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Hitting the Wall . . .

5/30/2020

5 Comments

 
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For the first time in 124 years, the Boston Marathon has been cancelled due to the pandemic. Now, I’ve never run a marathon for one main reason. I never wanted to. I ran a 10K once in college and that was enough.

Ironically, we are all in a marathon of sorts here with the pandemic, and there is a phenomenon in the marathon world that might be worthwhile to take note of during this time . . . it’s called hitting the wall.



In layman’s terms it means to experience sudden fatigue and loss of energy because the energy stores in the body are depleted. It usually happens in the last third of the race. The result? Weakness, headaches, dizziness, along with other symptoms. Some racers give up at that point, but the more experienced have learned how to run through it and even how to prepare in advance to avoid it.

I don’t know where we are in this pandemic (I doubt it is the final third), but I think we all have or will “hit our wall.” Whatever novelty to the shutdown that was there in the early days is long gone. The house has shrunk, the hair is unmanageable, the internet needs are crashing into each other, the bills are increasing, the stressors multiplying. Our energy stores are wiped out. We are experiencing all kinds of unhealthy side effects. Even as the world begins to open back up, restrictions still remain, and we want to quit. We want normal life back.

Unlike marathon runners, we didn’t have a chance to prepare, and though I am in no way a psychologist, I think we might be able to glean a couple of useful tips from those marathoners to make it to our own finish line.

Though the marathon is a race, the two main suggestions to survive the wall are to . . . walk and eat. In our lingo––rest and nourish.

If possible, give yourself a break . . . any kind of break . . . for whatever length of time you can generate––mind and body. Break from responsibility, from expectations, from walls. Walk. Figuratively and literally.

Second, eat––feed body, mind, spirit. Sometimes that means taking "food" in . . . and sometimes that means giving "food" to others. Both are nourishing.

Finally, always, always, always realize that we are NOT in this alone.

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.


Isaiah 40:31



5 Comments
Jamie (Kuhns) Perillo
5/30/2020 09:12:54 am

I hit the wall last Thursday. I was finished with having my life dictated avoiding the virus. I spent a few hours at my pity party. Then I turned to God and recognized this is all in His plan. He has set my marathon course; I just need to follow it. Patience, perseverance, and trust in God.

Reply
Jody
5/31/2020 06:46:32 am

Jamie, I love that reminder that God has set your marathon course. Stay strong through Him.

Reply
Linda C
5/30/2020 10:34:05 am

Well said, Jody and Jamie.

Reply
Raelene Bonnar
5/30/2020 01:21:38 pm

Yes, this certainly is a marathon. Now school is out and I'm ready to travel, visit our kids, sit on the beach....but we can't. My daughter's wedding was supposed to take place at the end of June but she had to reschedule it for July 2021. But I really can't complain since we are so much better off than those who have lost their jobs or lost loved ones to Covid-19. Walking has definitely helped me stay sane, and reading scripture such as Isaiah 40:31 continues to give me hope that we will get through it! Thanks for the reminder that we are not in it alone.

Reply
Jody
5/31/2020 06:50:08 am

Raelene, it must be tough on and disappointing for your daughter, her fiancé, and you to have postpone the wedding AND not be able to visit each other. But you are right in reminding us that so many have suffered even greater losses. Thank you.

Reply



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    Jody Eileen Solinski spent her career teaching in the California public school system where she enjoyed helping young adults take their place in society. A native Californian, she enjoys the outdoors and so loves living in Northern California where she can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation up close.

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