A lesson on running your own race in the New Year

A reminder about what happens when you do not look behind you, only ahead.

Today I ran my first race since I became a runner last May. And I’m so proud of myself, because not only did I run my race, I set a new personal record.

The holidays came and completely threw me off my gym rhythm and my running rhythm, even though I had been very consistent for months, which I was proud of. I was feeling discouraged knowing that I had signed up for a race. I kept thinking, wow, my body feels stiff. I’m sure all my progress has probably dwindled because I haven’t been running consistently for the past four weeks.

So when I showed up for that race today and finished my 3.1 miles in 47 minutes and 42 seconds, I was honestly almost in disbelief.

I knew I was going to finish the race. I just didn’t think I was going to finish it in less than 60 minutes, I thought I would be in the 50s. I had already planned to run slowly. I was not going to tire myself out at the beginning. I knew it would be a slow race, and that was intentional. But even my slow race was faster than I thought it was going to be.

And I think there’s a lesson in that, especially at the start of a new year. Some people will hit the ground sprinting, going full steam as fast as they can, and that’s okay. That might be the season they’re in. But if this isn’t your sprinting season, if this is your slow, steady, easy-run season, then don’t burn yourself out trying to keep up with everyone sprinting past you. Running your race at the pace your body can sustain still gets you to the finish line.

I don’t know, I just feel so encouraged and inspired by that. I feel like there’s a message here about how God can surprise us when we keep our focus on our own race.

There were moments, I’m not going to lie, when I was intimidated by all the faster people passing me. I thought to myself a few times, oh my goodness, I’m going to be one of the last ones finishing this race. And then I reminded myself, so what if you are? Because you’re finishing. My husband reminded me of that too before the race. He told me, all that other stuff will come. Your goal is to finish.

With that goal in mind, I made a challenge to myself during the race. I did not look back. Not once. Not one time did I look over my shoulder. Not one time did I concern myself with what people behind me were doing. I looked ahead. I gave myself goals. If you can just get to that stop sign, you can do it. If you can just get to that cone. If you can just get to that tree, keep going. It’s okay. Stop for a second. Don’t stop. Just walk. Catch your breath. Keep going.

That’s how I talked to myself the entire time.

And before I knew it, I saw the sign that said I had one mile left. That invigorated me. In that moment, I decided to really dial in. I listened to a song that reminded me of my late brother-in-law, Justin. He really loved “Keep on Rolling” by King George. And even though that song is not about running, LOL, I kept on rolling through my race, digging really deep and trusting my body.

I felt so proud of myself when I finished.

Back in May, when I said I wanted to be a runner, I was really curious about what a runner’s high was. What is this feeling runners describe? And I’m so happy to know that I’ve found out what that is. Running puts you in your own zone. It lifts your spirits in a way I honestly haven’t experienced from anything else. And God knows I never thought I would think it was fun. I used to hate running. It felt like a punishment, but now it feels like a privilege, especially as my body continues to mature and change.

Running. Mobility. These are privileges.

I’m very thankful for 2026 and for starting my year off with such a strong personal race. And as we’re starting the first full week of 2026, I want to encourage us all to run your race, because that’s the only one you can control.