Run Your Own Race: Navigating the TikTok Running Trend with Realistic Goals

Girl running

Recently, it seems like everyone has all of a sudden taken up running as a hobby according to TikTok. Why has running suddenly become a trend that everyone wants to participate in? Also, why is everyone able to go such long distances in a short periods of time?

TikTok has formed a frustrating false narrative that running 5 miles under 40 minutes is a normal achievement for everyone. While some runners can hit this mark, it’s important to recognize that such performance levels are not universally attainable, especially not suddenly or without significant training.

For me, integrating running into my life was incredibly challenging. I vividly remember my first run. At the time, I lived at my college apartments that had a small gym in the parking lot, four treadmills, a few machines, and a set of weights. A few weeks prior, I would pop my head in around 3 PM to check if anyone was in there, learning that it was usually empty at that time. Feeling comfortable with the idea of running alone, I decided to give it a try. School often made me anxious, and I thought running might help alleviate this stress.

That day, I managed to run for 30 minutes straight, feeling an incredible peace at the end often known as runners high. Suddenly, the tasks and worries I had seemed less daunting. I confidently went back the next day thinking I could run for 30 minutes straight. But just three minutes in, I felt like I was dying. 

Maybe my initial success was due to my extreme anxiety, but it took a long time before I could consistently run for 30 minutes again. I decided to try running a mile a day. Usually, it took me 20 minutes. Some weeks I would complete a mile every day, while other weeks I had no energy. The cycle of progress and exhaustion continued. I could run a mile, even if it was slow, but I would get frustrated if I couldn’t consistently keep this pace daily. Walking parts of the mile also made me feel like I was failing. Due to my frustration, I would go weeks or months without running. 

Sometimes I would surprise myself by completing 2 miles, even if I had to walk parts of it. However, the frustration of not being able to complete more or improve my speed made me stop again. Yet, I’d always return to running, whether a week, a month, or 4 months later. I realized that long periods without running made me feel worse overall.

Now I go to the gym near my house and I’m less concerned about who might be in the gym I found I’m able to run 2 miles consistently and, on good days, even three miles. But running began to feel like a chore, something I had to do to avoid feeling bad about myself.

One day, I decided to just walk. I didn’t have the energy to run. I set the treadmills at an incline of 6.5 and a speed of 3.2. I walked five miles that day. It was actually challenging, but I felt satisfied with the soreness of my muscles and the sense of progress. After that, I decide to mix walking and running, aiming for five miles each day without stressing how I complete them. Sometimes I finished in an hour, other times in an hour and 40 minutes. I varied the incline and speed based on how I felt each day.

Running and walking have become a crucial part of my routine, positively impacting my health, sleep, eating habits, and even my menstrual cycle. I feel more energetic and a sense of accomplishment. Also, I feel less bloated and my skin looks better. It took me a while to accept that initially, I viewed cardio as a way to help me lose weight, which led to disappointment if I couldn't progress quickly enough. Over time, I realized that running and walking made me feel good in many other ways. 

To any girl considering running or walking. I highly recommend giving it a try at your own pace. Most days now, I can run two miles without a break and I’m still improving. I've come a long way from hyperventilating after three minutes. There's never a day when I regret running or walking. It's a hobby that brings me joy and has numerous benefits beyond physical fitness.