I’ve seen a couple of comments this weekend read, “I love the pictures you posted but I will never be able to run a marathon.” That’s not true. You’re running one daily — just not the kind where you are wearing running shoes and short shorts. Look, I read your Facebook posts. I know what is going on in your life. You’re running hard and fast.
Your spouse is ill and you’re doing everything you can to care for him or her AND hold yourself together.
You just got laid off, are dealing with the shock, sense of betrayal and fear. But you get up and are looking for a new job.
Depression has set in. Your brain lies to you but you continue to push ahead.
The doctor has called and given you bad news. You’re head is spinning as you look at your family and realize you need to push forward to protect them.
You’re a single parent and are up late every night trying to earn your degree to help better yourself and your children’s future.
Your parents are sick and you’re balancing taking care of them and your own family. Emotions wash over you like a tidal wave every single day.
Your kid, sibling, parent, spouse is struggling with substance abuse. You’re a victim yet fight to help them and take care of those around you.
You’ve lost someone you love and are just pushing to get through the day.
Divorce has punched you in the throat. You’re trying to start a new life but find your self esteem has been crushed.
A disease has knocked you down and you’re struggling to get back up.
You see? You’re a marathon runner. Except there isn’t always a cool, shiny medal at the finish line — there might not even BE a clear finish line. But you’re running the race.
I just ran The Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio (GREAT RACE). And I can tell you this, there are few things I learned this weekend that really have applied to some of the life challenges I’ve faced recently. And they apply to your challenges, too.
1. You are stronger than you think.
2. Find a way to lift up others while you are struggling. I made it a habit to thank every police officer and several of the volunteers while I was running. It took my mind off of myself.
3. Challenges and difficulties are like hills: Don’t complain. Just get over them.
4. It’s much easier with friends (I ran with three good friends and we had a great race. It would have been a bucket of suck without them.)
5. Having people cheer for you along the way makes the struggle easier.
6. Make a plan, do the work and adapt while in the middle of the race. Not everything will go your way. But when you’re ready, you can adjust much easier.
7. Find moments when you can rest while moving forward. It’s like the oxygen mask on the plane, you have to take care of your body or you can’t take care of others.
8. Smile, even if you’re in pain. Trust me, I did at mile 22 and it helped power me through some serious tired legs.
9. Learn how to push through the wall. The wall in running usually happens around 20 miles. It’s when your body, running low on glycogen, gets instructions from the brain to halt. (The brain is protecting itself) The key is to make sure you get proper nutrition and training. But also, it’s learning to dig deep mentally, too. You have to learn how to push through the moment when your brain says, “I can’t go on.” When your body says quit, you have more in the tank. Retired Navy SEAL David Goggins says it is 40%. Who am I to argue with David Goggins? Let your goal push you forward.
10. Find the beauty in the moment — even when there isn’t any obvious beauty. A negative attitude is like driving with the parking brake on. I loved being with my friends, the beauty of the course, the funny signs, the people cheering and the joy of crossing the “Finish Swine.” I could have thought, “This sucks” but I probably wouldn’t have finished. Friends are life’s performance enhancer.
Life truly is a marathon, not a sprint. It is full of beauty and pain. But when you do cross the finish line, may you be able to quote 2 Timothy 4:7 —
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Amen.