Lizzie Hutchison discovers that training for a half marathon has more in common with following Jesus than she expected. From runner’s high and pink trainers to blisters and comparison, she reflects on what running has taught her about perseverance, purpose and running the race God has given us.
Sometimes you find yourself accidentally becoming a walking cliché. Or in this instance, a running one. Having recently discovered the concept of endorphins, I did the age-old move of turning a year older and instantly signing up for a half marathon. I thought it would never happen; I thought I was immune to such fripperies. Such diabolical uses of one’s time. Turns out, all it takes is a little peer pressure from my colleagues and a pair of pink Adizeros. And now I find myself three weeks away, staring out of the window at a soggy, grey day and bracing for a 14k dash home. What a loser.
I had a big conversion to the world of exercise when I found Strava. And realised that there was, in fact, a form of social media where I could take selfies and be called ‘sporty’, not ‘vain’. Well, pass me a Lucozade and call me Paula Radcliffe - I’m in. This revelation, coupled with an ‘endorphin epiphany’, meant I found exercise in the same way most people find Jesus - going from cynical to smug in less than 24 hours.
Once you get through the pain barrier with running, you experience ‘runner’s high’, which is currently the only legal way to get blasted. You feel happy.
Once you get through the pain barrier with running, you experience ‘runner’s high’, which is currently the only legal way to get blasted. You feel happy. Pleasantly tired. Incredibly self-satisfied. So, anyway, now I’m a runner. How do you know someone’s a runner? They’ll tell you. Preferably, in print. I still hate Park Run, for the record - mainly ‘cos when I did it yonks ago, someone genuinely pushed past me shouting ‘FAST RUNNER COMING THROUGH’. Honestly. But as I’ve never thrived off forced fun and peppy people, I’m happy to give it a miss.
Hebrews 12:1 calls us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” And running does definitely teach us about perseverance. Some runs feel strong and exhilarating - it’s sunny, you’re flying along, and someone’s just complimented your shorts. Other runs are slow and painful. You come back limping and covered in blisters. It rains. The longer you run with Jesus, the more different seasons you’ll see. And to get through the spicy ones, you have to know why you’re running and where you’re headed. You have to know who you’re running towards.
Another good challenge with both running and Christianity is to try and do it without comparison.
Another good challenge with both running and Christianity is to try and do it without comparison. Some of us are never going to break a 5 minute mile. (My hand is raised). Each of us has a different pace, body, ability and journey. We just have to do the best with what we’re given, and not try and run someone else’s race. It’s tempting to look over your shoulder at naturally athletic people and mutter darkly about how many steroids they’ve taken. Or conversely, overtake someone in the park and bask in that feeling of acceleration. Am I running the race God has given me? I guess I’m trying. The one thing I know is I’m doing it without a Garmin. With a lot of jelly babies. And wearing pink trainers.
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