Rethinking the Finish Line
As runners, we’ve all been there—obsessing over the numbers. Our pace, our splits, our finish time. These metrics can be incredibly motivating, but they can also become shackles. When we fall short of a target, it's easy to let that disappointment bleed into our self-belief. We start tying our identity to the stopwatch.
But what if we changed the way we measured success?
During my Sport Psychology studies, I had the privilege of learning alongside elite athletes—some as fellow students, others as guest speakers. Time and again, one message stood out loud and clear: the best sports people in the world don't focus on the result—they focus on the process.
After Rory McIlroy’s long-awaited Masters win in 2025, this message came through loud and clear. He and his sport psychologist, Dr. Bob Rotella, worked intentionally to anchor his focus in the present moment. They didn’t chase the trophy. Instead, they chased quality execution-shot by shot, moment by moment. McIlroy talked openly about learning to bounce back from mistakes and staying grounded in the process, not the outcome.
So what does that mean for us, as runners?
It means redefining what a “good run” looks like. It’s not just about the watch. It’s about how you showed up mentally. Did you stay present when things got tough? Did you stick to your plan? Did you adjust when things didn’t go as expected?
Here are a few ways to start rethinking your own finish line:
Set process goals, not just performance goals. Instead of only aiming for a sub-4 marathon, try setting a goal like stay strong through mile 20, practice positive self-talk when feeling tired or focus on pace strategies like negative splits.
Celebrate the bounce-backs. Just like McIlroy, take pride in how you respond to setbacks mid-run. Did you lose pace and recover? That’s a win.
Detach self-worth from numbers. Your time doesn’t define your progress. Consistency, effort, and resilience matter just as much-if not more.
Practice being present. Use cues to bring yourself back to the moment—your breath, your stride, your surroundings. Process over pressure.
We as Runner are more than just numbers. We are on our own personal running journey. And when we learn to value the process, we not only run better—we enjoy it more.
If you are interested in achieving your running potential or if you would like to learn more about my coaching service. Get in touch @ coach.run2thetop@gmail.com or complete the contact form
