Today's Run

I just finished a 7 mile run this afternoon. It was a beautiful day, blue skies, sunny & warm...about 75 degrees. I can finally say I've evolved as a runner. Early in my training the runs were so short that I was mostly focused on my music (jamming to Beyonce). As the runs became longer I realized how much more you have to prepare yourself mentally. At first I struggled. It was like having an angel sitting on one shoulder saying "you can do it" and the devil on the other saying "no you can't, you're having trouble breathing, a cramp is poking you in the side, and you need to stop!". The one thing that seemed to pull me through that time was knowing I was doing this for all the right reasons...my health, my happiness, inspiring my children, supporting my partners in the race, the Albertson Family, and all of you. You have all inspired me. We have received so many donations and words of encouragement and I am so thankful. THIS FAMILY WILL BE SO THANKFUL. So on days like today, when I'm out there running, I just wanted you to know that I think a lot about all of you. I think of my friends who are pregnant or are having babies, I think about those of you who are far away and what you might be doing, I think about those of you struggling with issues, I think about how lucky I am and what a wonderful family I have, and I think about the moment I will be able to share with the Albertson's what WE have been able to accomplish. During the most relaxed sections of my run I pray a lot for all of you. And when I hit a tough stretch, I play a fill in the name game to this thought, "I wonder what ??? might say to me right now to motivate me to keep going?". Depending on whose name pops in there I can come up with some colorful phrases!HAHA! So, I guess in sharing all of this, I just wanted you to know that this run means so much more for me than just your donation. You've inspired, you've given support, and you will be there in my head one week from Sunday as I run this race! THANK YOU! Love, Kelly

HELP WITH SONGS

The longer we seem to run the more music I need to keep me going. Anyone have any great running songs to suggest?!? Leave me a comment! THANKS, Kelly

Training

Finding time to train for this race has certainly been challenging. With two small kids it's not like you can just put on your shoes and head outside. In addition the weather poses a big challenge this time of year. We've been fortunate the last week to have blue skies and sunshine with temps in the 70's! The kids have been very helpful riding along in the jogging stroller each with their own consistent routine. William usually has a snack (raisins, granola bar, etc.) and then falls asleep for the entire run! Ella also has a snack while listening to HER music (small cd player with headphones) which is usually playing Alica Keys or Carrie Underwood. She sings along to the music (loudly b/c of the headphones over her ears) while other joggers and bikers passing buy smile or laugh! Everyone seems to get a kick out of looking at the two of them forgetting for a minute or so that they are exercising!

The Race

The 4 Person Relay is broken down in 5 1/2 to nearly 8 mile runs. The shorter distances have the most hills while the longest is fairly flat. We have broken it down as follows:
Leg 1: Nash
Leg 2: Carrie
Leg 3: Charlie
Leg 4: Kelly
All of us will meet up before the finish to run through together. We would love for any of you to come out and cheer us on at any point along the race. The more support spread out the better! If you haven't come down before I would encourage you to do so! It is so inspiring...not that you have to be inspired to run a marathon but you will see so many different types of people, different levels of ability/disability, different causes, etc....even people pushing their kids in strollers or people in costume! I promise you will have fun and those running will greatly appreciate the support! So, let us know if you plan to come out and where you might be along the course! Kel

Carrie and Charlie's Running Update

Charlie is training for leg 3 of the pig - the longest, and most boring leg (according to veteran pig runners!). Charlie will be great for this leg as he is a very strong runner. Despite his busy school schedule up at Ohio State, Charlie's training has been going very well. Since the snow has subsided, Charlie tries to run outside everyday, usually 5 miles per day. Just yesterday he finished an 8 mile run in under 1 hour!

Carrie is training for leg 2 of the pig - the shortest, but hilliest portion of the race. Carrie has finally been able to set a good running schedule! She runs 45 minutes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the gym. On Tuesdays and Thursdays she runs with her sister Cassie and daughter Jaycie in the jogger. Big shout-out to Cassie for helping out!

Nash & Kelly's Running Update

Well, this is the first of many postings we plan to provide about our training. Nash and I made the decision to train for this marathon in December. We eased back into running over the next couple months. We got up to 6 miles and were feeling good until I had a little set-back in the month of March. I had what I thought was a re-occurrence of tendonitis in my left foot. After a visit to the ortho/sportmed Dr., 2x/week PT, and a 3 week break from running...I was treated for a condition called Cuboid Syndrome....the cuboid bone in the left foot "subluxes" or "dislocates" causing pain when weight bearing through the foot. The treatment worked! I have learned new stretches, exercises, have purchased new (and expensive) new shoes (see below), and have a taping technique to prevent the dislocation of the bone and I AM RUNNING AGAIN! I'm only up to 4 miles but assure myself I will get to a goal of 7 before the race. FYI, Just a little plug...my shoes came from a store called Fleet Feet Sports in Blue Ash. The staff were fantastic and understood a lot about fitting you with the best shoe for your running style! I highly reccommend this store! Happy Running! Kel

Letter From Kelly, Nash, Carrie, & Charlie

Dear Family & Friends,

On May 4th, 2008, our family team will be running the four-person relay in the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our team includes Kelly Dreyer, Nash Dreyer, Carrie Bushman, and Charlie Johnson. All four of us have been inspired by loved ones who have run in marathons, and we decided it was our turn to achieve this personal goal. Preparation for this marathon requires not only physical training and time commitment but also a strong faith. As we entered the training phase of the marathon, we all agreed we wanted this journey to be about more than just our own personal gains or goals. We all decided we would like to raise money by running for a family in need, a family that shares very similar beliefs and interests as ours but who is going through difficult times. We chose the Albertson family. Jennifer Albertson is a former gymnast that I coached through the YMCA. Her teenage years were spent at the YMCA teaching gymnastics and leading children in devotion. She married Tory Albertson, in May of 2000 and together they have grown into a beautiful family of six. They live in northern Montana and serve as Directors of an adventure ministry called Camp Bighorn. This family devotes their life to helping adults and youth grow in character and spiritual faith. Although it is a very rewarding life career, it provides little financially. The family is supported by sponsors who help with some of their most basic living expenses. However, the family lives paycheck to paycheck. Our mission is to raise money for the Albertson family to give them a little savings for things they can’t afford such as travel money to visit their families, medical expenses (the camp does not provide insurance and the Albertson’s medical plan has a $5,000 deductible), or money for holidays and birthdays.

How can you help? We are asking you to consider sponsoring us with whatever charitable donation you can give. Please know that any little bit counts! Even Ella (age 4) and William (age 2) are learning about charity and are joining in by running the children’s event the Saturday before the race. We have included a donation card for you to complete and provided a self-addressed envelope with postage. Please make checks payable to “The Albertson Family” as 100% of the money raised will be given to them. To show our appreciation to you, the names of all persons who donated will be printed on the back of the t-shirts we will wear during the race. We will also be sending you a personal thank you.

If you know of anyone else who may be interested in supporting our drive, please feel free to share our website information which will give them an email address to contact us. If in the event that you are unable to make a financial donation, feel free to send us any words of wisdom, thoughts, or prayers as we would like to include all of your names on our t-shirt. Please pray for us as we train hard toward this goal and think of us on May 4th! Many thanks and blessings to all of you for supporting our drive. Love,
Kelly, Nash, Carrie, & Charlie