There are two types of mindsets when it comes to ‘running the race’.
The first mindset says we are the last relay in the great race and Jesus wants desperately to hand off the baton to us. He has already given us the perfect example of how to run the race by running the first three legs and all we need to do is to complete it and cross the finish line. He is there handing it off to us and he will never drop the baton. He is always willing to give it to us so that we can do our part and finish what he has so perfectly begin. He is our greatest cheerleader and wants more then anything for us to refer back to his example and cross the finishline.
The second mindset is pretty much the same as the first, except for one thing - Jesus has already run the race. He perfectly ran all four legs, crossed the finish line, and is now handing the baton to us. Not to finish the great race, for he has already done that, but rather to run the victory lap.
Jesus has run the race for us. We have nothing without his perfect race. His righteousness in completing the race is ours to have and we honor him when we run the victory lap in his footsteps. All the glory in the victory lap does not go to us, but rather to him, who completed the race for our sake.
