Running at Your Own Pace: Celebrating Inclusive Running with the Southern Running Collective

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to table at the kickoff event for Southern Running Collective (SRC)! SRC’s mission is “to expand the running community by creating spaces where every middle and back of the pack runner feels supported and empowered through inclusive coaching built on connection rather than comparison.” The focus is on “transforming the running culture into one where anyone who wants to be a runner gains the confidence and support to pursue that goal, regardless of pace, body type, or experience.”

I wholeheartedly believe in SRC’s mission because so many runners feel they aren’t really runners due to size, pace, mileage, or experience level.

I’ve been a runner since I was 13 years old, and over the years I’ve been part of many different running communities: high school cross country, college team, local 5Ks, trail races, ultramarathons, and even the running world on Instagram. Each space has its own culture and priorities, but an unfortunate thread that often shows up is the idea that “real” running is for thin people who put down fast times.

For many runners, that message gets internalized quickly. It can show up as comparison at the starting line, feeling embarrassed about pace, avoiding group runs, or questioning whether you “belong” in running spaces at all. I’ve worked with many runners in therapy who love running, but struggle with the pressure and perfectionism that can come with it.

The truth is, running culture has historically centered performance and aesthetics in ways that can unintentionally exclude people. But over the past decade, there has been a growing movement to challenge that narrative and expand what a runner can look like.

When I was active as a running Instagrammer, one of the movements that really impacted me was #SportsBraSquad, started by Kelly Roberts. The idea was simple but powerful: encouraging women to wear sports bras while running, regardless of body size, as a way of reclaiming visibility and comfort. Seeing runners confidently showing up in bodies that looked more like mine helped me embrace my own runner’s body as it is. Even today, it reminds me that I don’t have to look a certain way to wear what’s comfortable (and during Georgia summer training, that means a sports bra!).

What excites me about SRC is that it carries forward a similar spirit of inclusivity. The focus isn’t on chasing a specific pace or proving that you’re “serious enough.” Instead, the emphasis is on connection, encouragement, and celebrating the commitment it takes simply to show up.

For middle- and back-of-the-pack runners especially, there’s often a quiet perseverance that doesn’t get highlighted in traditional running culture. Finishing a long run when it takes hours instead of minutes requires patience. Training while navigating work, family, injuries, or self-doubt requires resilience. These accomplishments deserve recognition just as much as podium finishes.

I also know from my own experience how easy it is to get pulled into comparison—looking at pace charts, finishing times, or PRs and wondering if you’re doing “enough.” That’s why having communities that intentionally shift the focus away from comparison and toward connection can be so powerful. It creates space for runners to appreciate their own progress and define success on their own terms.

Saturday’s kickoff was an amazing turnout. There was so much energy in the room—runners meeting each other, sharing stories, and getting excited about building something new together. It was a reminder of how meaningful it can be when people come together around a shared value of inclusion and support.

I’m grateful that Pace Yourself Counseling Collective had the opportunity to be part of SRC’s beginning, and to meet so many runners from the Atlanta area. As both a runner and a therapist, it’s exciting to see communities forming that prioritize mental wellbeing, belonging, and sustainability in sport!

If you’re interested in learning more about SRC and their mission, you can explore their work through their website here.

And if you’re a runner who finds yourself struggling with comparison, body image, burnout, or the pressure that can come with training, therapy can be a space to unpack those experiences. I specialize in working with runners and athletes navigating eating disorders, body image concerns, and performance pressure. If you’re interested in working together, you can contact me here.

Like SRC emphasizes, there isn’t one “right” pace for running, and there isn’t one “right” pace for healing either.