This is a little embarrassing to share, but I think it's relevant, so here goes. In high school, I was the valedictorian of my class. Looking back, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend chasing that goal—there’s a pressure to focus obsessively on grades, which doesn’t always translate to real-world success. But that’s a different conversation.

The truth is, I enjoyed school. I liked learning. I liked science and math, which probably explains my path later in life. But what stands out most to me now isn’t the grades or the accolades—it’s the speech I gave as valedictorian.

Picture this: an 18-year-old me standing in front of my graduating class of 500 students, their families, and friends at the Perry Agricultural Center in Georgia. I delivered my speech, feeling like I had something profound to say. Looking back, I doubt it was as weighty as I thought. I can’t remember most of it, but one line stuck with me:

"Success is nothing more than the feeling of not failing."

At the time, I thought I was being clever. I liked how it sounded, but I didn’t fully understand what it meant. I carried that phrase with me for a while, but as I’ve grown, I’ve realized it doesn’t quite hit the mark. Today, I would rewrite it:

"Confidence doesn’t come from success. Confidence comes from overcoming failure."

Why This Matters in Running

If there’s one thing running teaches us, it’s that failure is inevitable. Whether it’s missing a goal time, bonking during a race, or struggling to get out the door for a training run, every runner experiences setbacks. But here’s the thing: those failures are the foundation of your confidence.

Think about your proudest running moment. Was it crossing the finish line of a race? Setting a new PR? Running farther than you ever thought possible? Now think about what got you there. It wasn’t just a string of easy runs or perfect races. It was the tough days when you didn’t quit, the workouts where you gave your all, and the times you laced up when you didn’t feel like it.

That’s the beauty of running: it mirrors life. The confidence you build comes not from avoiding failure but from facing it head-on and coming out stronger.

How to Build Confidence Through Failure

1. Reframe Your Setbacks
   Instead of viewing failure as a stop sign, see it as a stepping stone. Missed your goal in a race? That’s not the end; it’s a learning opportunity. What can you adjust in your training, nutrition, or mindset to improve next time?

2. Celebrate the Small Wins
   Overcoming failure isn’t about dramatic comebacks. It’s the small victories—showing up for your run, finishing a tough workout, or getting through the mental block on a long run—that build confidence over time.

3. Stay Consistent
   Consistency is the antidote to self-doubt. Even when it feels like you’re not making progress, sticking with your training builds a foundation that will carry you through future challenges.

4. Embrace the Process
   Confidence isn’t built overnight. It’s the result of showing up, failing, learning, and growing, day after day.

A Personal Running Example

I’ve had my share of running failures—races that didn’t go as planned, injuries that sidelined me, and even days when I questioned if I should keep going. But those moments didn’t define me; my response to them did.

For instance, during one marathon, I completely hit the wall. My pace tanked, and I limped to the finish line. I could’ve let that experience shake my confidence. Instead, I studied what went wrong—nutrition, pacing, and hydration—and adjusted my approach. The next marathon, I didn’t just finish; I thrived.

That’s the power of overcoming failure. It’s not about perfection; it’s about persistence.

The Takeaway

Whether you’re running your first 5K or chasing a Boston Qualifier, confidence won’t come from a flawless journey. It comes from learning to embrace and overcome the inevitable hurdles along the way.

So the next time you face a setback in running—or life—remember this: confidence doesn’t come from success. Confidence comes from overcoming failure. Lace up, step forward, and keep going. The best version of yourself is waiting on the other side of those challenges.

Now, what failure will you tackle today?