6. Why the name Nico Run Club?

It’s awfully self-centered. And it has always been! Since 2019ish.

When I first started running, I used the Nike Run Club app to generate my training plans, and I used the NRC app to track all my runs.

“Nico Run Club” is just a play on Nike Run Club.

Early on I got in the habit of posting on my Instagram story whenever I ran, and any time I could run with at least one other person, I’d add Nico Run Club in the caption as a little inside joke. Over time, I’d apply that label to different group runs, some organized runs/events among friends, and even some merch that I made :D examples below, and also my first acknowledgement on the branding of Nico Run Club:

So that’s how it started. The label’s largely gone unused since 2021, when I began to focus more on my own running, and motivation/interest to hold group runs lessened. I had also started to feel weird about calling things Nico Run Club that weren’t primarily my own making.

But now I’ve got this blog space with me as a focal point. It feels appropriate and fitting to reclaim the name of Nico Run Club here. Truthfully, I do have an interest in community building, and “Nico Run Club” is partly hopeful and preparatory for that. All of what I said in the IG caption above still holds, for this blog and whatever may come of it:

I've always thought that if you've run with me or talked about running or shoes with me, you're part of the "club”. But the essence of it is just that I love running, and I love helping others get started with running. So anyway if you're reading this, welcome to the club. No real perks (for now, until I get some sort of brand ambassadorship 🤔) besides my relentless encouragement and support and #goodvibes (and maybe I might make u a shirt).

Welcome to the Club :)

March 18, 2023