Inside: When seasons change suddenly or life throws you for an unexpected loop, remember these quick lessons from the running trail. ~

This little message, written on the trail to encourage marathon runners a few years ago, also spurred me on every time I passed it on my morning jogs.

Every time I sit down to write a blog post that has anything to do with running, I almost have to laugh.

I’ve never been what I’d call a runner. Partly due to a bad foot and partly due to not being very athletic.

One of my most distinct memories of college is having to jog a mile around an indoor track for a wellness class assignment. I was the last one done, and I thought I was going to pass out before I finished. It was horrible.

Fast Forward

In my mid-30s, I got custom orthotics and began jogging on a treadmill. Not always consistently, mind you, but eventually I found a good rhythm and started to see tangible evidence of the benefits of exercise.

I like to read on the treadmill, so I always resisted whenever anyone suggested I run outside. Then about three years ago, near the beginning of the pandemic shutdown, my daughter Lilly finally convinced me to let go of the arms of my trusty treadmill and join her on the trail by our house.

How Could I Not?

She was senior in high school, with limited time left at home. I wanted to take advantage of every moment with her, even if it meant engaging in the one activity I had always avoided.

Lilly is a patient coach. Over time, I gradually stopped feeling like I was going to die with every stride.

I kept running when she went off to college.  Little by little, I added yards until I met my distance goal.

Ups and Downs

Until I got sick with Covid in February, I was running about 2.3 miles at a time. That might not sound like much to a serious runner, but it’s much farther than I had ever dreamed of running regularly.

Still, I’ve had my ups and downs. The hotter it gets, the more I struggle on the trail. Even when the weather cooled off last fall, it took me a long time to see proof of the running mantra that summer pain equals winter gains.

Over time, I started to wonder if I was in a rut. I thought about trying to run faster or farther.

Getting Back on Track

I decided to keep going as I was, and then I got sick. Everything I’ve read about post-Covid exercise suggests that you can’t just jump back into your pre-illness routine. It takes time to get your strength back and build up your endurance, even after mild to moderate sickness.

I began by walking on the trail and the treadmill, pushing myself a little bit more every day. Once again, it’s obvious how much better I feel—mentally and physically—when my day includes some kind of exercise, even when it’s less than it was before.

The Long Haul

My point in telling you all of this is not to convince you to take up running (or any other kind of exercise, for that matter). Rather, it’s to remind us both that life is marathon, not a sprint.

The scriptures tell us to run with endurance the race set before us. This includes hills and valleys, ups and downs, highs and lows.

Along the way, we experience seasons of sickness and wellness, joy and grief, uncertainty and clarity. We often have no warning before the season changes, which can add another layer of difficulty to what we are facing.

This is life, and even though it should not surprise us, it often does.

4 Quick Encouragements

That said, wherever you find yourself on your own personal race course, perhaps you will be encouraged by a few quick thoughts that have helped me lately.

• Some seasons are just harder.

• Opportunities to compare are abundant; reject them.

• There’s a very good chance you’re stronger than you think you are.

• Growth measured in miniscule increments is still growth.

Onward and upward, friends!

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.