HOW SOCIAL MEDIA BOOSTS YOUR FITNESS

HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO TURBO- CHARGE YOUR RUNNING

Technology is transforming our sport.

The image of the solo runner clocking miles cut off from the world is fading. Even running alone, we’re now just a smartphone-tap away from a global running network. Social media and Gps-powered run-tracking have swept us into the age of the connected runner, with live tracking, #runselfies, Facebook ‘likes’ and Strava ‘kudos’.

Some may see this infiltration as undermining one of running’s most appealing aspects – the chance to disconnect – but it’s bringing runners ‘together’ in huge numbers. At the time of writing, Facebook’s advert-targeting tools showed a staggering 136 million people on Facebook had expressed an interest in running. On Instagram, there were more than 38 million posts tagged with #running. On Strava, 16 running activities were uploaded globally every second in 2017.

Where once runners could only turn to real-world running buddies for help, now we converge on online groups for tips, support and motivation. We use apps to create interactive training logs and virtual communities for feedback on everything from shoes to races.

Sports psychology professor Andy Lane, University of Wolverhampton, believes this is largely positive. ‘Social media has many benefits,’ he says. ‘For example, providing details on running routes, access to experts and connection to other runners. There are downsides, but it’s down to how you use it. Be clear on what social media is useful for and what it’s not. It’s a good way to record your training and to see what other runners are doing, and, in some cases, learn new training tips. But it’s not always easy to separate the good advice from the bad, and we run the risk of being overwhelmed by information.’

We asked some of running’s most social-media-savvy coaches and experts to guide us through the benefits of six big social networks, how to use them and how to dodge the pitfalls.