“You just gotta push through. It’s like those final miles in a marathon…”

I can’t remember the exact conversations or even the topics, but I do recall on several occasions responding with this metaphor when my kids came to me for advice. They don’t always reciprocate with the same enthusiasm and depth of emotion as one having reached a marvelous epiphany: “I hate when you talk in running metaphors!”

Okay, in my defense I don’t ALWAYS make everything about running. Well, actually, maybe I do.

This morning’s devotional from good ol’ Oswald Chambers “My Utmost for His Highest” featured a verse from one of my favorite Bible chapters: Hebrews 12. Of course, you know by now that Hebrews 12:1-2 is the theme and namesake of my entire blog and has been the foundation of many a post these last three years. But I confess I don’t usually read beyond verse two. Why? Because the rest of the chapter isn’t about running. Or is it? Stick with me; I’m going somewhere with this…

I enjoy looking up different translations of verses.  Sometimes it’s crucial to my understanding of the context and ultimately applying it to my own life. I also love word studies, so seeing the various usages is like a buffet for my eyes and soul. As with most buffets, you tend to fill your plate with what is most appealing and familiar. You might occasionally be adventuresome and try a dab of this or that.

This morning’s featured verse of Hebrews 12:5 was from the New King James version:

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.”

I’d be lying if I said I enjoyed that particular bite. I kind of pushed it around with my fork, dabbled in it, then opened up my Bible app to the more familiar New International version:

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you.”

I still had room on my plate and wanted to get my buffet money’s worth, so I got back in line and this time tried The Message version out of curiosity:

“My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline,
but don’t be crushed by it either.”

Hmmm…interesting. I continued eating, I mean reading.

“It’s the child he loves that he disciplines;
the child he embraces, he also corrects.”

Now this bite started to reach parts of my palate that hadn’t been reached. I found the next portion to be timely since today is the first day of school for most of my friends’ kids as well as first day of work for my oldest child, the new college graduate.

I love seeing all the Facebook posts this morning of kids on front porches or next to campus marquees, sporting grade level signs, giant backpacks, and big temporary smiles.  Now I know, it’s a little early to be talking about discipline. Save that for Back to School Night and Parent Teacher Conferences, right? But just as with running – BOOM, there it is – the discipline needs to start sooner than later. This passage seems to use the words “discipline” and “training” interchangeably:

“God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.”

How would it be if you showed up at Back to School Night and your child’s teacher did not have any plan for classroom or student discipline? What if there was no structure or training in place to guide students from day one? How would you or your children know if they are making progress? How will they respond to consequences? Or disappointment?

Similarly, what if you signed up for a race and showed up at the starting line without having trained at all? Or maybe you had a perfectly executed training plan; how would you gauge its effectiveness? And when things don’t go as planned, how do you react?

Almost thirteen verses in Hebrews 12 about discipline and training. Of course, the last two really got my appetite going and are the whole reason I decided to write this blog post today in hopes that it might help “clear a path” for someone (or maybe it’s just me):

“So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!” Hebrews 12:12-13

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could see the entire road ahead at all times? And even nicer if the path was clear and without obstacles? That is simply NOT an option or reality or God’s plan to grow our character.

The verse that initially made me not want to go back for seconds is now one that is beckoning me back to the buffet. First days of school and work come with huge mixed emotions. As I’ve learned the hard way in many a marathon, I need to pace myself. And exercise self-control along with discipline. And listen to progress reports from God. But perhaps the most difficult is to acknowledge when I need correction and follow-through on it.

I appreciate that one of the verses says “At the time, discipline isn’t much fun.” I don’t know that I’ve ever called ANY race or training run “fun.” Usually when I’ve heard other runners say that a race was fun, it is accompanied by finger “air quotes.” I think what we really mean to say is that the race was fulfilling. Certainly running with friends makes the journey more enjoyable. And those spectacular views along the way make painful steps worth it.

Last Saturday I ran the Bear Creek trail half marathon for the fifth year. Every year I have literally said “Never again!” Parts of this course are simply not fun! This race is always on a hot August morning with lots of elevation changes, poison oak, wasps, and a daunting exposed last few miles ending with a cruel set of steps into a creek then back up a hill to the finish line. My finish times have gotten significantly slower the last two years. This year I was determined to not repeat the mistakes of the past. Better pacing, hydration, nutrition, staying mentally strong, and along the way encouraging other runners was the plan. Mission accomplished.

As a former teacher, principal, and parent of grade school kids, I am going to make this all about running and say that the school year is a marathon. And for that matter, so is starting a new career, business venture, project, relationship, season of life…

Often I read Bible verses that don’t register or grab me at first glance. Regrettably, more often than not, I don’t push through and look for ways to understand them. The good news is that when I ask God for wisdom and discernment from verses in order to know Him better, nothing delights Him more! And it’s like – dare I say – crossing the finish line! That, my friends, is better than any PR or medal!

God’s Word has entire passages about running. If the Almighty Creator of the Universe wants to make it all about running, who am I to argue?

 

Race photo credits: Jason Lehrbaum and Jay Boncodin

“‘Scuse me, how do we get outta here?”

“Outta where?” I asked.

The despondent woman responded with shortness of breath, “Off this trail. Is there a shorter way down?”

This poor woman with a group of six, the youngest of which looked to be kindergarten age, was visiting the Lafayette Reservoir for the first time and had wandered off the lower loop to the Upper Rim Trail. It had taken them over an hour just to get to the spot where they stopped me in desperation. An hour? I suppose if Dave and I had attempted to drag our girls up these rocky, dusty steep hills when they were 5 and 7, it probably would’ve also taken us an hour to go less than a mile.

Since I do happen to know this trail like the back of my hand after coming here the past thirty years, I pointed out that just around the next bend was a side trail they could take down to the main lower loop. They looked relieved.

I ran on ahead and when I reached the trail marker, I pointed it out to the group. They gave me thumbs up and waved in appreciation.

As I ran a little farther, I looked back to make sure they were headed the right way. Not sure why, but seeing this group work their way down that little side trail gave me a sense of satisfaction. It was as if I had a small part in saving them from a miserable, potentially dangerous situation. And the fact that they trusted a total stranger to lead the way.

After all, if we hadn’t run into each other when we did, they might’ve missed the trail marker and the next “short cut” would not have come until after a series of even tougher climbs. And if they missed that one, the steepest climb of all was at the midpoint and would most certainly have sent the kindergartner – and adults – into fits of tears.

Part of me was bummed they didn’t make it all the way around the Upper Rim because the rewards when you reach that midpoint peak are 360 degree views including Mt. Diablo and the valleys below. Maybe they’ll come back when the kids are older. Or with just the adults. I love bringing friends here. When you love something this much, you can’t help but share it.

When I got to the peak today, I stretched out my arms as I marveled once again at the views and uttered praises to God for allowing me to run another day. I haven’t always been able to get to this peak. Lately, it’s been a slower climb than previous years. But I’ve never been more thankful.

The rest of the run was filled with God showing me how closely I need to stick with Him so I don’t go off on a path I shouldn’t be on – or am not prepared to complete. And letting Him lead me back when I realize I’ve gone too far.

Later that day I got the email that runners’ love to get: “Congratulations! You have been randomly selected for the opportunity to register for the April 29, 2018 Big Sur International Marathon.” So I wasted no time in making it official and completing my online registration. I do believe I set a new PR for fastest race registration…probably shouldn’t be THAT proud of how fast I can enter my credit card info. But amidst the adrenaline rush, I actually took a moment to read the fine print before I hit the submit button. In particular, that little disclosure I usually skim over called “Course Time Limit.”

Having just run my ninth San Francisco Marathon two weeks ago, some of the post-race reviews and comments I’d read were fresh on my mind. What caught my attention were disgruntled runners’ remarks about how they were directed onto the Golden Gate Bridge walkway vs. roadbed, how water cups were gone by the last aid station, and how there were so few volunteers and crowd support at the end. Turns out that most of these comments were from runners who had finish times well PAST the allotted six hour cut-off. Other reviews mentioned how surprised they were with all the hills (we are still talking about San Francisco, right?) and how it would’ve been nice to be prepared for them.

Full disclosure. Good in life and in marathons.

I have been guilty of not reading race disclosures or not checking course elevations in my earlier years of running. Honestly though, it wasn’t until after I’d run my first trail race (2011 Brazen Racing New Year’s Eve Half at Lake Chabot) and the initial shock of significant elevation that I started paying attention to these charts…and hill training.

I’ve definitely missed a trail marker or two over the years. I have also been guilty of overestimating my abilities and allowing pride and enthusiasm to sideline wisdom and good practices. Like the time I wanted to get in a long heat training run and thought going 18 miles in 103 degree temps would be a good idea. After the run, I literally stumbled into a Safeway Jamba Juice, saw spots, put my head between my knees while standing in line, and must’ve blacked out since the next thing I knew, a man was leaning over me asking if I was okay.

Then there was the other extreme. That time I set out for a run after work but left later than I intended (parent conference that went waaaaay longer than expected). I had not packed cold weather running gear since the plan was to run earlier in the day. Who would’ve thought a few hours could make that big of a difference in temperature? Not only did it get ridiculously cold, but it turns out that my regular running route did not have any street lights. That night I ran in complete darkness except for oncoming car headlights. It was so dark I could not see where my next step was, and I was so cold that I could not feel my fingers. When I got back to my car, I’m not sure how I got in and turned on the heater since my fingers were frozen. Since I had only worn shorts and a tank top, I could see that my legs were purplish blue.

Aaaaand that time I wasn’t prepared for a torrential downpour. PSA: Mylar blankets were not made for wind and rain.

Perhaps these running fails are what inspire me to continue blogging. It’s the joy of encouraging others in their journeys, helping avoid misery – and maybe – just maybe even saving someone from potential disaster.

My brief encounter with the group on the trails today paints such a sweet picture for me. It’s a picture of how much God loves to lead me to places where I get to marvel at His handiwork. It’s also that scene where I’ve wandered somewhere I shouldn’t have, and He is more than glad to get me back on the right path.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”  Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT