5 pages of posts from people that don’t understand why instagram exists. It is almost like getting attention and increasing engagement was the purpose of her post.
Why would she even care. She's the American Record holder, so whatever size she is, works for her. So even if she weighed 200lbs (obvious exaggeration), that would apparently be the right size.
I'm a female sub-elite in my 30s, I am 5'9" and 130-135 lbs at "race weight," ~5 lbs more if not. I've been told by many, many people since age about 15 that I'm "too big" to be good distance runner. My primary distance has always been 5k plus.
In the real world I am very thin. I know this. In clothing I am usually an XS or S, size 4, or 25-26" waist. These are typically the smallest sizes sold in conventional stores in North America.
But in running world I am "big." At this point in my life it makes me laugh to be told this, but when I was younger it messed me up a lot and contributed to disordered eating/training. I think it's simplistic and naive to think that it's only the comments that do it - someone like me can easily look at the start line among their equals and see that they are much larger - but the comments can push you over the edge/invalidate you in a way that's important, especially if you are younger and less confident in how your body is. As an adult, I know that my body is the way it is, but when you're a teen you're going through a lot of change and there is doubt - you feel like you might be able to "fix it" by not eating or overtraining.
This is a very serious issue, I appreciate older athletes such as Keira addressing it.
The thing that stands out to me is your comment that you can look on the start line and see that you are bigger than the average distance runner. I'm definitely not defending the nonsense comments about people's bodies, but I don't understand how NOT talking about body size in runners will help girls and women struggling with body image issues precisely because they can see with their own two eyes.
To me, the most sensible message is that being very small is an advantage in running, but it's not the only thing that determines one's ability and talent, and there is no way to change your body type. If you train hard and eat a moderately healthy diet, your body will become the best runner's body for you.
Why would she even care. She's the American Record holder, so whatever size she is, works for her. So even if she weighed 200lbs (obvious exaggeration), that would apparently be the right size.
Maybe just maybe she’s smart enough to see the bigger picture and understands how comments like that can impact children, teenagers or young runners.
5 pages of posts from people that don’t understand why instagram exists. It is almost like getting attention and increasing engagement was the purpose of her post.
You expect the average LetsRun troglodyte to get that?
The facts are that Keira has a nearly perfect body and is a super hottie. If someone called her "big" for marathon that is just a laughable joke. She has a 6 pack. So this story sounds either fake or someone on the spectrum, in which case making fun of them on social media comes off as a bit cruel.
Claims a spectator at the WC told her she's too fat to be a marathoner. Really? IF this happened, he probably said "big", meaning tall. No need to go on about fat shaming and poor body imaging. Doubt it happened and sad to see Keira go the way of "poor me, I'm not getting enough attention." Is it a problem in sport? Yes. Is it a problem with Keira? No. Stay in your lane girl.
I'm a female sub-elite in my 30s, I am 5'9" and 130-135 lbs at "race weight," ~5 lbs more if not. I've been told by many, many people since age about 15 that I'm "too big" to be good distance runner. My primary distance has always been 5k plus.
In the real world I am very thin. I know this. In clothing I am usually an XS or S, size 4, or 25-26" waist. These are typically the smallest sizes sold in conventional stores in North America.
But in running world I am "big." At this point in my life it makes me laugh to be told this, but when I was younger it messed me up a lot and contributed to disordered eating/training. I think it's simplistic and naive to think that it's only the comments that do it - someone like me can easily look at the start line among their equals and see that they are much larger - but the comments can push you over the edge/invalidate you in a way that's important, especially if you are younger and less confident in how your body is. As an adult, I know that my body is the way it is, but when you're a teen you're going through a lot of change and there is doubt - you feel like you might be able to "fix it" by not eating or overtraining.
This is a very serious issue, I appreciate older athletes such as Keira addressing it.
The thing that stands out to me is your comment that you can look on the start line and see that you are bigger than the average distance runner. I'm definitely not defending the nonsense comments about people's bodies, but I don't understand how NOT talking about body size in runners will help girls and women struggling with body image issues precisely because they can see with their own two eyes.
To me, the most sensible message is that being very small is an advantage in running, but it's not the only thing that determines one's ability and talent, and there is no way to change your body type. If you train hard and eat a moderately healthy diet, your body will become the best runner's body for you.
Just because you can see you are bigger than the other runners does not mean you will think it's a negative thing until you are told over and over again it is. And that can be through a raised eyebrow or a surprised tone you run or an undermining compliment like "I wouldn't have thought you were so fast!" Every single one of those examples sounds so trivial, but it all adds up for someone young and impressionable.
Just don't think you're the first person to have this kind of insight if you feel the need to actually comment on someone's looks. People are so boring and unoriginal. How many times have we heard running is bad for our knees from someone who doesn't run?
I'm a female sub-elite in my 30s, I am 5'9" and 130-135 lbs at "race weight," ~5 lbs more if not. I've been told by many, many people since age about 15 that I'm "too big" to be good distance runner. My primary distance has always been 5k plus.
In the real world I am very thin. I know this. In clothing I am usually an XS or S, size 4, or 25-26" waist. These are typically the smallest sizes sold in conventional stores in North America.
But in running world I am "big." At this point in my life it makes me laugh to be told this, but when I was younger it messed me up a lot and contributed to disordered eating/training. I think it's simplistic and naive to think that it's only the comments that do it - someone like me can easily look at the start line among their equals and see that they are much larger - but the comments can push you over the edge/invalidate you in a way that's important, especially if you are younger and less confident in how your body is. As an adult, I know that my body is the way it is, but when you're a teen you're going through a lot of change and there is doubt - you feel like you might be able to "fix it" by not eating or overtraining.
This is a very serious issue, I appreciate older athletes such as Keira addressing it.
I am 5'6.5" and 125lbs, feeling the exact same way, being percieved as big for a runner but skinny for an American. One of the biggest issues I see as a taller female runner is that the running community is more harsh towards our size than for shorter individuals. For example, take a 5'1" 106lbs female runner. We have a very similar BMI,body fat percentage and built. Yet many people will tell me I am too big while she is a perfect size for a distance runner. It just seems like they unfairly expect us taller girls to be skeletal and underweight.
"I wanted to turn off this conversation, but despite my attempts with closed off body language he continued".
LOL!!!!!!! Oh, you brave woman, you heroically confronted him by changing your body language.
It is very likely that this person was on the autism spectrum and subtly changing your body language is going to go completely unnoticed. F*cking grow a pair and confront the person directly about what you are so offended by. Don't just become OUTRAGED on Instagram.