When I prepared for my first marathon, I thought the hardest part would be the race itself—the 42 kilometers of relentless forward motion. Turns out, I was wrong.

The real challenge? Learning when not to run.

Like many, I believed pushing harder was always the answer. More training, faster miles, less rest. But my worst injuries, both in running and in life, came not from taking breaks—but from ignoring the need for them.

Pushing through can be good—but knowing when to step back is even better.

Rest isn’t weakness, it’s strategy.

The hardest part of balance isn’t finding it—it’s giving yourself permission to keep it.

This applies far beyond running. In work, faith, and personal growth, we often treat slowing down as failure. But in reality, knowing when to pause is what keeps us moving forward.

I share more about this in my latest podcast episode, reflecting on lessons from running, burnout, and even my time in seminary. If you’ve ever struggled with giving yourself permission to rest, this one’s for you.