Are there any running communities that focus on building confidence and mental strength?

You've probably noticed that most running communities fall into one of two camps: the ultra-competitive groups where everyone's chasing PRs and posting their splits, or the casual social clubs where running is more about the mimosas afterward than the miles themselves.

But what if you're looking for something different? What if you want a running community that actually helps you build mental toughness, develop unshakeable confidence, and understand the why behind your training—not just the what?

The good news: communities like this DO exist. Even better news: you've found one.

Why Mental Strength and Confidence Matter More Than Your Pace

Here's something I learned the hard way during my own running journey: physical fitness will only take you so far. I've coached hundreds of runners over the years, and the ones who achieve their biggest breakthroughs aren't necessarily the fastest or the most naturally athletic.

They're the ones who develop mental resilience.

They're the runners who can push through discomfort without panicking. Who can handle a bad training run without spiraling into self-doubt. Who trust their training even when race day doesn't go perfectly.

And here's the thing most running programs get wrong: you can't build that kind of mental strength by just following a training plan. You need education, support, and a community that prioritizes your mental game as much as your physical preparation.

What Makes a Running Community Actually Supportive?

Not all running communities are created equal. Before we dive into how you can train with Badass Lady Gang, let me share what I believe makes a truly supportive running community:

Education over blind execution. You should understand WHY you're doing each workout, not just what's written on the calendar. When you understand the science behind your training, you build confidence that lasts beyond a single race.

Body positivity and inclusivity. No diet talk. No body shaming. No "earn your food" mentality. Running should make you feel strong and capable, not like you're constantly trying to shrink yourself.

Process goals over outcome goals. While finishing times matter, the real growth happens when you focus on what you can control: showing up consistently, executing your paces, fueling properly, and building mental resilience.

All paces welcomed. Whether you're running 15-minute miles or 7-minute miles, your goals matter equally. There's no "back of the pack" energy here—we're all working toward our own versions of badass.

Mental game support. Race day nerves, imposter syndrome, comparison traps, comeback struggles—these are real challenges that deserve real support and strategy.

This is exactly what we've built at Badass Lady Gang.

How You Can Train with Badass Lady Gang

Whether you're just getting started with running or you're training for your tenth marathon, BALG offers multiple ways to get the support, education, and community you need. Here's how you can train with us:

1. Free 8-Week Couch to 5K Running Plan

Best for: Brand-new runners or anyone returning to running after time off

If you're just starting your running journey, our free Couch to 5K program gives you everything you need to build a solid foundation—without overwhelm or intimidation.

What you get:

• Audio-guided runs with Coach Kelly (me!) in your ears, coaching you through every workout

• Runner-specific strength training videos to prevent injury and build power

• Access to our free online community for support and accountability

• Training that builds gradually to prevent burnout and injury

• Educational content that helps you understand proper pacing, recovery, and form

The best part? This program isn't just about getting you to the finish line of a 5K. It's about teaching you how to become a confident, consistent runner who understands their training. Many runners who start here go on to join our Training Team or purchase personalized plans because they love the educational approach.

2. Affordable Training Plans

Best for: Self-motivated runners who want a customized plan they can follow independently

Maybe you don't need weekly coaching calls, but you DO want a training plan that's built specifically for your goals, schedule, and experience level—not some cookie-cutter program pulled from the internet.

What you get:

• Fully customized training plan based on your current fitness, goal race, and schedule

• Clear explanations of each workout type so you understand what you're doing and why

• Pacing guidance tailored to your ability level

• Injury prevention strategies built into your plan

• Email support throughout your training cycle

These plans give you the structure and personalization you need while allowing you to train on your own timeline. You'll have the confidence of knowing your plan was designed by an experienced coach who understands how to build fitness progressively and sustainably.

3. Training Experiences (Specific Race Programs)

Best for: Runners training for a specific race who want group support and expert guidance

Training for a marathon? Half marathon? Looking to finally nail that 5K or 10K? Our training experiences combine personalized training plans with group coaching and community support.

What you get:

• Customized training plan for your specific goal race

• Weekly group coaching calls via Zoom where you can ask questions and get race-specific strategy

• Access to our strength training video library

• Community support from other runners training for the same race

• Race-specific education (fueling strategies, pacing plans, mental prep, taper protocol)

• Accountability and encouragement from Coach Kelly and your training cohort

These experiences are perfect if you want the benefits of personalized coaching with the motivation and camaraderie of training alongside other runners with similar goals. There's something powerful about going through a training cycle with women who get exactly what you're experiencing.

4. BALG Training Team (Group Coaching Program)

Best for: Runners who want ongoing support, education, and community for multiple training cycles

This is our comprehensive group coaching program—and honestly, it's where the magic happens. The Training Team isn't just for a single race; it's for runners who want to develop as athletes over time with consistent coaching, education, and support.

What you get:

• Personalized training plans updated throughout the year based on your evolving goals

• Weekly Zoom coaching calls where we dive deep into training concepts, troubleshoot challenges, and build your mental game

• Access to our complete strength training video library (runner-specific exercises that actually make you faster and more injury-resistant)

• Private community space with other Training Team members for daily support and accountability

• Educational workshops on topics like fueling, pacing, injury prevention, race strategy, and mental resilience

• Direct access to Coach Kelly for questions and guidance throughout your training

The Training Team is where we really dig into the mental side of running. We talk about imposter syndrome, comparison traps, race day nerves, and building confidence that lasts. You'll learn to set process goals, execute race-day strategy, and recover from setbacks without losing momentum.

This isn't just a training program—it's a community of women committed to becoming stronger, more confident runners who understand their training from the inside out.

5. Private One-on-One Coaching

Best for: Runners who want completely individualized attention and highly customized support

If you're looking for the highest level of personalization and direct access to coaching expertise, private coaching gives you exactly that.

What you get:

• Fully customized training plans that adapt week-to-week based on your progress and life circumstances

• Regular one-on-one video calls with Coach Kelly

• Unlimited communication and support via email or messaging

• Highly individualized strategy for your specific goals, challenges, and needs

• Complete flexibility to adjust training based on your schedule, travel, injuries, or life events

Private coaching is ideal if you have specific circumstances—like returning from injury, managing a complex schedule, training for an ultra or unique event, or working through significant mental barriers around running.

What Makes BALG Different: The Mental Strength Component

Here's what I want you to understand about how we approach mental strength at Badass Lady Gang:

We teach you to understand your training. When you know WHY you're doing a tempo run or WHY easy runs need to stay easy, you develop trust in your training. That trust translates to confidence on race day.

We focus on process goals. Instead of fixating only on finish times (which you can't fully control), we help you identify and achieve process goals: executing your paces, fueling consistently, practicing your mental strategies. These wins build real confidence.

We normalize the struggle. Bad runs happen. Training doesn't always go perfectly. We create space to talk about the hard parts without shame or judgment, which helps you develop resilience.

We practice mental skills. Positive self-talk, race visualization, managing nerves, reframing discomfort—these aren't just nice-to-haves. They're skills you can develop, and we practice them together.

We celebrate all progress. Whether you PR'd by 10 minutes or you showed up for your run on a really hard day, we celebrate it. This builds intrinsic motivation that lasts.

Real Runners, Real Results

I could tell you all day about our philosophy, but what really matters is how it works for real runners:

"I joined BALG expecting to get faster, and I did. But what I didn't expect was how much more confident I'd become—not just in running, but in life. Understanding WHY I was doing each workout made such a difference." —Training Team member

"After years of following random training plans from the internet and constantly getting injured, the Couch to 5K program taught me how to actually build fitness gradually. Now I'm training for my first half marathon with the Training Team!" —BALG community member

"The mental game support has been game-changing. I used to panic every time a run felt hard. Now I have strategies to work through discomfort, and my race-day confidence is completely different." —Training Team member

Your Next Step

So, are there running communities that focus on building confidence and mental strength? Absolutely—and you're looking at one right now.

Whether you're just starting out or you're ready to level up your training, there's a place for you at Badass Lady Gang. We're here to help you become not just a faster runner, but a more confident, educated, mentally tough athlete who understands her training and trusts herself to execute it.

Ready to get started?

• Brand new to running? Start with our free Couch to 5K program

• Training for a specific race? Check out our training experiences

• Want ongoing support and education? Join the BALG Training Team

• Looking for personalized coaching? Explore training plans or inquire about private coaching

• Not sure what's right for you? Join our free community and get a feel for the BALG approach

You don't have to figure this out alone. Let's build your confidence, strength, and mental game together.