Run Your Race & Readjust Your Pace
The hard lessons God is teaching me through my run-training as it pertains to the race God has called us to, trusting the pace God sets, and leaning into healing when needed.
My left shin burned as I breathed out heavily and took another stride. My gaze was set ahead to the light pole that marked the end of my run portion for the day’s training. When I realized I couldn’t make it all the way because the pain was unbearable, I stopped abruptly and yelled at God in my head.
“Why can’t I just run without all these problems?! Why do others run with such ease, but it’s constantly a fight for me?!” I looked frantically all around me instead of at God. I imagined Him ten steps ahead, stopped and waiting for me to catch up, slow down, and pause to regroup with Him.
This new injury came a few weeks after I restarted my run training after pausing for two weeks due to an IT band injury. At this rate, I wouldn’t be ready to run a half marathon by race day.
“What do you have to prove?” The question popped into my head as I considered how much more this would set me back in my training. I relented and slowed my pace to a walk. I looked up at the sun peaking over the mountain range as it glowed on the wildflowers that seemingly popped up overnight in the unkempt fields.
“See how they grow…” That familiar verse from Luke 12 whispered to me. “They do not toil or spin.”
Our gaze and rigidity can often throw us off the path God has set before us when we’re not looking in the right direction. We end up spinning and toiling without trust in the One who paves the way for us to grow beautiful, wild, and free.
“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” Luke 12:27-28 ESV
We are all called to run the race before us, but we have choices of where to set our gaze. Each one impacts our endurance and direction.
Look Down
It’s tempting to focus on every step we take so we ensure we’re doing everything right in the moment. But when we’re too focused on the specifics and perfection of each step, we might miss out on the potential dangers in front of us or when it’s time to turn or stop to stay on the right path.
Look Far Away
It’s important to know where we’re going and have goals set before us. But if we’re focused too much on the destination, we’ll miss out on the creation around us, and we may end up more frustrated due to the distance. We can so easily be weighed down by the winding roads God takes us on to get to our next destination.
Look All-Around
It’s wise to be aware of our surroundings, and God created this world to be enjoyed, but when we’re too focused on people running beside or past us, we might miss opportunities God is putting right in front of us or the work He is doing inside of us.
Look Ten Steps Ahead
When I’m running, I look far ahead to my next destination—the object I mark as the place to pause or restart my running pace. Once that’s decided, I look down at my feet just long enough to confirm the right posture for that specific leg of the journey. Then, for the duration of the run, I stare about ten steps in front of me.
I imagine Jesus going before me, preparing my path, running backward as He faces me with an inviting smile. He gestures for me to catch up to His pace and trust His direction. While focused on Jesus, He might turn my attention to where it needs to be—the breath within my chest as it rises and falls to the rhythm of my steps, the sun saying good morning over the mountain range in the distance, or the pain in my shin, beckoning me to slow down and allow myself grace.
When we know how to posture our body and where to cast our gaze, Jesus invites us into rhythms of life that give us more than we ever thought we needed.
“Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 CSB
More than just where to look, running has taught me the discipline of listening to my body. You are more than your mind. You are more than your heart. You are more than your soul.
God came to earth embodied to show us the connection between each part of what makes us human. A vital part of run training is knowing when to stretch, when to rest, and when to charge ahead. Without slowing down as needed, we won’t be able to run the distance.
I get mad that my body feels broken every time I finally find my running routine. When injured, our bodies need a break. The same is true for our mind, heart, and spirit. Often the injury is not a broken bone; it’s more of a tight muscle, but that doesn’t make it any less serious. It’s the body’s way of asking (or demanding) us to slow down, rest, stretch, and recuperate—then try again.
Injuries can be a way for our bodies to invite us to readjust our priorities and posture.
When we face our messiness—internal sinful nature, a broken body, or a grieved spirit—we’re reminded that we aren’t created to live this life on our own or carry the burden of the fallen world. Rather, God beckons us to focus on Him, run to Him, and take part in the abundant life of love, grace, and truth that only He can provide.
Jesus never promised ease. His life guaranteed we would face trials, but His death promises redemption, and His resurrection promises His presence on the path we’re called to run.
Instead of pushing through strained muscles, allow them to be a warning sign to slow down and shift your gaze. Ten steps ahead of you, Christ already proved your worth and is waiting for you to match pace with Him and take His light yoke upon you.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
Such a great reminder especially for me right now as I lay in bed feet elevated because of the pain I’m in. No activities for me because my body is saying STOP.
Pings of guilt for not being enough often journey through my mind. I needed to read this today. Thank you