This week is something special in the sport of racing. The running of the Indianapolis 500. I’ve been going to the race for over 15 years, it’s a spectacle for sure. From the almost half a million fans to the entertainment and celebrity sightings, to the buttermilk shower in victory lane. But in the race, something happens that often doesn’t get much thought, and rightfully so… it’s nothing out of the norm for racing, but it’s a unique analogy for life. The pace car.
The pace car sets the pace at the beginning of the race by leading the cars in order in the warmup laps, controls the pace under caution when the race is slowed down due to something happening on the track and stops the race when there’s a red flag. No car moves without following the pace car’s lead when it’s on the track. So then came the analogy, what does the pace car mean to us? What’s setting the pace in our life?
Now, unfortunately, oftentimes it’s much more than just a single leading force. It’s the stage of life, social obligations, family events, relationships; the list goes on and on. When it comes to the drivers in the race, they can only control what they can control. They don’t rely on outside forces and other influences to set the pace of the race, so why should we in life?
Reflect on the current pace of your life and the influences that stop, slow, or speed up the flow of life. Consider taking a step back, to control what you can control and focus on one influence to pace your life and control the ebb and flow. It’s not always easy, and it’s not going to be perfect, but limiting the influence it will inevitably give us more clarity and control.
For me, it’s Christ and my faith. In order to be the man I want to be, strive for the goals I’ve set and grow the way I am working towards, I cannot rely on a variety of influences. Though that may happen from time to time, when we get thrown off course; just as a car spins out and finds itself off track. It’s important to rely on my faith and point my feet in that direction to take steps back on course, just as the cars reset and the pace car controls the race until the green flag comes out again. See it’s up to us to get back on track and stay on course, but we must follow the steps laid out before us; just as Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Maybe you’re not there with faith yet. We all have a moral compass that guides us and there are many other grounding forces that help us set the pace in life. Maybe for you, it’s family, a significant other, or a weekly calendar where you can schedule your priorities. Those can all be very helpful connections and resources to pace your life and keep you on track.
As I thought about this analogy to what the pace car is in our lives, it also got me thinking about the moment when the pace car leaves the track and the green flag waves. This is similar to the free will we, as human beings have. The will to make decisions for ourselves, make changes, take control of what we can control. The will to chase our goals and make the moves necessary to put us in a position to succeed.
What happens if we get thrown off course, the pace car comes out and leads us back into order to get back on track so we may once again chase our goal. That’s the beauty of it and where my analogy to Christ being my pace car in life has been the most impactful. The pace car gets us going, points us in the right direction, and is never far off if we need a reset, ready to guide us back on track if we need it. So this week, I challenge you and I encourage you, whatever it is that paces your life. Follow the lead, trust the process and when the green flag waves, take off and chase your goals.
WORKOUT
Just as we need a pace car in life to get us going, guide us, and get us back on track; it is important that we pace ourselves in workouts too. A great way to pace ourselves is by doing a HIIT workout. The reason being is that some of the exercises require strict pacing or we will get tired out quickly. This workout is designed to test our ability to pace ourselves in a workout.
For this workout use the WOD app or a stopwatch. We are going to perform 40sec work and 20 sec of rest. Go through each block three times. Take a minute break after each block is complete.
Warm-Up
Block 1:
– Air Squats
– Split Squats (L Leg Forward)
– Split Squats (R Leg Forward)
– Squat Step Backs
Block 2:
– Push-ups
– Shoulder Taps
– Inchworms
– Burpees
Block 3:
– Crunches
– Side Crunch (L side up)
– Side Crunch (R side up)
– Plank Toe Touches (reaching opposite hand to opposite foot)
Cool Down
Hammer and Anvil 