I finished the race!

In April my best friend asked me to complete the Lewis & Clark Marathon with her in St. Louis, MO. She and I have been through many things together since we first met in Jr. High School. So, her asking me to complete half of the marathon (13 miles) wasn't an unreasonable request. Me asking my body to comply is another story. I can say my spirit was willing but my flesh was definitely weak. My friend has had a hip replacement and titanium pins added to her back but believed she could complete the marathon. Although my friend was in excellent physical condition prior to her surgeries and had completed a marathon before, she is a one year cancer survivor. The date of the marathon was about one year to the date of her first surgery and I was even a little concerned about both of us physically. Myself of course for different reasons. I had already told her I would do it before all of the reasons why I couldn't had a chance to steal my God-confidence. Being a natural procrastinator I didn't begin training right away. In fact, I really didn't get serious about the marathon until late June. When I did get serious I was overwhelmed by the task that lied ahead. Was it really possible to whip this non-athletic body into shape? Could my fat body and skinny legs really endure through 13 consecutive miles of walking and jogging. I had to prepare myself to jog because even though Kim said she was going to walk, before her diagnosis she was a jogger and really didn't like the fact that she had to walk instead of run. Even if I couldn't convince myself of the health benefits I would do it because Kin asked.
I finished the race and this is what I learned:
Winning really isn't everything, finishing what you start is great!
Nothing good is ever accomplished without hard work!
God is faithful! If you make one step he'll make two is not written in the Bible. But I'm a firm believer that he honored my willingness to complete the race and was with me every step of the way!