Brooklyn Running Group Spreads Positivity
By Marnie Kunz
Recently as I was scrolling the Runstreet Instagram, I saw a Brooklyn running friend post her run with Positive Mental Energy Running Club and it looked like such a happy group. I thought, what a great idea to have a positive-focused NYC running group during covid-19 times. Here is the story of this Brooklyn running group, from the founder, William Hildebrand:
RS: What is your running background?
I moved from Paris to NYC three years ago. I played tennis when I was in high school and started running for better stamina. Since then I’ve only raced once, nothing too serious. A few runs here and there to stay in shape.
RS: What made you start this running group?
This new reality. The global lockdowns in 2020 have forced people to shift their workout routines. Running has been a common choice because of its approachability. After all, humans have been running for thousands of years and, for some of us, feeling trapped inside our homes reignited that primal instinct. Socializing is another essential activity we’ve had to find new ways to accomplish. While current technologies allow us to hear and see each other, they can’t and shouldn’t replace in-person interaction. This new reality inspired me to create Positive Mental Energy (PME), a healing focused community exploring mental health and wellness benefits that live at the intersection of meditative practices and athletic activities.
RS: Where does the group meet and at what time/days?
We usually meet twice a week in Bushwick:
Tuesdays 6 pm we run from Maria Hernandez Park to the waterfront in Williamsburg and back.
Saturday 9 am we do a shorter Bushwick neighborhood run and hang out for a socially distant coffee and bagel.
Recently we’ve also been hosting runs in Prospect Park, Central Park to expand our reach. We try to switch it up. Sometimes we’ll ask our Instagram followers to vote for the next location they want to run.
RS: What is the purpose of the group?
Being part of a community and meeting in-person is a great way to feel a sense of belonging and accountability. A lot of NYers work crazy hours, live in tiny spaces and often cohabitate with people they don’t know very well. In the short amount of leisure time they have left, it can be tough creating meaningful friendships, opening up, finding the motivation to work out, and going new places. PME provides that space to connect, explore and heal. Together.
RS: How does mental health play into your run club?
Physical activity and mental health are interconnected and running helps people clear the fog in their mind. I like to describe it as “meditation in motion”. It’s a form of self-care for the body and the mind. A quiet moment where you feel at ease with yourself, are more aware of your surroundings and away from screens. PME is just here to encourage people to run. Even if you run alone, you’re with us.
RS: Do you have a background in mental health/wellness or fitness?
I work in the Active industry. I explore cultural, social and lifestyle shifts and forecast how they will impact the sports industry, from experiences, marketing, design, fashion and more.
RS: What are your goals for the group?
We have several things planned for 2021.
The main goal is to grow the NYC community. They are the essence of the club right now. That being said I want this to become a global movement. We have people from all around the world sharing their effort on social media with us and as a next step I would love to see PME group runs in other major cities.
Additionally we are looking at hosting some meditation/stretching sessions through video on our social media channels for people to join all over the world and provide a complementary activity to running.
Finally, we recently unveiled a partnership with the outdoor brand Arc’teryx. Every run you join with PME grants you a chance to win some of their premium running gear. Assuming 2021 allows us to do so, we will host more events and create meaningful initiatives.
RS: Who are the members?
The group runs are in the NY area for now. Some are born and raised NYers, some just moved here, and some are in the metaverse. That’s one of my favorite things about the group runs we host. Seeing a diverse yet like-minded group. Runners have more in common than they think.
The beauty of being connected at all times with the world is that you don’t have to join a group run to be a member.
RS: How has the group helped you personally in your life?
In the same way it’s helping others. I’ve met new people who have since become friends. We’ll run together outside of the organized group runs, and hang out after. I’ll see sometimes on social media other PME runners doing the same. That’s one of the accomplishments I’m the proudest of.
RS: Anything else you’d like to add?
Follow our INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/positivementalenergy/
Check out our SITE: https://positivementalenergy.org/ SHOP: https://teespring.com/fr/stores/positive-mental-energy
Wolf Pack, do you run with a running group? Drop your faves in the comments below.
Related Posts: Best Holiday Runs in NYC, 7 Ways to Beat Mood Swings During Covid, Running for Anxiety Benefits
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach and the creator of Runstreet Art Runs, which bring together communities through running and street art. She is a Brooklyn resident, running coach, and writer. She enjoys traveling, art, and eating messily. You can follow her running and events at @Runstreet Instagram and Runstreet Facebook.
