Hello all - I’m back on C25K and haven’t posted here as I thought I’d join you once I get back on the Magic Plan. (So looking forward to that!!!)
Anyway, the reason I’ve popped in is because I have just (foolishly perhaps) ended up joining the C25K Facebook group and also the Strava group. Since I’m also on the Forum this feels like overkill….. Does anyone know which avenue Admin might like to encourage more? I have a soft spot for the forum myself.
I’d be interested to hear what folk think.
I'm not a big fan of social media and I don't have Farcebook (typo deliberate, sorry). I do like this forum, though. Everyone is respectful and we all have a common interest.
I totally get the social media overkill. It can take over your life!! There isn’t an official admin view on where you’d be best posting-we don’t have any official links with the Facebook or strava group. My personal view would just be to try them out and see which fits best with the way you enjoy posting and interacting with others. I like being very anonymous here and I’ve found the various boards encouraging at all stages of my run journey which is why I’ve stayed for so long!
I always like reading everything you post here and on C25k so totally selfishly, I hope you hang around. Do what’s right for you though! Really good luck with your couch to 5k rerun and the magic plan!
Your choice...I'm on Beyonders..very much a running forum closed group ..but the posts are very short.These forums are ace..and so supportive.. so, it is up to you!
Hi Fionamags I’m on Strava to record my runs However I’m not on Facebook and honestly wouldn’t entertain it myself. I’m not a big social media fan myself. Whatever is right for you will be the right choice.
I love reading your posts here and on C25K 😂xx
I’ve been on Strava from before my running days but only just hooked up with the C25K group. But it seems I have to specifically post to that group - and sorry - that’s not happening.
I’m on Strava but only to track myself and follow a couple of friends, love this forum it’s so friendly and knowledgeable ! Do have FB but it’s not really my thing 🥴
Hi Fionamags 👋 I’m not a general social media fan and I only use FB to check on the status of PR at the weekends. I do use Strava and most of the people I interact with on there are also here on HU. I find both really encouraging and friendly.
I don’t write so many posts of my own on HU nowadays, although I do read other people’s posts and often reply. I think it’s all personal preference, and there’s no right or wrong. 🥰
Thanks all - you just back up what I was thinking myself. I’ve always loved this and the C25K forums but I also remember how important that mutual support was. I also think it’s up to us to give back to the new runner community. But, there’s no way I’m going to post in multiple places so I’ll stick with the forums. But I do think it’s a bit of a shame that the app is giving an easy link to FB. When we have this long established forum. Why don’t they just put a link on the app to the forum?
Hello Fionamags I don't think I would have joined the Facebook group or Strava as quickly as I joined this as this one is separate from personal stuff and as anonymous as you make it! I, like Cheeky, have followed many people from these forums in Strava and enjoy using that too but only after years of being around here!
I am on several local running group social media platforms on FB, and WhatsApp, also for parkruns., as well as Strava to record my runs, and this Healthunlockedone. Because they are mostly local they are a good way to keep in touch with my local running buddies and find out about runs, events, socials and for advice. However, it can feel like I am spending as much time on social media as I am actually running .😬. I don’t tend to bother with looking at general FB feed, as that can be a bit of a wormhole. Hope this helps.
I'm on Facebook but use it rarely ‐ I found a group for runners who have had hip replacement surgery, but it can be a bit gung-ho, although I've sometimes had some useful information. I'm also part of the Strava c25k group, but again don't often check in and never interact with it. I find this one the best by far!
Here is the best place I've found fantastic lovely people that will help along your journey. I do Facebook my family wanted me on that I don't use strava myself I use the nike running app and occasionally run keeper
Personally, I'd stick with the Forum. Focused and accurate. I've not looked on FB, but there are enough distractions on there.
Currently doing a severe FB cut down.
I don't use Strava. I am on Facebook only to buy local stuff; made the mistake last weekend of joining a group from my old (45 years ago!) High School. I do not remember 95% of those who commented! I used to be on Instagram for my writing, but found it depressing and also bleeding my time (and spirit).
I found this Forum massively encouraging and useful when I did C25K last year. Also since I have moved on (slowly!) towards 10k. Being able to be supportive to others in return also gives a really warm feeling.
I find this place one of the honest-to-goodness nicest I have ever come across on the Internet.
I used to be on here a lot and found it really helpful however I have since moved on to other places which I find more dynamic and less prescriptive.
FB for example is full of positive support but without the preachy/limiting comments I feel here. If you are younger or more athletic then I would definitely look somewhere else, but that seems to happen anyway.
Hopefully Hidden plenty of people on here find support and advice really helpful..we are not experts but we are experienced in most things running and the advice we offer is largely based on our personal experiences…there are plenty of other places where advice and support is just as good, but HU seems more personable & we consider each other a friend . i have never found anything anyone has said on here as 'preachy' or 'limiting'..if thats the way you feel then maybe those other sites are more suited to you??
So good evening BlahdeBla3.
Oh dear I’m so sorry that you find us preachy, not at all dynamic with limiting comments. Wow that’s so Strong! However we are volunteers, we are here to encourage each other in whatever we want to do , to be kind to each and everyone aswell. Young or older ,athletic or less athletic does not enter into the equation so therefore there definitely is no judgements here at all.
However I do have one question……..if you have become bored with being on here …why are you still here with such negative comments? Maybe it would be best if you stick to Facebook as that seems more to your needs.
Good luck in all that you do and sorry that sadly we are no longer enough for you.🙋♀️
Just to add to what MissUnderstanding said - all the admins and ambassadors on this (and related forums) are volunteers, so any other social media groups are really not their business! Fwiw admins aren't involved in the app development either.
Oh dear. I seem to have provoked a bit of a reaction. To be clear, I too think the forums are amazing. I have had so much support, encouragement and sources of motivation from my VRBs on both the Bridge and C25K. The pinned posts on C25K are brilliant sources of info as well. I think the admin are brilliant too. Great big thanks and virtual hugs to all of you amazing people.
Right I've run out of superlatives - best stop.
Fionamags …there’s so much diversity in here, very many personalities and 98% of us are friends and are here for advice, us admins do our best to keep our eyes on the posts and look 👀 out for anyone that might answer posts that might cause a bit of controversy…it takes a lot for me to get wound up by a flippant comment but I was upset and offended by a certain persons reply and I replied as politely as I could…don’t worry anymore about this thread..it doesn’t break any guidelines so doesn’t need deleting…anyone who doesn’t like it doesn’t have to read it 😉 xx
PS If admin think it best to delete this post and thread I won't be offended.
You haven't broken any HU rules and anyway, it's useful to have the discussion. Personally I would prefer HU forums and admins but I guess the app is trying to broaden it's audience and user base.
🐱 Katnap 🐱
Fionamags , while it's kind and thoughtful of you to offer to delete, I can't see why you should have to do so. As Katnap says, you've not contravened any HU guidelines.
Fwiw I personally have dumped almost all FB and Strava groups as I'm trying to cut down social media use and screen time. I scrapped Strava challenges too, because for me they became a source of pressure, not motivation.
Happy running to you!
Just to confirm, there’s absolutely nothing in this thread that’s against guidelines. There’s no need for it to be deleted.
Thanks Fionamags !
🍏 It’s good to have conversations about the diversity of running, Apps & anything else useful to readers on our forums. Please don’t delete!
I don’t comment on here very often and tend to dip in and out, but this forum has been my main source of encouragement over the past 9 years since I started C2 5K. it is unfailingly kind and courteous, I do use Strava to keep a record of my runs but have changed the setting to ‘only me’ as I was feeling a sense of pressure to try to run faster, at only 5’2” and in my 60s I’m happy to run slowly for health and enjoyment - no one on here makes me feel judged for being slow. My two grown up sons run regularly, much faster and further than me and they probably wouldn’t find what they need from this forum and they don’t do FB. They do enjoy Strava, giving kudos etc. (one of them did comment that they could walk faster than I run 😂 - hence me changing my Strava setting). So I think it’s very much an individual preference.
I have an iphone, ipad and PC for work and deal with way too many emails and queries during my working week. So I love absolutely nothing more than putting tech to one side and smell the roses, engage with nature and real people, plus my darling Cocker Spaniel. The modern world has gone bananas and I tend to not bother with Social Media at all. I do however visit this lovely Forum and I have found it to be a lovely friendly and supportive place. I also log my walks and runs on Garmin Connect and Strava. The people I have connected with on Strava are people I have met through this Forum and actual people I have gotten to know via running. If either this lovely forum or Strava ever became Toxic, I'd be gone. Life is far too short to argue digitally with strangers you'll never meet.
A surprise first ever 10k for me today! Can I sneak into the HU 10k? 🙏🏽😀
Right back where I started.
Scared of feeling ill
When is a hill not a hill?
NHS C25k forum virtual team Christmas Parkrun update 1: 😃🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼