One Done!

Beautiful sunrise over Mt. Magazine

One of the gorgeous, sparkly, dew kissed fields we passed early in the race.

Just going to go lay down over there...cemetery #4 at mile 25.

Almost there...really.

Another medal.

I've shared a lot of finishes with this gal. I love her so.

My very first marathon was a miserable rainy and 50 degrees. My second, an even more miserable 17 degrees. The third time was a charm, I suppose, because my most recent race was a perfectly gorgeous 47 degrees at the start, 60 by the finish. The Arkansas Marathon was small, with less than 50 running the full marathon. I was the only person in my age division, therefore, I came in first...and last in my age group, ha! I ran through three towns, Booneville, Magazine, & Blue Mountain, passing 4 or 5 cemeteries (I always find this mildly amusing during a race). I ran over more roadkill than I have ever seen in my life x2 (it was a there and back course). The road was long and hilly, but the views were stunning. Fellow race participants were supportive. Volunteers were sweet and helpful. I especially loved the little old men manning an aid station in front of the funeral home at mile 24--again, my tired mind thought it all very funny. All in all, it was a great experience.

I had planned to travel to and run this race alone, as my favorite running buddy is still battling a back injury. A week before the race, she called and said, "I'm signed up for the half!" I can't tell you how much better these things are if you can share them with a friend. We didn't even get caught up with our respective stories before her turn around came, but sharing those few miles with her made a huge difference in the rest of my day. She was cheering for me at the finish and drove the whole way home. I owe her big time.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Running this race knowing that more than $6,000 has already been donated to the Gayle Ross Memorial Campership Fund, made the 26.2 long and grueling miles a complete joy. I am humbled, honored by the support I have received from so many. But my goal is far from complete! 17 more days until race #2. 45 days until race #3. I would love to add a few more camperships to this total before race #3!

Please consider sponsoring me as I run for the Gayle Ross Campership Fund at Camp Lutherhoma. If you are moved to do so, send your donation to:

Camp Lutherhoma

PO Box 1672

Tahlequah, OK 74465

Please make sure to write Campership/run on the memo line

or you can donate online by visiting:

http://lutherhoma.com/Support/donationtypes.php

Scroll down to the Gayle Ross Campership Fund section and follow the link to Paypal.

THANK YOU.

Here {WE} Go Again!

Remember this? 

I love visiting friends and seeing these on their fridges and desks! Last year, fundraising for the Gayle Ross Campership Fund at Camp Lutherhoma while training for the Route 66 marathon was the highlight of my year. Guess what? It is time to do it again! I am about a month into my marathon training and have been enjoying running in the fantastic Oklahoma summer. 

I will once again be fundraising for the Gayle Ross Campership Fund at Camp Lutherhoma: This fund was established and named for David's sister, Gayle "Sputnik," who loved camp. She worked as a CIT the summer David and I started dating and I often blame credit her relentless match making for sparking our, going on 15 (13 years married in August!) year, flame. She died in February of 2001 after a battle with Leukemia. We miss her. She had the best laugh, so it seems so very fitting that her legacy would be providing scholarships for kids to go to camp, where the soundtrack to any picture would be frogs croaking, the river flowing, and kids LAUGHING!

This summer, every single penny of the Campership Fund was used to help kids like Davon,

Davon

Ainsley, "Olaf," & Dashon

 and Dashon go to camp. A month after returning home, they are still talking about camp and excited to return next year!

Now, for the running part. Last year, I ran the Route 66 Marathon and together, we raised $2,400 for the Gayle Ross Campership Fund. I will be running the Route 66 Marathon again this year, BUT it will be the last of a series of runs beginning in October. God willing, this is my race schedule:

Arkansas Marathon (Oct 4)

Marine Corps Marathon, Washington D.C. (Oct 26)

Route 66 Marathon (Nov 23)

Not one marathon. Three. In a month and a half. Don't ask me if I'm crazy. 

You can sponsor me per race, per mile (78.6 miles), or give a flat pledge. Any amount, no matter how small, will be joyfully deposited into the Campership Fund. 100% of this money will be used for 2015 scholarships. Of course, just like last time, your prayers, encouragement, and sideline cheers will also be accepted and very much appreciated.

To donate:

click here to go straight to PayPal

or visit

Camp Lutherhoma's Donation page

and scroll down to the Gayle Ross Memorial Campership Fund section

Because there is no memo line in the donation form, please either email me or camp to let them know your donation is for Sarah/Buck's Marathon(s). This will help me with keeping track of my fundraising goals, and acknowledgement/gifts at the end.

Checks are also welcomed, and can be made out to Camp Lutherhoma with Campership/run in the memo line. 

Camp Lutherhoma

PO Box 1672

Tahlequah, OK 74465

THANK YOU so much for supporting me and Camp Lutherhoma AGAIN!

The Training, The Race, The Numbers

Race Bling

The Training:
64 training runs
111 days
430 miles

The Race:
26.2 miles
4:58

The Fundraising:
25 individuals &  families
$2,300 $2,400 total funds raised

The Result:
1 Happy Girl & many Happy Campers!

If I had to describe my race at the Route 66 Marathon with one word, it would be COLD. When the gun went off at 8am it was 23 degrees with a wind chill of much lower. When I finished nearly 5 hours later the temperature was only 1 degree higher. COLD. I was happy to start the race and run the first eight miles with my friend Kelly, who finished her half marathon despite a painful injury, and then traveled limped around the course with David to help cheer me on. What a friend! I also had the privilege of running with a former camper/staff from Camp Lutherhoma for a few miles. I had just left a pit stop with David when I heard someone behind me call out "SPIDEY!" I stopped in my tracks and got a huge hug from Skippy, aka Chad Fousel. What a treat to catch up with him as we both ran toward our goals.

I had some significant pain from my injuries (probably made worse by the cold), but never ran out of energy or determination, which kept me from ever hitting "the wall." That was what I had been most worried about prior to the race. I remember that 18-24 mile range being so difficult (mental anguish is the dramatic label I gave that feeling during my first marathon in St. Louis). I kept waiting for that hard part to set in, but it never did. I just kept going and feeling pretty great. I think David got a kick out of my one slide into negativity during the race. Around mile 21 the route went through the beautiful TU campus. The cold really started to sink in, I was hurting, and I wanted to be DONE. When Dave spotted me he ran next to me for a bit and asked if I needed anything. My response was, "Unless you can teleport me to the finish, nothing." That finish would come 5 short miles later and I would find my parents, niece and her friend AJ, Kelly, & David cheering for me as I crossed the finish line. A sweet moment that I will remember for a long time.

Most of the races I've participated in have involved trips with my girlfriends. While my girlfriends make for great support & entertainment during a race (and before and after), it was SO special to have my sweet husband on this course with me. He seemed to be at every corner with the sign my kids made for me, ran with me when I was getting discouraged, tied my shoes (then loosened them when I complained about them being too tight), fixed my headband (hence the crazy hair in all my pictures), ran to the car to retrieve pain medicine when things started to hurt. Sometimes I would run by him with a big smile on my face and keep going, sometimes I just needed to squeeze his hand.  But whatever I needed he was there to provide it (unless the request was for teleporation and then he would just tell me, "you're doing good...almost there!"). I could have done it without him, but I am so thankful I didn't have to!

I proudly sported my Camp Lutherhoma shirt, although I was so bundled up you couldn't tell. I am so honored to have this finish count toward something greater than just personal accomplishment (which is pretty great in itself). With your help and support, over $2,400 was raised for the Gayle Ross Memorial Campership Fund at Camp Lutherhoma. This money will be put to work immediately providing full and partial scholarships to many children this summer. THANK YOU!

Last but not least, here are a few pictures from the day:

At the START

About mile 24...running by the cemetery at this point cracked me up

My #1 Supporter, at the FINISH

My parents, Ainsley, & AJ, at the FINISH

Goofballs! Kelly is holding all my stuff because I was so cold I couldn't hold on to anything with my hands.

Got home to find 26.2 balloons on the Subaru, from my other favorite supporters (Bill & Patti and the kids)

Monday morning (the day after) sitting on the floor with my girls at school for Addie's 1st grade feast. The day after my first marathon I was still crying every time I had to bend a leg!I consider it great progress that I wasn't nearly as sore this time around.

Celebration

We celebrated two years of life with our Charlotte with chocolate cupcakes, family, friends, dogs, trampoline jumping and lots of balloons. Her favorite things.

Charlotte's cupcake

Charlotte LOVES baby Dashiell and calls all the baby dolls by his name.

David wowed children and adults alike with his talented balloon artistry.

Shy girl graciously listened to a room full of people singing to her.

Are they almost finished, mom?

Bran, Ava, & Joan

Lots of helpers for present opening

What better way to end one's birthday than eating dinner in one's birthday suit? She crashed in my lap (still in the nude) about five minutes later. Big day for a little girl.

Terrific TWO

 

Our itty bitty miracle baby #3 has turned two. Unbelievable. She thinks she is turning 6 (like her sister), but we think two is too much. Charlotte is such a character. She is a handful and makes me feel like a new mom every day. Our life is crazy, but we laugh SO much. We love her more than anything.

 

 

Tulsa Run #4 and Halloween Fun

before (David & Ad ran the 2K together)

The Tulsa Run is always a special race for me. The first race I ever ran was the Tulsa Run 5K with my friend Linda. It nearly killed me. This year was my 3rd 25K finish. Last year I beat my PR by 10 minutes. This year, I got the EXACT time as last year. It is incredible to me how far I've come over the last few months.

After: Pancakes & Hot Cocoa

After taking a few years break, we joined the Lloyd family for fun at HallowZOOeen. Charlotte slept through the group picture.

 Here she is on her favorite "ride" at the church fall festival.

 

5 Weeks {to go} & Oma and Opa

I am having such a great time training for this marathon. Maybe because this time around feels like a gift. Lots of early mornings and late nights, but I am feeling great and running strong! Only five weeks until race day.

Believe it or not, other stuff is going on in the Ross house besides my running. This last weekend my grandparents came to visit. We are looking forward to repaying the visit in November for Thanksgiving.

Enjoy the pictures.

Opa & Char playing

Oma, Opa, and the Ross kids

Ross kids' parents.

Cousins swinging

Telling Hans something

Sweet Bailee