We're all slower than somebody. There's nothing to be gained from belittling yourself over how fast you can run; banish all thoughts of 'Oh, I'm so slow, what's the point?' People get lapped even in world class 10Ks on the track. There will always be lots of people faster than you. That fact detracts not a whit from your efforts to get faster and the meaning you can find in that pursuit. Any thoughtful runner who has set performance goals and worked hard to reach them will respect any other runner's quest to do the same. Your effort, not your pace at that effort, is what really matters.

-Scott Douglas, 'The Little Red Book of Running'