Thursday, August 8, 2013

Failed Fits: The Top Ten Things Runners Need to Stop Posting About on Facebook


By Jess in Minneapolis


If you’re friends with me on Facebook, you know that I have a tendency to post a lot about working out. In fact, I’d say 90% of my posts are about working out in some form or fashion.  My incessant posting has led to some negative feedback in the past, particularly from family or friends who are honest enough to tell me when enough is enough!

I’ve definitely been cutting back lately, particularly because now I have the Right Fits as an outlet for all my fitness over-sharing. You’re welcome. And thanks for reading mom.

As a Frequent Fitness Facebook poster (a Triple F, the worst kind), I can easily recognize the most annoying things that runners do on Facebook. Perhaps I’ve just heard enough complaints about what I post on Facebook but it’s not just me! I don’t know if it’s that runner’s high or what, but I’m not alone in my Triple F activity. We are a crazy bunch. So, here is my list, based on the complaints I have heard (constructive criticism?) from those honest friends and family.


The Top Ten Things Runners Need to Stop Posting About on Facebook:

1. Posts about the weather:
Yeah, I’m sure that run was super sweaty and 199% humidity. And yes, you are SO hardcore for running in ten feet of snow. Have you heard of the Weather Channel? You have abundant access to weather forecasts. If you choose to run in that craziness, that’s your problem... Go ahead and tempt fate by running on that black ice. Watch your step or you’ll end up like this girl.
2.  Sharing the details of every ache & pain that you experience.
Running is hard on the body. You’re probably going to get injured. Shut up about it. Quit your Facebook-complaining and go to the doctor.

*In defense of the runners out there, Facebook is a great outlet for advice from other runners! I say, keep sharing…

3. Posting every day with Daily Mile, Map My Run, or other similar apps that post your route, your pace, your mileage, etc:
Your Facebook friends really don’t want to know about every run you do. Plus, HELLO! What about your safety?? You really shouldn’t be posting your routes for all the creepy creepsters to know exactly where they should be hiding in the bushes in the morning.




There’s a time and a place for the intricate details of your pace and mileage, and that place is in your running journal. Please don’t post every run and every detail on FacebookThis includes pictures of your Garmin after every run.

*I keep my running details in a spiral notebook. Dustin prefers a spreadsheet so he can chart it all in a nice line graph.  Whatever suits your fancy. Or start a blog where you can post about whatever you want. Trust me, I know.


4. Chafing
Please. There's no need to share the story about that crazy place that you found out you had some serious chafing after you hopped in the shower. I won’t even address the issue of pictures.  Thaz' nasty! 

*Tip: Use some Aquaphor before getting in the shower and the sting won’t be as bad!

5. Pre-race outfit pictures:
Your Facebook friends really don’t want to see which sports bra you’ll be sporting to keep your girlies in place, nor do they need to know about the bottle of anti-chafing stuff you’ll be toting in your little fanny pack.
 
*Um, yep. I always do this. And for the record, as a race spectator, sometimes its helpful to know what your runners are wearing before you hit the sidelines so you can more easily spot them in the crowds! I really don’t think this one is so bad! Shut your mouth, haters.

6. How much your booty was kicked!
Running is hard. Running sucks. There’s a reason why the non-runners are non-runners. So you don’t have to remind them how much its kicks your booty. Maybe tell them it gets easier? Maybe tell them that it’s worth those gut-wrenching-puke-inducing runs to have one of those oh-my-god-I-love-running-so-much-I-could-take-it-behind-the-middle-school-and-get-it-pregnant kind of runs.



7. "I just ran four miles and now I’m treating myself to an extra venti extra fatty Frappichino/McFlurry/trip to Yogurt Land."
Runners love to run, and then they love to post about what they ate afterwards.  How many instagrammed food pics do we really need to share?  #postrunfuel
So, I hear you run for cupcakes. Or is it that you run for chocolate? Your Facebook friends don't care why you run. They're skipping right to the cupcakes while blocking you from their newsfeed.

*I say, congrats on the run but be careful…four miles equals about four hundred calories that doesn’t go very far in McFlurry land. One of the reasons why I run is because I like to eat, and I totally get it. I don't count calories, and you shouldn't either, but just be aware that it DOES matter what you put into your mouth after a run, and running isn't an excuse to always pig out. 

8. Pictures of you wearing your race medal more than 24 hours after crossing the finish line.
There’s a statute of limitations on those things, people. Same day only.

9. Runner’s Diarrhea/Emergency Bathroom Stops:
Just..no. 

Please no.  

I know that it happens- I wrote a whole post about it HERE. But please - let’s pretend it never happened.

And the final way that runners can drive you crazy on Facebook?

10. Pushing their silly fitness/fashion/fitness fashion blog down everyone’s throat!

Whoops. Yep. That's me.

Personally, I have done all of these things (except maybe #9 as far as you know), and I’ll probably continue to do them. Running is a big part of my life, and I’m going to share that part of my life on Facebook. I think Facebook can be an extremely supportive environment for runners. It can also be a source for advice, for camaraderie, for encouragement, and so much more. Sure, some of us probably can get a little annoying with our posts, but hey- it's healthy. Please- post away.

My advice to the haters? Hide all runners from your newsfeed.

Then go for a run. You might like it.

Just don’t post about it on Facebook....

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