Running My Race at My Pace

Last month my feet hit the pavement in a slow, steady rhythm – not too fast – not too slow – just right. I needed to get used to my pace again. After all, I had been a half-marathon runner – I can do it again! But, I had been in “feet prison” for several months because I had injured my ankle playing pickleball or was it an overdo on the treadmill or was it the plantar fasciitis – oh me! What in the world? I’ve still got RACE in me!!

RACE: a competition/contest/event/heat between runners, horses, vehicles, boats, etc., to see which is the fastest

It seems the signs of the times are playing me! And, that little out and about walk/jog did my ankle in…..again and it’s back to the fitness center for the elliptical equipment and the stationary bike. All to stay in top notch condition as I run my life RACE! My sweet daughter has been my bike pal on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We’ve had great girl time talks and it’s become one of my 2-day-a-week favorite times.

I’m quite content with this new pace of my race -- that is, until, out of the corner of my eye, I see a shapely, fit, lean older-than-me "cougar" runner with a smooth, speedy stride that I can hardly fathom AND she’s lifting weights beyond what the men are lifting. Suddenly I feel like the pace of MY race is as slow as the tortoise – not the hare! Have you ever felt the same?

We can so quickly shift from focusing on “the RACE God planned just for us” to comparing ourselves with someone else. And as every runner knows, where your eyes go, your feet (and heart and life) will follow.

The cure to comparing is "fixing" -- fixing our eyes on Jesus and consider all He went through for us. In other words, if we’re going to focus on a path besides our own, then we should think about the ONE that led to the cross. Because that changes everything. Instead of what we don’t have, it reminds us of all we’ve been given. Instead of how we don’t measure up, it reminds us of the limitless grace that is ours. Instead of self-pity, it gives us a reason to lift our hands and hearts in praise. The path to the cross is what enables us to “not grow weary and lose heart.” In other words, it helps us to keep pursuing God’s best for us and it protects us from distraction. It also reminds us that the journey we’re on is not about competition, but completion.

Theirs is NOT my RACE and not my PACE.” As the runner passes me, I repeat this over and over again in my mind. Soon Ms. Speedy Feet is out of sight. I wonder where she’s going, and I smile as I remember where I’m headed. I’m headed HOME – my cozy place of rest and comfort on this side of heaven and HOME where I belong once my RACE is finished. I don’t want to miss out on the goodness God has prepared just for me in this life. Or the next. Even if sometimes I’m a little slower and less graceful getting there.

“Let us run with perseverance the RACE marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1

It's Not Broken -- Just Wrong Programming

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the fitness center in my community to run on the treadmill. As I ran, I watched the Dallas Cowboys game and they got off to a great start but, apparently they were "out of order" because they lost to Atlanta 7 to 27. On the same note, occasionally, you’ll see a sign on one of the treadmills in my fitness center that says “temporarily out of order”. I heard about one gal who was running on a treadmill and it started picking up speed -- a lot of speed -- and she nearly fell before she could get it to stop. But, it wasn’t about the equipment malfunctioning – it was because she "entered" a program she wasn’t capable of handling. It was “user error” and wrong programming. Now I know why they have some treadmills with a sign on them that says “This treadmill is for those members who prefer a slower pace.” So far, I’ve stayed clear of those machines!

Here’s my point for today’s post. We could be going about our daily routines -- coasting along -- business as usual. When, all of a sudden, our world feels like it's out of control and can't seem to stop the all-too-fast pace we are keeping. We realize we're about to lose it.....and we know we MUST push the STOP button, or we'll crash and burn. When we stop, we realize something is wrong -- is it my circumstances or is it ME that is out of order or I need reprogramming?

God created us as powerful, fully equipped "machines" that have everything we need to perform at full capacity, but occasionally "stuff" happens that causes our programming to become dysfunctional. For example, a couple of weeks ago, I was hit with an "issue" and I needed to go see my doctor as sson as possible. After tests were run, while giving the diagnosis, my doctor asked “How much water are you drinking?” I was caught by my doctor AND my body. I was drinking mostly tea and coffee and NOT drinking enough water, so my body AND my “programming” malfunctioned.

If we desire to be victorious, strong, confident, and faith-filled, always ready to run our race with vigor and vitality, we must keep up with maintenance checks -- to be sure we're programmed for efficiency. If that programming starts malfunctioning -- i.e., our physical bodies start breaking down, or we allow negative thoughts to bombard our minds – thoughts of fear, lack of self esteem, quitting thoughts, inferiority – it’s time to update our programming and get a tune-up -- from the neck up. Our thinking probably needs to be reprogrammed.
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Our Master Technician's instruction manual (The Bible) has all the operating standards we need to run at best performance. And, it gives us all the basics we need to "Troubleshoot", "Reboot" and "Reprogram". Once we apply this technique -- we'll be guaranteed to continue to run with efficiency and success. Here's one of the BEST peak performance tips:

Joshua 1:8 "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

We Know More as We Grow More and Learn More

've used every excuse in the world to deter me from my early morning walks, but this day, I was on purpose. First, I thoroughly sprayed myself with bug spray (we were alerted that mosquitoes are on a rampage here -- and the West Nile Virus has been reported. That was reason enough to deter me from my walk, but, NO MORE EXCUSES!!) Actually, it was the first time I did a 3-mile walk/run outdoors in my community. I've run on the treadmills in the Fitness Center but not outside. It's amazing how close to God we can feel when it's early in the morning, very little traffic on a Sunday, and what beauty and details can be noticed, as well as being able to talk to God, unhindered. Why did I wait so long? I made the turn around our entry and there was this beautiful waterfall. I've passed by it dozens of times and really didn't embrace it. I embraced everything this morning. I am healthy -- no aches and pains, I live in a free country, I have family that loves me, and I can worship God as I please. So much to be thankful for -- too many blessings to name.

I was also on purpose to take Denise, Payton and Alexia out for lunch. Larry and Staci are out of town so it was special "Nana" time! Oh, how I love the conversations at the table. Payton recently put an ad in their local community app "Work Needed" -- "Hey! My name is Payton Wallace and am 17 years old. I am looking for any jobs this summer that I can help with! I have experience with everything from power washing, dog walking, tutoring, piano lessons, house sitting, and more. I have a couple of bills that I need to pay coming up and don't have enough to pay them! (Car payment, insurance, etc.) So if anyone has any work that needs to be done let me know! I am open to almost anything!" And, he has been non-stop busy with over 58 folks who needed help. I'm so proud of his entrepreneurial/willing-to-work attitude and spirit.

And then there's my Alexia -- who was detailing her recent baby sitting job with two children who were bound and determined to be fed junk food versus making healthy choices. My Lexi has now matured to a ripe old "almost 16 years old", and along with that maturity has come the realization that healthy and nutritious food is most important, so she did her best to persuade the children to eat healthy food choices, but without very much success. Denise and I were both smiling at the changes in our girl. Not so long ago -- those two little kids represented my Lexi and Payton -- who loved coming to Nana's house and their Uncle and Aunt's house because food choices were "anything goes". Papa and I loved showering them with a wide variety of treats (i.e. Krispy Kreme donuts). That's a perk of grandparenting. That's why I got them a molten chocolate cake for dessert yesterday. Shhh! Don't tell their mom and dad! LOL!

The point of my post today is "don't sweat the seasons". In due season, we grow smarter, wiser and healthier when we listen to God's voice of wisdom, because "He that began a good work in us, is faithful to complete it." Philippians 1:6. It's amazing how much we come to know as we grow in maturity, wisdom and in God's plans and purposes for our lives.

Lesson Learned: Run Your Own Race -- Not Someone Else's

I do my best to run at least 15 miles a week on my treadmill and sometimes walk with friends around my neighborhood. Where my Jacuzzi tub would have been installed, I had my builder to simply put the plumbing in the wall, in case I ever wanted to install it. Instead, that’s where my treadmill is located. I’m on purpose. I know the health benefits of running/walking/jogging (i.e., staying active). I’ve been running for many years. Best of all, it keeps my goal weight intact, especially with this love of food that I have! LOL! This is MY race and I’m running it.

I have friends that regularly go to a gym, have fitness trainers, have their FitBit watches on to monitor their activity levels. I could quickly shift from focusing on “my race” – the one that’s marked for me, and start comparing myself to others. When my eyes were not on "my race", I had some major falls and it took lots of intense therapies and chiropractic treatments to get healthy enough to get back in “my race”.

Among the basics for running (or even walking) is “keep your eyes on where you are going”, instead of getting distracted. The distractions can keep us from seeing the uneven pavement, the stones in our pathway, or puddles in the road – all of which can be that obstacle that sends us tumbling. My little sweet Mama taught me that. The older she became, the more focused she was on her steps. She had too many friends with broken hips, legs or arms that came as a result of carelessness – not focusing on “their race”. The remedy is “considering” as we run our races.

It’s the same principle as we run our “life races”. Hebrews 12:1-3 says “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, FIXING OUR EYES on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith . . . Consider Him who endured such opposition so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

The cure to eliminating distractions, disappointments, weariness and from comparing ourselves to others is “considering” (aka focusing). Fixing our eyes on Jesus, CONSIDERING Him and all He went through for us, keeps us pursuing God’s best for us and protects our minds from distractions. It also reminds us that the journey we’re on is not about competition but completion. "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Yyou, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!" Isaiah 26:3

I sure want to finish my race strong, and the best, most efficient, and care-free way to do that....is keeping my eyes on where I'm going -- keeping my eyes AND thoughts on Who's waiting on me at the Finish Line! I'm running to the Finish Line set just for me, and when I get there, He WILL BE there waiting for me.....with arms open wide.

American Ninja Warrior -- Thinking Outside the Box

Please don't judge me....I love the show "American Ninja Warrior"! I watch it while I'm in warrior mode on my treadmill (I tape the show to get each episode). I watch these people pushing their bodies beyond human possibility. They rigorously train for a year to become the "American Ninja Warrior". In 5 seasons, no one has won, yet the show has proven to be the best reality competition series ever. The competitors have their athletic & mental skills tested beyond limits in the crazy, and seemingly impossible-to-conquer obstacles. Though in 5 seasons, there has been no winner, there will be. I promise you. Olympians, professional athletes, rock climbers, runners and everyday folks -- men and women of all ages and backgrounds -- train for their one shot to compete, many of which end in mere seconds on the first obstacle. So what's the appeal?

Sure, a $500K reward is a factor, but hearing the stories of the people that overcome adversity for their cause and goals is the most amazing. Whether they're doing it for an ill friend, a mother with breast cancer or whether it's their own personal achievement -- weight loss, beating drugs or alcohol -- and it's something that we all can identity with.

Last week, I saw many veteran competitors try to win over one particular obstacle, the cannonballs -- where they had to lunge toward the hanging ball, hold tightly and lunge to the next ball. One by one, the veterans failed and fell into the water. Then a rookie, Kevin Bull, successfully made his way through all the obstacles and then it was his turn to defeat the cannonballs. I watched as he went outside the box, by thinking of another way to get it done. He swung to the last one -- and not with his hands, but his feet and conquered that obstacle. He won't be the last -- there will be others that will conquer that obstacle, too.

Wasn't that like Roger Bannister, the first to conquer the 4-minute mile, and now high school athletes can run the 4-minute mile. What are you willing to achieve by thinking outside the box? What are you willing to do to accomplish your goals? I don't know about you.....but watching the relentless determination of these warriors sure makes me want to give my ALL -- physically, mentally, and spiritually to use what God has given me....to conquer any obstacle that comes my way.....and even do so, sometimes, by "thinking outside the box"!