 So there is an athletic metaphor for us to run the race that is set before us. If you ever intend to grow spiritually, you have to be disciplined to run the race. Also, the Bible says we have to walk. We walk by faith and not by sight. So you don't have to start out by running. You start out by walking. If you're like me and you're up in age, you have to walk and not run. But then Paul uses another metaphor called fight.