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Running and Spiritual Discipline

We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle. -Oswald Chambers
Training has been going well, but the increase in mileage and intensity have left me more tired than usual. I went on a solo long run at Crowders today. I forgot that without the great running companions, along with them the extra motivation and captivating conversations, training could be hard! As I pulled myself up the hills, I was reminded of my Promise Land 50k+ experience two weekends ago. I, too, was tired that day.

Though I ran a decent race, I wasn't happy with it. That is because I know I could have done better, if I had pay more attention to my diet and rest leading up to the race. More than evaluating a race day effort, I need to look at my everyday effort, "on and off the court."

Spiritual discipline is the same way. We don't pray only when there's a crisis. I can't expect myself to act like Christ in crisis, if I don't strive to live like Him and be more like Him everyday. Races and trials in life are but tests to see how well we prepare ourselves to be the best we could.

We don't end our runs on podium everyday; but we need to train/eat/rest diligently everyday to be on the podium one day. We don't experience God on the mountaintop everyday; but we go through the valley, the mundane, and the ordinary with God everyday to one day meet Him on the mountaintop.

At the end of today's run, I learn that I need to fight to be the best everyday like I would on a race day.

Beginning of the ascent to the Hump Mountain on OVT last weekend.

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