Impostor syndrome – a behavioural health phenomenon described as self-doubt of intellect, skills, or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals – is not exclusive to the professional world. It can also occur in sport, and especially among runners.
In fact, some runners constantly downplay their performance, comparing themselves to other, often more accomplished athletes, and fearing that they’ll one day be exposed as a fraud.
This is what’s known as runner impostor syndrome. Even after successfully completing numerous races in the past, these runners question their ability to take part in a sporting event. They constantly downplay or underestimate their performance, think they’re not fast enough or can’t go the distance, and ponder their poor technique.
And even if they do win, they attribute it to luck or favourable circumstances, not to their hard work or skill. These runners fear that one day they will be unmasked, and that a “real” runner will realise they’re hoaxes.
This self-depreciation particularly affects regular runners. And, according to Chris Bennett, senior director of Nike Global Running, this phenomenon is more prevalent in this particular sport than in others.
“You never hear someone who plays pickup basketball say, ‘well, I’m not a real basketball player’ when you ask them about it,” he told Women’s Health.
The trap of comparison
Runner impostor syndrome is most likely to occur when running with other people. It’s easy to compare your sporting performance to that of others, especially if they’re faster, can go further, or are more experienced.
American ultra-runner and columnist Christopher Mellott has said that despite his many medals and achievements, he still doesn’t feel like an ultra-runner.
“When I read accounts of incredible athletes like Kilian Jornet summiting Everest not once but twice without oxygen, or Michael Wardian running the Leadville 100 ultra-marathon and then following it up with the Pikes Peak Marathon the next day, I feel like an impostor,” he wrote in an online column.
“I feel like any moment someone is going to come to me and say, ‘You said you were a runner, an ultra-runner, but you aren’t, this other athlete is.'”
Sport and performance psychology consultant and former Olympic athlete Lennie Waite told Women’s Health that “it can feel like an added pressure when you see everyday exercisers around you doing what you think is an everyday activity faster or ‘better’ than you”.
And this phenomenon can be reinforced by social networks. “Falling into the comparison trap, I found myself constantly measuring my progress against more experienced runners or those showcasing their achievements on social media,” runner and Houston Marathon committee ambassador Krystle Hodge has admitted.
Everyone at their own level
People with runner impostor syndrome actually lack self-confidence and can have low self-esteem, which can affect their motivation and mental wellbeing. They may, for example, reach extremes by setting themselves unachievable goals – an attitude that could lead them to overambitiously strive for perfection and/or fear failure.
To help tame these feelings, Bennett advises practising mindfulness while running, which involves having an active and ongoing conversation with yourself while working out. It’s about paying attention to whether you’re feeling well hydrated, for example, or if you’re experiencing any pain.
In addition, celebrate each of your victories or achievements, like running for 10 minutes without stopping. The goal is to recognise and acknowledge your efforts.
You can also decide to run alone and be your own running buddy, talking to and encouraging yourself as you would a friend. And to deal with self-doubt and self-esteem issues, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional, like a psychologist.
“Running is still super, super challenging for everyone,” Waite stressed. “It’s just that people’s ceilings and thresholds are different – and it can be oddly comforting to tell yourself of that.”