Running can be a daunting workout for some. But for others, it can be an exhilarating activity that becomes part of their lifestyle. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, running can be a transformative experience. It can not only change how your body moves, feels, and functions, but also alter your mindset and reshape what community looks like. That sentiment even rings true here at Blavity Inc.

After chatting with several women across the company, we learned how each staffer’s running journey evolved into a practice that best supports their path forward. Some have been running since they learned how to walk. Others picked it up as a replacement for another beloved sport that their body could no longer tolerate, or as a way to spice up their current fitness routine. But when the conversations were done, a common thread quickly emerged: running is magical.

“There’s this magical point where I stop thinking about my breathing, the music, or even the fact that I’m running and I just flow,” says Lauren Temple, Senior Manager, Content and Programming. “It feels like autopilot in the best way. That’s when I notice the little things like the new flowers the neighbor planted, new paint on a building… Running makes me present.”

But to truly feel the magic, runners need the proper footwear. Thankfully, shoes like the Nike Structure Plus have made it increasingly easy for consumers to put comfort, stability, performance, and support at the center of their pursuit for tranquility and transformation.

Lauren Temple, Senior Manager, Content and Programming

Getting Dialed In On The Benefits of Running

The intense mind-body connection that running creates often makes athletes more aware of how their bodies move. “[Running] really helps me focus on what’s going on with me in the present moment,” says AfroTech Associate Account Manager Alexis Daniel. “I have to truly tune into what I need right then: to slow down, breathe properly, and hydrate. I honestly see that as a form of taking care of myself while also improving my self-awareness.”

“As a new runner, I allow myself to slow down or even trot, but I don’t allow myself to stop,” echoes Iria Creamer, Manager, Live Events Client Operations. “I speak positive affirmations to myself like, ‘You got this, you can do anything.’ In speaking positivity over myself while I run, I have retrained my brain to speak positivity whenever things get tough. I may slow down, but giving up is never an option. [By] proving to myself that I can finish a run, I’ve proven to myself I can do all the hard things in life.”

That awareness usually leads runners to seek out the appropriate gear to allow for longer runs, and avoid excessive wear and tear on their joints. If you’ve ever wondered why runners are so serious about their shoes, it’s because nine times out of ten, the search for the right gear often starts and ends with the right shoe.

Stability is the Foundation of a Great Run

“I’ve learned so much about how important it is to have the right shoes to support my body while running,” adds Alexis, who ran track as a kid and got back into the sport this past year. “I deal with plantar fasciitis, so I really need the right shoe depending on what I’m doing: running outdoors, running indoors, or weight training. At this point, I have at least six different workout shoes in rotation.”

For outdoor runners, that’s where supportive footwear like the new Nike Structure Plus Women’s Road Running Shoe comes in. This latest iteration of the Structure line is radically pragmatic with built-in functionality that takes into consideration all of your physical needs as a runner. The Structure Plus combines Nike’s ZoomX core with the ReactX foam, making it extra comfortable and responsive, allowing for a smooth, fully controlled run. The shoe’s midfoot support system stabilizes your foot, while securely guiding you through heel-to-toe transitions. The Structure Plus also features a dual-rubber outsole, with soft rubber in the front for flexibility, and stiff, high-abrasion rubber in the heel for durability.

Supporting Performance Without Sacrificing Personal Style

And for those of us who believe in “dopamine dressing,” the Nike Structure Plus looks as good as it makes you feel. Coming in five super-cute, versatile colorways, the shoes are the definition of form and function for those who love a good fitness fit. Because sometimes, the idea of looking cute is the extra boost you need to get motivated for that workout. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Especially since there actually is science to support the look-good-feel-good theory.

“I love a strong workout outfit of the day because when I feel put together, my confidence shifts immediately,” confirms Aria Collins Mitchell, Associate Director, Integrated Marketing. “That confidence impacts my mood, my mindset, and ultimately the quality of my run. When a shoe delivers both style and real performance technology, I don’t have to choose between looking good and running well—I get both.”

woman in a white jacket and black pants pausing for a picture while running on a trail — Aria Collins Mitchell, Associate Director, Integrated Marketing

Running Can Be Its Own Path Towards Finding Community

There’s nothing wrong with needing external motivation to turn your new fitness routine into a habit, and the desire for community is a big reason behind the rise of run clubs. Popularized by social media over the last five-plus years, run clubs have evolved to serve a wide range of needs—whether you’re a beginner looking for encouragement, an expert trying to get their times down or train for a marathon, or someone looking for a way to meet new people in a new city.

“For me, running is therapy and community,” explains Lauren, who’s enjoyed the sport for over seven years. “And joining a run club elevated that. Being surrounded by people who are passionate about improving themselves and their community pushes me to level up, too. I’m running a relay this month because of the club, and that’s had me training harder, eating better, and checking in with my teammates to make sure we’re all good. It’s accountability and family.”

Nike’s Structure Plus Women’s Road Running Shoe is the perfect companion to help you find that magic, because it was derived from some of the same circumstances that make runners fall in love with the sport: trail-tested adjustability; learning what your body needs; and being surrounded by a community that helps you find comfort in knowing that all runners have different, yet equally-valid needs.

You’ve got to admit: with all these benefits, the magic of running (and Nike) is worth discovering.

This content was created for Nike as part of a paid partnership.

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