We are only TWO days away from our big Trails for Ticos event, and I thought it would be neat to post the pre race letter that is posted on our website for all the participants.
Before I do that…a few thoughts…. I am so excited, okay, giddy, about Saturday! I can’t believe all that has transpired in the last year to be where we are now. Starting with the decision to move forward with the adoption, choosing international, finding an agency, doing all the paperwork (and more to come!), FBI background checks, psychological testings/interviews, job changes for both of us, passions igniting, hearts softening, the “birthing” of this Trails for Ticos idea-this is where I land today.
I remember talking and being encouraged by my close friend Katie Bonner on how neat it would be to be able to do an adoption fundraiser involving biking/running the trails. Sure, a 5k road run might easier to manage- (although I now have the utmost respect for anybody that manages any kind of event!) but even that idea was a little overwhelming at the time. I wouldn’t even know where to begin! Well, fast forward to a road trip toWilmington (to surf , bike ride and watch our friends do the Wilmington Triathlon) and sharing this thought with Cecilia-who at the time had just purchased the 140 acre Down2Earth farm land, and our sharing of ideas culminated with the potential for some sort of biking and running event on her farm. How perfect-it was more than I could have hoped for-to be able to share her dream, and incorporate ours! Not a random event, paying high fees to a random park, but this place, with this “down to earth” feel involving my friends/family! On top of that, to be able to help build the trails and plan the course, made has served to make this all the more real! To say how friend and family have walked beside us, given of their time, hearts, resources….I can’t say enough, but it is only complete because of them. I know that God puts people in your path for a reason, and His timing is perfect, and often times I have to step back and continue to RELEASE IT into His capable Hands.
I can’t believe all that will hopefully transpire on saturday: 2 organized trail runs and 2 organized bike rides, a huge silent auction, Red Rooster coffee (our sweet friends!), Christa Wells (my inspiration), face painting (Twila and Ann-my adoption encouragers), our many culinary talented donating friends (Amy, Stacy, Anne, Jim from Sweet Tomatoes, etc.), my silent auction “savior” Julie, my out of town hoster, daily coffee chat friend and servant, and the many many sponsors and people that have made this happen-this list could go on. My friends (Lisa, Lori, Martha Mark, Richard, etc) who have donated countless hours and resources, and my friends who have given amazing things for the silent auction (you know who are!), and my friends who have shared many many a laugh, a tear, a thrill, all part of this adoptioin journey (Melina and I have covered a lot of physical and “heart” ground running/walking through the wood with me), I can’t believe that we are about to celebrate this on Saturday-but this is really only the BEGINNING!
We are all a part of something so much bigger than yourselves! Something I remind myself of daily…”this is not about me, Patrick, or us” but about bringing hope and love to God’s precious children! This trust and thankfulness will keep me (hopefully) from obsessing about any logistical details!! Game on, lets go!
Here is the letter:
Hello Ticos lovers!
I can’t believe that we are days away from our big day- so exciting! Here is the scoop for Saturday…
If you have not officially registered, its OKAY, you can do so Saturday morning.
The 10k will start at 9:00 and the 5k fun run/hike at 9:15 so plan to arrive between 7:30-8:30 and enjoy the fancy coffee/lattes/hot chocolate/teas/oatmeal/muffins/granola etc to start your day!
We will have a short meeting at 8:45 for the runners and at 9:45 for the bikers before the 10:00 bike start. Also note that we added a short bike ride (on que sheet) for those of you that want to just get moving a bit and enjoy the beautiful area.
There will be some brave souls who plan to do both events and these duathletes might miss the bike briefing, but don’t worry the que sheets for both events can be viewed here (PARKING MAP available here also).
We will have AWARDS for top 3 males/females for the 10k, 1st boy/girl for the 5k, fastest duathlete, and a few others that I will keep you in suspense about…
We will start face painting around 10:30 and will have the fire pit ready for smores! In lieu of the pony walk, we will have games and hula hooping, and a time to explore the course on your mountain bike, take your dog for a hike (leash please), and Cecilia and Lisa will guide those interested through the history of the land and organic farming.
Hot soups/salads/veggies/corn bread spread will arrive around 11:00, and around 12:00 (when most bikers have returned) we will have the awards and close the silent auction. If the weather is not too cold, we will have chair massages performed by Ruthie Pappas!
A few important things to remember to bring with you:
1.Cash/checkbook: remember everything is a donation toward the $40k we are raising to bring our Ticos home! There will be tons of food (catered by Sweet Tomatoes and many other baked goods from our wonderful friends) and some extremely cool items to bid on at the silent auction ( think…. vacations, hand made jewelry/clothes, enticing tickets, massages, fitness, biking/running/triathlon gear, and much more)!
2.Chair or blanket so you can kick back and enjoy the beauty of the farm and awesome music
That should do it! What a day it is going to be, I feel like a little kid the night before Christmas! Patrick and I can’t wait to see you this Saturday!
Cheers,
Missy
Calling all Trails for Ticos lovers!!!!! click link below! http://t.co/yJfUI7Wb
Updated by @missygrant3