--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In running, it doesn't matter how fast or…" description: "\"In running, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you are relative to anyone else. You set your own pace and you measure your own progress. You can't lose..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/amby-burfoot-15444_long_in-running-it-doesn-t-matter-how-fast-or_1320849.png" --- # In running, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you are… ![“In running, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you are relative to anyone else. You set your own pace and you measure your own progress. You can't lose this race because you're not running against anyone else. You're only running against yourself, and as long as you are running, you are winning.” quote by Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/amby-burfoot-15444_long_in-running-it-doesn-t-matter-how-fast-or_1320849.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/amby-burfoot-15444_long_in-running-it-doesn-t-matter-how-fast-or_1320849.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/amby-burfoot-15444_long_in-running-it-doesn-t-matter-how-fast-or_1320849.png) > “In running, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you are relative to anyone else. You set your own pace and you measure your own progress. You can't lose this race because you're not running against anyone else. You're only running against yourself, and as long as you are running, you are winning.” [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal progress is measured by your own effort, not by comparing to others; success is continuous self‑competition. **In simple terms:** Your race is only against yourself. Key Takeaway Focus on personal improvement. Themes self‑improvement competition motivation Mood determined encouraging Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - training - personal fitness - goal setting - mental health Key Concepts growth mindset intrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - How can you track personal growth? - What habits reinforce self‑competition? A Different Perspective Comparisons can still affect confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Loses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loses/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pace/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Race Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race-running-2615640/) [Relative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relative/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Running Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-doesn-986204/) [Running Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-winning-4401751/) [Set Pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/set-pace-356814/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [I don't have any particular plans in mind. What I see is that you can become so focused on the idea of running that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zephyr-teachout/i-don-t-have-any-particular-plans-in-mind-what-i-see-is-that-you-can/) [Zephyr Teachout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zephyr-teachout/) > [I can say when it comes to championships it's a tactical race and normally you don't have a pacesetter who can set a pace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rudisha/i-can-say-when-it-comes-to-championships-it-s-a-tactical-race-and/) [David Rudisha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rudisha/) > [On every film I do, whenever there are other girls my age, I think it's definitely up to me to set the pace. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-dunst/on-every-film-i-do-whenever-there-are-other-girls-my-age-i-think-it-s/) [Kirsten Dunst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-dunst/) > [“Awkwardness can make the heart race, but don't let it set the pace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henna-pryor/awkwardness-can-make-the-heart-race-but-don-t-let-it-set-the-pace/) [Henna Pryor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henna-pryor/) > [We may train or peek for a certain race, but running is a lifetime sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-salazar/we-may-train-or-peek-for-a-certain-race-but-running-is-a-lifetime/) [Alberto Salazar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-salazar/) > [I would say that Breaking2 was my best race because I was running against something no one had done before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliud-kipchoge/i-would-say-that-breaking2-was-my-best-race-because-i-was-running/) [Eliud Kipchoge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliud-kipchoge/) > [We may train or peak for a certain race, but running is a lifetime sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-salazar/we-may-train-or-peak-for-a-certain-race-but-running-is-a-lifetime/) [Alberto Salazar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-salazar/) > [“were placed along the course, here and there. There was no 'One, two, three, and away,' but they began running when they liked, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/were-placed-along-the-course-here-and-there-there-was-no-one-two/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [I may not drink an electrolyte beverage during the race. If I am running in an hour, I won't need one. But if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-hall/i-may-not-drink-an-electrolyte-beverage-during-the-race-if-i-am/) [Ryan Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-hall/) > [Hopefully, the drivers will be able to race without running over one another. Anything with a heritage like this racetrack, I would not have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-martin/hopefully-the-drivers-will-be-able-to-race-without-running-over-one/) [Mark Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-martin/) > [Stay in the race. Keep running. Keep walking. Keep praying. The Lord will renew your strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/stay-in-the-race-keep-running-keep-walking-keep-praying-the-lord-will/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [There was a race that I was running in Mexico City and I was the only high school athlete running against grown women. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allyson-felix/there-was-a-race-that-i-was-running-in-mexico-city-and-i-was-the-only/) [Allyson Felix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allyson-felix/) > [This race that I'm running. Whether I run it fast or slow. Long as I just keep on running. I'm gonna make it there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mary/this-race-that-i-m-running-whether-i-run-it-fast-or-slow-long-as-i/) [Mary Mary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mary/) > [Cornering is like bringing a woman to a climax. Both you and the car must work together. You start to enter the area of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-stewart/cornering-is-like-bringing-a-woman-to-a-climax-both-you-and-the-car/) [Jackie Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-stewart/) > [Amazing, I'm blazing. Look over here, said that I'm amazing. Nobody's facing, what I'm facing. Set a pace, so I can race without pacing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-bieber/amazing-i-m-blazing-look-over-here-said-that-i-m-amazing-nobody-s/) [Justin Bieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-bieber/) ## More by Amby Burfoot > [I have learned that there is no failure in running, or in life, as long as you keep moving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/i-have-learned-that-there-is-no-failure-in-running-or-in-life-as-long/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [Best wishes for a great marathon. Be sure to savor it. The first marathon is something special. Run long and healthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/best-wishes-for-a-great-marathon-be-sure-to-savor-it-the-first/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [Don't compare yourself with anyone else. The world is full of runners, so you'll probably see one every time you circle the block or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/don-t-compare-yourself-with-anyone-else-the-world-is-full-of-runners/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [We have all learned everything we know physically—from walking to running a marathon—by trial and error, so there's no reason to become our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/we-have-all-learned-everything-we-know-physically-from-walking-to/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [It's what runners do. We keep on keeping on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/it-s-what-runners-do-we-keep-on-keeping-on/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [Set a goal and a program for yourself, and everything else will follow. Guaranteed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/set-a-goal-and-a-program-for-yourself-and-everything-else-will-follow/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [You don't need any skill to run…Every 3-year old knows how to run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/you-don-t-need-any-skill-to-run-every-3-year-old-knows-how-to-run/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [I like to say, and I truly believe, that every run brings new experiences. You just don't know what they might be until you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/i-like-to-say-and-i-truly-believe-that-every-run-brings-new/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [The most powerful lesson you can learn in running? You're capable of much more than you think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/the-most-powerful-lesson-you-can-learn-in-running-you-re-capable-of/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [I've always liked hills. I see a challenge, a goal, and I feel instantly galvanized to achieve that goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/i-ve-always-liked-hills-i-see-a-challenge-a-goal-and-i-feel-instantly/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [Running is ultimately a personal experience. It is a revival of the spirit, a private oasis for the thirsty mind. Yet, its healing power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/running-is-ultimately-a-personal-experience-it-is-a-revival-of-the/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [If you train your mind for running, everything else will be easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/if-you-train-your-mind-for-running-everything-else-will-be-easy/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [The true but rare runner's high is a zone that we enter when everything seems to click perfectly, when time stands still, and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/the-true-but-rare-runner-s-high-is-a-zone-that-we-enter-when/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [This wasn’t just an attack against the Boston Marathon... It was an attack against the American public and our democratic use of the streets.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/this-wasn-t-just-an-attack-against-the-boston-marathon-it-was-an/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) > [It's not about how fast you go. It's not about how far you go. It's a process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amby-burfoot/it-s-not-about-how-fast-you-go-it-s-not-about-how-far-you-go-it-s-a/) [Amby Burfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) [Explore all 43 Amby Burfoot quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amby-burfoot/) ## More Long quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [I would borrow money all day long, if the cost of borrowing is less than the expected return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/i-would-borrow-money-all-day-long-if-the-cost-of-borrowing-is-less/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [Regardless of the criticisms I receive from the left, the right and the middle, I think it's important to maintain a prolific writing jab,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ishmael-reed/regardless-of-the-criticisms-i-receive-from-the-left-the-right-and/) [Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ishmael-reed/) > [Contradictory precepts that have guided me for as long as I can remember: 1: I will live forever. 2: I will die tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-gardner/contradictory-precepts-that-have-guided-me-for-as-long-as-i-can/) [Howard Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-gardner/) > [Public infrastructure around the world is facing unprecedented stress, with hurricanes, cyclones, floods and forest fires all increasing in frequency and intensity. It's easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/public-infrastructure-around-the-world-is-facing-unprecedented-stress/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [The real world out there isn't nearly as nice as some people prefer it to be, so don't swallow everything your high-born teachers tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-real-world-out-there-isn-t-nearly-as-nice-as-some-people-prefer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [ \[The Dalai Lama\] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i-ve-made-every-concession-to/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/) [Brian Reade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-reade/) > [Long before the 2016 presidential campaign, confidential sources had alerted me to longstanding misuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court system and the erosion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharyl-attkisson/long-before-the-2016-presidential-campaign-confidential-sources-had/) [Sharyl Attkisson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharyl-attkisson/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I was born and raised in Orlando, where the economy and culture has been powerfully shaped by tourism, and so I've long been interested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-van-den-berg/i-was-born-and-raised-in-orlando-where-the-economy-and-culture-has/) [Laura van den Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-van-den-berg/) > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) [Browse all 39,551 Long quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In running, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you are relative to anyone else. 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