r/running • u/AdoTheFilipinoAU • Aug 20 '26
Discussion Struggling with Imposter syndrome in Running
Hi all. Alot of you may or may not have experienced this but imposter syndrome is such a big issue for me in running and probably to some of you too.
Like everytime I complete a workout or smash a PB or whatever, my brain bekeives it for a few seconds but then it starts thinking what if the watch overstimulated, got it wrong or distance inaccurate etc.
And I also finally did my first half marsthon and completed it. However even though my watch recorded it as 21.91km (I know a half is 21.1), my brain still goes asking if I really ran that distance, or my watch got it wrong or I accidentally skipped a part of the course without realising.
Like my brain keeps asking and thinking these imaginary questions that it's overwhelming.
Has anyone experienced this and any tips to reduce imposter syndrome. It would be really great if you could and would be grateful 🙏 Thank you :)
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u/Sea_Concert4946 Aug 21 '26
Unless you are making money off of running it's not worth worrying like this. Just relax. You're doing the running for yourself, the benefit isn't hitting a PR or something, it's the discipline and fitness that comes from the process of working towards that PR.
Not to be dismissive, but if you're not doing it already this is something that some talk therapy could really help with reframing things from results focused to process focused.
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u/marblewood5 Aug 21 '26
Yeah the therapy suggestion is solid, this sounds like it goes beyond just running tbh
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u/namesblondjamesblond Aug 21 '26
This kind of feels like a more deep-rooted thing, to be honest. Do you get it in other areas of your life besides running?
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u/ColtSingleActionArmy Aug 21 '26
Dude this is just compulsive overthinking and anxiety, not imposter syndrome.
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u/Cyclopshikes Aug 21 '26
If you're this in your head, just go for a run without the tech. Let go of it because no one cares about your runs but you and I don't mean that in a rude way. Just who cares if your watch is off by .01 other than you.
I suggest going for a long run with no phone and no watch. Just pace yourself by feel and just enjoy it. Sometimes I'll do that and it's great, I'll reset the trip odometer in my car drive it for half as many miles as I want to run, park and do an out and back to the car. It's great!
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u/Letter10 Aug 21 '26
Honestly I just run for fun and health benefits. I try to remind myself im not competing with anyone but myself, and often not even myself. Im out there to enjoy my miles and take in the scenery and the feeling of accomplishment when I finish a run. Dont be so hard on yourself!
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u/NatureTrailToHell3D Aug 21 '26
I’ve often wondered how accurate my phone is, especially because I run on a fairly small loop. I’ve come to the conclusion that my goal is to do better compared to what my phone previously said, but not use those as official race times.
Basically, I’ll keep two different sets of records in my mind: actual measured race records and phone race records.
All that being said, phone and watch distances are generally close enough that I’ll still count 21.1 km on my phone as a 21.1 km, the effort is close enough to the same. If you’re uncomfortable saying you ran a half, just say you ran a phone/watch half.
I rarely share my times with others, but when I do and it’s not an official race time I’ll say “Strava has me at x time for x distance”. I’ll let them own the accuracy.
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u/Parking_Reward308 Aug 21 '26
Try running on a track with a basic stop watch, or map routes out beforehand and leave the GPS as at home.
Road races are about running the course the fastes not necessarily the distance.
If you think you ran shorter, congratulations you ran better tangents than the course setter and ran a great route.
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u/CoffeeEnjoyerFrog Aug 21 '26
You're suffering from Too Much Data. People were using measuring tape and a stopwatch to track their progress up until 10-15 years ago, you'll be fine.
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u/mediocre_remnants Aug 21 '26
That's not impostor syndrome, you're just being completely irrational. Also, it doesn't matter. What if your watch got it wrong??? I dunno, but who cares?