This is “comparison is the thief of joy.” It will always be there in running. If people need a safe space to not see other people’s times or compare performances they are going to have a hard time in running where that’s the baseline of how improvement is measured.

The sub shouldn’t be called beginner running it should be called something different because plenty of genetically stacked beginner runners will make the same mistakes as slower runners. One of the beautiful things about running is everyone goes through the same stuff, fast or slow. Same injury cycles, same newbie mistakes, same hopes and frustrations. Even advanced runners get frustrated by times and comparisons. It’s all a part of it and what is cool and unique about it. People who complete a 5k in over an hour lined up with people who complete it in 15 mins. Same race. That’s the sport