Breathe Deep

Breathe Deep

Runners often talk about getting their “second wind,” newfound strength just when they feel almost too exhausted to continue. Instead of slowing dramatically or quitting, these runners continue to run at a strong pace and often exceed their expectations. Some scientists believe this phenomenon occurs when the runner’s body finds enough oxygen to counteract the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles. Others think the second-wind experience is a result of endorphin production, like the “runner’s high.” But many believe that the feeling is psychological, an attitude adjustment and a surge of confidence caused by knowing they have passed their supposed limitations and by hearing strong encouragement from spectators and other runners. Whatever the reason, we often need a second wind in running and in life, a new, deep breath of confidence and energy.

In the first century, followers of Christ weren’t very numerous or popular. Constantly persecuted and hounded by religious and secular authorities, they feared for their lives. Eventually, thousands of believers perished under cruel Roman emperors. But they remained faithful to Christ to the end because they knew the truth. Paul wrote:

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

In some respects, those verses could have been written to a pain-riddled and exhausted marathon runner. But they also apply to anyone struggling for breath in life’s marathon. Paul’s advice: “Our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. . . . So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.” And with this change of focus and attitude comes the second wind.

The Runner

This was baby Lindsey’s world—the crib, the room, the rest of the house, her mother’s and father’s arms. For her, nothing existed beyond all that.

Young Travis knew what the world was like; after all, he had been around the block a time or two (literally, on his tricycle). And he had been driven all over town by Mom, Dad, and big brother Tom. He also knew his way around his grandparents’ homes and church. Beyond that twenty-mile radius, things got a little fuzzy, however. He thinks he remembers a long trip somewhere, but he’s not sure.

Alayna has traveled quite a bit for a teenager: vacation trips with the family to the Grand Canyon out west and to the Florida Keys in the southeast. And she’s studied geography in school and watched people travel the world in numerous TV shows. That’s her dream, to visit those exotic locales.

Evelyn and Craig have seen and experienced much in their seventy years on the earth and nearly fifty years together. Their view of life and love has grown through those years, having lived what they had vowed at the altar: for better or worse, for richer or poorer, and in sickness and health—all of it. And they’ve had marvelous adventures together—ocean cruises and other trips to Asia, Europe, and Australia.

The apostle Paul hadn’t traveled across the ocean and wouldn’t live to be seventy. But his perspective had expanded well beyond the confines of mortal life and planet Earth. So as he sat in a Roman prison awaiting execution, he could write, “The Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18).

The Race

Interesting how one’s perspective can change, and what a difference it makes!

We’ve been using the words “breath” and “wind.” Interestingly, the Bible uses “breath” and “wind” to describe the work of the Holy Spirit (see John 20:22 and Acts 2:2). Also, the Greek word for “spirit” is pneuma, which means “wind.” All those who have trusted in Christ as Savior have the Holy Spirit living in them, giving them strength and guidance for living and power to change. Relying fully on the Holy Spirit is, then, to focus on God, breathe deeply of him, and get our second wind. As Paul reminds us, “Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” We don’t have to give in and give up; with renewed attitude, focus, and strength, we can press on to the finish.

The Result

Paul’s encouraging words to the Corinthians also point to the profound truth that no matter how much we work out, eat well, and avoid dangerous situations, our bodies still are “dying.” Yet the “glory” to come “will last forever!” This knowledge helped Paul endure and finish strong. The way to change our attitudes is to change our perspectives, seeing our lives from God’s point of view. Our current struggles won’t last long in light of eternity, when we will forever run with our Savior.

Look ahead to the finish and look beyond to glory. Change your attitude and focus, breathe deeply of God’s Spirit, and get your second wind.

My Story

Running in Hong Kong is an all in activity. The humid air almost drips with the pungent energy of Hong Kong’s Kowloon neighborhood. It’s hard to take an “easy” run in these conditions.

I was staging for my travels into China, where I would be teaching English at a university in Xi’an. The foundation arranging this venture boarded us in Kowloon for a few weeks to prepare us for our travels back in time.

Having never been in Asia before, I was fascinated from the moment I stepped off the plane into the thick night. I found Kowloon close to downtown, the Star Ferries, and the rail line that would whisk me into China with the same ease one boards the ‘L’ in Chicago. We were also close to the airport, or at least the landing pattern for it. Back then, the airport was one runway built out into the harbor directly off Kowloon City. It has since been moved. But that June, the massive underbellies of a continuous stream of 747s slid over the top of Lion Rock and plummeted to a get-it-right-the-first-time landing.

This all proved too intoxicating to resist. Lion Rock is a deserted, overgrown ridge, rising above the masses to the west. A visual destination is always a good run motivator. I had to explore.

I was up with the roosters at 5 a.m. Once onto deserted Waterloo Road, I gave a quick check of my laces, hit the watch, and off I went.

The first thing I noticed was that I was immediately climbing. The base of Lion Rock spills down for quite a few kilometers, and any hope of a flat warm-up was quickly lost. “Warm-up” in general was a bit of a misnomer. The morning air was already in the upper eighties.

Heading west on the empty streets, I soon passed the neon of the “Romance Hotels,” with patrons’ expensive cars hidden away in private parking stalls.

As I climbed out of the neighborhood, the houses gave way to the large Beacon Hill School yard and my first view of the shanty villages above.

The path took me higher, right through the center of the shanty villages—literally, tin shacks crammed with thousands of residents waiting for openings in one of the hundreds of high-rises that define the Hong Kong skyline. These days those shanty villages are gone, replaced with two dozen more high-rise apartment buildings.

Crossing Lung Cheung Road, I joined a footpath that continued toward the base of Lion Rock and into increasingly thicker vegetation. Still climbing. Heart rate up. A stride not unlike stadium workouts back home, but in a setting a world apart. Feeling very alive.

Then the path ended. My pace slowed. My cadence and heart rate did not. I searched for a route by taking the next step, then the next. My hands were now involved as I wrestled with bushes and tree trunks for balance. My route was almost vertical now and the vegetation thick enough that I couldn’t always see where I was planting my feet.

Eventually the domed radar antenna that crowns the top of Lion Rock came into view, the vegetation dropped away, and as I turned around, I was rewarded with a magnificent view of the sunrise over the harbor, the light dancing off the South China Sea, its expanse littered with ships awaiting their turn in port.

I learned long ago that cameras don’t work in moments like this. With my heart rate settling after a good effort, endorphins flowing, sweat rolling, and the feeling of being alive that only a run can produce, all the photographs in the world wouldn’t come close. I noticed a number of cuts on my arms and legs, and a subtle amount of blood mixing with the sweat. Lion Rock had autographed me. A badge of honor. That was my photograph.

After taking in the city in all its dimensions, I walked over to the radar installation, where I discovered a very narrow, very tidy road winding down the back side of Lion Rock. I laughed, but not with regret. I hit the watch, and off I went.

Making my way back into the heart of Kowloon, I passed a white tour bus getting an early start at seeing the sights. Faces appeared in rank order, imprisoned behind the tinted glass. Air-conditioned. Sterile.

I felt sorry for those folks. They would never know Hong Kong the way I did. I had run in Hong Kong. I had bled in Hong Kong. I had it under my skin.

Todd

Think It Through

1. When have you gotten a second wind in a long run or a long-distance race? How did you feel? What do you think was the cause?

2. How has your perspective changed as you have grown older, gained knowledge, and experienced life’s ups and downs?

3. How do you know that your future in heaven with Christ is secure?

4. In what ways does that knowledge give you hope right now, especially during trying circumstances?

On Running

What is overtraining?

Overtraining is a condition in which an athlete’s adaptive mechanisms (increased oxygen uptake, increased muscle strength, and improved lactic threshold) are stressed to the point of failure. Feeling “burned out,” the body failing to heal itself, and further training that doesn’t improve performance (possibly even causing a drop in performance) are all signs of overtraining. Some symptoms include poor practices, poor performance, weight loss, joint and muscle pain without injury, nausea, a head cold/stuffy nose, depression, irritability, insomnia, and anxiety.

You can avoid overtraining by designing a training program with variety and that alternates hard and easy days (you may need more than twenty-four hours for recovery). If you are feeling overtrained, rest—start with two days of rest. Then, if you still have symptoms, increase to five days. And eat well. A high-carbohydrate diet aids in recovery.