Embarrassing moments, exhaustion, and complete fails — if you train hard, you realize #thisisfitness. The relatable hashtag is trending thanks to the comedic stylings of a marathon champ.
Desiree “Des” Linden, 34, is the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon since 1985. Despite her epic accomplishment in the running world, there’s an undeniably appealing down-to-earthiness about Linden. For example, she lists “whiskey connoisseur” just a couple commas away from “Boston Marathon champ” on her Twitter profile.
And during possibly the soggiest Boston Marathon on record, she famously waited for teammate Shalane Flanagan to take a potty break 45 minutes into the race.
‘This Is Fitness’ Resonates With Runners
After the Boston Marathon, which Linden won in April, she initiated an innocent Twitter share while getting back to training. She’s running the New York City Marathon on Nov. 4.
The first funny post a couple of weeks ago ended with a simple phrase: “This is fitness.”
Day after my 50K, I made apple crisp and used garlic salt instead of nutmeg in the topping. This is fitness.
— Jen A. Miller (@byJenAMiller) October 13, 2018
It resonated with people. Runners of all abilities could relate to the everyday challenges to running while still having a life. Since then, Linden’s followers have posted replies all ending with “this is fitness,” and the stream has its own hashtag: #thisisfitness.
Here are some of our favorite replies and additions:
Sadly, my @Philly_Marathon training stopped last week due to hip arthroscopic surgery to repair labral tear, but I got 🦁🦁crutch pals because I’m 47 years old. 😉 This is fitness. 💪 pic.twitter.com/sIoDv3717b
— Malinda Ann Hill (@MalindaAnnHill) October 13, 2018
Half-marathon by morning, Netflix marathon by night. #ThisIsFitness
— Kenny Goodfellow (@KennyGoodfellow) October 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/KeithCarroll210/status/1051176791933681670
raise your hand if you've been in a sport bra all day 🙋🏼♀️ #thisisfitness
— becky (@remiquez) October 21, 2018
I run 5 miles a day so I can eat a giant cheeseburger from Shake Shack guilt free. With fries. This is fitness.
— Josh Helmuth KRDO13 (@Jhelmuth) October 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/JasonDabenigno/status/1054762085958238210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/ClearCreekRun/status/1051563126511022081
Wonder why your garmin won’t charge after a run only to find out you plugged you plugged in your road id bracelet. #ThisIsFitness
— Josh (@Fauxweiler) October 20, 2018
My winter running clothes are in storage-I wore socks in my hands today. #thisisfitness
— margaret schwarz (@magendy96) October 21, 2018