07/05/2026
Social media has a way of making extraordinary things look ordinary.
After the races last Sunday I saw so many incredible performances shared online — from first-time runners completing a 10K to experienced athletes putting in elite marathon times.
But one thing I’ve noticed recently is how normalised running has become online.
When you constantly see people posting race medals, marathon finishes, fast times, and race paces, it can almost start to feel like running a half marathon or marathon is something “everyone” should be doing.
The reality is — it’s far from ordinary.
Running a 10K, half marathon, or full marathon is a massive achievement regardless of your pace or finishing time. For many people, it takes months or years of consistency, training, setbacks, discipline, and hard work to even get to the start line.
What social media often doesn’t show is the background work:
The early mornings.
The missed sessions.
The injuries.
The self-doubt.
The years of building fitness and confidence.
We mostly see the highlights — not the process behind them.
And this doesn’t just apply to running.
It applies to fitness, careers, body image, relationships, lifestyle, and success in general.
Comparison becomes dangerous when we compare our starting point to someone else’s chapter 10.
Focus on your own progress.
Celebrate your own wins.
And remember — it’s you against you. 💯
