Congratulations, Participants!

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The MS Society Mobile Cheering Squad (tm)What a fantastic weekend!  We had a sprinkle here and there early in the morning, but the real rain held off until almost all of our runners and walkers were off the course… what a nice change from previous years!  Charity Plaza was alive and crawling with participants and visitors; the Salvation Army was on hand with hot dogs and chips and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.  We at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society couldn’t be happier with our fellow charity partners, who really made this year a success through a massive collaborative effort to bolster our respective fundraising teams.  Congratulations to all of these amazing activists, volunteers, runners, walkers, and supporters!

But the season for us has only begun!  The Fifth Third River Bank is only the first of a long line of events this spring and summer, and we invite you to be a part of it!  We’re giving our runners a full week of rest before we open the flood gates at our after party called ROCK MS on Sunday, May 20th from 6pm to 9pm.  We still have a few slots open for those willing to show their stuff on the video game Rock Band… and for those who wish to cheer on their favorite performers, we’ll have t-shirts, a $1 raffle, cheap drinks, and much more.  Join us at Stella’s Lounge in downtown Grand Rapids for this fun event!

Shawn Green at the 2012 River Bank RunAlso coming to West Michigan is our classic Walk MS event at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids on Saturday, May 19th, as well as the West Michigan Bike MS weekend on June 9th and 10th.  We’re always looking for additional participants and volunteers… visit teamn3kk1d.com for more details and information on how you can get involved.

We’re already making plans for next year’s River Bank Run, and we certainly hope to re-connect with everyone in 2013.  Until then, rest well, run happy, and know that together, we will find a cure for multiple sclerosis!

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I CAN Do This!

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I’m just going to say it, I’m proud of myself!  I went downtown again today to run and while sixth street was still closed I already knew my alternate route and I kept going and I ran the whole 5K!

I knew I could do it on the nice safe flat treadmill but today I did it with hills and uneven pavement and I ran the whole way.  And, wait for it…….. I enjoyed it!  It went by fast and I enjoyed listening to my uplifting music and the feeling of accomplishment was a better high than anything else.

The anxiety of Saturday coming up so quickly is leaving and the excitement is setting in.

I’m so excited that we have been able to raise money for such a great program as the Conductive Learning Center and I’m truly proud to be Legs for Laila (who by the way has been standing and walking on her own two feet some these days thanks to the amazing program at CLC)  :)

There’s still time to donate at http://www.active.com/donate/teamclc/legsforlaila

Laila - Standing on her own two feet!

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Alpha: A Community at Heart

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21-year-old Heather Bouws absolutely loves people, and with her love comes a desire to help. “I want to be someone who helps the hurting generation, our hurting generation and the ones that follow, “ she says.  It is this love and desire that draws her to Alpha Women’s Center.

Heather became involved with Alpha through her church and parents, and she has been volunteering there since she was in high school. However, one particular time at the center stands out. She was working sorting piles and piles of baby clothes. “Our job was to get them all folded and organized by size/season, etc.” she says,  “I was pretty sure we were going to be there until nighttime. But we got it done in literally a couple of hours.” It wasn’t simply the speed of the volunteers, however, that struck Heather that day.  It was the continuous stream of people, and appreciation, and gratitude. “Different people from Alpha would come in and endlessly thank us for doing this, because even though it was a job that needed to get done, they just didn’t have the time and energy to devote to it,” she says.  On that day Heather experienced the vibrant and loving community that is Alpha Women’s Center.

Last year, Heather walked for Alpha in the Fifth Third Riverbank Run. She did so, in part, because she wants everyone to know and experience such a warm and embracing place. “I want everybody specifically young women, to know that there is an AWESOME resource out there for them to use,“ she says. “They don’t have to do it on their own, or feel they have no where to turn because Alpha is there for them.” Due to illness, Heather is not able to walk for Alpha this year. However, she wishes she could, and she encourages anyone who can to take part.

It was while working at Alpha, Heather says, that she began to understand what it truly means to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. On May 12th a whole flock of hands and feet will be mobilized walking for life, and Heather will be supporting them all the way with her love, passion, and enthusiasm.

 

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Nine Days until the River Bank Run.

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I finally went downtown and braved running outside today.  After getting into the groove of running back home and then finally getting used to running at East Hills here in Grand Rapids I figured with only nine days to go I better start running outside finally.  I had been able to do four miles on the treadmill so I was pretty confident that could do the 3.1 outside with the few small hills.

For the most part it went really well.  I did have to stop a walk some because the sixth street bridge is closed (hope they open it soon!) and since I was trying to run the actual 5K course I wasn’t sure where to go!  I found a path that goes along the river and made my way back to a bridge that was actually open and ran the rest of the way.  I was disappointed that I had to walk but then I decided to run back to my car but got all turned around and ended up running up some of those steep hills downtown.

People probably thought I was a crazy person.  I think I ran past the same group of teenagers three times!  HA!  Anyway, I’m counting this run as a success and hoping I made up some of that walking time while I was running around lost.  Guess that the downside of coming for the run from out of town but it was an adventure!  :)

We’ve also been so excited to meet and exceed our fundraising goal again!  Still time to donate!! active.com/donations/teamclc/legsforlaila

By, Angie, Runner and Legs for Laila Team Captain

P.S. Check out Laila featured on Fox 17 Morning News in Grand Rapids last week.

http://www.fox17online.com/videogallery/69561870/News/River-Bank-Run-Preview-#4—4-24-12#pl-62882988

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It’s almost here! There is just over a week left until the 35th Annual Fifth Third River Bank run! We at Alpha are so thankful for all of the people who have decided to Make Strides for Life through their decision to run for Alpha! Our participation is up this year and we are truly blessed… but we are by no means filled! You still have time to sign-up to run for Alpha online (Monday is the last day)!

Make Stride for Life this year and join the Alpha Team!!

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Weekend Inspirations – 3 people inspiring me to finish the race!

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This past weekend was truly inspirational for me.  I was able to meet elite runner and Team CLC member Greg Meyer at a Team CLC Training Clinic and Training Run.  He won the 1983 Boston Marathon and has won the 25K portion of the 5/3 River Bank Run seven times.  He still runs lots of races at age 52. He is my first hero of the week and part of my inspiration to accomplish the 10K on May 12.  
(Here’s a picture of me and Greg – before the run!)
My other inspiration is my brother and sister in the faith, Brian and Maggie Kerkstra.  Brian had been trying for the last 3 weeks to make a generous donation to Team CLC.  He kept bugging ME to send him the link so he could donate.  When he finally got the internet link he ran into snags that forced him to call customer service to insure that his donation got there.  When they confirmed that it did not he did it again.  Never have I seen someone so persistent to be so generous.  Brian, you are my second hero of the week.
My third is his wife, Maggie.  Maggie, a very good runner compared to me, was the one who graciously went with me on my first run.  She has been inspirational since the beginning of my journey and runs with me out of the goodness of her heart.  It is a true labor of love!
Thank you to my heroes of the week.  You have given me new fire to finish my first race ever.
CLC Road Warrior, Allison Swets
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Running 25K x 2 ….to help Conductive Learning Center kids!

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My husband, Steve and I are running 31 miles for the kids of the Conductive Learning Center!

Steve and Margaux Drake have run extended races and triathlons to raise money to help charities. This year we are honored to be helping the kids of the Conductive Learning Center. We want to execute a challenge that is worthy of your charity dollars.

On May 12, 2012:
We will run full Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K X 2
for a total of 50K, non stop.
50K= 31.1 Miles!
Think of a place you know that is 30 miles away. Grand Rapids to Holland is just under 30 miles. Now think of running there. We have been juggling work, three VERY SUPPORTIVE kids, and busy schedules. We are training very hard every day to be able to accomplish this goal. Team Drake is fully committed to reaching it and would be grateful if you would join us by donating to the CLC on our behalf. Team Drake’s financial goal is to raise $10,000. 100% of your pledge dollars will benefit the children of the Conductive Learning Center. The full amount of your donation is tax deductible and every donation helps, small or large. http://www.active.com/donate/teamclc/teamdrake
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Are You Ready to ROCK MS?

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ROCK MSWe walk.  We run.  We bike.  We’ve tackled many an event and sweated many a long, windy, stinging mile to reach the finish line.  After all of these years, it’s time to take the battle against multiple sclerosis to the stage and ROCK MS.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter and Team N3kk1d are partnering with Stella’s Lounge in Grand Rapids, Michigan to bring a battle of the bands like no other.  The line-up?  YOU!

On Sunday, May 20th from 6pm to 9pm, witness eight bands perform live on the popular video game Rock Band for prizes, accolades, and public adoration.  Our top-flight panel of expert judges will award prizes and well-deserved criticism to our daring performers.  Not ready to take up an instrument?  Swing on by and Stella’s will donate a percentage of food and beverage sales to the fight against MS.  We’ll have t-shirts, a $1 raffle, and FREE Rock Band swag brought to you from Harmonix, the makers of Rock Band.  Join us for after party madness as DJ Kermit serves up gong show karaoke; we’ll allow the spectators to show us their skills on the guitar, drums, and microphone.  Register as a band online on teamn3kk1d.com’s “events” page.  Tell all your friends and swing on by as we ROCK MS!

ROCK MS 2012 is brought to you in part by the generosity of Godwin Plumbing, featuring the largest plumbing parts inventory in West Michigan.  Check out their website and visit them at one of their three Grand Rapids area locations.

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Best Tip – Try out your clothes!

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Me, Laila, Margaux & Steve Drake

When Laila and I were at the race prep and nutrition clinic with Steve and Margaux Drake for Team CLC, one of the things they told us was to “make sure to try our running clothes before the day of the race”.  You have to make sure that they don’t have anything in or on them that would irritate you.

They were mostly talking about if you went out and bought new running clothes but let me tell you, you have to also try out old ones!  I jumped on the treadmill a few days ago and had grabbed out some running pants that I hadn’t worn in a few weeks but had been training in since the beginning.  Well, let’s just say that I think I may have lost more inches than pounds because if I had been running the race everyone would’ve gotten quite the show.

They fell right down!! 

But since I’m a crazy OCD person who won’t stop once I start, I spent my whole run that day pulling my pants up!!  So the moral of my story today is to DEFINITELY try out your running clothes close to the race even if they’re not new!

Happy Running!

PS – I’m running 3.5 miles every other day consistently now.  Still blows my mind!  If you’d like to support Team CLC and our Legs for Laila team please click here

 

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WE DID IT!

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I didn’t realize when we started training that the last day would be the day before we leave for our next four weeks at CLC.  Tonight I actually ran 3.5 miles!  I never in my life thought that would be something I could do.  Jack has worked up to running over 6 miles as of tonight.  Earlier this week he just started running to see how far he would go and has just kept increasing his distance.  He’s doing so great!!

I have to say that I’m surprised at the other things in my life that have changed since I started this.  I find myself eating less and healthier.  I feel like I don’t want to just go run all this way and then cancel it out with ice cream or I don’t want to eat a big greasy burger because one day I did that and it felt like the thing was kicking me in the ribs the whole time I was running.  While I haven’t lost a lot of weight yet, I do feel like my clothes are fitting better which is nice :)   The other thing that is so exciting is that Emma and Jackson have started walking and are doing between 1-2 miles.  They are following our example and Emma has even signed up to walk the 5k for Laila too!

Our team has grown and we have raised so much more money for CLC than we had thought we would.  We decided to try to get some corporate sponsors from our town since we’re three hours away and they wouldn’t have been included in soliciting so far.  Our town and families have responded in such a huge way and have shown so much love for Laila that it just amazes me.  Check out our fundraising page here.

Tomorrow we check back in to the Ronald McDonald house and Laila starts her next session at CLC on Tuesday.  Be looking for blogs with updates of how she adjusts back and what kind of progress she makes.  Pray she doesn’t cry the first three weeks of a four week session again ;)

Please also pray for us as we are just beginning our adoption paperwork again to bring our son Ranjit home from India.  This might get a little tricky doing paperwork from another state while Jack is home with the other two kids!

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