How the Next Generation of Runners Are Redefining Personal Success—and 3 Takeaways to Help You Reach Your Own New Heights

Miles logged. PRs set. Medals earned. For years, these metrics have been synonymous with success in running. But a new generation of runners is lacing up to shift the standard and redefine personal achievement—and, in the process, they’re reaching even higher heights.

Take it from avid runners Chevaughn Dixon and Ciara Lucas, who’ve found far more than just speed along their journeys. Over many miles, they’ve learned to focus on their mental well-being, get involved in (and inspired by) their communities, and suit up with supportive and innovative gear.

For Dixon, who’s been running since he was a toddler growing up in Jamaica, that looks like directing Hudson River Riders, an organization that gives young people and adults from disadvantaged neighborhoods the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. “My personal success is defined by how often I can run, and how many people I can encourage to run,” he says.

Lucas, senior health and fitness writer at Well+Good, feels a sense of success in every step she takes as a Black female marathoner. “My intention with running has always been to prioritize joyful strides and movement,” she says. “And I’m even more motivated to encourage people who look like me to tap in, and know that they belong.”

For these athletes, personal success starts with a strong foundation—and that’s the thinking behind Nike’s Blueprint collection of high-performance, always-innovative shoes. Each pair is designed to help foster strength, elevate running performance, and encourage flight from the ground up.

If you’re ready to take your running game to the next level—whether it's breaking a personal record or simply moving your body every day—slip on a pair of Nike Pegasus 41 from the Blueprint collection and consider how Dixon and Lucas are reframing what success looks like as a runner.

1. Prioritize your mental well-being

Any pace-pusher will tell you that, above all else, running is a mental sport. “Running is tough on the body, but over time you develop the mindset to keep pushing through,” Dixon says. “Whenever I feel like giving up during a run, I rely on my mental resilience to keep me going—I have trained my mind to will my body forward.”

When it comes to advancing your running game, supporting your mind and being kind to yourself is just as important as supporting your body. “Give yourself grace,” Lucas says. “I’m my own toughest critic and it’s a work-in-progress to manage negative self talk. When you set new goals, remember why you have them in the first place, accept that the journey there won’t be linear, and remember that forward is a pace.”

2. Invest in quality running gear

Real talk: At least 50 percent of regular runners get hurt every year, often due to overuse. But don’t let that stat deter you—it's really all about finding the right gear. Upgrade yours with a few supportive and responsive essentials, like the latest Nike Blueprint collection.

“There are plenty of shoes out there that prioritize feeling light and speedy, but lack the technology that makes my feet want to stay in them," Lucas says. "For me, it always comes back to how my feet are being supported—Nike Pegasus 41 has the responsive cushioning that provides softness while still being lightweight.”

Dixon enjoys the versatility the sneakers offer him, whether he’s walking, warming up for speed work, or out for a distance run. (ICYMI: Our editors agree.) Alongside its constant innovations, he opts for Nike because of its core values. “Nike has always stood out to me because of how much [it] invests in diversity and inclusion,” he says. “Any brand that supports all sports and people is a plus and one worth partnering with.”

3. Build and support a running community

Running may look like an individual sport on paper—but building a running community by joining local running clubs, supporting fellow runners during races, or volunteering for organizations makes it anything but solitary. “You don’t have to do it alone,” Lucas says. “Find a club, community, [or] program that makes you feel seen and excited to run. Lean on others to help you reach your goals—iron sharpens iron.”

Lucas has found joy in volunteering as a coach for Girls on the Run, a non-profit afterschool program that uses running to teach third-and-fourth-grade girls important life skills. “I was very intentional about volunteering at a school in a marginalized community with minority youth,” she says. “Adding diversity and representation to the running space continues to be a passion of mine.”

Dixon and Lucas want to encourage other runners, walkers, and movers (psst: that’s you) to find their passion, too—and to use it as a new metric for achievement. So let their stories inspire you to lace up, run after joy, and redefine your own peaks.