If you’ve been around the running community for a minute, you’ve seen them: the perfectly curated “post-run glow” selfies, the pressure to sign up for the next biggest race, and the “no excuses” memes that make you feel guilty for listening to your body.
After years of miles, race medals, and plenty of lessons learned the hard way, I’ve realized that the “rules” of running are often just noise. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing 10 of my most unpopular running opinions. Some might be spicy, but they are the truths that keep me grounded (and healthy) in this sport.
Running through pain isn’t a “flex.”
We’ve been conditioned to believe that “pain is just weakness leaving the body.” In reality, running through sharp pain is just a recipe for a long-term injury. Real toughness isn’t gritting your teeth through a tear; it’s having the discipline to stop today so you don’t have to spend three months on the sidelines later.
Racing is the least important part of being a runner.
We put so much weight on the 0.1% of the time we spend wearing a bib and a timing chip. But the real runner identity is forged in the 99.9% of the time when no one is watching. Race if you like, but you don’t have to.
Treadmill running is elite mental training.
Is it boring? Often. But the “dreadmill” is a controlled environment that builds “boredom-resistance.” Learning to lock into a pace and stay focused when there’s no changing scenery is a legitimate skill that pays off massively in the final miles of a marathon.
You don’t need a “Goal Race” to be a serious runner.
There is a weird pressure to always be “In Training.” But running for the sake of the daily ritual and your mental health is just as valid as training for a Boston Qualifier. You don’t need a registration confirmation in your inbox to prove you’re a runner.
New shoes won’t fix a lack of strength training.
We’d all rather spend $160 on the latest carbon-plated super shoes than spend 20 minutes doing Bulgarian Split Squats. But the truth is, the squats are what actually keep you on the road and make you faster. Gear is great, but a strong foundation is better.
Social media is ruining the “average” run.
Your girl LOVES social media, but If you feel the need to put a disclaimer on your Strava or Instagram because your pace was “slow,” the internet has too much power over your training. Every run has a purpose, and “slow” miles are often the most productive ones you’ll do all week.
You don’t need to “graduate” to a marathon.
The marathon has become the ultimate “status symbol,” but the 5K and 10K are incredible, challenging distances that require a completely different kind of fitness. You aren’t “less than” because you prefer 3.1 miles over a long 26.2.
Matching gear doesn’t make you a professional.
Having the perfect kit and color-coordinated outfits is fun, but it can be a massive distraction from the work. I promise you, mismatched socks and a 10-year-old race shirt run just as fast as the latest boutique brand.
Your “post-run glow” doesn’t have to be productive.
There’s this “hustle culture” idea that you should finish a run and immediately “conquer the day.” I’m incredibly guilty of this, myself. Some days, the most productive thing you can do after a long run is sit on the kitchen floor with an iced coffee and do absolutely nothing for 20 minutes. Give yourself grace.
The most expensive tech isn’t always necessary
You don’t need an $800 watch to tell you that you’re tired or that your heart rate is up. And you don’t need a carbon-plated shoe for a casual run down the block. While data and gear is so fun, learning to run by “feel” and listening to your body’s natural cues is a much more valuable skill than obsessing over every data point on a screen or the newest piece of apparel. Spend your dollars on things that matter to you, but don’t ever feel “less than” for not having all the latest and greatest.
At the end of the day, running should be something that adds to your life, not something that makes you feel like you’re failing a performance review. By letting go of these “unpopular” pressures, we can get back to what matters: the joy of the movement and the longevity of the sport.
I’ve shared mine, now it’s your turn. Which of these do you agree with? Or better yet, what’s an unpopular running opinion you are willing to defend?
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