What does it take to run a marathon? I've read books and magazine articles and talked with several people over the past several months as I prepared to run my first marathon in November. I logged hundreds of miles and spent many hours on the road getting my body ready for the big day. I changed my diet and sleep patterns in preparation. All so that when the day came I would be ready to run the race to the best of my abilities. I knew that I was not going to compete with anybody but myself, and yet the butterflies were there all the same. I did everything that I was told in the way I was told so as to assure myself that I could complete the 26.2 mile course of the Soldier Marathon in Columbus, GA.
The morning was cold, and I was anxious, and to be honest a little bit concerned since I had developed a calf muscle cramp the week leading up to the race, that I had a difficult time getting loose before or during the race. It nagged me the entire way, until mile 16 when it cramped again. After walking it off, stretching, and rehydrating, I was able to finish, but in a disappointing five and a half hours. Ugh! I knew that I could do much better than that so I decided I would try and run my second marathon at the Jacksonville Bank Marathon on December 19, 2010 just a little over a month later. After a month of figuring out that I needed a lot more fluids and calories during the actual run, I felt much more prepared to run. Except for the cold weather it was a great morning and I shaved a full hour off of my time from the month before. I was extremely pleased and now know I can even do better. In fact, a goal for 2011 is to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which will require a three and a half hour marathon time. Whew!
I share those experiences with you because I want you to know what I discovered as simple truths in my training that directly connects to my faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. They both need me to be disciplined. I have to stick with my plans to train, when it is cold and wet or hot and humid. When I feel good and when I feel bad. When I want to and when I don't. Same is true in the disciplines of practicing righteousness and holiness. They are not dependent on what I want, as much as they are on what is right or necessary. I also learned that my training cost me time and energy and planning. So does my relationship with Christ. I need and want to spend time in His Word and know His ways more personally. I need and want to make Christ a priority in my life as I train my heart and mind to more like His.
I set out to run a marathon to accomplish one of my lifelong goals. I discovered along the way the enjoyment of running and have found it to be a very personal reminder of how much I want to invest in my relationship with Christ to go the distance and not burn out along the way.
