When the Trail is Calling… But Wisdom Says ‘Pace Yourself’
I’m in week seven of my new favorite thing: my daily walks on the nature trail. Well, my love of walking itself isn’t new—it’s an old favorite I’m getting reacquainted with, but walking a nature trail? That’s the fresh adventure that has my heart. It’s not just exercise, it’s my quiet time with the Lord. On three of the four days, I walk without music or a podcast, spending intentional time in fellowship with Him. It’s been such a beautiful rhythm.
I just finished walking through my devotional ebook, “Walking It Out: 21 Days of Faith Steps.” You’ll be the first to get it as a gift when it’s ready. And that will be very soon!
There’s something about that trail that makes me feel so good. I know it’s the sights and sounds of nature wrapping around me like a warm embrace. It’s been hot and muggy most days, but I call that a gift. Summer is my absolute favorite season, and it has exceptional beauty. The leaves of the trees sway gently in the breeze, the crunch of gravel keeps time with my steps, birds call to one another from the branches, the sunlight dances through the leaves, and although I am not a fan of insects, I enjoy hearing them as I’m walking. Every moment feels alive with God’s presence.
But here’s the thing: the trail was calling, and I was enjoying my time with God. I feel so much joy in God’s presence, and it was easy for me to push past my limits. I learned that lesson the hard way… with sore, aching feet that reminded me not only of recurring plantar fasciitis, but of the discipline that is always necessary in life.
The Day After the First Long Walk
After that first 3.5-mile day, my feet were sore. Not unbearable, but achy enough to notice.
Did I ice them? No.
Did I soak them in magnesium salts? No.
Did I put them up and give them a break? Nope.
It didn’t even occur to me to do those things.
I just shrugged it off and figured, “I’ll just walk slower tomorrow and I’ll be fine.”
The Second Long Walk
The next day, I did walk, but at a much slower pace. I was still drawn to the call of the trail. I walked the same distance. Why? Because I didn’t want to “do less” than I did the day before.
That’s a trap right there, measuring my progress only by how much I can do, not by what I should do and how well I can recover.
By the time I finished that second 3.5-mile walk, my feet were screaming, “Girl, what is your problem? Didn’t I tell you it was too much yesterday?” (Yes, my body parts talk to me just like that. LOL) And that’s when it hit me:
At the time, it was only my third week of walking regularly, and I was doing too much, too soon.
The Wake-Up Call
Since I wasn’t new to walking, I knew I was supposed to build my walking time gradually. But my feet had to remind me in a painful way about that recurring plantar fasciitis. It flares up from time to time for seemingly no good reason; I don’t need to give it a good reason by overdoing it. I was scheduled to walk 35 minutes on those days, not 60 minutes. I had increased my walk by 25 minutes on both days.
What is a wiser approach, you ask?
Add just 5 to 10 minutes each week. Let my body adapt gently. Build the strength and stamina to go longer without setting myself back.
The Adjustment
I had to take the next two days of my walking schedule that week to let my feet recover. Although I knew I would miss that time on the trail with the Lord, I’m glad I finally listened to what my body needed. My feet were happy I took that time off.
When I came back the following week, I had a plan:
- 35 minutes on Monday and Tuesday
- 40 minutes on Wednesday and Thursday
- Stretch calves and heels before and after each walk.
- More mindful recovery (icing, magnesium soaks, and elevating)
This is how I want to walk in wisdom now, not just with passion, but with a plan in place. With this plan, I’ve only had the minimal expected soreness. I’ve made steady progress and experienced the same sweet time with the Lord.
The Lesson
I’ve learned that discipline isn’t just about showing up; it’s about showing up wisely. The trail isn’t going anywhere. I figured those 60 and 65-minute walks would happen eventually. But by taking a well-planned, one step at a time approach, without sabotaging myself in the process.
God isn’t impressed by my numbers, like how many miles I do in 45 minutes; He’s after my presence. He longs to be with me in all situations, and in this case, He wants me healthy enough to keep walking with Him for the long haul.
Where I Am Now (And Yes, I Made the Same Mistake Again)
Fast forward to today: I’ve completed my personal walk-through of the devotional, and guess what? I’m finally walking those 60-minute, 3.5-mile distances that I was so eager to rush into weeks ago. This week, I even added five more minutes (bringing the total to 65 minutes), following my own wise advice about gradual increases.
But here’s the thing about lessons learned the hard way—sometimes we have to keep learning them.
Just last week, I made the same error in judgment. I started my walk at an earlier point on the trail, which meant I should have turned back earlier. But, I decided to keep walking to my usual turnaround spot, which added another mile and 30 more minutes to my walk. Plus, my husband was with me, and I was enjoying his company so much that the extra time felt like a gift rather than a risk.
I paid for it dearly. It kept me from doing another one of my favorite things, going to the gym to do my heavy lifting the following day. I was so looking forward to doing my scheduled 215 lb deadlift! But my feet were screaming at me so loudly the next morning, there was no way that I could ignore them by lifting heavy at the gym that day.
Was I disappointed? Absolutely. But I rested, and guess what, I didn’t beat myself up about it either.
Why? Because perhaps it wasn’t a mistake. God orders my steps, and maybe it was better to spend that extra time on the trail that day with my husband.
Speaking of God ordering my steps—just today, I experienced a beautiful example of what practicing His presence looks like in real time. A fox crossed the trail about 30 feet ahead of me, with what looked like a squirrel firmly in its mouth. Usually, I might have been really alarmed, but I felt surprisingly calm with the kind of peace that could only come from Him. As I passed a fellow walker, I asked, ‘Was that a fox?’ He smiled and confirmed, ‘Yes, and it had its lunch in his mouth.’
In that moment, I realized something profound: this was the fox’s home, and I was just passing through. Seven weeks of walking this trail have taught me more than just pacing; it has taught me to move through God’s creation with reverence and to rest in His presence, even in the unexpected.
‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.’ – Isaiah 26:3
When we understand that God truly orders our steps, we walk without fear, as grateful guests through His creation, with our minds fixed on Him.”
For You, Sister
Your “trail” might not be a nature path. It might be a dream, a ministry, a project, or a new habit. Whatever it is, remember: pace yourself. Growth is still growth, even if it’s in smaller increments.
Journal Prompt: What’s your “trail” right now? Where might you be rushing ahead instead of pacing yourself wisely? Write about one area where you need to choose faithful pacing over passionate pushing.
Faith Step Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the journey You’ve set before me. Teach me to walk it with patience, wisdom, and joy. Keep me from rushing ahead and help me listen to what my body and Your Spirit are telling me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Your Turn:
I’d love to hear about your own journey with pacing yourself! Share in the comments below, or head over to my Facebook page (Zanele’s Faith Journeys) or Instagram (@zanelesfaithjourneys) and share your thoughts there: What lesson has your “trail” been teaching you lately? And if this post resonated with your heart, share it with a sister who might need a reminder that wisdom and patience are just as important as passion and dreams.
Life is a faith journey. Walk boldly.
Be brave enough to pursue your dreams. Be faithful enough to trust the process. Be kind enough to help another woman along the way.
