Simple Tips for Running Lifestyles

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Want to make fun and easy running videos for TikTok or Instagram? Whether you’re training for a race or just love to run, creating running content is a great way to share your journey, connect with others, and even grow your online presence.

If you’re even remotely curious to start sharing your running journey on social media but unsure of where to start, this post will help as a guide with tips to get started. The good news? You don’t need fancy gear or complicated video editing software to get started.

In this post, I’ll show you how to create running content for Instagram or TikTok. From filming tips to creative ideas, you’ll learn how to make simple, fun videos that your followers will love.

Why Social Media Is Great for Runners

Social media can help you as a runner in the following ways:

• Share your running journey! Whether you’re a beginner runner or training for an ultramarathon, it’s a great way to document your progress.
• Connect with other runners. Follow other runners on a similar path and find connection in your wins and challenges.
• Celebrate your goals. Goals are so much better when you can celebrate with others.
• Raise money for a cause (like a charity marathon race). Use it as a chance to share why you’re running a marathon and why you chose the charity you’re supporting.
• Have fun with creative videos. Social media is a great way to express yourself in a creative way.

Whether you’re a new runner or have a dozen races under your belt, your story is worth telling! Depending on your following, you could monetize however, this post is a guide for getting started as a running influencer.

Related Post: Looking to get started as a micro-influencer? Check out this post with tips for creating a following and monetizing your social media.

Plan Your Running Content

Before you start filming, it helps to have a little plan. Ask yourself:

• What Do You Want to Share? It could be as simple as a tip that’s changed how you approach morning runs. How do you prepare for long runs or a life hack that’s made running easier?
• Understand Your Audience. Who is this content geared toward? Is it other runners, friends, or charity supporters?
• What’s Your Angle? What are you planning on featuring as part of the run? It could be your route, a piece of gear, or something you learned.

I’ve found it easiest to start with a plan of what I’d like to film, rather than seeing what happens. Without a plan, I tend to ramble or I forget to record altogether. Try writing a short list of ideas before a long run or race. 

Running Reels Ideas

Need ideas for topics for running-related content to share on social media? Try filming yourself in any one of these ideas to get started to post as an Instagram reel or a TikTok video.

• Pre-run rituals (gear check, lacing up) or a Get Ready With Me (GRWM) post
• Post a running tips reel with the most valuable running tip in your routine
• A mid-run update or post-run recap
• Your process for how you fuel or hydrate throughout your run
• Post-run sweaty smiles or post-run recaps
• Training tips or lessons you’ve learned as a runner
• Unboxing new running gear and showcasing why you’re excited to try it

There’s a learning curve with filming yourself, whether it’s figuring out the right angles or getting comfortable talking to the camera. Keep at it! You’ll get better the more you practice.

Related Post: Looking for a fun way to announce you’re running a marathon to your friends? Check out this post for fun ideas!

Easy Filming Tips for Runners

You don’t need a full camera crew or a ton of fancy equipment. Try these simple tricks, ideas and criteria for how to film running content:

Equipment for Running Content

Set it up on a trail, sidewalk, or fence. I personally used to run with a small selfie stick since it made a nice handle to hold my phone but I have to carry the whole time. I’ve swapped in this “shy girl tripod” since it folds down to nothing.

The Best Time to Film Yourself Running

Film in the daylight for the best results. Night runs (or any type of content) are harder to capture on film in the dark. Dark lighting creates video that looks grainy. If your videos are hard to see, it’s hard to encourage viewers to keep watching and engage.

How Do You Film Your Running Form?

The secret ro filming running content is to get creative with your angles! Try side views, shoe close-ups, or selfie clips during breaks. Something like a time-lapse of you stretching can be cool. For Reels or TikToks, always film up-and-down (not sideways).

How to Film Running Selfies

There are two ways to film a running selfie. 

• Front Facing Camera: Use your front-facing camera and look directly into the screen. This is a great option when you’re getting started.
• 0.5x Wide Angle: For longer views, use your front-facing camera set to 0.5 to extend the view. You’ll get a more full-body shot. It’s perfect for taking in your surroundings as you’re running and capturing the view behind you.

Pro Tip: Try holding your phone slightly off to the side and angled up. Practice makes perfect!

Easy Editing Tools

Editing can be fast and easy thanks to simple editing software. Try video editing apps like:

• CapCut: Easy to use and has thousands of templates that can make the process simple. Plus, it’s free (you can upgrade for certain settings or fonts). CapCut also has a transcription editing feature, which can clip your footage to remove filler words or quiet sections.
• Edits: This is an editing app supported by Instagram for editing reels. It’s fairly simple and you can upload your videos directly to Instagram.
• Canva: Helpful if you’re looking for additional media types, like editing images or creating carousels
• TikTok: You can also edit in the TikTok app and export your videos for other platforms.

Add music (be mindful of licensing rules), text, or voiceovers (which is great if you prefer not to speak on camera or the footage isn’t great). Voiceovers are also a great way to tell your story if you have a lot of footage or gaps in the story, if you’re filming a storytelling video.

Fun Content Ideas That Runners Love

Not sure what to post? Here are ideas that work:

• Unboxing Videos: Share your latest gear and why you’re excited about it. I love watching these types of videos to learn about cool running things.
• Your Favorite Running Mantra – What gets you through a run and what it means to you.
• Share About Other Runners That Inspire You. This is a great way to engage the running community and pay it forward. You could showcase the best running sites you love or other running blogs.
• Favorite Running Spots or Interesting Places in Your City – Flaunt your main character energy and showcase what’s cool about where you live.
• Running Gear Reviews: Your go-to fuel, snacks, and favorite gear.
• Race Weekend Footage: Traveling to the race for destination races, touring the race expo to pick up your bib, getting ready for the race, and footage on the course.
• Race or Training Week Recaps: Post your run thoughts, how your race experience went or “things I learned this week” to give your viewers an “inside look.”

People love seeing real runners. Don’t worry about being perfect! Your first videos might be a little cringe but the more you practice, you will get an eye for what your audience tunes in to see!

Related Post: Sharing your journey as a charity runner is a great way to gain momentum on your fundraising goals. Consider these simple fundraisers to help you get there!

Tips to Grow Your Running Account

Want more people to see your videos? Try this to include these tips.

Start With a Hook

A hook is a must! A hook is something that makes people stop and watch. This is your introduction and also should be a headline at the top of your screen and should happen in the first 1-3 seconds of your video. You have literally the time it takes someone to swipe their screen. 

Hashtags and Captions

Adding a hashtag can be helpful because it helps the algorithm understand what your video is about. Use hashtags as terms people would search for in the search bar. Try things like #runtok #marathontraining #charityrunner or #runningcontent

Make sure to turn on the captions to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing watch your running content. These are also helpful if someone is watching with the volume off. Captions can add search terms (keywords) to your video, which also inform the algorithm what your video is about and serve the video up in the search results so non-followers can find you on the platform.

Posting Schedule

Make sure you’re posting regularly (but keep it sustainable. Try once or twice a week to start or use your stories to stay connected.

Call-To-Action (CTA): 

Include multiple Call to Actions in your post. The days of offering one CTA are over. You want your viewers to share, like, follow, comment, and save the post; don’t limit them to one type of engagement.

Whether it’s in your post description, your voiceover, or in the text on screen, ask for engagement on your post. It might come as a surprise but unless you ask people to engage with your post in a specific way, they won’t know that’s what you’re looking for.

CTAs to Include in a Social Media Post

Be direct with the specific ask in your call-to-action. Offer suggestions like, “Let me know in the comments what’s your favorite meal!” Ask them to tag their friends and share your post with someone who is also training for a marathon. If you’d like them to follow, ask for this. There is nothing wrong with speaking up and sharing what you need.

Understand How Engagement Matters

Use Comments to Your Advantage! Use comments as ideas for follow up TikTok videos. If someone asks a question, make a video about it and tag them. They might reengage or share it, which also extends your reach. Also help foster your community by replying to posts. Ask a question to encourage a follow up comment (which you reply to).

If someone comments on your post, follow up with a question. This encourages them to reply and offer another comment. More comments help increase the engagement level. If they comment, this will be so helpful for marathon training, ask them what race they’re running, what’s their favorite shoe, or whatever would encourage banter.

Understand You Don’t Have to Go Viral. There tends to be a pressure to go viral as a new creator. While it can grow your followers, know that going viral isn’t always the key to social media success. Viral followers aren’t always the followers who will create future engagement. Be yourself and let others see your personality for long term connections.

Checklist: What to Include in Your First Running Video

• A hook (within the first 3 seconds) on screen and/or in your video
• Film in good lighting 
• Something to feature about your running journey
• Hashtags like #runtok or #runnersofinstagram
• A caption with a question and multiple CTAs

Related Post: After a year blogging, I’ve learned a few things about being an online creator and I shared them all in an anniversary post.

Final Thoughts: Creating Running Content is Easier Than You Think

You don’t need to be a pro to share great running content. With a phone, a little creativity, and your own story, you can inspire someone or make your future self proud. 

So lace up, hit record, and show us the run behind the reel. Post that content and see where the journey takes you!

Have a question? Tag me or leave a comment—I’d love to follow you and cheer you on!

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