Peters Progress – 8 August 2014

So I ran the Crazy Store 35 km race around Nagle Dam (instead of doing the Warrior Race)… I learnt a few valuable lessons about trail running and life.

If you don’t know the route, run with somebody who does. I got lost going up the last major climb. The course was well marked out (thanks to Andrew Booth of KZN Trail Running). Tired, I had my head down and completely missed where the course took a bend and I went straight. I continued despite the trail closing in on all sides with bushes and brambles. It was only when faced with crawling along the goat track that I suddenly thought, no, this can’t be right! So I backtracked, picked up the markers again and made it home.

If you don’t know how much water is in your hydration backpack, check at a water station. Trail races are not serviced with water stations like road races. You carry your own water and are grateful for any water tables. Going up that final climb I ran out of water. I probably had another 12km to go. I had no idea if there was another place to refill. (Thankfully there was one last stop).

Life approximates trail running…

When I’ve taken a wrong turn I can turn around and find the way home. Jesus says “I am the Way”. He calls himself “The Good Shepherd” – think Psalm 23, think being led into a place of rest and stillness. What a relief to follow someone who not only knows the way out of the entangling brambles but is in fact, the Way home.

I was reminded that my own resources are not sufficient, usually when facing an uphill struggle. Thankfully, Jesus provides me with living water. He said to the woman at the well – “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” We just need to ask him to fill us.

Lastly, tough times are better viewed from a distance than from in the midst of them. Even then, we are not alone for we worship a Lord who goes by the name “Emmanuel” or God with us.

I you ever have the chance, do a trail run, especially one organised by KZN Trail Running.