What Runners Wear : Nitzia
'look good, feel good' energy
I met Nitzia almost 4 years ago when I was pregnant with my son and she was my trainer at Lotus Method (next to a monthly prenatal massage, I cannot emphasize enough how much this helped me pre+post partum). Nitzia knew my ultimate goal was to get back to running (I stopped early days of pregnancy) and every time we talked about it, she would reiterate just how much of a runner she was not.
Needless to say when we caught up, I was delighted to hear not only was she running, but loving it and running is now part of her identity. Nitzia is not only a wealth of health information, she’s also an amazing photographer + her personal style is *chef’s kiss*. I was thrilled when she agreed to exhibit her latest work at our store (shameless plug) and come hang out for an afternoon to talk all things running, art + style.
Tell me a little about yourself.
This question's always so interesting to me. I've always been very active. I work out for longevity; like the aesthetic of it is nice but that's not the main priority because it's a lifestyle. I played sports throughout my entire life. Mainly soccer, volleyball and then in high school I did track but I did not do the running part;. I was a discus and a shot put thrower. Going into college, I knew I wanted a career that lined up with sports.
I've always liked preventative care, which starts with working out. I'm very much a functional movement training type of person. That's how I started training pregnant women. I've always been a mobility person as well, which goes hand in hand with strength training. I want to feel like I'm helping someone outside of just like, oh, I'm trying to lose weight or I'm trying to gain, trying to look a certain way. It was more like, I'm actually making a difference in your everyday life.
So tell me about how you got into running.
My friend posted a race she was doing - the Golden Gate Half - and was like does anybody want to run this with me? I said I'd do the 10K but they only had a 5K or the half. She was like ‘you were an athlete, you'll pick it up’ but I played soccer my entire life; I hated running. The concept of running without a ball to me was dumb. But if you catch me on a good day, I'll say yes to almost anything, so I was like fuck it dude I'll sign up.
I literally just downloaded the Nike app and started to run. It was terrible, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. At that point like, I had to do it; I paid for it and so I got through it. Eventually I actually started enjoying it. I remember the first time I ran more than three miles because I have never run more than three miles in my life. Then I ran four miles and I just kept going. I remember when I did my first 10K I literally sobbed, I was so overcome with emotion. Middle school me would have never thought like I'd be running this much.
This time around (training for the Brooklyn Experience) I started taking my camera out on my runs. There were so many things I’d see and was like ‘damn I wish I had my camera.’ It’s made my time a little bit longer because I'll stop (to take photos) but sometimes I'll try not to. A lot of them are a little blurry, but I think it adds to the aesthetic of it. Two of my hobbies intersected and got to connect, so my love for both of those things has just like increased even more.
I remember there was a switch where I was like damn I kind of like running; there's runs that I look forward to now. Getting up early and going on a run and seeing other people running. It's just like oh my god this is nice. So at this point I've been doing a half almost every year for like two and a half, almost three years. I like that running is very ‘me’ time; it helps me process a lot of things so it feels more like a meditation now.
What's your favorite route to run in a city?
I think if I'm doing a long run, I really like the Panhandle. The Panhandle, down to JFK, onto the Great Highway.
If I'm doing a shorter run, I'll start off at the Ferry Building and then make my way down to Oracle. I like doing my speed runs there because it’s all flat.
But if I'm doing a sunset run, which I really like, always Golden Gate Park.
What do you think about when you're getting dressed for a run?
Comfort! Which totally depends on how long my run is. For example, I cannot wear shorts on my speed runs because they ride up way too much! But if I’m going on a long recovery run, they tend to stay in place a little longer.
I also like to look good when I run, if I don’t like what I’m wearing, my confidence just isn’t there. If it’s a nice sunny day, I’ll wear shorts and a tank to try and get a little tan. I’ll usually throw on a hat too if it’s super bright—the sun can really bother my eyes and make me irrationally angry on a long run.
Your personal style is incredible, how does this translate over to your running wardrobe?
Thank you! I like to look cool. And when I’m running, I still want to look cool. But comfort is a huge part of my personal style—I hate feeling uncomfortable or constantly adjusting my clothes. What we wear is a reflection of who we are, and I like to stay true to that in both my everyday outfits and my running wardrobe.
Biggest complaint with running apparel on the market?
Shorts! There’s only one pair I’ve liked so far—Brooks running shorts. They ride up the least, but still ride up! I have thick legs and nothing really stays put.
If you could create any item of apparel for running, what would it be?
No doubt—shorts!
Do you approach your race day fit any differently than a normal running outfit? If so, how?
Yes and no. Yes in the sense that I still prioritize comfort and consider the weather, but I also turn it up a notch. I keep that “look good, feel good” energy, but race day is a little extra. Even if I’m the last one to finish, I’m doing it looking good! I usually get a whole new outfit (minus the shoes) for race day—it’s kind of my tradition and a little inner celebration of what I’m about to accomplish.
Tell me how you got into photography :
I had always wanted to do creative things, I always liked the arts. In 2020, I started taking photos with my phone and posting them. One of my friends was like, what are you taking photos on, are you gonna get a camera? He told me don't get a digital camera, get a film camera because that way you can really learn to use a camera.
At the time I was still in grad school so I went onto Facebook Marketplace and I bought my camera in like February, right before the pandemic hit. Before the pandemic, I was in grad school, working three jobs and trying to maintain a social life. I never was at home, I wasn't resting. Then the pandemic hit and like everything stopped. I lost two of those three jobs, I was still in school, but I wasn't going to school. Suddenly I just had time.
That summer I started walking around with like my camera, I just never put it down. I kept doing it, kept learning. I think I have a good eye and I liked it. I was like, oh, I'm going to keep doing this. Like, I love this.
Any plans/goals to someday make photography not just a hobby?
For sure, it’s a goal of mine! It started as a hobby, but it’s become so much more. And it’s all happened really naturally. I want to keep moving in that direction—letting things unfold organically, but also recognizing that what feels natural often comes from practice and intention. There are things I want to keep building on and exploring, and I’m excited to see where it takes me. Photography is something I truly love—I won’t shut up about it—and I want to keep creating from that place of love more than anything else.
Can you tell me more about Love Supreme?
Love Supreme is dope af! It’s a party that happens every third Saturday at The Knockout in the Mission. It brings people together through global sounds—nothing but great energy, even better people, and good music. I’ve met incredible folks there who’ve become real friends. The residents—Travie Bobbito, Bella D., and King Most—are all amazing DJs! I’ve been photographing the party for a few years now, and watching it grow has been such a beautiful experience. It all came together so organically—I wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you’re local to the bay area, come by Friday night to say hi + check out Nitzia’s amazing work. If you aren’t local, do yourself a favor + give her a follow on Instagram. You’ll find yourself suddenly wanting to a book a ticket to whatever destination she’s capturing.
*k
love to see a runner who also deals with thick thigh challenges! it really limits running fashion choices, sigh. I'm a bike short gal for every single run and I would love to head out in a pair of floaty shorts again one day.