Becoming a Sustainable Runner: A Guide to Running for Life, Community, and Planet

Bracy believes you can both accept where you are and hope to grow. “So instead of thinking of it as ‘bettering yourself,’ I like to think of it as committing to personal values such as the desire to grow, learn more, work hard, etc. When you look at it that way, you’re not seeking this destination of a future version of yourself but instead committ

It is not only about the mental and emotional side either; there are biological reasons that we thrive on running in groups. We came across this concept reading Brad Stulberg’s The Practice of Groundedness. Brad discussed Kelly McGonigal’s work on the collective joy that our species is hardwired to feel when we move in synchrony with others. We kno

By selecting local races, we can sleep soundly (or at least better than in a new place) in our own beds, perhaps sleep in a little bit longer, and have the satisfaction of being home and showered (maybe sneaking in a nap if we are lucky) within a few hours. It places a lot less strain on our body and mind, our finances, and our planet. Beyond the p

It’s important to differentiate between your why and your goals. Your why may help inform your goals, and your goals may be a way to express your why, but they aren’t the same thing. Goals should not be your primary focus, and ideally your why should help you engage with your long-term goals more meaningfully and sustainably.

This could look like someone who buys sustainable running clothes but doesn’t look into the environmental values of their elected representatives or who shies away from doing advocacy work for fear of “getting too political.” They might use an “environmentally friendly” credit card but not push for regulation of the financial industry (a known mega

But we can consider our friends; we should get in the habit of reflecting whether they make us feel rejuvenated, filled up, or refreshed after we leave them or if we leave feeling sad, down, or self-conscious. If it is a longtime friend, it can be painful to recognize that the relationship has come to its natural end point, but that does not erase

The primary reason that runners need a coach is to be objective about how much is too much when we undoubtedly try to push beyond what our body can handle.

Remove Ourselves From Conversations About Someone’s Body This one can be tough and can make some interactions awkward, but it will have an impact on us and may also inspire others to rethink their effect on conversations. When we contribute to or stay in conversations that are based on judgments of other people or judgments of ourselves, we are rei

Some of the mistakes runners make in training and racing come from a place of believing they are not enough. Many people feel they need to be hard on themselves to obtain certain outcomes. If I accept myself where I’m at right now, what will motivate me to get out the door and go for a run or get to the gym? Can I still improve if I accept myself f

Arnold likes to meditate before her runs as a way of opening her mind. Peoples likes to meditate just about everywhere, sitting, or even walking outside.