How Running Helped Me Stop Comparing Myself to Everyone Else...

I ran my 3rd half marathon recently and here's what happened...

I ran my best time ever!

Should have been a day of sheer joy, right?

But I was plagued by the nagging thoughts that I didn't beat two of my friends that also ran. I wasn't even close. I started to put disclaimers around my run and around my time; things like, "Well, it wasn't the fastest time, but I did it."

I realized by doing that, I was selling myself short. I was feeling inadequate and undeserving of the fact that I had just run for over 2.5 hours! I was comparing myself to others and it wasn't doing me any favors!

Can you relate?

Have you EVER compared yourself to someone else and actually felt better?!?

I know I haven’t.

But I also know when I’m stuck in comparison mode, I’m always comparing myself with someone who is ahead of me; often MANY steps ahead of me. Or they have or do something I want to have or do but currently don’t. And then I feel worse.

So I'm using the tempting thoughts to feel less than during an otherwise momentous occasion to think differently. To do differently. To celebrate MY journey and not someone else's journey.

To be clear, I've NEVER considered myself a runner. I still have a hard time seeing myself as one, which my chiropractor loves to point out to me that I am. But what I LOVE about the running community is that they are so supportive and encouraging of whatever running you do. They don't care if you're the world's fastest runner, the slowest runner, if you're running your 10th marathon or your first 1 mile fun run. They don't care what your body size is or how serious you are about running. They are there to support.

While it is a community driven sport, the results and competition is with yourself. It is about being the best version of yourself and not about anyone else.

What a great lesson is that?

I hope this inspires you to be the best version of yourself. And to look at the times where you might be tempted or give in to the comparison of others' journeys.

Big or small, what are you going to do today to celebrate your own success? Reply here...seriously, I'd love to know!

Cheers,

Laura