5K Race in Marion, Iowa

I made it to race day. May 15, 2010

I woke up around 5:30a.m. to find that my race clothes were still in the washer and hadn't been dried the night before so I quickly put just the items I needed in the dryer. Everyone else was woke up at 5:45a.m. and no one was happy about my race.
Can't say I blame them, no fun to get up so dang early on a Saturday.

We left by 6:05a.m. to travel to North Liberty to pick up my friend Stephanie.

By 6:45a.m. we arrived in Marion 15 minutes earlier than we had expected to, so we could pick up our race packet with our number, time chip for our shoe, and our goodie bag with treats and advertizements in it.

6:50a.m. Gave our extra stuff to Jason so we could warm up for the race. Jason then left with the children to go to Sandy and Larry's home to watch the race and have breakfast.

7:15a.m. Stephanie and I were warming up by walking fast, running, stretching.

7:45a.m. Line up for the race had begun. We picked a place near the front to start our race.

7:58a.m. A horrible National Anthem was sung by someone who didn't know all the words. Pathetic. AND she didn't sing well to make it worse. People were shaking their heads in disappointment.

8a.m. Mayor of Marion counts down to the race and it began.

8:16a.m. passed Sandy and Larry's house and saw everyone and managed to wave even though I was tired by that point. I had only ran a little over halfway so I should have felt better, but didn't.

8:30 and 24 seconds I passed the finish line.

then I began "almost barfing" My body was doing the action and nothing was coming out. I felt horrible and was sure I was going to puke a bunch.

Within a couple minutes I felt better and got in line for the free massage. That was amazing and I'm glad they had over 10 massage tables up and people willing to do that for all of us!

Then in line for the food. There was:
oranges, bananas, watermelon, pop, water, gatorade, granola bars, pretzals, cheese, cookies. I think that's it. I grabbed a few things, then got in line to get my printout of my results.

My pace was 9:50 meaning this is what my time was per mile.
I placed 455 out of almost 900 people
For my age of 37 I placed 28th (I have no idea how many were in this group)
Out of all the females I placed 207th (again no idea how many females were running)

Overall my time was 30:24

Not bad considering this was only my 2nd race ever. Last time was a 5K 5 years ago when I was 32 and my time then was 5 minutes slower.

Here are a bunch of pictures. In the first two can you find me?

I'm way in the back in the first picture on the left and then in the second one I'm more in the middle.

Me running past my family.

Pet Peeves

I don't have a lot of pet peeves. I am generally pretty easy going and find it very easy to let things just roll off my back. However, there are a few things that light my fuse. Here's one of them.

The end is nearing, please help if you can!!!!!!!!

Hi All,

As most of you know Caleb was selected as part of the Celebration Iowa Show Choir. Here is the link for more information

http://www.luther.edu/celebrationiowa/

When you are in that page, click on Cast 2010 and scroll down till you see Caleb's grumpy picture. Ok so it's not bad, but he didn't want to smile. I'll be sending a new picture in soon for the next update on the website.

I'm super proud of him because there were over 100 that auditioned for the Show Choir and only 10 boys and 10 girls were selected for that. Then not only that, but out of all of Iowa, Caleb is the only one in all of Eastern Iowa to be selected for this group.

Anyway, I'm writing because Caleb has to raise $1200. in donations to be able to be in this. He is at around $500 so we are getting desperate since the end is near. He has until May 30th to have all money turned in.

IF you are able to donate anything, even $5.00 that would be appreciated greatly and will be less that we have to come up with at the end of May. If you need my address, then just leave a comment and I'll e-mail you personally with our address.

OR you can send donations in to Luther College directly, their address is:
Luther College
Celebration Iowa Program
C/O Mary Weis or Benji Nichols
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101


Just make sure that if you are sending in donations directly that you include Caleb's name in with the letter. Or even write on the check Celebration Iowa and then in the memo line Caleb Clark.

For those who donate over $50.00 your name will be listed in the Celebration Iowa programs and there will be over 13,000 of those printed. Donations of $100 or more will receive special recognition. Donations are eligible to be receipted as a charitable contribution for tax purposes.

Any further questions, please call Benji Nichols, who is the program director and his number is 563-387-1725

Little gifts are the best!

I love Mother's Day because Jason always makes me breakfast in bed! Today he made homemade hashbrowns, over easy egg on top of the hashbrowns, bacon and blueberry pancakes. It was all super yummy! Thanks Jason.

The pink and yellow round object to the right is a ceramic dish Alyssa made me, those pink and yellow things are flowers. Too cute.


Below is the card Scott made.

Then this part was the best, there was this home made envelope that Scott made and inside was several small items. Most of these items were things he earned with "good behavior tickets" that he got at school. So sweet that he gave his prizes he earned to me.

Caleb took me aside and gave me the biggest hug and told me he loved me. That was super sweet.

Caleb's Junior Prom

Madelin and Caleb