SPORTS February 4, 2008 Issue

KEEP STEP WITH GOD

HEIDI HEINBAUGH

EVER SINCE taking up soccer in second grade, I've loved sports of all kinds. And I love to encourage the athlete in everyone. But whether I'm training to run a marathon, flying down a hockey field, or bobbing in the ocean, learning to surf, I've learned the importance of taking time to pray each day.

To me, praying every day to feel close to God can be like following a training schedule—say, for a marathon. A misconception about athletics in general, and marathon running in particular, is the idea that an individual has to possess a certain level of skill to compete. But I haven't found that to be the case. To me, athletic training is all about taking little steps over time—and if you follow a training program, you'll be successful.

For instance, a friend tried for years to find her niche in sports. Then, during her sophomore year in college, she joined the cross-country running team. Her first year was OK, but her next two seasons were fantastic. What made the difference? She committed herself to doing every single workout on the training schedule—even over the long summer break. When she returned to school, she consistently finished races at the front of the pack. She worked, and reaped big rewards.