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For Isobel Hume, running has always come quite naturally. But it wasn’t until her friend, Izzi Batt-Doyle, invited her to join a new group (called RunAsOne) that she had started with her partner, Riley Cocks. She says that until this time, she hasn’t ever considered running to be a serious or competitive sport, but rather, a way to “burn off some energy before going to school or university, or a great way to explore a new place while travelling”.
Five years on, Hume won Nike After Dark Sydney, a half marathon that kicked off an international race series that was designed with the sole mission to empower women. After Sydney, the tour heads to Shanghai, Seoul, Mumbai, Los Angeles, and Mexico City, to bring the nightlife energy to the running circuit.
“Nike is always coming up with creative ways to engage with the running community; their events and products feel like a feast for runners,” Hume told ELLE Australia. “The After Dark Tour is the perfect example of that — an event that’s not just about racing, but about creating space for women to connect, challenge themselves and celebrate the joy of running. I’m really proud to be a part of the event.”
While Hume moonlights as a competitive (and very accomplished, we’ll add) runner, her day job is equally interesting. As a Research Scientist working in environmental modelling and life cycle assessment, she models things like greenhouse gas emissions, water and land use, to help industries track their sustainability progress. “If you’ve ever seen a product with a carbon footprint label on it, and wondered how those numbers are calculated — my work contributes to that,” she explains.
With such an impressive job, we were curious to hear how running enriches her life. “Running builds a kind of mental strength and clarity that I rely on in other areas of my life,” Hume says. “It reminds me how to stay with discomfort, how to commit to long processes, and how to keep showing up even when it’s not easy. Running also gives me space to think and to feel. I’m not someone who can sit down and do a silent meditation for an hour, but I find the rhythm of running to be a meditative process that helps me find clarity in other aspects of life too.”
Ahead, Hume sits down with ELLE Australia to discuss her running journey, and how she balances work and life.
Why did you decide to take running more seriously?
After joining RunAsOne, I began to appreciate the growth that comes with consistent training. But it took some convincing before I wanted to compete and race. It can feel quite vulnerable to commit to something and try your hardest. I’m very grateful for my coach Riley for being patient and persistent in pushing me out of my comfort zone.
I still remember how confusing and new everything felt during those first few races — what shoes to wear, when to warm up, how to pace yourself through a 10km. My friends at RunAsOne were so instrumental in giving me the confidence to show up and not be afraid to fail. I try to pay that forward, to be a friendly face for other girls who are getting into the sport.
Why do you love to run?
Running gives me energy and helps me to feel present. No matter what’s going on in my day or in my head, running brings me back to myself. It’s when I feel most connected — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I also run because it makes me feel strong and powerful. It reminds me of what I’m capable of.
Being part of the Nike After Dark Tour has reminded me how powerful it is to share all of that with other people — to feel part of something bigger than just your own personal achievements. I think that feeling of community and sharing in other people’s journey is what is bringing so many new people to the sport.
Outside of running, what drives you?
I am very proud of the work that I do in the area of environmental sustainability. I derive a lot of meaning from what I do, and I am very driven to continue this work.
What are you working towards right now in your career?
Yikes—do I sound totally unambitious if I say I’m not really working towards any big or noteworthy “goals”? I’m a really process-oriented person. I don’t think in terms of traditional goals—it’s just never quite worked for me. I tend to frame things differently: I try to do things well, with care and attention, every day. When I focus on that, the right opportunities and outcomes tend to follow. That mindset has worked for me in both my career and in my running, and it helps me stay present and honour whatever phase of life I’m in.
Everything I’ve achieved so far — in running and in my career — is already beyond anything I ever imagined for myself. I stay open to whatever comes next, and by not having any specific path mapped out, I’ve been able to explore possibilities I never would have considered otherwise.
My running coach Riley might have more specific goals for me, but he knows me well enough to keep them to himself.
What’s your dream job?
Truthfully, I don’t plan much more than a few months ahead — which probably isn’t surprising given my last answer. But if I had to define a “dream job,” it would look something like, riding my bike to work (non-negotiable), being challenged by the problems I’m working on, and contributing to something that matters to me.
Right now, I get to do exactly that. I work on things I care about, with people I admire, and toward a future I believe in. And I still have the time and energy to run, to partner with Nike, and to spend time with the people I love. By those metrics, I’d say my job is pretty dreamy.
Running and training as an athlete can take up considerable time; how do you balance that with your work, study and personal time?
Honestly, it’s a lot. I certainly don’t want to give off the impression that I have a working formula for balance. For me, it comes down to priorities — running, work, sleep, and nutrition are at the top of my list at the moment. Everything else fits in where it can. I can let the laundry pile up or leave the dishwasher unstacked if it means I’m performing at work, getting my runs in, recovering properly, and spending time with my loved ones. I also like to leave time for at least one mini mental break down a month, just to be safe.
I’m learning that balance isn’t something you “achieve” — it’s something you adjust constantly, depending on what matters most that week.
How important is it to you to maintain balance in your life — mentally and physically?
Running gives me energy and helps me show up better in other parts of my life. It creates a kind of balance with the other things I care about. At work, I spend a lot of time at a desk looking at numbers, whereas running clears my head and gets me into my body. I think that balance between mental and physical effort actually helps me be more focused and effective in both areas.
I can see how easy it would be for the opposite to be true – for work to interfere with running or visa versa. On days when I am struggling to be present on a run I use tools like active meditation or mindfulness to quiet the noise. The Nike Run Club app offers guided runs with Headspace, which are a great resource.
What’s the biggest lesson that running has taught you?
Running has taught me that I am capable of doing hard things, even when they seem out of reach at first. There have been races and training sessions that have been really tough, but by simply showing up and doing the work, I’ve reached milestones I’d never dreamed of reaching.
It also reminded me that no one else is coming to do the work for you: you have to put in the effort yourself. That consistency and commitment to the process, one day at a time, is what leads to meaningful success.
What tip would you give to other runners who find it hard to make time for running amongst all the other daily ‘to-dos’?
I try not to think of running as another “to-do” on the list — it’s something that genuinely adds value to my life. Whether it’s stress relief, a chance to be outside, or just a little pocket of time to myself, running gives back more than it takes. I’d encourage others to figure out what it is that running gives to them—maybe it’s community, maybe it’s meditation, maybe it’s just feeling strong and capable – and focus on that. Coming back to your ‘why’ of running can help when motivation is low.
I would also remind people that running doesn’t have to look a certain way, and it certainly won’t look the same for everyone. Some days it’s a social catch up, some days it’s pushing yourself to do something hard. There is no blueprint you have to follow. The important thing is just to start, keep experimenting, and find what makes it enjoyable and sustainable for you.
The post Isobel Hume On Running, Training, And Balancing It All appeared first on ELLE.
