How Running Lets Me Be Competitive (Without the Pressure of Racing Others)

I used to think I wasn't competitive.

Growing up, I avoided team sports. I didn't like the pressure of of having others rely on me or judging me for a bad play. The idea of competing against teammates or opponents made me more anxious than excited. I assumed that meant I just wasn't a competitive or athletic person.

But then I started running. And I realized something: I actually do love competition - I just needed the right kind.

Running lets me be competitive on my own terms. There's no coach watching my every move, no teammates depending on my performance, and no pressure to be the fastest. Instead, I compete against my past self. I set goals, track my progress, and push myself to improve - without worrying about anyone else's pace.

If you've ever felt like you're "too slow" to be competitive or that running is only for "real athletes," this post is for you. Here's how running has helped me embrace competition without the pressure of racing others - and how you can, too.

Why Team Sports Never Worked for Me

For a long, I thought that if I didn't thrive in team sports, I wasn't "sporty." I wasn't the fastest, the strongest, or the most coordinated. I dreaded gym class. I never quite found my place in structured athletics, and I figured competition just wasn't for me.

But looking back, I realized that it wasn't competition itself that I didn't like it was the kind of competition. 

I didn't enjoy the pressure of being compared to others. I didn't want to feel like I was letting down a team. And honestly?  I didn't like the idea that success or failure depended on someone else's performance, not just my own.

That's why running clicked for me. There's no coach yelling instructions. No teammates relying on me to win the game. No judgement if I have a bad day.

It's just me, my goals, and the road ahead.

 How I Stay Motivated in Running Without Racing Against Others

One of the things I love most about running is that I get to define my own success.

• Maybe it’s running a little farther than last time.
• Maybe it’s going a little faster than the time before.
• Maybe it’s just the satisfaction of pushing myself and getting my heartrate going.

I don’t need to compare myself to anyone else to feel accomplished. I just need to push myself in ways that matter to me.

And the best part? The progress is measurable. Unlike other forms of exercise, where results can feel slow and frustrating, running gives instant feedback. I can see my distance increase (for tips on tracking your runs check-out my post: 6 Easy Ways to Track Your Running Progress as a Beginner Runner). I can feel my body getting stronger. I can track my progress with simple numbers – minutes, kilometers, pace, effort (interested in my Running Tracker? Check-it out in my New Runner Guide).

Tracking my runs has been a game-changer. Seeing those small improvements – whether it’s running for an extra minute without stopping or completing a route that once felt impossible – gives me something tangible to celebrate and compare myself against.

That Time I Competed…for Last Place

Even though I run for myself, sometimes competition finds me in unexpected ways.

During my first 50K ultra trail marathon, I found myself in an unspoken competition for last place. Another runner and I kept passing each other throughout the race, and though we never spoke about it, we both knew we were battling to not finish last.

By the final 20 kilometers, I had pulled ahead but knew she wasn’t far behind. Even though I was running alone, the thought of her catching up pushed me to keep going. It wasn’t about beating her it was about proving to myself that I had more left in the tank, that I could push through fatigue and finish strong.

That experience taught me something important: competition doesn’t have to mean pressure – it can mean motivation. Sometimes, we need and external push to remind us of what we’re capable of. And in running, that push doesn’t have to come from a coach or teammate – it can come from  the quiet knowledge that someone else is out there, working just as hard as you are.

(Read more about my first 50K ultra and what it taught me here: Lessons from My First 50K Ultra Marathon)

Why I Love Competing Against Myself

For some runners, competition means racing others, chasing podium spots, or setting records. And that’s great! But for me, it’s about:

• Pushing my own limits not someone else’s.
• Measuring my progress based on my own goals.
• Celebrating every win big or small.

I also love the flexibility that comes with this kind of competition. Some weeks, I want to challenge myself to run faster. Other weeks, I just want to enjoy the movement and the quiet time alone. The best part? Both approaches are valid. Running lets me be as competitive – or as relaxed – as I want to be.

And the mental benefits go beyond the run itself. Training my mind to push through discomfort on a run has helped me in other areas of life, too. When work feels exhausting, or when I doubt myself in other areas, I remind myself: if I can push through tough miles, I can push through this, too.

It lets me challenge myself without comparison. It lets me challenge myself without the weight of expectations from others. It gives me the space to grow at my own pace, in my own way.

And honestly? That as the kind of competition I love most.

What About You?

Are you competitive when you run? Do you love racing others, or do you prefer to compete against yourself? Let’s chat in the comments!

P.S. Want to track your own running progress?

Grab my free beginner running tracker to set goals, track your progress, and challenge yourself! Download it here!