Don't Let Social Media Ruin Your Runs
Scroll long enough and it’s easy to feel like everyone else is running farther, faster, and more consistently than you.
The truth?What you see online is a highlight reel - not the whole run.
Why comparison shows up so easily:
Social media is full of:
Race-day photos
Big mileage weeks
PR announcements
Perfect-looking workouts
Confident captions
What you don't usually see:
The missed runs
The injuries and setbacks
The bad workouts
The fear, doubt, or burnout
The long build behind that “overnight success”
Comparing your full journey to someone else’s curated moments is an unfair race you can’t win.
A few things to remember when comparison creeps in:
Everyone’s starting line is different
Training history, life stress, work schedules, sleep, injuries, and genetics all play a role. Two runners can do the same plan and have completely different outcomes, and both are valid.
Progress isn’t linear
Plateaus, setbacks, and slower seasons are part of the process. They don’t erase your work or define your potential.
Consistency beats perfection
You don’t need the biggest mileage, the fastest splits, or the flashiest posts to be a “real runner.” Showing up - imperfectly - is what matters.
Your pace doesn’t determine your worth
You don’t earn belonging in the running community by running faster. You earn it by showing up, learning, and listening to your body.
Reframe what you see online.Instead of asking “Why am I not there yet?” try:
“What can I learn from this?
What does my body need right now?”
What progress have I made recently?”
Your training should support your life, not compete with someone else’s.
At Movement & Miles, we believe in individualized, holistic training - strength, mobility, nutrition, mindset, and recovery all working together.
No two runners move through this journey the same way, and that’s exactly how it should be.
