Running Metaphors for Life: Ruminations of a Nonrunner from the Road

Hubby and I on Race Night

          As my husband and I began discussing our 20^th wedding anniversary earlier this year, and what we might want to do or where we might want to go, to celebrate, he brought up running the Disney Epcot Food and Wine Half-Marathon. He is an avid, long-term runner, and was skeptical when I made an offhand comment that we could run it together. He scoffed, all but daring me to toss my hat…er…running shoes in! Thus began my training for the half-marathon.

          For a nonrunner, getting started running, much less targeting a half-marathon, is just a tad bit intimidating. I decided I would prefer a respectable finish time--not quite dragging myself across the finish line, and certainly not being swept up by the pace car! If you aren’t aware, there are many miles to go in a training program, allowing me to ruminate on the many comparisons that could be made between running and living life. So (in honor of the half-marathon), here are several of the insights I had while pounding the pavement….13.1 of them:

Early Morning Run

1. Start. It may sound simple, but in reality, finding that starting point can be challenging. The start doesn’t have to be as definitive as a line, but the beginning of moving forward. Ready….set…GO!

2. Motivate. There should be a purpose that motivates you to get going. For my purpose, it was a race goal, and essentially not embarrassing myself while doing it. Find that motivation within you to get going.

Equipment at Start of Training

3. Equip. Many runners will tell you that you need this gear, that clothing, etc. Equip yourself with the essentials: shoes, clothing, some tunes in your ear. As with life, you need to equip yourself with the proper tools: frame of mind, education, character.

4. Measure. I quickly learned I wanted to be able to see progress. Learning how I did throughout the run helped me to gauge how much harder I needed to work to improve. Measure your successes, and maybe more importantly, your failures. Use that information to gauge how much harder you need to push yourself.

5. Strive. Well, no one said it was going to be easy. It takes hard work. You have to keep working, as hard as you can, to get to where you desire to be.

6. Persevere. While striving to make that goal you have set for yourself, some days you just want to crawl back under the covers, right? While some days you just need to give yourself a break, you have to keep pushing yourself, through the times of self-doubt, weakness, and NOT give up or give in to inactivity. You MUST persevere.

7. Own. You must own your own race. No one will run the same race as you. While there are plenty who will run much faster than me, and likely as many that finish after me, nobody has the same unique run as I do. Be determined to be unique.

Along the Training Route

8. Share. While your race is your own challenge, there is a community with which to share the experience. There will be those along the sidelines, not running the particular path you are on, but cheering you along anyway, encouraging you to run your best.

9. Encourage. Just as there are those around who encourage you along the way, be an encourager as well. You may share some experiences with others, and can encourage them through a tough spot. Be willing to boost someone along on their own race.

10. Enjoy. You have chosen to run, selected the race, started towards the goal….now, enjoy! Notice what’s around you: the people, the scenery. Enjoy the experience, even (and maybe especially) the tough parts of the race. Your confidence will grow through the tough spots, so you’ll know you can make it through another one.

The Finish Line

11. Appreciate. Be grateful that you are able to run, to live. Appreciate those around you, running the race, too. Be kind and courteous to others along the route.

12. Finish. Don’t quit. Keep pushing yourself towards that end goal, to finish and complete what you started. Follow through with your training and commitment to success.

Been there...done that...
got the shirt!

13. Celebrate. Recognize your accomplishment and success in meeting your goal!! Pat yourself on the back. While you’re at it, pat the back of someone around you who just met their own goal and accomplished something they set out to do, too!

13.1 Adapt and Repeat. Sometimes, things just don’t work out as planned. I planned to run a half marathon, but due to weather, the course was adjusted, and the race ended up being a little more than half of that. I still ran it! When life throws you a curve ball, adjust and adapt to the change, but keep going!  I wasn’t able to run a half marathon…THIS time. However, I still finished in the top 30 percent for my age and gender, so I felt that was an accomplishment, especially going from ZERO! I still have that half marathon to conquer. Once one goal is met, set another, and keep on moving!

“…and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,…” Hebrews 12:1