During the Marathon....

....I had these thoughts on my mind to help me get through the marathon.

Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Hebrews 12:1-3
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." (NKJV)

*the part in red is what I said while running the marathon because that's what I could remember in the midst of everything going on around me (the pain I was feeling, the surrealness/excitement of the day, how tired I was, etc) during the marathon.*

Some other thoughts that I told myself during the marathon as I did it was: "I can do this!" Also, to keep looking forward to the goal/prize that was ahead of me which was the finish line of the marathon. I wanted to finish; I was not going to quit. That was never an option for me. I was going to finish. I kept looking forward; pressing on.