Dan Caron, co-founder of RNWY, after running the San Diego Rock n Roll Half Marathon.
Most of my life, I trained to look a certain way.
I lifted like a bodybuilder. I chased aesthetics. I cared about how I looked in the mirror more than how my body actually moved. At the time, I thought that was what fitness was supposed to be.
I don’t think like that anymore.
At some point — honestly after enough aches and little reminders from my body — I realized something simple: I don’t want to look strong if my body feels fragile.
I want to move well.
That’s what longevity means to me.
It’s not some abstract strategy or buzzword. It’s about being able to keep showing up. Running without feeling beat up. Waking up without joints complaining. Moving through life without feeling stiff or limited.
When my body feels good, training stays consistent.
When training stays consistent, fitness takes care of itself.
Right now, I’m not chasing peak anything. I’m chasing the ability to string together weeks, months, and years of movement without setbacks.
I want to stay upright.
I want freedom in my body.
I want to keep moving.
That mindset shift alone has allowed me to keep running — and enjoy it more — than I ever did when I was chasing a look or pushing intensity every day.