Do you ever think of other runners as an elite runner, a fast runner, or even a slow runner?  Don’t let these different comparisons get in the way of who you are as a runner.  There is no difference from an elite runner to a slow runner; we all work just as hard to achieve our own goals.  We all have different paces that we run; your fast may be someone else’s slow or their slow is someone else’s fast.  No matter what the pace is, the bottom line is everyone has their own pace.   

When we participate in races, we have seen runners that can run a 5K in 15 minutes and more.  It doesn’t matter if you are running a 5 pace or a 15 pace, we all feel the same when it comes to racing.  Don’t let speed get in your head, it is just a negative thought, and don’t let it get to your own achievements.  We all aim for our own speeds, and we are all proud of that speed because we know we work hard for it.  When we run, there is more than just looking at the numbers; it’s about pushing our own selves to the pace and distance.  

Sometimes we may get down on ourselves because we start to compare ourselves to others.  We see our friends on Strava or Garmin doing well in workouts and races, and we start judging our own training.  Ignore this thought and don’t let this take away how you feel about running.  Running is an individual sport, and you are only out to improve against yourself and no one else.  And always remember this, we are all entitled to the first lane when running hard, no matter the pace!