50 Miles To Go
3:30 am. Cold. Dark. Quiet.
Heavy fog spits mist in my face. Head down, looking at my feet. Step after painful step. The miles are a blur. 30 miles in. 20 miles to go. “Just push through.”
I recently completed the 75 Hard Challenge with my son and a few other men. Upon finishing the challenge, we set out on a 50-mile weighted ruck march, walking through the night, then jumping into Kanopolis Lake.
It’s the old JFK Challenge. 50 miles, with a 20 lb. pack in under 20 hours.
Legend has it that if you spend enough time doing something, you’re obligated to write a “2 Things I Learned About ______” blog post. So here you go.
That’s Not What Brothers Are For…
Miles 1-30 were cake. Our bodies were fresh, and we were enjoying a picturesque sunset. The guys joked and laughed, shared snacks and swapped stories. We were making excellent time. Life is like this too. Wind at your back, no pain, sun shining. Brothers make those times even better - but that’s not what brothers are for…
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17 ESV).
Miles 30-50 were brutal. Feet, knees, and hips were smoked. At some point, the pain reaches a peak then stays steady. Ultra runners call this the “pain tunnel”. We all experienced it at different times throughout the hike. As soon as one guy started fading, the other 4 jumped in with encouragement. “Hang in there, that sunrise is gunna be amazing” or “Just picture yourself at the finish line”. In life, hard times can be relentless, and you feel like you’re in a never-ending “pain tunnel”. Without brothers at your side, your resolve is weakened. King David had his Mighty Men. Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto by his side. God did not intend for you to walk alone. Find a group of men that want to see you win.
Discipline > Motivation
Discipline is not just reserved for the Jocko Willink faithful or Ironman athletes - it’s a Biblical standard that we must all strive to master. On the other hand, motivation is fleeting. The internet is full of “motivational” videos that are meant to move you to action. This is a passive approach that many men succumb to. “I’ll work out tomorrow if I feel like it.” You won’t. “I’ll read my Bible if I have time.” You won’t.
Our feelings change continuously. Throughout 18.5 hours of walking, my motivation dipped, then peaked, then dipped again. There were moments where I didn’t feel like moving. Our walk with The Lord is similar. We won’t always “feel like” spending time with Him or obeying Him.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12. ESV).
There is a great reward, brother, when you do what you know needs done. There is no secret to the 75 Hard Challenge or completing a 50-mile ruck. No magic like some people would have you believe. Just a disciplined commitment to action, even when you don’t feel like it.
Life is a long walk. There’ll be failure and success. This walk is more enjoyable and manageable with a brother by your side. Your motivation will not always be there, but the standard remains the same. As a man of God, you must pursue Christlikeness, and that requires discipline. In a world full of instant gratification and shortcuts, remain steadfast in your disciplined walk with The Lord.
3 Practical Action Items
1. Choose one goal. Write it down somewhere you’ll see it. Something achievable, yet challenging. Examples:
- Read 1 Chapter of Scripture a day for 1 month.
- Exercise 4 days a week for 1 month.
- Spend 5 minutes in prayer a day for 1 month.
2. Call a friend that you trust and ask them to hold you accountable in this goal. Better yet, invite them to join you!
3. Once you complete the goal, stack on a new challenge while continuing in the old goal.
