The running community loves to talk about one thing: running. We talk about it incessantly. We’ll tell you how great and fulfilling it is, or how it provides balance to our lives. On days when we have not run, you may notice that we seem “slightly off” or moody—it happens. But is our constant need to share our love of running a bad thing?
Runners are a tough bunch to deal with in person. If you get two of us together, we’ll start talking about training plans, running routes, and upcoming races. Add in social media and it can become overwhelming. As a collective group, we apologize in advance for filling up your social feed with sweaty selfies, shoes, and medals. The truth is, we love running and we want to share it with everyone. Here is a peek inside our thought process (or at least mine).
The desire to share our love of running is based on a simple truth: we think you would like it, too. We’ve heard all the push-back from “I’m not a runner” to “I’ll never be that fast” and many of us started from that same mindset. But we found the right person that brought us under their wing and showed us that running is about more than, well, running.
On social media right now, there is someone who is thinking about their next run or debating about starting a training plan. Hesitation and doubt has crept into their mind and they just need that little bump of inspiration or encouragement.
How many people have been scrolling through Instagram and come across @RunEMZ throw down a 20-miler on a treadmill and thought: “dang, and I’m questioning my 5-miler today?” THAT. That is the reason we share our workouts on social. It’s a universal truth that everyone at some point has drawn strength from outside resources and with social media at our fingertips (literally), it provides a platform for runners to inspire others.
We don’t post our workouts to brag, we do it to share the experience. We do it because someone out there did it for us. We do it because there is this bond in the running community that exists through social media and it reminds us that we are all doing “this” together: it’s the strength of social (and the running community).
Which social platform do you draw the most inspiration from?
Ah-men!
LOVE this!
I get so inspired by seeing what other runners are up to. I start to feel lazy if I haven’t gotten out there for a few days and everyone else is posting about the 10 mile long run that they did on Saturday. And I love Instagram because I can creep on what awesome things people saw on their runs. Love that social media is making it so easy for runners to connect across long distances!
YES so much to all of this! I can’t count the number of time I haven’t felt like going for my run then checked Instagram and got inspired by everyone else’s run. Plus it connects us as a community. The running community is absolutely the best. It’s more than I ever could have imagined. I got a shout out for We Run Social during the Seattle Marathon. It’s a thing, it’s happening and it’s growing!!
yep! facebook and sometimes twitter gets me.
LOVE this and the bond of our running community!!!
so true!!! I am constantly trying to recruit people
Thank you for posting this! I get SO much motivation from social media, especially Instagram. i love seeing people posts about their workout and runs. During the week I exercise after work so when I log into IG at lunch and see all the posts, it really motivates me!
YES YES YES to all of this. Instagram is where it’s at for me. I love seeing RunEmz throw down a 20 miler on a Tuesday! Booya!
Look at this gospel right here.
Oh heck yeah! :) This is so it. I find myself waiting for news from people I’ve never met in real life on how their races or runs or whatever went. It’s fun!
We all understand this, I’m just not sure others (re: non-runners) do! Yes, I’ve literally been inspired by someones IG to get out of bed and lace up for a five miler, when all I wanted to do was watch TV and eat ice cream. There is something about sharing your journey with others, because others have inspired/encouraged yours. xoxo, ganeeban
Love it!!!
I love Instagram the most, so visual. Just followed you on IG and Twitter.
This made me smile from ear to ear. I remember drawing inspiration from runners on Instagram during my early running days..and to know that I’m able to do that for others now warms my heart. LOVE LOVE LOVE this.
Truth! I love Instagram the most because I love seeing what everyone is doing out there. It’s like keeping up with friends’ achievements through social media.
The reason you talk about it so much and want others to do it is because running gives you ENDORPHINS and ENDORPHINS make you HAPPY!!!! And happiness makes you want to talk about what makes you happy! :P
As for social media – I am all about the Instagram and then Facebook :)
I love the social online community to share running goals and inspiration. IG is my current favorite! Love seeing the places and the people in the running community!
Love it. :) I’m a big instagram fan
Great post! I went a really long stretch where I couldn’t decide whether or not I liked running or wanted to continue doing it, but a couple of years ago I started becoming more involved in blogging and social media and I just draw so much motivation and inspiration from others, and it’s great to know that all over the world we are all doing the same thing. Getting more involved in the social aspect of it has made all the difference in the world.
Everything. Just spot on.
Your social brings so many people together!
Instagram and blogs do it for me the most! <3
There is so much love here. This is all the best parts of this amazing community. I’m inspired daily by all of you!
Yes!
Yes! I get so much inspiration from Instagram. Seeing what other people are doing makes me want to get out there and work hard. The running community on social media is awesome.
YES YES YES!! So many times I have lost the motivation and know exactly where to go to get it back. Before I came into this community it never got done!!
Love this! And love what you’ve done to draw EVERYONE into the strength of social!
This. Is. Awesome. YES.
SO AWESOME!!!!! I love it! Yeah! I love running so much. #Werunsocial
Woo hoo!!