Dear Mount Marathon

Dear Mount Marathon,

Before I can even start training to defeat you, my entry needs to be selected.  I'm asked how many times I've done your race, my name, and where I'm from.  I'm thinking about preparation for the race if my name is chosen.  When I am selected, the training starts.  My friends and I drive down to Seward, the place where you reside, and begin mounting your cliffs.  Footing is crucial.  One wrong step and you pull us to your base.  You challenge us, but we have defeated you time and time again.  We make no footing mistakes anymore.

The night before your race I eat a healthy dinner to fuel me and plenty of water.  You are sure to put nervously excited butterflies in my stomach.  I put on some music and take my mind off of them.  I start to doze off and soon I'm sleeping through the fireworks you put off to distract me.

Soon comes race day.  You make yourself look ten times taller and ten times steeper.  Still you don't intimidate me.  I am filled with excitement.  Hundreds of people are coming outside to watch the big race.  I wait at the start line in complete suspense for the gun to go off.  When it sounds I take off, determined to conquer you.  I climb your cliffs with ease and begin treading your packed down dirt from others before me.  I'm getting tired but I persevere and soon I see your gray post letting me know I have made it.  It's time to turn around for the finish line. 

Your shale moves me like I'm on skis and I easily glide to your base.  One more road and I'm done.  I start to hear the crowd yelling and cheering as I round the corner.  I pretend I'm not tired as to not let you win.  I start picking up my pace and I run faster to finish you off.  The crowd gets louder and louder because they know I can do it.  Thousands of people at home watch from their TV's as my foot hits the finish line and the announcer calls out my name.  I look at my time and I'm overjoyed at how fast I've become.  Race officials grab me and sit me down on a bucket and bring me water.  Within minutes I feel recovered and stronger than I was before.  You make me stronger.  I have beaten you once again and next year I'm ready to do it all over again.