What does running mean to you?

April 5, 2017

Posted In: Running

At Sole Girls, running is about so much more than just running. With this year’s Global Running Day happening tomorrow we thought we would ask our community what running means to them. Here are some of their answers.

“Running means freedom! Freedom to be me, to be healthy, to see new places, to enjoy it solo or with friends, to breathe, to let go and to genuinely enjoy life! I feel blessed to be able to run after a bad sea doo accident that almost took my life in 2005. To be able to walk and run is extremely rewarding”

– Coach Danielle B.

“For me, running is calming. When I run, nothing else matters – I am in control!”

– Soleteer Anika
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“Running means challenging yourself. It’s something that’s easy to give up on, but when you start believing in yourself, it’s amazing how far you can actually go!”

– Soleteer Rebecca

“Running means achieving something I never could. When I trained for my first half marathon, I was so scared to be so far away from my comfort zone. What if something happened on the run? What if I couldn’t make it home? What if I got lost while training? These were the thoughts that raced in my mind before my runs. But everyday I kept going. I increased my distance every run, and I felt so powerful. I was no longer intimidated by being so far away from home. It was cool to see what I accomplished. The best part was that it was a process and I saw the results. Instead of feeling anxiety before my runs, I felt confidence and strength. Running means so much more to me than just physical activity. It has taught me how to believe in myself”

– Lauren, Coach and Operations Manager

“To me, running is about letting go of the negative voices and believing in my own possibility for greatness. It’s about celebrating my strength, what I am capable of and just letting go of all expectations the expectations from the world and myself. It’s about finding my happy pace, feeling good and enjoying the sensation of being alive!”

– Coach Annika

“Running is freedom. It’s my special time to clear my head, and just be. No one tells me what to do or where to go, I just let my heart lead the way, my feet bounce and my body plays and works out all the anxieties.”

– Ashley, Founder of Sole Girls

“Running, for me, is a metaphor for life. I run to push myself, to get faster & stronger in order to accomplish goals that I set out for myself. I run to clear the cobwebs, to sort out emotions, and feel overall more positive. I run to have fun with my friends. Running is as much social for me as it is about exercise. I wouldn’t be as passionate about running if it were not for the amazing village I have found to laugh & talk with, & experience beautiful places with. Through running I have rediscovered the value of hard work and proving to myself that I am capable of more than I thought possible. I have learned age is just a number and you’re never too old to try something new or to kick ass at something. I have learned that goals require patience and time and sometimes, pursing a different path to get to where you want to be. I have learned that while we’re capable of so much ourselves, it is better with support and a community that cares and lifts you up. I have learned that overwhelming feelings can be managed through our perspective of them (and exercise is a great way to gain perspective).”

– Sole Activator Shannon

“Running is freedom to make my own choices and do something that doesn’t have any tangible rewards, but just feels good. Yes maybe your endurance will increase and your legs will tone up, but that is only secondary to how it makes me feel to run – and those benefits will enhance that feeling more. It feels cool to power yourself and cover lots of ground without any help, whether you’re running in your neighbourhood or in a new city! Finally, running opens me up to be present with those I’m with.”

– Sole Activator Olivia

Running means so many different things to us, what does it mean to you?