BOILERMAKER 2008 !

CONGRATULATIONS ! To everyone who participated in the Boilermaker 2008 ! What a great weekend ! I not only had the honor of participating in the GO THE DISTANCE but I also volunteered at the EXPO this year with the Goodie Bags. It was a lot of fun and a awesome feeling to be a part of all the festivities.
I can not say thank you enough to everyone who helped in any way to make the Go the Distance program a huge success ! I personally would not have been able to complete the Boilermaker without the team support! Not a past runner , I didnt have a huge desire to walk let alone run until a few months ago ! Less than a year ago I was 50 pounds heavier and hated the thought of exercising ! All it took was to start eating healthier, and slowly incorporating walking into my new lifestyle. And now I cant get enough ! I am a running junkie now !
I can not thank Joe W. enough and all the health conscious runners that helped me during my stress fracture. I want to say that the program had nothing to do with my injury. Had I followed the program like I was suppose to, I believe that my injury would have been totally avoided. But after the weight loss and the new outlook on life, I not only gave the program 100% but I tried going above and beyond the running guidelines ! And mostly I didn't listen to my body ! I just wanted to give it 150% and didn't care that I was in pain. That caused my injury. I credit Joe W for not letting me come back as soon as I wanted. Even though it caused a few sad tears ! Joe had me do a lighter training program for a couple of weeks ! Joe, I totally credit you for the training which allowed me to complete the 2008 Boilermaker. I did in memory of my Mom but completed only with your guidance ! I will never ever be able to repay you, except with the deepest, sincere THANK YOU !
Thanks to everyone Jason Powles, WKTV, Go the Distance Team, Chris, Joanne, Heather, Bike patrol, Bonnie, all the runners that met with us and guided us on the Monday, Wednesday and Saturday runs, Erica W, Sue W, past GTD runners, ECR, my brother Art for coming home to run with me (even at my pace !), for my husband Jim for training and running with me(and I beat only under gun time! they dont need to fix the chip time, as far as I am concerned !) and last but not least Kim S for all the training, going above and beyond the call of duty, and understanding!

Thank you to all the supporters who provided the cheers, claps, water, music, it really did help me push myself ! Its so true the crowd carries you! What a great experience this all was for me. A huge highlight in my life. A truly special thank you to Joe C, Carol, and Anne for making training so much fun and entertaining! Thank you Anne so much for buddying up with me! I could not have done this without all of you, honestly. If I could have I would have done it 20 years ago ! You are all truly awesome friends !
I never thought a year ago I would be turning 46, 50 pounds lighter, have the 2008 Boilermaker under my accompishments and feel this great!
I hope I inspired at least one person to lose weight, get healthy and prevent heart disease.
This was for you Mom ! I miss and love you dearly ....