Hoka Run Reflections- Tell All Your Friends.
I keep using this ping word- community.
There are probably a lot of definitions we could make. But! Here are pieces of my definition after running every Saturday with a growing community for 8 weeks:
People want to build lasting impressions and be vulnerable with each other.
There are people out there that genuinely care to hear what you're building and working on.
People are willing to co-create and help out where they can.
If they have fun, they tell their friends.
Being nice and inclusive is the most important thing.
Even if you do drink, people want social activities outside of that. And frequently.
People are brave and cool and kind and exciting!!
After Saturday run clubs, without failure every week, people will message me for other members' numbers, instagram handles… Sometimes I watch as people exchange numbers on the way out of a run.
Community is fostering an environment where everyone is welcomed, encouraged to be themselves and help uplift others.
I’ve gotten into some of the coolest conversations and met some freaking awesome people.
During runs I’ve been asked amazing questions like: “What’s lighting you up right now?” or “If you could do anything with the community, where would you take it?”
A lot of runners are new to the area and are looking to make friends with open minded, active individuals.
Some of the people I’ve ran with and learned about:
Founders of CPG companies
Reiki Practitioners
Healers
Social Workers
Teachers (some of the funniest stories)
App Developers
Cancer Researchers (Whooaaaa)
Community Managers
So here is the thing:
I started this because I had watched others do similar clubs with different missions.
I love running with Rage and Release, a group out of Brooklyn composed of canna-athletes hosted by Thai Richards. They are the coolest, fittest, and some of the most inspiring people I’ve met.
Kate Glavan is awesome to watch. She's built a following on Tik Tok, Instagram and now Youtube all on her health and wellness journey. Oh! And, she runs a lot.
Ty Haney launched Outdoor Voices alongside her recreational run club back in 2013.
All of this too say- I think there is something about community people crave, and continue to crave.
So, why stop at run club when we can build more?
We can have panini parties and live podcasts. Maybe live music and gallery viewings. All open to the community for free.
After this last Saturday, I learned that word of mouth works when you have a product people have been searching for. Like it really works.
The product:
Community and events around health, wealth of knowledge and art.
I’m so excited to start building.
