Hebrews 12:1 τρέχωμεν
Therefore since we ourselves have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every impediment, and the sin that so easily distracts, and let us run (trechōmen| τρέχωμεν) with endurance the race that is prescribed for us.
Let us lay aside every impediment, sometimes encumbrance is used.
And the sin that so easily distracts, or sometimes so easily entangles us.
As runners we’re already doing a lot of these things.
Impediments? Encumbrances? Distractions? Entanglements?
I think you’d agree that “sin” is a word that us moderns don’t really use very often.
Some running parallels: chafing, blisters, crappy shoes, wonky gear, increased technology, social media, drones, selfie sticks, carb loading, injuries, plantar fasciitis, getting old, winter, summer, rain, snow, bugs, GI stuff, toilet paper, hiding behind bushes, not having any bushes to hide behind, lol…
I was going to add pregnancy but I am a male runner and don’t have any female contributors, so I’m not going to go there.
This list probably needs to be expanded and sorted: work schedule, personal tragedy, making time for people, other priorities, lack of money, addiction, childish behavior, laziness, pride, self centered, crap attitude, alienation, obesity, nutritional Bermuda Triangle, acceptance, mean/nasty people…
Impediments? Encumbrances? Distractions? Entanglements?
As we progress in running or in life we’re always looking to limit interaction with the above list.
A little bit of tape here or maybe some lubricant there. We gain experience as we encounter feedback, minimizing friction and maximizing endurance or speed.
Personally running is an active form of meditation for me, while at the same time being an athletic discipline of continuous improvement.
The spiritual life and our mundane life cannot really be separated, they are one and the same.
Just as improving a VO2 max scores are important for our athletic goals, improving our attitude or likability can serve those same ends.
I queried Google Gemini recently about the basic categories of life and below I’ll paste what it gave me.
I’m really good at 4/5 but social connection has always been my “skip” category. Meh, it’s just very hard for me.
I can just go for a 4 hour run, right? That’s hard, that’s rewarding. Sure, those things are true.
Am I making time for people in my life? How am I doing on Community? or Belonging?
Well, tbh, not very good.
I am aware of this flaw. I would like to work towards improving this aspect of my “pie”.
Let’s say we score ourselves out of 20 in each of these 5 categories… How do you score? We all have our strengths and weaknesses.
We all have our encumbrances.
…let us run (trechōmen| τρέχωμεν) with endurance the race that is prescribed for us.
1. Balanced Nutrition
What you eat provides the raw materials and fuel for your cellular function and energy. [5, 6, 7]
Whole foods: Focus on a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support digestion and joint health.
Limiting processing: Minimize the intake of added sugars, excessive sodium, and highly processed foods. [8, 9, 10, 11, 12]
🏃♂️ 2. Regular Physical Activity
Movement keeps your cardiovascular system strong, maintains muscle mass, and boosts metabolic health. [13, 14]
Cardio exercise: Engage in activities like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming to keep your heart healthy.
Strength training: Work your major muscle groups at least twice a week to protect bones and joints.
Daily movement: Reduce prolonged sitting by taking short walking breaks every hour.[15, 16, 17, 18, 19]
😴 3. Quality Sleep
Sleep is the body's natural repair mechanism for brain health, tissue growth, and immune function. [20]
Consistent schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
Duration: Aim for 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night as recommended for most adults.
Sleep hygiene: Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and free of screens or bright devices before bedtime. [21, 22, 23, 24, 25]
🧠 4. Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Managing psychological stress protects your physical nervous system and reduces overall body inflammation.
Stress management: Practice mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or hobbies that bring you fulfillment.
Cognitive breaks: Allow your brain time to rest from constant digital notifications and work demands.
Professional care: Seek support from therapists or counselors when emotional burdens feel overwhelming. [26]
👥 5. Social Connection
Humans are inherently social creatures, and strong relationships directly correlate with lower rates of anxiety and depression. [27]
Community: Maintain active bonds with family, friends, neighbors, or supportive community groups.
Quality time: Focus on meaningful, deep interactions rather than a high volume of surface-level connections.
Belonging: Engage in shared activities or volunteer work to build a sense of purpose and mutual support. [28, 29, 30]
[7] https://bendvitalityclinic.com
[8] https://caringessentials.net
[11] https://www.aafp.org
[12] https://www.bitsofwellness.com
[14] https://www.seniorliving.com
[16] https://qubit.fit
[17] https://kids.britannica.com
[18] https://blog.mycircadianclock.org
[19] https://fitonapp.com
[20] https://drkimberlyidoko.com
[22] https://www.weightwatchers.com
[23] https://www.everydayhealth.com
[24] https://www.peacehealth.org
[25] https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub
[27] https://mental-wellness-education.realpsychiatricservices.com
[28] https://reliefchiropractic.co.uk
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