In my mind, since afew weeks back I’ve already made the decision not the run the marathon…cuz i’ve not trained for it, yet the whole process of it has been filled with much flip-flopping.
Well meaning people have told me, “you’re fit, you run and you play soccer, why don’t you just run and then get the shirt, and you can surely do it!” And yes, i believe that is so…i’ve done my research, even if you walk at an average pace of 5km/hr you can finish it in 8hrs…it’s not much of a problem.
I know i can finish, i did it last year despite being ill, but if the point is just to finish…then i’ve missed the point for myself. This year, the goal is not just to finish, but to improve and to maintain long term fitness, and here comes the ironic part…if i were to just push myself to finish (but i walked most of the way) I would know that i did it just for the shirt, and that’s not an achievement for me. If i were to push myself for the race, and then crash for a week to recover, i’d have just trashed my body (just a week before my IPPT, not smart…) and in the process, actually set my long term training back quite afew weeks…the sudden burst to do 42.195km, when i’ve just been hovering around 10km and clocking little time on the roads isn’t a prudent one…it may even be a destructive one
Yes, it means giving up some $$ paid, it means being abit embarassed by saying i’m not running though i signed up, it means that my pride is a little hurt. Yet…at the same time, weighing the other side, i’ve an IPPT in 2 weeks which i’ve targetted an award, i’ll still be on track for my long term fitness plan, and yes, i’ll not have to worry about recovery for the next few weeks (when i’ll be really busy with SMC, Youth Camp & META)…
So…this year, the marathon has taught me something else…sometimes, the best thing to do, is to give up a short term achievement for the long term benefit. The process of long term training is of more value than a momentary, quick win…
On the flipside, if i had put in the training, i would have enjoyed the rewards! And yes, i’ve been reminded of another truth…
“You’ve been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you’ll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.” 1 Peter 4:6 (MSG)
Exercising DAILY in God, maintaining that intimacy and spiritual discipline is of great eternal rewards. I need to keep my eyes on the goal…and sometimes that means giving up things that appear good in front of me.
So simple, yet so profound.
AMEN!