So, I almost let it get to me. Scrolling through my feed, I saw a friend’s post about running her fastest mile. And for a moment—no, for the entire day—I was so frustrated and disappointed with myself. How could she, someone who doesn’t even consider herself a runner, clock a faster mile than me?
Here I am, four years into this running journey, and still clocking 13-minute miles.
The frustration was real.
I reached out to my coach, spilling my insecurities and doubts. He listened patiently and then told me something that stuck: “Don’t worry about it.” He reminded me that everyone’s running journey is different and suggested a simple test.
He wanted me to see how fast I could actually run one mile, not based on my usual training runs, but giving it my all.
A couple of days later, I headed to the track. With a mix of nerves and determination, I started my mile test. I pushed harder than I ever had before, focusing on my breath and stride, and blocking out all those negative thoughts.
As I crossed the finish line, I glanced at my watch: 9 minutes and 1 second per mile.
I couldn’t believe it!
This experience was a powerful reminder that comparing myself to others is a futile exercise. We all have different strengths, weaknesses, and paces. What matters is our personal progress and celebrating every victory, no matter how small it seems in the grand scheme of things.
So, to all my fellow runners out there—whether you’re clocking 6-minute miles or 16-minute miles—remember, your journey is uniquely yours. Keep pushing, keep running, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself.
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