Training

I'm training for my second marathon which happens in November. As you might expect, there's a lot of running that will happen between now and then. I follow a schedule that tells me how many miles I need to run every day. Right now, I'm running about 25 miles a week but 2 weeks from now, I will be running about 30. Towards the end of my training, I will put in 45-48 miles every week with 20 mile runs once a week. The idea behind marathon training is that you are teaching your body to endure the rigors of distance running so that when the marathon happens, you're ready.

Those long run days are tough. I usually hit the road after work and run anywhere from 2 - 3 hours. Every 4 miles or so, I will walk for 30 seconds to allow my muscles a chance to recover and regenerate. Marathon experts are conflicted on this practice. Some say that you should never stop because starting again gets more and more difficult. I know what they mean, especially as it gets hotter outside and I struggle to get going again. In last year's marathon, I hit a wall at mile 20. In my mind, I couldn't go another step.

My spiritual journey is very similar. At times, I need to stop but the more times I stop, the harder it is to get going again. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit was given to us to help us get going again. In the Greek, the authors used the word, "paraclete" which is defined as a helper who comes to help us to finish the race.

The Holy Spirit lives in us, empowering us to keep on moving forward through the course of life especially when it seems that we can't take another step. Paul said, "You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting—God's applause! Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming." (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

We have someone who runs the race with us. Another way to look at it is that He runs the race through us.

Train effectively.

Set your sights on the finish line.

Depend on Him along the way.