Just to set the record straight for those not yet in the know, LSD in running parlance stands for Long Slow Distance and is designed to build up endurance.
Today was my day to attempt 3 laps of the Old Devonport Triathlon Course, which is about 30k. My aim was to try and complete the distance in about 3hrs 30mins, or 7min/k.
I commenced by walking up the the hill to my starting line while my Garmin located the satellites for accurate recording (however, I noticed that when I uploaded my data it had me starting in a funny spot in the middle of someone's backyard rather than on the street).
As I started running, my musings were about running slowly to complete the distance. Anyway, I completed the 3 laps in 3hrs 13min 19secs or about 6:27/k. I deliberately chose to walk the steepest hill just before the end of each lap so as not to push myself too much and knock myself up. The time exceeded my expectations. From about 15k onwards I started to notice a bit of stiffness in my legs (calf and hamstring) but it wasn't too bad. I ran through the half marathon distance in 2:13:48 - again better than I had hoped for, seeing it was part of a 30k run. By 25k it became progressively more difficult to keep up my pace and I slowed down considerably. I did wonder whether I should still be aiming to run a marathon distance in a few week's time or just to stick to the half. At least I have planned, whichever I decide to do, to run using the flattish Bike Track rather than either of my two other courses which contain a fairly steep hill that would need to be negotiated either three or four times, depending on the course chosen.
It was over the last few kilometres that I began to muse on the fact that long distance running can be both hard and painful - but I was in it for the long-haul. It struck me how similar long distance running is with the Christian faith for neither is a flat out sprint to the finish line.
I then further considered that the Christian life can also be both hard and painful and that God has nowhere promised us that it would be a bed of roses that we would sail through. After all, it is a spiritual battle we are involved in. I then mused on the similarities between long distance running and the Christian ministry for it, likewise, is both hard and painful (as well as joyful, but here I was only considering one similarity) through being involved in the lives (pains, griefs and joys) of people - both those who are Christians and those who aren't!
One day my running will become slower and slower to the point where I find it difficult to continue. There are times, I mused, when I know that I am becoming much slower in ministry as the spiritual battle and pressures take their toll on me emotionally, mentally and physically and I wonder how long I can continue before I need to retire from being "full-time" in parish ministry and minister, using my gifts, in some other way.
In the meantime I shall plod on (I have often described myself as a plodder in ministry) to the best of my ability, relying upon God's faithfulness and grace to sustain me, until that day eventually comes.
Who said that long distance running was a mindless exercise?
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