October 22, 2012 - Pain is Part of the Process
Less than two weeks to go. This is what is officially called the “taper” phase of training. Mileage decreases in order to recover from the strains of training. Now is the time for rest, and for runners, with rest comes doubt. Have I trained enough? Is my body strong enough? Am I mentally prepared? For me, I’ve been dealing with doubts about how I will responding to how painful this race promises to be. Having never attempted to run 100 miles before, I am unfamiliar with the amount of pain that will certainly be present during the late stages of the race.
For
runners, pain and fatigue are part of the training and racing process. In
an ultramarathon, even the best and most extensive training plan will not
eliminate pain and discomfort during the actual race. The length of each
race guarantees suffering. Strangely, that’s part of the appeal.
Every ultramarathon I have run has been painful. In races there are more
times than I care to admit when I ask myself, “What in the world am I doing out
here? Wouldn’t it be easier to just go home?”
Pain
is part of training also. During this training cycle I have had various
ailments, including plantar fasciitis, IT band issues and shin splints.
These issues require constant and vigilant monitoring, icing, stretching and
other therapeutic measures to keep them from becoming larger issues that
require more intensive treatment. These pains, whether during the race or
in training, are frustrating.
Many
people wrongly assume that being a Christian protects us from any pain and
suffering. However, God offers us no guarantees that our lives will be
free from pain or tough times. Christianity is not a free ticket to
abundant health and great wealth. Pain is part of life. We live in
a fallen world plagued by sin. As a result we will face pain and
suffering much greater than what I will face in this upcoming race.
What
is our reaction when faced with pain? Many times it is easy to give
up. Wouldn’t it be easier if I weren’t married? Is having all this
responsibility really fair to me? Did I marry the wrong person?
These questions enter our minds and if we’re not careful can overtake us.
We cannot forget that we will face trials in this life, but we are promised
that through Christ we can persevere through the pain and suffering and be
blessed as a result.
How
do I respond to this pain when running? In a race it’s fairly
simple: keep moving forward or quit. The term “Embrace the Suck” is
one frequently used in the endurance running community. It is most often
used by NCO's in the military referring to when an individual or a group must
complete a task that is pointless, tiring, and/or lame (I realize that
‘pointless, tiring, and lame’ is exactly how many of you would describe this race,
but stay with me here). To me the phrase is very simply acknowledging
that when things get tough you have to make progress despite the pain.
The
choice is much the same in our personal lives. Address the problem
directly and keep moving forward…or just quit. The life that God intends
for each of us is worth fighting for. When it gets tough we must turn to
Christ for guidance and direction, and He can see us through.
In
running, some pain you can run through, while some requires you to stop and
rest. When tough times happen in our lives, some we must forge through
and others require us to stop and evaluate, but in both cases through prayer
and perseverance and a steadfast dedication to seeking God’s will can help us
to battle through the pain to realize the glorious life that God intends for
us.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do
not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I
will uphold you with my righteous right
hand. - Isaiah 41:10
Have
I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified;
do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. - Joshua
1:9
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