Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Day After Yesterday

I had thought several times before, and during, the run about whether I would emerge a changed man.  Would I be more patient?  More insightful?  Believe that I can leap tall buildings in a single bound?  As far as I can tell, none of the above is true.  What I can tell is that I have many people around me who care deeply about me and who are extremely unselfish in their willingness to help accomplish my goals.  I cannot thank these people enough for taking such good care of me during the days and night of my run (and all of the events leading up to it),

Molly, Alice and Jeff, I can never say thank you enough.  I know you care about me, you have to, but you don't have to care nearly as much as you do, or do it so well.  I really love you, and appreciate you.  You all ran a great show and had everything ready to go as needed and to keep me up throughout.

Tim, I've got to say how incredibly glad I am that you were there through the night.  I don't make the effort I should as a big brother.  I am so very glad that you were able to share this experience with me.  It will be something we can always share.  In fact, you will probably have to tell me about some of the behind-the-scenes activities and conversations that went on while I was out running or simply out of my head.

Pat, John D., and Pete, thanks for putting up with me all the time, but especially thanks for during this project.  You provided exactly the amount of guidance, patience, and provocation as needed.  I know some hours were easier than others, or maybe I should say that some were harder than others.  It all depends on your point of view.

Gregg, that tool box of yours changed who I was beginning at 6:00 PM and continuing on and on.  The roller, conditioner, and liquid energy were just what the doctor ordered.

Ron, Kyle, Clinton, John M., Karen and Mark, Bob, Andy, Bass, Steve M., Steve C.,David G., Joe, Dale, Cody, Jessie, Riley, and Jim, thanks for running, walking, talking, distracting, and encouraging me at all the various points of the day and night.  I never experienced the emotional low points I expected because of your enthusiasm, kindness, and generosity.

Thanks to Scott DeShong and Nell Herrmann for getting the kids out to see me during the day.  It was wonderful to talk with the kids and extremely motivating during what would have been a very hot and tiring day.  Helping students understand diabetes, its causes and effects is a huge part of the purpose of this run.  Your enthusiasm is contagious.

Jabco-Maggi Mitsubishi was so generous in providing a support vehicle for Molly to drive.  It was so nice to arrive at a site and have a change of clothes, drinks, snacks, and a beautiful smile.  The willingness of this dealership to reach out to the community is indicative of the men who own the business.

Bruce, Heath, Rachel, Mary Ellen, and Allison, you are so wonderful!  I really enjoyed seeing you smiling faces and hearing your words of encouragement !  The posters you made are wonderful !  I looked at them over and over again throughout the night and morning.  Every time I returned to the church was an opportunity to to see them and to get excited all over all over again.  I love you so much.

The students at Park Forest Middle School did an awesome job raising funds for JDRF and having a lot of fun at the same time.  The way you all embraced this project and supported me is an honor.

Thanks to the Lutz family, the Yeomans family, Beth F., Kathy D., and others (I'll have to add some more here, I'm certain.) for coming to the church or for seeking me out along the course and providing treats, and company for me.  Your enthusiasm helped recharge me and keep me going strong.

I'm so thankful to all who helped make this project possible.  I'm certain I missed many people, and will try to post another time soon to add to the list.

By the way, we did make over 100 miles in the first 29 hours and I will add a photo taken at the 100 mile point as well as one at the end of 30 hours.  The reception I received at Lubrano Park was overwhelming.  I am so blessed by Christ my Savior to be honored by all of you.
Stay tuned, I will write more about the experience and the incredible contributions JDRF will receive form the 30-hour run donors in the days and weeks to come.  This is too big to quit now.

Friday, May 21, 2010

It's Time!

First, let me thank everyone who has helped get things ready for today.  Molly, my wife, deserves a huge amount of gratitude for being patient, organized and thorough in getting things prepared for what is going to be a great day.
I haven't posted over the past couple of days as I thought I would.  Just too much going on in preparation.  Thanks so much to the students and staff at Park Forest Middle School for their kindness and generosity.  Yesterday 4 teachers agreed to allow kids to duct tape them to the wall to raise money for JDRF.  The kids had a great time and so did the teachers.  Over $600 was raised during the lunches.
Finally, before I get ready to head out, I need to say to God be the Glory!  He has given me many gifts and allowed me to undertake many challenges.  I am so thankful.
There is no stalling now.  Time to get this show on the road!

Monday, May 17, 2010

running forever

I had a great 10 miler on Saturday morning and feel as ready as I possibly can.  The day was perfect and I have to say I hope that Friday is nearly as nice.  We went food shopping afterwards and Molly encouraged me to get all the items I thought I might need.  Even though I've made several lists and tried to play through the event many times, I still expect to forget something.  The good thing is that I will be running in town and will have someone to pick up whatever it is that I need.
This morning was a series of interviews on the stations of Forever Broadcasting.  I started off on Majic 99 and then went to WRSC, Froggy 101, and The Bus.  The DJs were all great and led me with great questions and encouraged the listeners to check out this website and the walk on Saturday.  I hope to see you all there as well.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Jabco Generosity

I just had to make a special post tonight about the generosity of Jabco-Maggi Mitsubishi.  After sharing their radio advertising time with me to talk about JDRF, they donated $50 for each car that they sold from that Thursday until Saturday at closing.  Today, I picked up the check from them and John asked, if Molly would mind driving a new Mitsubishi as a support vehicle on Friday and Saturday.  Would we mind?!!?These are some awesome looking cars!  I know they are well built because of the reliability ratings by Consumer Reports and because they are willing to back them up with amazing warranties.
There is only one disappointing thing about it - Molly gets to drive and I have to run.  Oh well, she is the motorhead in the family anyway!
Thanks so much to John Jabco and Todd Maggi.

One Week to go !

I want to thanks those who have given recently Gwen and Travis, Sandy and Jake, Greg, the Jacobson's, Tracie and Barry, and Pete (again - what a guy!).  The kids at school, and their parents, are really getting behind me now with a lot of kind words as well as donations.  Many people are asking me the big questions, "Are you ready? How do you think you'll do?  Don't you get to take a nap partway through?"  Basically the only one I can answer is that no, I don't get to take a break during the run except for the potty and to change clothes.  I feel bad for the people who are planning to run with me during the night-time hours, because I expect that I will be moving so slowly.  Hopefully, they won't be too disappointed in the effort. My closest friends have said that they understand, they are running a couple hours then taking a break before running again.  I will be going the full 30 hours.
The pain of diabetes has been on my mind lately as I've spoken to more people about the run and the disease.  I was amazed at the response of the Park Forest Elementary kids.  Many of my students and parents I've seen have said how the kids came home and talked to them about diabetes and the run project.  This is exactly what I was hoping for when this thing began, getting people more aware, talking about diabetes and its effects.  When people get involved personally things happen.
Speaking of being involved, I wish Teri all the best as she heads to Georgia for the Ride for the Cure event this weekend.  She and Mark have been great support here and it is awesome of them to make the effort to be involved back in the Atlanta area.
I'm sure this week will hold lots of posts, so stay tuned for more soon!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Nerves of Jello

10 days to run day and I'm getting psyched.  Yes, I'm certainly excited, and scared as well.  I hope that these final days of fund raising go well, I would really like to see the total blossom.  I know I've got several friends who are going to come through and some who have been seeking donations from others on my behalf.
I got to speak to the kids at Park Forest Elementary School this afternoon.  That was a really neat experience.  You would think that, being a teacher, talking to kids would be no big deal.  But it was.  These kids are younger than I am used to working with and the looks on their faces was wonderful.  They seemed to be looking in wonder as I talked about diabetes, its causes and effects, and the duration of the run.  I hope that it helps to get them interested in getting involved.
Tim from TRY Chips emailed me today and asked for a photo and bio for their web page.  That makes me really happy.  I hope that I can be a worthwhile ambassador for all of these folks who have stepped forward to support me.
My brother-in-law, Jeff, and I drove around State College tonight planning the course from school to school.  I started working on this so long ago, it seems as though it should be solved, but things are still coming together for which schools I can meet and when. It seems like a long way to go from Park Forest to Mount Nittany Middle School.  It used to seem like a long way to run from the house to route 550 as well.  Now, the 12 miles home don't seem too bad.
 I'm excited that Molly will be following me throughout the day and that lots of others are going to be with me through the evening, night, and morning.  I really have a lot of special people in my life.  I've said it before and I will say it over again.    I am truly blessed.

Friday, May 7, 2010

2 weeks !

At this time, 2 weeks from now, I will have been running for 15 hours!  I have to say that will be pretty cool.  The WOW! part comes from thinking that I will be half-way through my run.  No, I didn't say "only" half-way through, I just thought that - or did I say it? :)
I am so happy to be involved in this adventure.  I am amazed at the number of people who have contacted me with words of support.  It really does help keep me moving when the feet get tired. I just was doing some reading and I found a blog about a woman running 50 miles per day in all 50 states and trying to accomplish this in 62 days!  I feel a bit like a wimp, but I'm not ready to try that one just yet.  She passed through State College and ran here on April 29.  Sorry I missed that.  It would have been interesting to chat with her for a while.
I had a great conversation last night with Ken Giornesto.  We talked about the tendency of people who get one auto-immune disease, like diabetes, to get another, like Celiac disease.  Ken is a member of the State College Celiac Support Group and had some really interesting information about the difficulty in diagnosing Celiac Disease.  He is happy to talk with anyone who would like to learn more.  You can email me for his contact information.  I plan to get together with him after the run and talk more about the connection among auto-immune diseases.  Its understandable, but still disappointing to think about the magnification of symptoms and effects. 
I had a few really nice runs this week.  10-12 milers each time, through the game lands, and a nice pace.  My main concern now is not to overdo it.  I don't think any major training is going to make any huge difference at this stage of the game.  I will still run steady this week and then try to rest and sleep a lot next week.  We need to do the shopping next weekend to get all the goodies that we will need to stay fed and watered.  I still don't know exactly the daytime route I am going to take.  I have tried to sort it out so that I can visit as many schools as possible at the times that are acceptable to them.  I can only hope that they are flexible. I just have to remember that 30 hours is a long time and the physical goal is just to get to the end.
The Builders Club at Park Forest is putting together some awesome activities to get the kids psyched up about the run.  I won't give anything away just yet because I don't want to ruin any surprises.
Well, onward and upward! We've raised about 1/5 of the goal amount, but this is the time when people are going to step up and give.  It doesn't matter if it is $1 or $1000, the important thing is to get involved and support the search for a cure.  It will make a difference!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Less than 3 weeks !

I had a great run in the game lands on Saturday.  A little over 21 miles in a little under four hours.  I realize that this is not fast, but if I were to continue at that pace, and it felt good, I would travel 150 miles in 30 hours.  I don;t see that happening, but 120 would be awesome.  I am continuing to get ready, and others are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as well.  Alice, Jeff, Molly and I talked logistics on Friday night and got some things sorted out for getting support together and getting me from point A to point B during the day.  I plan to visit several schools and really need to get this scheduled with them so that they know when to expect me.  I'm so happy that they are dealing with this, their minds can wrap around it so much better than mine can.
Steve and Steve from 3WZ interviewed me this morning on air.  I hope it went well.  I love getting the word out about the impact of diabetes and the efforts that people must put forth to stay healthy.  I can only hope that my small efforts are doing some good.
I received several contributions by check in the past few days.  Bob and Betty, Gwen and Travis, Ralph and Flo, Mary and Robert, Betty and Harris, Tom (one of my fifth grade teachers), and Restek Corporation all made very generous and kind contributions.  Thanks you all so much!
I have had literally dozens of visitors to the site over the past few days.  I am excited about the attention the run is receiving and hope that these visits produce more donations to fund research for a cure.  Is that a hint?  Yes, it is :)  That is the whole point of this project !
More soon.