“In a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize.”

[1]

LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNER

LONELINESS

is something one faces whether truly alone or surrounded by people in a crowd. It really doesn’t matter. In 1962, Alan Sillitoe wrote the book (later a movie), The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. It is the story of a rebellious young lad who discovers himself in long distance running. And it raises the question, in a sport in which one runs, by and large, alone, what are the qualities essential in making a mentally tough runner?

I spoke about this with Dr. JoAnn Dahlkoetter, winner of the San Francisco Marathon and second-place finisher in the World Championship Hawaii Ironman Triathlon. Early in our conversation, JoAnn wanted me to know that she, too, is a follower of Jesus Christ, while answering the question about what makes a mentally tough runner. In her book, Your Performing Edge[2], she lists seven key traits inherent among runners who succeed.

THE SEVEN KEY TRAITS ARE

Resilience: Able to bounce back from adversity, pain, or a disappointing performance.

Focus: Able to focus in the face of distractions or unexpected circumstances.

Strength: Mentally tough, strong and flexible, able to respond to any situation that arises.

Preparation: Anticipates situations ahead of time. Feels prepared. Doesn’t panic in a crisis.

Vision: Keeps moving forward with the objective, even when there are no immediate signs of getting closer to the finish line.

Openness: Constantly learning, open to all possibilities, listens to the inner voice saying, “I can do this.”

Trust: Has faith in oneself, trusts in her training, her plan and her coach, even when there is no one close by to boost her confidence, even when the finish line seems far away.

THESE ARE THE REQUIRED TRAITS

for the long-distance Christian entrepreneur, marriage partner, pastor, parent, senior adult, or business professional. These are qualities found in every excellent family leader. Resilience. Focus. Strength. Preparation. Vision. Openness. Trust.

And there is one more trait besides.

Having come alongside countless others on life’s ‘long distance run,’ the difference I’ve seen, setting some ‘runners’ apart from others in attitude and determination, is their faith in the One True God and a belief that “all things work together for good to those who are called.”[3]

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”[4]

These are those who run TO, not FROM. Life’s victory crown is the prize waiting at the finish line. The Apostle Paul, one of history’s greatest long distance faith runners, and soon to be martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ, said to young Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.[5]

AT MIDLIFE OR BEYOND

we may no longer be sprinting the hundred yard dash. From here on we must depend on our physical, psychological and spiritual conditioning, on years of training, a life plan, and our Coach.

This long distance run we call ‘life’ will at times be lonely, but we take heart and press on “even when there is no one close by to boost our confidence, even when the finish line seems far away.”

Run well, dear friend.

“Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”[6]

[1]1 Corinthians 9:24

[2] Your Performing Edge,  JoAnn Dahlkoetter, 2002, Pulgas Ridge Press

[3] Romans 8:28

[4] 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

[5] 2 Timothy 4:7

[6]Hebrews 12:1.