This phrase is not original to me but I have used it during my last few marathons to justify walking after a major battle with cramps around mile 22. When I first started running marathons 10 years ago the thought of walking was in my mind an Epic Failure only reserved for “the lesser”. Ten years older and wiser I now realize the power of the marathon comes in the completion. Yes, I strive for PR’s and the ever present goal of qualifying for Boston (before I hit 40) but at some point I realized that when you cross the finish it doesn’t really matter how it looked in the middle…I finished. I strapped on my Brooks – moved forward – didn’t quit.
Philippians 3:13-14 says Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. The last month has been one greenhouse failure after another causing stress, frustration, heart ache and perhaps a graduation delay, but it is the past. Now I start the process all over again, with yet another lesson learned through trial and error, but with more knowledge comes a greater chance for success. It’s like the marathon, it doesn’t matter what the middle looked like in the end, it is finishing that counts. Although it might not be pretty, whether I receive my doctoral hood in December or May will not matter 10 years from now…I just have to finish.
Off I go to a committee meeting, then to prepare for replanting the greenhouse, and clean out the manure tanks. I am straining toward what is ahead – pressing on towards the goal – to finish the race, because I have to Prepare the Soil for Harvest.
Tightening up the running shoes (Brooks of Course) I will Finish – Running, Walking or Crawling.
Tales From A Poopsmith 
#1 by Mya on February 12, 2010 - 2:54 PM
You are just a running billboard for Brooks…and Jesus. 😀
#2 by streubel on February 12, 2010 - 3:26 PM
I try – I really love them both!
#3 by Abraham on February 13, 2010 - 10:41 AM
great advice. and applicable in many aspects. for us that means persevering in on Missionary fundraising efforts.
and personally i think it will be the catalyst to get me to start running longer distances. i’ve started running again since the beginning of the year, and i’ve hit my 3 mile cap again. that’s kinda been the ceiling that i’ve been able to keep running. but if i start out saying, i’m gonna finish 5 miles and then just keep going even if i have walk some of the middle. then in time i’ll be able to run the full 5. then later i can increase that to 8, 10, 15, or 26.2 miles.
#4 by streubel on February 14, 2010 - 9:06 AM
If you are still around there are a couple 1/2s in October around the Tri Cities.