The spiritual marathon
Boston Marathon competitors Stephanie and Lane share their thoughts about the most important race they are running–the spiritual one. Even if long distance running isn’t your thing, their insights about perseverance, joy, and neighborly love can help you in whatever race you find yourself running in life.
Posted on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 11:00 am | Follow responses with the RSS feedTopics: Sports | Tags: athletics, endurance, marathon, running
I love Stephanie’s idea about thinking of running as a God-given talent that can be used to express God. And I really love Lane’s comments that she gained a greater level of awareness, and her declaration that “There is no wall!” (That part reminds me of suffering from “east winds” in S&H 184:27.) Thanks for sharing this!
Lane Brown is a force of nature, truly in God’s own image and likeness. But I’ve known that for almost 31 years. We know that life has no beginning and no end, so I’d call it the only true marathon. The earthly marathon is a demonstration of man’s reflection of God and the true marathon, life, (Love) itself.
The idea of the wall is a really helpful one. Sometimes we see progress and then there appears to be a moment that halts us in our tracks…but just like in marathon running, it is an illusion. THERE IS NO WALL!
You both are a wonderful inspiration.
Love the style and substance.
I am getting ready to run my first marathon and this was an amazing video to watch before hand. I keep telling myself that God will allow me to do anything if I allow my mind to get out of the way. This video has definitely made me more excited to run my marathon and to use it as a way to thank God for everything he has given me. There is no wall!
This was wonderful; thank you, Lane and Stephanie!
I love this video – and I think it’s relevant for all athletes, not just marathons. I really resonated with what Lane said about how useful hymns can be when trying to complete an event like this.
I remember when I swam across the Chesapeake Bay the year after I graduated from college. It was a huge step up to any sort of physical activity that I’d ever done. I swam competitively in high school and college – but always in a pool, and short distances, so this was a huge change and challenge for me.
But my metaphysical prep remained constant and each year got deeper and more relevant to my physical activity and the world around me. All the hymns that I’d learnt in Sunday School suddenly came alive, and were my companions for all 4.4 miles in the water.
The one that kept me going right near the end when I was struggling to finish was hymn number 148 in the Christian Science Hymnal.
“In heavenly Love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?”
Thanks for putting this video together.
Such inspiring thoughts to be used in any long term challenge.
Thank you for all the work on TCM Youth!