Running Into The Unknown

The Quiet Power of Running in a World Gone Loud

Wow, what a week...

It's been pretty disruptive, hasn't it? Between the whirlwind of the U.S. election, the fall of the German government, devastating climate disasters, two never-ending unjust wars, rapid shifts in global alliances, endless headlines, and the complexities of everyday life, it’s easy to feel caught up in the chaos.

But what does all this have to do with running?
Quite a lot, actually.

(Clear Your Mind – Photo by Björn Lexius)

A Radical Act

You know it, you feel it: Running has always been more than exercise. It's a way of reconnecting with ourselves, of regaining control in a world that feels out of control. In times of uncertainty, running is a radical act. It's a return to simplicity, to continuity, and to a fundamental truth within ourselves that goes far deeper than any development around us.

The Purest Form of Resistance

Running is in some ways the purest form of resistance we have: a space where we can choose our own pace, set our own goals, and find a resilience that the rest of the world may try to strip away. It's an act of defiance that proves we won't be held back by voices that tell us we don't belong. Running gives us back the agency to decide, even when so much around us feels decided for us.

Freedom and Unity

Running also matters in such troubled times because it creates space for freedom and togetherness. No matter who you are or where you come from, when you're running, labels and expectations fall away. Running makes us all equals in effort, courage, and determination. It reminds us that, despite the divisions and barriers in society, we all have lungs that burn, muscles that ache, and minds that battle doubt.

This shared experience of struggle – and victory – has the power to bring people together across divides. It's a reminder that unity is not a lofty idea, but a tangible, physical reality that everyone can feel.

A Space to Process and Heal

Running is also a powerful way to process difficult emotions, especially when the world seems to offer more confusion than clarity. A moving meditation, a time to clear mental fog and let go of the tension that builds up in our minds. With every step, running creates a sanctuary where even the most difficult emotions can flow freely, unburdened by judgment or expectations.

Running grounds us. It allows us to access a part of ourselves that is stronger than fear, anger or sadness. Running can be the first step in facing the unknown with a renewed sense of peace.

(Clear Your Mind – Photo by Björn Lexius)

A Reminder of Inner Strength

Perhaps most importantly, running reminds us that we're stronger than we think. When we're out there, negotiating our own limits, we often tap into a source of energy that is hidden in everyday life. Especially in moments of self-doubt or overwhelm, running has the superpower to show us that progress isn't always about speed or strength - it's about persistence, the willingness to keep moving forward no matter what.

When the world around us feels out of control, running teaches us that we can still choose our own path, that we have the ability to endure and adapt. This is a mindset we can carry into other parts of our lives, especially in such uncertain times.

A Steady Rhythm

So yes, it's been an unsettling week. But running can and should be a reminder of who we are and what we're capable of. A way to stay grounded, to find meaning in movement, and to remember that in the face of any storm, we have the power to keep our own rhythm steady. No matter what, we, the runners, will find our way.

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Everything Not Running

On a personal note, yes, I am worried. Very worried. I was particularly disturbed by the outcome of the US election. Not just because, as an American studies scholar, I can see the implications of this very clear referendum for US democracy. No, rather because I know the impact it will have for the rest of the world. America is and remains an economic, political, military and, yes, cultural superpower with immense influence. Under the leadership of an egocentric, hateful, ruthless neurotic, all efforts to harmonize our coexistence on and with this planet will be set back by decades. To be honest, this really gets me down.

As so often, my work for Willpower reflects my values, concerns and hopes. I will be putting a lot of energy into the upcoming Empower Running campaign in the hope of creating a counterbalance, at least in Willpower's sphere of influence, the running community.

To whom it may concern
(and that is all of us),

The outcome of the U.S. election reverberates far beyond American borders. It is not just a decision for one nation but a crossroads for every soul who dreams of a world grounded in compassion, equity, and peace. The stakes are high; we are in the eye of a global storm where the values of tolerance and unity hang in the balance. This decision will send shock waves through the lives of those whose very existence challenges the status quo: migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, the impoverished, transgender people, the politically disenfranchised, people of color, workers exploited or underpaid, religious minorities, indigenous peoples, those with disabilities, the elderly, young people, refugees, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming individuals, the incarcerated, and women.

What can we do now? Not much. But not nothing either. Each of us has a sphere of influence, however small, and now more than ever, it is our duty to transform it into a sanctuary for the vulnerable, the marginalized, the underprivileged. Willpower's sphere of influence is the running community.

Without knowing that the US election would turn out the way it did, we've been working for the last few months on a campaign called Empower Running, which is exactly what is needed now. To show solidarity with runners who are excluded, victimized or discriminated against. To create a space and atmosphere where everyone can run freely, not just those who fit into a narrow, privileged vision of a world dominated by white-male uniformity.

On November 29, Empower Running will launch as part of our Bold Friday Drop.

This is more than just a campaign; it is a call to action. An invitation to all who believe that running can be an act of defiance. We run for a world where no one is denied the right to live their life, to claim their space, and to belong.