the end of the year blog...

so another year has passed...this year has flown by!! As I mentioned in a previous post, so much of my year has been focused on training, it feels as if it has flown by!! I can't believe that in 2 weeks from today I will be at the starting line for my first marathon attempt--and attempting to complete one of those "life long" goals I have!! That is so scary and satisfying at the same time!!!

I mean I am scared at the thought that I might not actually finish the marathon--anything could happen on the course--a pulled muscle, twisted ankle, broken knee (that is how I refer to my constant knee pain)...I could get 20 miles out and then my body might tell me that is all that it wants to go--I am praying for the health and the willpower to get through it all!!

Last Saturday I completed my final "long" run before the marathon--18 miles--I did the same course to East Nashville and back, and I could not believe how much better I felt when I was running! I truly felt ready to go the 26. Now a week later and the mind games have begun, and I keep thinking negative thoughts, and the fear is creeping up in my bones. Basically thoughts like..."well you completed the training, but you haven't done the marathon yet and you probably can't go 26.2" types of thoughts. I am trying to replace those thoughts with positive ones though, and thoughts of truth like "I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me" and the thoughts that no matter what happens, I have still accomplished a hell of a lot just by sticking with the training regimen. Now that has not been easy!!

I am really looking forward to 2007...of course I have like 5-6 resolutions, and I pray that I stick with them...but ultimately I just want to relax and enjoy life more, enjoy tim, our sweet dogs who can be crazy maniacs, and not worry so much. Fear is so annoying and can hold you back so much. It is so cool that a core verse of the Christmas story is "and the Angel came to them and said Do Not Be Afraid"...I pray that I recall that this year in every situation that I experience fear for any reason.

I hope you have a great New Year's celebration...some of our closest frinds from Orlando are here to enjoy it with us, and I am so grateful. We are lazy bums and can just relax around each other, and that is refreshing.

And they say that they like my cooking, so that is always a bonus!!

Happy New Year!!

Leigh