When I run I like to imagine I look like Eric Liddell, the man who the movie, Chariots of Fire, is about. I have found out that this is not true by seeing photos of me running; still I love to run. I am training at the moment for my sixth marathon in November.
Running marathons is similar to chasing down any major goal except for extra sweat and the joy of getting to eat more chips and salsa after rigorous training. When you run a marathon, paying attention to how you attack a hill is crucial to finishing the race.
I have a tendency to push the hill. When I get to the hill I try to get up the stupid thing as fast as I can. The problem with this is that pushing up the steep hill wastes precious energy.
In running a long race it’s all about conserving energy levels. My running translates over to my dream chasing tenacity as well. I want to push and get up whatever hill I’m climbing and it usually leads to burnout.
Another group of people avoids the hill. I watched a close friend of mine plan out a run and he picked the easiest stretch with as little incline as possible. The problem with this is that nothing good comes from easy. Muscle is built on those hills and if they are avoided until race day, the hills will eat you up and spit you out. (Not literally, the hills are not alive!)
A dreamer that avoids difficult and seeks comfort will never fully accomplish the dreams that are in their heart and mind.
When running the hill, there is a third group. This group is unnatural to most of us runners. They let the hill come to them.
There is no avoidance of the hill, and if there is one in their root they take it in stride. They don’t press up the hill either. They maintain the speed they had as much as possible. Focusing on that next step and gliding up the hill.
The Hill
Balance is achieved on your journey just like with scales. When you have weights on either side and they don’t balance, the heavier side needs to be reduced or the lighter side needs to be increased. A hill in your life would be that you have a lot going on and it usually puts off your balance.
How is the weight at home? Are you facing anything at work? What goal are you working on? How is your health?
Asking questions like these let us know when we are on the hill. Are you on a hill right now?
Burnout
The byproduct of pushing too hard and not resting is burnout. If you have a tendency to burnout you need to pull back or you need to increase rest when you are on a hill. Be honest with the weight and pressure that you are carrying and find out ways to decrease your load.
I ask three questions that help me.
1. What do I need to cut?
a. How can I do that in a healthy way?
2. What am I doing that someone else can do?
a. Who can I train to do that?
b. How can I hand it off in a healthy way?
3. What do I need to say no for now, but not forever? (Andy Stanley question)
Laziness
We can avoid the hill and cover it up in wisdom. I believe one of the biggest idols in North America right now is comfort. We hold up comfort as the standard.
But if the hill is in between you and your dreams, goals, and callings, don’t avoid it!
There are a few questions I ask to find out if I need to run the hill.
1. Does the hill help get me where I want to go?
2. What will it cost if I avoid the challenge?
3. What will I gain if I tolerate the pain?
There will be a lot of hills (challenges) between you and your goals. They require more focus and acknowledgment of our human limits more than at most points in life.
Let the moments refine you, embrace the hill, and let it come to you. Be blessed on your journey.
Questions to Ponder:
How do I normally face challenges?
Where can I adjust to face into challenges in a healthy way?
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Originally Published on zechariahnewman.com
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Photo by Jeremy Lapak on Unsplash