How does Running Perform for you?
As the owner of a running company, I’ve slapped the word performance on everything—tees, caps, shorts. And I just realized…I don’t like this word at all.
It’s not just the gear—it’s the culture. We perform almost every time we run. We want to be fast, go far, log it, and show it to the world. But what exactly is “the performance”?
A performance typically equates to the measurement of an activity. How something performs can be put on a scale.
In other words, it is about outputs. And right now, running culture is obsessed with them—mileage, pace, finish lines, results.
But what about the inputs? The things running gives us: chill time, endorphins, peaceful moments in nature, a quiet mind.
Why the output obsession?
Our bodies can do incredible things, and as runners, we love to measure and track the results. But too often, running gets marketed as nothing more than training for races—chasing peak performance with the promise that suffering is the only way to earn rewards. No pain, no gain.
But is testing your limits—or constantly chasing optimal fitness—really what brings you the most joy in running?
Here’s what I believe: most of us crave an enjoyable, grounded, mindful experience where, yes, we sometimes push but mostly we want to move our body, have some fun and feel good.
When you hit that blissful state on a run, you’re not thinking, (in robot voice) “I am performing at optimal speed.” You’re thinking, damn, this is a blast. I feel great. I want more of this.
For me, running is an escape from the hustle. A way to move, breathe, and reset. Some days that means a challenge. Most days, it means easy miles and ditching screens for the quiet of the forest.
I'm voting for a shift—away from measuring our worth by pace and miles, and toward what running gives us: positive energy.
Because honestly, why else would we be running?