REVELATIONS FROM A BAD RACE – April 1
April 1, 2014““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.” 1 Corinthians 9:24
In my last post (Race Day), I was in the midst of pre-race excitement and the unknown of never having competed in a cycling event. I am now in the haze of reflection on a weekend of bicycle racing.
I now know that my day-dream of standing on a podium really was a silly fantasy.
I also know the dreaded realization of being crushed by “real” cyclists.
I knew I was in trouble as I watched the other riders warm-up. I was impressed by the degree of aero-equipment that whizzed past me; TT bikes, aero-helmets, aero-wheels, and skin-suits of every variety and shape. The vast majority of my competitors wore the gear of a cycling team and looked very fit. I did not see any newbies, like myself.
The actual race confirmed my fears. They release competitors individually, in one minute increments. I was passed by three racers. In fact, I was passed within the first two miles by the guy who started immediately behind me, after I had been averaging over 23 mph. I finished 10th…out of ten, in my age group, 76th out of 87 overall. However, I had personal bests on both climbs and I maintained my heart rate between 155-165 bpm. It was probably the best I could do.
I am satisfied with the race since my finish was strong (for me).
The crit course is located in the downtown section of a local town, in the form of a rectangle with two block straight-aways and 90 degree corners. It is flat and fast. From the whistle, we were immediately up to 25 mph. I managed through the first and second corners. On the third corner, I was set up on the outside of the turn. I could not see very far ahead due to the group so I set my line base on the rider inside of me. We all leaned into the turn but I quickly released that I was being pinched into the curb as we were coming through the turn. I grabbed my brake a little too hard and felt my back tire slip toward the curb at which point I felt this sense of weightlessness. The next thing I knew I was standing in a grassy area adjacent to the course, inspecting my bike.
I had crashed in my first lap. Fortunately, I landed on the only grass aligning the whole course. A rider with better bike handling skills and experience probably would never have crashed. I am a little disappointed that I did not get back on my bike and finish the crit – I probably could have. The crash rattled and scared me.
I did not finish well. In fact, I did not finish.
I didn’t want to do the road race after my experience with stages 1 and 2. I had been humbled and outclassed. I had done the pre-race ride and knew what a day on the road race course would be like.(Strava-Like Community) A few friends encouraged me to continue and consider the road race as an opportunity to train and gain experience. I had no answer to their encouragement so I sucked it up and went for it.
To my surprise, I hung with the group until the climb at the end of the first lap when I was dropped and the group was gone. I rode in solitude for the next two laps, as I had expected, finishing 12th …out of twelve, in my age group, 49th out of 58 overall. I am happy that I persevered through the race even though my time was not competitive.
Measure the Heart
I was thinking about Paul’s encouragement to compete in a way to obtain the prize. Thankfully, God does not judge our faith by outward appearance. He knows our heart. He knows the blessings and abilities that He has granted each one of us. He does not grant the prize based upon the external accolades from this race we call life.
God judges us based upon our heart.
I may have exhibited more heart and determination than my weekend rankings may have exhibited. I have not been blessed with much of the youth, experience, strength and athleticism on display by those real cyclists. I don’t have the luxury of time to put into dedicated cycling training necessary to achieve the sort of cycling fitness and power that I saw this weekend. But given where I am, I might not be in last place if heart were a category.
God judges us based upon our heart and what our love for Him motivates us to do with all the blessings and abilities He has given us. That is why we should not judge other people by their actions. We never know how competitive their heart really is. They might actually be running a better race of faith than I am without many of the advantages I have been given.
Race Well
We are all in a race. The goal of this race is to persevere and finish strong in our faith. We should all be striving to hear the words, “well done, good and faithful servant”.
We may feel outclassed by other people’s faith and dedication.
We may have crashed our faith due to inexperience and poor decisions.
We may be rattled and afraid of where following Christ might take us.
Bad experiences may have us at the edge of wanting to give up.
We might feel discouraged as we slog along in solitude.
Remember, God does not judge the external results of your faith. He judges your heart. He knows the gifts He has given you. He knows the disadvantages you are overcoming. He knows the faith He has given you. He has you exactly where He wants you. He is providing you with experience and training so that you will persevere to the finish line.
So, don’t give up; look to other real faith racers as examples of what is possible. Take heart in knowing that God has given them the strength to follow Him as they do. He can do the same for you. Most likely, He is already doing it as long as you continue to show some heart – a heart dedicated to loving God more than anything.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for the opportunity to race this weekend. Thank you for showing me how important heart is. Thank you for giving me grass to crash into. Thank you for the faith that you have given me. Thank you for the experience and training that you are putting me through. Lord, examine my heart. Give me examples to follow and be encouraged by. Help me to suck it up and continue when I feel like giving up. Remove all fear of following you with a wholly dedicated heart. Help me to keep the prize of living well for your glory in sight. I want to embrace the hope of obtaining the prize. Grant me a spirit to race my life well. I pray this in the precious name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
A DEVOTED LIFE 
Awesome sharing and testimony. Indeed God alone provides our victories, and God alone defines what is victory.
I taught a Children’s bible lesson last year using the analogy of a long distance race. Some of the points I shared with them:
1. We run our own race – nobody can run it for us
2. But we do not run it alone – God sends people to encourage us and help us along the way, to mend us when we fall, or to give us a drink when we get tired. Accept their help, or be someone’s help
3. We finish at different times, but all of us wins the same prize that has been promised us (Phil 3:14). All the finisher medals are identical.
The important thing to remember is – press on and don’t give up.
Stay in that saddle and keep clocking those miles ! 🙂
Amen JD! The Race Is Not To The Swift Or Strong But To Those Who Endure To The End. The Word says we must endure the trials of life in righteousness, doing it God’s way in agreement with His Word. Thank God we have His Spirit in us who strengthens us to do so. Paul said, ” I therefore run, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corin 9:24-27
God bless..
Such good stuff. Thank you!
Reblogged this on CrashCourse.
Congratulations and thanks for sharing this post.
Reblogged this on verawrites and commented:
God sees your heart. Run your best and He will see you to the finish line!
Thanks for sharing your personal “race” and allowing it to testify to the rest of us. The heart and sincerity of your experience really come through. It was the midday inspiration I needed to continue my own race.
Congratulations on taking such a positive attitude. I know how much it meant to you. God bless you.