“ Well... I got it done and earned my 50K buckle at the Iron Heart Ultramarathon! That being said, it didn't come without some sacrifices. This was by far the hardest race I've ever been a part of. Between the heavy rain, deteriorating trail conditions, no cell service or entertainment, hours on the trail alone, the elevation, drop offs, and one solid fall, this buckle was earned... To call this a "run" is a bit of a stretch though. It was more like a power hike slip and slide, and just a brutal push to keep moving forward. I destroyed my phone and my legs! In order to better prepare for the 110 miler in four weeks, I'm going to withdraw from the Yeti Marathon this upcoming weekend. I feel like this is the best decision in order to get a full four weeks of recovery and training. This was a proud moment, and a buckle that is well worth sacrificing another race for. I can't wait to tackle it again next year!”
Those were the words written by Tyler Melton, an ultrarunner from Owensville, MO, who braved the adverse weather conditions to take home the prize for completing the very difficult 31 mile trail race my husband and I were volunteering at on Saturday. And while the conditions were less than ideal (to say the least), this training in grit and perseverance will definitely pay off when he steps up to the start line for that 110 mile race next month.
And while it's normal to assume that preparing for a high mileage race would require conditioning the body to be able to run a distance many people don't even like to drive, there's more to being ready for a race this difficult than logging miles. It's logging them at the right time.
You see, while the Lord designed our bodies for movement, He also designed them to need rest and recovery. This was an example God set for us in Genesis when, after working six days, "He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made."
Now you can be sure that the Creator certainly didn't need to rest. After all, He is God and never gets tired. But He knew that we would need to rest. After all, He made us. Unfortunately though, rest doesn't come easy or naturally to most runners (or people in general) who, by and large, find it hard to take a day off from working or to let their bodies recover before taking on the next big thing—something that inevitably leads to burnout and/or injury.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
This is the very reason that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and not of the flesh. Often called "temperance," self-control doesn’t come naturally and signifies a mastery over a person’s will, desires and passions. It’s the inner strength that allows us to act according to God’s principles rather than succumbing to our own desires and our need to keep pressing on despite the consequences for doing so at the expense of rest. And it's the discipline that allows us to "withdraw" from things that don't work toward our goal of reaching the finish line.
So, remember that this race of life isn't a 5k but an ultra marathon my friend—and that you, ultimately, are not the Coach of your own life. Which means that self-control and obedience to God’s direction must be practiced in every area of your life if you want to make it to the finish line.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit that resides in us and guides our training in all areas of our lives. Help us to be open to the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit Lord that we might rest when we need rest and withdraw from anything that takes us away from our goal of finishing strong and giving You the glory. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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