This was something I was thinking about on the ride home yesterday after the 100 mile run God had allowed me to complete. I had run the first 50 miles solo but picked up one of my two pacers to help me complete the last 50 (pacers are allowed only after mile 50).
By definition. a running pacer is: an experienced runner who maintains a consistent, predetermined speed to help other runners meet a specific goal time in a race. Often found in marathons or ultramarathons, they provide motivation, guide energy management, and help manage mental/physical challenges during competition, frequently identifiable by signs, balloons, or specific team gear.
They come in the form of marathon “pace groups,” leading runners to finish in specific times (e.g., 3:30 or 4:00 hours and beyond) by running even splits. In ultramarathons, a pacer joins a fatigued runner, aiding in nutrition, navigation, motivation, and safety. They also provide mental support by taking over pace calculation duties, allowing the runner to reduce mental effort, focus on the run, and avoid starting too fast or slowing down. They also help to set a blistering pace in elite races to help competitors set new personal or world records.
As you can see by that general definition then, a good pacer can make all the difference in whether a person reaches the finish line or not. Such was the case over the weekend at the Prairie Spirit 100 mile trail run.
By the time I picked up my first pacer, Amanda, I was struggling mentally to keep my mind focused on the race and off the GI and foot issues I was experiencing. I had also just come off the longest and loneliest stretch in the race (10 miles) between aid stations, and was feeling a bit dehydrated both physically and motivationally.
But soon all that changed. Amanda joyfully and confidently took over the run/walk interval calculations as soon as she took the lead so I could focus solely on adjusting my attitude, and she found multiple ways to encourage and inspire me to keep moving forward throughout her shift. Twenty-seven miles later, my second pacer, my sweet husband Larry, came on board and continued the process of encouragement and mental support until we reached the end and gave God all the glory.
The secret to their success in helping me? They were both experienced runners who had practiced maintaining a consistent, predetermined speed while keeping a good attitude, among other things, so they could use their skills to help other runners (in this case, me). I followed their lead and it paid off.
And, you know, when it comes to following leads, Paul wrote this to the church at Corinth, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Paul had worked very hard to become more like Jesus by consistently and tediously studying the Word and His life so that he could mimic and mirror His actions. In doing so, Paul used his skills, knowledge, and lifestyle that came from a life of imitating Christ to help and inspire others to follow Jesus.
In the same way, as Christ’s disciples, you and I are to imitate His character and, in doing so, provide life models worthy of imitation. In this way, we can “pace” others along in their spiritual race of life so they don’t get weary and give up.
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” Philippians 3:7-8
This is something we do by following the example of Paul who counted “all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus” and pursued a relationship with the Savior above the things of this world. Paul’s sole pursuit in life was to know God, to imitate the life of Jesus, and to make God’s great Name known.
And, of course, we know that the knowledge of Jesus and knowing God begins with a daily practice of disciplined Bible study and meditation. You see, it’s only when a believer seeks to know Christ intimately that they can become like Him, and inspire others to seek Him because of the way they live.
“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8
So, seek to know God through the Bible above all else my friend. Make training in the Word an even greater priority than exercise and you will not only reap spiritual benefits yourself but will inspire others to do the same by your example.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that, like Paul, we were meant to inspire others to follow You by the way that we live our lives. Lord, help us to "set the pace" of what it means to follow Jesus to all those around us. Compel us to seek You above all else so that we might imitate you in such a way that others will see You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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