For the past several months, I’ve been feeling a little discouraged with my running.  

First it was the heat and the resulting goosebumps/lack of sweat that slowed me down and caused me to cut runs short.

Then we adopted Ryland, and though it’s not as hot and humid, I have less opportunity to run and am more tired when I can.

It’s hard not to think of how fast I used to be- that 24:45 5k, that 6:59.59 mile. In February, which I dubbed Fastbruary, every single run was faster than 9:00/mi, even my longer ones. Now it’s a struggle to run 3 or 4 at that pace.

I need to find my new fast. My life is different now; my running is, too. In 5 or 6 months , when Ryland is big enough to be jogged in the stroller and I’ll get to go regularly, I’ll be a lot slower pushing him than I was alone. I’ll have to find a new fast then, too.

For some of you, an 8:30 pace is slow. For others, below 11:00 is fast.

Find your own fast and don’t worry about others.

Be motivated, pushed, inspired by other runners, but don’t compare yourself and determine that you’re slow. 

Find your fast.