Its a marathon not a race part 1

Definitions:

Race- The act of running, contest of speed, A raid or strong current of water flowing through a narrow channel
Marathon- Long distance race, an endurance contest


Today I was doing some research on training for a half marathon and I realized that I am training wrong. You see training for a 5k and training for a marathon is totally different. I have been running like it is a race and after about the fourth mile I start to burn out and my legs start to feel weak!

The way to train for a long run or marathon is to start off slow, maintain a steady pace and occasionally walking if needed. As I ran today differently, I began to see the parallel to the race of faith or our walk with Jesus. Sometimes we forget that we are in a marathon and we run like we are in a race.

As I mentioned above it is suggested in your first marathon that you take little walk breaks, this is help to recover and give you that short rest that you need to continue running. This was surprising to me because I had put the pressure not to walk at all and that is a problem. Sometimes Jesus wants us to slow down or walk if you will, but we have these expectations of what we should or need to do and we run ahead of Him.

I remember my first 5k when the gun went off the adrenaline kicked in and I was gone. I was not maintaining my usual pace and I was hurting by the time I got to mile 2. Thank God I was running with a friend that pushed me because I would have probably stop running. I have seen this happen so many times. Think about a time when you have attended a retreat. you come back on a spiritual high and you come home with 1001 things that you need to do. You have these expectations on what it is like to be Holy and before long you are burnt out! Sometimes its OK to walk, to wait on Jesus remember its not a race it is a marathon.

Running a short race puts a all or nothing mentality. It is go big and go fast or go home! This is dangerous mentality if you are running a long race. Building endurance and keeping a steady pace is crucial to finishing a marathon and I will talk about that tomorrow! Part two to follow!!!

Running to win,
Moni