Running Beyond Self, Toward Community

All of us have had a moment in our running journey where we realize that the miles stop being about pace or splits. Running starts to be become about the people we meet along this journey. For TJ Dailey, running didn’t just show up once in his life. The sport kept showing up and each time it pulled him deeper into connection with those around him.

Running has a way of building friendships that evolve into something far more meaningful: a commitment to showing up not just for yourself, but for others. In a sport that often celebrates individual achievement, in this athlete spotlight you will read how TJ reminds us that sometimes the most powerful strides are the ones taken together.

This is Odd Duck Running, the events space that continues to prove that everyday athletes can accomplish extraordinary things.

Odd Duck Running Co. Athlete Spotlight

The Basics

• Name: TJ Dailey
• Hometown / Where you are currently running: Noblesville, IN
• Occupation or side hustle (optional): Mesh TC Race Director (FM and POF)

Your Running Story

• How did you get into running?  2 of the 3 times I’ve been pulled into running, it’s been for the community. Initially, it was a way to solidify a friend base in middle school and my freshman year of high school, then, when it brought me back for good, it was to support my brother during his first marathon.
• What keeps you coming back to it?  It’s a combination of the people and the exploration of what running has to offer. I love meeting people where they are at, exploring the aspects of running they are passionate about. More often than not, I take a piece of their passion with me into the future, expanding my horizons and passing it on to the next.

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The “Odd Duck” Section

• What makes you a little different as a runner?  The amount of virtual running (Zwift) that I do. It’s a heavily used cycling platform, but almost no one uses it for running. I absolutely love it, but I seem to be in the minority. If you’re looking for something a little bit deeper…. It’s that I rarely run for myself anymore. Now, that doesn’t mean that I don’t benefit from my running, but most of the time, my runs are driven by accountability to others.
• A quirky habit, superstition, or pre-race ritual:  The in the corral Gatorade pee bottle maneuver
• Favorite weird or unexpected running snack: I used to notice that if I were to slam an entire box of Girl Scout cookies the night before a longer workout, that workout would always be better.

Life Beyond the Miles

• What does running give you outside of fitness? It gives me a space to let my thoughts breathe, satisfaction, and purpose.
• How has running changed you as a person? The most important thing it did early on was prove to me that I could stick with something. My entire life up until 2012 was a roller coaster. Whether that was school, managing my weight, or my professional career. I’d stick with something for a few months, or a few years, and I’d be done. I never thought I would do something consistently for 15 years straight, yet here we are.
• Something you’re proud of that has nothing to do with running: I’m proud that, even though my younger years were laced with struggle after struggle, I ultimately turned out to be someone my mother would be proud of.

Community & Connection

• How has the running community impacted you? It continues to show me what’s possible. The more time you spend in it, the more time you realize that there are so many paths that can take you to places you never thought you could go (literally and figuratively).
• Advice for someone just starting out? Find a way to be consistent and work in a community as quickly as you can.
• Shoutout to someone who’s inspired you? There are too many to list, I mean, we’re talking dozens and dozens of people. My wife is at the top. I’ve never seen anyone so meticulous and consistent in their effort. She is one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met, and she shows up for others whenever they’re needed. Speaking of consistency, she’s one of the few women I know with a fitness/walking streak nearing 500 days. Watching her keep that up with walks at 830 at night after a full day of work, kids, etc., is pretty freaking inspiring and makes what I do seem pretty easy.

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