Dear friend,

I hope today showed you a valuable life lesson—focus more on running at your own pace.

Yes, you used to be able to run four to five miles every day, but that was 10 years ago when you were in competitive shape. You are older and things change.

When you first set out in your mind to run three miles without stopping today, you said “It’s about time that you get back at it.” But, you were nervous because this is not the first time you set this goal in the last year. You’ve started before with an image of ten years ago in your mind.

Then, when the burn in your legs started at about 0.5 miles in, you listened to the voices of doubt telling you to just walk for a few seconds before getting back at it.

But, there was something different about today.

You threw your headphones on and hit the road just as you did in the past. But this time, you said “Even if I have to jog at the slowest pace of life, I will not stop” until this watch says “You have reached your goal.”

I know that was a hard decision because you wondered how the people walking and running by would judge how slow you were running. ”Why doesn’t she just walk at the rate she’s going?”

Oddly enough, with each step something physical and mental re-energized within you. You were finding yourself again because you finally embraced your strength, momentary weakness, and personal pace. What I love about you today is that you embraced where you are today and ran at your own pace!

Reminder: where you start is not where you will end if you stay consistent. Instead of spending so much time trying to figure out the end (which is impossible to know with certainty), continue doing what you did today—embrace the process!

Today, you zoned in. You took the first step, and you ran slowly, very slowly, even embarrassingly at times. HOWEVER, you completed your goal! You ran three miles without stopping once and managed to do it with a huge smile on your face and in your heart.

Tomorrow, you will be strong enough to pick up the pace. Then, a year from now you will be even stronger than that. You will never get to your ultimate goal if you don’t complete the process. Small successes will someday equal big wins.

Remember, your race was designed for YOU, so run at your own pace. Worrying about who is passing you and who might catch up is only a distraction. So, confidently stay in your own lane and focus on your own form and breathing. Embrace your journey. Feel the burn and adjust; don’t feel the burn and quit.

You were never meant to run someone else’s race, you were meant to master your own.

#notestoyou is a series of blog posts for when you need to hear an encouraging wordfrom a friend. It is a little something to lift you up on the journey. I pray you find a spark of energy, a healing word, or a gentle reminder of the awesomeness inside you from these words.