1^st Corinthians 9: 25-26

25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.

Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Competing in half-ironman distances is hard. It requires hard work, dedication, devotion, and commitment that often goes far beyond what a normal training routine would be.  We need to plan our daily/weekly/monthly schedules and work on the balancing (or juggling) of our passion and the rest of our life.  It is very easy to get our focus so intent on the race that we consider most other activities as distractions that can often be annoying.  The sheer intensity of the routine to get ready often results in self-centered thoughts and focus on the “I” and on all that “I can/should” do to have a good race.  I personally develop a habit of almost ceaselessly running numbers, pace charts, calories, transition approaches etc just running through my head like a speeding train.  All of that self-focus; however, tends to create an unbalanced tension that can often create negative consequences, from unnecessary stress that translates into physical tension and thus impairs our performance, to being short with our friends, family, or those around us without even realizing it.  

It would seem that the athletic achievement in individual endurance sports would not be the most fertile ground for “working together” and “loving somebody else”.  How do we reconcile the trap that seems to be set before us to  achieve the pride of being “an ironman” with the commandment to Love our neighbor selflessly?  How do we go from the focus on what we can accomplish to being selflessly devoted to loving others? 

As in everything else, Christ is our model, and if we follow him we do not have to be afraid of becoming prideful and can actually enjoy the endurance sports much more than we’ve ever imagined.  Instead of individual suffering, a half-ironman distance can become a joy-filled spiritual pilgrimage that allows us to experience God’s presence much closer than we would in any other 4-8 hr time interval.  Just imagine the possibility of spending an entire day not having to focus on anything else but on being filled with spirit and in fellowship with God and those around you for the sheer purpose of loving Him and our neighbors.  In the middle of His suffering on the Cross, while being crucified for our sins and taking all of our pain upon himself, Christ prayed for those around him.  He made sure that his Mother had a new son to take care of her.  Instead of focusing on how much pain he was in, he never looked inward—he loved outward. 

As you compete this weekend, try loving those around you: love those who have supported you in the months of preparation that it took to get you there; thank those who have gotten up hours before you to stand around for hours and hand you a glass of water or a gel packet for no other reason but being supportive;  pray for and encourage those around you.  In doing this, you will avoid the trap of getting lost inside yourself and will gain the power that comes from recognizing His love and letting it shine through you.  And the added fringe benefit of it all is that you will suffer far less on the hills or in the heat .

If you are not racing this weekend, pray for our brethren in Christ—may they experience the joy of God’s love and let it shine through them to all those around, and may they have a safe race that exceeds their earthly potentials.