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

Fellowship of runners and friends

With the Run For The Pines quickly approaching, Mandy decided that it was time for us to all get together and talk, run and eat (3 of my favorite things). This has been in the works now for a couple of weeks and I have been so excited for the opportunity for all of us to get together. God really showed up and gave us the Perfect day.

I had been watching the weather all week praying for a good day to just get out for a run, get some pics taken and talk about the things that are going to take place over our 5 days in October. We met at The Orange Planet (not heard of it, click the name to find out more) to get some pictures done, thank you again Becki, and then off for a run. Due to some unforeseen things a couple of the team members couldn't head out, but Mandy, Aubrey and I decided to go. It is interesting how God works through things like running. The 3 of us have never really talked together but there is an amazing fellowship that comes out during a run. It was truly like we were old friends and have known each other for years. During our short 4 mile run there was never an awkward silence or moment without discussion of things running, church or family.

After the run we went off to Mandy and Tim's house for food and more conversation. I have known all members separately for a few years but have never known them together. After our meeting I feel that this is the best team that could have been assembled for this adventure. We have Mandy, who is a first class runner and married to a great man (not to mention the daughter of a great man). She has a huge heart and ready to run. There is Nick and Aubrey, great parents with huge hearts to help others meet their full potential no matter what. Andrew, I have so many things to say about Andrew as I have known him the longest. He is a great friend and will talk your ear off if you let him :) And Justin, another really good runner that has the heart of a true competitor and ready to take on this challenge.

This is our team. Enough said. Of all of the people I could have thought of to make this event what it is going to be, I wouldn't choose differently in a million years.

We had some great conversations and got some logistical questions answered. I think that everyone is really confident about the run and what we are about to embark on. I may be a little bias, but I think that this could be huge.

Please pray for our safety while training, pray for the injured that they may recover well and be ready to go in 2 months and pray to help us help these kids.

Stay Strong, Run Long,
Brad

Freedom is...

With the Fourth of July coming up I am sitting down thinking what freedom is. As I said a few weeks ago, I have started doing 2-a-day training and have found a great love for the benefits of biking. I have been biking in the morning and running in the afternoon so that I don't get bored just going out and running (if that is possible). Yesterday I finally decided to run twice and see how I felt. And boy, was it an experience.

I woke up around 5 am and headed into Des Moines to run. Got out the door around 6:15 or so and just went. I wasn't real sure where I was going, but knew that I had the freedom to just go. That is the thing that I love about running. You don't have to have an agenda. You can throw on your shoes, grab an iPod if you need it and just go. When time isn't an issue I do this a lot. It tends to make running more fun. Getting out and basically exploring the area. I have been in this city for a few years so I know the area, but it is so cool to go into an area that you know and just look at the sidewalks. See what the landscape is like with the sun coming up. Feeling that cool breeze hitting you in the face when you think that this run couldn't get any worse. We have that freedom to just go. That is why we are doing this run for these kids. To give these kids the freedom that they deserve. Freedom to live. Freedom to grow up and just run (literally or figuratively speaking). We have life so good sometimes but yet we get mad when our car breaks down, but how about losing a parent at age 2. We get so frustrated with telemarketing calls at night, but what about not having a home to even take those calls. Or what about that stupid person at Starbucks who made your coffee wrong. Think about not being able to afford to eat let alone drinking a $5 coffee. This is what so many in the world have to face and yet we stay silent.

Come join us. Run/walk with us. Donate to something that could end up being bigger than anything you and I may ever know. This is our chance to take a little bit of the money that we have been given to help a kid know what it is like to get up in the morning knowing that they can live in Freedom. Freedom to think for themselves. Freedom to teach others in their communities what true love is. We have been given those freedoms because of the people that fought for us. Let's fight for them, together.

It's funny how just running at 6:15 in the morning can liven your life and bring perspective. I have the freedom to run twice a day if I choose, and that run yesterday made me realize that. After all was said and done, the run went well. Aside from being stuck behind a train for nearly 15 minutes, I got my 9 miles in in the morning and hit up the treadmill for my second run of the day logging 6 miles that time. Total miles this week, 22 in two days. Not to bad, if you ask me :)

Take some time this upcoming weekend to celebrate your freedom. Get out and run/walk in a firecracker race (typical theme for 4th of July races) or just hang out with friends but don't forget to thank those who came before us so that we can celebrate together.

As always if you are interested in sponsoring our event, shoot me an email at runforthepines@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page and send me a message there. Please also check out our wonderful sponsors. They are taking a huge leap of faith with us and we want to show them our thank you by giving them your business.

Stay Strong, Run Long

Brad

Our Race Brochure

Here is our run brochure. As we get more sponsors we will be including all of them on the back of the brochure. If you have the capability to print on both sides of the paper please do so. Please fill out the information and cut off at the line and send in along with your donation. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Run For The Pines Brochure

Stay Strong, Run Long.
Brad