Skeptics revealed! (or sceptics)

The race is over and the donations are coming! When Lenka, our IBTS accountant, enters my office a smile spreads across my face. In her hands she is often carrying a receipt from a Jubilee Jog supporter from the money they have donated to IBTS.

Recently sums of Czech crowns have been given by some sceptic observers, who were clearly steeled against donating until all six feet from the IBTS runners crossed the finish line! Thankfully they did!

I'm delighted to report that thus far the total amount which has come in is 17,810 CZK (859 USD, 601 GBP, 647 EUR) ! I have every confidence that we will reach 1000 USD, but I'd love to report to my Rector that 1500 USD came in to help our seminary! Even if your name's not on the right margin of sponsors... it can be! Every little bit helps!

A few photos!

Anna and I - running partners for most of the race. It was great to have company!

Hmm... never saw these guys for some reason! Perhaps because they finished at least an hour before me...
Tim, who ran on ahead of us. He was key in helping me train during the past months.
And still smiling at the end!

Upon completion - Part I

Completing this half-marathon was one of the most amazing feelings of accomplishment I've ever experienced, particularly remembering back to September and the many occasions since then when I doubted my ability to run 21.0975 kilometres - and in fact had no ability to do so!

An even stronger emotion comes from the fact that I ran for IBTS, a place that I love. There's an undefinable feeling which tickles my tear ducts when thinking that the training and tiredness brought in some help for students to study theology at an amazing seminary.

Not to worry, the grand total will soon be posted! You still have the opportunity to add your bit!!

Certainly, there were times during the run which I wouldn't have minded being a spectator, but never once did I think to quit nor regret the six-month-old commitment to run. And happily, I was able to run the complete race and even finish with some leftover energy.

This is a sample of the medal which I received upon completion. Upon crossing the line each finisher was congratulated, a medal put around their neck and a blanket of tin foil wrapped around their shoulders. No star-spangled banner though...

Authentic photos with this marathoner with her medal are still trapped on friends' cameras, but will appear here as soon as possible.

And don't worry, I've much more to say - so more posts are to come! Particularly about the thoughts along the run and the fans who showed up (some a few times!) to cheer us on.

Today's Outlook

I've been informed that over 7,000 people are running in the Prague Half-Marathon! By the time I cross the start line, some will be running through the finish-line ribbon! 7,000 - I can't imagine, truly can't! I said I wasn't bothered about the weather. I lied - below is the day's weather forecast.
Local Time	Weather		Temp °C	R. Hum %	Wind km/h
10:00		Light rain	7 oC	89%	SE at 6 km/h (2 Bf)
13:00		Light rain	14 oC	65%	SSW at 12 km/h (3 Bf)
16:00		Light rain	13 oC	76%	WSW at 16 km/h (3 Bf)
19:00		Light rain	9 oC	89%	WSW at 14 km/h (3 Bf)

14 hours

Here we are just a few hours ago picking up our official numbers!

(Tim, Vanessa, Anna)

27 hours

I know I wasn't supposed to, but I simply was itching to get out for a short run yesterday. The weather was coolish, but the valley was fresh. Plus I'm not sure the next time I'll run through the valley again. After tomorrow, I may never run again! (An added bonus of having run through the valley was having 'good luck' wishes from a complete stranger for the half-marathon. He wasn't Czech.)

I've decided I won't get caught up on the weather - Saturday, 28 March will come and I will run regardless of what is dropping, shining or blowing on me from up above.

Today, Tim, Anna and I are off to the city this afternoon to collect our start bags and receive instructions about THE day. This will be followed by a Pasta-Party and 8hour sleep...

But first a day of work and caution about where I step - I haven't wore any type of heel on my shoes for a week.

Saturday day weather

• Light Rain
• Max: 13°C55°F
• Sunrise: 05:45

I kept searching until I found a better forecast - not that it will change the actual weather, but at least my mind going into it!

Precipitation

The last few mornings I've woken to a blanket of white outside my window.

Do they postpone half-marathons on account of snow?

My favourite Prague weather forecast website - the one which previously said 14C and partly cloudy - now has become 9C and rain. Unfortunately, that is the best I can find.

Not a happy half-marathon- runner-to-be.

Forecast for Saturday 28-03-2009

High: 9°C Sunrise: 05:48 Low: 1°C Sunset: 18:28 Daytime Evening Rain Chance of Precip.: 60% Humidity: 82% Rain Early Chance of Precip.: 60% Humidity: 88%

Weather and Whether

My little fitness room up in Nebusice hasn't seen me for a while. Today because of its close proximity to IBTS, this was my gym choice for the day. And sadly, the promise of spring has disappeared from Prague as rain and wind and cold descend upon us once again - thus keeping me indoors.

I check the weather forecasts for this Saturday at least once every two hours and of course, each website prophesies something different. My favourite says it should be partly cloudy and 14C. I ignore the one which says 8C and rain.

Nonetheless, I packed my gym bag and caught the bus to make the short trek up the road. Upon entering, I wondered if it was even open - the door was shut and lights off. Nah, they were open, just saving on heating by keeping the door closed and on electricity by having the lights off - or the guy working was simply hoping for an early night.

It was a good run at a quick speed which kept me from being too bored. I flipped mindlessly through pages in a magazine, but the one I chose had more words than pictures, so I lost interest quickly. Have you ever tried reading whist running - impossible.

It was a happy 10k run, but now am concerned about my shoes. Faithful readers will recall that I purchased a new pair of New Balance running shoes a while back. I've been using them sporadically and am rather happy with them, though I still primarily use my old Nike's. I haven't run more than about 12k with my New Balance, but they seem fine. My old Nike's are well, old. They are rather worn down and I always wonder if the aches and pains that I feel may be a result of these shoes and what will happen on Saturday if I wear them...

You can't imagine how many more questions are running through my mind about Saturday - what to wear, what to eat, what to drink, how much to sleep... oh dear.

The Countdown.

• 1 week

• 7 days

• 168 hours

• 10080 minutes

• 604800 seconds

However you count it down, it's coming!!!

Prague puddles

I returned from a recent outdoor run with calves splotched with Prague mud. A short visit by the sun allowed for me to leave the stuffy air of the gym, but clearly the visit was too short as the trail was still quite unavoidably soggy in sections.

However, after the first few puddles and splatterings, I didn't mind too much and honestly enjoyed it; each splotch giving evidence of my dedication to the cause!

I guess running shoes don't have the option of mudflaps as heel attachments.

Nope, these are not my legs - but it gives you a good idea!

Problems with Paul

1 Cor 9.24

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?"

Yes...

"So run that ye may obtain."

Ugh, Uncle Paul, I'm hoping to finish it!

Thanks, anyway though.

Where is my Joseph?

Yep, that's right it's come to the point that I've started to dream about this forthcoming Half-Marathon!

Dream or nightmare, I'm not sure.

I got to the beginning of the race and forgot something (don't remember what, I'm afraid) in my apartment, so ran all the way home (Michigan in this instance) to retrieve it. Upon getting home, I was worried since the race had already begun and needed to run all the way back to the beginning. Instead I cleverly decided to take the Prague metro to get me to the Rudolfinum start quicker. Thanks to my mom who was with the me entire time.Ok, Joseph - do your stuff - what's it mean!?