A woman running through a wooded area.

Annabel Benton

Two and a half years on from the last lockdown, many of our pandemic habits are a thing of the past. However, the pandemic trend of fitness influencing continues to impact the running community today.

Post-pandemic running trends

Running seems to be the latest form of exercise to be having an “influencer” moment. TikTok FYPs are inundated with influencers training for 10Ks and half marathons, with many now making a living from promoting sportswear, running apps, and protein bars.

The digital running community is a wonderful place to seek inspiration and connect with like-minded people. However, it can also lead to unhealthy comparisons of yourself, your life, and your fitness goals with those of polished online personas. To understand this trend, we should reflect on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Woman with a red hoodie running along wooded path.
Image courtesy of Emma Simpson on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

The pandemic’s impact on fitness

As millions of people found themselves stuck inside, finding ways of exercising indoors became paramount to their physical and mental well-being. Figures like Chloe Ting and Joe Wicks gained popularity by offering living room workouts, leading to the emergence of careers centred upon selling workout plans, promoting athleisure, and adhering to a healthy lifestyle.

“Like any good thing, running should exist to enhance your life, not burden it”

Our inclination to find fitness inspiration online persists today. In the post-pandemic era of social media, we continue to seek advice, validation, and support, as online platforms retain their influential role in shaping our lives, much like during the lockdown periods.

The benefits of running

Influencers have now shifted their focus to running, which is, at its most basic, a solo challenge between mind, body, and willpower. Running is an ideal way to switch off from the fast-paced modern world and do something for yourself. In light of this, it is time to reassess the relationship between social media and working out, and reclaim running as a method of mindful exercise.

“Going for a jog directly contradicts its popularity in the online world – it is an action for yourself, in your physical space, for your own goals”

Running has a multitude of proven health benefits, such as reducing your risk of heart disease and improving your immune system. It is also a brilliant practice for improving your mental well-being, whether that be going for a ten-minute jog or sticking to a long-term training plan to reach longer distances.

Engaging in physical activities like running, detached from the distractions of everyday life, requires a commitment to a mental state comparable to that of meditation. In fact, the decision to go for a jog contradicts the ethos of influencer culture – it is an action for yourself, for your own personal goals.

Reclaiming running

Running is an incredibly accessible hobby, regardless of your experience level. However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the TikTok running trends or the constant advertisements of new gear, here are some tips for getting started on your running journey.

“Listen to your body, and even more so your mind, and run what feels right, when it feels right”

Track your progress

There are some amazing free apps out there you can use to track your progress. MapMyRun and Strava can track your distance and time, or popular apps such as Couch to 5k can provide a great source of motivation.

Listen to your body

Run intuitively. Listen to your body and, even more so, to your mind. Run however feels right, whenever it feels right. To share the best advice I’ve heard from a running influencer: If you want to stop, try slowing down instead.

Make running a social activity

Running doesn’t have to be a solo activity, so try running with others! There are some great free initiatives, such as Park Run, which you can regularly take part in with your local community. Check out their website to find your local course.

Going on a slow jog to catch up with a loved one or hitting your goals alongside a running partner is a great way of connecting with your own mental and physical health while spending time with someone you care about.

Make running enjoyable

Running should fit around your schedule, and, like any good thing, it should exist to enhance your life, not burden it. You could even try running towards a reward, such as your favourite coffee shop or a date with a friend. Or you could make your run more picturesque by taking a scenic route.

You don’t need to buy into fitness trends to take up running. It is one of the most affordable forms of exercise out there, with the only potential investment being a supportive pair of trainers.

Shifting our perspective on exercise from something driven by guilt or the pressure to match others’ online achievements, into a practice that nurtures both our mental and physical health is beyond vital.

Take a step back from the digital world, lace up your trainers, and get jogging for as long as feels right for you!

READ NEXT:

Featured image courtesy of Jozsef Hocza on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

Annabel (she/her) is a BA English Literature student at the University of Manchester. She enjoys writing about student life, culture, and music.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *