by Na’Tasha Jones, Co-founder and Chief Content Officer, RUNGRL

Love the Run You're With

Whether you prefer running solo or with running partners, the repetition of putting feet to pavement, pumping your arms and moving forward builds a foundation that is uplifting, empowering, and celebratory. Pouring that sort of power into anyone, including yourself, is like an outpouring of affection. By approaching each run with this perspective, it’s hard not to look at running as an act of love.

All month long, we're celebrating our love for running, and showcasing the love it gives us in return. We’ve tapped some of our RUNGRL friends to share stories of their experiences with running and how they’ve each grown to love it. Each story builds on the connection we feel as runners from our hearts to the soles of our feet.

We hope you don’t mind an abundance of puns, because running will always be our favorite Valentine.

Milestones of Love

As in any relationship, how things start out with running rarely stay that way over time. As this relationship grows, you start to hit milestones along the way: The first time went for more than just a run around the block; training for your first big race; navigating your first injury; hitting your first PR; and so on. Each major milestone marks progress in a journey that’s meant for the long haul, and there are so many celebrations to be had and lessons to be learned.

You’ll meet marathoner Steph B., and get a peek at what moves her to keep hitting those running milestones, day after day.

Love Runs Everywhere

Running is a great way to see the world, one step, one mile at a time. Running and racing in other cities helps explore new cultures and neighborhoods and meet amazing new people. View running as a passport to finding new things to love. The inspiration and exploration of running brings new excitement to something you may have done time and time again. There’s nothing like a new city to help you see that you can literally RUN the world.

Experienced marathoner and longtime fitness lover Kira West will share a glimpse of her favorite running feats and why there’s always somewhere new to run on her list.

Strength of Heart

Transformative moments in running are often a reflection of just how resilient we can be. As Black women especially, we are called upon to be strong day in and day out. Running is one of the few things that rewards that strength and helps it grow even further–not just taking from us, but giving back as well.

Orey Aderibigbe is an all around fit girlie that loves to balance her running with strength training. She’ll share how she’s built a love for personal growth through running, and how she continues to grow personal strength through the practice and community found in running and fitness.

That RUNGRL Love

The RUNGRL community has always stood on the foundation of the feeling that comes from being seen and felt by other runners. No one understands the aches, pains, highs and bliss of running, and why no even when it hurts, we keep coming back every time. Runners from all walks of life will share why we will always celebrate our love affair with running as we explore the deep connection between our hearts and the pavement, making every step a declaration of self-love.

Want to join in and share your love for running as well? Show us why you love running for a chance to be featured in our ode to RUNGRL Love.

What you'll need:

-one 10-sec. video clip (filmed vertically) of yourself doing running-related activities (running, crossing the finish line, showing off your medal, etc.).

-Describe your reason for running in 3 words or less. (Example: “Makes Me Strong!”)