There are days that make life feel like a BIG RACE!
To the Hebrews, Paul urged: “Let us lay aside…the sin which doth so easily
beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”Hebrews 12:1
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes suggests that "the race is not to the swift, nor the the battle to the strong". Eccl. 9:11
President Thomas S. Monson says that "Actually, the prize belongs to the one who endures to the end. "Continue in these things even unto the end, and you shall have a crown of eternal life at the right hand of my Father, who is full of grace and truth." D&C 66:12
Using tips for marathon runners I found on the internet, I correlated them with gospel principles that related to the words of President Monson in this conference talk of April, 2012, "The Race of Life" and had a guest marathon runner come in an present these ideas in a creative, fun way. (The guest was a fictional character portrayed by a class member, which made it all the more entertaining. Discussion of the gospel principle was extensively discussed with each tip.
1.
Collect yourself. [PRAYER] An hour before you
start, find a quiet place, and spend five minutes reviewing your race plan and
motivation. Remind yourself of why you're there," says Rodgers. "Take
confidence in the months of effort behind you. An exciting and satisfying day
is just ahead of you!"
2.
Draw on your strengths. [LISTEN TO THE HOLY GHOST] Training for a marathon isn't like cramming for a test.
That is, doing more miles than you're used to in the last few weeks will
hurt--not help--your race. This is the time when many runners have been at it
for two months or more and are becoming used to a certain level of training. Have
confidence in what you've been doing. From here on out, you're just maintaining
your fitness.
3.
Run like a clock. [SCRIPTURE STUDY] If possible, run at the same time of day as the start
of your marathon. This way, your body's rhythms--including the all-important
bathroom routine--will be in sync with marathon needs come race day. The more
times you can do this, the better, but shoot for at least the last three days
before the race.
4.
Go with what you know. [FOLLOW THE WORDS OF THE
PROPHET] Even if Olympic
Marathon bronze medalist Deena Kastor appears on your front porch dispensing
advice, don't try anything radical this week. Stick to your plan and what
you've practiced during your buildup. For example, if you haven't done regular
speedwork, now isn't the time to start just because someone told you it will
keep your legs "fresh" while you're tapering. At this point, also
ignore any "can't-miss" diet tricks from friends. "So much of
those last few days is mental," says Wells. "Feel comfortable with
what you're doing rather than trying something new and worrying how it will
affect you."
5.
Set Goals & Visualize Your Success "Review your training and set one goal for a good
race day, and another as a backup plan in case it's hot or windy or you're just
not feeling great," Rodgers recommends. "So many things can go wrong
in a marathon that you need that secondary goal to stay motivated if things
aren't perfect, which they seldom are." Your primary goal is the one
you've been working toward during your buildup: a personal best, qualifying for
Boston
Quote B:
Experience During the Race: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we
experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such
qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and
all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our
characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender
and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God . . . and it is
through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education
that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and
Mother in heaven. . . .” (Orson F. Whitney, as cited in Kimball, Faith
Precedes the Miracle, p.
98.)
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