In addition to the stands and your own condition, it is mainly about keeping your eyes on Jesus during this race. Always stay close to him! He is your Trainer and Coach!
The best trainers are usually the people who have always competed themselves. Jesus is a special coach because he himself has also completed the whole track and remained faithful, obedient until the bitter end of the cross. What faith and trust he has in his Father—to save us forever (see Hebrews 5:7–9). Verse 2b: He endured, and looked beyond the cross to the joy that awaited him. Beyond the cross he saw his way to his Father, on the throne, at the right hand of God. In that way he bears the penalty for all our sins and creates for us a new way to the throne of God! As Jesus persisted, so we must persevere. Endure today’s suffering and look to the great goal: the joy that awaits us. A joy that Jesus wants to share with us! Also see the aim of the training school: the Father molds us for our good, that we may partake of his holiness and become strong Christians through suffering (Hebrews 12:10–11).
Hebrews 12:3 concludes this exhortation: notice how he endured at the very time that the sinners turned against him. Lest you lose heart and give up. Again: keep going, pay attention to the way of Jesus, and in faith seek all your strength from him! Realize what it cost him to save us. He encourages us to believe in him. Then always follow the directions and encouragement of this Coach!
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.