Friday, April 13, 2007

Thank You

During the last few weeks I recieved so much encouragement from so many people. This was especially true today. People served me spaghetti, brought me over spaghetti, Blueberry Clif Bars, balloons, cards, hugs, smiles, emails, phone calls, etc... Every one of them is greatly appreciated.

No running today -- I only chased Benjamin and his friends Nicolas and Blake around the park this afternoon. No running tomorrow or Sunday either. Just resting the legs.

To track me during the Boston Marathon, visit http://www.bostonmarathon.com/ and type in my bib number: 2271. The face of the web site will change on race day and it will be clear how to track the runners. The race is Monday, April 16th at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. My time will be updated every 5 kilometers.

I was hoping to run 2:45 (6:17 per mile). That isn't going to happen. Here's why -- I recieved this forecast from the Boston Marathon earlier today:

The most up-to-date weather forecast calls for a predicted Spring storm on Monday, including heavy rains (potentially 3 to 5 inches), with the start temperatures in the mid to upper 30's. Wind will likely be East (in the face of the participants for most of the race) in the 20 to 25 mile per hour range, with gusts to as much as 50 miles per hour. This will produce a wind chill index of 25 to 30-degrees Fahrenheit.

Thanks again to everybody for your support, encouragement, and prayers. I am going to have a blast running in the rain and look forward to what God is going to teach me.

12 comments:

Diane Muir said...

Did some hanging on the Boston Marathon page today. Cool stuff! Digital Cable - Omaha, channel 231 - Outdoor Life will be carrying it. Stinks we can't get that at church. But, I'll be watching online! Hope you are there ... safe and sound ... all signed up ... got your stuff and ready to go at 6:00? Is that what time you have to be there for the little bus trip? Good Luck!

Anonymous said...

Craig, Congrats on finishing the Boston Marathon. I tracked you all day and kept you in my thoughts and prayers.

Can't wait to hear from you on Sunday.


Jim Rogers

Anonymous said...

Craig,
It was SO much fun to track your progress today! How exciting for you! And, you seemed pretty on pace considering what they kept saying the weather was doing. Hope everything is going well in Omaha! Can't wait to hear from you! Andrea Christy
acchristy@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

In light of the tragedy that took place today, your victory in Boston gave us great joy! Good job! Could you feel the awesome power of prayer carrying you through? I look forward to hearing about your adventure and how God used you today and throughout your running ministry.

Anonymous said...

WOW...

As if running a marathon wasn't hard enough, you wind up getting hypothermia too?!?

We are all very proud of you Craig! Not everyone gets to realize their dream, but you have shown us that it is possible...regardless of the weather. :)

It's good to have you back. See ya' on Sunday!

Nick

Anonymous said...

Craig,
Congratulations, big guy! We're all so proud of you for working so hard toward your goal. We'll be anxious to hear all about it, but will have to wait since we're flying to Milwaukee Friday to see our son and wife. Please keep the VT families in your prayers. My brother, who's also run the Boston, is the Dir. of Economic Develop at VT and all my family lives there. My heart breaks for the whole community.
Donna

Craig Finnestad said...

Diane,

I was up at 4:00 on Monday morning. I had some Clif Bars and some Cytomax for breakfast and watched the local weather. I was at the train station by 5:45 and on the bus to the starting line by 6:15. As you know...that is a bit early for me.

Craig Finnestad said...

Jim,

Thanks so much for the prayers. I felt them and needed them! I worked the sermon up last night when I was stuck at Logan Airport in Boston. I am excited to share. See you Sunday.

Craig Finnestad said...

Hey Andrea,

The weather wasn't too bad for about 15 miles. Then it was brutal for about a half hour. High winds and buckets of rain. Thanks for checking on me. I'll email you soon to see what you are up to. Tell the family hello and that we miss them.

Craig Finnestad said...

Sharon,

Hope you are feeling better and I have been praying for you! I heard about the shootings in Virginia when I got back to the place I was staying. Terrible--it broke my heart. I could feel the prayers and really needed them the last four miles and for a couple hours after I finished the race. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Craig Finnestad said...

Nick,

You are right brother...with God all things are possible. (Philippians 4:13) See you Sunday.

Craig Finnestad said...

Hey Donna,

Thanks for your kind words. Training for, qualifying for, and running Boston was an exciting adventure. Your support and the support of others along the way has made it possible.

I didn't know of your ties to Virginia Tech. I hope your brother and family are coping as well as can be. I couldn't help thinking on Monday about all dreams that will not come true because of senseless violence.

I hope you and Terry have a great trip to Milwaukee. I was there briefly last night at the airport and bought Benjamin a cheesehead hat.