Run Your Own Race

Exercise enhances both our physical and mental health

I have friends that run marathons. I love them, but I kinda think they’re crazy. I can’t think of any good reason that I would ever want to run that far. I mean, they make cars for that! Right?!?

I would see these friends and others posting photos on social media doing their CrossFit workouts or running in the mornings. Other posts proudly display medals or trophies from fitness competitions or marathon finishes. Those posts of fit and happy women have, at times, caused me to second guess my health routine. Maybe my evening walk just wasn’t enough?

Comparison. Why are we so quick to look at what other women are doing and let it blind us to the good that we are doing? Hebrews 12:1 says that we should run with endurance the race that is set before US, not the race that is set before the woman next to me or any other woman, for that matter. I am to run the race set before ME.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us -Hebrews 12:1

In the past, I have tried many exercise plans that didn’t suit me, and I had a less than stellar success rate at sticking with those plans. I would get bored and discouraged easily, which would lead to giving up, quitting, and then shaming myself when I saw others thriving as they succeeded in reaching their fitness goals.

So, why is walking the one thing that I always turn back to and stick with regularly to help maintain my health? I think the answer lies in how God wired me. My brain fires on all cylinders at all times. My attention span is short, and I get distracted easily. Walking is kind of like therapy for me. It is the one time in the day when I can turn everything else off, walk briskly, listen to a podcast, or just spend some quiet time with God to decompress from my day.

Walking is not just for my physical health, it is for my mental health, too. Nothing makes me feel better than a brisk walk outside and a podcast with an encouraging message. I love it. Therefore, I stick with it and when I lapse, I miss it, and I always return to it.

We are not all made to love the same things. Our bodies are not made to work the same way. We are not all called to achieve and maintain the same fitness levels. Just like my marathon running friends find joy in crossing those mileage goals, I find joy in my consistency in walking.

We are called to keep our bodies strong and healthy in order to fulfill the role that God has for us this side of heaven. To do this, we must find what works best for us and stop trying to imitate what others are doing if it does not fuel our passion.

Sometimes I still wish God would have gifted me with a love for running marathons or CrossFit, but I will choose to be joyful as I walk my way to health. My crazy marathon running friends can keep on running and I will be cheering them on as they cross that finish line!

Reflection

1. What is your favorite way to fit exercise into your schedule? If you struggle to find time for exercise, what is one thing you love to do that will get your body moving today?

2. If you are a runner or love to workout, how can you encourage your friends that don’t share your love of fitness to find their own passion for exercise?

3. What is one step you can take today to begin to run your own race to a healthy body and mind?

Goals

Identify three healthy activities you enjoy that you can prioritize in your schedule:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1 ESV)

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. (Galatians 6:4-5 NIV)