From Basic Training to the Starting Line: Kyle Collier's Running Story

Kyle Collier didn't set out to become a marathon runner. In 2020, shortly after re-enlisting in the National Guard, a friend invited him to North End Run Club while he trained for the Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach. Kyle showed up for the race prep. He stayed for everything else.

What started as preparation for one race quickly became something much bigger. The people Kyle met along the way turned running into a passion, and he's been running ever since. Today, he's training for a big fall marathon season, with races on the calendar in the Baltimore Marathon and the Philadelphia Marathon.

Kyle Collier running a race wearing an Alter Ego hat with the title
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One Race Becomes a Habit

Training for the Shamrock Half Marathon was where Kyle's running journey began. What started as a way to prepare for one race soon grew into an ongoing passion for running. Kyle kept training, kept showing up to run club, and kept adding new distances, until preparing for one race turned into a full active lifestyle.

Finding Alter Ego

Kyle was first drawn to Alter Ego Running after reading our story. A few things sealed it for him:

  • Coming from a military background himself, he connected with our founders' journey and the values we built this brand on.
  • Our transparency and authenticity made it easy for him to get behind us.
  • The gear itself helps him feel comfortable and confident every time he heads out for a run.

The Real Fuel Behind the Miles

For Kyle, running has become a way to clear his head and let go of stress, something he looks forward to every day. More than the miles themselves, he credits the running community with having the biggest impact on his journey.

A few years ago, Kyle went through a stretch of health anxiety. What carried him through wasn't one big gesture; it was a string of small ones:

  • A high five at run club
  • A supportive comment on social media
  • Kudos from the Strava community

None of those moments were dramatic on their own. Stacked together, they became a quiet source of running motivation on the hardest days, and a reminder that Kyle wasn't running through it alone.

Passing the Encouragement Forward

Today, Kyle hopes to pass that encouragement on to others. He believes a simple high five or kind word can make a bigger difference than people realize, and that showing up for each other is what makes this sport worth sticking with.

That belief is the heart of Kyle's runner story: encouragement as its own kind of running inspiration.

Built for the Next Mile

Kyle's path from re-enlisting in the National Guard to a two-marathon fall season wasn't part of any plan. It grew out of one invitation to a run club, and turned into a life built around movement and the people who show up alongside him.

That's the spirit behind Alter Ego Running, where Kyle runs as part of Alter Ego South. If you see him on the course this fall, that high five is waiting for you.

FAQs

1. What inspired Kyle Collier to start running? 
A friend's invite to North End Run Club in 2020, while he trained for the Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach.

2. What races is Kyle Collier training for?
Kyle is currently in marathon training for a fall marathon season, with races planned in the Baltimore Marathon and the Philadelphia Marathon

3. Why did Kyle Collier choose Alter Ego Running?
Kyle was drawn to Alter Ego after reading the brand's story. His own military background helped him connect with the founders' journey, and the brand's transparency and authenticity made it an easy one to support. 

4. Why do runners say community is important?
A strong running community can provide encouragement, accountability, and motivation. For Kyle, support from fellow runners, whether through Run Club, social media, or Strava, helped him stay motivated and reminded him he wasn't alone during a challenging period.

5. What qualities did Kyle look for in a running brand?
Kyle was drawn to Alter Ego Running because of its authentic story, shared military connection, transparency, and values. He also appreciates gear that helps him feel comfortable and confident on every run

6. How can small acts of encouragement make a difference in the running community?
Simple gestures like a high five at Run Club, an encouraging comment, or kudos on Strava can help runners feel supported and connected. Kyle believes these moments can have a lasting impact and inspire others to keep moving forward.

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