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• » 2007 Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon
• » Nicolee Thompson

Nicolee Thompson

Glendale, AZ
Total Raised: $5,729.87

1. Tell us about yourself and your family?
My name is Nicolee Thompson I am 28 year-old teacher who is married and have one son, Alijah who is 9 months-old. We currently live in Glendale, Arizona.

2. Have you ever done a half or full marathon before?
I have never ran a full or half marathon before, I have competed in athletics my entire life and I have ran in several 5K races in years past.

3. What are your biggest challenges for this race and what is your goal?
My biggest challenge is getting past my mental fear of being able to finish the half marathon without stopping. My goal is to run/jog the entire race without stopping to rest or walk.

4. How did you know Mitch?
I am running and training for this half marathon to honor my brother Mitch. Mitch is my only sibling and I miss him dearly, anything I can be involved with to honor him, I will do!

5. Why are you doing this race for MSF?
I want to use my memories of Mitch to help others and MSF does just that. MSF gets involved with those who can’t help themselves, and I know Mitch would have been there to help the same people that MSF serves.

Journal

October Update  •  Monday, October 01, 2007

1. Would you or are you planning on running this distance again?
Sure, we’ll I think so.  I need a little break from the heavy training to spend some time with my family and focus on work, but I’ll never say never!

2. Lastly please write something to each of your sponsors, it can be a thank you, you can let them know we met our goal; share a verse, something from your heart.
To each sponsor that I contacted or didn’t contact I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sponsoring me!  I’m learning so much about giving since Mitch went to be with the Lord.  Not just giving money or donations, but giving your time, heart and prayers as well.  I hope I made you proud and thank you again!  Your reward is waiting for you above.

September Update  •  Wednesday, August 29, 2007

1. Share with us your workout schedule for August?
This past month in August I continued to increase all my runs and bike rides, also I ran race stimulation and reached or shall I say CONQUERED 13.1 miles!  Yes, I am alive to talk about it so this proves I can at least finish the race!

2. How are you holding up physically and mentally?
Physically my body is holding up well, a few sore moments and that’s about it.  Mentally, I am SO ready for race day, it’s been a long summer of training and I need it to be here.  I look forward to cutting my workouts back down after the race to get some rest.

3. Athlete’s Journal:  Please make this your journal for the month of August and share with us everything and anything you would like?

I’m much honored to be running this race in memory of my brother.  This past August 14th was the hardest anniversary of his going home.  It doesn’t seem like it has been three years since I last talked to my brother face to face, but it has.  The fact that this is now a reality for me is still difficult, however seeing people get involve in this race by choosing to run or be a sponsor is encouraging.  MSF is my ministry now and I will work and do anything I need to until I am fortunate to see my brother again in heaven!

Thank you to ALL OF YOU who have been a blessing to MSF!

August Update  •  Friday, July 27, 2007

1. What makes you keep going on a day when you just aren’t having a good run or training day?
First of all, I have a GREAT coach training me from Chicago and I know if I decided to slack off or sleep in she would set me straight and I don’t want to disappoint her.  Secondly, I talked my friend Liz into taking on this challenge with me and what kind of example would I be if I didn’t commit to my entire training schedule.  We text each other after each long run, so I know if I don’t complete my long she’ll know right away!  Thirdly, I’ve started to raise funds for the race and I owe my best effort to each individual who decided to sponsor me. Lastly, I remember Mitch, and he would be calling me out if I slacked in anyway!

2. What things are you doing to prepare physically and mentally for the marathon?
My trainer is preparing me physically for this ½ marathon completing not only long runs, but interval training and cross training on the bike.  Mentally it’s still tough, on my long runs my mind drifts off and all I think about is how many miles I still have left to run, I have to battle with myself to keep running!

3. In what ways are your family or friends helping support you while training?
My husband has been a big help, as I go train early in the mornings he is able to step in and watch our 11 month-old son.  Again, Liz and I help motivate each other and I also try to encourage a few of the other runners.  Also, the messages and comments from my friends and family who have sponsored me so far keeps me going!

Is there anyone in particular that helps motivate you?
My coach!!

4. Athletes Journal:
Longest run to date was 10 miles, this week I attempt to complete 12, I never thought this number could look so scary!  My body is holding up well however, this is a long process and I continually need motivation to keep training.  I wish we were closer to race date, I can’t wait to get out there on the streets of Chicago!

July Update  •  Monday, July 02, 2007

1. With three months remaining before your race what’s going through your mind?
I’m starting to grasp the concept of an entire new and different way of training.  I’ve never trained specifically for a half Marathon and it is definitely time consuming.  I’m also proud of my training thus far and some of my accomplishments.  I also am thankful for my ‘coach’ who is unselfishly guiding me along this journey.

2. What is your training schedule for the month of July?
During July I will be increasing my long bike rides and long runs while weight training once a week.  My training consists of running three times a week and biking twice a week. 

3. What is your long run up to?
I completed 8 miles!  First time I’ve ever ran that far in my life and I’m still here to talk about it!  To my surprise it felt really good!

4. Athletes Journal:
The hardest part of my training schedule and commitment to this race is going to train leaving behind my 10-month-old son behind.  Being a teacher I am blessed to have the summer off to spend with him and a feeling of guilt consumes me as I drop him off at the gym nursery to work out.  However, I’m learning from this and I understand I need some alone ‘mommy’ time and if I’m taking care of me, then I will be able to provide better care for him! 

Another difficulty is rising out of bed at 4:30AM to be able to train outside during our HOT Arizona summer!  Usually I wouldn’t be able to function that early, but I’m learning that I can and what a sense of accomplishment when it’s only 7AM and I’ve already ran 7 or 8 miles!  This really pushes me to live the rest of the day to its fullest.

Lastly, after just being in Chicago for the MSF Golf Outing/Auction, I am truly encouraged to all the other runners who have made this same commitment to train and race.  I was able to talk to many of the other runners and what a blessing to hear their own words and reasons why they wanted to support MSF.  Some of my fellow runners didn’t even have a strong relationship with Mitch, but they still want to serve those who God has laid in the path of MSF.  Every long run I go on I think of Mitch, I ask him for a little extra kick and then tell him how much I miss him.

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