Running can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s competing on the world stage. For others, it’s building confidence, finding community, or discovering just how far they’re capable of going. Across every level of the sport, women continue to reshape what strength, resilience, and possibility look like.
This International Women’s Day, we spoke with four women from the Runna community, including Olympians, elite athletes, and coaches you’ll recognize from inside the Runna app.
From breakthrough race moments to the quiet mindset shifts that happen before a tough session, they share the lessons running has taught them along the way.
Together, they represent different paths through the sport from Olympic tracks to ultramarathons but share a common belief: running has the power to reveal just how capable women really are. Let’s dive in!
Tell us about a moment you surprised yourself
Sometimes the most powerful moments in running are the ones where you discover you’re capable of more than you expected.
Gen Gregson, Olympian and Runna Athlete
Gen Gregson reflects on a breakthrough moment from 2023, when she traveled to Valencia to run her second-ever marathon.
“My goal going into the race was to hit the Paris Olympic qualifying time of 2:26:50 and hopefully be the first Australian across the line. But when I crossed the finish, the clock read 2:23:08, a huge personal best.
That result made me the third fastest Australian marathoner of all time and, most importantly, secured my spot at the Paris Olympics. It was one of those moments where all the work suddenly feels worth it.”
Colleen Quigley, Olympian and Runna Athlete
Colleen Quigley says moments like this happen more often than people might expect.
“Honestly, all the time. I’m not exaggerating, and I’m definitely not bragging, but I surprise myself constantly. I think it’s because, like so many of us, I chronically underestimate myself.
It happens in workouts a lot. I’ll be in the middle of a rep knowing it’s about to get harder, and I’ll think, there’s no way I can run faster than this.
But I take it one step at a time, and more often than not, I pull it off. Those moments remind me that I probably need to back myself more and dare to expect a little more from myself.”
Anya Culling, Elite marathoner and Runna Athlete
Anya Culling recalls surprising herself during the London Marathon.
“I ran a personal best of 2:36, taking about 90 seconds off my previous time. What made it even more surprising was that it was the second day of my menstrual cycle, which isn’t always when you expect to feel your strongest.
It was also a really hot, tough race. A lot of runners went out a bit too fast and struggled in the final kilometers. I focused on staying controlled and running my own race, and it ended up being one of those days where everything came together better than I expected.”
Kayla, Ultramarathon runner and Runna Athlete
Kayla experienced a similar revelation during lululemon’s Further: For Their Feet event in 2024, a six-day ultramarathon designed to highlight what women can achieve when they’re fully supported with resources and innovation.
“Across the six days, I ran over 230 miles, which still feels surreal considering I’d only ever run one marathon before this.”
“The experience taught me so much about resilience and mental fitness, especially in moments when continuing felt nearly impossible. In those moments, I reminded myself of what I’ve already overcome."
"But just as powerful was the community around me, being surrounded by a team of incredible women lifting each other up every day.”
What’s something you’ve had to learn, or unlearn, as a woman in sport?
For many women in sport, the journey isn’t just about training, it’s also about reshaping expectations.
Gen Gregson, Olympian and Runna Athlete
“One thing I’ve had to relearn is that, as a woman in sport, you really can have it all. For a long time there’s been this idea that you have to choose between being an elite athlete or starting a family.
But it’s absolutely possible to be both a successful athlete and a great mom. I’m proud to be part of a generation of women helping to show that you don’t have to pick one path.”
Colleen Quigley, Olympian and Runna Athlete
“I think the biggest thing I’ve had to learn, over and over again, is to trust myself. My body usually knows best and it’s constantly communicating what it needs, my job is to actually listen to it.
Over the years a lot of people have tried to interpret that for me. Sometimes that’s helpful, but ultimately my body is the best source of information. I’ve had to keep relearning to listen to it and respect that voice.”
Anya Culling, Elite marathoner and Runna Athlete
“One thing I’ve definitely had to unlearn is the idea that women aren’t as strong, fast, or powerful as men in the running world.
Women bring incredible mental fortitude and resilience to endurance sport. In many ways we’re actually really well adapted for it, and you can see that in how the performance gap often narrows at the elite level.”
Kayla, Ultramarathon runner and Runna Athlete
“I’ve learned just how incredible this machine, the female body, really is. There are so many signals and conversations happening with every single step.
I’ve become much more aware of how my hormones fluctuate throughout a training block and what that means for how I train, fuel, and recover.”
When you need a confidence boost before a session, what do you tell yourself?
Even elite athletes have moments before a tough session when doubt creeps in. Here’s what some of the women at Runna had to say:
Gen Gregson, Olympian and Runna Athlete
“When a workout feels intimidating, I remind myself that running is my job, and that I’m incredibly lucky to be able to do it.
Running has given me so much in my life, so when things get tough out there, I try to reframe it. I’m in a really fortunate position to be able to push myself in this way.”
Colleen Quigley, Olympian and Runna Athlete
“In hard workouts, when the reps start to feel really tough, I go back to simple cues. I literally tell myself: shoulders down, pump your elbows back, relax.
When I focus on those small things, it helps me stay composed, and the pace usually comes.”
Anya Culling, Elite marathoner and Runna Athlete
“I try to take a step back and get some perspective on how far I’ve already come. Then I let go of expectations. If you start limiting yourself before you’ve even begun, you might miss the chance to have the session of your life.”
Kayla, Ultramarathon runner and Runna Athlete
“Before a tough session, I remind myself: make your parents proud. My parents are no longer here, but that thought still drives me every day.”
What’s something you wish you could tell your younger self when you were starting out?
With experience often comes perspective.
Gen Gregson, Olympian and Runna Athlete
I'd tell my younger self to always stick at it. There will be plenty of lows and adversity along the way, but one day you’ll look back and feel incredibly proud of everything you’ve accomplished.
Running can be brutal at times, and sometimes lonely, but it’s also hugely character building.”
Colleen Quigley, Olympian and Runna Athlete
“I’d tell my younger self to relax a little and have more fun, although I’m not sure she would’ve listened.
It all goes by really quickly, so soak up the moments and the relationships you build with teammates along the way.”
Anya Culling, Elite marathoner and Runna Athlete
“I’d tell my younger self to be brave and not worry so much about how you look while you’re doing it.
When you let go of that and focus on what you’re capable of, you might end up achieving far more than you ever thought possible.
Kayla, Ultramarathon runner and Runna Athlete
“I’d tell my younger self to be patient. There’s no rush: not with your pace, the start of a race, or the finish line.
If running is something you want to do for a lifetime, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey.”
If you could give every woman one piece of running advice, what would it be?
The most powerful running advice is often the simplest.
Gen Gregson, Olympian and Runna Athlete
“My advice would be to find a friend with a similar mindset and sit down together to write out some running goals you both want to achieve.
Running can feel tough when you’re doing it alone, but sharing the journey with someone makes it so much more enjoyable.”
Colleen Quigley, Olympian and Runna Athlete
“Sign up for something that challenges you. A race can give you a goal and something exciting to work toward.
And just as importantly, find a community that will support you along the way.”
Anya Culling, Elite marathoner and Runna Athlete
“Control the controllables. Don’t let anyone else dictate how you should feel or what you’re capable of. Focus on your own effort, your own journey, and trust that you know yourself best.”
Kayla, Ultramarathon runner and Runna Athlete
“Stop comparing your body to anyone else’s. You’re beautifully designed, more than capable, and already enough. Just show up, run your run, and own every stride.”
The Takeaway
Running will always come with challenges, tough sessions, moments of doubt, and days when motivation feels far away. But as these women show, the real power of running often lies in the confidence, community, and resilience it builds along the way.
And sometimes, the most important reminder is the simplest one: you’re capable of more than you think.