What Nike Missed About Walking

Last week, Nike put up a sign during Boston Marathon weekend that read:“Runners Welcome. Walkers Tolerated.”The sign was gone within 24 hours — but the conversation? That stuck around and is continuing.There’s a bigger story here that got missed. Walking isn’t just something to tolerate: it’s an Olympic sport, a gateway into running, and for a lot of people, it’s how you come back after life changes on you.In this episode, I talk about what Boston really is beyond the front of the pack. The 39,000 people, stories that don't get coverage, and moments of pure humanity on the course.Including the story of Tommy Rivs Puzey, who went from a 2:18 at Boston to a cancer diagnosis, to shuffling to the bathroom, to walking New York in nine hours, to coming back to Boston. Run-walking it. Movement changes, and walking doesn't make it any less.Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must — just get across the line. Dean KarnazesIf you’re out there—running, walking, or somewhere in between—you belong.Read/Listen on Substack: https://trailrunnersjourney.substack.com/p/6c02f7b3-5715-4a1e-b38b-3b1782b0c3d5 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trailrunnersjourney.substack.com