This past year I joined Laura for just part of one of 4 marathons she completed this summer (she is my hero!). It didn't take long for me to become painfully aware that the Park City Marathon course was not designed around speed, but rather to highlight the beautiful mountain scenery. In order to keep my mind off the agony I began to take note of the various signs being held by the crowd that had come out to support (or deride) us. Some signs bore encouraging sentiments: "You can do it", "We love you, mom", or "I'm so proud of you". Others made me smile like: "They say 80% of running is mental... that means you are all crazy". However, there was one sign that had a lasting impact on me. It read simply, "Trust your training". It occurred to me that besides telling someone NOT to run, this was the next best piece of advice you could give someone on race day.
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| Sample Training Plan - Ogden 2011 (goal time 3:45) |
We usually spend around 5 months preparing to run a marathon by following a strict running schedule (sample below). The running schedule we use is developed based on the distance we plan to run (marathon) and the time we want to achieve. The schedule demands running 4-5 days a week at various speeds and distances. If we are fortunate enough to stay healthy, motivated and complete the training we might have a fighting chance at reaching out goal. However, more importantly than the physical preparation, the 5 months of training is meant to prepare us mentally for the inevitable moments during the race when we question our ability to complete the distance or keep up our target pace. It is at this difficult time when I 'dig deep' into my memory and recall overcoming similar doubts over the previous 5 months of training.
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| Red Rock Relay - 2010 |
And so it is in life when we progress outside our comfort zone and worry that we are not ready. Whether it is starting Jr High, High School, College, or a new job; Or perhaps performing in a concert, big game, or taking a big test. The knowledge that I have been prepared for each step by completing the prior training (graduation etc) is the confidence I need to keep moving forward. I believe that this principle also holds true for after this life. Through our Savior's example and teachings I believe we have all been given the training plan we need to prepare us for the step we will be taking after we die. Do we trust this plan enough to follow it? Will we have confidence as we meet our judge in heaven because we recognized that this life was the time to prepare to meet God (Alma 34: 32-34) and so we worked hard and completed the training plan .
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| Red Rock Relay - 2010 |
I know I still have a lot of training I need to do in order to be ready to graduate from this life. So I will lace up my shoes, toe the starting line (with my remaining 6 toe nails) and ...
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| Finish Line (Zions) of Red Rock Relay - 2010 |
Giddy up, StevieG!
