"...Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24,
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one
receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize]
and make it yours." The Amplified Bible

The runner rids himself of all encumbrances:
Vs. 25,
"Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and
restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon
wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot
wither."

In our conduct as we move forward toward the goal we have Scripture to
guide us.
Proverbs 4:23-27 tells us,
"Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flows the springs of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put devious lips far from you." (Watch; be careful of what you say.)
"Let your eyes look directly ahead.
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you." (Caution; no wandering
eye that may entice.)
"Watch the path of your feet,
And all your ways will be established." (Stop: no straying from God's path
for His own.)
"Do not turn to the right nor to the left;
Turn your foot from evil."

Psalm 1:1,
"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night."

Remember the Galatians had a problem with evil counsel:
"You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This
persuasion did not come from Him who calls you." Galatians 5:7-8

In our spiritual striving, Paul tells the Philippians and us:
"Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ;
So that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you
that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together
for the faith of the gospel." Philippians 1:27

We see in 1Timothy 4:7-8,
"But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the
other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily
discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all
things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to
come."

Then when the time comes, will we be able to say as Paul did,
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the
faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day..."?
2 Timothy 4:7-8

So then, let us run the course in such a way that this is true of each one
of us -- at oneness with our Christ.  Amen