Ready, Steady, Go!
The race of life
by Claire Law
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To consider a race as a metaphor for life, with January as the start of a new race. To consider tips and strategies for starting any sprint race and for the race of life.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides accompanying this assembly (Ready, Steady, Go!) and the means to display them.
- You will need the YouTube clip ‘Usain Bolt 9.58, 100 m New World record’ and the means to display it. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nbjhpcZ9_g
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
Welcome students to the assembly. - Show Slide 2.
Ask the questions:
Does anyone recognise this person?
When was this photo taken?
Listen to a range of responses. - This is Usain Bolt. The Jamaican Sprinter, widely hailed as the greatest sprinter of all time. He’s an eight-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder in the 100 m, 200 m, and 4 × 100 m relay. He is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100m and 200m titles at three consecutive Olympics. This photo was taken in 2009, when Bolt broke the 100m World Record, with a time of 9.58 seconds at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany.
- Let’s take a look at Bolt in action in that race in Germany.
Show the YouTube clip ‘Usain Bolt 9.58, 100 m New World record’. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nbjhpcZ9_g - Show Slide 3.
I wonder what goes through a performance athlete’s mind at the start of the race, as they approach and take their place at the staring line? - Anyone who enjoys athletics, probably realises that the start of a race is important in sprint races. Preparing for that moment when you hear the starting pistol makes a difference. That’s true for short, 100m sprints, as well as longer races too. Staring correctly is vital. There are a number of tips that can help an athlete start well, but can also help us in other areas of life.
- Show Slide 4.
Let’s look at 3 top tips:
Tip #1 – Get the basics right first
We can break different physical movements down into simple basic steps. Concentrating on our posture and our positioning can make a difference at the start of a race. Likewise, the basics of good food, good sleep and a balanced training schedule are important.
Tip #2 – Work on our reactions
Working on our reactions helps us to make every second count. We want to be able to move, without delay, on the sound of the signal. Practicing our reaction responses helps to build this skill.
Tip #3 – Visualize
Top athletes know the power of visualizing what they want to happen. We can imagine the perfect start to a race. We can also imagine what it feels like to start well and get out in front. We can create a picture in our mind of our winning the race. The more we do this the more our brain and body reacts better to the situation when we are competing in real life.
Time for reflection
Many of you are probably wondering, why are we thinking about athletics in this assembly, especially when athletics is traditionally a summer sport!
Well, we’re all at the start of the race just now. Not a 100m sprint, but instead, we’ve just set off from the starting blocks of a new calendar year.
Show Slide 5.
The New Testament uses the metaphor of an athletic race for a life well lived. The book of Hebrews says, ‘Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.’ Many of us will be thinking about New Year’s Resolutions; setting an intention for how we want to run our own race through the year, how we want to tackle the race marked out for us. Just as with a 100m sprint, starting the year well can make a difference. So, let’s take those 3 top athletic tips and see what we can learn from these to help us as we set out on our race for the year ahead.
Show Slide 6.
Tip #1 – Get the basics right first
Let’s consider what getting the basics right for us might look like. What are the choices we need to make to get a sense of balance with the basics such as sleep, diet and managing stress?
What are our basic values – honesty, loyalty and kindness, for example. Let’s take time to consider what our basic values are, to help us have a sense of direction as we run the race of this year.
Tip #2 – Work on our reactions
This year let’s consider ways we can react to what’s happening around us. How can we be quick to respond to problems, or challenges rather than ignoring them. If we see someone struggling, are we going to pretend to look the other way, or are we going to respond in a different way? How do we want to react when we face criticism? How would we like to respond when we feel frustrated or disappointed? Let’s take time to work on our reactions to help us develop a sense of feeling more in control as we run the race of this year.
Tip #3 – Visualize
Let’s consider how visualising and setting ourselves goals can help us to be our best self. Let’s visualise what it is we want to achieve and how we want to behave this year. Visualising ourselves as committed, trustworthy and creative could help us move towards these goals. Let’s take time to visualise what we want from this year to help build motivation and commitment as we run the race of this year.
However energetic or concerned we are feeling about the race ahead, let’s bring our thoughts and reflections together in prayer.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Today, this week, this month, this year, we have a race ahead of us.
Help us to run the race of our lives with honesty, trustworthiness and courage.
Help us to be mindful about our own race, and to pay attention to what helps us run the race of our life well.
Help us to say no to the things that hinder us or take us away from our calling and direction in life.
Help us to draw on resources we have around us, and within us, when the race of life feels tough.
We trust that you will be there with us as we run the race of this year.
Please help us to support those around us as they also move in their own race of life.
Amen.
