Would this be really weird?

[Nopreservatives]

A good runner at my club has been doing RED Jan (Run Every Day). I don't know him well, he's much quicker than me and obviously, haven't seen him in ages, but I see his FB posts.

He's "only" doing 5k per day and is finding it really hard. Had to walk parts of his run today. Which is all perfectly normal for most people, running every day is tough (and not really to be recommended) but this is a young man who was marathon fit in November and used to running most days, for much longer distances. I'm really surprised he's finding it so hard.

I was thinking of messaging him and asking after his health, maybe suggests he sees doctor, lots of health issues show up first in our running.

I mean it out of genuine concern, but none of my business?

I was thinking of messaging him and asking after his health, maybe suggests he sees doctor,

You cannot be serious

Well seriously considering it, whilst wondering if it is weird. I do think there's something wrong. Remember, it is in the context of a group of people who talk about their health and fitness a lot

Tbh I think you may have a point.
Perhaps he had covid over December and is just getting out and about running?

I also think you have a point. I had a serious illness that first showed up in my reduced power output on my spin bike.
So if you are a friend of his on FB, then a pm could be helpful.

No harm in it! Does sound odd.

It does sound a bit weird, personally I'd leave it.

I think it may be weird, but if you do raise it word it as carefully as possible so it's not weird or insulting. Start with an open question, like whether he feels his fitness has changed since November. Then whether you say any more will depend on his response.
Don't go straight in with "see a doctor".

Do people in the group ever share running articles? Maybe try to find a relevant article about listening to your body/when a fall in fitness could be a sign of ill health and share with the group as "something I found interesting", without making it about him. I mean that's a bit weird too, but it might resonate with him without the need to directly ask him.

It could be due to anything though.. he may be recovering from an illness and fully aware of it, or he may be ill and not know, or he may have spent every day since November in the sofa, or he may even be downplaying his fitness and exaggerating his struggles to make other runners feel better!

No harm in checking in. He’s a young guy and young guys as a group aren’t known for looking after their health.

As someone who ran a marathon (poorly)
I could def have run 5km at a jog a day

It may be shin splints or something causing him to walk (an aggravated tendon etc)
But if its general ability yanbu because it is usual.

It's sounds a bit odd but as long as you phrase it the right way i'd probably say something to him. I have occasionally had dips in my iron levels over the winter months and it completely wipes me out. It might be something as simple as that.

When I say young, it's all relative He's, I'd guess, late 30s with a wife and kids. He's putting his struggles down to homeschooling.

I think you should say something too as what you describe doesn't sound right. Agree with others that the way you phrase it is important but I don't think there's any harm in asking how he's doing.

If he was marathon fit in November it's definitely odd that he can't run 5k.

@MumUndone

If he was marathon fit in November it's definitely odd that he can't run 5k.

Yes, it's odd. But it's not as if he won't have noticed himself.

That would be really weird unless you're an actual friend not just a FB "friend" . Which if you're guessing his age...

How do you know he hasn't already spoken to his doctor? It's SM.

I know him well enough that if we were chatting after a club run, I could definitely say meaningfully "you ok?" and explain why I was asking, but I've never messaged him about anything before. There are lots of runners I'd call friends who I don't know their exact age.

It does look a bit odd, and could be seen as you trying to find a reason to contact him. I’m not saying that’s what you are doing, but would others, including his wife, see it that way?

I get what you mean, I run but am crap but even I don't think 5km a day is that much, for someone who ran marathons. But it sounds like he's maybe on his way to working out things aren't right, by himself I mean? He may just need a rest, have a vitamin deficiency etc. Hope so anyway.

Fitness is so easily lost. Perhaps he had a long period off running?

@Nopreservatives

When I say young, it's all relative He's, I'd guess, late 30s with a wife and kids. He's putting his struggles down to homeschooling.

I think he knows there's an issue then, if he's blaming homeschooling. Possibly he's already seeing a doctor but isn't broadcasting it on social media?

@Cam2020

Fitness is so easily lost. Perhaps he had a long period off running?

Well if he did, only during December, I don't think that kind of fitness is lost that quickly. You might it be as quick for a few days in the comeback but you wouldn't lose the ability to run at all.

FWIW, I'm far, far older than he is, much more likely to be considered interfering old biddy than a threat to his wife.

Get in touch. Ask after his health. You're not strangers, you would hold a conversation in real life about the same subject. Doubt he'd think it's odd if you message.