5 Meaningful Ways to Measure Running Success Beyond Getting Faster

Enhanced performance is directly related to mindful and consistent efforts in all areas of our running. The next time you have a tough run or feel sluggish, forget how it felt; forget your time or pace. Ask yourself if you’ve been consistent that day (or week, or month), and focus on maintaining those regular habits.

True success is not just how fast you run but is made up of many layers that require focus and contribute to improvement. Through hard work, experience, and consistency, we become better runners in many ways.

One thing great runners have in common is that they run a lot. In order to run a lot, you need to have a solid aerobic base.

While positivity is a bit nebulous, I ask myself: Did I enjoy the run? Was I able to keep going and push through moments of difficulty when I wanted to quit? Was my run the mental break in my day that I needed to give me clarity, energy, and time to myself? If the answer to each of these questions is yes, then I know I succeeded in remaining positi