I Am More Than My Pace

Pace Matters, But It Doesn't Define You

If you run, it's surely happened to you: you finish a workout, look at your watch, and before feeling satisfied, the first thing you check is your pace. Faster than yesterday? Good. Slower? Bad. And that's where many runners fall into the trap of reducing their performance – and even worse, their identity as runners – to a number on a screen.

Pace is a valuable tool for structured training, but it cannot define you as an athlete or a person. Today I want to talk about why it's important, but also why you shouldn't obsess over it.

 

 

Pace in Workouts

Pace is the speed at which you run per kilometer (or mile) and is key in training planning. Depending on the goal, we work with different types of pace:

•⁠  Easy Pace: A comfortable rhythm you could maintain for a long time. It's the foundation of endurance.
•⁠  Tempo Pace: A middle ground where you run hard but controlled. It helps improve your lactate threshold.
•⁠  ⁠Interval Pace: Faster, but in short, repeated efforts. Improves speed and efficiency.
•⁠  ⁠Race Pace: The target pace for your next race.

Each has its function, and the important thing is to respect each type. It's not all about running fast; the key is variety and knowing what stimulus you are looking for in each session.

 

 

Not Every Day Is Good, And That's Okay

There are days when your legs feel light and we fly. But there are others when every step is a struggle. It's normal. The body is not a machine with the same daily performance. Factors like rest, nutrition, stress, and weather affect your performance.

Therefore, measuring the success of a workout solely by pace is a mistake. Did you do the work you were supposed to today? Did you maintain the appropriate intensity? Then it was a good workout, no matter the number.

 

Your Value Isn't Measured in Minutes Per Kilometer

Many runners obsess over running faster all the time. But being a good runner doesn't mean being the fastest; it means being consistent, enjoying the process, and learning to listen to your body.

Your pace is a metric, not a label. It doesn't define your worth, nor the effort you put into a session. Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop looking at your watch and run by feel.

Running fast doesn't make you a better person. There is no minimum pace that validates you as a runner. Everyone has their own path and circumstances. Don't let your running pace determine how you perceive yourself or how you perceive others. What really counts is the effort, the passion, and the love for this sport, regardless of speed.

 

 

Conclusion

Use pace for what it is: a tool to guide your training, not a judge that dictates whether you are "good" or "bad" at running. Learn to read it, interpret it, and most importantly, don't obsess over it. Because at the end of the day, running is much more than a number on a screen.