Run Your Race: The Runfluencer Problem

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast: Second Wind, we kick off May by asking a big question: are running influencers helping the sport, or quietly making it harder for everyday runners to feel like they belong? We dive into the growing world of “runfluencer” culture, where marathon training can look effortless, high mileage looks normal, rest days get treated like weakness, and every run becomes a piece of content. But for most of us, running has to fit around jobs, families, stress, sleep, recovery, and real life. We talk about the danger of comparing our behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel, especially when the full picture may include editing, privilege, sponsorships, and a lifestyle built around training. This episode breaks down why elite-level advice does not always translate to beginners, comeback runners, older runners, or weekend warriors just trying to stay healthy and enjoy the miles. We also look at the mental side of this trend, from body image pressure to feeling like our 5K, half marathon, or marathon somehow “doesn’t count” because someone online did more. At the heart of it all is one simple message: follow the people who make running feel more possible, not less. Run your race, not the influencer’s race, not the algorithm’s race — your race.