Meet the Creator of Your Favorite Running Memes

Carlos Del Pino, also known as Carlos the Runner on Instagram and Facebook, has been creating running memes for years. You have more than likely had yourself a good laugh at running memes via the internet while understanding some of the absurdities that are associated with running like discussing the length of a marathon to the bathroom issues that are associated with running a marathon. He gives an ingenious and comical life to all things running.

We here at RunnerClick discuss with Carlos about his lifestyle, creativity, and humor that makes up this passion and how he has brought laughter to many of us through the running community via social networks.

Hi Carlos! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself: who you are, where you’re from, what you do?  

My Name is Carlos Del Pino. I am a 41-year-old, married man with 3 dogs who often grace us with their presence on my Instagram stories. I am originally from Mexico and I work as a television traffic assistant for an independent TV network in Texas.

Can you explain how and why running, fitness and racing has become a big part of your life?

This whole journey started 7 years ago. At the time, I had injured my back and one of the best ways to lose weight to help with recovery from my back pain and at the same time get back in shape was through running. Luckily for me, I had always been a fan of it so the process to get back into running came easy for me.

Through your Instagram account, you have created a strong network with the running community and in fact, you have become an ambassador for the brand Hoka One One. Can you give us a synopsis of your journey with them? 

Last year I dressed as their marshmallow mascot for a local event here in Texas that they were having. In all honesty, we had a blast! Since then, I have kept a good relationship with them and this year I was invited to participate in their Hoka Flyer Program.

So yeah, I love Hoka!

While at the same time you have become a giant fan of the November Project (free multiple days a week boot camp style workouts run throughout the US and even internationally)…what’s the story here?

I started going to the November Project workouts 2 and a half years ago because a friend told me they did running every Friday morning. To be honest, the notion about the weekly free running was the only appeal for me at the time. Little did I know I was going to find a family with them and a place to inspire and motivate others!

Your social network claim to fame is creating running specific memes. You are the creator of many amusing memes on Instagram and Facebook and because of this a lot of runners are familiar with you and your creative work as they often get republished by some big accounts all over the internet. Can you give us some insight into how this started?

I have always been a creative person and the action of creating my own memes felt natural for me. By doing so, this process also allowed a way for me to give my point of view about the running community. Due to the fact that I kept seeing the same memes over and over, I finally decided someone had to do some new ones! 

The result is worthwhile. It makes me so happy to see people really enjoying them.

But there are sometimes some negative aspects like not getting recognition for your work. How do you go about to rectify that?

Unfortunately, it is something that has been happening more and more throughout the years. For the most part, I try to ignore it because worrying about it, in the end, is not really worth my time. In most cases, I will have friends and followers who spot the unrecognized memes, when the credit has not been given, and they let me or the account reposting know. 

You also have created the hashtag #dinorunfie? What is that all about?

4 years ago, I saw a picture of a friend on Instagram and added a dinosaur in the background. It was something I was commonly creating for friends and their photos, but for some reason, this specific image went viral and became really popular. From then on people started sending me their pictures wanting the same effect. Now it’s become a sort of a tradition in that if I run with someone for the first time, I have to create the #dinorunfie!

In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of social media? 

Pros are definitely meeting new people and making new friends! I have been lucky enough to create a circle of positive people around me that keeps me inspired and motivated on a daily basis!

The cons? I guess sometimes it creates negative feelings in people. For these folks, they are taking the whole social media scene way too seriously.

What are some of your upcoming goals? 

I have already done 2 ultras races this year so I might be done with long distance racing for the immediate future. However, I will participate in several local races and the Rock n Roll Las Vegas race with November Project by the end of the year. In all honesty, I actually never plan ahead so that means there is always something that will eventually make its way on my calendar!

If you want to give Carlos a follow, you can find him on:

Instagram: Carlos the Runner

Facebook: Carlos the Runner

And his personal blog: Carlos the Runner