Natalie and sister, Malloree at dinner night before

#2 Danielle Garvin and Tricia Haak in hotel lobby

#3 Kris Hoskinson and Jess Hansen in hotel lobby

#4 Don and Terri at the Expo picking up the race packet

update on Don

2009-10-12T12:59:00.004-05:00

There were many of us after yesterday's race that were perplexed about where Coach Don was. We knew it was odd that he wasn't at the World Vision tent, but a lot of us just guessed that he was off somewhere helping one of our teammates or getting some dry clothes on or something...

Well, Don had a great race. 3:38 I believe. WOW. Post-race in the finish shoot, he was a bit dizzy and mentioned to someone that he had a slight tingly feeling in his left arm. Before he knew what was happening, he was escorted to the medical tent and transported via ambulance to the hospital. He was feeling better by the minute, but they wouldn't let him go til he was thoroughly checked out. Despite his attempts to tell medical personnel that he knew his body and just needed a little time and water, he was kept under observation and given some tests which checked out fine.

Don, we are so proud of you: your outstanding coaching and your great race. We're also thankful that your health is checking out, and though it had to be hugely frustrating to miss seeing others finish and not being there for post-race yesterday, we can be thankful that the medical staff takes seriously their job to make sure people are okay (I know you think maybe too seriously).

We will have a post-marathon party next Saturday morning. 7:15 a.m. for those of you who want to run an easy 5K together from church, and 8 a.m. for those who just want bagels in the coffehouse and time together to celebrate and share!

In the meantime, feel free to email me some pics and stories and I'll put them on the blog!
lhoy@orchardhillchurch.org . You all are heroes!

Laura

what a trip!

2009-10-11T21:55:00.003-05:00

I think that was by far the most fun and exciting experience for me to date. I'd do it again in a minute. Okay, maybe not a minute, or maybe not even a week, but definitely again! Wow, what a party! I never imagined the marathon to be such an energizing experience! The runners and crowds were phenomenal. I think I smiled the whole way. Orchard Hill had so many fans out there. I think we came upon at least 10 pods of OHC fans within the first 5 miles. What a boost! Patterson's even had an air horn. And Amy Anderson had made some great signs. It was fantastic. And many of the groups moved on to other locations to cheer again at a different mile marker. Awesome.

We had a perfect weather day....could not have been more beautiful outside with cool temps around 40-45 degrees and sunny skies. I have lots more stories and some pictures in the next few days. I'll also try to gather some stories and pics from others. I'm so proud of everyone!

Thanks to God for so many ways in which He worked before this day and throughout this day!

p.s. Sara Hoy, I did not see any monkeys or ghosts, but I did see a man in a bear costume who had a sign that said, "Run like there is a bear chasing you." :)

we're here!

2009-10-10T17:22:00.003-05:00

Okay, I'm a liar. My last post said no more posts til after the marathon, but I had my computer in my van, and so I brought it up to the hotel room with me on this pre-marathon evening.

The Expo was like stepping into Narnia. There's a whole 'nother world out there I was completely unaware existed until now, and it's called "runners' world". Just like any sport or hobby, there's a culture built around it, and so the Expo was fun to browze through and learn more of this culture. Vendors, samples, brands and gear, speakers, charities, the like. Great administration workings for 45,000 people to pick up a packet and scan their shoe chip. Wow. Makes most any event I've been a part of look like peanuts compared to this.

I'm about to meet about 16 other teammates for some dinner down the street at Giordanno's. Should be a good time before we all try to get some sleep before the start!

My daughter sent a lovely email to me today...you can't see all the little emoticons she used, but it was full of flashing little symbols and tons of encouragement:

The day is finely here! I'll be cheering for you the whole way. Good luck! In rain, snow, or burning heat, you will continue. If you see cameras, smile. If you see monkeys, ignore them. And most importantly, run to your music!! Mabey even sing along. I love you so much, and I hope this brightens your day. I love you with all my heart, so run with fun! I'll be rooting for you. Btw (by the way), Don't spook if you see a ghost. If it starts following you, if you see one, Charge strait through the runners, screaming at the top of your lungs; GHOOOOST!!, and win. I bet the person who was in the lead would be suprised! So on acount of that, try to see a ghost! Love you tons, Sara
P.S. try your hardest and shine! Love you!

Final Words

2009-10-08T17:19:00.003-05:00

This is my last post until post-marathon! We'll keep this blog up and going for a week or two post marathon so that people can share pics and stories on it.

Also, instead of meeting Wednesday for a post-marathon rally, we're going to meet NEXT Saturday morning, October 17... 8 a.m. OHC coffeehouse for bagels, juice and stories. Some of us are going to run the Grant Wheeler 5K route before that at 7 a.m., so come for a run if you feel up to it in your post-marathon recovery body. I know many of you are running the Grant Wheeler race the following Saturday, Oct. 24. This could give you a little practice...and it would also keep the stretch of Saturdays going. :) For those of you who want to sleep in instead, we understand... we just want to make an opportunity to meet and share as a group in case we don't get to do much of that after Sunday's run.

I'm not sure I've ever been more proud to be on a team before as I am to be on this team. You all are awesome! Thanks to God for how He's brought this all together!

Laura
p.s. Just checked...over $33, 263!

Navigating firstgiving.com

2009-10-08T09:09:00.007-05:00

Iowans for Africa has raised over $31,000 for World Vision. Way to go, team! Yesterday, I ran into a team member that wasn't aware that you can see our whole team listed on first giving, so I'm guessing there are others as well that don't know but might be interested.

Go to your own first giving page. Up in the right hand corner, you'll see "Team Name:", Click on Iowan's for Africa and it will show us all in alphabetical order. You can browze people's pages if that's of interest to you. It's kind of fun to see what everyone's written on their pages!

If you want to see other World Vision teams, you first go to our team page (see directions in above paragraph). Once there, you'll see the option View all teams. Click that, then click Bank of America Chicago Marathon. You can then browze all the World Vision teams who are running this marathon and check out how they're doing with fundraising. It's fun to click on the 50 miler team. This team has Tim Hoekstra. Click on his page. He's turning 50, raising $50,000, and he's going to run 23.8 miles into the marathon and complete the marathon for a 50 mile day. I think he's starting at like 1:30 a.m. from a Starbucks near Glen Elyn, IL. He's raised $43,000 so far. Wow!

Chicago Marathon Trivia

2009-10-07T17:55:00.002-05:00

* Began in 1977 with about 4,500 runners. This year, there are an estimated 45,000 runners.

* In 1993, there were blizzard like conditions. In 2007, the heat shut the marathon down.

* Course records are held by Khalid Khannouchi- 2:05:42 and Paula Radcliffe- 2:17:18

Running the Sahara

2009-10-07T14:02:00.003-05:00

Reminder: Movie in the OHC coffeehouse tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. for teammates and interested family members or friends. You can see the movie trailer posted on this blog a few days ago.

Tennies

2009-10-07T13:59:00.002-05:00

World Vision will be collecting old pairs of shoes at their tent this weekend. Check out

http://www.giveyoursole.com/

Runner's World

2009-10-07T09:07:00.002-05:00

www.runnersworld.com has a section entitled "Don't Miss: Chicago Marathon" with several links and articles and blogs all pertaining to the big hooha about to happen on Sunday! You might want to browze a bit...

Runner Tracking

2009-10-07T08:19:00.002-05:00

Be sure to go to www.chicagomarathon.com Click on tab "Event Information" and you'll see "Runner tracking" on the scrolldown. This allows friends and families to sign up to get text messages of where you're at on the course on Sunday!

The marathon course in fast forward

2009-10-06T17:25:00.000-05:00

water means life

2009-10-06T12:45:00.003-05:00

Iowans for Africa, as of today, we're just about to spill over to $29,000 raised. That is so amazing!!! I was reading online about clean water wells...that a well can cost up to $8,000 for a community. With the amount of money raised by our team, that means we're close to providing 4 communities with a clean water well.

Do you know the difference a well can make? It means children might go to school because they're not spending hours of their day fetching water. It means the women of the village might engage in an economic venture because they're not walking for water. It means that the village's child mortality rate will be cut in half because there will be clean water for drinking. Clean water sets in motion an entire chain of events that can literally change the community.

Good work, team! Let's run on Sunday for Jesus who is the Living Water and for our friends in Africa...that they might have access to clean water and that they might know and proclaim the Living Water, Jesus.

Movie Night this Thursday

2009-10-05T13:26:00.002-05:00

7 p.m. This Thursday, October 7, in the OHC coffeehouse: "Running the Sahara". See trailer below. Movie is 1 hour 45 minutes. A "must see" according to marathoner Laurie Williams...much like the "must read" Dean K. book that Don recommended. If you can spare two hours, come see it and gather with teammates before our journey to Chicago.

A prayer for our team

2009-10-05T05:34:00.002-05:00

Scott Doyle wrote this prayer for our team. Thanks, Scott, for centering us in the One who called us to this marathon mission and who reigns over all.

Dear Lord,

We humbly acknowledge your splendor. We recognize that you are the author of all that was, all that is, and all that will be. It is through this spirit that we were brought together. Help us to recognize that just as you called the church to be your body, we run to be an extension of your will.

As we praise you, let us first confess that sometimes we doubted. You whispered our name as we witnessed the natural beauty of another Pfiefer loop but sometimes we wanted to quit. How could we possibly go another mile? Faith is easy to talk about but sometimes hard to live. You put mountains in front of us but then patiently taught us how to climb.

Thank you for all that was, all that is, and all that will be. We have been transformed by this journey. It seems like yesterday when we came together for our first training run. How can we forget the mission that you put in front of us? The work you gave us is what helped define us. We, all of us, are meant to be so much more. By guiding us through the good weather and the bad, through the morning and the late night, you have helped us shine a light.

So this is where we are. We now recognize that we are capable of so much more. Through your light we now have the God given audacity to say that this week we will run a marathon. Your spirit is embossed on our heart. Thank you for giving us this time to rest. Thank you for giving us this time to reflect. We recognize that through you all things are possible.

What happens is the providence of your will. We are excited to be your children and look forward to the gift you have put in front of us. Even as we are giddy with excitement we thank you for helping us to realize that through you we have no fear. You help us let go of our anxiety because of the grace you have shown each of us. Come what may, you will is already done. Yes, we are part of the picture, but we recognize you as the artist. You give us the strength to recognize that even if we stumble and are not able to cross that 26.2, we have already taken steps to finish well. Thank you for letting us run and to simply celebrate your joy with others.

We humbly petition you for your guidance as we run. Keep us safe in our travels. Let others see your light as we raise money for those less fortunate. Help us be a living extension of your spirit. Use us as your tools to bring others closer to you. For it is through your strength that we are called to run.

Amen.

I love this quote

2009-10-03T11:53:00.003-05:00

As we prepare for next Sunday, this is a great section from Marathoning for Mortals written by John "The Penguin" Bingham and Coach Jenny Hadfield.

"The most difficult part of the training program is getting to the starting line. You must confront so many obstacles. There are so many places for things to go wrong, so many times when you can give up or quit, that, if you are there when the gun goes off, you are already a different person than when you took your first training run.

Right now, as you read this, millions of other people also want to walk or run a half-marathon or marathon. They dream about it at work, in the car, or while watching television.......

But they're just dreaming. They aren't doing it. You are. On race morning, when you are out there standing at the starting line with your numbers on, surrounded by others just like you, you will know what they only imagine. You will feel it, see it, smell it, and experience it. Unlike those who only dream, you've earned the right to be a part of the experience.

By getting to the starting line, you've already placed yourself in the top echelon of athletes. You may not be in the top tier of that race, but as a long-distance athlete, you are fitter, better trained, and more disciplined than 99 percent of the population that has ever lived. Remind yourself of that when you start to obsess about your pace or finish time.

When you stand at the starting line, you join the club. When you stand at the starting line, you earn your membership. Millions dream of being where you are. You are no longer a dreamer. You are a doer."

Does that not PUMP you UP?! Thanks, John Bingham, for still communicating with mortals by commenting on this blog a few days back. Your words and book are so helpful and encouraging to us mere mortals. I look forward to continuing on as a "runner" now and will look forward to reading more from you.

Iowan for Haiti

2009-10-03T11:15:00.003-05:00

There's always gotta be one marathoner who runs to the beat of a different drum. Mike Brost, one of our lean mean running machines, is our one "Iowan for Haiti"...in fact, he's cuckoo for Haiti! (read the back of his blue jersey).

Mike is running for kids in Haiti. The money he's raising will be going to the ministry efforts of Kristie and JeanJean Mompremier, one of Orchard Hill's partners in Haiti. JeanJean and Kristie work for UCI, United Christians International. You can read their website at www.unitedchristiansinternational.org. God is doing AMAZING work through their call and mission in Haiti. Kristie and JeanJean will actually be at OHC next weekend while we're at the marathon. We'll be sorry we miss them, but grateful for those supporting them through Mike's "Cuckoo for Haiti" mission!

Hotel room

2009-10-02T14:22:00.001-05:00

Amy Lynch has an extra room reserved near the airport for Fri and Sat. nights. It's about a 30-40 minute trip to downtown Chicago on the Blue Line Train. She'll hold it until Monday, and if there's no interest, she'll cancel it on Monday. Contact her at amy.lynch@mchsi.com if you'd like to talk with her about the room.

Thanks!

For Life!

2009-10-02T11:33:00.005-05:00

$25,782 and counting, Iowans for Africa!

The redistribution of these funds to African friends with life-threatening needs is an awesome way to show the love of Jesus to our neighbors!

Thanks, World Vision, for being the structure through which we can give, and thanks to all of you teammates for gathering support from friends and family! You are all life-givers! Thanks for allowing thee Life-giver to shine through you!

Countdown.....8

2009-10-02T10:59:00.001-05:00

Team mates,

After today we have 8 days until we are celebrating. Please take the time to enjoy this final stage of our journey together. God has done and is still doing some amazing things through each and every one of us. I am sure as we look back on this experience it will be even more evident. The picture that keeps coming back to my mind is that each one of us has a bright light encompassing us, but when we all get together that light is amplified hundreds of times.

I have to take my mask off for a moment and share something with you. Unless I am reading a book to learn something, I do not read for enjoyment. This might be genetic, as our son Eric has the same DNA, even though my wife, Terri is just the opposite. I think the last book I read, not for an educational purpose was Lord of the Rings and that was over 35 years ago! Sad but true. Anyway I share that with you for one purpose. Recently quite a few people have strongly recommended that I read the Ultra Marathon Man by Dean Karnazes. I said sure, knowing in all probability it was not going to happen. Well finally someone put the book in my hands and said READ IT, so Wednesday night about an hour before bed, (I am embarrassed to tell you how early that was) I picked it up. I was half way through the book before I could put it down and I finished it last night. There is no reference in the book about anything spiritual but yet somehow to me that is what it is all about. Scott & Sue you will love chapter 18, the gift of life. Maybe it is just me, but it made me want to run this marathon even more than before! So my tip for today is READ IT if at all possible before the 11th!

A quote from the book: "Running great distances is mostly done with your head... and your heart. The human body is capable of amazing physical deeds. If we could just free ourselves from our perceived limitations and tap into our internal fire, the possibilities are endless."

Have an awesome day!
Coach Don

countdown....9

2009-10-02T07:28:00.000-05:00

Athletes,

Tomorrow morning when you rise you will have only 9 days until the marathon day. Keep working on the list of positive things happening in your lives due to this journey we are on. The thought that I want to share with you today has to do with anxieties. There is no way that I am going to tell you that you will not have a lot of anxieties, depending upon when you leave for Chicago, Friday or Saturday and of course Sunday morning. But there are things that you can do to prepare in advance to lessen them. Anxieties are ok, they get your motor running before a big event and they get your adrenaline pumping and your body ready for the start of a race. But too much anxiety or for too long of a time can be physically draining. I try to keep my cross country girls relaxed as I can until right before they go to the line to avoid tense muscles burning energy. Often anxieties can be reduced by just being prepared, organized and planning ahead. So my suggestion is to start reading through all of the email, looking on line, getting maps, gather all the information and begin to plan your itinerary so to speak. Be thinking about what time you want to get to packet pickup, communicate with someone you have been training with to meet you there, plan on spending quite a bit of time at the expo. There are a lot of things to see and do. Then Hotel check in, what time can that happen, assuming you are traveling on Saturday, otherwise those will be reversed. My point is that the more you can be prepared the more relaxed you will be the day or two before the event. This also follows with race morning. I usually plan from what time I need to be at the start line and back up to the time I need to get out of bed. I lay out what I am going to wear and take with me the morning of the race the night before, less to stress about. Some people don't stress, I envy you! Maybe it is because I am not typically organized that I try so hard to expect the unexpected. Not sleeping well the night before a marathon is typical, so try your best to get a good night of rest two nights before. And most importantly keep your eyes upon our Savior, He and only He can give you a sense of calmness and reassurance that He will be with you at all times. If we surrender our lives, only then can we really begin to live. Next week early we will focus on a packing list, then late in the week the best way to get hydrated without having to stand in line at the port-a-potties all the time.
Blessings,Coach Don

icing on the cake

2009-10-02T07:15:00.003-05:00

If you'd go fishing with my dad, you'd hear him say that catching fish on a fishing trip is a bonus. He finds the joy in the fishing and considers the fish as "icing on the cake". I'd say the same thing about this marathon. It's really no longer the pinnacle for me, but rather just a bonus of what's been such a great ride..or run, I should say. This experience has been such a great example of "joy in the journey" that I can now consider the destination ahead as being "icing on the cake".

2009-10-01T08:15:00.002-05:00

A room has become available, sleeps 2 but probably one bed. The cost is $227.18 for Saturday night and it is at Club Quarters, where quite a few of our team are staying. It is walking distance (less than 1/2 mile) from the finish line. If you are interested contact Natalie Brown at nbrown@orchardhillchurch.org as she will be cancelling it on Friday 9/2.

Our T-shirts will be available this Saturday at 7:00 AM at Orchard Hill Church before our SHORT 8 mile run, or Sunday morning between services. Thanks to Kallie Thompson for doing this.

Scott Doyle has an idea to put together a short picture/video clip when the marathon is over and is asking everyone to send him 3 of their favorite pictures or even a short video clip and he will put them together with music. He would like like to have it done the Sunday after the marathon so needs everything by Tuesday October 6th. For more information contact Scott at geckos4@cfu.net.

Hope to see you Saturday 7:00 AM at OHC.
Attitude is everything!
Coach Don

countdown....10

2009-09-30T16:58:00.004-05:00

If you'd like to comment below and share some of your "positive" list, feel free to go right ahead and do so!

Friends,
Starting tomorrow morning you have 10 days left before the marathon. Today I want you to focus on all of the positives, make a list of everything that you can think of that has resulted in a positive outcome since you began this marathon quest. Some examples: new friends, confidence, weight loss, feel healthier, saved on gas, learned appropriate response to God's call, helped my friends raise $24,443 for clean drinking water, learned to slow down and enjoy the process, learned that running reduces stress, whatever you can think of, write it down. As you continue through these 10 days add to the list. Then be sure to pack the list with you to Chicago. During the last couple days when you get nervous or negative thoughts start creeping into your mind, or during the last few miles of the marathon when you are questioning your sanity, or the day after when you have to walk down stairs backward, take out your list and read it. Think of all the good things that have happened to you since you decided to become a marathoner. The positives will outweigh the negatives.

In a little over a week you will be able to say "yes, I have finished a marathon!" Maybe even when no one asked.

As you have already figured out by this point, this is not going to be easy. But I believe that you also know that some of the most important accomplishments in life are not "easy". It is ok to be proud of yourself for what you have accomplished. One of my hopes is that some percentage of you will continue to make running a part of your lives after the marathon is just a memory.

I have received a few email that some of you did not receive the "marathon weekend details packet". If you want an electronic copy, email and I will forward it to you, also I will print off some hard copies for next Saturday if you did not get one.

Enjoy this beautiful day,
Coach Don.

Race Weekend Packet

2009-09-29T16:16:00.001-05:00

Go to www.teamworldvision.org/chicagomarathon Looking at the arrow bullet points, you'll see "Race Weekend Details". Click on that and if you can, print it. This packet has a lot of great information, and has a whole section on tips for spectators.

top three fundraising teams for World Vision

2009-09-27T19:54:00.002-05:00

As of today, here are the top fundraising teams for Team World Vision:

1. Willow Creek Barrington Campus $42,509
2. 50 Miler $37,298
3. Iowans for Africa $23,588

Good job, Iowans for Africa! Let's keep going strong in helping our African neighbors these final few weeks!

If you ordered t-shirts through Kallie!

2009-09-27T17:25:00.004-05:00

Hey Iowans for Africa!
Here is the list of names and what you owe for the shirts (see list below)!! Each shirt was $7.40, XXL $8.40, and then tax was added. I need to pay when I pick these up, hopefully on Friday!
Paying- Make checks out to Kallie Thompson.
1) You can send me the money to my house
Kallie Thompson
2123 Primrose Dr.
Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Or 2) Take the money to the church. Please put your money in an envelope with your NAME on it! There will be a manila envelope in Kris Hoskinson's mailbox. If you go in the office and say you need to put it in her mailbox the secretaries will most likely do it for you.

I would really appreciate getting this money ASAP! I need to pay for them when I pick them up, and as a college student, I don't have a lot of extra money on hand to just pay for all of them. If you could get it there by Thursday it would be much appreciated!

Pick-Up

Hopefully, I will have the shirts in hand on Friday afternoon. I am planning on having them all divided up into bags for everyone to pick-up at church that Sunday morning/afternoon Oct. 4th. More information will come on this depending on when I get them. In order to get your shirt you must pay me first!

We had almost 150 shirts ordered, so it will be awesome to see our supports in orange! Two weeks left!

Thanks,
Kallie Thompson

Allison Mogren 1-s $7.92
Jessie Marx 1-s $7.92
Kelsey Ihde 1-s $7.92
Missy Luloff 1-s $7.92
Syd, Lisa, Ashley, Chelsea 3-s, 1-m $31.67
Don, Terri Williams 1-L, 1-xl $15.84
Sid Harris 1-m, 2-L, 2-xl $39.59
Amy Lynch 1-m $7.92
Susan Backes 4-yL, 2-s $47.51
Chris Wheeler-McManus- 1-L, 1-xL $15.84
Laurie Williams 2-ym, 1-m $23.75
Chelsea Courtnage 2-m, 1-L, 2-xl, 1-xxl $48.58
Jay Bullerman 1-m $7.92
Natalie Kracht 1-m $7.92
Annie Vander Werff 1-ys, 1-ym, 3-m, 4-L $71.26
Scott Doyle 1-yL, 1-s, 2-L $31.67
Melissa Landsgard 1-s, 1-xL $15.84
Luke Patterson 1-m $7.92
Eric, Char Williams 1-ym, 1-yL 1-m, 2-xL $39.59
Rita Gerdes 1-s, 2-m 1-xxl $32.74
Michelle Hammer 1-s, 1-m $15.84
Lynn Patterson 2-s, 2-xL $31.67
Danielle Schmitt 1-L $7.92
Melissa Haberstich 2-L $15.84
Toni Rundall 1-L, 1-xl $15.84
Brian Cross 1-m $7.92
Lauren Noeltin 2-m, 1-xl $23.75
Bobbie Humble 2-s, 1-m, 1-L $31.67
Chad Hertz 1-ys, 2-ym, 2-s, 1-m $47.51
Jodi Olsen 1-L, 1-xl $15.84
Laura Hoy 2-s, 1-m, 1-xl $31.67
Emily Schut 1-ys, 1-ym 1-m, 1-xxl $32.74
Danielle Garvin 1-ys, 1-m, 1-L, 1-xl, 1-xxl $40.66
David McMurrin 1-m $7.92
Jenna, Bonita Davis 8-m 3-L, 1-xl $95.02
Natalie Brown 1-s, 1-xl $15.84
Joy Culberson 2-ys, 1-ym, 1-s, 1-L $39.59
Wendy Blinn 1-xl $7.92
Angela Schreiber 2-ys, 1-s, 1-xxl $32.74
Summer Anderson 1-s, 3-L $31.67
Steve Timm 1-ym, 1-yL, 1-s, 1-xl $31.67
Amy Price 1-s, 1-xl $15.84
Brian Buhrow 1-m, 1xl $15.84
Ashley Hermansen 1-s, 1-m, 1-L $23.75
Jess Hansen 1-ys, 2-s, 1-m, 1-L $39.59
Tricia Haak 2-s, 1-L $23.75
Tresa Habinck 1-s, 2-M $23.75

Marathoning for Mortals

2009-09-27T17:09:00.002-05:00

Laurie Williams loaned me a book entitled Marathoning for Mortals by John "The Penguin" Bingham. She directed me toward the end of the book since we're so far into our training and we're preparing for the big day. Maybe I'll offer a few quotes from his book in the next few weeks. Here's one Laurie pointed out to me that I'm paying close attention to....

"It's always important to get the race site early. It's especially important at a big race. And this next sentence is the most important sentence in the entire book: When you get to the race site, immediately get into the portable-toilet line. I'm not kidding. Do not stop to talk. Do not look around for friends. Make a direct line for the portable toilets. I don't care how often you go to the bathroom before you leave the hotel; you are going to need to go again before the race starts. Don't take any chances. Get in line.

When you've gotten to the front of the line, then gotten in and out of the portable toilet, get back in line again. Trust me on this one. Stay in the portable toilet line until you have to line up for the race."

See you in line at the biffy! :)

hotel marathon weekend

2009-09-24T23:09:00.002-05:00

One of our male teammates is a single booked in a double room for race weekend. He wanted to know if any guy out there is still looking for a hotel room. You can contact Joe Smith at joesmith@cfu.net if you're interested.

this would be cool to watch

2009-09-24T07:22:00.002-05:00

This week's Scripture/Commentary

2009-09-22T18:10:00.002-05:00

This Scripture/commentary is the last in the packet that Don gave me. These have been helpful along our path!

Biblical training: Finish the race.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Commentary: Perhaps life might be looked at as a "stage race" (think Tour de France without bikes). We do not know which day our race will be over. There is little, if any, distinction between racing and training. Do not forget about rest days (Sabbath). Each day presents new challenges, new choices. Choose wisely. Keep the faith.

t-shirt order request by Kallie

2009-09-22T12:53:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! Just a reminder to let me know if you want a shirt for the marathon! Please just email me (kalliet@uni.edu) your name, the sizes, and number that you would like, BY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24th. We are definetly going to do youth sizes because lots of people wrote down that they would like them. Also, I know XXL wasn't on the sheet but we are doing that, too. Just kind of forgot to write it down!

If you have already signed up, PLEASE STILL EMAIL ME what you would like. Many people wrote down 2 Youth, but I don't know what Youth size you would want. The sheet is kind of crazy and I want to make sure everyone gets one who wants one. I want to try to get a really close number so I can get the prices back to you ASAP. Hopefully by the weekend. He said it would only take a couple days to print, so that is not a problem.

Thank you so much!
Have a great week,
Kallie

What is your morning routine?

2009-09-21T22:12:00.001-05:00

Just for fun....What is your routine as you face the morning of a long run?

orange, orange, orange!

2009-09-21T11:05:00.002-05:00

This isn't everyone, but it's about half of the Iowans for Africa marathon team. (Taken September 20, 2009)