When we told people of Colonel Jack Mosher’s challenge to run the Maine Marathon last spring, we saw people look at us with smiles on their faces as many probably thought, “Yeah, right.” We are here to tell you today… “YEAH! RIGHT!” Today’s 26.2 mile run will forever be a notch in their fuel belts and an accomplishment in their hearts! They will draw strength from knowing that if their minds, spirits and bodies can endure 26.2 miles, they will be strong enough endure and overcome any challenge put before them. Thank you to all those who went out of their way to support us through this experience and came out to show Hornet Pride for our Leavitt Marathon Team today! Pardon the long list, but we want to extend thanks: Jack Mosher for inspiring us, meeting with parents, sharing his wisdom, keeping in touch despite medical issues, sponsoring the race fee, and probably against doctor’s orders, greeted us at the finish line! Bob Brainerd for developing a training program, helping us to manage injuries through Central Maine Conditioning Clinic, sponsoring our run at the Lake Auburn Half Marathon and educating us about pre and post race nutrition. My family, Rusty Vallee and Maine Thread Company for sponsoring our unbelievably awesome Leavitt Marathon Club shirts, always supporting his crazy Wellness teacher of a wife, infallible race day support and communicating with and meeting up with the other families along the route. Thanks also to Mike Vallee for doing “Rudy Duty” and Jennifer Vallee for getting me to run 12 years ago and always believing me. Kim Veilleux for letting us cool off in her pool after training runs, trusting in the challenge, following along with course with Ben Marschall to cheer us on, and for photos and video! Mark and Jean Rabon for trusting in the challenge, all the snacks along the route, impeccable navigation skills, capturing so many moments in photos cheering us on all along the route with Josh Therrien. Melissa Pratt and Ryan Pratt for also trusting in the challenge, figuring out the registration snafoo before the race, and for finding us so many times along the route to cheer and snap some pics! Becky Webber for supporting this challenge, for her race day cheering at the 20 mile mark - we could hear her before we could see her! Also, thank you to Harrison Knowlton and Olivia Mallar for the fuel, gummies, encouragement and frequent bike-by check-ins during a tough part of the course. Our school administrators: Ms. Wendy Harvey our Assistant Principal and golden retriever Finnegan for taking the time to come support us and run a few strides with us just after mile 20! Mr. Derek Galway, Dean of Students, for believing in us and following our Facebook page. Mr. Eben Shaw for his permission to allow this endeavor to be connected to Leavitt Area High School as a club, unwavering support and frequent check-ins. Ryan Holmes, Athletic Director, for supporting this challenge from day one, helping to navigate policy and create a safe program and for bringing his entire family down to the finish line to acknowledge our accomplishment! Our Cross Country coaches, Dustin Williamson, for supporting this challenge during XC season, believing in us and poignant pre-race text in which referred to these runners as “inspiring” and letting them know “You got this!” Thanks to assistant coach, Steve McCarthy for finding us at mile 24 and letting us know, “You are the strongest kids I know!” Mr. Mike Brennan, history teacher, for understanding the magnitude of this challenge, for finding us at the finish line to offer congrats and hugs to all, and for taking it easy on the kiddos for the AP History test on Monday? 26.2 miles depletes the brain cells :) John and Doris Veilleux for having eagle eyes as only grandparents can have and finding us at the start and the finish lines. Derek Veilleux for supporting his 16 year old nephew and running comrades, spotting us on the course after making his turn at the halfway point and sticking around to greet us at the finish line after he also ran the 26.2 miles. Diane Dunn, fellow “wear blue: run to remember” member, for hunting us down at the start line to make the connection. Fellow Maine Track/LA Running Club members, Donna Beaulieu for her encouragement and Deanne Michaud for keeping an eye for us at the finish chute. A man named “Trouble” for entertaining us for the first 13 miles! The support from fellow runners and spectators was amazing - we can’t tell you how many compliments were given to us throughout each mile.
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 23:18:25 +0000
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