A week ago, I posted a video on Instagram entitled "How to run cupless," explaining how to use a reusable cup (I love the speed cup from HydraPak) in a race. My goal with this video was to show that it could be done, and as I walked along with Kayleigh in the NYC Half, I had time to think about content like this, so I recorded clips to make it happen.

I didn't think much of it; I knew there was a risk of people commenting that I was indeed holding a cup in a post about being cupless, but beyond that, I just wanted to make a helpful video.

The next morning, I started getting a lot more comments, and those comments were not all nice. In fact, many of them were very critical. I looked at the insights of the reel and saw it had over 200,000 views and was not slowing down.

Then a friend, who is Social Media Director at a major organization, texted me, saying that I should probably reply to some of those comments, negative as they were, that this was a real opportunity to educate people about why this is important, and to engage with skeptics to bring them in. Besides, we all read the comments sometimes; that is where we really find out what is going on.

So I did, and that was absolutely the right choice. Not to every comment (as of right now, there are 365 comments!), but to the ones that were bringing up points that were likely in the minds of others.

That said, as the reel continued to pick up speed, people from outside our space came in. Trolls came in, saying things that were incredibly personal and hurtful. For some reason, they didn't really upset me; I know they don't know me and my appearance is not something they have any opportunity to weigh in on, at least to me.

But still, it was shocking to see how nasty the comments could be. I wondered how many of them were from bots. I wondered how many were from people who work in the industries that are desperately trying to prevent this sustainability movement from gaining momentum (as it affects their profits), and I wondered, for those who didn't fit into those groups, how much pain those people who chose to make inappropriate, nasty, personal comments must have been in.

That was where my mind went. To go on the internet and make comments about people who are putting themselves out there in a vulnerable way is a way to deflect a lot of pain, and my heart hurts for them. We all know the old phrase, "hurt people hurt people" and in that moment, I really thought about that.

I don't know how I was able to rise above it, but I found a way to just ignore it. To use it to realign myself even more into this direction I am in; it helped me to see my purpose even more clearly. My role in this movement is to bring people in. I want to be the base of the pyramid, getting people to believe that they too, can be a part of the solution.

It's not gonna make everyone happy. The extreme environmentalists will say that my approach does nothing and is greenwashing. The extreme deniers will say that climate change is a hoax and mock me for what I say, but their opinions aren't what matters here, what matters is my belief in my role, my trust in myself to inspire change, to keep planting seeds.

While the post has brought out some of the ugliest personal insults I have ever been on the receiving end of, it has actually helped me to further solidify who I am and what I am doing.

So to those people who commented negative things, I thank them (not that it is any of you reading).

This week on the Running For Real podcast...

Here's the official description:

As a runner and fitness professional herself, Erin Bailey understands how difficult it can be for athletes to represent themselves on social media and in their brand relationships. Her talent agency, Momentum Management, helps them present themselves authentically and forge business relationships that align with their values.

Here's the real deal:

I adore Erin. I have since the moment we were on a brand call together as two voices who had interesting ideas about how to activate at a major marathon. Those ideas Erin and I came up with ended up being almost exactly what the brand did. I love her energy and heart, but most of all, I love how much Erin believes in supporting other women. Even when it's hard, even when it adds risk, even when it could come at a loss to herself. She is just an amazing human being, so come join us for a conversation.

Running Boston marathon (or there to support)?

Our Boston marathon sustainability guide is ready, to make it easy for you to be environmentally conscious while you are there.

Come join my friends Matt Choi and Endorphins Running founder, Tyler Swartz, for a BIG plogging event on April 13th at 2pm ET. Plogging combines picking up trash and jogging, and we have had a lot of other big names in the space say they are going to attend; many of them we will be annnouncing as co-hosts in the next week. We will be hosting it with Dig Inn, so you will also get discount codes and goodies!

Not gonna be in Boston? You can join us virtually and still sign up for the event!

Running London marathon?

We have a sustainability guide for you, too.

Running USA member?

I will be moderating a panel on Earth Day for Running USA to help races be more sustainable.

Run local races?

I am finalizing a guide for smaller races that will be ideal to send on to your local races, stay tuned.

“If you are not in the arena getting your ass kicked on occasion, I am not interested in or open to your feedback. There are a million cheap seats in the world today filled with people who will never be brave with their own lives, but will spend every ounce of energy they have hurling advice and judgement at those of us trying to dare greatly. Their only contributions are criticism, cynicism, and fear-mongering. If you're criticizing from a place where you're not also putting yourself on the line, I'm not interested in your feedback.”

― Brené Brown

Thanks to our partner, Tracksmith

I am so thankful to my long-term partner as we are into our fifth year working together. They believe in me and the work that I am doing without putting requirements or pressures on what we do; that allows me to be the best version of myself and do work that is important for our community.

But beyond their support of the work that I do, the products speak for themselves.

Shorts weather is upon us, so I can bring back out my Session Speed Shorts, which will be coming up on five years of me wearing them. I have loved these from day one, and the condition is still the same as the first time I wore them. That is how you know you have seriously good quality products. Purchasing long-lasting, durable products is one of the best ways we can minimize our environmental impact through our clothes. Fast fashion is called that for a reason, becuase it is in and out quickly, but these Tracksmith pieces are timeless and last year after year.

As a friend of mine, you can get $15 off your order of $75 or more using code TINANEW. if you are already a Tracksmith lover, you can get free shipping and make a donation to TrackGirlz with code TINAGIVE.

For those of you running Boston, I hope to see you before the Tracksmith shakeout on Saturday! I won't be running it, but I will be there.

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Be kind to one another, yourself, and this beautiful planet of ours.

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