These days you really can’t avoid social media. Most people use at least one platform, including runners. But as runners there are many pros and cons to being on social media and connecting with others who share a similar passion for the sport. So, as a runner on social media, what do you need to consider?
Let’s start with the downside to being a runner on social media, and get that out of the way. Remember that not all of these will apply to everyone, because it really depends on how you navigate social media as well as your perception of your experience on there!
Comparison as a runner on social media
Have you ever been training for a race, and found someone else who was training for a similar goal, and then started questioning if you were training as well as them? It’s funny because this used to happen to me alot more when there were more bloggers writing blog posts about their training. Then it died down over a few years, and now I find it’s happening again on Instagram.
It’s so important to remember that every runner is different. Just because someone else ran a 10 mile training run in 90 minutes doesn’t mean you need to do that exact run, even if you have the same goals for the same race. Everyone has a different background and different strategies that work for them. If you are finding that seeing others’ times is negatively impacting your mindset, consider hiding their posts until after the race.
Pressure to get in your runs to post on social media
Have you ever shared on social media that you were going to do a long run or workout in the coming days, and then felt like you had to do it? Or shared a race goal and then felt pressure to achieve your goal? Sometimes this kind of pressure can be a bad thing, especially when you should make the choice to skip a run, slow down, or run less miles than planned.
Runners on social media seem to appreciate when others are authentic and honest, so don’t be afraid to share the real ups and downs of your training. If you didn’t do what you planned, its ok! To be honest, no one else probably cares as much as you do.
Safety as a runner on social media
If you are publicly sharing exactly where you do your solo 5am runs every single day, please stop! I know most of us don’t do anything that drastic, but often times I see Strava maps being posted on Instagram or pictures with street signs in the background. Try to be discreet about where and when you run. Of course there are general safety tips we all need to follow as runners, but we definitely need to be mindful about what we share.
Seeing advice from unqualified influencers
There are many people who post on social media with questionable qualifications. It’s one thing to share something that has worked for you. However, when someone start giving advice in an area they are not qualified in, it’s probably not a good idea to try it. Just like we shouldn’t use google for medical advice, we also shouldn’t use social media for running/fitness/health advice.
Now let’s talk about some of the pros of being a runner on social media, because there are alot of those too!
Support from other runners on social media
By connecting with other runners on Instagram, Facebook, or through blogging, you are almost guaranteed to develop a support network of other runners. This is great since many of us have friends and family who may not really be interested in our running. It’s nice to know that we can post about the good runs, bad runs, and everything in between, and feel supported by others.
Connection on social media
Going along with support, you can also form strong connections with other runners on social media. If you are posting about your runs every day and other runners leave comments, you will really get to know one another. Make sure you are taking time to reply to most of the comments. Also take some time to check out the posts of the runners who comment on your posts. You may find some great runners to follow that way!
Accountability from other runners
While a con to being a runner on social media is that there can be too much pressure, the other side of that is being held accountable. Maybe there is a fine line between the two. But when you have a goal and are struggling to get in your workouts, being on social media can help you stay accountable. Maybe you share that you are going to start doing core work 3 times a week. Well, hopefully you will do it so you can go back and share that you got it done!
Helpful information from experts
There are many qualified experts who share helpful information on social media. Often times as you get to know someone through their posts, it may lead you to investigate working with them 1:1. For example, I was following my strength coach on Instagram before working with her directly. I could tell that she knew her stuff, and that’s why I decided to work with her. This is how alot of runners find coaches as well.
Being a runner on social media can definitely have it’s benefits if you use it to your advantage. Try not to get caught up in negativity, comparison, or pressure. Connect with others and learn different strategies that may help your running.
You may also like:
Why It’s Important To Have a Virtual Running Community
How to Build an Effective Running Support Team
5 Tips to Help Runners Stay Motivated During the Winter
What do you like or not like about social media?
What is your favorite social media platform as a runner?
Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Runs with Pugs , and Laura Norris Running to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
An excellent post with a well-balanced view on social media, Lisa!
I’m not on IG or FB and I’ve weaned myself of Twitter. The simple reason is time – I easily get sucked in and spend hours on my phone.
Now, I am happy with “just” blogging. 🙂 That’s my favourite!
Sometimes I spend too much time on Instagram! Im have Facebook but rarely post on there. But keeping up with IG can be so time consuming.
IG is my favorite because it’s fast and easy.
But blogging is where I have made the most and best connections.
I love the advice and support I’ve gotten.
Everyone needs different things. Some are training hard and post their paces and race times. VOmax and maybe even HR and cadence.
To each his/her own.
I am competitive in races but not with social media.
I agree about IG vs blogging. I’ve met alot of people on IG but the people I know the best I’ve been blogging with for years.
For me, the positive aspects outweigh the negative. I love the interaction with other runners and the support from the community of like minded friends. I can see how some people might get discouraged about pacing and distance. I very rarely post anything about my pace. Good food for thought
I agree that the positives outweigh the negatives! I think sometimes runners (especially newer ones) can get into trouble by getting caught up on social media. But for the most part its a great thing.
Like Deborah, I agree the positives outweigh all the negative aspects. The comparison trap is huge, though, and I find myself questioning my conservative mileage at times…but, I also know what works best for me (it’s taken me 16 years to get there LOL), and I try to keep that in mind when I see the higher mileage a lot of others are logging. The support network, though, is phenomenal!
It can be tough to not compare, even when we know we shouldn’t. I guess its just interesting to learn about how others train.
Other than blogging, the truth is I no longer use social media a lot. One downside you didn’t mention: the time involved. I always felt if I was following someone, I need to be reading their stuff — and that can quickly eat up time!
The best part is the social connections, though, for sure! Long before I was a runner, I used social media for other things, and I’ve connected with a lot of people over the years that I’m still connected to. Which is great!
Yep, it really can be time consuming! I try to limit my time on there, especially during the week. I do a quick check-in in the morning and usually post about my workout, and then comment and reply to comments in the evening. When I log in just to scroll I can waste so much time.
These are all the pros and cons of social media in general. It’s hard to stay on top of it and keep your head clear. However, in my opinion, it’s worth it for the connection.
Agreed! It can be tough to stay focused not just scroll. But when you use it in a positive way it can be a great thing.
I agree with all the cons- you have to be careful about those things. I do think the pros far outweigh the cons though. I pretty much started blogging because none of my friends or family is interested in running, and I was getting lonely! I love how I can get ideas and advice from my online running community. Also, it gives me accountability for my strength training- if I’m tempted to slack off, I’ll think about how I’ll feel admitting that I didn’t do it. That usually does the trick!
Thats great! I also started blogging to connect with other runners. Its nice to have somewhere to talk about running when family and friends aren’t really interested in hearing about it!
I definitely appreciate the accountability from social media. I’ve had a few runs that I kept going because I knew I was going to post about them. And in a good way, not the pressure of having to do it.
One thing that bothers me on social media is the kudos that runners get when they’re doing stupid things. Running without training, never resting, finishing a run or race when they’re injured, all of these things you see people posting congratulations, great job, etc. I always want to say something but I usually just scroll on by. 🙂
Totally agree! Although I will say I don’t really see that stuff all that often, at least with the people I’m following.
You hit the nail on the head when you commented about runners on SM with questionable credentials! I would never give advice to another runner because I’m not a coach. Yet I see people doling out advice all the time. I like SM for accountability and for inspiration. Sharing my workouts helps me feel motivated and positive. I haven’t gotten too much negative feedback from other runners or athletes on my accounts, which makes me feel like I’m doing ok there…
Even as a coach I feel hesitant to share certain info on social media because you never know who will take it the wrong way. I’ve posted workouts I’ve done and had people comment that they were going to try it, and I really hope they know how to adjust it so its appropriate for them.
Social media really is great for accountability and inspiration!
I’m admittedly not good at using my Instagram to its potential. The unqualified advice out there really bothers me, especially because their advice can have just enough correct things to make people believe the rest (which is not correct).
So true! I think that’s why I prefer to use it just as a running journal and to connect with other runners.
You brought up a lot of good points. I love connecting with like-minded people – on IG and in a couple of FB groups – but it can sometimes be a bit too much. Balance is everything.
Definitely! There are so many good things about social media, but you just also need to be aware of the ways it can potentially be negative.