RACE MODE – April 25
April 25, 2014“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” Galatians 5:7
I have six weeks to go until the Ironman Boise 70.3. Time has slipped past quicker on the calendar than the asphalt has passed beneath me since my decision to enter (The Agnostic will never be an Ironman). My training has been very consistent yet my time-on-legs has not accumulated as rapidly as I would have liked.
Two rules of thumbs have come to press me into an uncomfortable dilemma. I need to add running miles slowly to avoid injury. Yet, I need to begin tapering from my longest run, three weeks before race day so I will be fresh when it really matters. I have been adding one mile per week. If I get in a 10 mile run this weekend, then I can get to 13 miles over the next three weeks, just in time before I need to start backing off.
It will all work out as long as I stay on schedule.
However, the weather has not been cooperating with my schedule. This last week has been full of rain and wind that has completely kept me off the bike and has forced me to limit my runs. I look to the forecast of the weekend without much hope of a break in the weather. I need to get in a long run, but that will probably mean a miserable run in a cold, driving, rain.
My race day looms through the gloom of storms. The storm front will not push my race day back. I will either have to endure through uncomfortable training conditions or face the disappointment of not being ready on race day.
If a race did not occupy a spot on my calendar, I would not train in inclement weather. I would not go out in miserable conditions when they could be avoided by delay. I would not strive to improve at the expense of unnecessary discomfort. There is no need to endure the uncomfortable when there is plenty of time to train or there is no race on the horizon.
We train differently when we are in race mode. We have to demonstrate more self-control in our training when we are striving to do well in a race. Therefore, I will be going for a run this weekend. I hope it does not rain but I am resolved not to let the weather detour me from my goal.
The same is true of our spiritual training. We live differently when we are in race mode.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
We all have a day coming when we cross the finish line of life. Will we finish well? Are we striving to obtain the prize? The storm clouds of life will not push back our final day. That glorious day should loom through all the momentary gloom of daily cares.
Yet, I do not see a lot of folks living in race mode. The self-control of spiritual disciplines is quickly discarded at the hint of inclement conditions.
Evening prayers are shortened to accommodate late-night TV.
Comfort is sought in ice cream rather than our Savior.
Praise of men governs a prideful tongue.
Charity is withheld in lieu of vacation.
Ministry is replaced by a nap.
Envy flourishes in the discontentment of loss.
Worship of flesh replaces praise of the Almighty.
Harsh words are not withheld due to unrestrained anxiety.
Morning bible reading is discarded for minutes of additional sleep.
It is easy for the cares of this world to throw us off our game. Self-control is difficult when the pressure and discomfort of a sinful will wars against our redeemed soul. It is easy to surrender to our sinful passions when we are living as if there is no finish line and cease to strive for the prize.
We do not live aimlessly. Our self-control is not in vain. We are following Christ in order to obtain the prize of eternal life. We are striving in our spiritual training to glorify the God we love and to enjoy Him daily. We say “no” to our flesh because we are in a race for the glory of God and we only have so many days to the finish line.
Let’s not waste a day of training. May we continue to follow Christ even when the world around us is miserable and we just want to stay in bed. The finish line is coming and none of us knows the day. What is hindering you from running well?
I think this video by John Piper, Make War, is excellent at describing the attitude we Christians should live in.
PRAYER: Father, keep me in race mode. Lord, help me to make war on my sinful flesh. Don’t let me be live like there will always be another day to glorify you. Help me to number my days. Give me the strength to follow you in the foulest of circumstances. Give me the perseverance to always strive forward in obedience regardless of what my flesh wants to do. I pray this in the precious name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
A DEVOTED LIFE 
What a picture
Ugh! I needed to hear that. I have really struggled in this area of self control. Thanks
Wow! You have really spoken to my heart this morning
Ahhhh keep going in the race of life! God will give you the strength for everything – both growing closer to him and training for that 70.3! How long have you been doing tris?
I have only been doing tris for that last year. Actually, my first tri was a sprint distance and I had not done any of the three distances before I had started training. My second year, I did two olympic distance tris. I thought it was natural to step up for the 70.3 distance for this year. I only wish it was later in the year. The Boise Ironman is the largest tri in my area so I wanted to participate in the fun. Hope that is what it turns out to be. Thanks for the encouragement.
God Bless!
JD
Reblogged this on The Peanut Gallery and commented:
The finish line could come sooner than you realize.
Good Post! There is so much to be learned from life in general that pertains to the spiritual and you do well at bringing that out. I hope the weather smiles on you on this weekend and that you do well in your up coming race. God Bless:)
I’ll be glad to watch the video. Please forgive me, I’ve just nabbed one of your Scriptures to share something I had on my mind. Great page, as ever. God bless and all the best in the coming race, and God’s strength for your spiritual race.
Reblogged this on U.S. Constitutional Free Press.