Amazing Race
I want to share some of my experience with you from running the marathon. I started to feel the excitement when I got on the plane to Wisconsin from Houston two days before the marathon. I had picked out all of the gear I would bring with me, and had packed all the supplements that I needed to take. I arrived late on Friday night. I had arranged to stay with a family friend Diane, and I arrived late and went straight to bed. Saturday I went and picked up my registration materials, including my bib (with my # on it), and my timing chip. I got a pedicure that day to make sure my feet were in good shape for the race on Sunday, and I was really impressed with the hospitality from everyone I met. Saturday night Diane took me to dinner at an Italian restaurant Fazoilis, and I ran into one of my teachers from high school, Doc. He was quite as surprised to see me as I was to run into him, and he wished me good luck. Saturday night I was very anxious but I managed to get some sleep. I said good-bye to Diane early on Sunday morning, and packed my car and drove to the finish line. It was quite odd to be putting on sun block before the sun came up, but I did my preparation, and then got on the bus to ride to the starting line. I met a few other runners on the bus, they had all run a marathon before, and they all encouraged me to stick with it and finish.
I chose to take the early start at 6am to allow myself time if I didn't finish within 6 hours. At the starting line people started to line up, and I stuck near the back, but as the race started I found that I should have started near the front. The large crowd of people at the starting line separated quickly and after a few miles there were only a handful of runners in sight, however running through the neighborhoods was the best part of the race. There were numerous people outside sitting in their driveways, having coffee on the porch, even several DJs who had set up sound systems on the front lawn to cheer on runners as we came past. Only at one point during the race did I really start to hurt, and that was running up a very steep hill just after a bridge.
The thought going through my head was, "why the heck and I running up this hill, when I could just walk", of course I kept on running, passing others as I ran on by. As the miles went on runners became very scarce, and pas the half-way mark I could only see one runner ahead of me. Then I ran into a several fun rest stops. The first was a bedrock stop with characters from the Flintstones. Then there was Gilligan's Island, complete with all the characters, rows of cheerleaders along both sides of the road, and a DJ playing dance music. I was really re-energized from these two stops, and they pushed me back into high gear with my running. The stops throughout the day were great, and the volunteers were outstanding. Around mile 16 the first marathoner that started after me ran by, in front of him was the pace car, and from then until the end of the race there was a slow trickle of runners that would go running by. Around mile 18 or so the course for the marathon came back together with the course for the half-marathon, and as I rounded the turn I saw a huge number of people running and walking the half-marathon. From this point until the end of the race I was amid a huge crowd both on the course and on the side-walks. The crowd was the largest just as I crossed over the bridge heading towards the Riverside park at the finish line. I really started to feel drained around mile 20, and as the last six miles went rolling by my feet started to feel like bricks, and my legs were cramping, but I kept on pushing with everything I could to finish the race. 
With about half a mile to go my phone started ringing and my fiance Abisha was calling. I answered and said I had about half a mile to go. She said way to go, call me when you're done, and I hung up and kept on running. As I came down the last stretch and could see the finish line another runner from the later start passed me, and I picked up my pace with my remaining energy to try and kept up my pace with his to the finish line. After I crossed the finish line I was given a metallic blanket by a volunteer, and given a medal. Then I walked over to have my timing chip removed. She asked me how I was, and I said I'm great, I finished, and this was my first marathon. After that I walked to the food tent, and got some snacks, then picked up my finisher t-shirt. I walked around the park for some time before calling my fiance, and then my parents to let them know that I finished. I couldn't hold back the tears when I called Abisha. I was overwhelmed with the accomplishment that I had just completed and so thankful for all her help and support in my training. Abisha ran with me, made my protein shakes after my runs, and even gave my sore muscles a massage after my long training runs. I also want to thank all the people that helped me complete this marathon: Erika from Columbus, Ohio, who gave me all the music that I listened to while training. Diane for opening up her house and hosting me for the run. Abisha for all her support and patience. My parents for their support, and for all of those who pledged to make donations. I know that I would not have completed this on my own, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. It was your pledges, your support, and your encouragement that carried me through. Thank you all!
Sincerely,
Alex Cresswell
P.S. My final race time was 5:02:43 against my goal of 6:00:00. You can see the race results online here. My bib # was 332.
posted by Alex Cresswell @ 10:53 AM
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