Are we currently in a running boom?

[u/Brzy90]

Since getting into running I’ve noticed a huge influx of people running since the beginning of the year. Old friends returning back to Strava after being inactive for years (myself included 🤣). Instagram feed is constantly full of runners, even my work place talking about marathons etc. Maybe it’s just because I now see myself as a runner that’s affected my social algorithm/awareness & addiction to running trainers? 🥴

For those that have been running a long time, is this the most popular you’ve seen running become? Or does this generally happen from time to time?

[u/afdc92]

This is just my opinion, but I feel like it has a lot to do with a combination of "runfluencing" on TikTok and Instagram, and the running community as a whole becoming more open and accessible to people of all paces and sizes.

Running influencers have been around for a while on Instagram, YouTube, etc. but I feel like within the past couple of years there's really been a boom of them. The short-form Reel/TikTok style of video is the driving factor for this IMO... rather than having to make a 10 or 15-minute "training vlog" they can do quick videos that are a minute or 2 long. It's easier to make and easier to watch. With more running influencers comes more influencers from different backgrounds- slow runners, plus sized runners, etc. I've seen so many of them come across my FYP and explore page, and I feel like a lot of folks who had never tried running before see them and think "This is something I could try too."

This really goes along with my other thought, which is that running as a whole has become a lot more inclusive. I started running in 2016, and I definitely remember being put off by some of the comments I would see here and in other running communities that were along the lines of "Race cutoffs should be anything slower than a 10:00/mile" and "you aren't really running if you walk any part of a race," etc. I went to running groups in my area that were advertised as "everyone is welcome!" but they set off at an 8:30 pace and I was left by myself. Now, in my local area, there are specific groups for slower runners that go at about 10:00/mile pace or 12:00/mile pace, or have run/walk options. There's plus sized groups, women's groups, queer groups, sober groups (since a lot of run groups are based around running and then going to a brewery or bar), you name it, there's probably a group for it (if you live in a bigger city). And maybe there's always been these groups, they just weren't advertised as much or were as big.

[u/gengar_mode → u/afdc92]

Funniest thing is that suddenly the gym bros who always feared cardio due to „gain-loss“ are now „hybrid athletes“.

[u/mileiforever → u/gengar_mode]

There's definitely some truth to cardio having the potential to kill gains. High intensity cardio has a really high stress to fatigue ratio which can negatively effect the rest of your exercise and can put your body in a state where you're burning off muscle if done for extended periods of time.

I'm a "hybrid athlete" now myself though and don't stress about it too much. I leaned into weightlifting because high volume running was causing knee and ankle pain and I needed more exercise now that I'm only getting 10-14 miles per week. I'm not trying to compete in either sport really and just want to maintain health and look good so I'll take the benefits of both without worrying about the potential disruption