...for making my final run something to remember!!!

There was no better way to finish off the 2010 year of running that in the state capital of North Dakota, Bismarck. I had been there just three weeks before to attend my cousin's wedding that was just down the road in Mandan, ND, so I got a little bit familiar with the area.
Stayed the extended weekend that started for me Thursday at a friend Jon Hoefer's place. Him, his wife and daughter were great hosts for me and made it a fun four days.
Thursday evening I arrived in Bismarck around 4pm - where I met up with Jon at his work station for Army recruiting. We went from there to Bismarck State College to attend a career fair. I was a little bit surprised at some of the puzzled looks I got from some of the business owners, managers and heads of organizations who didn't know there was a marathon coming up in Bismarck just a couple days away. Even some of the media had no clue about this event.

There were some outlets I was able to get in touch with prior to arrival, and they ended up visiting with me at the actual run on Saturday the 18th.

Friday was packet pickup day at Scheels located in the mall right across the street from where we stayed just three weeks ago for the wedding. Made it easy access for me to know where I was going.
On the way to get the packet, rain was coming. Not only was it rain, but it changed to snow! Temps were around 30 degrees at that point, and it was as if people had never seen snow before hearing the reactions at the mall from people coming in. Granted, it was only September 17th, but it is the midwest, too.
The cooler temps stayed with us for the run too. Arriving at the parking lot closest to the start line (almost three blocks away) I was one of the first 15-20 people, next to volunteers already on hand to get road blocks and other items set up for the run. The race time: 7:30am. My arrival to the park: 5:52am. Woke up at 4:45am that morning to get prepared and get over there at an early time, to walk around a bit and get a feel for the beginning of the course. I didn't prepare too much outside...it was FREEZING. I stayed in my car as long as possible, until about 7:10am that morning. Just walked around a few times to get the muslces used to the cold temperature, which was 33 at the start.
Jon, Carrie & Haley showed up before the start, with Jon providing us some video coverage with my v-cam. I'm glad they came in the way they did...he was able to video tape the National Anthem which ended up being pretty inetersting. You can view the footage in the Media section of the site when you're done reading this. The flag used for the event was right at the start line, but the start block bended one way so not all of the participants could see it. To their benefit, I start each race as far to the back as possible, so I can walk around and pace a little bit more to keep the legs moving and do some final thinking. Prior to the trip out, you can hear my interview with co worker Woody Roux of 106.5 FM KRJB in Ada. It's a 25 minute conversation about the year that was, the upcoming run and the project I'm aligned with.
Once the run got going, it wasn't so bad. Other than the whole left hand getting mighty cold, the rest of the body warmed up nice. When you'd stop to get water or juice, you could feel the steam coming off of your body from the sweat and warmed up muscles meeting the cold temps.

I met a lot of great people at this run in Bismarck. Had some nice converation throughout the race route and saw my friends Jon, Carrie and Haley at several spots along the way, which made it more fun. I even ended up latching on with one of their neighbors that lives about three houses down from where they are located. Just through conversation along the way I learned that...small world.
The final mile felt different for me. I knew this was going to be the last run with the flag I had started out with back in 2007. It's been through 10 half marathons now, a full marathon and many 5K and 10K events representing our fallen soldiers, war vets and those serving today. I was hoping it would end the same way it started, but that wasn't the case. One minor disappointment throughout the entire weekend -- knowing it was loose to start the race, I made it a point to check every quarter to half mile on the eagle at top of the flag pole I carry to make sure it was there. At mile four, it was still holding strong. Next time I looked, between miles four and five, it was gone. I was contimplating running back the other direction to look for it, but instead, I just hope that someone else found it, kept it and maybe will hang on to it for some odd reason. That eagle took a beating in Brainerd, MN last year running through the woods during the Sour Grapes Half marathon. Tree branches that were low, plus running on a four wheeler track just didn't mix well with runners coming from both directions.
Following the finish in Bismarck, I had the chance to visit with a couple media members from the area, including TV and news paper. I'm the radio guy, so it was like a mass communications reunion. I don't like the whole camera thing though, but it worked, plus I got the chance to promote my friend to Bismarck and the surrounding area. They were both strategically placed throughout the course taking footage and getting pictures of the runners, and I saw some of that coverage on their news cast for the TV station, which I believe was KXMB, the CBS affiliate there.
I usually hang around a little longer at those events after the finish, but once I got some food, some milk and a chat with some people, it was time to go warm up! Sweating then standing around don't mix well, found that out very quick.
After a shower, a nap and some food, I got to meet some of Jon & Carrie's neighbors that evening, plus was able to catch up with a friend of mine that lives out that way too.

Then Sunday morning, a breakfast at my favorite place to get refueled after a run with my good friend Shelle Michaels. She's associated with several organizations and works at Rasmussen College in Bismarck now. Met her when she was at UND in Grand Forks, ND. So glad I am able to visit with her and know her. She's been great, and we also exchanged "gifts" before I headed back home. Already have gotten more compliments on the magnet that's now on the back of my car.

It's been a great year, but it's not over yet. The running events might be complete for the year, but November is going to be the next big deal. I'm heading back to my home town to help the school and community celebrate Veteran's Day once again. I've been looking forward to this for quite some time, but still have to look forward for another month and a half. It will be here before we know it...
It definitley feels great to know I was able to make it through another year of running - promoting my friend Corey and all of our fallen soldiers, promoting Project New Hope and what they stand for, along with getting the chance to meet so many great people along the way!

Four halfs next year...where will they be? We'll figure that out within the next few months. Until then, I'm going to rest the mind and body....let it soak in all of this experience.

We did it, Corey! Once again, your impact has brought forth a motivation that had been hiding in me for so long. Thank you, for helping me strive a little bit harder to become someone I've always wanted to be.