Today I am talking about the ‘F’ and ‘S’ word. Now, now… before we jump to conclusions, I do want to remind you I am a Christian MOMMY Running blogger.
If you are a mom to young children the bad words starting with F and S are fat and stupid. Well… atleast those are bad words in my home.
As an adult, there are other worse words that start with those letters. But I will not be talking about those words either.
Today I am talking about two very bad words for RUNNERS… the F and S word.
FAST and SLOW
Those two words can really do damage to a runners mental game.
For me, I find myself comparing my abilities to other runners. When I start using the F and S word in my vocabulary, comparing myself (and my abilities) to other runners… I doubt myself.
I am not as FAST as her.
I am too SLOW.
Her FAST is my SLOW.
My FAST is her SLOW.
God has equipped everyone… (YOU! ME!) with unique talents and abilities. What we do with those abilities and God given talents are up to us.
The words fast and slow have nothing to do with your ability as a runner. We need to stop using those terms to describe how we run.
You are a runner.
You are a runner when you run a 6 minute mile.
You are a runner when you run a 14 minute mile.
You are a runner when you run with your child at the play ground.
You are a runner when you run races… for fun, competitively, or to keep you in shape.
You ARE a Runner… fast or slow… you run… You are a runner!
I am working on not using the words that start with F and S in my running vocabulary. Fast and Slow are two words that are all based on perspective. One person’s fast is another person’s slow. One person’s slow is another person’s pee your pants fast!
I vow to (work on not using) stop using the F and S word when describing my running abilities.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ah! Go read my post last week on slow runners! no matter what you running looks like, you are a RUNNER and it is a beautiful thing! XOXO BE PROUD!
Yvonne says
I love how you always remind me of things I need to remember .. and I definitely know that “pee your pants fast”! You are so inspiring!
Rachel says
Ha! I had to put that in there. I remember doing time trials for Tiffany when I trained for CIM. Oh those mile time trials … once I stopped at my warp speed… it was squeeze and pray your don’t pee your pants! 😉 yet… some runners can run that pace (and FASTER!!) for 26+ miles. CRAZY! 🙂
Jill Will Run says
Oh yes… I’m definitely guilty of falling into that comparison trap. Especially throughout this training cycle, because I’ve felt kind of like I’m thrown in there with people who are outta my league! I’m crazy excited for our race (just a few short weeks…. YIKES!!!!) but I’m also scared too. I constantly preach against these comparisons to runners I’ve coached, but I’m so bad at applying it to myself.
Rachel says
Ha Yes! I am so ‘slow’ and am totally okay with it. I love running and LOVE running to be FUN. 😉 You are more than welcome to tag in the back of the pack with me come race day! No pressure here! 🙂
Jill Will Run says
We should totally start together! I have no goal except to enjoy the experience… and to not cry because I miss my baby girl because this will be the longest and furthest I’ve been away from her!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
This is such a neat perspective Rachel – competitiveness can be good, but not when we’re comparing in a negative way.
Heather @ FITaspire says
YES!! When I used to lead run club, I noticed that *everyone* says they are slow. No matter what speed they run! It’s all relative – you’re fast compared to someone else and slow compared to someone else. 🙂
Shannon Schmid says
I’m not much of a runner – but I can certainly apply this idea to lots of other areas of my life! Thanks for the reminder!
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
I do this too. But, I use the F and S words that mommies should not use. LOL. Can you tell I am having a bad day today? 🙂
Liz Mays says
I’m not a runner, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing oneself with others. It really is relative anyhow. We need to give ourselves a break.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
Truly, I only compete against myself. But I do use the F and S words in those comparisons.
Alyssa @ Simply Quinoa says
This is such a great post, Rachel! I really believe that comparing ourselves to others is one of the worst things we can do to our self esteem. Focusing on being the best we can be in our own bodies is what makes us stronger and happier and healthier!
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
I am a walker (not a runner) but I do find myself using the F & S words to compare every walk to previous ones. I need to STOP doing that.
Patty says
I think human nature is to compare but we have to defeat that part of us that feels we have to do better than everyone else and be satisfied with what is good for us on that day.
Crystal says
Running doesn’t come easily for me, so I am just proud of myself on the days I actually get out there. I can see how that competitiveness would be problematic. You can push yourself so far. Other than that, you just have to do what your body will allow.
Janelle @WhollyHealthy says
Guilty. I also need to stop comparing one run to the other – xx miles is still xx miles, no matter how long it takes!
CARLA says
you know me.
THIS?
THIS??
it applies to my lifegame.
my achievement getting snagging nailing game too.
76sunflowers says
Thank you thank you thank you! Love this post…perfect timing 🙂
Crystal says
I never even thought of those being bad words until now, but I definitely get it. Just the fact that you’re out there running is enough.
Coby @Skinny Fiber Natural Health says
I love how you started this out with the F and S. The truth is is that you totally tricked me and I was thinking it was going to be a rant about the not so good words. I was pleased to find out that that wasn’t the case and that you had applied the F and S towards jogging. Very good writing style!
Valerie Remy-Milora says
Great message that can be applied to every aspect of our lives. The only way I think of fast and slow when running is when I do interval training, during which I bounce between fast intervals and slow intervals 😉
Cristy says
GREAT post, but holy crap, I am SLOW!!! 😉 Seriously. If I ran any slower I’d be walking.
I’m working on not using the “slow” word. It’s hard.
Charis says
wise mama! Those are good kids rules. And ouch the rest of it was definitely something I need to hear!