The weather couldn't have been more perfect, but sometimes the body has its own plan. Calf cramps kicked in at mile 4, and my left foot decided to go completely numb on and off between miles 5 and 9.
I had to listen to my body and walk a bit to manage the pain. While I finished around 2:17ish—missing that 2:10 pace target—it was still faster than my time last year! I’m counting that as a major win for the foot. I truly felt God’s presence picking me up and guiding me through every mile of that challenging course.
Sometimes the "win" isn't the number on the clock, but the grit it takes to get to the finish line anyway. This course is super hilly and another one for the books. Come join me next year on April 10, 2027 for the Bridge and Dam.
Those were the words written by my dear friend Erika (pictured above holding the 2:10 pacer stick) yesterday, the day after pacing the annual Bridge and Dam Half Marathon at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Now, if you’re unfamiliar with the world of pacing, that 2:10 on the pacer stick meant that Erika’s job was to get the runners in her group from the start line to the finish line (13.1 miles later) right at or just under 2 hours and 10 minutes. As you can imagine, this meant that Erika would have to keep a consistent pace while encouraging the runners in her group to keep pressing on to the end—something that’s no easy task. As someone who’s run this course before, I’ll attest that it is indeed a challenging one. Running in the Ozarks always includes a multitude of hills.
And while it’s true that Erika didn’t meet her “pace target,” what’s most important is that she pressed on through the pain, finished strong, and gave God the glory for giving her the “win.” You see, I have no doubt that Erika inspired and will continue to inspire others to trust God and press on when things don’t go as planned by the way she chose to keep the joy and trust God’s plan rather than her own.
This, in fact, should be the attitude of every believer since God never promised us a life of ease. What He did promise, though, is that all who remain faithful to the end will receive “the crown of righteousness.” This crown isn’t given to a runner for ‘the number on the clock’ but for the fight, grit, and perseverance displayed by remaining faithful until the end. Is that awesome or what?
This steadfast endurance was something Paul clearly understood when, nearing the end of his race, said “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
“Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:12-28
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—“ 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
In fact, there were times in Paul’s life when the race got so hard that he felt as if he would be crushed by the weight of the pain, persecution, and perils he was experiencing…but he never despaired or lost hope. And because of Paul’s perseverance and steadfast devotion to God and fulfilling the mission God had given him, countless believers (including myself) have drawn strength from his grit and chosen to press on until the end.
So, this is the deal friends. It’s easy to praise God and run the race when the course is easy and the conditions are perfect. But that’s not what inspires those who are “struck down” to finish well and keep the faith. Our example in the face of opposition does! Which is the very reason, we must never quit and never give in to the temptation to say “Woe is me, this race is just too hard.”
But instead we must praise the Lord and press on knowing that “the win” isn’t in reaching our goal but in reaching the goal of finishing well and inspiring others to do the same.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that every believer has the power to influence their brothers and sisters in Christ to either give up or to keep pressing on. Help us to keep our eyes on that final finish line so that we would be, like Paul, an encouragement to those who are struggling to finish. Help us to always keep joy in our hearts and praise on our lips, so that we can one day like Paul say "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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