Do they make marathon courses with a massive hill at the end? Not being a runner, I had no idea. So, I did a tiny bit of research on the friendly internet and found that indeed, there are flat marathon courses as well as those considered hilly. Many runners actually flock to the easier courses to qualify for a more difficult race where they desire to compete. I landed upon on an informative article written by a professional trainer who helps runners prepare for races. She uses the example of a runner who excels at the hilly races, but needed some refining as he prepared for a 56 mile race full of 5-6% inclines. Her number one rule to remember was it’s about “effort, not pace.” Trainer Jenny Hadfield writes, “There are many benefits to running by effort, but during a hilly race, the value is in having a strategy that allows you to efficiently manage your energy no matter the grade of the hill, the temperature, the wind, and any other variable.”
It took me a bit to digest and understand what she meant. How that plays out for a runner is that he (or she) is always putting forth effort, but the pace doesn’t remain consistently the same. The trainee “walked many of the steep uphill sections to keep his effort at a relatively steady, easy level for the entire marathon. This takes patience and faith in the strategy, but it pays off.”
(https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a20803506/the-best-way-to-run-and-race-hills/)
This season of our lives as a family has felt like a marathon. A hilly marathon full of ups and downs. Tremendous struggles and overwhelming blessings. Laughter and smiles and heartache and tears. Prayers of anguish and confusion intermingled with prayers of praise and thanksgiving.
This week as I pondered yet another project to cleanse our house of mold, I felt like we were so close to the end but here we were climbing another hill. I realized that I was trying to sprint up the hill, but lacking the mental, emotional or physical energy I could.not.go.another.step. I thought crazy thoughts like: “my family would be better off without me”, “I’m just causing more trouble for so many people”, “I think maybe I’m crazy!” and other ridiculous thoughts that I know aren’t true. I prayed, knowing the lies that were circulating in my head and camped on what I know to be true. God has a plan. Part of His plan is to continually teach me to deny my own strength (because He brings me to a place where it’s obvious even to my thick head) and to teach our family. If His plans are perfect, I don’t want to miss the rest of this lesson. No matter how complicated it may be or how inadequate I have to admit that I am! There’s a mile marker here at this point in the marathon. I don’t know the number because it’s kinda fuzzy, but the name of this course is named after the author of it—“Faithful and True.” Revelation 19:11 says, “ After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True....”
I don’t want to run any other race but this one! It’s Jesus’ Way, Whom I love and can trust. Why would I want to veer off course or question His path for me when He has been so loyal and steady thus far? Whether I enjoy the hills or not, His route is purposed for my good, not my comfort. A runner doesn’t train to win greater races by running only running flat tracks at sea level. Flagstaff, Arizona at 7,000 ft has seen plenty of international athletes who train here because of the terrain and altitude. I suppose I am spiritually training at high altitude! Uncomfortable? Yes. Worthwhile? Yes. This Faithful and True Course is a testimony to my Trainer. I’m overwhelmed by His goodness and consistent presence. Exodus 33:14 reminds me that He has promised me that He will go with me AND give me rest. He’s also given me 6 amazing teammates in my household and plenty of folks to encourage Team Boone along this path.
It took me a bit to digest and understand what she meant. How that plays out for a runner is that he (or she) is always putting forth effort, but the pace doesn’t remain consistently the same. The trainee “walked many of the steep uphill sections to keep his effort at a relatively steady, easy level for the entire marathon. This takes patience and faith in the strategy, but it pays off.”
(https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a20803506/the-best-way-to-run-and-race-hills/)
This season of our lives as a family has felt like a marathon. A hilly marathon full of ups and downs. Tremendous struggles and overwhelming blessings. Laughter and smiles and heartache and tears. Prayers of anguish and confusion intermingled with prayers of praise and thanksgiving.
This week as I pondered yet another project to cleanse our house of mold, I felt like we were so close to the end but here we were climbing another hill. I realized that I was trying to sprint up the hill, but lacking the mental, emotional or physical energy I could.not.go.another.step. I thought crazy thoughts like: “my family would be better off without me”, “I’m just causing more trouble for so many people”, “I think maybe I’m crazy!” and other ridiculous thoughts that I know aren’t true. I prayed, knowing the lies that were circulating in my head and camped on what I know to be true. God has a plan. Part of His plan is to continually teach me to deny my own strength (because He brings me to a place where it’s obvious even to my thick head) and to teach our family. If His plans are perfect, I don’t want to miss the rest of this lesson. No matter how complicated it may be or how inadequate I have to admit that I am! There’s a mile marker here at this point in the marathon. I don’t know the number because it’s kinda fuzzy, but the name of this course is named after the author of it—“Faithful and True.” Revelation 19:11 says, “ After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True....”
I don’t want to run any other race but this one! It’s Jesus’ Way, Whom I love and can trust. Why would I want to veer off course or question His path for me when He has been so loyal and steady thus far? Whether I enjoy the hills or not, His route is purposed for my good, not my comfort. A runner doesn’t train to win greater races by running only running flat tracks at sea level. Flagstaff, Arizona at 7,000 ft has seen plenty of international athletes who train here because of the terrain and altitude. I suppose I am spiritually training at high altitude! Uncomfortable? Yes. Worthwhile? Yes. This Faithful and True Course is a testimony to my Trainer. I’m overwhelmed by His goodness and consistent presence. Exodus 33:14 reminds me that He has promised me that He will go with me AND give me rest. He’s also given me 6 amazing teammates in my household and plenty of folks to encourage Team Boone along this path.
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