Training for a marathon

I am happy to say that after running three half marathons in 2011 and breaking through the two hour mark on the last one, that I am finally doing a full marathon in three weeks. It has been awesome training. The weather has been great. Billy has been super supportive and I have an amazing training buddy. WE ran 21 this morning and we literally laughed half of the way. It has been a real blessing to be able to run this past year and a half for me in many ways. One it has been fun. Two it is awesome exercise. Three It helped me lose the baby weight. And four it is a huge stress reliever. I have really enjoyed doing races. It has been such fun. I have wanted to get back into running for years. I did work out here and there and enjoyed doing boot camp classes but oh how running has been so spiritual for me. We pray before everyone run and I literally praise HIM throughout my long runs. It is so freeing. He has really had his hands on me as I remain injury free. Also through the Holidays of eating more, planning trips, shopping, buying gifts, decorating the house, and ALL the other stress that comes, it has helped me keep things in perspective. Laughing has also been super freeing and really keeps me from taking myself or others so seriously. We laughed so hard at MOPS yesterday. I love hearing stories about my mommy friends and their little ones. I do not feel so alone and also they are pretty humorous. We heard the story of the birth of Christ and how Mary rode 80 to 100 miles on a donkey and birthed Jesus in a stall. She was so young and I am sure she had to be afraid. It amazes me that Jesus came this way. It humbles me and I ask God to give me a spirit of confidence but of LOVE and humility as well. I LOVED Mops yesterday. I love our verse this year. Through training for the marathon, raising Tanner, enjoying Christmas, or simply living day to day I am making that my prayer and speaking it out loud.2 Timothy 1:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. I especially want to remember this with being a mommy. He designed me to be Tanner's mommy. I know he will guide me every step of the way if I SEEK HIM.