Going at my pace: A turtle’s guide to racing
There are a few common misconceptions that I often hear online about running and racing. One
of them being that running needs to be a challenging, all-out effort, even when you’re starting
out. Another is that if you’re a slow runner, you’re “not really a runner.”
Based on these two messages, it’s no wonder that some people feel discouraged from joining the sport. I’m here to
show you that racing is for slower runners too!
If we haven’t met before, hi, hello! I am a slower runner. I affectionately call myself a turtle.
When I’m racing, on a good day, my top speed is probably around 6:30/km for a 10km and 7:00-
7:30/km during a half marathon. I have run two marathons, both of which took me over 6 hours
to complete (my current marathon PB is around 6 hours and 11 minutes). You may ask, why am
I’m trying so hard when I’m not even close to being at the front of the pack. Why do I race?
Here’s the thing: racing doesn’t have to be about being the fastest. It can be about the
community, the experience, and the personal growth from just showing up. Every time I show up
on the start line, there is the possibility that I’ll push myself just a little bit harder, go just a little bit
faster. There’s also the possibility that I’m just there to have a good time. And that’s okay, too.
And to be honest, us slower runners bring the best vibes to the race.
Racing can also be about challenging your mental strength.
For me, this is also something I enjoy about taking on longer distances such as the marathon and half marathon. Sometimes,
during a race, I will question what I’m doing — can my body actually do this? Have I tried to do too
much this time? These are some of the mental barriers that pop up and challenge me throughout
the race. But I keep moving forward, and through each race I complete, I build confidence in
myself and my resiliency as a runner. The coolest part is that I feel like I also learn new things
about myself.
Maybe I will get faster, maybe I’ll have setbacks, or I won’t, but racing can be a
time that I have with myself and my community that make running feel amazing.
One of the things I love most about the Vancouver Island Race Series is how it creates an
environment for runners of all abilities to feel welcome and encouraged. The volunteers, race
organizers, and fellow runners bring an infectious energy, no matter where you finish. This is
why I also make it a point to cheer on everyone I can.
As an ambassador for the series, I hope that I can encourage runners to try racing — no matter their pace. And as a friend told me once, forward is the pace. It’s not about speed, it’s about your experience and whatever you want it to be.
