Trying to Stay Modest

If my running stats are better than somebody else's, (which is VERY rare, BTW) I try to down-play it, and tell them to keep it up and that their stats will improve with time and practice. As long as you are not gloating, or are in-your-face about it, it won't be your fault if they think you are.

Just my $0.02...

I agree. When you're doing better than the runners around you, use it to encourage them to keep at it. I have a kind of "Look, if I can do it, anybody can" mindset; if you present yourself as a pathfinder rather than some Supremely Talented Being, people appreciate the inspiration and there's no problem. That way you can lay out your performances and it doesn't come across as boastful, just informative :)

Of course, realizing that "success" can be fickle and temporary and that the people you are talking to may end up beating you if they DO follow your example, also keeps an edge of humility in there!

I think its good to be proud of your accomplishments. It is a benefit of competing and doing well. It did take me quite awhile to be ok with simply saying 'thank you' to people who sent a compliment my way. The way out of being 'better' than others is to have genuine interest and excitement about their results which is not much different than how you feel about yourself.

"I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together." John Lennon (I am the Walrus)

"Thats really good". Patty Murray (to club mate X when X does well compared to target time).

I'm about where you are, weltal327.
I've run with a lot of different groups over the years, though. With some groups I have been consistently the fastest person out there, and with other groups, I'm always the slowest.
I know how it feels to be reluctant to talk about where you are and what you are doing in both situations.
I agree with what Dave says. If you want to talk to people about your experiences, ask them about theirs. Their stories, whether they are about faster or slower times, are proably as interesting and inspiring as yours.

I run in a group where there are a lot of beginning runners, or they started running later in life so they are still setting P.R's unlike me. I get just as excited hearing about their P.R.'s or great workouts as I do my own accomplishments. I sometimes pace my teammates in time trials or workouts and am there to Congratulate them on their performance. They also compliment me when I do well in races. Every runner has their own goals no matter what level and being runners we can relate to the hard work that it takes to improve and everyone cheers on each other.

I think you can be nice about it and not worry about it. It isn't as if you are winning all the races in the community. Just discuss your stats the same way youwould with anyone, and also your hopes for the future. We all have future goals after all.