Getting Close

18 days and counting and it’s a wild scramble to get the final things organized and together. I’ve made list after list. I’ve got lists of my lists. The insanity continues and I suspect it will not end until I cross the finish line on April 4th!

Back in February I went to meet my running partners at Tate’s School of Discovery in Knoxville, TN. The 5th Grade class has agreed to run 26 miles with the last mile being run during a race on the day that corresponds to the first day of my race. They were such a fantastic group of kids; each one wanted to run with the pack. We did about 2+ miles, they asked a bazillion questions; high-fived me and sent me on my way. Thanks guys; you’ll keep me smiling across the desert!

I'm working hard on the final preparations; the biggest challenge is convincing a shoe-cobbler to sew the Velcro to my running shoes. I’ve not had any luck with that yet, but I’m hopefully for today. Any suggestions are welcome. Glue will not do!!

My Company NewFields has generously provided some sponsorship support. What a huge surprise and I’m so grateful for the financial aid. Thank you E&E!

Snowy weather this past week has put a little bit of a damper to running but it’s been a nice break. Just a couple more long runs and then it’s time to pack it up. I’ll finalize the running partners’ spreadsheet and will send it out to all that have agreed to run with me. I so appreciate your support and know it will make me stronger.

Happy Running.

MDS Update

Yes, I’m still out here running my heart out; I’ve just been remiss in my posts.

First let me say a big hello to my two new followers, Jim and Judd!!! Thanks for joining the group; I’ll do my best to entertain you.

Secondly I’d like to thank my Dad for his very generous donations to GOTR. I know they are thankful for the contribution and I’m so proud of you for stepping up. To all the rest who are on the fence about donating please consider how beneficial even a small donation can be. This is such a worthy cause, providing an opportunity to build confidence in young girls through the simple act of running. It’s tax deductable and every dollar counts. The donation link is as follows: http://www.active.com/donate/teamtiara2009/dwillia873

Next let me say that the partner run idea has really taken off and I’m overwhelmed with the enthusiasm from my friends and family. It looks like I’ll have a lot of people out there with me and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your support. One group of runners I wanted to single out is the Tate Elementary School in TN. The entire PE class has signed up to run 26, yes count them, 26 miles in support of this effort. They are running it over time with the final portion to be done during a fun run on March 29th (my start date). I’m heading over there tomorrow to run with them and thank them all for their support!!! I’ll send out the final list to all those who have signed up (it still not to late to sign up; the more the merrier) and every morning when I take off to run across the Sahara I’ll know you are out there with me too.

The training is going well. I feel strong and excited and just a bit nervous as the time draws closer. If I think about it too much it can freak me out just a bit. For instance I just learned that rodents come out at night; yikes, I hate rodents. I hope they stay away from me. Then there are the scorpions.

I’m finalizing the equipment list (thanks so much Steve!) and learning how to eat freeze dried turkey tetrazzini (ugg). A big portion of my run diet will be mini snickers bars. How’s that for a healthy diet!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally I wanted to send out a big THANK YOU to all my friends for the wonderful MDS surprise party last week. You really pulled one over on me! The Team Tiara party gifts were amazing; the water bottles, granola mix (yumm), beautiful cake, MDS trivia game, and lovely Tiara!! You almost made me cry……………almost. I’ll think of you all as I power up my iPods running across the desert, listening to “Running Down a Dream”.

Happy Running.

Snowy Sunday

It was a long but strong week of training. I count Sunday as the last day of my training week and as usual I use that day to run trails at Paris Mountain. The weather yesterday morning was less than inviting to go running with sleet falling at my house. I almost, I ALMOST bagged it……………but told myself to buck up, not be such a baby and go. What a wonderful surprise was in store for me. When I got out of the car, put on my many layers of cloths, secured the pack and set off down the trail it started to snow. It was a soft, peaceful snow that just barely coated the ground and trees. It was so beautiful and a perfect way to end the week. Granted, it’s not optimal training weather for the Sahara Desert, but I SO enjoyed it none the less.

Happy Running.

Link to the Partner Run Spreadsheet

I've shared a document with you called "partner run":http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=ph3Ns3Sja602ABV_qT_DBPw&inv=ddwilliams@newfields.com&t=6304838055474900523&guest

Sahara Running Partners

You have all been such great supporters of my upcoming effort to run across the Sahara Desert. I have a favor to ask. It wont cost you a dime; just a little time.

Here is what I propose; I want to know that you are out there thinking about me and wishing me luck and strength through a rather crazy time. So I thought it would be helpful to know that you too are out there running/hiking/walking with me. The idea is that you, should you agree to participate, sign up to run/hike/walk a few of those miles with me. So while I’m out there running 26 miles on Day 6, I know that Kathy is running 6 of them with me, and my Mom is hiking 4 of them with me, and Robin and her cross country team are doing 5 miles with me, etc….

The objective is that each mile I run, I have someone running/hiking/walking with me. It makes me accountable to you when I start feeling sorry for myself and allows me to know that I’m not alone out there. I’ve posted the spreadsheet on the blog, you can fill in the miles you are signing up to run, and then once you’ve run them; add a comment telling me how great it was and I’ll do the same. The goal is to get 155 partner miles.

The goal is to remove the negative (red) by posting your forecasted miles. I’ve already got 18 miles accounted for. You guys are the best!

Happy Running/Hiking/Walking

2009 Progress Update 1

Happy New Year everyone!! I hope you enjoyed the holiday season. I certainly did but to be honest, I’m glad to be back to normal. All that merry-making distracts from the training goal. Speaking of, we are down to less than three months before MDS kick-off. Yikes!

Training has actually been going really well. I’m keeping up the routine of long runs on Saturday (did 18 last Sat, will go for 20 this Sat), then running trails with the pack on Sunday (7 to 10 miles). The rest of the week is typically 7-10 mile days with some gym time sprinkled in there. I feel good; strong, and encouraged.

Had a good friend write an article about me in the Greenville News a few weeks back. It was great press for GOTR, which is the point. I have received a few random phone calls in response to the article, so word to those peeps calling at crazy hours; keep the creep to yourself please.

I’m beginning to work on the equipment list; a daunting task I must say. But the forum of others participating is wildly helpful. I’ve not quite figured out how I’m going to get my snakebite syringe through airport security yet, but I’m working on that.

Thanks to Megan for the wonderful donation to GOTR and looking forward to working with you!!!!

Finally, thanks to all my friends and family who continue to support me and my efforts for this event. I know most of you think I’m crazy but you are trying desperately to keep that sentiment to yourself and I appreciate it.

Happy Running.

Progress Update

It’s been a while since my last post so let me try and fill you in. I’ve been training with the pack, doing a hike/run every Sunday. The weight on my back certainly makes things feel different; for instance trying to stop yourself after you’ve tripped on a rock and doing a face plant on the trail because you don’t yet know how to compensate for the excess weight pulling you forward. Needless to say I walked away with pretty knees and a skinned up forehead. Nice!

Received a very generous donation from my dear friend Kandi; she is starting her training for a half-marathon in April so everyone send her your support! Thanks Kandi and RUN HARD!

Other friends who have just completed their first half-marathons include Kathy Garvin and Heather Wise. Both of them did such a fantastic job; they make me very proud.

Health-wise I’ve had a bit of a set back. The flu got a hold of me last week but I think I’m on the mend. I tried a trail run yesterday but bonked after only a few miles. But if first you don’t succeed…………………

Finally, thanks to Ashley for the wonderful music selection. I love me a little Earth Wind and Fire!

Happy Running.