Day 4...Marathon Day!!!

Well, today was the day...the culmination of all of our training, bonding, eating and traveling. We took the long bus ride to the start in the city of Marathon and walked or ran the 26.2 miles back to the city of Athens and crossed the finish line in THE Olympic Stadium...the hills were out of control...the experience was amazing...the Bolder Cheering sections was such an encouragement...here are the stories of all who participated in the days events!

Marathon runners:
Anna Phelps:(2nd marathon)
This was probably one of the best experiences ever, running the original marathon route and into the Olympic Stadium was AWESOME! Running into the place where the most amazing athletes have run! Not every one will get this opportunity!
Jill Haspert: (first timer)
Something I enjoyed was seeing the whole Bolder crowd saying my name and cheering me in along with my husband at the Olympic Stadium. What got me through the last few miles were the motivational songs on my iPod.
Marie J. Harvat: (6th marathon)
I was very impressed by the International crowd of runners, feeling the global community of runners. Especially in the last 5k when an a man my dad's age ran up to me and began saying in Greek. I told him I was American and he said to me, “Together!” and we played tag running to the end. He finished just before me and went up to him in the finishers corral, I poked him and said, “Bravo!” and he turned to give me a big hug.
Janelle Pentz: (5th marathon)
I have to say I was so struck by the overwhelming amount of body odor in the starting corral! I was so worried there was going to be 26 miles of it! Luckily when we got spread out, it was not nearly as bad.
Jill Goldstein: (12th marathon)
Today was one of the best days of my life...first of all to share this experience with one of my best friends, Chris, was a dream come true. Every mile each of us dedicated to someone that has inspired us and we shared the story of that person to each other. We also asked each other life questions and we laughed and cried together the entire way. At kilometer 28, seeing the Bolder Options cheerers, along with my parents was this amazing rush. We met the nicest people on the course from all over the world. And then coming into the Stadium, seeing the Bolder Options banner and everyone cheering was as good as it gets. Crossing the finish line, sharing it with Chris was fabulous. I heard a man say early on in the marathon, “I didn't come all this way to just run a marathon, I came to experience it.” I took this as my mantra, and I feel I did just that.
Chris Hawkey: (4th marathon)
Ditto what Jill said. By far my favorite marathon, ever. As hard as “the hill” was we made it less ridiculous by telling each other the same old stories and talking to people we never saw before, and never will see again. Favorite moments: seeing the ocean, meeting the three cutest puppies ever and high-fiving about a million local children. Crossing the finish line in the Stadium was something I'll never forget, with my friend Jill to my left and tears in my eyes.
Nick Schumm: (First place Bolder Options, made his goal of 3:30!!!)(3rd marathon)
My inspiration was Dan Pfarr and the guy on the bike with the yellow balloon (3:30 pacer) kept me moving...there were times he slipped away from me, but I caught him.
Kyle Buchmeier:(first timer)
I ran. I finished. I hurt. But I ran good...I BEAT SHELLEY NELSON! (3:33)
Shelley Nelson: (9th marathon)
I personally took it upon myself to train Kyle and paced him the entire way...then I let him beat me. (3:34:10). This was my best marathon experience, I loved the kilometer vs. mile markers and felt great the whole time! I am considering marathon retirement....
Bridget Worell: (4th marathon)
It was really a pleasure to run the whole way with Janelle (and also with Marie), the hills were really hard for me and it was great to have someone to climb with. It was easy for me to get negative, “Oh my gosh, how many more hills are there!!!” But it was great to have others there, I had never run a marathon with some one before.
Ryan Foss: (7th marathon)
At mile 20, it was starting to hurt a bit and I slowed. I saw an older man who was watching the marathon in a suit. He was watching me and walked into the middle of the course, I ran towards him and as I met him, he reached out and shook my hand. He said, “You are doing great, keep on going!”
Graham Hartley: (8th marathon)
After I let Doobie go fast and down shifted myself at kilometer 20. I grabbed me some Poweraid and 2 Gu packets. I ate one and put the other one in my waste band. After awhile, I felt the GU packet slowly slide down and into my shorts liner and giggling against my buttocks. I let it stay there for awhile as I made the decision of whether or not I needed it...I decided I did not and wiggled it out through the side and let it fall to the ground.
Becky Pilarzyk: (first timer)
As I was getting to the end, I was so sad that I did not plan to have Chris run me in the last 5k...but when I got to the last 3k, there he was! And he ran in with me, cheering me on and ringing his bell the whole time! It meant so much, especially after his own 5k earlier in the morning!
Joey Hall: (12th marathon)
When it started getting hard, Jack reminded me to run for Destiny, my mentee, we also would run for others we know, like our baby nephew. It really motivated me to keep on going, even when it got hard...running for those who need it!
Jack Hall: (2nd marathon)
I really appreciated the spectators along the course. Especially the Greek, they were saying things I could not understand, but it meant so much to have them cheering, it kept me going.
Doobie Kurus: (first timer)
The inspiring moment was when I passed Ryan, the second time. For motivation, I kept the thank you card that Anthony, one of the Bolder Options mentees wrote to me in my back pocket the whole time. My only regret: I did not catch the “ultra-marathon man” in the last 10 miles. Mental note: don't eat just anything they hand out at a marathon :)
Ann Virnig: (first timer)
First and my last...I am so glad I finished. And while I was running, some Greek Interior Designer asked me to marry him, in Greek. This helped me get my groove back and keep running...sprinting the rest of the race! Thanks to everyone praying for me at home, especially my mommy.
Valerie Boller: (13th marathon)
What kept me going was knowing that this morning I got to stand in the of Marathon and end my race in the Olympic Stadium. That was all I needed! I kept thinking of my mom and sister at home. Rock on B-Squad.
Glen DeSouza: (13th marathon)
Definitely my hardest marathon yet. While I felt strong all through, I hurt a bunch with all the running over the year. I just thought about all the people I had to be strong for – my mentees, Ahmet and Demitrius and the rest of the the Bolder Options crew – and most importantly my wife Laura. If there was a honeymoon gift I wanted to give her – this was it – to make sure she got to the finish line. So through the hills and the pain – we got through and finished together.
Laura DeSouza: (6th marathon)
I am so thankful my husband decided he would hold back and run with me for this entire marathon...I MAY have quit if it weren't for him. This was the most challenging marathon I have run...but definitely the most memorable. Everything from hanging in Marathon before the start of the race with my amazing Bolder Options friends, the painful hills, reminding my husband I run slower than he can, the fabulous cheering from our Bolder Options friends, the amazing mountains and ocean views, the people Glen and I dedicated each kilometer to, the other Bolder Options runners we saw on the course or knew were out there somewhere, the locals who cheered “Bravo” to us as we passed, and the tears I shed cause I felt like I couldn't, but new I could. The most meaningful: sharing the entire accomplishment with my husband and finishing in that great stadium running to our Bolder Options family.
Richard Edlich: (first timer...and last)
To me it was about the journey...a 6 month training process. What I found about that is that it was extremely hard and it tests your character. It is certainly easier to quit, than to go on. And doing it for a charity adds a dimension of social responsibility...and the team has such camaraderie. But when you got out on the course...it is all about you, you are the only one to get you there. And the support of the cheerers and loved ones, was so significant. Having my wife cheer me on at the top of one of the huge hills was so meaningful. And Ryan, we started out together and then I zipped ahead, but by the end we finished together...such an amazing experience. It is about the run you do, but the support of the team and loved ones means so much, especially coming into the Olympic Stadium! An experience you cannot understand until you do it.

Walkers:
Mary Page:
It was very inspiring when Jill and Chris passed me. They shared that they were dedicating each mile to someone and Chris told me that mile 14 was mine...it meant a lot.
Stephanie Thompson: (first and last timer)
Mantra: “one and done.” Two favorite parts: running with Jen, siter-in-law and friend, laughing the whole way and the local people coming out and cheering “Bravo” to all of the runners was so inspiring!
Jen Thompson:(first timer)
Oh, my God! What an amazing experience and I am so honored to have been able to participate in an event like this in my lifetime. The relationships, the smiles and the inspiration from other runners, Team Bolder fans and local supporters made the marathon something to remember. When we thought it was over and our quads, hams and feet could endure no longer... the 4 young ladies my sister-in-law (Stef) and I had befriended and ran with ¾ of the way, supported each other and pulled the others along. The small gifts you give someone can make such a difference. A memory I will cherish.
April Riordan: (run/walker, 2nd marathon)
I thought about Evan, my mentee, especially when I was running alone. And then it was a highlight to run with other Bolder Options runners...Jen, Dierdre, Marie and Ryan especially!
Dierdre Worell:(run/walker, first timer)
Last night I was so terrified about this marathon...I woke up and looked at my watch and thought it was 6:30 am! Oh no, we needed to meet in the lobby at 5am! And I woke up Bridgette and was so worried, I called the front desk and found out it was only 12:30 am, I had my watch upside down (there are no numbers). And then the bus ride out to the start...what a long ride!!!

5k runner:
Chris Morken: (4th 5k)
I only trained for this 5k for 3 weeks and I loaned my running gear to my wife for the marathon who planned for 50 degree weather the morning of the run. I did it and it rocked. And then I had a lot of fun cheering for the marathoners!
10k runner:
Nicole Terlouw:(?)
I like running with the boys...the Greek men :) And then I was able to cheer on the marathoners...and that was a crazy experience because I was told I was ringing the cow bell too much and had to move :)

That tells it all...we got together at the rooftop again to share our stories and celebrate our success...it was a lovely time of socializing and relaxing. Cheers to the Bolder!

Day 3

A leisure day today! We had breakfast at our own convenience...every morning on the roof top there is a lovely buffet of food for us to indulge in: 4 types of egg, potatoes, meat, croissants, breads, fruits, cereals, yogurt, sweets, fresh juices and coffee! The group of runners/walkers gathered in the hotel lobby at 9am to go over to the Marathon Expo. It was about a 10 minute walk to the building. We all split up and wandered through the expo. We were handed pamphlets in Greek and found a few fun activities: racing on ellipticals, measuring BMIs, scanning foot structures, taking heart ECGs, and measuring the elasticity of our arteries (these last 2 were a part of a research project). We picked up our race packets, including numbers and t-shirts and then were on our own to find lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing. In the evening, we all gathered to all walk to Daphne's, a close by restaurant where we ate our pre-race pasta dinner. It was a lovely 5 course meal, shared in a beautifully decorated restaurant. Ryan Foss got up and encouraged us all in regards to the race tomorrow, reminding us we are doing it for the kids, the mentees that Bolder Options serves. What an inspiration! Darryl Thompson also spoke, thanking us again for the fundraising, passion and hard work the team has committed to the Bolder Options cause and the marathon. We gave a big thanks out the great number of Staff members who were on the trip with us, Board members, Mentors and of course Karen, our amazing trip guide! We ended with another round of "Happy Birthday," this time for Sonita, Jammal's mother! Then Dan Pfarr and Karen got up to give us all the details about the early morning transport for walkers, runners and spectators...the plan is on, now it is just to sleep and wake up and run!

Day 2

Today we set a sail and ventured out into the great Mediterranean and Aegean Seas on a one day boat cruise. We had an early rise time in order to get on the bus and to the port in time! Our cruise included stops on three very different islands off the coast of Greece. We motored out to the furthest island, Hydra (about a 2 and a half hour ride). This was the smallest of the three islands. As we pulled into the port it was an amazing view, the docked boats surrounded by towering hillsides filled with beautiful white, tan and cream colored homes with colorful windows built what appeared to be one on top of another. The port was lined with shops and men offering donkey ride tours, as there are no motor vehicles on the island. Some of the group browsed the shops, others ventured into the narrow pathways behind the shops into the town and others hiked up the hillside a ways to get a view over the town. We loaded back onto the bus about an hour later and were fed lunch on the main level of the boat, which was primarily sheltered, looking like a restaurant complete with a one man keyboard band and dance floor. The second level contained a glass surrounded parlor seating area as well as outdoor seating along the sides and the top level was all outdoor seating. Today is Jamal's 12th birthday! Jamal is quite the character, very friendly and a treat to have on this trip with us. He is accompanied by his Aunt Mary (Bolder Options' Mary), his mom, Sonita, and older brother, Marcus. The cruise staff helped us celebrate by making him a small cake and leading the dinner room in a round or two of “Happy Birthday.” As we were finishing lunch, we arrived at the second island, Poros. This stop was much shorter and mostly involved shopping along the port and purchasing dessert items such as gelato. The trip to the third island, Agina, was longer and provided more opportunity for the group to continue bonding and getting to know each other, with a group this big, it takes a while to have the time to have in depth conversations with each member! On Agina some of the group took a tour to see the ruins of a temple to Zues and the largest church in Greece (Greek Orthodox). Others sat along the large port at local cafes trying octopus, zucchini and drinking ouzo, walked the shops, through the fish market or up into the town. We were back on the boat by 6pm and entertained ourselves with card games on the parlor level for the remainder of the journey back to main land Greece. We finished the night off with dinner on our own and early to bed for the ever important “2 nights before the race” night's sleep!

Day 1

Today is the day...we all (well, almost all) gathered at Athens Gate, the amazing hotel we are staying at in Athens. Most of the group traveled together from Mpls today, while others met us from other parts of Europe and still others joined us as the evening progressed. We had a few passport glitches (and are still waiting in hopeful anticipation...especially her mother who with sadly came on without her...for Bridgette to make it with new passport in hand from Chicago), some delays and such ...but all in all the group survived the trip and seemed to have a fun time getting to know each other better. From the airport we traveled in a luxury bus which seemed wider than the streets we drove on, down into Athens major, enjoying the countryside, covered in hills (not something runners always love seeing) and speckled with what appeared to be olive trees. As we came closer to the city we began to see houses and the streets became busier (and tighter!). We arrived at the hotel around 4pm (8am Mpls time) and a few of us gathered for a 30 minute run. It felt good to get a feel for the climate, but the uphill both ways aspect of the short run was a bit intimidating :) The group gathered at the Rooftop Restaurant (on the roof of our hotel) and enjoyed a simple meal of delicious Greek food, including sweets, local beer and of course ouzo, the local liquor that everyone is talking about! We socialized and enjoyed the view as dusk feel and the lights turned on at the Acropolis, lighting up the Parthenon which is 15 minute walk from us and the Temple of Zeus that is literally across the street from our front door! It is amazing to be settled into this town, surrounded by structures that were built over 2000 years ago! After dinner, some went to bed, some hung out chatting at the bar and one large group of Bolder American Tourists set out to find a local place to sit, enjoy the company and have a few drinks. After wondering around this busy, lit up city for about 30 minutes, we found a nice small place to gather and toast to our trip!