Run the race
If you have ever had the fleeting thought of whether you should train and run a half marathon or not....
Do it. Just. Do it.
Let me paint this picture for you.
It's 7:30AM, the sun is just starting to paint the horizon, the crisp fall air tickles just enough to give goosebumps.
You stand shoulder to shoulder with other runners, nervously bouncing on your toes as you wait for the gun start.
There is music, there is fireworks, everyone is hyped and ready.
The gun goes off and everyone surges forward, excited to finally be on their way. You float along with the crowd, caught up in the excitement and thrill of "it's actually happening...!"
The first few miles aren't too bad, you get into a rhythm and check your pace, making sure you push, but not too hard because you know there are quite a few miles to go.
Along the way there are signs held by spectators. Some make you laugh, some spur you on. There are huffed and puffed words of 'keep going' and 'you can do this' from fellow runners as each passes the other in different time.
There are twists and turns along the way. Even after perusing the map the day before, there are still corners that surprise you., so you keep an eye out for what's ahead. Because, one thing is certain. There is only one race course. And if you veer off and take your own way....you're disqualified.
Somewhere along the way, even if you train well, you are going to hit a wall. Whether it's mental or physical, it's going to be there. Your legs feel heavy, your mind tells you that you aren't ready for this. And you start to wonder if you can even finish at all.
But then there is an appropriately placed spectator, with just the right sign, with just the right words that reminds you that you CAN do it. Or, you pull back in the reaches of you mind for that little tidbit, that piece of advice that reminds you what to do.
- Regulate your breathing.
- Make it to the next hydration station
- Stretch out your legs
- Lift your knees
Whatever it is, it keeps you going.
Finally, after long last, you hit the 12 mile mark and you know you only have a mile left to go. You're exhausted but you pull from somewhere within you the strength to make one final push. You want to end this race well.
As you head down the final stretch there is the largest crowd yet, cheering you on to the finish line. That swell of excitement that you had at the beginning comes back again and though you are in a lot of pain and you hurt all over, you push on to the end.
The finish line.
And you cross it and you are done. A medal is hung around your neck and you are told, "Great job! You did it!" And you smile, because, yes, you did. It was hard, even a little crazy, but you persevered and you finished. And that is what matters. Suddenly the pain, the training, the sacrifice all seems worth it.
.............
Each year the Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon are run on a Sunday morning. I don't make it to church that day, but I have my own time of worship in that 13.1 miles. Did you see it?
After running a race like that, it makes it even clearer why there are several comparisons to running a race and walking the Christian path in the Bible.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1
If you missed it the first time as you read through the race scenario, I encourage you to read it through again, this time looking for the parallels.
My description may have inspired you to sign up for a race, or it may have convinced you not to. But I hope that you will at least take a moment and think of the race that is currently set before you today.
Where are you at? At the start? Somewhere in the middle where your legs feel heavy? Are you one of those encouragers cheering someone on? Or are you the one in need of encouragement?
Where ever you at on your race path, remember there is a finish line. There is a point to all this. Keep going because someday, you too, can have that reward and be able to say:
Do it. Just. Do it.
Let me paint this picture for you.
It's 7:30AM, the sun is just starting to paint the horizon, the crisp fall air tickles just enough to give goosebumps.
You stand shoulder to shoulder with other runners, nervously bouncing on your toes as you wait for the gun start.
There is music, there is fireworks, everyone is hyped and ready.
The gun goes off and everyone surges forward, excited to finally be on their way. You float along with the crowd, caught up in the excitement and thrill of "it's actually happening...!"
The first few miles aren't too bad, you get into a rhythm and check your pace, making sure you push, but not too hard because you know there are quite a few miles to go.
Along the way there are signs held by spectators. Some make you laugh, some spur you on. There are huffed and puffed words of 'keep going' and 'you can do this' from fellow runners as each passes the other in different time.
Somewhere along the way, even if you train well, you are going to hit a wall. Whether it's mental or physical, it's going to be there. Your legs feel heavy, your mind tells you that you aren't ready for this. And you start to wonder if you can even finish at all.
But then there is an appropriately placed spectator, with just the right sign, with just the right words that reminds you that you CAN do it. Or, you pull back in the reaches of you mind for that little tidbit, that piece of advice that reminds you what to do.
- Regulate your breathing.
- Make it to the next hydration station
- Stretch out your legs
- Lift your knees
Whatever it is, it keeps you going.
Finally, after long last, you hit the 12 mile mark and you know you only have a mile left to go. You're exhausted but you pull from somewhere within you the strength to make one final push. You want to end this race well.
As you head down the final stretch there is the largest crowd yet, cheering you on to the finish line. That swell of excitement that you had at the beginning comes back again and though you are in a lot of pain and you hurt all over, you push on to the end.
The finish line.
And you cross it and you are done. A medal is hung around your neck and you are told, "Great job! You did it!" And you smile, because, yes, you did. It was hard, even a little crazy, but you persevered and you finished. And that is what matters. Suddenly the pain, the training, the sacrifice all seems worth it.
.............
Each year the Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon are run on a Sunday morning. I don't make it to church that day, but I have my own time of worship in that 13.1 miles. Did you see it?
After running a race like that, it makes it even clearer why there are several comparisons to running a race and walking the Christian path in the Bible.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1
If you missed it the first time as you read through the race scenario, I encourage you to read it through again, this time looking for the parallels.
My description may have inspired you to sign up for a race, or it may have convinced you not to. But I hope that you will at least take a moment and think of the race that is currently set before you today.
Where are you at? At the start? Somewhere in the middle where your legs feel heavy? Are you one of those encouragers cheering someone on? Or are you the one in need of encouragement?
Where ever you at on your race path, remember there is a finish line. There is a point to all this. Keep going because someday, you too, can have that reward and be able to say:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.." II Timothy 4:7
Comments
Post a Comment
Tell me how you live intentional. I'd love to know!