The Internet and social media provide people with a range of benefits, and opportunities to empower themselves in a variety of ways. We are able to maintain social connections and support networks that otherwise wouldn’t be possible, and we can access more information than ever before.
The communities and social interactions we form online can be invaluable for supporting and empowering what is important to us in life.
Social networking sites are spaces that bring people together. They help you seek out and connect with like-minded people. They also help you spread your work and invite feedback, fan following, make groups, and participate in discussion forums so that you can learn from others in your field.
Entrepreneur Seth Godin wrote a book about the phenomenon of tribes — which are grassroots movements that are often generated and empowered by social media connections.
There is a social media dimension to most of our interests and pursuits in life, and this is no different when it comes to ultrarunning. Whether it’s a personal blog, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn or YouTube, there are many social media avenues for supporting our interests in ultrarunning.
Here are a few ways you can use social media to support your efforts and goals as an ultrarunner.
#1 – Share your journey online.
For most people, ultrarunning is not a causal hobby. Ultrarunning is a way of life that has a physical, mental and spiritual dimension. It touches all aspects of our everyday lives including our goals, commitments, relationships, lifestyle and nutrition.
Ultrarunning is integral to our personal identity and place in the world. It makes perfect sense to give expression to this part of who we are and create a public space for sharing it through social media.
Self-expression as an ultrarunner through social media is available and easy, whether it’s words, images, or videos. With your iPhone, Droid, or laptop — it’s a simple thing to do.
A personal blog, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube are some ways you can chronicle and share your daily journey and experiences as an ultrarunner through social media. Doing so reinforces an important part of your life and connects you with other likeminded ultrarunners.
These communities not only increase your knowledge, but knowing that there are others out there doing the same thing as you encourages you to keep at it.
#2 – Learn from others online.
You might be thinking, “I’m not a professional ultrarunner. Will anyone really care what I share?”
The answer is Yes!
The underlying premise of the Fun Times Guide is that it is extremely valuable in our personal interests and pursuits to share and learn from others who are gaining mastery through trial & error and personal experience.
Sometimes the “pros” and “elites” of the sport have their heads in the clouds or heavily biased by their sponsors or products they promote.
Sharing your journey through social media is a way to reinforce your interests, goals, and personal identity as an ultrarunner. It is also helpful to others who will relate and benefit from the down-to-earth knowledge and wisdom you gain from your experiences.
What you share about the joys and challenges of ultrarunning training and completion is an inspiration to others.
#3 – Start a blog.
Each day, about 172,800 blogs are created. That’s 2 blogs every second.
With so many blogs springing up daily, you might be wondering, “Should I start a blog?”
There are many reasons to start a blog as an ultrarunner:
- To give a public space to an important part of your life.
- To connect, network and make new friends with others in the ultrarunning community.
- To increase focus and intentionality in your ultrarunning goals, training, and pursuits.
It’s not difficult to get started in blogging and there are many online guides and tutorials to help you through the process.
So, start expressing yourself!
Start and write a personal ultrarunning blog. Share your training practices and race results, recovery and nutrition practices, gear choices, and the physical, mental & spiritual side of ultrarunning for you.
#4 – Post on various social networking sites.
There are lots of fun ways to become involved in social media as an ultrarunner:
- Share a photo-journal of your ultrarunning interest on Instagram.
- Create or join an ultrarunning group on Facebook.
- Tweet away!
- Make a YouTube video. I record YouTube videos on my iPhone using the free app, YouTube Capture. There are all kinds of resources you can explore that will help you create a YouTube video and make a YouTube channel.
#5 – Connect with other ultrarunners online.
Another way to use social media to support your running interests is to connect with and follow other ultrarunners.
Here are 4 great examples:
- 20 Runners You Should Be Following On Social Media
- 5 Running Blogs You Should Be Following
- 25 Ultrarunners You Should Follow On Twitter
- 20 Runners You Should Be Following On Instagram
It’s useful to learn and gain knowledge from those who have pioneered and succeeded in the sport of ultrarunning.
Whether you choose to interact on blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, YouTube, LinkedIn or Instagram, there is a lot of ultrarunning knowledge and wisdom in areas such as training, gear, and nutrition that can be explored by connecting with other ultraunners through social media.
Poke around! Type “ultrarunning” into any social media search bar and you will find a world of useful connections at your fingertips.
Recently I found a lot of helpful discussion on Reddit about particular ultramarathon races I plan to compete in.
https://youtu.be/J0nR_U6giNU
With mobile social networking becoming more and more popular, it has become even easier to connect. Virtually every social media platform has a free app for your phone. Explore what social media involvements and connections best inspire and support your ultrarunning interests.
Must read: Social Media For Runners Ranked Best To Worst
I’m over 40 years old, but I don’t give up easily. It wasn’t too long ago that I was exploring the idea of doing my first triathlon. If I can do it, you can too! I'm proof that with a little determination and training, you can get a great deal of fulfillment participating in marathons, triathlons… even ultramarathons.
