Daily Dose 62: Marathon

Who practices more, the runner for the 100 meter dash, or the runner for the marathon? Real runners for either of those races would both practice a great deal. The difference is not how much they practice, but how they practice, because the needs of the races are very different.

The sprinter goes as fast as he or she can, every  muscle primed for that burst of speed. Allowing any one to pass imperils their chance of winning. Marathon runners must pace themselves, preserving energy for key times in the race. Another runner leading even helps set a good pace, until it’s time to pull ahead.

So, life is more like which—a sprint or a marathon? We’d all agree there are sprinting moments, but life itself is much more like a marathon.

The Sprint is the View from the Trenches

When we are focused on our everyday routines and responsibilities, we are looking at the little sprints of life: deadline for this paper, no time to fix that meal, should have talked to the children yesterday. Driving, driving, driving to finish this, settle that, arrange the other. In a sprint, (as the hare discovered) taking time to rest may leave you out of the winner’s circle.

The Marathon is the View from the Sky

We need to step back from sprinting to remind ourselves, a sprint is a temporary burst from the healthy pace of the bigger marathon. Even in a marathon, standing still is bad, consistent is good, and planned speed adjustments are necessary to reserve strength for unexpected demands.

Wise stewards know when to “speed up” and when to “slow down.” Wise stewards know what kind of refreshment they need when, and have prepared for it. Wise stewards know how to focus energy when it’s called for and when to preserve energy for the next rush. How are you doing in your marathon?