This blog post isn’t about convincing you to stop comparing yourself to others. That’s just part of life, and it’s not going away anytime soon. But what can we do when it becomes the thief of our joy?
We need a way to take the power back. Comparison should never be about self-hate. When we wish for a better body, or a faster time, what’s really happening is that we are wanting more from ourselves. The solution may lie in turning inward towards the body we are actually living in.
If you keep scrolling, you’re only feeding the fire and distracting yourself from reality. Social media’s best kept secret is that the majority of what you are consuming is fake.
My best kept secret is called melting. It doesn’t require a podcast playing in the background, or watching a movie while simultaneously scrolling through Instagram. It’s just you and the cold hard ground, or your kitchen floor. You lay on the ground before a race, or just because you feel like it.
Close your eyes and relax every muscle one at a time. Imagine melting into the ground. Take deep breaths and push away all of the thoughts in your brain. Melting reminds me that I am real, and I have legs that carry me places regardless of how they compare to others.
Of course this isn’t easy, but that’s why it’s important. The goal is to uncrowd your brain for one or maybe even two seconds. Humans grow like trees, not by staring at other trees, but by rooting ourselves deeper.
Our branches don’t have to match to matter. When we melt into the ground we remember exactly who we’re growing for.
Alyson Simon
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Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: My favorite Grandmas Marathon memory is from last year. It was my fourth Grandmas full and the second time running it with my best friend, Hannah! In 2024 we ran 5:00:47, disappointed to just miss the five hour barrier. In 2025, we made a plan to push a little more in the beginning, and hang on for dear life in the second half hoping to break 5. As we ran into Duluth, it was going to be a close one but we were feeling good. In a dramatic turn of events, I started to overheat once we hit the blacktop after lemon drop hill. I had to stop and eat as much as I could and take in a half liter of water. I was so disappointed in myself for not staying on top of it, and because of that I wouldn’t finish the race with Hannah. Luckily, I started to come around and picked it up to find Hannah. I caught her with one mile to go – and together we broke 5 hours running 4:59:58!! I had my Garmin watch going, and after we crossed the finish line Hannah asked if we broke 5 and I shook my head. I saw 5:00:03 and it stung. A few minutes later, I got a text from my husband. “You guys broke 5! Congrats!!” I showed Hannah and we looked up the results, it was true! We were so excited and proud, our hard work had paid off.
A song that must be on your running playlist: There’s A Rhythm – Bon Iver
2025 running goal: Participate in keeping our running communities a safe and peaceful space for everyone.