Breaking the Myth of 'Slow': Reframing Your Running Mindset

The power of positive thinking is often underestimated, but when it comes to running—or really any area of life—it can have a profound impact on your performance. Thinking negatively can hold you back from reaching your true potential. For example, telling yourself, “I know I’m slow, but…” might seem harmless at first. However, every time you say it, you reinforce that belief in your mind, making it harder to believe you can be fast.

Sports psychology has repeatedly shown the power of positive thinking and self-talk. Athletes who approach workouts or races with a positive mindset tend to perform better and more consistently compared to those who carry negative thoughts with them. And here’s the thing: reframing how you think about yourself starts long before you show up on race day. If you’ve spent months doubting yourself during training, it’s nearly impossible to undo that mindset with a last-minute pep talk.

Changing how you think about your running ability is no small task, but it’s worth the effort. Positive thinking begins with the way you frame every aspect of your running journey.

For starters, remember this: running is running, no matter your pace. The feelings of triumph after a personal best, the pride of completing a challenging workout, or even the disappointment of a tough race—all of these are universal. They don’t belong to any specific pace group. That’s one of the most beautiful things about running.

Whether it’s someone breaking 30 minutes in a 5K or someone breaking 16 minutes, both runners faced their own unique challenges, worked hard, and sacrificed to reach their goals. And that shared experience is what connects all runners, regardless of speed.

Even an accomplished runner, I still face fears and doubts. I’ve had my fair share of bad races, injuries, and tough training days. So, there’s no need to downplay your experiences or preface your questions with, “I’m slow.” All runners—fast or slow—face challenges, doubts, and triumphs.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there’s always someone faster. Unless you’re holding a world record, that’s just the reality of the sport. But speed is relative. Maybe you are a 7 to 9-minute a kilometre runner and feel hesitant to call yourself a runner because others are faster, the truth is, even so-called “fast” runners feel the same way sometimes.

 And I bet there’s at least one person in your life who thinks you’re incredibly fast—or that they wish they could run as far or as consistently as you do.

But let’s say you still feel slow. Let me ask: does it even matter? Running is one of the most welcoming and inclusive sports out there. Runners, as a community, are incredibly supportive. I’ve never met a runner who wouldn’t slow down to share a jog with a friend. And think about it—would you mind slowing your pace for someone else if it meant having a good conversation and enjoying the run together? I doubt it. Most running groups feel the same way about you, no matter your pace.

Also, don’t forget how much you’re already accomplishing. With a large proportion of the population that don’t meet the recommended levels of physical activity, and more than a quarter that don’t exercise at all, so just by lacing up your shoes and heading out for a run, you’re doing something millions of people wish they could do.

So the next time you catch yourself hesitating to join a running group, sign up for a race, or ask a question because you’re worried about being “slow,” stop and ask yourself: “Does it really matter?” Reframe your thoughts about your speed and your potential, and you’ll find yourself opening up to amazing possibilities in your training and racing. After all, running isn’t about how fast or slow you are—it’s about the journey.

Some food for thought:

Out of 8 billion people:

5 billion are overweight.

2 billion never exercise.

Less than 1 percent will ever stick to a fitness plan long enough to see real results.

Hard work is rare.

Results are even rarer.

BE THE 1 PERCENT!