Social Running

Running is a sport that has grown over the last 50 years. It has been and always will be a sport that welcomes anyone and everyone. It is a non-judgmental sport that allows for constant improvement. Recently, running has become incredibly social with the growth of social media. Personally, I have become more of a runner due to the support I have gotten from other runners around the world. I have friends I compete with in England, Canada and Australia. Whether I am having a good day, a bad day, a great run or a slow day, I can always look to my Twitter and Instagram followers for support. 

Today I went for a run with my boss, yes she is that cool! Running has definitely given my boss and I common ground to bond with. It's a relationship builder. After my run I posted a picture to Twitter and Instagram, and got cheers for my efforts. I love receiving feedback from the Nike Running team or from my friends after my runs. It is so motivational. I know that my social friends will always be there to motivate and inspire me. Plus, I'm very competitive and having friends that can challenge me to push myself further is great!

Today, Robin Arzon, the creator of the blog Shut Up and Run and a panel of influential runners and social media guru's from companies such as Nike Running, Google, Runner's World and tech companies, held a discussion on the implications of running and the social sphere. It was an amazing event that showed how running has evolved into more than just a solitary sport and into a movement. You can watch the replay of the event here. 

Social tech products such as the Nike+ Fuelband, Nike Running App, Nike GPS Sportwatch or Nike+ Missions Game all have been game changers in the world of sports. How I make it count everyday is measured by my different tech devices. When I'm having a tough day or not feeling like getting out there I look to my social friends to pick me up and push me out the door. One of my favorite tools is the Nike+ Fuelband because I can set my goal and then have to push myself each day to reach it, no matter what. Running is the best way that I earn NikeFuel.

My run crew is social, it is the group I ran my second marathon with in San Francisco when we were ambassadors for Nike Women together. We are #sistersinnike and we motivate and empower each other everyday to succeed. The power of a group of people, a crew, is incredible and together we have achieved great things. All of us have improved our running pace and our friendships through running together. Social media has given us the ability to run virtually together and cheer each other on from afar. 

Social media is constantly changing and in the running world it is becoming a movement. New crews are popping up everyday and there are networks around the world to motivate and inspire. I have jumped on the social running train and am learning more everyday. 

How are your using the social world to enhance your running? Are you in need of some inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @superwomankw and let's join the movement together! 

Facebook, Zuck, Passion and Purpose

I enjoy social media. My Facebook and Twitter account are ways for me to interact and share my life, passions and goals with family, friends and even potential employers. Social media has allowed me to build a personal brand and interact with individuals I never would have dreamed of meeting without these channels. I am always looking for ways to enhance my personal brand and share my passions through business. Recently, I had the pleasure of reading the book, Think Like Zuck, by Ekaterina Walter - a social innovator at Intel. As someone who is aspiring to get into a career involving social media, this book was a great read and gave in inside look at Mark Zuckerberg's journey to success, among other entrepreneurs, and how to apply that to my own life.

Mark Zuckerberg is an amazing business man and entrepreneur. He has linked millions of people through the creation of Facebook. The inspiring thing about Zuckerberg is that he has not done any of this for money, in fact, that is what makes his business so successful. He is in constant pursuit of a better way to interact with the world. He believes in what he is doing and is not satisfied with mediocre.  Mark had been criticized and has failed, but he has always believed in his passion. In her book, Ekaterina writes:

"he doesn’t seek approval, he has his passion and his vision, and he is willing to sacrifice to execute on that vision. Interesting thing, passion. When one does what one loves, she can move mountains. Studies and experience show that following your passions leads to great success." 

Mark has a passion to look for constant improvement. He inspires his employees to do the same, to take risks and innovate.

I have dreams and goals in the fitness world, and while I have acted on some, I have not poured my heart and soul into them yet. I have an opportunity to do that now and I will take this chance, I will share my passion. As Walter says, "Passion + Action = Results." Take your passion, make a plan and work tirelessly to achieve that goal. Will you fail? It is definitely a possibility, but without risk there is no reward.

Blake Mycoskie is another great entrepreneur discussed in this book, the founder of TOMS shoes, Blake's passion was finding a way to help children without shoes all over the world. He made a plan and worked through adversity to create a brand that has helped millions around the world have new shoes to wear.

Along with passion, according to Walter, comes purpose. People want to believe in a cause, they want to feel a part of something bigger than themselves and having a clearly defined purpose can create acceptance and belief by others. "Great companies don't just create great products, they create movements." I can see how this works in my life. I connect on a personal level with the Nike brand, they have done an incredible job of creating value and products that I can believe in. I believe in them and want to share their products because I have connected with their movement. They have created a fitness phenomenon that I NEED to be a part of.

So how do they do this? With their human capital. Hiring the right people with the same vision is integral to success. The mantra Walter recommends is "one team, one dream."Hiring the best people is integral to success. The best employees don't need to be managed, they need to be empowered. This leads to success. Great companies, such as Facebook, hire people for their attitude. Skills can be learned and taught, but attitude and passion cannot. 

Thinking like Zuck can have a positive impact on your endeavors. No one can see their future, but having a clearly defined purpose, faith, passion, vision, the right people and great partnerships can surely get you there faster. This book gives great examples, case studies and ideas that can be implemented in new endeavors and current business models. If you want to make your business better, start a new business, or just excel in the workplace at your current job, this book is a great read!

Digital Royalty University Course Review

Social media is everywhere and navigating it can be tough. This is where Digital Royalty University can be extremely useful. The world of social media is vast and #renegade Amy Jo Martin has focused the last few years of her career on helping businesses and individuals navigate this quickly growing online community through her company - Digital Royalty.

A few years ago social media did not even exist. Suddenly, a business without a Facebook or Twitter account is no longer considered to be as competitive. Social media is a network where people can share their opinions and join in a conversation, whether that be good or bad depends on how you navigate the online world.

Amy Jo Martin created her online university courses to educate businesses, leaders, bloggers or just individuals who want to know more about how to navigate social media, what guidelines to follow and how to best use social media to their advantage. I had the privilege of taking the first two classes "8 Royal Rules - Part 1" and "8 Royal Rules - Part 2."

As an aspiring social media marketer, these classes were especially useful to me. I had read Amy Jo's book Renegades Write the Rules in October, see previous post When Renegades and Nike Collide, and it greatly expanded my knowledge of the Twitter world and how it can be used. These classes really expand on the book and allow you to see and hear examples of how these rules work. It's visual learning at it's best.

The classes are interactive and fun. They are online so you can take them whenever you want, or wherever you want, pajamas anyone? Also, you can interact with Amy Jo and the entire #renegade team whenever you have a question during the course, you just have to tag your question #RoyalQ.

These classes invite participation with social media. Got a question? Tweet it. Don't be afraid to try different avenues of communication and find what works. Use social media the way it was meant to be, as a form of communication. The classes also provide forums and quizzes to test your knowledge and help you hone your social media skills.

Right now you can try the first class, "8 Royal Rules - Part 1" for free! That's a pretty sweet deal! With nine classes ranging from the basics to emerging platforms, and more courses being continually added, you can glean information from those that are at the top of their business, they wrote the rules. The way I see it, you have everything to gain by taking this class.

I can't wait to take all of the classes offered by Digital Royalty. I'll keep you posted on my thoughts and hope to connect on Twitter. Hit me up @superwomankw!

Positive Social Media

I have been realizing lately how much social media can affect and influence my daily life. I spend quite a bit of time interacting with friends and acquaintances on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. For me it is a great motivational tool and has put me in touch with a huge base of friends that share the same interests and likes that I do.

Opportunities to meet fitness experts, interact with Nike and other fitness brands, and get motivation are endless. When used correctly social media is an amazing tool to motivate, inspire and educate yourself on the world around you and prepare yourself for your career. It creates a window into the lives of experts in their field that you would not be able to see if social media was not around. I learn new things every day.

Sometimes social media can be distracting or take too much time, but like most things in life you have to take the good with the bad. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunities and knowledge that social media has given to me. I hope I can inspire someone else and reach a larger audience through these outlets. What social media channels are your favorites and who are some great fitness experts that you follow? I'd love to hear from you! 

Oakley Perform Beautifully Contest

I just entered the Oakley "Perform Beautifully" Ambassador contest. This is a great opportunity for any woman who is passionate about fitness and health to get the opportunity to work with Oakley. All you have to do is go to their Facebook page and click on the "perform beautifully" contest tab. I just entered the contest this morning and am hoping for the chance to join their team. I encourage anyone who is interested to enter as this is a fantastic opportunity to expand your contacts, increase your fitness skills and interact face to face with a company and other women that share your same passions and values.

Previous ambassadors participated in many Oakley events, enjoyed Oakley products and participated in a fitness weekend sponsored by Oakley in Napa Valley, CA. I personally love blogging about my fitness journey and sharing my goals and successes on my blog. Becoming an Oakley ambassador would open more doors to the fitness world and be a dream come true for me. I love empowering other women and Oakley seems to be as passionate and driven as me in accomplishing that goal.

If you are a passionate, athletic woman who believes in your ability to "perform beautifully" and empower and inspire others to do the same then check out this contest, you won't regret entering. This truly in the chance of a lifetime and a chance to inspire others in ways you may have never been able to in your current position. Enjoy and good luck!