running: the dawn

I just sat down with the intention of highlighting and thanking all the people who are going to be cheering me on this weekend.  It’s way emotional.  To think about all the amazing people who have gone out of their way to believe in me makes me want to burst into grateful happy tears.  But I will pull it together to give them the credit they deserve.

Mr. Dawn.

He has kept my world together in every way imaginable over the last 6 months 2.5 years close to five years.  He encourages me to go running when I’m feeling unmotivated, he finds cheap treadmills when its too hot, he sacrifices part of his “band room” for my “home gym”.  In every possible way he supports me and believes in me.

Mom & Dad.

I’m so excited that my parents are flying into town tomorrow to watch me run on Sunday.  They were both there at my first marathon in 2007 and this will be the first time since then that they’ve both seen me run a marathon.  They don’t always understand why I do this to myself but they are so proud of me.  My dad works in a hospital and loves to run around talking about his “daughter the marathoner.”

The In-laws: Momma and Pappa C.

Not only am I blessed to have my parents in town, but Mr. Dawn’s folks are making the trip as well!  This is gonna be Pappa C’s first time spectating any race anywhere!  I’m pretty sure that he doesn’t know what he’s in for   This will be Momma C’s THIRD marathon experience with me.  I think she’s caught the bug.

Andi.

Andi is my running sister.  She and I started running around the same time and when we worked at summer camp together found a bond through early early morning runs.  By the end of our that summer running together we decided to train for our first full marathon.  We ran every step of that race together.  Since then we’ve grown up, moved to opposite ends of the contry, gotten big girl jobs, and both run other marathons.  This will be the first time in five years that she’s been with me during a marathon.  She may not be running it, but I can guarantee that she will be a huge part of my race on Sunday.  She’s bringing her bike and a backpack to carry any-and-everything that I might need.  I will owe whatever happens on Sunday to her.

KT.

My Rockford Marathon superstar!  She has been slowly rebuilding and recovering from some injuries that she got while running the marathon this past spring.  She and I still run together once or twice a week which has been so amazing.  OH–and she’s ENGAGED now!  It’s so very exciting.  Maybe after the race we’ll have to hit up some Grand Rapids bridal stores

K-Mo & J-Money.

I didn’t even know that these two wonderful people were planning on coming to the race til Mr. Dawn said something about it.  They are our favorite game night/movie night/wii night company.  From long conversations to backpacking adventures we LOVE these two! J-Money ran with me a little bit last fall training for his first 5k.  Now, he’s a full-on triathlete!  I was so sad that I was out of town for his tri-debut.  Even though I missed that they are still going to make the trek to Grand Rapids to support this crazy marathon girl.  Unbelievable!

E.

A former student of mine was actually training to run Grand Rapids this year.  Due to injuries, he had to stop his training and withdraw from the marathon.  He has been rehabilitating and is feeling better.  If all goes according to plan he will meet me at mile 23 and be the fresh-legged inspiration I need to cross the line and get that all-elusive BQ.  I’m super excited to run with him!  In high school he went to state for cross-country and was pretty much a superstar runner.

Then there are the many many other bloggers that will be out there running the race and/or cheering.  It’s definitely going to be EPIC!  If I missed anyone and you’re going to be there, let me know!!