Crying & Running in San Francisco
An in-person event about consumer culture in one of the coolest running stores in the world, and why I won't stop writing about important issues.
A few weeks ago, I wrote a piece where I attempted to define running culture. The reason being a few IG influencer accounts were claiming that an increase in consumerism and brand activations at the most high-profile races around the world was heralding the “end” of running culture.
Ridiculous, but it got everyone talking, and I said, “CAPITALISM IS NOT CULTURE!” Except capitalism actually is an important part of culture, so I thought what better discussion topic to finally take to
’s beautiful San Francisco running boutique??Consumerism in Running
Running Wylder, SF
June 27th 2025
Yes. We’re going to talk about capitalism and culture in a shop. There is occasional wry humor in my work.
Abel Rodriguez from Corremos Sacramento, On tech rep Rosie Cruz, and Armando Torres of Nth Degree Athletic Club will be joining Katie and myself to discuss how and where money fits into the amateur arena, and consider some best practices going forward. It’ll be fun, I promise.
How to be a part of it:
If you can’t attend, tell me what questions you have or topics you want answered, in a comment or reply to this email.
If you can attend, click the blue button and it’ll take you to a free Eventbrite ticket link. I’m looking forward to meeting some regular readers IRL.
I’m also dead pleased about this absolutely magical Running Sucks x Running Wylder collaboration t-shirt. Katie and I have been talking about it for a while. Yes. Go get it. I can’t wait to run/cry in it
Last week on Running Sucks
I love meeting cool people, and
is one of the coolest. As well as what’s in the article, Josh and I talked a lot about creativity, our writing processes, and being outside. Here are some outtakes.Josh on the power of being outside:
“I think about when I wrote a lot of the poems that form the book last year in Portugal on a concrete slab in front of the ocean. I think, again, looking at the expansiveness of the ocean and the horizon and the mountains behind me, that was environmentally important.”
Josh on the power of movement:
“I’m a big believer that when you get your blood moving, ideally outside, you have to go into a different state. You move out of stagnancy. Being outside stirs things up.”
What’s happening in America??
It’s hard to fully conceive of moments where the American government pits its army against its people, but here we are. It’s reached a critical moment, with nationwide protests in full effect, but the warnings have been right here for a while. Many Californians have been dealing with this particular escalation of Project 2025 since January.
My first piece of the year with Aaron Garcia of Keep Runnin’ Santa Ana told the story of a run club from a predominantly Latino community taking part in a race in a city that was outwardly hostile to immigrants.
My panel event about communication in April, had a moment with Zaakiyah Brisker explaining how South Central Run Club switched to private messaging to communicate this year, specifically to keep their community safe from ICE overreach.
It’s an awful situation in the USA right now. It’s the kind of fascist rule we might condescendingly expect somewhere like Myanmar or Sudan, but here it is in liberal, coastal California, where we voted to keep slavery in for-profit prisons in 2024. And it’s coming soon to an American city near you, no doubt. Who will they come for next, I really wonder. Because they will.
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Something to wear
The new activewear release from 3sixteen is good-looking gear, and it blends in a little bit of their selvedge denim pedigree a bit more seriously than the hilarious Jorts Mile they put on last fall. They also tease a new shoe collab with Saucony that is coming in July.
It’s a good moment to link to my interview with 3sixteen founder
. As the title of the piece illustrates, I was really curious when Andrew first got in touch, but now it makes total sense. High-quality gear from a high-quality brand where everyone runs as part of their lifestyle, so of course they designed some gear to run in.
Something to watch
I watched this 27-minute video called Unhappy from 2023. It’s about “two people whose lives have been transformed by walking or running.” It’s a great little look into what movement can do for our mental health, and features the mighty Mike Kratzer.
Running Sucks Haiku of the Week
One month between posts
Hundred thousand words written
Now for the hard work
Yes, I’ve been away for a month, but I promise that I’ve been busy. I’ve been writing a book that will see the light of day in early 2026. Thanks for your patience.
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Thanks for reading
Raz x
Omg that tee is SO good!! 😭🖤
Portugal! You know what: the funny thing is that Josh and I were in the same place (not far from each other), we ran the same race...and just got to know that later that week. Since then...big fan of his work :)