I have found that my running is 90% mental and 10% training.  If I put in the training, barring any unforeseen circumstances, then my run is what I tell myself.  This past marathon season was a bad season for me.  My season started with the San Antonio Rock-and-Roll where it was 90 degrees at the start.  People were passing out and being taken to the hospital because of the heat.  I walked most of the back end of the race.  I had put in the training, but there was absolutely nothing I could do about the weather.  I chalked this race up as a bad race, but I mistakenly set it as the foundation for my subsequent races.  I ran the Swamp Stomp Half Marathon here in Lake Charles and became sick afterwards.  The Houston Marathon was a cramping nightmare for me.  (I had never cramped in a race before.  BUT, the highlight of this race was getting George Bush, Sr.’s autograph.)  My last race of the season was the New Orleans Rock-and-Roll marathon.  It was my first time to run this race and the last race of my season.  I threw caution to the wind and decided to just enjoy the run.  Surely my season couldn’t get any worse than it was.  I WAS RIGHT!!    Throughout the race I kept telling myself “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)  I ran the best race I’ve ever had!!  I quit concentrating on myself and concentrated on the source of my strength – JESUS CHRIST!