I’m Not a Runner and I Run Anyway

The Thought That Almost Stops Us

“I’m not a runner.”
It sounds like a harmless thought. But for many women, it becomes a wall.

Not fast enough. Not consistent enough. Not lean enough. Not serious enough.
Not enough.

These quiet disqualifiers creep in before our shoes even hit the trail. And they don’t just shape how we run: they shape whether we show up at all.

Why This Hits Women Harder

Imposter syndrome is disproportionately felt by women, especially in spaces we’ve been historically underrepresented. Like endurance sports. Or trail running. Or leadership. It’s that gap between competence and confidence, where we are capable, but don’t feel we have the right to take up space.

In a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, women reported higher levels of imposter feelings than men, even when their performance metrics were equal or superior. In other words: the doubt wasn’t about ability. It was about identity.

So What Does That Mean on the Trail?

It means that for many of us, the hardest part isn’t running. It’s deciding we belong there.

And that’s where the power lies.
Because every time you show up despite the doubt, you rewrite the story.
You make space not just for yourself, but for others who feel the same.

How to Move Through It

1. Name it.
   Imposter syndrome thrives in silence. Saying, “I feel like I don’t belong here” is a first step in disarming it.
2. Reframe your evidence.
   If you run, you’re a runner. Period. Whether it’s 2km or 20. Whether it’s slow, steady, walk breaks, or wobbly post-baby steps. You’re doing it.
3. Surround yourself with inclusive communities.
   Being around other women who run for joy, connection, growth: not just speed, helps you anchor a new narrative. This is exactly why Her Trails exists.
4. Start where you are, not where you think you should be.
   There’s power in the beginning. In circling the block. In one trail loop. In joining a program or group even when you're nervous. Action precedes confidence.

You Don’t Have to Feel Like a Runner to Run

You just have to keep going.
You don’t owe anyone proof. You don’t need to earn the label.
Running isn’t about who sees you, it’s about how you meet yourself.

Reflection Prompt

What story have I been telling myself that’s kept me small?
What would it look like to take up space on my own terms?