I am not one who believes that God orchestrates every moment of my day, but I usually am able to find God present if I take the time to look, to watch and pray, to listen for that still, small voice. Sometimes I find God in a particularly beautiful sight. Sometimes it’s in the realization I’ve avoided a bad situation. Sometimes I sense God in a nudge towards making a certain decision. Other times, I feel like the target of a divine sense of humor.
That was my reaction as I listed to the Morning Prayer podcast while getting ready to run the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run (did you see my Race Recap?).
Running To Win The Prize
First, these words from the Psalm appointed for the day (Psalm 118) caught my attention:
It is better to rely on the Lord than to put any trust in flesh.
What was the God trying to tell me about my race day plans?
While Psalm 118 might not really be about running, the relevance of the New Testament reading (I Corinthinians 9: 24-27) was undeniable.
Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.
Instead of pondering the intent of Paul’s message, I got stuck on Paul’s characterization of athletes. I know I fall short of Paul’s standards for a follower of Christ, but I was confronted by the fact that I don’t even meet his qualifications for an athlete. I certainly haven’t exercised self-control in all things–not in nutrition, not in following a training plan, not even in keeping up with all my physical therapy exercises.
The reason is clear. I wasn’t running the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run to win a prize–although the medal is gorgeous. I hadn’t trained for a personal record. I didn’t cut back on other activities to make running a priority.
As I pondered my last minute goals for the race, I came to grips with the fact that the best I could expect to get out of the race was what I had put into it–enough to run hard, finish strong, and maybe make it to the finish line smiling. Then I realized that is the prize I am running to win–the “wreath” of a race well-run in a week full of other activities that also bring me joy.
I’m joining the Friday Five link up at Fairytales and Fitness.
How do you approach a race when you are not aiming for a PR?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I haven’t exercised self control in all things, which probably explains this terrible RA flare I’m in! Time to reel it back in. Thanks for the food for thought.
Self-control in anything is hard — let alone all things. I hope the RA quiets down soon. I’m sure that makes everything harder.
I love this train of thought. Like you, my life is not so black and white. I exercise control in some things but not all. Running is more for fun and health and yes, smiling at the end. PRs are not my motivation.
You’ve got a MAJOR prize ahead of you! “-)
I don’t think anyone is self controlled all the time! And i’m not sure i’m down with language like “punish my body”. That’s definitely not why I run (although I know people who do use running that way).
I may train for a PR sometimes, but I also know training doesn’t make it a certainty. My goals are usually to finish, feel i’ve done my best, and cross the finish line uninjured.
I may train for a specific finish time some time in the future, but I think my PRs are behind me. I think feeling like I’ve done my best is key to feeling good about race day.
I think feeling you’ve done your best under the circumstances is always key!
I really admire how you find so much inspiration from your faith. I do believe the training and the time and dedication we put into running is the gift and crossing that finish line healthy is the prize
And sometimes getting to the starting line healthy is a prize — or seems to take a miracle. 😉
I think accomplishing a race is a prize in it’s self and all that is needed.
Great point – you’re right!
Beautiful medal! Congrats on your race. When a PR is not a goal of mine I just run to enjoy the experience. Aka Boston Marathon next week!
And what an experience Boston will be! I’ll be rooting for you to enjoy every step — even up Heartbreak Hill.
I had similar thoughts in my mind on Sunday morning. Although I had not trained specifically for the CB, I had been in constant action the entire month of March, and I had faith that all of those other races/activities/runs would merge into a great run in DC. I know I had a huge (dare I call it dorky?) smile during the final mile because I felt so good 😉
Smiling during the last mile is a huge accomplishment. I can’t say I’ve ever managed that. 😉
This is the train of thought that I love! Over the past 1-2 years I have really gotten into the mindset that “finishing is winning” and it really makes my race day experience so much more peaceful.
That’s a great motto. I am really trying to focus on fun, and the finish party at my next race is a prize in itself.
LOVED this, Coco! You did win the prize! getting to the finish line smiling is winning in my book!
I usually approach a race I’m not aiming for a time goal at for fun! A good example for me would be my Disney races. I always do those for fun. I stop for pictures with characters and make sure to enjoy the scenery and every moment I can! That Cherry Blossom race looks like tons of fun and the medal IS gorgeous.
Disney races definitely warrant different goals – your approach to them sounds perfect. The Cherry Blossom medals usually are pretty fabulous, but this is one of my favorites.
I love the encouragement. We all have been there.