For me, running is the perfect metaphor for life. I’ve done a lot of sports but running presents the most identical situation to life. Unlike other sports, running is something fundamental that I believe everyone can do it.
You don’t get substituted in a marathon. You play all of it.
The difficult sprints align very well with the difficult stretches in life. How you manage and deal with the challenges on the track tells so much about how you’re going to finish (or not) the race. It’s more mental than physical. It presents opportunities to strategize – even before it begins. Preparation matters. You need to be aware of the level of difficulty – the terrain, elevation, and even the weather. You cannot just assume that you can do well without proper training.
Pacing matters too. You have to know which part you will slow down, which part you will give your all. Most importantly, it reminds you WHO to rely on for strength, especially during tougher times.
As for me, I pray to God before, during, and after the run as I believe I can only do these things through the strength coming from Jesus.
So you see… in running, the real goal is to feel better about yourself – your well-being, your mental state. Getting fit physically is just a by-product of it.
