I Am More Than My Pace

Pace Matters, But It Doesn't Define You

If you run, it's probably happened to you: you finish a workout, look at your watch, and before you're 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 our performance—and worse, our identity as runners—to a number on a screen.

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

Pace in Training

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

•⁠ Long-distance pace: A comfortable pace that you can maintain for a long time. It's the foundation of endurance.
• ⁠ Tempo pace: A midpoint where you run hard but in a controlled manner. It helps improve your lactate threshold.
• Interval pace: Faster, but with short, repeated efforts. Improves speed and efficiency.
•⁠ ⁠Race Pace: The target pace for your next race.

Each one 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're looking for in each session.

Not Every Day Is Good, And That's Okay

There are days when our legs feel light and we're flying. But there are others when every step is difficult. That's normal. The body isn't a machine that performs the same every day. Factors like rest, nutrition, stress, and the weather affect your performance.

That's why measuring the success of a workout solely by pace is a mistake. Did you do the right amount of work today? Did you maintain the right intensity? Then it was a good workout, regardless of the number.

Your Value Is Not 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 or how much effort you put into a session. Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop looking at the clock and run by feel.

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

Conclusion

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