Let's Elevate Women's Running Together

Elevating women's running is a huge theme I am seeing right now. I follow some very inspiring runners and women around the globe that are working hard to elevate women's running. It's not that women are the only group that needs inspiration, it's that women need to begin inspiring more women. It's no secret that women tend to be mean and often back-stabbing to other women. Often women are intimidated to begin running because of what people may think. Running groups and crews can create a friendly, inviting environment that fosters healthy relationships. Running can create strong relationships, build better health and help improve self esteem. Running is a sport that anyone can participate in and that requires little investment to begin. All you need is a pair of shoes and some sweat wicking gear and you are set. 

Before I moved over a year ago, I had started and been leading a local women's running club. The growth I saw in the women who committed and came out weekly was truly inspiring. We trained together and supported each other at races. The girls truly became my family. I want to elevate women's running in my community and I am doing a few things to do just that. 

I recently became a certified Road Runner's Club of America running coach with the goal of being better able to share running with my community. I also am a founder of the W3Move Crew, a running and fitness movement using social media and local race meet-ups to motivate and inspire runners and women around the world. With the obesity rates climbing, now is an important time to get women moving and provide a safe, friendly environment for them to learn, grow and inspire others. 

Companies are seeing the need to elevate women's running as well. Nike has the Nike Women's Marathon Race Series in SF and DC, Nike She Runs in Australia, and the Nike She Runs the Night Series in Europe. Under Armour Women has their What's Beautiful campaign and Oakley Women has a 10k race in NYC. Women are a huge target market and when given the opportunity to come together, work together and race together, big things happen. 

Photo: Nike

It's amazing to me how many women I still come across that are not physically active and question my commitment to running and fitness. I may be more extreme than some, but everyone should try to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise everyday. I have had a few friends that began by questioning my running and a few months later tried it for themselves and began running with me. They started to love the feeling of running and the changes in their body, fitness and energy. This wouldn't have happened without our friendship and my commitment to helping others get fit and elevate women's running.

Need some motivation? Follow one of these amazing female run groups that are changing the way women run and elevating us to greater things. I have a dream of doing a race tour and meeting up with them someday all over the world. Follow these women and groups leading the charge: @voltwomen, @robinnyc, @blackrosesnyc, @thecrewruns, @undoordinary_, @w3move.

Elevating women's running starts with each one of us reaching out and sharing our passion with others, committing to fitness, running and inspiring others. Reach out to inspiring women via social media, meet up with them at races and work tirelessly to help get more women moving and challenging themselves. Have any ideas for me? Want to meet up at a race sometime? Let me know and let's help elevate women's running!