Day 3 & 4

Wow, what a last couple of days. Sorry I haven't blogged, but apparently there isn't a wi-fi connection at Rock Creek State Park :)

Let's begin at POG. After everyone went home for the night and slept in their own beds we all met at POG for service and some much needed time with our Church family. The day began with a great service once again and was a really nice lead in to what we were to do that day. It was awesome because Jeff pulled me up on the "stage" to explain what we were doing and to ask for prayers from everyone in the congregation. It turned out that we needed it.

Tim, Mandy's husband, was nice enough to let us rest our legs for a little bit and decided to take on some of our miles for the day. Turns out that 16 miles gets you pretty much through the city of Des Moines. We had a couple of awesome people join in for a short 5 mile walk/run. One guy, Matt, even joined us for an 11 miler in his preparation for the Des Moines 1/2 marathon. He looked real strong being that this was his longest run to date. When we took over for Tim, Aubrey and Mandy began our trek towards Kellogg. It was an awesome day even though we went about 10 miles on one of the scariest highways in history. We made it through, but probably won't take that route again if we do this again.

When Nick took over, he was on dog patrol as we went through a very small town. It seemed like every step that he took there was a new dog popping out of the woodwork. We all were running strong knowing that day was going to be Aubrey's last. We wanted to make sure to maximize the amount of miles we had left in our legs.

As we ran through a few more towns, Aubrey decided that she wanted to end the 3 days off with a bang and busted out a few more miles. As we met her brother, we all decided that Mandy and I would run a little further into the night to get a few more miles. We tacked on another 4 to shorten our day today. After our run we decided to make a few bad decisions and go for some pizza at Pagliais in Grinnell. On our way we were lucky enough to see some 12 year olds get arrested, so that was fun :) After our little pizza adventure we headed to Rock Creek State Park for another adventure, camping. We had a few "techinal difficulties" and ended up sleeping without any heat. Ooops. We all woke up a little chilly and very sore due to our sleeping arrangements.

This morning started off chilly and a little outside of Grinnell. Mandy started the day off with some great hill running. Nick took over to get us through to get us through Grinnell and I hit the road between Grinnell and Brooklyn before handing off to Andrew to bring us in to Brooklyn. When we got in to Brooklyn we met up with Dennis (m-in-laws bf) to help us out for the day. He was a champ and busted out a nice 7 heading out of Brooklyn. After him we started the roation all over again with Mandy and Nick to get us through Victor and Ladora. One of the coolest moments for me was running into my home town of Marengo to meet my sister, my baby nephew Layne, my grandma and my wifes uncle/sponsor Dan. On my way out of town, I decided to pay a little tribute and get my picture taken by the resting places of my grandfather and three uncles. What another great experience to share with my family. Andrew and Dennis got us most of the way to Oxford before we decided that since we have daylight that we would get some more miles in to help out for tomorrow. Tonight we are staying with a very gracious host & hostess, my aunt Sandy and Pat

Well here we sit, 4 days in to our 5 day run. Tomorrow we will start near the Coral Ridge Mall and make our final decent through Coralville, Iowa City, West Liberty and down to Davenport. I will be posting pictures when I get home. We have a ton and Nicks little netbook I don't think can handle it, I kid of course. Stay tuned for more updates

Stay Strong, Run Long,
Brad

Day 2

After all of the drama from day 1 of our adventure day 2 started out different but much the same.

We had a great time with Joe, Judy and Gloria, our new friends from Anita. When we came in to their home I am pretty sure they were wondering what the group of weirdos were actually doing in their driveway with a motorhome smelling like the hog and cattle farms that surrounded the small town of Anita, IA.

They welcomed us into their home and gave Mandy and Aubrey something that they had been talking about for the better part of those 67 miles, a cup of HOT tea and a shower. We were all just so excited to be done with the first day of running that I think most of us were just looking to lay down. Joe & Judy greeted us with some great food and very intriguing conversations. We talked about all of their travels and all of the different countries they had been in and listened to Judy tell us all that we need to make the trip and head to Africa to explore. None of us have been to the orphanage, but just listening to them talk about their passions for travel and seeing the world really helps us realize what we are doing is making a huge difference in the lives of so many.

Leg one was started out by Andrew and we got to see some of the coolest running areas in the state. You know how you see those gigantic blades for the wind turbines? Andrew got to run through a wind turbine field.

We thought for a bit that the weather from Friday was going to give a little until Aubrey headed out. Not only was she going to deal with some of "those hills", she also was the first, and I think only person to deal with rain again but she took it like a true champ.

After Aubrey came Mandy and it was only suiting that the transfer point for Mandy was the Adair-Casey High School where she had actually run in a track meet in high school. We joked about having her try to beat her 800 time, but she was a no go as we are on a mission :)

Nick came next and got to experience the big gas station guy in Menlo that our new friend Joe had told us about the night before. We had to make sure to get a picture to commemorate our conversation with him

I was up next and ran into the city of Stuart. All was going well until I hit a hole in the side of the road and kind of twisted my already ailing knee. I was doing well until some of those hills took me out a little short of my goal distance. I jumped in to the motorhome and iced down with a frozen bagel, since I was the one who forgot the ice packs it only seemed fitting.

The rotation started over again as we made our way through Dexter, where we met our friend Bob Eckhart waiting for us with some delicious stew.

We went through Redfield, Adel, and finally into a very much needed welcoming committee at Point of Grace. We were greeted by some of the members of the congregation that have been to the orphanage along with the folks that are responsible for the incredible growth that the Pines has seen. We were joined by the smiling faces of Brian and Lois Niehoff and Louis and Amber O'toole. It was so cool to have them their to welcome us and show their appreciation for the lunacy that is our journey.

Day 2 was a great success. We all made great times for the day and have been learning some things about each other to make us all closer as a family. This has been such an amazing experience so far and we are all looking forward to the days to come as we continue to grow together.

For those of you POG'ers, we will see you in a few hours for the beginning of day number 3

1 day down, 4 to go

Today is the day the Lord has made, rejoice!!!!

Day one of our run across Iowa and WOW what a day it was. We stayed with an incredible family in Council Bluffs named Drew & Kris Ranney. We got in late to Council Bluffs because the wind was horrible and trying to control a motorhome is not an easy task. We had some great conversations with the Ranney family and could not have had a better meal to start off our adventure. I think most of us were somewhat sleepless preparing for what was ahead. We woke and headed out the door to face the wind, rain and hills.

The day didn't start quite as nicely as planned, seeing that I had gotten us "a little lost". After we finally decided that we better get running. I headed out from an area that was plagued with construction and finally found highway 6 that would start our run. I ran a brisk 8 miler and handed off to Andrew. We made an executive decision to follow behind all of the runners to make sure that everyone was safe. We realized that this was going to be quite the challenge due to the unforgiving weather conditions.

We thought that following the runner was going to be the best idea until 3 of the runners got stopped by "concerned citizens" making sure we realized that there was a gigantic motorhome behind them. I read one time that you know you are a runner in Iowa if you get stopped to ask if you need help. This came oh so true today. Along with being stopped by these people we also got stopped by a different kind of citizen. As we were about 2 miles outside of our stopping point for the night we saw some flashing lights behind us. Apparently another "concerned citizen" called the cops on us because we were running in the middle of the road which is 100% incorrect as we all have the muddy shoes to show it.

Anway, after the first day we are staying at the home of Joe & Judy and nursing our sore muscles. Stay tuned for more updates!!!

Stay Strong, Run Long

Brad

An update on running times

Since the run is coming up in a few weeks just wanted to post a little something on the times that we are going to be running. Since this is a fund raising run instead of a "race" we are doing things a little different than normal races. We are going to start each day at 8am and go until we finish for that day.

The majority of the main team will be running 9-10 min/mile which means depending on the length for that segment we will each be running for about an hour. If you plan on joining us in the middle of the day, find the most up-to-date route and stops here.

We will be stopping at Point of Grace Church in Waukee on Saturday night and leaving right after 1st service (around 10:30 am) on Sunday morning. If you are planning on running with us while in Des Moines/Waukee area, please plan on being at Point of Grace around 10 to prepare. There will be a 5 mile option (2.5 out and 2.5 back) for $20 and is 100% tax deductible. If not a member of the congregation, here is the address.

We are really looking forward to this and hope that you can join us

Stay Strong, Run Long

Brad

Prayers Needed

With just a couple of weeks left until the start of our run, I am posting this message to ask for your prayers. Not for anything in particular, but keep all of the people associated with this adventure in your thoughts and prayers. We need a lot of help to make this event happen and so far our sponsors friends and family have really shown up to help. Now is the time to pass the word and let people know that we are running for God's children. We are running to help kids that we probably may never meet personally but are a part of our families.

Please tell people about what we are doing and ask them to be a part of it. Every dollar counts to helping these kids break the grip of a horrible disease and be able to make the most out of their young lives.

Look out for us. This is going to be an incredible experience, but we do need your prayers. We are all so excited to do this and ready to get going, but time can not move fast enough. Let myself, Andrew, Nick, Aubrey or Mandy know if you have any questions. This is going to be a really cool ride. Buckle up!!!!

Stay Strong, Run Long
Brad

Addicted to Running

I think that it is official that after 5 years of running, I have officially become addicted to something that comes very natural to a lot of people.

I have had some issues recently with my knee, and with the run being officially one month away, I have decided to take a week off to let things "heal" themselves. Over the last week I have noticed though that I am grumpy, get mad at the littlest things and can not stay focused. Working sometimes seems like a task because all I can think about is "Why can't I go for a run?". I know that I have done this to myself, but it is a great thing to be addicted to. It can break up a day. It can be a stress reliever (which apparently I need). It can get you OUTSIDE. It can be a great way to meet new people. Explore new areas of the city. Help to lose weight (which I needed too). And even though people are going to think I am crazy by saying this, it can be really fun.

As mentioned above, the run is a little less than one month away and I can say that I am ready. Aside from some minor aches and pains, I feel ready. I have been praying that people will find it in their hearts to help where they can. This is going to be a life changing event and I can't wait to take the ride. There are going to be hundreds of lives that will be changed when these kids lives are changed. They are going to be taken out of terrible environments and put into loving God-centered environments that will help them change their communities and their own futures.

If you know of people that are runners, send them our way. If you know of people that are walkers, send them our way. If you know of people that just want some cause to believe in, send them our way. Every dollar makes a difference.

Stay Strong, Run Long
Brad

Legs on Cruise Control

Due to some nasty infection in my foot last week, I was unable to run for about 5 days and MAN that takes the steam out of you when you try and run next. I wasn't able to actually run until Thursday of last week and did one Thursday and one run on Friday. I took my stuff home this last weekend but knew with all of the stuff that goes on during the weekend, there would be no chance I would actually run.

I decided that since it has really been about 2 weeks since I have actually had a "good" run that I would try and make the most of it today. It was really hot and windy so I decided to stay in (I am much better off in a little cooler temps). Although I don't really care for the treadmills, I knew that I needed to have a good solid run. I got in there, jumped on the TM, said a real quick prayer for God's strength to work through me during the run and hit the start button. I wasn't real sure even when I started how far I was actually going to go. I had some good tunes on and kinda got lost. You may ask yourself how you can get lost running on a treadmill, but it happens. Sometimes when you are just so focused you kind of lose track of what you are doing.

Before I really knew it I look down at the treadmill and see it hit 80 minutes. I had just ran 80 minutes without taking a break. I had taken a few drink breaks, but that was about it. My legs were actually on cruise control, for the first time in months. Usually when I am on the TM I am so anxious about being done that I find myself getting taking breaks because I am bored. Not today. After 10.6 miles I could have gone further, but due to time constraints I needed to quit, but I feel great.

Note to self, Not being bored makes for great runs :)

For those of you at POG, we will be putting up a booth in the atrium, hopefully this week. Swing by and show your support, ask questions, fill out a registration form, make a donation, whatever you feel like. Just come by and say hi. It will be great to see you.

Stay Strong, Run Long
Brad