Slow is Fast: Asma’s Journey to Intentional Growth
Asma Behery is a 2025 ONE14 Challenge Finisher, Asma didn't start 2025 as a runner. In fact, she began the year barely able to jog for five minutes before needing to stop. But by December, she had transformed her relationship with both her body and her faith, through steady, consistent effort.
We sat down with Asma to discuss how a year of "slow and steady" led to a finish line she once thought was torture.
What was the original goal you set for yourself when you started, and how did it evolve?
Entering the year as a complete newcomer to the sport, I was simply eager to see where running would take me. My cousin-in-law, who guided me, set a specific target: to run 5km in under 40 minutes.
On the quran side, my goal was to maintain a slow and consistent pace with my Qur’an memorization, aiming for 1-4 ayahs every week.
Looking back at 2025, what achievement are you most proud of?
I am proud that I'm learning to move at a slower and steadier pace. I've experienced multiple instances in the past where I've jumped to the more demanding before establishing a foundation, and I think I'm starting to learn from that pattern.
That showed up in my Qur'an journey, in choosing consistency over intensity. That same shift showed up in running. It's been meaningful to experience what it looks like to build towards something over time, rather than rushing towards an outcome.
If you had to look back and describe your 2025 in a single phrase, what would it be?
If I had to describe 2025 in just one single phrase, it would be: "Learning how to live more intentionally", as I continue aiming towards using my time more thoughtfully and being conscious of what I consume.
What were the biggest challenges you faced during your journey?
Powering through the physical pain that came with running, as a beginner, was certainly challenging.
When I first attempted to jog 5km continuously, about a week and a half before the race, I remember badly wanting to stop and thinking, “I never want to do this again.” A couple of days later, when I thought it couldn’t possibly get harder, I reattempted the 5km jog; this time, I was focusing on pace. That second run felt like torture, and I questioned whether it was worth pushing myself again. What kept me going was knowing I’d regret not following through and remembering that others were invested in my journey too.
One unexpected challenge during my journey was navigating how much daily habits impacted my progress. As a new runner, I didn’t expect things like sleep to matter so much, but they did.
With limited time to prepare for the race, small decisions became critical. Prioritizing rest, maintaining routines, and making small sacrifices were harder than I expected, but they played a major role in supporting my goals.
When motivation faded, what was your system? What did you practically do to keep going?
Recently, I learned about this concept of pre-commitment.Before each run, I pre-committed to what I needed to accomplish. I understood what goals I needed to reach within each session and told myself that stopping wasn’t an option.I did allow myself to slow down when I could afford it, which offered some relief that helped me keep going.
With Qur’an memorization, I was taught that we need to allow time for the Qur’an to enter our hearts. Sometimes, it took pushing through an initial wave of “conquering of the nafs (self)” to pick up the Qur’an. With repetition and consistency, memorization became easier. I found myself reciting memorized Qur’an during everyday moments, like driving or doing chores, which helped make memorization a beautiful part of my routine that offered an unmatched feeling of peace.
What made you join the ONE14 challenge in the first place?
I first heard about ONE14 about two years before I joined, but I didn’t participate right away. At the time, the people around me weren’t interested, which made me hesitant.
One day, I was invited to the park, unaware of the fact that I would be attending my first ONE14 meetup. From there, I continued going consistently. Although it was physically challenging, I felt that this journey would help bring me closer to Allah SWT through community, health, and Qur’an.
What role did community and Suhba play in your journey?
I wouldn’t have reached my goals without the support of others. People showed up for me in ways I didn’t expect, with people investing in me without being asked.
One moment that stands out is during the race, when another participant cheered me on with genuine excitement. Her encouragement made a very painful moment feel lighter.
I also learned that difficulty feels more manageable when shared. I experienced less pain when I ran with a friend who told stories. The ONE14 gatherings offered a space to grow relationships, even through brief exchanges like spending the morning exchanging stories.
As you look ahead to 2026, what are you carrying forward?
I’m carrying forward a new way of viewing time. For most of my life I labeled myself as “slow.” What I’ve realized, simply, is that things take time. Giving tasks or processes the time they need often makes them more enjoyable and helps me move through them more successfully, rather than judging my pace against a culture that values speed.
Learning the importance of flexibility and adaptability has further shifted how I view and use my time. I’ve learned that progress doesn’t have to look rigid or perfectly structured. Whether it’s Qur’an memorization or other habits, I’m trying to make use of small and unexpected pockets of time rather than waiting for ideal, uninterrupted stretches.
Alongside that, I’ve been learning to shift how I make decisions. Instead of asking whether I feel like doing something, I try to ask whether it’s beneficial and whether it brings me closer to pleasing Allah SWT.
All of this has reinforced the biggest lesson I’m carrying forward: the importance of positive habit-building. How we spend our time and what we consume directly affects our motivation, focus, and growth.
In 2026, I hope to continue moving forward sustainably — running a 5k comfortably, gradually deepening my relationship with the Qur’an, and being more intentional with how I use my time.
Can you share one specific thing from your journey that you know you’ll remember for a long time?
I feel that, for a long time, I’ll remember how it felt to start and finish the ONE14 race.
Despite being advised to ease into it, I unintentionally began the race faster than I normally ran. It was overwhelming running amidst a crowd, especially as a first-time long-distance runner. It took time to drop down to my intended pace. The adrenaline coursing through me was a new feeling.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change my race start. Although likely unwise, it felt exhilarating propelling my body forward faster than usual without the pain and fatigue that typically came with that speed. In future races, I hope to approach the beginning with more control.
The end of the race was brutal. I was exhausted, slightly nauseous, my heart was pounding, and all I wanted to do was stop. All of my focus went into crossing the finish line, even conserving the energy it took to lift my arm and check my watch.
When I finally dragged myself across, I felt overworked and light-headed, but once my body calmed down the feeling was incredible — not just emotionally, but also physically. My body felt lighter and refreshed, and I know that feeling will stay with me for a long time.
Finally, for the person reading this who is hesitant, overwhelmed, or feels they aren't "ready" to start , what is your advice?
My advice would be to focus on slow and consistent progress. I remember once, when I was in high school, running incredibly slow on the school track. A few of my peers ran past me saying, “you run slower than my grandma”. The truth is, there is nothing shameful about starting off slow. The most beloved deeds to Allah SWT are those that are consistent.
If you’re able to, find someone with experience you can learn from. ONE14 is one space where you can find people who can support you on your journey.
We are an ummah (a people) of impatience, but matters take time.We all start somewhere. If you want to be fast, you have to start by going slow.
Asma’s 2025 was a year of learning to move forward slowly and consistently
Asma’s journey reminds us that "slow" is not a lack of progress; by choosing consistency over intensity in both running and Qur’an memorization, she learned to give processes the time they needed, even when they felt difficult.
As she looks toward 2026, her focus remains on the "beneficial" over the "immediate," proving that when we give ourselves the grace to move at a steady pace, we aren't just reaching a finish line but we are building a life lived more intentionally.
Her experience is a reminder that starting slowly is not a weakness. It is simply where growth begins.
Thank you, Asma, for sharing your journey. We look forward to seeing what the year ahead holds for you.
