Nike Proves That After Dark, We Shine

As the Swoosh’s series touched down in Los Angeles, the Nike After Dark Tour showcased festival vibes and the sense that anything is possible.

Running, while fun, often feels more like punishment than peace to me – something I endured, but not a desirable form of exercise (I’m more of a tennis enthusiast or HIIT class regular). But everything changed when I began training for the Nike After Dark 13.1 in Los Angeles. The California race marked the fifth out of seven stops on the After Dark Tour, with previous races in Sydney, Shanghai, Mumbai, and Seoul.

The point of the race is simple: For years, we’ve been told that nighttime is for rest and slowing down. Those of us taking over the start line were there to prove it’s actually quite the opposite. The Swoosh curated an experience that was determined to take back the fear of simply existing as a woman when the sun sets. This was an opportunity to be surrounded by thousands of others who cast those doubts aside and replace that fear with excitement.

I’ve previously joined Nike on plenty of hosted media experiences, so working with the Swoosh feels almost effortless at this point. When I was invited to participate in the After Dark challenge at the beginning of March, my body immediately felt tense. I was just recovering from a serious health matter, so the thought of forcing my body to be 13.1 ready in 12 weeks felt daunting. But I realized the weeks that preceded preparation, my body was working overtime to keep me healthy.

I took on the challenge as a way to give thanks. In the moments I felt weakest, my body worked silently to heal me, reminding me that even in stillness, I was surviving.

After 12 weeks of training on my own, it was time to prove my work wasn’t done in vain.

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During the drive from LAX to our hotel in Santa Monica, we were immediately reminded of how far we’ve come. Flashy billboards of the signature red background with bold white lettering flashed all too familiar notes of optimism: “There’s a turnaround, but there’s no turning back,” my personal favorite.

The billboards echoed the consistent messaging that Nike coaches conveyed throughout my training program. Once committed, I was paired by the brand with a group of fellow women in media and a run coach to keep us motivated. In my first conversation with Coach Stowe, I’m sure she could sense some trepidation on my end. What immediately followed was reassuring encouragement.

When she wasn’t available, the voices in the Nike Run Club App stepped in as replacement. At times, it felt like I heard from Coach Bennett, Nike’s Global Head Coach, more than some of my closest friends. Paired with a carefully crafted training program, that’s what made the process more fun. Between recovery runs on Mondays, interval runs on Thursdays, and long runs on Sundays, reminders of how we were improving were enough of an incentive to lace up my Nike Vomero 18s and hit the road.

There was a heavy emphasis on mental toughness during this process. Mindfulness Mondays were led by Nike Run Coach Kristina, who helped regulate our nervous system and combat the subsequent nerves we would undoubtedly have on race day. And, of course, there was some pretty amazing gear, too. We were outfitted with advanced running essentials, everything from sweat-wicking leggings to personalized jackets with inspirational messaging.

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Several hours later, one foot in front of the other, multiple cups of Gatorade and water consumed, it was all over. At the finish line waited one of our prizes – a bespoke necklace in the shape of a Swoosh and crafted with slight ridges to show its durability. Inside of SoFi Stadium was our second prize – a concert by Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii.

Under the city lights, where opportunity is given to the most daring, music thumping in the distance, and adrenaline cutting through the fatigue, I stopped fighting the run and started feeding off of it. Throughout the (often painful) 12-week process, I realized running has become my therapy with grit – raw, real, and a little messy. It’s not about perfect pace or form anymore; it’s about showing up, sweating it out, and leaving every toxic thought on the pavement.