The Apostle Paul often used sporting images to illustrate aspects of the life of the Christian. He writes this:

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize?

Run in such a way that you may win it.

Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. 

So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.                                 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27