The first rule of running: There are no rules. The second rule: Running is all about what makes you feel good—just take it from the people who lace up on the regular. Together with Nike, we tapped joggers from all walks (um, runs) of life to share the practices, philosophies, and heartfelt guidelines that inform how they make running not just a workout, but an exercise in joy.
So grab your pair of Nike Pegasus 40s, the supportive, versatile, and very springy choice of runners everywhere—and prepare to fly. These are the Rules We Run By.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
The Rules
We Run By
Andrew Schwartz
Andrew is a financial adviser who found running in his earliest days of sobriety, and now considers it a vital source of community, joy, and solitude. Having just completed a six-person relay from Los Angeles to Las Vegas (psst: that’s 340 miles) in support of the Release Recovery foundation, his advice to aspiring runners is simple: Keep it fun.
Product specialist and former D1 collegiate athlete
Maddie Ginsburg
Limited fitness options during the pandemic kicked off Sashah’s outdoor running practice, which she describes as cathartic, meditative, and fun. As a Nike run coach and host of Well+Good’s Alt-Baking Bootcamp, Sashah wants to teach aspiring runners about the connection between food and fitness.
Sashah Handal
Fueling her body before and after a run—with anything from fresh salmon to bacon-topped pizza, depending on the day—helps give Sashah that coveted spring in her step. And when she runs in the Nike Pegasus 40, designed with Nike’s React foam to help absorb impact and energetically push her forward, she shows no sign of stopping.
"Choose a time of day that inspires you. My favorite thing is going on a morning run and seeing the sunrise."
"Any long run is better with friends. When I got sober, running saved my life—it gave me purpose and community."
"Sparkle! I sprinkle on a little glitter for every single one of my runs. It’s become part of my ritual. It brings lightness and joy to every run."
Early-childhood special-education teacher
Malia Bruce
"Run at your own pace. People think they have to be fast to run—not true. Everyone is a runner, and your pace is not the next person's pace. Do what makes you feel comfortable."
Licensed practical nurse and marathoner
Chinedu Ogueri
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"Use running as a tool to make relationships with
people you otherwise wouldn't meet."
Last year, Grace traded in her collegiate track-and-field career for community-based, long-distance runs. When she’s not lacing up, she stays busy—and well-fueled—running her small business, Absurd Snacks.
Grace Mittl
"Run for fun. My parents used to read us a book about how people who were running looked like they were flying and, to be honest, when I get going on a run that’s how it feels."
ACSM-certified health and fitness specialist
and founder of JKF Fitness & Health
John Ford
One rule that’s universal, no matter what kind of runner you are? Lace up with sneaks that are fitted, lightweight, and supportive—like Nike’s super springy, wear-anywhere Pegasus 40s.
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For Chev, running is a form of meditation—especially when it leads him to nature, where he feels most aware and mindful. From the city sidewalk to bumpy trails upstate, Nike’s lightweight Pegasus 40s help keep his steps steady and his feet secure.
Chevaughn is an athlete and activist whose earliest running memories take him back to his hometown in Jamaica, where he laced up for the first time at just five years old. These days, he spends his time encouraging young people to find that same fresh-air joy as the director of Hudson River Riders, which offers outdoor exploration, paddling skills, and environmental education to underserved youth communities.
Chevaughn Dixon
"Always bring a credit card and subway card. If the run goes well, buy a treat on the way home. And if the run falls apart, you can at least hop on the train to get home."
As a non-profit fundraiser, Lynn discovered running through charity races. Realizing she could help people around the world while moving her body, exploring the outdoors, and connecting with others, she got hooked—and she’s never looked back.
Lynn Lau
"Run first thing in the morning—it will help ensure you crush everything that comes your way throughout the day."
Risk analyst and ultramarathoner
Aidan Bond
"You can’t spell "sweating" without "eating." Our bodies...deserve to be fed in a way that not only fuels and satiates but nourishes and satisfies, too."
Personal trainer, Nike run coach, and host of Well+Good’s Alt-Baking Bootcamp
Sashah Handal
"Run for something
—like donuts."
Marketing professional and new dad
Bryan Yamhure
"Always be on the lookout for where you can go if duty calls. Don't be afraid to sacrifice a sock. If leaves are your last resort, make sure they're not poison ivy."
Chris describes himself as a one-time “average” high-school runner turned 11-time marathoner. This journey led him to found CITIUS MAG, a track-and-field media company for people who believe that running is more than a sport—it’s a community.
Chris Chavez
"Give yourself a mantra to get into a flow state. I remind myself to run slow, and that part of training is training your mind."
Doctor of physical therapy and board-certified orthopedic specialist
Jessica Chang
"Treat yourself. If ever I'm in a running rut, retail therapy always works—new sneakers, a water bottle, a new sports bra."
Occupational therapist and burn technician
Jeanina Joseph
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Feeling comfortable in her skin is as physical as it is emotional, and Yvonne relies on the Nike Pegasus 40 for help. Designed with extra tongue padding and mesh panels for ample breathability, her feet and legs stay happy, mile after mile.
An active member in multiple NYC running clubs, a three-time marathoner, and a lover of the outdoors, Yvonne attributes her sense of confidence and self acceptance to her daily jogs—and she believes anyone can find that with the right community of support.
Yvonne Zapata
"Remember to always say
"WE OUTSIDE" when you see your friends out there running the streets!"
Marathoner and proud New Yorker
Yvonne Zapata
"Just get it together! What does this mean? Get your gear on, your music ready, and get out the door. Don't get lost in your phone or start finding things to do around the house. Just go!"
Growing up, Kelly’s parents were always running. She finally caught the bug after experiencing the birth of her two kids and the death of her dad, in whose memory she likes to race. When she’s not training, she spends her time teaching Pilates, raising her kids, and enjoying her pro-chef husband’s cooking.
Kelly Kent
"If you want to run more consistently, sign up for a race. Knowing I have one coming up is the best way to motivate myself to put my shoes on and head out."
Well+Good brand marketer
Kendall Bettle
"When I start to get in my head, I focus on my breath. I let my breathing guide my pace instead of looking at my watch."
Triathlete and student pursuing a master’s in social work
George Spencer
"Be consistent. I can't improve if I can't practice, I can't practice if I can't run, and I can't run if
I'm injured."
Certified running coach
Kai Ng
"Run with a community. You'll find you're your best self while you're watching others push past their limits."
Gabriella is a filmmaker, director, and production designer who channels the perseverance and resilience she cultivates as an artist into her daily running practice—and vice versa.
Gabriella Moses
"Don't skip your warm up and cool down before and after every run. It’ll keep you healthy!"
Athlete, activist, and director of
Hudson River Riders
Chevaughn Dixon
Last year, Grace traded in her collegiate track-and-field career for community-based, long-distance runs. When she’s not lacing up, she stays busy—and well-fueled—running her small business, Absurd Snacks.