Nike+ Human Race Quick Links

The 2009 Nike+ Human Race 10K brought me in touch with some of the greatest people in the world. The experience and stories of accomplishment were beyond touching!



In Chicago, we hosted more than 100 runners at Fleet Feet Sports. They generously offered their store before regular business hours and provided a USATF certified 10K course on Chicago’s running path along Lake Michigan.

Folks arrived and got a free limited edition Human Race shirt to wear on their run, stashed their gear, heard from their ambassadors, and then proceeded out for a jog to the start line in Lincoln Park. The community spirit was infectious and exciting. You could see the eagerness on everyone’s face as they were about to take part in an event together as part of the worldwide event.

After the “sea of red” Human Race shirts made its way to the start line, I helped start the runners off and captured some great video and pictures. Then, I headed back to the store to get the computers setup for synching. Before you knew it and only three sips of my coffee later, runners started to return.



The experience of runners ranged from marathoners to complete newbies. No matter who they were, however, they exuded a sense of accomplishment in their body language and words. Being at the computer where everyone synched their run, I met wonderful people that I knew only through Facebook and Twitter interactions. Meeting these folks in person and hearing them share how much they enjoyed their experience, how excited they were to meet me in person and, most importantly, how they appreciated me keeping them motivated to get to this day could not have been more self-satisfying.



One runner in particular, I could tell, was holding back how great she felt. After a few questions, I found out that this 10K was the longest distance she had ever run. She was very shy and not very talkative, so I just kept congratulating her on her big accomplishment and welcomed her to the Nike+ community after her sync was complete. I could tell that Nike+ and our run in Chicago motivated her to get to the finish line and there were so few words shared between us. It was truly a touching moment.

Michael R., from Washington D.C. and fellow daRevoluCHIN teammate, was one of my favorite stories from Facebook. He shared on my wall that his journey started with Nike+ in July. Since then and through his training for the Human Race, he has lost 25 pounds and five inches from his waist! He braved the rainy weather to get his 10K done and accomplished it in 53’52”. Congratulations, Michael!

Another favorite story was from Alan G. of Canada. Alan kept in regular touch with me on Facebook and shared with me that his longest distance before he ran into the Human Race event was a 5K. He signed up because he enjoyed the motivation that our team provided online to get him the next level of achievement. His preparation with us played an integral role of moving on to start half marathon training next! Oh, he even recruited his brother to be a part of team as well. He is looking to me to keep him motivated after the Human Race and I have promised to do all that I can to continue doing that for him!



Finally, I did my 10K later that day by walking the distance with my partner and, now, new Nike+ user. It was humbling because it was not about time and, instead, all about covering the distance with the most significant person in my life who is supportive of my now running addiction. It was a great way to spend the afternoon! OH, and we ran into...rather, a young lady ran into us and stopped while jogging in place to ask me how I got my limited edition shirt because she’d been looking for it and was actually doing her 10K with her dog at that moment. So, I was able to recruit another member for the team and then sent her on her way to complete her run. It was just a big Nike+ Human Race 10K day!

I could go on and on with the many stories that I heard and read online and I wish I could. In the interest of efficiency and not putting you to sleep, I just wanted to thank you ALL for being a part of such a special experience with me. It was a pleasure to motivate you and bring you all together for the Nike+ Human Race 2009. The smiles of thanks and screams of excitement are still vivid in my memory and I will never forget that energy as I continue to get out the door “Hold the button for 3 seconds, walk around, and then RUN!”

Thanks and LONG LIVE daRevoluCHIN TEAM!