Running at Your Own Pace

By: The Ultra Reinas

Running at your own pace seems like a logical and natural thing to do. For the majority of us, we’re weekend warriors and not professional athletes. We certainly couldn’t keep up with Usain Bolt, Eliud Kipchoge, or Molly Seidel for more than a few seconds, and it wouldn’t be sensible to even try for anything longer.

However, in the age of social media and exercise apps like Strava this can be a challenge as we more easily compare ourselves to others, or worse – compare ourselves to former selves.

Your body changes over time, and it isn’t what it was in your teens and early twenties. It’s ok to run at your own pace, even when it means that it changes from season to season. Honor your body and give it nourishment. It’s gotten you through every era from great runs to bad workouts to every movie marathon season. It’s ok that your pace will fluctuate, that you move slower, or faster, or mostly slower as the years go by. You are where you’re supposed to be. You are human. Enjoy the run journey you’re on and smell the roses as you run past them. Running is here to create the joy in your life, it’s not another tool for self-criticizing and stealing joy.

I love how running lessons have easily translated to life lessons. Don’t worry about someone else’s preconceived timeline on how life is supposed to be. You are on your own journey and will accomplish your goals in your own time so long as you put in your consistent effort. Honor yourself, your journey, and your body in every stage in life, and surely you will find your life’s joy.

All images were provided by the Ultra Reinas.

About the Ultra Reinas!

The Ultra Reinas (@ultrareinas) are a group of ultra runners from San Antonio, Texas. These women aim to promote the visibility of Latina and Tejana women in ultra running while sharing their love for adventure, long runs, and fun times. The Ultra Reinas include Marisol Gutierrez, Meggan Partain, Amber Kyne, Mechella Lara, and Jess Sanchez.