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Running Issues: Should You Do What You See Pros Do Online?

Published by
DyeStat.com   Apr 28th 2021, 4:39pm
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Whether To Follow In Elite Athletes’ Digital Footsteps

By Elizabeth Carey for DyeStat

Pro athletes are more accessible than ever, at least online, thanks to social media and shiny pocket computers. Especially in the running and track and field worlds, they’re often dishing out content, including tips and advice, glimpses into their daily life, and even full-fledged training logs. 

So should followers (and fans) do as they do? 

It depends, but not likely. Especially young athletes, proceed with caution. 

Of course, feeling connected to our favorite runners, throwers and jumpers is pretty sweet. Even if that simply means perusing what they post or following along with the parts of their athletic journeys they share. This brings elites, fans, and up-and-comers together — virtually reinforcing a sense of community. 

“Belonging is what most of us are looking for, right? It’s why we love social media,” said Melody Fairchild, coach and co-author of GIRLS RUNNING. 

However, it’s important to note that churning out content is often part of a sponsored athletes’ gig these days. While likes and comments alone don’t pay the rent or cover groceries, they help athletes’ professional aspirations. Whether it’s in their contracts, posting online helps athletes grow an engaged audience, which, in turn, makes them marketable. That is, they can make money with #Ads and/or get better deals with sponsors because they have a niche or large reach. 

The bad news is that — much like information spewed from the massive fire hose that is Stuff Online — pros’ tip and training posts are rarely directly applicable to adolescent (and younger) athletes. By all means, enjoy elites’ inspirational insights and unique perspectives! But scholastic and even collegiate athletes, in particular, should take any and all nutrition and training advice from pros with a giant grain of salt. 

When it comes to nutrition advice, it’s tricky. Food and body issues — including disordered eating, eating disorders, compulsive exercise, and a mythical narrow body image ideal — plague our sport. So too do diet culture and fatphobia, which run rampant through society at large and are rooted in racism, sexism, and ableism. So it makes sense that traps and triggers are, well, everywhere. But being common doesn’t mean it’s OK, let alone helpful. 

Watch out for comments about diets, weight, equating thinness or appearance with fastness or performance, and any moralization of food — for example, “Bananas are bad.” Run away from any of that. 

What’s more, anyone can call themselves a “nutritionist” or make a cookbook. But do they have the credentials or license to back it up, let alone know how to address young athletes’ needs? Registered dietitians (RDs), on the other hand, have six-plus years of education plus pass a credentialing test and extensive internship and may specialize in working with athletes, eating disorders, and a non-diet approach (The most helpful). 

While some athletes may be up on the latest research, especially when it comes to relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) or mental health, they’re not health care providers. Please seek care from specialists when you have concerns or questions about such issues.

When it comes to training advice, know what pros are doing is unlikely to be developmentally appropriate (age or training-age wise) for you. They’ve likely got more support and resources to absorb all their hard work. Think: daily naptime, massage therapist, lots and lots of fresh shoes. Remember that gaining adaptations (be it in endurance, speed, or strength) requires both work and rest. In their game, stakes — and corresponding risk tolerance — is often high. They’re apt to gamble with the stress + rest = growth equation. They’re at or nearing the pinnacle of their careers, vying to compete with the world’s best, and have years and decades and hundreds of thousands of miles in their bones. 

You, younger athlete, on the other hand, are in the earlier stages of your running journey (especially if you want it to last your lifetime). Your body is growing. So are your lungs, heart, bones and mind. You’ve got a lot on your plate and so much potential. This, as Katie Rainsberger told me, is the time you want to keep it as fun as possible, for as long as possible. That doesn’t exclude competition, working hard, or being your best. It’s just a good time to start your experiment of one, as Fairchild and I write about in our book. 

Plus, I have a secret for you. 

There is no secret.

Every body is different. Some people can tolerate high mileage, others cannot. Some athletes need more rest days than others. Some folks get a lot out of plyos, others do not. There’s more than one path to success, achievement, and fulfillment — thank goodness. 

So, back to those feeds. What to do? 

First, be mindful of how certain content makes you feel. If it makes you feel like garbage, hard pass. Even pros unfollow people and block trolls, and limit the time they spend scrolling. Even ole yoggers like me have opted out of Strava, at least for a bit. If I were a betting woman, I’d put money on no one looking at your Athletic.net profile as much as you. 

Try a digital cleanse, especially if your feeds are inundated with a sport-specific body type. “It’s easy to get into this bubble and think the whole world is runners,” said Maria Dalzot, RD, and a pro mountain-ultra-trail runner herself. “And that can seem like what’s normal or expected…You want to detox? Detox your social media!”

Diversify accounts you follow. (Think: puppies, kittens, musicians, other events and sports.)

Remember that none of the images you see are the whole picture. None of the words are the whole story. What’s out of frame? Trust your gut, practice discernment (see Chapter 10 in GIRLS RUNNING for how to do that), and be patient, as Des Linden said

“It’s the last thing we want to hear, but it’s the thing we need to be reminded of most often. It’s a sport you can do a long time but it takes a while to get results...It takes 10 years to become an overnight success, and that’s really true in running. Keep putting in the work. Keep banking the fitness. And it will pay off one day.”

###

Elizabeth Carey (https://elizabethwcarey.com/) is a writer and running coach based in Seattle, Washington. Her first book, GIRLS RUNNING, co-authored with Melody Fairchild, is available at your local book store and here: https://shop.aer.io/GirlsRunning/p/Girls_Running_All_You_Need_to_Strive_Thrive_and_Run_Your_Best/9781948007184-9934



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