How do you handle comparison?
The miles teach us. Photo by author. I walked into the house after a 3-hour run, feeling on top of the world. My nutrition was on point, and my legs felt strong; it was a successful morning run leading up to my first 50-mile ultra. I then made the mistake of opening Instagram.
Posts of back-to-back 20-milers and week 3 of 65-mile weeks filled my screen. My stomach tightened. I’d just finished 17 miles. My weekly mileage? Nowhere close to 65.
Will I be ready to run 50.2 miles? Am I doing enough?
The thoughts looped. Two months out from my first ultramarathon, and my post-run confidence evaporated, replaced by a stranger’s training plans that had nothing to do with me. I stopped myself and set down my phone.
I’ve worked with Coach Joel since 2018. I’ve stayed injury-free, qualified for Boston multiple times, and trusted his guidance through every training block. Why would I let a highlight reel from someone I’ve never met make me question that?
I set a 30-minute daily social media limit moving forward and chose to trust the plan built for me. I refused to let comparison take away my joy, especially during my first ultra. My coach often shares a formula for running success: “7 X 52 X 10. Seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, for 10 years. The formula is simple, the execution is not.”
This reminded me that I don’t need to worry about where other runners are in their preparation. Each person’s path to a goal is unique. I just need to keep showing up, stay focused, and trust in my support system. This lesson applies beyond running. Own your path—distractions or comparisons don’t have to hold you back.
Trust your plan, lean on your support system, and believe in your preparation.
Let’s Go!
How do you handle FOMO or comparison when seeing others’ progress online?
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“Don’t compare yourself to others, there’s no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it’s their time.”
—Anonymous
