One of the things that I notice on my bicycle trips is that my general attitude and positiveness is impacted by my tiredness and blood sugar level. So as the miles pile up, the temperature gets hotter, the hills get steeper, my butt hurts more, and my legs get tired my desire to keep riding gets less. I also knew that to be true when I ran marathons and when I used to climb mount Adams annually. I used to tell people that would climb with me that their brain would start screaming at them, “stop – you are killing me!” And when we hit the 10,000 foot level your brain will go into hyper-drive trying to get you to quit. I would tell them to eat carbs and drink water as they climbed, but still their brain was going to try and override their will and desire to make it to the top. I would say, “If you want to make it to the top, you are going to have to ignore your brain screaming at you to stop and will yourself to keep going.” When I used to run marathons mile 20 was where my brain would scream at me the loudest, “You dummy, what are you doing! Stop! Stop! You are killing yourself, this is stupid!” If I could “gut it out” another 2 miles then I could finish the last 4, and finish the race.

The key for me to not quit races and and to make it to the top of Mt. Adams was to know that this would happen, to be mentally prepared for this intense inner battle that my brain was waging and then turn it into a contest that I was determined to win. It often seemed that my brain was like a second person in me that was set on getting me to take the easy way.

The same thing happens with discouragement, disappointment, setbacks, and failure. Our brains will start trying to get us to stop, slow down, and take an easier, more comfortable way. In the midst of living life and dealing with tough times, we need to think, meditate, and ponder on what we really want to do and accomplish, what we believe God wants us to do and accomplish. For me, writing and praying helps a lot in coming to clear conclusions about what I want, not what my flesh wants. I believe God puts His will for me in my heart and I sense it in the form of desires of my heart.

I don’t climb Mt Adam’s any more, the last time I made it to the top was when I was 69 years old, though I have tried three times since my last successful summit. I don’t run marathons any more, though I did sign up to run a half-marathon this last April but didn’t get past the training part. I know I have to quit some things and slow down, but I want it to be what I want, not what my flesh wants.

I do hard things physically to train myself to do the hard things spiritually, in ministry, and in life in general.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “I discipline my body and make it my slave.” With many people it is the other way around, they are the slave of their body and its desires, and as a result they don’t accomplish much for the Lord with their life.

I am going to wait a for a little bit of time before I decide on my future long distance bicycle riding trips. I know there is a time to quit but I don’t want it to be yet. I will probably downsize and modify, but I will decide on that after I have recovered from this year’s disappointments, so I can think clearly.